help a USB recording noob with some Qs.

interesting question, I just retired my BR-8 and have nothing right now... my computer is not powerful enough to serve as a recorder I think (HP Pavilion desktop IIRC), so I'm looking at maybe a Boss BR-1600 so I can have HD, CD writer, rhythms &c. all in one (my space setup is very poor so recording at the PC would also be a challenge).

I'm interested to hear the answers.

Jon

 

The Tone Port is a soundcard - it just happens to run into your computer through USB. It can be assigned to be your computer's main sound card, or can simply be used as input to your recording software.

It comes with Ableton Live Lite (4) which is perfectly cool recording software. While I am no pro, I haven't had any issues with my P4 2.4 computer with only 512MB RAM. The latency is exceptionally low - no issues whatsoever.

I have recorded real amps through the Tone Port with absolutely no discernable tone coloration (all its tones/processing can be bypassed). I have used the built-in tones (I believe they come from the Pod XT models) and they are excellent. The vocal pres are also good - again, I am no expert, but it seems to work great.

Whatever your favorite recording software is - you just assign the Tone Port as the input - in Ableton Live, I select the ASIO driver, then the Tone Port. Live puts out wav files which you can further edit in other software if you wish. All in all, I think it's a pretty amazing system, especially for the price - I'm a newbie recordist and am having a blast.

 

santa is bringing me a line6 UX2 ... i want to be able to record myself playing guitar over backing tracks ... can i 'import' stereo backing tracks into ableton live lite, record guitar through the UX2 using the line6 models, then mix the whole thing and produce a .wav of the composite with me playing over the backing?

t4d

 

Yes, you can do so - so easily it'll make yer head spin! Easily try a million different Line 6 tones as you go. Keep 'em all in separate clips to compare which you like best. Splice, rearrange, layer, etc. if you want. Add any number of effects later (with Live) as needed to your recorded track or the backing track. Mixdown and export to wav. Good clean fun, Santa approved.

 

Can Ableton Live Lite 4 be upgraded to Live 5 with Tone Port?? And can VST's be used with Tone Port and Ableton to add other instruments like Keyboards,Horns,Strings,Drums,etc.????

 

I upgraded to Live 5 immediately - Live Lite 4 is limited to 4 tracks or something. Live 5 is unlimited.... Live supports VST plugins quite nicely - I use BFD and Jamstix for drums.

 

I just ordered Live 5. What do BFD and Jamstix bring to the table? What's a VST? Also where do I get new loops from (if I get bored with the ones in Live 5)?

I will say thanks in advance for helping out a computer recording noobie.

 

Well, I am barely qualified to answer, as I am a very rank newb. BFD allows one to build virtual drumkits and create drum loops, tracks, etc. Jamstix is midi drum output software that has the super-cool feature of jamming to your playing, so you don't have to build loops. I am still learning how to use both of them. I have purchased loops from Groove Monkee to sit inside my BFD software. However, I am still finding the drum loops that come with Live to be quite good, pretty tweakable, and when put into clips with follow actions, then processed for killer sound, can be quite effective. Loops are available for cheap/free all over the web. I found some good leads over on the Line 6 Tone Port forum. I only bought add-ons as a form of bizarre neuroses, plus I have an academic discount that I am about to lose... VST is Steinberg's now industry-standard plugin format.

 

2x6L6-- Have you had any issues with your Toneport? I tried a M-Audio Jamlab, and though I basically liked the unit, I couldn't stand the frequent pops and clicks.

 

I've had no issues and think it's a phenomenal product. Line 6 tones record extremely well. I have found that occasionally I will get pops and clicks, which are very rare since I bought more memory for my computer, and are always eliminated (even before the memory upgrade) if I reboot before recording. It usually only happens if my computer's been on a long time without a reboot and I've had many different programs and documents open.

 

I have a UX1 and really like it. Tone tip. Load the acoustic guitar patch with the tube screamer stomp. I'm starting to get the hang of Live too.
It's a ton of fun to jam along with and couldn't be simpler to record into. How much is the live 5 upgrade?

 

I would like to upgrade to Live 5, use Native Instruments N.I. Essentials and XPress Keyboards VST's with UX2 TonePort.
I'm a guitar player but want to add Keyboards,Synth's,Drums,Bass to tracks and burn to CD's.
What suggestions for Hardware connections or Midi/Foot Controllers to get all this going smoothly????

 

I dunno - I bought the full academic version of Live 5, but I suspect the price is similar - I paid $225 for the academic version. Love that software!

Douge, I haven't used MIDI controllers yet, but eventually want to get a couple foot switches and some other kinda desktop controller gizmo to avoid total mouse use.