Question - Line 6 Tone Port Ux2, Problem with configuring it Options

[Franky G]

Ok - I think I may have jumped the gun a bit.

I wanted to be able to record guitar parts (and the tone that comes from my amp) to my pc, but I cant seem to do this very easily. Im really hoping that I'm just misunderstanding something.

Let me list all the stuff I have to work with first.

I have a digital multi-track recorder, its a Yamaha MD4SE - here is a link to its owners manual -
Yamaha MD4SE Manual

Line 6 Tone Port UX2

PC sound card - Soundblaster Live Audigy 2

Microphone - Shure Beta 58A

Guitar Amp - VOX AD30VT

I also have some software - Ableton Live 7


Again, all I wanted to do was make high quality recordings to my pc, so that I could then monitor them and play other parts to them. Laying down multiple tracks in Ableton.

Ok, so i started off trying to hook up the monitor out of the mixer to my sound card. The manuals for the recorder/mixer says that using the headphone jack (output) in the front of the unit is the same signal as the stereo monitor out on the back of the mixer. If I plug a 1/4 inch jack into that and then try to connect it to my pc ( the other end is 1/8 inch), I have one of two problems. If I connect to the "Line In" on the sound card, I get no sound whatsoever coming to the computer, even if I select it as the recording input in the sound option in control panel. It cant be heard. If I connect it to the "Mic" input on the sound card, its as if the mixer is giving it an amplified signal, and when I try to monitor it in Ableton and get a good recording level it is distorting WAY before a good level is achieved. This is reguardless of wether or not I use the +10 db boost option for the input in windows.
Was this becuase that output (on the front for headphones) of the mixer is the same signal as the one on the back of the unit BUT its "powered" and not passive, creating that distortion?

I was thinking, why dont I just mic my amp and then send that to the sound card, but again I have the problem of getting the sound into my PC, as I the input doesnt seem to be working correctly for me.

Well like an idiot, I threw money at the problem. I thought if I got the Line 6 Tone pro all my problems would be solved. I thought it being a USB device that if I used it, I would simply play the guitar through it, and I could monitor the sound "live" in Ableton. Well, you cant to do that according to everything I've read. In fact the first thing in the manuals says its important not to connect speakers to your sound card, but rather the device itself. By the way this thing came with some software that has Amp models, Pre-Amp Models, and FX Models. The software seems good and the sounds it makes sound AWESOME through the headphones on the Tone Pro. Comes with a ton of preset sounds, makes ya sound just like whoever, and they have an online database that you can get more from.

Does this mean I MUST use external monitor speakers to hear what Im playing through the Tone Pro while recording it in Ableton? Cant I listen to it through my pc speakers as I play though it? If not, that really sucks. I dont have have the money throw down on some powered monitor speakers when Ive got a perfectly good set on my pc, and two guitar amps.


Anyways - All I want to do is get good sounding guitar sounds to my computer so I can play other stuff to them.

Realistically, I could do without this Tone Pro, I had fine tones coming out of my amp, just couldnt get them to the pc. Maybe I'll return it, unless its the best way for me to record.

Got any suggestions?

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