You would think an electric guitar could plug directly into a computer soundcard or interface in the same way keyboards and drum machines do, but it's not advisable for a couple reasons. First, even though the output of an electric guitar is, obviously, electronic and exits the instrument though a cord, the signal is much weaker compared to other electronic instruments. This is due to the guitar's pickups—the guitar's sound-producing devices that give the electric guitar its charm.

The best way to save time and money in the recording studio is to be prepared – and I mean completely prepared!