Supid newbie questions for quick answers!

[kellhome]

I have bought Riffworks along with Line 6 UX1 back in December. I have not had time to experiment too much, and I live in Costa Rica, and I'm in the US for 2 weeks and need to make some upgrades pronto so I thought I would just throw it out to all you pro's to see what advice I can get before buying.

I need to upgrade the UX1 because I need to have phantom power so I can go cheap and get an interface to give me that or get an upgraded unit. I am not thrilled with being tied to USB power and therefore tied totally to the computer so I am considering getting a unit with CD making capability or a hard drive or flash storage. I am looking at the Tascam DP01FX Digital 8-Track Recorder or considering Line 6 models but like the fact that Tascam seems to have an easier system for recording, mixing etc., so anyone who has opinions on this and using Gear Box with it are welcome! Simpler not more bells and whistles are what I am looking for for my 59 year old brain. I am good with computers but hate wasting my time messing with them so a stand alone unit may be worth the money for me.

I have a millon other questions but will start with this so I can order soon. I may look at a sound card upgrade and anything else that enhances this exciting process which has restarted my guitar playing after quitting playing in bands back in the '70's.

One really stupid question that I haven't been sure of is when adding riffs to make a song how do the loops end up creating a seemless poduct or transitions between riffs?

And------------ can you download riffcasts to your computer of flash plug?

Muchas Gracias!

Britt Kelley

[pooterpatty]

One really stupid question that I haven't been sure of is when adding riffs to make a song how do the loops end up creating a seemless poduct or transitions between riffs?

And------------ can you download riffcasts to your computer of flash plug?

Hi Britt,

As far as creating seamless compositions from a collection of riffs, that's kind of an art form in and of itself. There are a few tricks you can use that will help:

Try keeping your drum settings consistent throughout the song - meaning drum volume, EQ, effects, etc. Use the same drummer if possible for the whole song.

Let's say you have 2 8-bar riffs that have identical drums, bass line, and rhythm guitar, with a different lead part over each. Instead of recording the riff twice, take the original and duplicate it, so that all you have to do is add your new lead in. This goes toward keeping things at the same volume levels riff to riff.

Once you're CERTAIN that you're happy with the order of riffs in your composition, you can add a SONG LAYER, which is basically a riff that's recorded over an entire song, linear style. This can help cover those seams.

Finally, one thing I've found that really helps is to use a touch of RW's delay when recording a melody or lead part (not a whole lot, just a pinch between yer cheek and gums). Notice that I said RW's delay, not the delay coming from GearBox. Since the delay is added by Riffworks in a non-destructive manner, you're just adding to the original recorded tone, not changing it. Plus, the decay of the reverb or delay will "carry over" from one riff to the next just enough to help fill in the seam.

And yes, you can download tunes you've Riffcasted and put them on a flash drive if you like. Just load the page for that particular song and there will be links to download in mp3 and ogg format.

Hope this helps.

[mickeymix]

Hey Britt, If ya need phantom power I'd try the UX2 for that. It has 2 XLR inputs, 2 1/4 inch inputs 91 padded) and 2 Line inputs. Way more flexability then the UX1.

[davenz]

Yep, the UX2 is the one to go for.

Dave.

[kellhome]

Has anyone tried the Line6 TonePort KB37 37-Key Keyboard Controller?

It is supposed to be equal to the UX2 except with keyboard but I don't know if the keyboard is for piano/synth. or controlling----- I expect both.

Thanks for all your comments,
Costaricabritt

[cwight]

All good advice from Pooter re making sure you get seamless transition from riff to riff. Another thing you may have to do is to carry notes over from one riff to another. Say, for example, you record a solo ending on a G note in one riff. You may want to record that G note at the start of the following riif, if it's meant to sustain. You might also need to hit the note just before the riff starts recording, so you don't hear the pick attack. It's trial and error really, and as pooter says its a bit of an art form.

[andrewpmast]

Has anyone tried the Line6 TonePort KB37 37-Key Keyboard Controller?

Costarica,

This is an old post but I figured I'd chime in. The KB37 is a midi controller keyboard. It has a padded instrument in put, two mic inputs (with phantom power), stereo auxiliary inputs (non-recordable), output (to monitor speakers, etc), pedal/expression inputs, knobs, wheels, etc. You need something (like reason) to use the keyboard. There is no limit to the sounds other then the sofware that the KB37 is triggering.

I love the KB37. I sold all my old gear and this thing replaced it all... with the $99 upgrade package I have all the gearbox effects and podfarm as well as the gearbox plugin for DAW.

[kellhome]

Thanks for the info on the Line 6 KB37. I am putting off buy reason and using Reaper for the time being but if I can't figure out how to input sound files for the keyboard I will propbably pop for Reason since most people seem to like it. I am all about simpler and less time on the computer more time playing but I always get hung up figuring out stuff with the computer, as we all do I'm sure! That is why I got and love Riff Works.

With Reason is it fairly simple to tie sound VST's? I was also thinking of buying a midi interface since I only have the KB, computer and guitar. I have had some success using Reaper and free Vst;s on the internet but not the variety I would like. I also upgraded to the Gold package for Gear Box which is great.

Any comments on using midi, VST's and or the KB37 is appreciated. I do also have an Alesis drum machine but not much success with it yet. One thing I am not sure of is where to hook up the drum machine or any midi device with the KB? I have been able to run it straight through to the monitor and record with a mic, but that's about it.