Guitar Recording

You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug your guitar into your computer?
How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface?
What about your favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.

The recording guitarist's computer setup should be something like this:

Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended)
Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, Vocals etc.
Quality guitar cable
Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB
Guitar/Midi Interface-Roland or Axon(recommended)
Usb/Firewire cables
Computer(Mac recommended or PC)
Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended)
Audio recording/sequencer software
Plug-ins: Effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc
    Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation
    Sampler/synths ( for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards)
Quality cables to speakers Powered Speakers
Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife and kids at those late weekend sessions).

Some ways to record:

-Setting up your whole live rig and putting a microphone in front of the your cabinet, playing at loud volumes so you get the amp to sound right, push the speaker enough, putting your speaker in a closet, using a blanket to damping volume, etc.

--You could use a load on you speaker like the Hugh and Kettner Red Box (I used two in stereo years ago), THD Hot Plate, or a Marshall Power Brake. Guitar Direct Boxes

--Use a preamp that is compensated for direct recording i.e a Tech 21/Sans amp product, as the front end. I have also used and still have my BLACK PSA-1(1 of 1 and signed by Andrew). You can plug this into outboard effects or add plugins Tech 21 preamps

-You could record from your pedal board or any outboard multi-effects you might own. You probably end up with a direct type sound. Some multi effects have amp simulation that might take the edge of the "direct sound" like a Line 6 Podxt

With any of these scenarios you are committing yourself to the recorded track. If you record with effects, you can't change it later. You would have to re-record! And if you do not re-record on the same day or you have to come back and have to set up the rig again, hopefully the knobs setting were written down, place the speaker in the same place etc, etc.... If you get into the recording other instruments or mixing the song and you want to change the guitar sound, tone, effects, etc, -- you have to re-record!

With a software computer base system, you can change almost everything after you have recorded--amps, effects, mics, mic placement and more. You do this with plug-ins. You can save all your presets, sounds, etc. You could have multi-guitar tracks with different settings all from recording one track.

The flexibility is there! Yes, there are purists out there- "software can't sound like tubes". Well, the software is getting pretty close!!!!
Native Instrument's Guitar Rig
Guitar Combos

There is a lot of software out there. You do not have to spend a lot of money AND it is always improving. You buy a box. (i.e.hard disk recorders, and others mentioned above), you have bought a box. You usually can't upgrade without buying a new box. Hard Disk Recorders

One last note, with a guitar with a 13 pin connection, either internally (i.e. Godin, Brian Moore, Carvin) or with a Roland/Axon pickup installed on the body, you get 100% use of your software. You can record your guitar sound and get access to any software synths or samplers that come with the software or as a third party plug-in.  The sounds are there and you paid for them, now you can access them and use them.

People use computers every day at work or home- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point, etc) Email, Internet.
Use it to record your guitar and music!!

Hopefully, I can help and guide you to make a educated decision. A good book to check out is The Everything Home Recording Book