Newbie Question

[SteveCat]

I'm not a computer expert so please excuse what may be apparent to others.

Do I need to buy some additional ISO USB hardware device (guitar port, etc.) to use this software with my guitar?

or can I plug directly into the audio input on my desktop, or mic input on my laptop.

If signal strength isn't adequate can I use the headphone out from my amp? or the output from my fishman preamp/eq?

[scott]

RiffWorks Standard comes bundled with Amplitube LE which will give you a variety of amp models to work with.
GuitarPort or TonePort give you the same thing but with Line6's own version of amp models (GearBox) and a connection through which to plug your instrument/mic etc. Technically, you don't need an ASIO device like GuitarPort but I haven't tried plugging an instrument directly through a soundcard so I can't give you any feedback - someone else will though!

[SteveCat]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to do, I'm not all the crazy about the line 6 tones, and I also planned on trying to record my banjo direct through a mic, although I do have an acoustic pickup, I could stick on. I have some odd new agey dissonant banjo rolls I'd like to improvise off of/with my strat.

Also, seeing where your from........I also do some celtic stuff on banjo and sure would like to get some sort of Bodhran sounding drum accompanyments. any ideas?

Lots of alsos........

[ShredRex]

Hey Steve welcome.

You should theoretically be able to line your amp headphone into the computer and record. I do essentially that, but still use the guitar port as the go between. If your sound card supports it you should be able to plug in directly to the computer.

I have heard others that are plugged in directly and using VSTs for the amp sims.......but you would be the first going form amp to pc direct.

[scott]

Steve,
I'm about to make the move from GuitarPort to TonePort - one I've been waiting to do for a while, it's just the PC hardware needed a serious upgrade. I don't know many TP users who aren't very happy with the product and it's preset tones - especially vocals.
I have recorded by mic-ing the front/rear of an amp cabinet and going through the GuitarPort to a dry setting on the presets. You should be able to do the same by either mic-ing the soundbox of the banjo or using your pickup.
As regards bodhran sounds, other than using an actual bodhran, there's only one sample CD I know of, called "New World Order 1". It has acid/wav and rex files on it (the latter being the only directly compatible file format with RiffWorks; the others you'd need Reason for.)
Don't know if any of this helps?

[SteveCat]

I was toying with the idea of the tone port too under the assumption that is uses different simulated amp tones than the guitar port, and also is more set up for mic use. But to tell the truth I really like the sound I get off my Roland Micro Cube using the Marshall present with volume all the way up and preamp on just enough to get a sound, inother words pretty clean, kind of a Stevie Ray Lenny sound. Since Riffworks is a software program I can't see why if I can record off the amp headphone out I would need anything else, but I don't get this ISO VST thing at all. So I Guess I'll d/l riffworks and see how it works with just the amp. Thanks. I do want to persue the Bodhan thing though. Properly played they can get almost a flange phase effect, very cool

[randy]

I'm not a computer expert so please excuse what may be apparent to others.

Do I need to buy some additional ISO USB hardware device (guitar port, etc.) to use this software with my guitar?

or can I plug directly into the audio input on my desktop, or mic input on my laptop.

If signal strength isn't adequate can I use the headphone out from my amp? or the output from my fishman preamp/eq?

Hi Steve,

Sorry to chime in so late here. Technically, yes, you DO need to have an ASIO enabled sound device. You'll find that the onboard soundcard/inputs on your computers will either not have ASIO support (which means they won't work at all) or that they'll perform unsatisfactorily.

There are many inexpensive audio interfaces on the market that have native ASIO support. Just about anyone of these devices will out perform a consumer grade onboard card.

Dug wrote a great ASIO FAQ that I recommend you check out:

http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guide/index.php/ASIO

Also our recommended hardware list:

http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guide/index.php/Recommended_Hardware

Let us know if you have any other questions,

Randy

[randy]

Technically, you don't need an ASIO device like GuitarPort but I haven't tried plugging an instrument directly through a soundcard so I can't give you any feedback - someone else will though!

Yeah, you really do need an ASIO device. Remember all the huffs and puffs when testers were trying to get ASIO4All to work during the beta program? Getting a device to show up in AUDIO SETUP is nothing like having it actually work.

Cheers,

[blue4u]

The vocal preamp models and added 5 bass amps are alone, worth the TonePort purchase. Plus, you'll have line in, xlr and 1/4 inch inputs. Forgot about the guitar tones if you don't like them. I found the added model packs were worthwhile for improving the guitar tones. The stock guitar amps (especially Fender) in GearBox are not very good (to me) but the Fender Showman in the Classic Collectors model pack is awesome and comes quite close to that bell tone Fender is famous for.

I'm moving on for guitar tone. NI Guitar Rig has added capabilities. It can run two rigs simultaneously, has superior (and more) effects and can operate as a VST plugin. I'm finally starting to get it and accept that one application is never going to do it all. I think of my TonePort as an I/O with phantom power and nice preamp models. Everything else is a nice optional bonus. It's still a good value! The TonePort UX1 is $129.99. The vocal preamp models alone are worth that much! You won't get phantom power though.

Good luck

Rich

[scott]

Just goes to show ... what do I know!!!
I remember the ASIO4ALL thing during beta testing but thought some people got it working. It was never an issue I had to deal with directly.

I'll ... er ... get my coat and leave quietly!

[mickeymix]

The vocal preamp models and added 5 bass amps are alone, worth the TonePort purchase. Plus, you'll have line in, xlr and 1/4 inch inputs. Forgot about the guitar tones if you don't like them. I found the added model packs were worthwhile for improving the guitar tones. The stock guitar amps (especially Fender) in GearBox are not very good (to me) but the Fender Showman in the Classic Collectors model pack is awesome and comes quite close to that bell tone Fender is famous for.

I'm moving on for guitar tone. NI Guitar Rig has added capabilities. It can run two rigs simultaneously, has superior (and more) effects and can operate as a VST plugin. I'm finally starting to get it and accept that one application is never going to do it all. I think of my TonePort as an I/O with phantom power and nice preamp models. Everything else is a nice optional bonus. It's still a good value! The TonePort UX1 is $129.99. The vocal preamp models alone are worth that much! You won't get phantom power though.

Good luck

Rich

YES!!!!!!
GRig 2 is also totally awesome...... I gotta agree
TonePort UX2 baby $199..... the way to go!!!!!!!!


P.S Rich (Blue)..... did you get the KB 37 working?

[GuitarSlinger]

You know the Toneport can process two amps at once, it just cant do it internally. If you have a stereo pedal, di box, volume pedal w/ tuner out, etc. laying around, basically any device that matches impedance to the line inputs and has two outputs, then YES. You are ready to rock with two signal chains. I love this and do it all the time.