ToneCraft Live can be used with either a USB-ready amp / multi-effects unit
or a standard audio interface. The guide below shows both setup options
and the ToneCraft settings to use.
Overview
There are two simple ways to connect a guitar for live use:
Option 1 — Amp / Multi-effects via USB
Use an amp or pedalboard that can connect to a laptop by USB.
You may need to download and install the correct driver first.
Example: BOSS ME-90
Option 2 — Audio Interface
Use a separate audio interface for a direct guitar input.
This is a clean and flexible setup for live playing.
Connection diagrams
Pick the setup based on where you want to hear the sound.
Option 1A — USB amp / multi-effects + laptop speakers
Option 1B — USB amp / multi-effects + headphones
Option 2 — Audio interface
Option 1 — Amp / Multi-effects via USB
If the amp or pedalboard appears in the laptop sound settings, it can be used as the live guitar input for ToneCraft.
This is often the easiest option when the guitar setup already includes USB-ready gear.
1
Connect the hardware
Plug the guitar into the amp / multi-effects unit, then connect that device to the laptop with a USB data cable.
Install the driver if the maker provides one.
2
Choose sound on the laptop
Use the USB device as the guitar input. Then decide where you want to hear the sound:
laptop speakers, or headphones plugged into the device.
3
Choose the same devices in ToneCraft
Pick the guitar device for input, pick the right channel, then choose where the sound should come out.
Laptop settings
Input example: OUTPUT (ME-90)
Output example for speakers: Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)
Output example for headphones on the device: MIX IN (ME-90)
These are example names from a BOSS ME-90. Other devices may use different names.
ToneCraft settings
Input device example: OUTPUT (ME-90)
Input channel: 1 or 2
What channel 1 and 2 mean: they are the two sound lines sent by the device
What to choose: start with channel 1
If there is no sound or it sounds wrong: switch to channel 2
If both sound the same: either one is fine
Output for laptop speakers: Speakers (Realtek(R) Audio)
Output for headphones on the device: MIX IN (ME-90)
If you want to hear the sound through headphones plugged into the amp / multi-effects unit,
choose that device as the output in ToneCraft.
Option 2 — Audio Interface
A separate audio interface is a standard way to connect a guitar to a laptop.
It gives a clean guitar input and is easy to use for live playing.
1
Connect the guitar
Plug the guitar into the audio interface, then connect the interface to the laptop with USB.
2
Choose where to hear the sound
Use the audio interface as the guitar input. Then choose either laptop speakers or headphones plugged into the interface.
3
Choose the same devices in ToneCraft
Pick the audio interface as input, use the main guitar channel, and choose the output you want.
Laptop settings
Input: audio interface
Output: speakers or interface headphones
ToneCraft settings
Input device: audio interface
Input channel: usually channel 1 for a single guitar cable
Output device: speakers or interface headphones
Quick notes
Before connecting
Use a USB data cable, not a charge-only cable
Allow microphone access in the browser for ToneCraft Live
Check that the device appears in the laptop sound settings
If there is no sound
Check the input device in ToneCraft Live
Check the output device in ToneCraft Live
Check whether the sound should come from laptop speakers or headphones on the device