Toneport KB37 is out!

[Lunch Money]

I've been quite happy with the thing so far.

but did you get a free moth with yours?

No.



I want a moth, too.

[thecontrolcentre]

My Moth ridden KB37 is going back to the shop ...
I have my Genelecs connected direct to the analog outs on the KB37, and when i boot up my PC i get a pop thru the monitors, even with the volume on the keyboard and the monitors at zero. It also comes thru the headphone output. If the volume is turned up it's a loud pop ...
To make things worse, when i start Live, or any other audio software, including media player and winamp, i get the same loud pop thru the monitors.
I contacted the support at Line6 and they said they think the unit is faulty, and i should get it replaced ... again.
So ... Sound Control said they'll send me another one (that's 3 now) tomorrow ...
I'm now seriously thinking about getting something else instead.

[Lunch Money]

The drivers always, always pop upon initialization, if you have the volume turned up. But that's on computer reboot... they shouldn't pop just by launching WMP, and they certainly shouldn't pop if the monitors are at zero. The keyboard's volume is irrelevant in the equation, but it makes no sense for the monitors to pop when turned to zero. If that's happening, I fear for the safety of your monitors.

Greg

[thecontrolcentre]

I fear for the safety of your monitors.

I fear for my monitors too
I've just received a replacement keyboard from Sound Control (that's 3 so far) and this one has exactly the same fault. Sound Control think it could be a compatability issue with my PC, and suggested i talk to Line6 about it. They have also offered to refund my money, or provide me with an alternative at a "good price" to compensate for the 2 weeks of hassle. I have emailed Line6 support again, and am waiting for a reply. So far all they've ever suggested is getting a replacement.
I'm looking into replacing it with an M-Audio Fast Track Pro soundcard and Oxygen8 v2 midi keyboard at the moment. I can get the pair for £70 less than I paid for the Toneport.




Anyone got any experience of either of these?

[thecontrolcentre]

I've decided to get rid of my KB37, as Line6 are unable to offer a solution to the problems i'm having with it. I am replacing it with a Novation X-Station 25, which does everything the KB37 can do, but also has the V-Station Synth engine, 2 effects processors, an assignable X/Y pad, 20 assignable knobs, 4 endless rotary controllers, 9 faders and a semi-weighted keyboard with assignable aftertouch.



Sound Control in the UK have been good enough to offer me a straight swap for the KB37, because of all the hassle I've had, even tho' the X-Station costs considerably more (they were £500 originally), and will have the replacement with me by Monday.
If anyone here has experience with the X-Station 25, I'd be interested to hear your opinion ...

[BONES]

That's interesting. I had a similar thing with my piece-of-shit Mackie SPIKE but the UX2, that the KB37 is built on, doesn't do any of that stuff. In fact I have been hugely impressed with it. That said, the guy who sold me the SPIKE said he wouldn't recommend the Toneport stuff as a replacement as some of their customers had quality issues with their units. Maybe I've just been lucky with this one?
But realistically, as long as the controller bits work OK on the KB37 I will probably be happy with it as I can continue to use the UX2 as well [although I was hoping to sell it to recoup costs].

[thecontrolcentre]

the guy who sold me the SPIKE said he wouldn't recommend the Toneport stuff as a replacement as some of their customers had quality issues with their units.

The build quality certainly isn't the best ... it has a very "plasticy" finish. I don't know how it'll stand up to being gigged. It just doesn't feel that "solid" ... and every one i've had so far has been delivered with scratches already on it. I think I would get a hard case for it if i was using it live.

I still haven't had a reply from Line6 about the audio issues, but it's out of the door on Monday anyway ...

[thecontrolcentre]

OK ... my X-Station arrived this morning (2 days earlier than expected), and I have to say it makes the KB37 look like a plastic toy.
The build quality is excellent, the keyboard, rotarys, knobs and sliders all feel great, and it works exactly like it's supposed to. The onboard synth is pretty impressive too ... and it comes with a printed manual and a power supply (so you can use it as a standalone synth too).
I am now very pleased that the KB37 didn't work properly, because i would not have considered buying the X-Station otherwise.
It currently retails for only £40 more than the Toneport, and it's like comparing a VW Beetle with a Ferrari ... superb!

BTW i am still waiting for a reply from Line6 after 3 days

[BONES]

I think its cheap where you are bu tthey are twice the price of a KB37 here.

[thecontrolcentre]

BONES ... have you seen Novations new XioSynth?
It's the replacement for the X-Station and it's about £40 cheaper than the KB37 in the UK. There's a 39 key version too ...

[Lunch Money]

'Cept, BONES isn't in the UK.

[thecontrolcentre]

'Cept, BONES isn't in the UK.

yeah. I know, but there's a good chance it's cheaper where he is also ... it's probably available too.

in fact here it is for $699 NZ (£246 UK)

NOVATION-CLASS SYNTHESIZER WITH NEW FEATURES
The XioSynth features a mono-timbral Novation synth engine with 8-voice polyphony. In addition to 3 oscillators (17 waveforms each), 1 Filter (varying types), 2 LFOs (32 waveforms each), an arpeggiator and multi-effects board, this subtractive synth also boasts some brand new facilities such as the X-Gator patch programmer. The X-Gator can be made to gate each patch to create unique 16-32 step rhythmic patterns for every onboard sound, all automatically synchronised to MIDI clock from a sequencer; just press and hold one key to groove along to a track with style.

NOVATION SOUND OLD AND NEW - HIGH PROFILE USER PATCHES
The XioSynth features 200 hard-hitting onboard patches, utilising a new optional filter distortion to produce an even greater range of sounds than on previous synths; from the distinctive clean British sound to the filthiest and grittiest of sonic characters. Furthermore, 60 of the onboard sounds come from internationally acclaimed artists and producers from a variety of musical genres, namely James Zabiela, Ferry Corsten, Rennie Pilgrem, Roots Manuva, Shimon and Skeewiff. As such, every one of the patches on the XioSynth is eminently and instantly usable for creating synthesized music of any kind.

HIGH QUALITY AUDIO INTERFACE
The XioSynth includes an ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface for high quality recording and playback. This allows you to record a microphone with phantom power, as well as simultaneously stream the onboard synth audio directly to the sequencer via the USB cable. Equally though, a guitar can be plugged straight into the Jack input for DI recording, as well as simultaneously mic'd, and recorded with outstanding results. Check the demo XioSynth guitar track in the Novation online player to be blown away by the quality.

FLEXIBLE MIDI CONTROLLER - OF SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE
If wanting a compact controller keyboard for studio or live use, the XioSynth is the most flexible and powerful tool on the market. In addition to synthesizing and audio/MIDI interfacing, the keyboard is also a comprehensive control surface with 22 knobs and buttons (doubled to 44 by a Group A/B switch), plus a freely assignable Touchpad and joystick. All of these controls are pre-programmed in 12 of 16 onboard Templates, so that the XioSynth can instantly control many software applications straight out the box. Add to this many more Templates online, a free Template Editor software application and hybrid modes for simultaneous synthesizing and MIDI controlling, and you have an extremely versatile package for producing or performing.

HIGHLY PORTABLE
Simply connecting the keyboard over USB is all that's required to start recording, synthesizing and MIDI controlling. As the device is class compliant, no drivers are required for Windows XP or Mac OSX (although some are provided to improve latency and stability in some apps). Furthermore, if wanting to excape the confines of the studio for a while, the USB cable can be unplugged and the XioSynth can be powered by batteries, functioning as a standalone synth completely separately from the computer.


... and still no reply from Line6 support

[BONES]

Novation stuff is almost twice the price here as anywhere else in teh world. e.g. When I paid around A$600 for my K-Station in Hong Kong they were retailing for A$1995 at home, which meant a street price of around A$1500.
EDIT: - just checked the distributor's site and they will in fact be A$699, same as the KB37 but they only come in two and four octaves. If they had a 3 octave version it would definitely be a winner for me but the 49 key version is just too big. I really like the idea of piping the synth's output into your sequencer via USB, I wish my microX did that. Colour's not bad either.

P.S. NZ was last week. I forgot to update it.

[d0us]

I did the exact same thing.

The line6 just threw me blue screen errors no matter what I did and I installed the required updates as well....shame..it looks cool.

The bloke at Sound control ordered an ozonic for next week...he also let me try out the xiosynth and the x-station. xiosynth is cool and cheap but not enough intput and midi options. I've got the x-station at the moment, and you know what? I don't think I will swap for the ozonic..whats a couple of extra inputs when you got a kick-ass synth! and it's rock solid as it acts as my midi interface...and i know for sure my crappy vintage vaio will through a wobbly with 2 demanding usb devices connected!

The bloke at soundcontrol *says* he tried to do a straight swap with the kb37 that cost 259...but he said the system wouldn't let him so I had topay 20 quid extra for the x-station or ozonic if i decide to get it.

Was this the same with you mate? or did he just 'pretend' to help me out?

One last question guys: Ozonic or x-station? i'm well impressed by teh x-station...but anyone else got ideas on the ozonic? it comes ot the store on thursday.


cheers

I've decided to get rid of my KB37, as Line6 are unable to offer a solution to the problems i'm having with it. I am replacing it with a Novation X-Station 25, which does everything the KB37 can do, but also has the V-Station Synth engine, 2 effects processors, an assignable X/Y pad, 20 assignable knobs, 4 endless rotary controllers, 9 faders and a semi-weighted keyboard with assignable aftertouch.



Sound Control in the UK have been good enough to offer me a straight swap for the KB37, because of all the hassle I've had, even tho' the X-Station costs considerably more (they were £500 originally), and will have the replacement with me by Monday.
If anyone here has experience with the X-Station 25, I'd be interested to hear your opinion ...

[thecontrolcentre]

The bloke at soundcontrol *says* he tried to do a straight swap with the kb37 that cost 259...but he said the system wouldn't let him so I had topay 20 quid extra for the x-station or ozonic if i decide to get it.

Was this the same with you mate? or did he just 'pretend' to help me out?

They did a straight swap (i got mine from the Glasgow online shop), and they also did a Saturday delivery free of charge (usually costs £15).
I'm really happy with the level of service I received. They treated me very well, unlike Sound Control in Newcastle, who didn't even return my calls.
I'm very happy with the X-Station, and I certainly wouldn't swap it for the Ozonic ... or anything made by Line6.