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Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 12:57 AM

I've been trying to figure out some nice way to record some of my attempts to play solos etc over backing tracks, would be really nice to be able to hear how it actually sounds in the end to be able to find out what needs improvement etc.

Now I've seen the Toneport ux2 mentioned all over the forums and I've noticed quite a few of the instructors use it to record as well.

However as I quite recently moved my amp away to a rehearsal place I need something at home as well to be able to play, are you able to easily use the Toneport to work like say a Pod? Is it easy to configure? Are you able to save sound configurations on it to be able to use it without connecting it to the computer?

Also last question, are you able to hook up and record a electronical drumkit with it?

Hope someone could clear some of this up for me.
Thanks.


Update:
As promised I tried recording something with it, I'm really bad with the recording software still so it's a rather rough mix!

Hope you like it anyway,  riffage_mixdown_final.mp3 ( 841.66K ) : 308

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jan 18 2009, 01:10 AM

1. the toneport is basicly a pod with less options that that you hook up to your Computer
-you have less amp models,effects,etc compared to a (more expensive) pod
-you have to have the computer running to play through it
2. You can play at home with it through speakers or headphones
3. The software (Gearbox/Pod Farm) is very user friendly, it's easy to dial in a tone
4. Of Course you can save your settings and sounds
5. You can record guitars, bass and vocals through the toneport but I am not sure if you can use an electrical drumkit with it, I think you directly record the drumkit through your soundcrad or usb...

Posted by: skennington Jan 18 2009, 01:16 AM

Not to make this reply brief but Ivan did a great review on it. I think it will answer most questions you have.

Cheers,


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Toneport_Ux1_Review

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 01:28 AM

Great review!

In the end, what's the real difference between the ux1 and 2? Just the amount of inputs?

Posted by: skennington Jan 18 2009, 01:30 AM

Pretty much, other than the UX2 has phantom power which is nice for use with a condenser mic

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 01:46 AM

Ah well that's quite nice I guess if you wanna record Acoustic guitar I guess!

I was listening to some stuff people had recorded with it earlier and I was quite impressed with the tones you could get out of it at such a small price - I mean sure it's quite damn far away from a proper tube amp obviously, but still it seems that you get a lot for your money!

Posted by: skennington Jan 18 2009, 01:59 AM

Yes indeed!! Bought mine for $50 used off of ebay. Could not be more satisfied for what I spent!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 18 2009, 02:39 AM

Toneport UX1 is indeed an awesome device. It really payed out for me, and serves the purpose great. One thing that is different from the POD is that you have to use it with PC. You cannot use it as a standalone device. It draws power via USB cable and it serves as a sound card/audio interface. It is not a modeler. You get modeler software with it called Gearbox that has same sounds as POD (but not all the sounds, you get some for free, and for additional packs you have to pay/upgrade). I never saw the need to upgrade tho, it works fine by default as well.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 01:50 PM

But this program Gearbox is included in the actual price?
Because really, I would just like to have access to the most common effects and a few different amp types to be able to get some variation to my sound depending on what you want to record!

Posted by: Nighthawk1 Jan 18 2009, 01:52 PM

Yes it is mate, I got the toneport ux2...awesome effects, great sound with gear box, and ableton live included as well !

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks for all the great and quick replies guys, will check one of our local stores tomorrow, if they don't have it I'll just order one!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 18 2009, 03:50 PM

You it is included, will definitely be able to do that with toneport! I use ux2 for all my lessons..Its really a handy and versatile recording system ..And best of all - its very easy to use!
Notice that new toneports are not called Toneport anymore -rather "POD studio"..Its the basically same device though...

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 08:10 PM

That explains why I havent really been able to find the toneport on the sites I usually order from! Found it now tho, thanks!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 18 2009, 09:43 PM

Gearbox is included for free and so is Ableton Live DAW mate.

Also another thing to note is that Line6 has recently published a new version of Gearbox called "POD Farm". This software modeler is free as well, you can download it and use it with your Toneport device. It has the same sounds as Gearbox, but has a bit modern interface.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 18 2009, 09:58 PM

I found a site to order the Line6 POD studio ux2 for 180€, is that a decent price or should I keep searching?
That's with shipping included as well!

Also, does the actual sound have any delay? considering it has to pass through the computer via USB etc?
Also, is there any REAL difference between the ux1 and ux2 soundwise? because I just noticed a local shop that has one for around 130€ which doesn't seem that bad to me.
I did however read something about the ux2 having an input designed for guitars with active pickups or something in that line..

Posted by: utak3r Jan 19 2009, 12:34 AM

When I bought it last week it came with its normal software + Ableton Live Lite 7 and RiffWorks (didn't try them yet...)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 19 2009, 12:36 AM

I think 180e for UX2 is a bit expensive, with or without shipping. IMO that UX1 in the store is much better option. I payed for mine something like that as well ~ 130e.
When you play there is NO (audible) delay. Light travels through cables at speed of light! The only part of the the signal chain where there are delays are in the CPU when working in a project, cause CPU has to do some calculations, but that is a minor latency, and it is different thing then the latency we are discussing here. Just make sure you plug your PC speakers into the Toneport (since that will be your sound card).
There are NO differences between UX2 and UX1 soundwise. They use the SAME modeling software ("Gearbox" or newer version "POD Farm"). Hardware inside both units is the same as well, and both units record 2 mono channels in multitrack. UX2 has 4 inputs, but records only 2, just like UX1. UX2 has 48V phantom power for condenser microphone and UX1 doesn't.
UX2 is not designed to accommodate guitars with passive pickups better than UX1. It has the same inputs.

Posted by: utak3r Jan 19 2009, 12:40 AM

But - where?
If you set your Toneport as a soundcard you won't get any delay... (it's called 'latency')



Talking soundwise - no, there's no difference... it's just it has a better support for microphones.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 19 2009, 01:56 AM

Hmm that price for POD studio ux2 seems ok , in America its about 200$...
Yeah ux2 has a input with -12db PAD instrument in for signal that is hotter (from active pickups on bass/guitar , keyboards)..But I don't think its worth the investment...I would get the ux1..Should do the job well...

Regarding sound , gx , ux1 and ux2 sound exactly the same..Its just the preferance of inputs/outputs and Volume Meters etc...

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 19 2009, 08:51 AM

There we go, just ordered myself the Pod Studio ux1, 135€ with shipping included, feels like quite a reasonable price!

Thanks for all the help guys!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 19 2009, 03:58 PM

No prob mate, glad to help you!

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 19 2009, 04:43 PM

Perhaps this means I don't really have any excuses any more and actually have to upload some samples of my new guitar!

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 23 2009, 06:13 PM

So my UX1 arrived today and I was all happy untill it struck me that it seems they forgot to actually put down the CDs for Pod farm etc..

On the box it says It contains Pod Farm, FX Junkie pack, Live Lite7 & Riffworks, there was only CDs for Riffworks & Live Lite7.

I'm trying to connect through their Line 6 Monkey, which supposedly updates all the stuff for you - however I can't login through it, even tho I've created a nice user there and registered my product!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 23 2009, 06:25 PM

Hmmm I don't know..CD with software should be in it...
But anyway you can download everything from this location : http://line6.com/software/

I'm just not sure how to activate that FX Junkie Pack (I haven't bought any extensions for mine)...But I think you should be able to do that through Line6 Monkey software.

edit:

Have you confirmed your registration (email address) when registering..I think it will work , maybe it just need a little time..

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 23 2009, 06:36 PM

Yeah I've actually been registered there since uhm.. 3-4 years back or something since I bought my POD 2.0, It's really annoying because I can't actually log in through Line 6 Monkey for some reason, through there it seems I would be able to download the drivers at least and hopefully pod farm as well..

Seems I'm having one of those days, my waterboiler broke today as well hehe

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 23 2009, 06:57 PM

hmm visit the link I provided and download the Pod Farm , Gearbox and any software you want manually..I imagine that the problem is with the application (Line6 monkey) accessing internet to verify (or you forgot the user/pass)...I guess its firewalled or something so it doesn't get the internet access..

Try installing the apps manually, its a small download...Check the link in my previous post..

Hope you sort it out..

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 23 2009, 06:59 PM

Aye managed to download the drivers and currently downloading pod farm too, but seems I have to activate the purchases somehow through line 6 monkey. gonna see if I can do that through the site as well!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 23 2009, 07:01 PM

Keep us updated...If you can't activate the FX Junkie Pack , try emailing their support and explaining them that you can't log on with line6 monkey...

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 23 2009, 07:06 PM

Seems a program called "Daemon Tools" block line 6 monkey somehow, you use Daemon tools to load Iso files into a virtual DVD/CD-rom.

So now I can connect to line 6 monkey seems that you need a CD key or Serial number however in order to register the purchases which will be hard for me..
Ah well I can wait for that addon package enough that I just get Pod farm running so I can play around with that while waiting!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 23 2009, 07:09 PM

I don't understand..Your package lacks a serial for expansion pack that should be included inside the deal you bought ? Maybe you want to email the store you got the toneport from ? They need to give you everything you payed for.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 23 2009, 07:12 PM

If you bought a new product mate, you need to register with that product. Register as a different user and insert serial number code that it is on your TOneport device. THan you can download and install PODFarm no problem, and use Line 6 Monkey.

There is one more possibility, and that is that you bought Toneport product that was already shipped to someone and he made the account, and returned the product, so you ended up with it. If that is the case, contact the store.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 23 2009, 07:16 PM

Perhaps I wasn't clear on what the deal was.

Basically, what was in the package was the following:

A few broscheurs and comercial for Line6.
An Installation CD for Live Lite7
An Installation CD for Riffworks
The UX1 + USB cable

That's it, non of the broscheurs etc have anything of value written on them, no serial keys or such.
The only form of serial key I have is the one of my UX1 which has nothing to do with software nor the addon package which should have been included in the box.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 23 2009, 07:20 PM

You should get the CD with drivers and Gearbox software. If you haven't got it, contact the store mate, they should provide it. Possibly you got a returned item as I told you, and someone forgot to include the CD.
Also try to register yourself with the serial number provided on the UX1 if you can. If you can do that, you can download Gearbox/POD Farm from Line 6 site.

Posted by: utak3r Jan 23 2009, 08:38 PM

The serial number is downloaded from the hardware automatically, man Just download it from their site and register a new product, it should go ok

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 24 2009, 02:03 AM

I believe utak is right mate. Serial number should be there automatically when you register the device, if not you can enter manually. Also, be sure to check again those CDs that you got - some of them may containg Gearbox and drivers. If they are then you got yourself what you bought. What I don't understand is teh fact that you got FX pack. That stuff is usually bought separately from the unit .

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 24 2009, 12:05 PM

I'll give it a try, been having a lot of fun just playing around with Pod Farm so far!!
By the way Ivan, you got any really nice smooth lead tone preset you could recomend? Trying to get something that sounds a little bit like the intro guitar in Maidens The evil that men do!

Posted by: utak3r Jan 24 2009, 12:39 PM

they give one pack free to UX1 and UX2 boxes
You can register it via Monkey tool.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 24 2009, 01:28 PM

Regarding tone, I can give you some of my custom tones that I made for the lessons and playing. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=12296 you can download them, adn see if you find something you like. Not all are usable, but there are some good ones. My favorite is "John Mayer" preset, sounds cool. Hope this helps mate. WHen you are building custom tones from favorite songs, you should probably listen to the song, and find out what gear the player used for that song/album. Then you can start making similar sound in POD Farm/Gearbox. PLease ask if you have anymore questions mate, will help if needed.



They give one pack free?? I wasn't aware of that mate, I only used the default Gearbox components. Is this something new? I bought mine about a year ago, and didn't see the free pack feature anywhere. Can you tell me how do I enable it?

Posted by: Velvet Roger Jan 24 2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks Ivan for these presets ... gonna need them as I am off to the shop to get a UX2 in a sec

Posted by: utak3r Jan 24 2009, 02:07 PM

Yeah, but it's FX Junkie, so the least interesting one of them Just some effects, no new amps or pedals, unfortunately

AFAIR in Line 6 Monkey in "Optional Add-Ons" just click "Activate Purchase" and you're set... don't know id it will work with old purchases, though - it's for Studio versions, that's for sure.

Posted by: kaznie_NL Jan 24 2009, 04:17 PM

Why buy a UX1 or UX2 when the GX has the same stuff for a lower price?

Posted by: utak3r Jan 24 2009, 04:30 PM

it does not have the same stuff... GX lacks a mic preamp.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 24 2009, 05:28 PM

Hah this thing is just too much fun..
It's been quite a strange experience so far I must admit, for the first time EVER I've tried actually playing leads OVER stuff I've recorded, It's really hard to push myself into thinking about what I'm doing!
Like "ooook.. so what chords am I actually playing here? What key should this be?" hehe, been having quite fun with the Minor pentatonic scale (Which is the only scale I actually know!), which I reasonaly learned through Ivans workshop and Andrews Theory forum!

Having to think about what I'm doing makes me lose so much speed, Almost feels like picking up the guitar for the first time again - It's great fun tho since I can actually hear how the things actually fit together once I try to mix some attemptet solos/leads over some rythm!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 25 2009, 12:21 AM

Hehe, it's cool that you're having so much fun mate! Record something for us if you find the time!

Posted by: Toroso Jan 25 2009, 12:31 AM

Yeah and now you'll be lost in it for about two weeks before you come up for air! The versatility of these things is fantastic.

EDIT: Ooops! Didn't see you already had it.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 25 2009, 01:43 PM

I just might once I've gotten a hang of all these recording tools/apps.
Currently using Adobe Audition and I've got EZdrummer DFH... however I can't say I really know how to use any of them very well, especially DFH.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 25 2009, 02:22 PM

I will do soon a EZD drummer tutorial mate, stay tuned!

Posted by: Sigfridsson Jan 25 2009, 09:54 PM

I will be looking forward to that one!

Got a lot of tutorials and stuff on recording I can read at work as well! Hooray, something to do on slow days!

Posted by: Sigfridsson Feb 7 2009, 10:25 PM

Ok guys here goes, tried recording something.
Let me add that I'm completely horrible with using Adobe Audition so far so it's a really rough mix.

Hope you like it.

 riffage_mixdown_final.mp3 ( 841.66K ) : 141

Posted by: utak3r Feb 7 2009, 10:41 PM

Playing is really nice and interesting
But the mix itself is weird... it has some very small room reverb try to remaster it so it could sound better

Posted by: Sigfridsson Feb 7 2009, 10:54 PM

I'm really struggling with the recording software atm, I'm horribly bad with it, I'm gonna try to find some tutorials or such and hopefully I'll be able to make it sound better!

I haven't even been able to figure out how to get the God damn "tempo grids" over the tracks yet

Posted by: utak3r Feb 7 2009, 11:00 PM

There's some nice tutorial about Reaper here in the forum.
I'm using Cubase though

Posted by: skennington Feb 8 2009, 12:34 AM

Don't know much about the DAW you are using but curious to the settings while rendering. I would have thought your file would be larger. Do you have different render options such as good, better, best? And also does it allow you to change the bit rate?

Posted by: Sigfridsson Feb 8 2009, 01:15 AM

I do have some options when I want to export the main mix to a mp3 or such.. but from what I can see it looks alright!

Posted by: skennington Feb 8 2009, 01:36 AM

Hmm...Not sure mate, all looks well. What does the "Other Options" below the bit choice offer? I think that's what it says in English..(Dither Options)

Posted by: Sigfridsson Feb 8 2009, 01:40 AM

Actually I'm not even sure what that means myself, doesn't mean anything in Swedish!
But I'll check it out and try experimenting a bit with it to see if I can get better sound.

Posted by: skennington Feb 8 2009, 02:27 AM

Just noticed something else, Is that your signal in the lower right of the screen, if so, it's looks really weak. Check the settings in Pod Farm and make sure it's not turned down to low. Careful not to be too high or the signal will clip. Here's a recent project of mine in Reaper... The first two are rhythm guitar, 1 track dubbed with 1 panned to the right and the other to the left.

Same thing with the second guitar...

Posted by: utak3r Feb 8 2009, 02:27 AM

yeah, I can't see a bitrate setting here.... and your file sounds like it had some really low one.

Posted by: Sigfridsson Feb 8 2009, 02:38 AM

It looks that way for me too normally, just had it really zoomed out when I took the screenshot!