Tone Port UX 2

[Lunch Money]

Great review, billy. I'm getting closer to springing for one of these.

Is it powered -entirely- by the USB, always, or is there optional power supply?

Greg

[billybk1]

Is it powered -entirely- by the USB, always, or is there optional power supply?
Greg

There is no optional external power supply, it is entirely USB port powered.

Cheers,

Billy Buck

[Sascha Franck]

Hmmmm... too bad it's got no MIDI in or PrgChange support. That'd make it interesting for live useage as well.

[billybk1]

Hmmmm... too bad it's got no MIDI in or PrgChange support. That'd make it interesting for live useage as well.

The TonePort GearBox software can send/receive MIDI data using an external MIDI interface/controller, to control certain parameters. There is a MIDI/Control tab, in the GearBox "Preferences" to select MIDI Input. Also, on the UX2 you can assign the Footswitch inputs to MIDI CC parameter's. I have a Roland EV-5 Expression pedal connected to a JX-305 sending out MIDI controller #4 messages (varies the Wah FX, on the TonePort) into a MIDI interface and then into my UX2. Works like a charm.

Cheers,

Billy Buck

[Sascha Franck]

Thanks for the info, Billy - but that's still not the same as connecting a MIDI floor pedal sending PrgChanges straight into it, just like I do with other programmable devices.

[Lunch Money]

I'm fairly certain that someone on the Line 6 forum was talking about doing just what you want, Sascha. Have a peek.

Greg

[Lawnmower Of The Damned]

For all news related to Line 6 I always go here: http://www.vettaville.nl/vvlatestnewsnl.htm

If you scroll down a few articles then you will find a link to an application that does exactly what you were hoping for. I believe it even allows you to use a midi floor-board.

[Sascha Franck]

Well see, probably there's a way to have the Toneport react to MIDI program changes - but it's got no MIDI in, so I'd need another device (some USB MIDI interface) in addition. That's the main drawback.

[larsby]

billyk, like your rewiev, I have one additional question though, if I may.

Is it 1.1 USB or is it 2.0 with fallback abileties. that is, if I connect it to a 2.0 port will I get the speed from 2.0?

[billybk1]

Is it 1.1 USB or is it 2.0 with fallback abileties. that is, if I connect it to a 2.0 port will I get the speed from 2.0?

Even though the TonePort is compatible with USB 2.0 ports, it is not a true hi-speed (up to 480 mbps)USB 2.0 device. If it was, you can bet Line 6 would surely be promoting it as such. Since the TonePort does not support more than two simultaneous 24/48 stereo data streams, at once, it really does not need the extra speed. Now of course, if Line 6 comes out with a 6 or 8 channel 24/96 I/O USB audio device, it would surely need to be a true hi-speed 2.0 USB device, in order for that to work.

Billy Buck

[Lawnmower Of The Damned]

Well see, probably there's a way to have the Toneport react to MIDI program changes - but it's got no MIDI in, so I'd need another device (some USB MIDI interface) in addition. That's the main drawback.

I'm confused. Are you saying that you don't have any spare midi ports on your computer/audio card, or that you don't have any midi inputs at all? Or am I further confused and you think that the midi device needs to plug directly into the TonePort to work?

My understanding (I don't own one, so this is just my educated guess) is that this helper program recieves midi input from a standard midi port, and then has some kind of memory-hook that changes the settings on the TonePort. So long as you have midi inputs of any kind (Is there really a KVRian without midi inputs?) and a midi-controller of some sort then you should be all set.

[Sascha Franck]

I'm confused. Are you saying that you don't have any spare midi ports on your computer/audio card, or that you don't have any midi inputs at all? Or am I further confused and you think that the midi device needs to plug directly into the TonePort to work?

What I'm saying is, for live useage it'd be the easiest way to:
- Fire up laptop.
- Connect Toneport.
- Cable up speakers and guitar.
- Connect MIDI floor pedal.

No additional MIDI interface to be cabled up - I've got several I *could* use, but I simply don't want to.

[Lawnmower Of The Damned]

I've got several I *could* use, but I simply don't want to.

Well what's that got to do with the TonePort? It seems to me that you're the defective one.

Great, now I've got to go find the reciept and see if the store will give me a replacement Sascha...

[Sascha Franck]

Well what's that got to do with the TonePort? It seems to me that you're the defective one.

Great, now I've got to go find the reciept and see if the store will give me a replacement Sascha...

Err???

Sorry, all I've been saying was that it's a pity that the Toneport has no MIDI port onboard. What's so bad about this statement?
Almost each audio interface has a MIDI port build in...

[Lunch Money]

I agree that having its own MIDI port would have been more elegant. People who don't already own a soundcard with MIDI, or who want to replace their existing one with the UX2 (ie. if I had the UX2 and it worked well, I could sell my 24/96 to recoup some of the cost) still need to add a MIDI input to their computer.

You can't argue with Sascha's point, regardless of whether or not most of us have an existing solution. A built-in MIDI port is clearly a more comprehensive and elegant solution.

Greg