Line 6 Toneport

[get2sammyb]

Hi everyone,

Firstly I have indeed searched through the back catalogue of topics, which seemed to answer my initial question regarding how good the Toneport is. It seems like it is recommended for a person like myself who doesn't have the equipment, space or room setup in order to mic my amps.

So I have a few more questions about the Toneport. Firstly I would like to point out that I was planning on originally getting a Pod XT (possibly Pro, although I was decided on that), this thing does exactly the same as the POD XT though right? Maybe with a few less amp models or whatever. But have I got that right?

Right the next thing is - I watched the videos on the Line 6 site, and they were using Variax instruments. How much is it going to affect the sounds etc. if I am using say a Fender guitar or Yamaha bass etc. Is the program designed for any inputting instrument or is it designed for the Variax instruments? Also, I am presuming in order to take advantage of the acoustic guitar settings I am going to need some kind of electric acoustic guitar?

I have used a similar piece of software to this before - Cakewalks Guitar Tracks Pro 3. That time I was playing with a demo and basically I plugged my guitar in from a 1/4" to 1/8" converter cable into the computer and it went through a plugin called Amplitude which works in a similar way to the Toneport I would guess. Basically the whole thing sounded cack: it was crunchy, muffled, and urgh. Now this time I know it's not a case of plugging into a shite soundcard with a cheap cable, but I mean obviously I am a little worried that despite the high quality videos that are on the Line 6 website, I might be expecting a similarly shit sound from the Toneport. Can anyone put me at ease over that?

The software comes with Ableton Live - much as I love Ableton will I be able to use it in conjunction with an application such as Cubase SX3?

Now, I was planning on getting something like a Presonus Firepod (or the one with only two inputs seeing as it's doubtful I'll record a whole band in one take); now if the Toneport goes in through the USB bort of the computer, does this mean I will only be using my Presonus audio interface as a means to getting the sound out of my computer and out through my monitors. There will nothing to be plugged into the actual soundcard?

Finally would a Presonus Firebox (or Firepod) and a Line 6 Toneport make for a good basis in order to record a range of guitar, bass, vocals and keyboards for a budget of around $500?

Will the sound be good enough to put down a demo etc. (obviously with work put into learning how to get the best results etc).

Does anyone have any samples of using either bits of kit?

Thank you so much in advance,

Any further advice will be VERY appreciated.

 

[ssscientist]

I might be expecting a similarly shit sound from the Toneport.

The videos you saw on the Line 6 site were not meant to sell a non-working or angst-causing product, but to advertise what their new box can do. If you have such doubts buy it from a place that has a return policy.

The software comes with Ableton Live - much as I love Ableton will I be able to use it in conjunction with an application such as Cubase SX3?

If the Live LE version still has it's ReWire functionality --- as the full version does --- then you will be able to run it simultaneously on the same computer and enjoy the benefits of both software packages.

There will nothing to be plugged into the actual soundcard?

In the pre-USB and pre-Firewire days when the sound on a computer was to be upgraded the old soundcard was pulled out to make space for the new one. In this case the old soundcard stays in place but is disabled and the Toneport becomes your new soundcard.

Finally would a Presonus Firebox (or Firepod) and a Line 6 Toneport make for a good basis in order to record a range of guitar, bass, vocals and keyboards for a budget of around $500?

If I were you I would start by getting just the Toneport and see how far you can get with that. And yes, the sound will be good enough to put down a demo.


.

 

[get2sammyb]

Thank you very much for your prompt and informative reply Ssscientist.

It's weird to think that the Toneport works as a soundcard too and that there is no need for something like the Firebox.

So can I (for example) link a pair of monitors to the Toneport?

Thank you very much,

Sammy.

EDIT:

Just looked on the website and it seems you can.

Haha this thing looks a bit too good to be true.

 

[get2sammyb]

Hi,

Sorry to bring up this old topic, just had a couple more things to ask.

If I'm going to be using the Toneport as a soundcard, I just want to check I'll be able to record into say Cubase, and then say record a different instrument on top, while the original plays through my monitors? I willl be able to do all the tracking stuff right? I ask because if Toneport is running bass effects through my computer and recording those, how can it possibly play a metronome and a guitar and vocal track at the same time. I am probably sounding like a muppet but the thought has been going through my head.

Also how good does it work as a soundcard? Anyone have any experience. And how bad is the delay between recording a guitar into Toneport, and it appearing on Cubase?

Thanks a lot in advance,

Sammy.

 

[ssscientist]

Also how good does it work as a soundcard? Anyone have any experience. And how bad is the delay between recording a guitar into Toneport, and it appearing on Cubase?

What you are asking about in the first part of your question and in the part quoted above go to the same issue --- latency.

Steinberg makes Cubase and they invented ASIO drivers to minimize latency some time ago. Since you use Cubase you have the advantage of having the inventors of the solution to the problem in your corner. ASIO drivers have become an industry standard and the Toneport probably includes ASIO drivers on the installation CD that comes with it.

It may also offer 'direct monitoring' which means you monitor the input signal and existing track playback but not the latency-affected signal you are recording. Then when you play it back you hear the overdubbed track right along with all the rest.

As I said before, if you have serious doubts buy it from a store with a return policy and try it out in the privacy of your own recording room.

 

[get2sammyb]

Yeah sorted.

Thank you very much

Sorry for sounding like a n00b

 

[ssscientist]

We were all n00bs once...