Line 6 TonePort UX2 Review

What: Line 6 TonePort UX2
When: September 2008
Where: Home studio

Since by birthday was fast approaching I wanted to respect my annual tradition of splurging and getting myself a gift. This year I decided that it would be the TonePort UX2 USB interface by Line 6. This sweet little gadget (about the size of a A4 pice of paper, dimension wise) packs quite a punch in terms of hardware and software bundle.

Scouring through the internet I found quite couple good reviews in the cakewalk forum and Harmony Central. I also discovered that the sole distributor for Line 6 products is CK Music (in Jalan Imbi). At first I was checking around for online offers to see if I could get a bargain deal. But alas the offer CK Music was willing to offer me was far better that any online store (including local based stores that do not charge for deliver since you pick it up from various meeting points in the Klang valley). The best online deal I could find was about RM710 plus shipping, CK Music was retailing it at RM780 and was willing to let it go for RM620. Without a second thought I hopped over to Jln Imbi and coughed up the moolah. UPDATE: I was told yesterday that CK Music is having a sale now and I feel like a jackass cause there like selling it for just shy of RM500. Fuck!

OK back to the review, the bundle comes with:

Hardware which features:

• USB studio recording interface
• Sample rate conversion: 16 and 24 bit at 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz
• 2 XLR inputs with mic preamps and +48V phantom power
• 2 Guitar/Bass Inputs – use the Pad input for guitars and basses with high level pickup outputs, or the normal input
• USB Bus powered (2.0 or 1.1 compatible)
• Stereo Digital Output S/PDIF via RCA
• VU Meters assignable to input, record send, output and monitor levels
• Tone Direct™ monitoring - unique, full tone low latency monitoring regardless of recording software's buffer size

Sofware:

• Works with leading recording software on Mac® and Windows®
• Gearbox amp and effects modeling software for Guitar, Bass and Vocals includes:

23 guitar/bass amp models with 29 cabinet models
6 vocal mic preamps for amazing, studio-quality tracks
29 stompbox and studio effect models, including Overdrive, Delay, Reverb, Wah,
Flanger, Chorus, and more

• Includes Ableton Live Lite - Line 6 Edition recording software

Setting Up


















Out of the box, to hook it up, its quite idiot proof. All you need is the USB cable to connect to your USB port on your PC/laptop. There is no need for a separate power source as it the UX2 is powered by th 5V from the USB. Next you have to install the Gearbox software that is basically your control panel for your UX2. The bunddled Ableton Live Lite, as its name suggests is the "lite" version of the Live 5 software. If you already have anything by Cakewalk or Cubase. You'd be etter off sticking with what you are already workign with.

Conclusion

I would very much agree with Craig Anderton's review that all interfaces these days have the same bottom line: They're not for everyone, but for some people, they'll be exactly what's needed. I guess that's why there are so many! (Those who want an even less costly package, and are willing to give up some features, can check out the TonePort UX1—the UX2's "little brother.")

So who's the ideal UX2 customer? Here's the checklist:

• Sings and plays guitar
• Wants great guitar and vocal modeling effects in a box that works effortlessly with desktops or laptops
• Hates latency
• Doesn't need to do re-amping
• Appreciates the extra features like SPDIF digital out, line ins, and phantom power
• Can be either MIDI-ignorant or a MIDI whiz and still get full use out of the box
• Likes to tweak sounds and take advantage of the many processing options

If you fit that description, you are going to flip over the UX2. It's an intelligently designed interface that delivers far more than expected; it's simple enough for the beginner, but has so much going on beneath the surface it can satisfy hardcore pros as well.