Vocals with RWS - Stealth Plug - Sound issues (Quality and V

[petrolfume]

Forgive my ignorance around these things but I'm having a problem with recording vocals over my tracks using Riffworks Standard with the Stealth Plug.

I've recorded in the past using the Line 6 hardware with Riffworks (by buddy's) and had no issues but for some reason, I just can't get any volume out of vocals to match that of the instrumentals. Even if I crank the vocal gain, it comes off as inaudible. I tried using effects from Amplitube 2 LIVE but any setting that gives me the volume I'm looking for also comes with massive humming (obviously cause they're geared more around guitars).

After testing out pretty much all of the front-facing sound options on Riffworks / Amplitube, I'm not sure on what I can do next. Couple questions..

- Could it be a simple matter of the Stealth Plug being inadequate for this?
- Should I look to purchasing something better and if so, what would be best?
- Any suggestions on setting configs that I'm missing or can try?

Unrelated question (but in the same area)

I have a DIGITEC VX 400 Vocal Processor with USB. I'm wondering if that would be compatible with Riffworks as it might give me the boost I need (??).

My only other options is to reduce the volume for each track down dramatically, record the vocals at max gain and then boost the Master Gain up after everything is recorded...

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty lean on knowledge around the innards of sound configurations and settings so with me, the simpler the better.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[petrolfume]

Oh...as an additional note....I'm using a SHURE SM58 Mic with a (female / female) adaptor to connect to the stealth plug

I get fantastic sound from the mic generally. I haven't tried it with Riffworks but I also have a SHURE SM58 PGX Wireless Vocal System (that I use when performing live) but I don't think using that would make a difference, given the issues I'm having.

Thanks again

[Wedgebill]

If you're not strapped for cash my advice would be go straight out and get yourself a Line6 Toneport UX2, many of us use them along with Gearbox or Pod Farm. I reckon all your problems will be over then mate. I've been using mine along with an SM58 with IMHO excellent results. same can be said for guitar, bass, keyboards, whatever you wanna plug into it

Good luck and welcome mate

Uncle Bill

[mickeymix]

I'll 2nd the Toneport UX2 which is now called the Pod Studio UX2.....has the proper inputs for your mike as well as phantom power if you ever want to upgrade to a condenser mike......if you think you'll not be needing the phantom power and so many inputs, you can go for the UX1 (a little cheaper price-wise).

Loads of vocal presets on either one too.

[petrolfume]

Thanks for the feedback - I'll definitely look into getting my hands on either the UX2 or the UX1, both of which would give me what I'm looking for.

On a similar note, might either of you know if the Digitec VX 400 Vocal Processor (USB) is compatible to Riffworks Standard? After I had shut everything off last night, I thought about it so before I plug everything in and try it, I just wondered if you might know...

Thanks again

[vad1er]

I'll 2nd the Toneport UX2 which is now called the Pod Studio UX2.....has the proper inputs for your mike as well as phantom power if you ever want to upgrade to a condenser mike......if you think you'll not be needing the phantom power and so many inputs, you can go for the UX1 (a little cheaper price-wise).

Loads of vocal presets on either one too.

I Third the motion that you should get a UX2.. I have a stealth plug and a UX2.. I never use the stealth plug anymore.

[mickeymix]

I'm not sure if your vocal processor will work with Riffworks but give it a try if it has ASIO drivers for it.

Here's a list of devices that Sonoma has compiled.

>>>HERE<<<

[petrolfume]

Hey Guys!! So I went out today and bought the Line 6 Tone Port UX2 and installed the required software. I also (for the sake of seeing it there) downloaded the Riffworks Line 6 Edition from the Line 6 website. Upon launch, it told me that I'd have to purchase a key to use it...I already have the RW Standard and when using that, I don't see any added or different effects from the new UX2 (I understood that there were plenty. When I try to find them through the load option, things come up blank. Do I really need to buy a different version of Riffworks or are there settings that I can configure to for the UX2 using the Standard Edition that I bought? I apologize if this is a stupid question...Just getting my feet wet with this stuff.

Thanks again for all your help. I'm looking forward to using this thing to see the difference.

[mickeymix]

Yeah you need to open GearBox or PodFarm separately to get the tones into Riffworks. Make sure everything (Podfarm, GearBox) is updated with the Line 6 Monkey that should be on the installation disk. Then make sure that in the audio setup box (bottom right) that the Toneport is the selected Asio device.

[GuitarSlinger]

What you want to do is uninstall the Line6 Riffworks, it is a different item. When you want to use your Toneport open Podfarm standalone application, a free download for Toneports. Podfarm is where you manipulate your tones. As a habit always start Podfarm first, then Riffworks Standard.

Ooop Mickey beat me to it.

[mickeymix]

And like Slingy says.....don't bother with the Line 6 version ....it'll only complicate things. You won't need it now. You've got Standard bay-bee!

[petrolfume]

That's awesome guys...Thanks for recommending the UX2 and for the help in setting it up...Much appreciated...

[petrolfume]

Hey again...Wanted to stop by to say thanks again for all the advice and help...After using the UX2, it's clear that the Stealth Plug will now be collecting dust...It even resolved all the humming and noise issues that I was getting from Amplitube 2 (when I was using the SP)...Now I can actually record and have already put out a copule songs...Much appreciated guys!

[mickeymix]

Great to hear my man.