Line 6 GuitarPort vs. TonePort UX2 ???
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Posted on Oct 11, 2007 06:55 pm
Anthony79
Member Since: Oct 04, 2007
As strictly a guitar player (no vocal or bass ambitions) which one is the smarter investment? The UX2 is $10 more at $199, but my understanding is the UX2 only comes with a software demo for recording. Whereas the GuitarPort comes with RiffTracker and it's only $189. I'm only interested in plugging in one guitar, and I noticed the UX1 goes for a considerably cheaper price. However, seems like the GuitarPort option might be better if recording is important to me.
Some questions: will I sacrifice quality or available models/patches with the GuitarPort over the newer TonePort UX2? How does the RiffTracker interface compare with GearBox? Can I still download GearBox for free and use it instead? Can I still download the same models for the GuitarPort?
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Oct 11, 2007 09:02 pm I would personally recommend a Toneport. Rifftracker is not real software. But how about the "guitar only" Toneport GX
line6.com/toneportgx/
It's only around $70
For software use Reaper or Kristal or Audacity. All are free or close to free and the first two are as good as any starter recording package.
Guitarport is significantly older technology. The UX2 really gives you more options though with two inputs and the option to mic amps or acoustics or run a line in from some other device.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 11, 2007 09:04 pm Have you been to the Line 6 site and compared the 2 units? I use a UX-2 here and love it. I track into Sonar with it so you can use any recording application you would like. You don't have to use ReffTracker software strictly with any of the Line 6 stuff.
I believe you can use Gearbox with GuitarPort as well, since Gearbox is designed to be used with all the Line 6 stuff.
But if you are strictly recording guitar GP might work well for you. And I believe as well you can get the same amp models for that as you can with their other models. But I would suggest taking a look on their site.
Oct 11, 2007 09:06 pm Why in the heck is the GP $60 more than the Toneport UX1? Both do the same and the UX1 is newer. I don't get it?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 11, 2007 09:21 pm Ya, one thing I failed to mention is the fact all the Line 6 bits can do the guitar port thing. My UX-2 will use GuitarPort online just as the GP itself will. And honestly it is well worth the money if some day you need to use a bass or a mic.
Oct 11, 2007 09:23 pm I think the heavier cost of the GuitarPort is due to it being bundled with Riff Tracker software. The UX1 and UX2's do not come with full-fledged recording software.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 11, 2007 09:39 pm As tony stated above, the Rifftracker software is a very lightweight type application and would not justify any real cost at all. It is not much of a recording application at all if that is what you are thinking.
And the UX units come with Ableton Live lite.
You are better off getting one of the freeware or shareware recording applications out there.
Oct 11, 2007 10:25 pm No love for the Toneport GX :(
Kristal and Reaper are basically free and are far better than Rifftracker.
UX1 and UX2 come with crippled Ableton Lite, but it's crippled to a state that is still significantly better than Rifftracker.
Oct 11, 2007 10:28 pm Checking the site you seem to be paying (over the odds) for Rifftracker and getting the GP as a bonus.
I still say UX1, UX2 or GX are better
The Line6 forums are pretty good, ask the question there you might get a better answer.
Oct 11, 2007 10:35 pm No offense, but why all the hate for RiffTracker? I've read good things about it elsewhere. It seems pointless for Line6 to push this with the GuitarPort if they are both completely obsolete. Especially when you can buy a UX1 for $60 less and supposedly get a superior recording program (albeit a demo version). Does the RiffTracker not record at the same level of quality as some of the others? Are we talking in bits here or user-friendliness or what?
I'm a total newbie to this world, so forgive me if I seem redundant. I see Line6 also still sells the older POD units, but they are each priced much lower with their obsolescence factor. In terms of quality, what do the other software programs do that RiffTracker doesn't? I'm probably more concerned with quality and easy of use more than anything... not necessarily features.
Oct 12, 2007 12:39 am Still no love for the Toneport GX :(
Rifftracker may be fine but it is not an acknowledged recording package. You don't know me but I run a podcast where home musicians send music. I get maybe 20 songs a week and I've been going 2 years so that's 2000 songs. Not a single submitted song was made with Rifftracker.
It seems to me that Rifftracker was made as support for the practicing guitarist.
All that said, it has most of the features a person might want and people use it at the Line6 forums. Go ask them about it. But here you would be paying $100 more to get Rifftracker when you could get something more complete for free.
Glancing through the reviews I found a good one here gear.ign.com/articles/588/588776p1.html, with this interesting summary
[quote]RiffWorks' simplicity is both its strength and weakness. It's nice because anyone, even a triangle player, can learn to use it. There are plenty of easy to use realtime effects so experimenting with tracks is quick and easy.
But that simplicity comes at the cost of editing power. The timeline is only a single line so you can't layer things in it. This can make it hard to blend between various riffs, making pieces of the song sound disconnected if you don't do things just right. You also don't have the ability to do any sort of non-destructive editing like you can with many other nonlinear recording apps. And not being able to change envelope curves is a pretty big deal for hardcore users.
RiffWorks is a nice, simplified and quick recording application. It's a great tool for recording song ideas and putting together ideas, especially for a lone guitarist in an apartment. As long as you don't expect to walk away with a finished CD from it, RiffWorks can be quite a handy piece of software.[\quote]
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 12, 2007 06:18 pm Yep, its in the name itself. RiffTracker.
That is what it is made for, simply laying down some riff for use elsewhere.
