Line6 GearBox Plug-in Gold Bundle price drop

[geocare]

Sweetwater called me today to let me know that the GearBox Gold Plug-in has been reduced to $99.

I know this has been covered in the forums, but is it true that the only way to use the Line 6 plug-in software in Riffworks is by using the Riffworks Line6 edition?

[blue4u]

Man, these are REALLY nice you guys!!! I have the plug-in version and love it. I can't understand why they dropped the price so low but if you don't have this I would recommend jumping on it.

Actually, you'll need Standard edition of RiffWorks to use plug-ins (including this one) but the crossgrade price is pretty cheap Line 6 version is just for guitar port, tone port and the other POD interfaces. The plug-in is a different animal. Someone correct me if I got this wrong??

Rich

[atalwar]

Hey blue/Rich,

Is there any benefit for using gearbox plugin. I already own pod XT live with cc , fx and metal model packs. and pod serves as my main DI interface and sound card so to speak.

I use gearbox as the editor though but other than that and vst automation , are there any other great features that one might consider.

I am currently saving for a new guitar(i will seek advice on choice once i have spendable expendible funds )
and would hate to break that but if its a good deal and good features, the guitar can wait few months more.

Regds,
Amit

[pooterpatty]

Rich is right, you'll need the Standard version to run any plug-ins. I believe when I crossgraded the price was less than $29, a steal in my book.

The cheapest option would be to buy a TonePort GX if you're just recording guitar. It's only $49 at Musician's Friend right now, and once you have the Line 6 hardware, you can use the stand-alone version of Gearbox, which comes with the TonePort. The stand-alone software offers lower latency and better performance too, IMO.

[Charvelguy]

I ran the Gold version of Toneport without the RW Standard version for what...almost 6mos? I didn't crossgrade until the fall. Its just like Guitarport, you don't need to crossgrade to use a LINE 6 product. It comes with a toneport device (says Toneport DI Gearbox Gold plugin on the box)..nice sturdy metal box that can take many a dive off your computer tower. So that is your interface.

Any other plugin outside of Line 6..THAT is when you'll need the crossgrade. Now I can run Blackbox or my Boss & Roland devices..maybe even my J-station or other preamps like my Oberheim.

Crossgrade is the way to go though overall IMO. I like the added benefit of being able to integrate other devices but its not necessary for the Gold package.

[Charvelguy]

btw..I paid over 200.00 for the Gold Toneport DI when it first reduced about this time last year. I even bought a blem package at MF..still cost me closer to 300.00 (like 287.00?) if I recall.. with a 100 dollar off coupon offer.

The biggest complaint about the Gold package was the cost, as it sold at about 400 this time last year. Considerable pricing drop-I'm a little pissed but, I got my use out of it. MF was selling these for 99.99 about few months back so I bought another to use on a seperate computer.

If you already own a device with all the model packs, the only benefit really is you get a ton of tones & effects, plus the vocal preamps and most bass amp models.

I bought it because it has a nice crossover of tones from POD XT as well as the Vetta..and I didn't want to buy a Vetta just to record with. Would have been nice...but, too expensive. You'd really have to look at the model breakdowns to see what it has and compare it to what you already have loaded in your other device to see if there's anything there to warrant the extra cost.

I believe the gold models are transferable to any LINE6 device later on...they should be able to be swapped onto a UX2, or like device. (dont quote me on that tho)

[Charvelguy]

I got a similar email offer, but it was from line 6.

"The Gold Bundle online offer does not come with any hardware because it is designed to be used with your existing compatible hardware in the place of the TonePort DI."


In which case.. if you are using a LINE6 hardware interface, you load the models into that. You still do not need the standard version of RW.

[RiffLearner]

Can someone help me understand the "plug in" part? I was thinking of buying the gearbox plug in because it comes with vocal settings that aren't part of the regular gearbox. Right now I use riffworks and gearbox simultaneously, but i don't think they're "aware" of each other.

if you use the plug in version of gearbox, does that somehow run "through" riffworks?

[blue4u]

The plug-in helps you in other applications but not necessarily with RiffWorks. It allows you to use GearBox in a format called "VST" which acts like a plug-in to whatever track you are recording to. This way, you can record guitar using one setting, amp or effect and re-open your file later and change anything in GearBox AFTER it's recorded. Pretty cool huh? Most applications have this feature but RiffWorks currently does not support it. If you use other recording software like Cubase, Sonar or my favorite, Reaper (http://www.reaper.fm/) you can utilize this functionality.

As for the added "vocal settings" or pre-amp emulations, if you do vocals they are worth the price alone! They help add warmth and "tone" to your vocal tracks. They are also great for bass and even guitar.

Depends on how you want to use this stuff if it should be worth it to you or not. Someone else here might explain it better if this doesn't make sense?

Check this out.... They take a recording of "American Woman" and add GearBox plug-ins to each track (vocals, drums, bass, and guitar). You can use the "Bypass" button on the right to hear the tracks dry, before the GearBox plug-in is added. This let's you hear how the plug-ins can be used AFTER a recording is made to change it anyway you want...

http://www.line6.com/gearbox_plugin/tour.html

Rich

[RiffLearner]

OK, I took the plunge and bought the plug-in bundle (I'll post over at the Line6 forum as well, but thought I'd ask the experienced people here too). I started up gearbox, and it still says I don't have the amps to do the vocal pre-amps. Do I need to use it as a plug-in to get them? I'd like to just use them in gearbox.

[mickeymix]

Hey RiffLearner ......not sure which version you're using but.....you will need the RiffWorks Standard version to use any VST's .....RiffWorks Line 6 Version doesn't support VST's.... just an FYI.......and yes ...I do believe you'll need the VST version running to use the vocal packs.

[Charvelguy]

ahh, two different versions of the Gold, bundle or package. Download plugin or hardware Toneport. You guys are right, if its a VST plugin, you'll need RW standard.

I still do not see why you cannot load these models into a L6 hardware device though if you have one.

[RiffLearner]

OK, I have Riffworks Standard. How in the world do I access gearbox plug in from Riffworks Standard? I don't see any kind of button or control for doing so anywhere on the Riffworks screen. The help section online just says you can do it, doesn't tell you how.

Thanks for any insight!

[mickeymix]

Click the red button on the Hardware tab at the bottom....light goes off....
Now click the Effects tab........
A window pops up....click the Amps checkbox and a dropdown list will pop up to choose your VST's GearBox plug-In should be there..........if not refresh list or type in the right plug-in path manually pointing at the GearBox DLL file.

[RiffLearner]

Mickey, you're awesome, that did it!!! I have access to all the settings! Thank you, I appreciate the insight.

Questions on this:

1. when I deactivated the hardware button, it said I may get more latency -- is that the case when using gearbox plug ins? Will I experience latency that I otherwise wouldn't hear if I didn't use the plug ins?

2. Secondly, what's the ideal time to use the gearbox plug ins? When I'm recording, or after I've recorded dry?

Thanks, this is a cool feature.