Line 6 Tone Port UX8 or Pod X3?

[Bloke From Barnet]

I'm looking to get a pod next week for multi use giutar and bass. I want it pretty much only for recording. Originally I looked at getting the Pod XT pro, then I saw the Tone Port UX8 which seemed to be much more what I was after. Now the Pod X3 turns up and I really can't decide which is best for me.
Maybe I'll pop into the shop for a demo if the guys in Barnet would do that (are you open bank holiday monday?).

I work with Cubase VST 5.1 and have Soundscape Mixtreme 192 / SS8IO3

I basically want to be able to use the pod for recording guitar & bass and have as much control post recording as possible. I'm not sure which of these products will suit my setup best.

[I_Am_Bic_Pentameter]

The POD X3 and the UX8 are both meaty but may duplicate a few roles that are taken care of already by other gear. Alternatively, it may replace the other gear that takes on those roles. That's what put me off. It's great if you're lacking part of that excess stuff that comes with it.

I like the approach of the UX2 - it covers all the bases and a tad more for recording. You get the plug-in mode too.

So I suppose it boils down to what you really need.

[Bloke From Barnet]

Thanks Bic,
I want it for bass and multi guitar parts for recording. I don't have anything like this at all yet because I have always used an amp & a mic. I love the idea of 're-amping', particularly for bass. I'm just not sure how best to use this for recording guitars.

For example, if I had 3-4 guitar parts, would I be able to record a dry signal on everything, then be able to use the plugin to re-amp & process the signal afterwards or would it act only as one outboard signal processor during mixdown?

Would I use the plugin to process all whatever is on a particular track in Cubase, then send it through the master outputs? Or can it only re-amp or process one or 2 signals via my mixer after recording?

Am I better off to come from the output straight into my spdif input on my SS8IO3 or via USB? Or just thru my desk?

Confuzzled a bit here!

[modz1]

Originally Posted by Bloke From Barnet

edit:
Maybe I'll pop into the shop for a demo if the guys in Barnet would do that (are you open bank holiday monday?).

edit:t.

Hi BFB
I'm afraid DV stores don't open on bank holidays..

[I_Am_Bic_Pentameter]

Originally Posted by Bloke From Barnet

Thanks Bic,
I want it for bass and multi guitar parts for recording. I don't have anything like this at all yet because I have always used an amp & a mic. I love the idea of 're-amping', particularly for bass. I'm just not sure how best to use this for recording guitars.

Confuzzled a bit here!

Well everyone has a way they like to do stuff but I recommend this as a great way of recording.

The way I use it is to put it in the FX-bin on a dry signal and I can open as many instances of it as I like on numerous tracks. Because of direct monitoring I can also play through it live. If I play live through it using just a dry guitar signal going through another preamp, then this is also a dry signal, obviously.

My preferred method though is to open the standalone version inside my DAW so it's kinda like separate but part of it and I run as many dry signals as I like or it could just be one or I can copy them.

Once the standalone is there I can record any amount of presets or tweaked patches into individual tracks. I just open a track and play through the input monitoring or direct monitoring and record it and move on to another a track - it's so versatile.

If I'm unhappy with a sound then I can put the plug-in onto the corresponding dry signal and tweak away. The standalone and plug-in do not update each other when you tweak, they are separate items.

I use track templates so anything I want to do is right to hand.

Whatever you can think of you can pretty much do.

[Bloke From Barnet]

Bic, many thanks. I guess its time for me to just go & get one & start playing with it.

If I'm reading right, you can open the standalone software, run your dry signal into it and record it back onto a track on the DAW? That'd be fantastic!

[bscully]

Originally Posted by Bloke From Barnet

.

I work with Cubase VST 5.1 and have Soundscape Mixtreme 192 / SS8IO3

Don't hold me to this but VST 5 only has a VST1.0 engine and the line 6 stuff may only work on the newer VST2.0 engine. It's worth checking this out before you buy as you may need to add the cost of Cubase 4 Essential/studio (dependant on your needs) into the equation too.

[I_Am_Bic_Pentameter]

Without doubt - check compatability

And check what your specific DAW does allow you to do

I basically just record a wet and dry signal and there are a number of ways to do it.

I use the standalone because it has the tuner (not available on the plug-in) and I also use an external drum machine when messing about and that can't run through the plug-in obviously.

[Bloke From Barnet]

Originally Posted by bscully

Don't hold me to this but VST 5 only has a VST1.0 engine and the line 6 stuff may only work on the newer VST2.0 engine. It's worth checking this out before you buy as you may need to add the cost of Cubase 4 Essential/studio (dependant on your needs) into the equation too.

That was something I meant to ask, thanks for pointing that out.

I am really happy with my VST 5.1 because I understand it and can just fire up & start working. I will get Cubase 4 if the pod dictates I must have it because I want to use its capabilities. I just didn't much fancy hours of setting up & learning a new DAW, not to mention emptying the piggy bank!