All kinds of confusion about RW Line 6 Edition

[pooterpatty]

I have had nothing but problems getting Line 6 software to work properly ever since I bought my GuitarPort / RiffTracker bundle, and I'm real close to throwing the whole damned thing out the window. I've downloaded so much crap just to get this bundle working as advertised with a few add-ons that I've completely lost count. Between all the updaters, installers, registration apps, license keys, and different versions, if I'd have known it was going to be this complicated, I would have spent my money on some higher-end audio software (at least then I'd expect it to be complicated - and it would all come in one box).

Although it's not stated in the system requirements on either Line 6's or Sonoma's website, neither RiffWorks Line 6 Edition nor GuitarPort/GearBox will work properly with Windows XP Professional. Yeah I know, 64-bit OS and all, and I will probably wind up installing a different OS just to see if I can finally get everything working. But this brings me to my main problem with RW Line 6 Edition - where did the GuitarPort section of the software go? It seems to have been replaced by these goofy proprietary effects that don't seem to apply themselves to anything but the drums (and only then when you don't want them).

It seems now that the only tone-shaping you can do on a guitar signal has to be done in RW, and that GuitarPort-style amp models and effects are no longer supported - is this correct? If it is, why does it clearly state on the Sonoma website that RW and GuitarPort will work together, when it now seems that the two are splitting and having less to do with each other?

I want the recording functionality and new Sonoma drummers that only RW Line 6 Edition seems to offer - but at the same time I also want all the amp models and effects I've paid for in GuitarPort/GearBox. Is this a pipe dream, or am I just going about things the wrong way?

[pbbobkanobi]

I have windows Professional (32 bit version) on my PC and RiffWorks is working fine. If you have the 64 bit version installed you might have some problems. I have an AMD Athalon 64 bit system but really don't see any need to install a 64 bit OS at this time. I am sure Dave or some of the other guys will chime in....some of your assumptions are not correct. You have to open Guitar Port / Gearbox seperately (at least you do with the Standard version). You can use a few really good VST plugins for guitar tone shaping. Guitar Rig2 is insane. FreeAmp 2 is as it name says...free! Those with the Standard edition get Amplitube LE to play with. Bottom line Riffworks 2 really does kick ass if you take the time to set it all up properly.

I would suggest stepping back...taking 3 deep breathes....read the instructions carefully...and try the Riffworks installation again. Good luck!

[pooterpatty]

So now I open GearBox and RiffWorks at the same time? With GuitarPort 2.5 and RiffWorks v1 (which is what I originally purchased, installed, and got familiar with), it wasn't even possible to have more than one of the apps open at once. If you wanted to jam along to a CD or mp3, you used GuitarPort. If you wanted to record or play with a session drummer, you used RiffWorks. You couldn't use em together.

If I can ever get GuitarPort running again (RW Line 6 Edition seems to run fine even on my 64-bit OS - go figure.), I'll try running them both at the same time. Right now the newest GearBox / GuitarPort drivers cause my machine to spontaneously reboot. Since I doubt they'll be releasing 64-bit drivers any time soon, I'll probably just install XP Home again, but boy what a pain in the rear to have to do that just to be able to use one app.

[dave]

pooterpatty,

I apologize for the confusion with the GearBox application. You definitely have to have both open at the same time now. I certainly liked the integration we had in v1, but it just wasn't realistic to continue that level of integration moving forward with Line 6 and ourselves adding new platforms and functionality to our applications.

And about the 64 bit OS... We do run on Windows XP Professional 32 bit, but I don't believe we ever tested with the 64 bit OS. There isn't any obvious reason that our app shouldn't run in Windows 64. I imagine that Windows 64 would detect that we were build in 32 bit mode and do some very basic emulation. That may be an entirely different situation when talking about drivers and it really wouldn't surprise me if Line 6 would have to rebuild their drivers to run on Windows 64.

Sorry for all the headaches and confusion. Please re-post here if you have any further troubles.

Dave

[jhall5]

Hang in there. I did and am Very Happy with RW. A very good program for any level of ability. I can take my mediocre guitar skills and perhaps a fairly decent musical idea and get results miles better than my actual musical ability.
So, if you are a good musician I can't imagine how good this software could make you sound.

[pooterpatty]

I think I've got it worked out now. I just re-installed GearBox to roll back to the old drivers. It still crashes when it tries to call up GuitarPort online and I don't happen to have the internet running at the time, but I can live with that for the moment.

I love the sounds that Line 6 gear makes available - for direct recording you can't beat the value. The problem lies only in the setup. I work with computers every day and have for years, yet there were still times that this software had me completely baffled. I can only imagine the frustration that true computer newbies must feel with this product, being that it's marketed as a plug-and-play recording studio in a box.

Both GearBox/GuitarPort and RW are great tools, and it's immediately evident that a lot of time and planning went into their construction. I think once all the install and upgrade bugs are worked out they'll have a nice little package on their hands.

[greatgro]

I have had nothing but problems getting Line 6 software to work properly ever since I bought my GuitarPort / RiffTracker bundle, and I'm real close to throwing the whole damned thing out the window. I've downloaded so much crap just to get this bundle working as advertised with a few add-ons that I've completely lost count. Between all the updaters, installers, registration apps, license keys, and different versions, if I'd have known it was going to be this complicated, I would have spent my money on some higher-end audio software (at least then I'd expect it to be complicated - and it would all come in one box).

I sympathize with you. I've had loads of problems installing Line 6 software and getting everything to work properly. And up to this point in time, customer service (although seemingly trying their best) is average at best. Everything is such a process and takes HOURS (sometimes many days) of your time. I'd love to forget about Line 6, Sonoma and their products, however, when you finally get their stuff running it really is nothing less than out of this world fantastic! Unfortunately, someone decided to make everything very difficult to install and figure out how to add add-ons, etc...

I had loads of problems installing V1.0 of Riffworks and different Instant Drummer sessions. They never worked by just following the directions. There were always email exchanges with customer support and trying countless things. My computer is less than a year old and I run XP on the fastest dual core processor with 2 gigs of memory. I have zero problems with any other software I currently use.

Currently I can't get any of my old instant drummers to work with V2.0 of Riffworks. Here we go again. More problems, more emails to customer support and probably more hours of work on my part. However, as unfortunate as it is, it will someday be worth it b/c I'm sure once fully working, the features of the new upgrade will be top-notch. I just wish Line 6 and Sonoma would put the same effort into making their products easier and less stressful to install.

So yes - my opinion is to hang in there and keep working with customer support to work out the kinks. Because someday, in the end, it WILL be worth it as hard as it is to believe now.

[cemeterry]

Yeah, lately I've been spending more time trying to get things working properly then recording.