Guitar input setup guide

Clear signal. Accurate notes.

An audio interface gives GuitarRun the cleanest signal, but a notebook microphone can still work well. This guide shows you how to get reliable note detection from either setup.

Set up your input →Open GuitarRun

Clean tone · One note at a time · Calibrate before practice

Recommended signal pathLow noise · low latency
GUITAR→INTERFACE→USB→GUITARRUN

A direct signal removes most room noise and helps the pitch detector lock onto the fundamental note.

Quick comparison

Which input should you use?

Choose an interface for serious practice and Marathon sessions. Choose the built-in microphone when convenience matters and the room is quiet.

Recommended

Audio interface

  • Cleaner and stronger guitar signal
  • Lower background noise and room echo
  • More stable pitch and faster response
  • Best for fast phrases and long combos
BEST FOR: ELECTRIC GUITAR · MARATHON
No extra gear

Notebook microphone

  • Fastest way to start
  • Works well with acoustic guitar
  • More sensitive to noise and reflections
  • May fluctuate on low or quiet notes
BEST FOR: CASUAL PRACTICE · ACOUSTIC
Five-minute setup

Connect, calibrate, and test.

Use a clean sound while setting up. Effects can create extra frequencies that make pitch detection less stable.

01

Connect the guitar

Interface: Plug the guitar into the instrument or Hi-Z input, then connect the interface to the computer by USB. Keep the input gain below clipping.

Target: The interface meter should move clearly when you play but never remain red.
02

Choose a clean input

In GuitarRun, press Connect, allow microphone access, and choose the interface input. If using the notebook microphone, place an acoustic guitar 20–40 cm away and point the sound hole slightly past the microphone rather than directly into it.

Avoid: Distortion, reverb, delay, speaker playback, fans, conversation, and other instruments.
03

Run Calibrate Input

Play the requested note at your normal practice volume. Calibration measures the useful signal level and separates your playing from the room noise.

Retest when: You change guitars, input gain, microphone position, room, or audio device.
04

Confirm stable notes

Play one string at a time and let it ring. The detected note should settle quickly instead of jumping between several names.

Ready for Marathon: Five slow notes are detected correctly without false hits between them.
Troubleshooting

When detection feels inaccurate

The note name keeps jumping

Lower distortion and gain, mute unused strings, move away from speakers, and play a single note cleanly. With a microphone, reduce room noise and move closer to the instrument.

Low strings respond slowly

Pick closer to the bridge for a clearer attack, raise the interface input slightly without clipping, and avoid heavy palm muting during calibration.

GuitarRun detects notes when I am not playing

The noise floor is too high. Turn off fans or speakers, reduce interface gain, use a quieter input, and run calibration again.

There is a noticeable delay

Select the interface directly instead of a virtual audio device, close other audio-heavy applications, and use a wired USB connection where possible.

Recommended starting point

Use the setup that keeps you practicing.

ELECTRIC GUITAR

Use an audio interface

Direct input gives the most reliable result and keeps your room quiet.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Start with the microphone

Keep the instrument close and the room quiet. Upgrade only if detection remains unstable.

MARATHON MODE

Prefer the interface

Continuous positions and combos benefit most from a clean, low-noise signal.

Ready to test your signal?

Play one clean note.

Connect your input, calibrate once, and let GuitarRun show you the fretboard.

Open GuitarRun free →