9 out of 10
"Easy to use, near-zero latency"
Feature:
I wish it had digital in. Other than that, its great. Does exactly what I need it to do.
Quality:
Made of plastic...seems lightweight. However, its made to sit on a computer desk, so it really shouldn't have to stand up to a lot of abuse.
Value:
Forget Gearbox...the interface alone is worth the $130. You really do get near-zero (actually zero?!?) latency with the monitoring. The Gearbox software is a gradd "bonus", but might not suit all of your needs like a Podxt live would.
Desirability:
No sex appeal...unless you are into male and female jack connections. Its a plastic audio interface for crying out loud!
Sound:
I'm going to split my assessment of "sound" into two parts: latency and signal processing. As far as latency issues, I really can't perceive any. The main reason I purchased this item was because of Line 6's claims of "near-zero" latency and tone direct monitoring. I'll have to say that I am very impressed. I run this on a Mac Mini Core Duo and the Ux1 performs very well. In this area I give it a 10. With respect to the Gearbox software, it does a decent job of emulating what you might get in a pod or podxt, but it is still a little lacking. Be ready to shell out some more cash for the model packs, as the toneport comes pretty "stripped" as far as modeling goes. In this area I give it an 8-9.
Ease of Use:
Extraordinarily simple. The Line 6 Monkey software takes care of the updates very easiliy. FYI, my UX1 shipped with Gearbox 1.0...current version is 3.0 (Line 6...why aren't you shipping the most recent version?). I use this with GarageBand and the integration is seamless. Excellent user's guide. Although you must have Guitarport open in order to use the UX1 interface, you can click the "bypass" button in Gearbox if you prefer to run your "wet" signal into the UX1. I find this advantageous because I usually go into a Boss GT8. Also, you can deactivate the preamp section in Gearbox but still utilize the effects. This is good in situations where you are happy with your amp tone but want to add chorus, delay, etc. I do this with my Traynor tube amp...I run from the line out from the back of my amp into the UX1 and bypass the amp models. However, I can still add chorus, Leslie, delay, cabinet emulation, etc.
Support:
I e-mailed Line 6 support to get some questions about using the Toneport without running Gearbox (see above)...I had an answer back in about a day. I followed up with another question and the reply was the same day. I think that is pretty good.
Overall:
I'll keep using this until I need to record more than two simulatenous tracks. Excellent product...I couldn't ask for more other than digital in. Otherwise I would give a "10".
Submitted: 12/15/2006
Style of Music: Worship, Rock
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8 out of 10
"Does what it advertises...Awsome sounds!"
Feature:
The Toneport ux1 has a toy-ish look to it, but does not seem like it would break from a small drop, I like the GearBox software that runs this, If I had the Money, I would step up to the
Podxt Pro Live ,it does all of this and more, for live performance, toneport is limited to your computer.
Quality:
it looks kind of cheap, but for $129.95, it does the job very well, its fairly durable, you could break it if you tried, and I would probably replace it with a new one.
Value:
for a cheap way to play guitar on my laptop and record, and being a non-professional, I'm happy line6 built a product like this for a player at my level, I see professionals using the more expensive versions of this sound equipment and performimg live and recording with it also, so that alone says something for the technolgy. I spent over $500 on other footswitches and don't come close to getting the sounds I get with the toneport....but do yourself a favor...If you want the option to play live (without computer) consider the line6 Podxt pro live first.....if I had extra change in my pocket, this would be my first choice.
Desirability:
I wish the design was a little different, I wish I could set the unit right under my laptop, but instead, It sets next to it, gets nocked over, gets in the way of my two year old eyeballing the cords.
Sound:
My objective was to do recording thru HP ZV6000 laptop on a limited budget, and this did the trick, and the tones are great, even though you have to pay more for addional sound upgrades, still worth it.
Ease of Use:
Once you plug in and start up Gearbox software , your up and running.....it comes with ableton recording software (demo) version, which means if you want full recording capabilities, you have to purchase a actvation key, and if you want additional drum loops, requires another actvation key.....but I use Cool Edit Pro for recording, and it does just fine, drum loops are done on my Yamaha DGX200, sounds o.k.
Support:
Most questions are answered in the help section of thier website, this thing requires at least 512mb of ram or better, i'm running on 511mb ram and getting a low ram warning on monkey software, but still works flawless. have not had to call yet!
Overall:
This serves its perpose for me, if I decide to start performing live, I will step up to the Podxt Pro Live unit and can transfer my user info to the new unit, I'm glad line6 is not selfish in that department, because that could get to be expensive re-purchasing all those cabs again.
Submitted: 09/16/2006
Style of Music: rock, Jazz,
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