KVR Audio

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:38 pm

I haven't owned a PC that slow in many years. The driver is pretty good, it's probably the GearBox software, which uses about one-third as much CPU as an average song in ORION [but is worth every cycle], that requires the CPU. You have to have GearBox running to hear any external instrument/mic but you can bypass it and it won't use much juice.

Having decided to keep it, I am really, really happy with my set-up now. Over the weekend I am going to experiment on working without a mixer to see how well we can cope. If it works out OK it will greatly simplify our live set-up, which is the aim of every purchase I make. The KB37 has 50% more keys yet is about 50mm shorter than my microX. I think it might even fit in the frame thingie that they use to measure your cabin baggage - awesome!

gunnare · Post by **gunnare** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:30 pm

I dont use external instruments, and then the CPU is low? What I meant was more about how efficient it is. I notice that my tascam ASIO driver is much slower than the M-audio drivers. The tascam gives higher CPU for VST instruments , and easier crackles.

All the best
gunnare

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:36 pm

GearBox provides a ton of effects. You have your basic amp/cabinet sim, followed by up to 10 stomp-box style effects, including things like reverb. You can have two separate chains of effects if you use two mono sources so it's possible to have a couple of dozen high quality, zero latency effects running at one time. That is bound to use up a fair whack of processing power but, as I said, it is worth every CPU cycle it consumes. With just a basic vocal pre-amp sim and no effects you would hardly know it was running at all.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:04 am

BONES wrote:...it has one fatal flaw - you cannot set the MIDI channel that it transmits on. It is set to Channel 1 and that's it.

WHOOHOO!

I try to control my GuitarPort for years now via Cubase, or try to record via the USB port (and the FX on). Two words: DOESN'T WORK!

Now you have to shell out like 300bucks to get the VST version of it, plus the price to upgrade it to "Gearbox 3" (including all additional amps) to even use it properly.

Way to go Line 6 - I love you, I want your babies.

gunnare · Post by **gunnare** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:29 pm

Thanks for the information Bones!
I agree about the looks. It looks good. I use distortion and amp sims, so it seems right for me.

all the best
gunnare

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:27 pm

Compyfox wrote:I try to control my GuitarPort for years now via Cubase, or try to record via the USB port (and the FX on). Two words: DOESN'T WORK!
Now you have to shell out like 300bucks to get the VST version of it, plus the price to upgrade it to "Gearbox 3" (including all additional amps) to even use it properly.

GearBox 3 is a free update AFAIK and it has plenty of sims and stuff without getting any of the add-on packs. If you already own a Line 6 product I am pretty sure you can get the VST stuff for $199 at the moment.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:03 am

Actually you can, but let's face the truth, Bones. We were promised back in the day as the GuitarPort was released, that it's fully integrateable into any sequencer out there.

In short, it didn't happen. That was... 2002? It took almost 5(!) years to finally make that possible. On Musikmess 2004 it was "announced", but two years later it was released.

While I not say that Line6 is bad, hell no, else I wouldn't have gotten that Guitar Port, but their advertising (and some prices) sure is a bit off whack.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:29 am

How would it be integrated with a sequencer? Surely all they were saying is it would have ASIO drivers? I don't see what else you could read into that. The VST version of GearBox is for a whole other thing. The idea of GearBox as it stands is to eliminate teh latency in your audio system so that you can play along live to your sequencer. It does that brilliantly IMHO. I think maybe you were reading too much into it.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:19 am

Actually, I don't think so. I bought this thing back in the day as desktop amp only. The first fair I was at I asked at Line6 whether or not it could be implemented and fully controlled via MIDI, I got confirmation that this was already possible (and also advertised as such).

Since then I tried over and over to "implement" the Port as additional recording device with the amps on/off, it never really worked. This is why I said it's kind of a farce that we have to "pay" for a VST wrapper now, to use the PODxt or the Port as "DSP" chip.

Oh well...

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:47 am

Is that how it works? I figured the VST were fully software and the hardware simply acts as a dongle.

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:19 am

BONES wrote:Is that how it works?

Nope.

I figured the VST were fully software and the hardware simply acts as a dongle.

Correct.

Line 6 TonePort KB37 - A Warning