In this guide
There is no single guitar to PC cable. Use a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable from your guitar to an audio interface, then a USB cable from the interface to your PC.
- You use a 1/4-inch TS instrument cable into an audio interface with a Hi-Z input
- The interface connects to your PC via USB and has drivers installed
- Gain is set low enough to avoid clipping
- You plug a direct USB-to-1/4-inch cable from guitar straight to PC
- You use the PC’s built-in 3.5mm sound card input — wrong impedance, no preamp
- Drivers are missing or gain is set too high
Why You Need Two Cables, Not One
A guitar outputs a high-impedance instrument-level signal. Your PC has no input designed for that. An audio interface bridges the gap by converting the guitar signal into digital audio your PC can process. That means two connections: instrument cable to interface, USB from interface to PC.
Cable 1: The Instrument Cable (Guitar to Interface)
Use a standard 1/4-inch TS (Tip-Sleeve) mono instrument cable. This is the same cable you’d use to plug into an amp. Plug one end into your guitar’s output jack and the other into the Hi-Z (high-impedance) instrument input on your audio interface. Cable length of 10–15 feet is fine for most home setups.
Cable 2: USB (Interface to PC)
Most audio interfaces use USB Type-A to Type-B, or USB-C depending on the model. The Focusrite Scarlett range is one of the most common choices for beginners and comes with the correct USB cable in the box. Install the manufacturer’s drivers before plugging in for the first time.
Quick Setup Comparison
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar → 1/4″ cable → Interface → USB → PC | Yes | Interface + drivers | Best quality |
| Guitar → USB-to-1/4″ cable → PC | No | — | Impedance mismatch, noise |
| Guitar → 3.5mm adapter → PC mic input | No | — | Wrong impedance, no preamp |
What to Avoid
USB-to-1/4-inch cables marketed as “guitar to PC” cables are widely sold but cause serious problems: impedance mismatch, excessive noise, latency, and poor tone. Your PC’s built-in sound card mic input also lacks the preamp and Hi-Z circuit a guitar needs. Check the Sweetwater cable buying guide for more detail on instrument cable types and specs.
Do You Need Anything Else?
- Recording software (DAW) such as GarageBand, Audacity, or Reaper
- Interface drivers installed before first use
- Gain knob on the interface set so the signal light stays green, not red
If your interface uses USB-C, check whether your PC port supports the full USB data spec — see our guide on what USB-C ports actually support and our article on why USB-C connections sometimes fail for related troubleshooting tips.
Bottom line: The correct guitar to PC cable setup is a 1/4-inch TS instrument cable into an audio interface, plus a USB cable from the interface to your PC. Skip the cheap direct USB guitar cables — they do not work properly and will waste your time.