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 -
http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/english/recorders/MD4SE.pdf
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?
Have you tried recording and hearing what you play through the headphones, or some speakers connected to the headphones output of the toneport?
I'm thinking of getting a toneport myself, and I thought that's how it could be done.
Good luck!
Hi there,
Sorry I cant help you too much as I dont have one of these myself, but until I bought my POD XTL I too was thinkin of getting one so I thought this was interesting, I`ve had a little scan accross the internet for you this morning to see if there was anything in the set up that you may have missed, seems like you`ve covered all the bases in the manual tho
try http://emusician.com/aux_hardware/emusic_line_toneport_ux/ link, its a guy that uses one and gives a brief explanation of using and hooking it up to your PC, if you scroll down the page theres a section called "Listening in" again its brief but may help a little? sorry I dont have a firm answer for you here, maybe some of the guys using other Toneports can help better?
One solution would be to hook your PCs speakers up to the Toneport, then use the Toneport as your PCs sound card as well (you can do this with a PodXTL, I assume you can with a toneport too). Dispense entirely with your builtin soundcard and use the TOneport for everything.
One question? WHY are you using SoundBlaster card when you have Toneport? Toneport is a sound card with great ASIO drivers - much better than your Audigy. ALso TOneport has direct monitoring technology built in. Try this setup:
GUitar>Amp>DIout>toneport(drypreset, only add some cab simulation)>Ableton
Also hook up, as ANdrew said, your speakers onto the TOneport. You will need some cables or a cable adapter depending on your inputs on speakers you have. (toneport has two mono 6.3mm jacks for left and right monitor out)
Yes it will play all PC sounds , and in good quality but it won't play midi (does not have its on board midi bank)
Yes I think It would work with a software midi synth like the Microsoft one Good point..
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