An alternative to ASIO4ALLv2

[gatorjj]

I thought I would pass along something I did that might help some of you folks who want to get RiffWorks out your PC Speakers.

I have used ASIO4ALLv2 since RW2 Standard came out, and found it very helpful to bounce mixes off the PC speakers to see how they hold up. I know some folks have had trouble getting it to work well but I didn't think too hard about how to solve that problem until I inadvertantly had to deal with it.

Recently I started trying to record on a laptop while on the road, and the latency on ASIO4ALL is super-freakin' unusable for recording anything. I bought an M-Audio JamLab, because it was only $29 at Music123, has an ASIO driver and was rated to work well with RiffWorks. Problem solved!

I also saw the StealthPlug/RW combo from Sonoma and would say that is a screaming deal if you don't have RW yet, just plug the PC speakers in and you are good to go...with better quality than whatever $2 hardware came with your PC. Even if you only use it for listening I think it's a good deal. Set the PC up to use it as the sound card, and life would appear to be good!

J.J.

[mickeymix]

Thanks Gator..... for the heads up on the JamLab....I'll look into it..........I too want to record with my LapTop and hear it out of the speakers....but I guess I'll just schlep my TonePort and some Portable Mini speakers from my IPod that seem to work just fine..... I tried Asio4All for my Vista equiped laptop but .......no dice.......

[epauley]

Gator, I know for recording purposes, you recommend playing "dry." Are you using Amplitude without effects to adjust your tone while on the road?

Also, are you flying? If so, how do you transport your guitar? Every time I board a plane these days, they collect carry-on luggage because the bins are full.

[gatorjj]

When I recommend recording 'dry' I still recommend using the amp tones themselves, be they from the GP, POD or whatever. I'm using Amplitube but still without things like Reverb or delay, just the amps themselves. I'm using Mackie Tracktion some now, which has the benefit of the guitar being recorded dry and actually being able to modify Amplitube after the fact (i.e. reamping). This really helps in trying to define the tone I want. Once I get 'em figured out the way I want them it would be easy enough to use the saved presets in RiffWorks.

I am flying frequently but haven't packed a guitar yet, I've been mostly trying software synths with a small MIDI controller. I must say that using a MIDI controller and Tracktion is not anywhere near as inspiring for me as pulling a guitar out and cranking it up in RiffWorks for writing songs!

I've looked into hauling a guitar, and the good news is my preferred airline (US Air) will allow a guitar in the overhead. Given my current status with them I get to board first so that shouldn't be much of a problem, but I'm always going to the same city so I'm actually thinking of just getting a cheap guitar to leave out there instead of hauling one.

[gatorjj]

Thanks Gator..... for the heads up on the JamLab....I'll look into it..........I too want to record with my LapTop and hear it out of the speakers....but I guess I'll just schlep my TonePort and some Portable Mini speakers from my IPod that seem to work just fine..... I tried Asio4All for my Vista equiped laptop but .......no dice.......

The latency killed me, I couldn't even record a scratch vocal with a headset to try and lay down an idea. Having a real ASIO interface solved the problem, and I can plug a headset into it and also record without issue. TonePort would definitely do the trick as well, I just wanted a portable set up that was ready to go and not have to do more packing of my existing stuff. After thinking about it a bit I figured the JamLab or StealthPlug would make a great PC Speaker interface, whether used to record or not.

[epauley]

Thanks Gator..... for the heads up on the JamLab....I'll look into it..........I too want to record with my LapTop and hear it out of the speakers....but I guess I'll just schlep my TonePort and some Portable Mini speakers from my IPod that seem to work just fine..... I tried Asio4All for my Vista equiped laptop but .......no dice.......

So MickeyMix, any thoughts about the soon-to-be-released PODx3 and PODx3 Live? I understand Line 6 has combined PODxt with TonePort technology - and included all of the model packs...plus you can play two amps at once. Enough to produce GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).

[mickeymix]

Wow I'm really slow on the cop with this thread............
I get all my Line 6 info from you good sir (EPauley)............and YUPP ....I have been known to have GAS of ALL types

[epauley]

Wow I'm really slow on the cop with this thread............

D'OH!

I'll keep you informed of any breaking news Mickey. Signing off, Radio Ga Ga.