[barksdale]

Is it possible to plug my guitar into my computer without a soundcard?
 
I would assume it is but I would need an adapter.
 
Does this affect the sound quality at all?

I wanted to record my playing with audacity.  Maybe there's a program that acts like an amp too.

 

[Kawai_man]

I use to plug mu guitar into the  output of my  computer, and record just cleans which sounded horrible cause there was no ssoftware I had.

 

[cel4145]

Check out the Rocksmith Real Tone Cable. It was designed for use with the Rocksmith PC game for plugging your guitar in, but I think I remember reading it will work for recording without the game. 

 

[Draygonn]

I use the Rocksmith usb cable. Works great.

 

[Seekky]

Buy a USB interface and ur good to go, they are not expensive. Or, get a mono 1/4 adapter plug in to your computer mic jack, download asio4all. But still, I prefer to get a USB interface

 

[Seekky]

If u want effects, u should get the line6 pod gx