Line 6 POD xt Pro, TonePort UX2, TonePort UX8, TonePort GX, TonePort KB37 User Manual

v3.5 User Guide

Getting Started With Your Hardware

GX UX1 UX2 KB37 DI UX8

Guitar

Port

PODxt

GearBox Basics

Stand-alone

Application

Online Help

Recording & More

Step by Step Recording Setups,

Installation, Troubleshooting and more

PODxt

Live

PODxt

Pro

Plug-In

Store

Model

Packs &

Plug-In

Support

Online

Support

Pages

Top Issues

Important! Connect speakers or headphones to Line 6 hardware, not directly to

• computer. Click on the “Getting Started” links above for more details.

USB Required: Line 6 hardware must be connected via USB to use GearBox Plug-In

•

Hear computer’s soundcard and GearBox sound through the same speakers

•

Hooking up to a guitar ampliﬁer

•

Setting up ToneDirect™ Monitoring with GearBox Plug-In

•

Table of Contents

Start Here ................................................................................................1•1

Activation ....................................................................................................................... 1•1

Transferring Activations ................................................................................................. 1•1

About Line 6 Hardware & Software ..............................................................................1•3

Before You Get Started ................................................................................................... 1•3

System Requirements and Installation ........................................................................... 1•3

Updating & Registering with Line 6 Monkey ................................................................ 1•3

Login account ................................................................................................................. 1•3

Register your hardware ................................................................................................... 1•3

Compatibility Check ...................................................................................................... 1•3

Using Your Line 6 Hardware ...................................................................2•1

TonePort UX1 ................................................................................................................. 2•1

TonePort UX2 ................................................................................................................. 2•3

TonePort UX8 ................................................................................................................. 2•6

TonePort KB37 ............................................................................................................. 2•11

TonePort DI .................................................................................................................. 2•13

TonePort GX ................................................................................................................. 2•15

GuitarPort ..................................................................................................................... 2•16

PODxt ........................................................................................................................... 2•17

PODxt Live ................................................................................................................... 2•18

PODxt PRO .................................................................................................................. 2•19

PODxt - Audio Signal Routing & Re-Amping ............................................................ 2•21

Routing audio from your Line 6 hardware to an external device ................................ 2•22

Connecting analog outputs to an external device ...................................................... 2•22

Routing analog outputs to another sound card ............................................................ 2•23

Connecting the Digital Output from TonePort UX2, UX8, KB37 or

PODxt Pro to an external digital device ..................................................................... 2•23

ToneDirect™ Monitoring ............................................................................................ 2•23

Sound Cards & Sound Issues ........................................................................................ 2•26

Line 6 Driver Panel & Recording ............................................................3•1

Audio Routing ................................................................................................................ 3•1

The Line 6 Audio-MIDI Device Control Panel ............................................................ 3•2

Important Things to Know When Recording .............................................................. 3•24

GearBox Stand-alone Application ..........................................................4•1

Overview ......................................................................................................................... 4•1

GearBox Controls and Operation .................................................................................. 4•1

ii

Pre/Post Record Send .....................................................................................................4•6

Monitoring a GearBox-processed tone while recording “Dry” ...................................... 4•7

Dual-Tone operation (TonePort UX1/UX2/UX8/KB37) ............................................... 4•8

MIDI Control ................................................................................................................. 4•9

TonePort UX2/UX8/KB37 Controllers ........................................................................ 4•10

KB37 Controllers .......................................................................................................... 4•10

GearBox with PODxt ................................................................................................... 4•13

GearBox Controls and Operation ................................................................................ 4•13

PODxt MIDI control .................................................................................................... 4•14

How To... ...................................................................................................................... 4•15

GearBox Plug-In .......................................................................................5•1

A Quickie Plug-in Primer ............................................................................................... 5•1

Activating the GearBox Plug-in ....................................................................................5•2

GearBox Plug-in Controls and Operation .....................................................................5•5

Where can I ﬁnd the GearBox Plug-in on my computer? .............................................. 5•6

Model Gallery ...........................................................................................6•1

Guitar Amp & Cab Models ............................................................................................ 6•3

Bass Amp & Cab Models.............................................................................................. 6•11

Preamp Models ............................................................................................................. 6•13

Effects ............................................................................................................................ 6•15

Model List ..................................................................................................................... 6•23

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................7•1

What Is… ..................................................................................................8•1

Online Help & Support ...........................................................................9•1

Line 6, PODxt, PODxt Pro, TonePort, GearBox, ToneDirect Monitoring, GuitarPort, Line 6 Edit and Custom Tone are trademarks of Line 6, Inc. All other product names, trademarks, and artists’ names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or afﬁliated with Line 6.

iii

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Start Here

Start Here

Activation

Some features of GearBox require “activation” using Line 6 Monkey and your Internet connection. Activation turns these features on in your GearBox-compatible hardware, so they can operate in the GearBox stand-alone application and Plug-in. “Monkey, you say?” – get the skinny on Line 6 Monkey

here.

Detailed information on activating GearBox Plug-In can be found here.

Model Packs that you purchase from www.line6.com/store also need to be activated. You’ll ﬁnd instructions on just how to do that here.

You may also transfer your activations to another computer with or without Internet access. The next section describes the process in detail.

Transferring Activations

So you just upgraded your computer to the latest and greatest (this week anyway…) model, and want to move GearBox to your new system? In this section, we’ll explain how to make the transfer process as easy as A-B-C, whether the new computer can connect to the internet or not.

The destination computer has an Internet connection

This is the easiest scenario: Download and install the GearBox application (always available at line6.

com/software). This will also install the necessary drivers for your hardware and the Line 6 Monkey

application.

GearBox Plug-in doesn’t work!!! Where are my Model Packs??? Relax –Your Add-Ons (Model Packs, Plug-in, etc…) are tied-in to your hardware’s ESN, but also need to be authorized with each new computer you’ll be using GearBox on. In other words, they work but just haven’t been enabled on the new computer yet.

Launch Line 6 Monkey. The Monkey utility will connect to the server and scan your hardware for any activated Add-ons, and if it ﬁnds any, will display the following message:

1•1

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Start Here

Just click Authorize, and Monkey will enable the use of your activated Add-On(s) on the new computer system.

The destination computer lacks an Internet connection

So you just got the call from Mr. Big Time Producer for a session at so-and-so’s studio, and you want to bring all this great Line 6 tone along for tracking – but their computer does not connect to the internet. You can still move your GearBox activation to their recording environment by following these steps:

Prerequisite: This may seem obvious but we’ll mention it anyway: Your hardware and all GearBox Software and Add-ons must already be activated and authorized on your own computer (meaning, an Internet connection is required and has been used for the initial activation of your GearBox assets).

On your computer:

Locate and copy all .aet ﬁles to removable media (CD, Flash drive, etc…). In Windows®

• environments, these ﬁles can be found in the C:\Document_and_Settings\(username)\

Application Data\Line 6\GuitarPort folder; on Mac®, look in /Users/(username)/Library/ Application Support/Line 6/GuitarPort.

Copy the GearBox installer to removable media, since the destination computer will not be able

• to download it.

On the destination computer:

Install the GearBox software.

•

Copy the .aet ﬁles from your removable storage into the correct folder (described above). You

• may have to create this folder manually if it isn’t present.

1•2

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Start Here

You’re done! You should now be able to launch the GearBox application with all Add-Ons enabled. Just remember that for Plug-in operation, your Line 6 hardware must always be connected via USB (even if you’re using a 3rd-party interface).

About Line 6 Hardware & Software

Before You Get Started

OK, you’ve got your guitar, a computer and a head full of songs and cool licks, so how do you get this all going? You’re just a few steps away from turning your computer into a serious Tone, jamming and recording machine. First, here is some valuable information to ensure you have all the latest and greatest updates….

System Requirements and Installation

If you need to check the system requirements or some assistance with installing GearBox on your Windows or Mac computer, please refer to the separate documents located on the GearBox Online

Help page of the Line 6 website.

Updating & Registering with Line 6 Monkey

Line 6 Monkey is the intelligent updater utility that is automatically installed with your GearBox application. You are prompted to run Line 6 Monkey at the end of your GearBox installation, but it’s a great idea to do this often so you can be sure you have all the latest updates for all your Line 6 software and hardware products. Registering your Line 6 hardware is also very important because it ensures that you’re dialed in for warranty service and makes it possible for us to contact you if new software versions or other cool enhancements are offered - cutting edge technology and such! So don’t put this off any longer. Connect your Line 6 hardware to your computer and follow these steps to launch Line 6 Monkey...

On Mac®, go to Applications - Line 6.

•

On Windows®, go to Start - Programs - Line 6 - Tools.

•

Login account

You’ll need to Login so that Line 6 Monkey can communicate with the online Line 6 Server and provide you with exactly what you need. It’s just a few clicks, and it’s free!

If you have a Line 6 account, then type in your User Name and Password at the top of the

• Monkey dialog.

If you have not yet created an account, click the New User button and you’ll be walked right

• through the steps.

Register your hardware

If you have not already done so, you’ll be prompted to Register your connected Line 6 hardware. It’s a painless process really, so click that Register Now button and ﬁll in the blanks on the Web page. This page will list all your registered Line 6 gear in one place.

Compatibility Check

To check your Mac® or Windows® computer system to see if it meets the requirements to run GearBox, launch Line 6 Monkey and go to the Compatibility tab:

1•3

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Start Here

Just click the Run Check button and Monkey will check your system and list a report of all items in the window, letting you know if they pass the minimum requirements needed for GearBox.

For a complete list of GearBox system requirements, please see the GearBox 2 Release Notes document on the GearBox Online Help page of the Line 6 website.

1•4

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

USing YoUr Line 6 Hardware

The GearBox 3 software is designed to work with your Line 6 TonePort GX, DI, UX1, UX2, UX8, KB37, GuitarPort, PODxt, PODxt Live or PODxt Pro hardware. Your Line 6 device, since it connects to your computer via USB and utilizes the high-performance Line 6 Audio & MIDI drivers, it is easily conﬁgured to work as your computer’s sound card. This means that you can access all your Tones coming out of GearBox directly from most any audio recording application, all at the highest quality! But you are of course not just limited to using your Line 6 hardware to record into your computer – the outputs provided on the back of your device additionally allow you to feed your GearBox signal to external tape machines, DAT recorders, PA systems, or whatever else will accept an analog line level signal. Additionally, TonePort UX2, UX8 and PODxt Pro devices include a digital S/PDIF output to allow you to make these connections digitally!

There are some differences in the setup and functionality between the supported Line 6 devices, so be sure to look for the instructions in the following sections for your speciﬁc device. Primarily, TonePort and GuitarPort devices function quite similarly since all the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is performed on your computer when using these units. PODxt devices do all their DSP magic inside the PODxt itself. Using the GearBox software is pretty similar for all these devices once you have everything setup. So here we go…

TonePort UX1

Connect your electric guitar or bass

Connect a microphone

Mic - To input a signal from a microphone, connect it here using an XLR cable. This inputs the microphone signal into GearBox where you can choose your tone, and then route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs.

Guitar/Bass - To input your electric guitar or bass, plug it in here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. This inputs the instrument’s signal into GearBox where you can then choose your tone and route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs.

Connect your stereo headphones

Phones - If you want to listen to the audio from TonePort using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Outs on the rear panel of TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into any TonePort input.

2•1

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Connect any line level input

your computer’s USB port.*

source for monitoring to the Stereo Monitor In

Connect a USB cable from here to

Connect any line level input source that you want to record into the

Connect the Analog Outs to your audio monitors

Line Inputs

*Note – be sure to always power off or mute your speakers or monitoring setup before connecting and disconnecting the USB cable between TonePort and your computer, as well as before booting up or shutting down your computer if TonePort is already connected. The best practice is to always power on your speakers last, and power them off ﬁrst when connected to other audio gear to avoid a “pop”.

Line Inputs - To record the signal from a line level source, such as a keyboard, your stereo receiver, the line out from a mixing console, etc., connect them to these Left and Right ins using 1/4-inch TS audio cables.

Monitor In - If you want to hear the signal from a line level source along with all the other audio coming from your computer, but do not want this audio recorded, then plug the source in here. Note that this is a stereo jack, so you should use a stereo 1/4-inch TRS audio cable for this connection.

USB - This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort with the full USB bandwidth. TonePort also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a non-powered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with un-powered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

Analog Outs - These Left and Right unbalanced jacks output all the audio from TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any TonePort input. These are what you want to connect to your powered speakers or monitoring system for a recording setup. Use 1/4-inch TS cables to connect directly to powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the headphone jack on the front of TonePort if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

2•2

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

TonePort UX2

Connect your electric Guitar or Bass

Connect your stereo

Connect up to two Microphones

Microphone Inputs - You can receive input from one or two mics at the same time using these ins. There is also a +48V Phantom Power switch that you should toggle to “on” if your mic requires phantom power (most condenser type mics do, but check the documentation for your mic if you are not sure). Connect each mic using an XLR cable. This inputs each microphone signal independently into GearBox where you can choose your tone, and then route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs.

Headphones

Guitar/Bass Inputs -To input your electric guitar or bass, plug it into one of these inputs. Either of these routes the instrument’s signal into GearBox where you can choose your tone and route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs.

Norm – this input is for a standard instrument level output. Plug your guitar/bass into here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable.

Pad - this input is designed for high output level basses and guitars, especially those with active pickups. Plug your high output instrument into here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable.

Headphone - If you want to listen to the audio from TonePort using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Outs on the rear panel of TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into any TonePort input.

2•3

Connect up to two standard toggle or momentary pedal switches into the Footswitches jacks for remote control of GearBox and audio application functions

Connect any line level input source that you want to record into the Line Inputs

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Connect your USB cable from your computer’s USB port*

Connect to the S/PDIF input of an external device to send TonePort’s output digitally

Connect any line level input source for monitoring to the Stereo Monitor In

Connect the Analog

Outs to your audio

monitors

*Note – be sure to always power off or mute your speakers or monitoring setup before connecting and disconnecting the USB cable between TonePort and your computer, as well as before booting up or shutting down your computer if TonePort is already connected. The best practice is to always power on your speakers last, and power them off ﬁrst when connected to other audio gear to avoid a “pop”.

Line Inputs - if you want to record the signal from a line level source, such as a keyboard, your stereo receiver, the line out from a mixing console, etc., connect them to these Left and Right ins using 1/4inch TS audio cables.

Footswitches - if you want to use one or two on/off toggle or momentary footswitches to remotely control functions in the GearBox software, you can plug the 1/4-inch footswitch plugs into these 1 and 2 jacks. To conﬁgure each Footswitch, go to the GearBox Preferences. For TonePort UX1, UX2, and KB37, you can also use these footswitches to trigger recording and playback commands within the included Ableton Live Lite software!

USB - This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort with the full USB bandwidth. TonePort also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a non-powered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with un-powered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

S/PDIF Digital Out - To send the output of TonePort to an external device digitally, connect a 75Ohm coaxial cable into this RCA jack and then into the S/PDIF digital input on the external device. This is the best choice for connecting to digital recording devices, such as a DAT recorder. This S/ PDIF output sends the same audio as is sent to TonePort’s Analog Outs* (with the exception that any audio coming into the TonePort’s Monitor In jack is not routed to the S/PDIF output). The digital signal is always sent at 24-bit resolution.

2•4

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Monitor In - If you want to hear the signal from a line level source mixed with all the other audio coming from your computer, but do not want this audio recorded, then plug the source in here. Note that this is a stereo jack, so you should use a stereo 1/4-inch TRS audio cable for this connection.

Analog Outs - These Left and Right balanced jacks output all the audio from TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any TonePort input. So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using TonePort as your computer’s sound card. Use either 1/4-inch TS or TRS cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the headphone jack on the front of TonePort if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

2•5

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

TonePort UX8

The TonePort UX8 is a multichannel recording interface designed for professional use, offering plenty of headroom, a wide dynamic range and an exceedingly low noise ﬂoor. Designed with high quality electrical components and a rugged exterior, the UX8 is built to provide many years of reliability.

Included with the UX8 is the GearBox Plug-In, providing all your tracks with same POD quality tone trusted by scores of platinum-selling musicians and recording engineers. In addition, the GearBox standalone application provides a virtual front end for professional tone processing.

Rear Panel Features

Balanced Outputs

TonePort UX8 provides 8 balanced analog outputs (4 stereo pairs). For the cleanest audio signal, use 1/4-inch TRS cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup.

Note that you can use each output pair to provide different monitor mixes for musicians during a tracking session. You can set the input mix levels for each output pair using the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices application.

S/PDIF Digital Audio

To send or receive S/PDIF, connect a 75-Ohm coaxial cable to the UX8’s RCA jack and the external S/PDIF device. This is the best choice for connecting to digital recording devices, such as a DAT recorder. This S/PDIF output sends the same audio as Main Outs 1-2. The digital signal is always sent at 24 bit.

2•6

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

To sync to an external S/PDIF device, set the UX8 to sync to S/PDIF in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices application.

Footswitch and Expression Pedal Jacks

You can use up to 2 on/off toggle or momentary footswitches, and 1 expression pedal to remotely control functions in the GearBox software, such as stomp effects or wah level. You can also conﬁgure footswitches and the expression pedal to send MIDI commands, which can be useful for controlling your recording software’s transport.

To conﬁgure footswitch and expression assignments, go to the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices application, MIDI tab.

USB 2.0

This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort, with the other end going to one of your computer’s USB ports. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort with the full USB bandwidth. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

Line Level and XLR Inputs

8 unbalanced line level inputs are available for recording line level sources, such as a keyboard, stereo receiver, the line out from a mixing console, etc. Connect to line level inputs using 1/4-inch TS audio cables.

2•7

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

8 XLR preamp inputs are provided for balanced and mic input sources. +48 V Phantom Power switches are located on the front panel for mics requiring phantom power (most condenser type mics do, but check the documentation for your mic if you are not sure). Connect to these inputs using XLR cables.

Front Panel Features

Guitar/Bass Inputs

High-Z instrument inputs for guitar and bass are conveniently located on the front panel, providing convenient access for fast instrument switching.

-20 dB pad switches provide attenuation for hot levels, typically for instruments with onboard preamps or active pickups.

The TonePort UX8’s instrument inputs work directly with the GearBox standalone application to provide ToneDirect™ Monitoring, which provides a fully processed signal with ultra-low latency, critical for tracking with the desired sound.

Note that the processed signal from GearBox will show up in your recording application as additional sends to analog inputs 1 – 8. You can simultaneously record the direct, unprocessed signal (i.e. Input 1-2) for later processing using the included GearBox Plug-In.

For more information on using the GearBox standalone application, see GearBox (Full Program). For more information on using the GearBox Plug-In, see GearBox Plug-in.

Microphone Input Controls

Rear panel XLR input levels are controlled by a row of trim knobs on the front panel. Use these inputs for microphones or balanced input signals with a gain range of 0 dB to 45 dB.

Each XLR input has a -20 dB pad switch, which can be used to provide more headroom for high output microphones. A 75 Hz cutoff switch is also provided, useful for eliminating low frequency rumble from microphone sources.

Two +48 V phantom power switches are provided for powered mics, such as condenser mics. Phantom power is distributed via two XLR input banks, permitting the option to run dynamic mics in a nonpowered bank.

2•8

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Signal and Clip LEDs

Signal and Clip LEDs exist for each input. The signal LED lights up when signal activity is present, glowing brighter as the signal level increases. When the input level reaches the 0 dBfs, the clip LED lights up momentarily.

VU Meter and Clip Display

The TonePort UX8 provides a stereo pair of large VU meters on the front panel.

By default, these meters display Inputs 1-2 levels. Using the Inputs & Recording Tab of the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices application, you can assign the hardware meters to display input and output levels of any stereo pair or GearBox send. The clip LEDs light up when the signal reaches 0 dBfs.

Main Output Level Controls

Main Outputs 1-2 are controlled by a main volume knob and main mute button. The volume knob is an analog level control and does not affect any level being sent to your computer. When Mute is engaged, as solid amber LED illuminates, blinking about once every 2 seconds.

Note that these controls operate on main outputs 1-2 only (headphone and S/PDIF levels are not affected). Outputs 3 – 8 are software controlled.

Headphone Output Controls

Headphone outputs 1-2 and 3-4 provide duplicate stereo outputs or Main Outs 1-2 and 3-4 respectively, providing discrete control over output levels sent over the headphone jacks. Note that headphone output levels are controlled independently of the Main volume control.

2•9

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Power Button

When the power button is engaged, the TonePort UX8’s main LEDs will illuminate. TonePort UX8 is not USB powered and receives no power from the computer.

*Note – be sure to always power off or mute your speakers or monitoring setup before connecting and disconnecting the USB cable between TonePort and your computer, powering on/off your TonePort, as well as before booting up or shutting down your computer if TonePort is already connected. The best practice is to always power on your speakers last, and power them off ﬁrst when connected to other audio gear to avoid a “pop”.

LED status indicators

The Main Mute and Main Clip LEDs provide secondary functions in their ability to indicate the connection status of USB and S/PDIF, as follows:

No USB connection - The main clip LEDs alternate steadily between left and right, about once

• every second. The USB cable may be unplugged or the UX8 driver may not be installed on your

computer.

No S/PDIF clock sync - The Mute LED blinks 3 times rapidly about once every second

•

when the clock mode set to S/PDIF, and no external clock is present.

2•10

TonePort KB37

Connect any line level input source for monitoring to the Stereo Monitor In

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Connect any line level input source that you want to record into the Line Inputs

Connect your electric Guitar or Bass

Connect up to two standard toggle or momentary pedal switches into the Footswitches jacks for remote control of GearBox and audio application

C o n n e c t your stereo Headphones

Connect the Analog Outs to your audio monitors

Microphone Inputs - You can receive input from one or two mics at the same time using these ins. There is also a +48V Phantom Power switch that you should toggle to “on” if your mic requires phantom power (most condenser type mics do, but check the documentation for your mic if you are not sure). Connect each mic using an XLR cable. This inputs each microphone signal independently into GearBox where you can choose your tone, and then route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs.

Guitar/Bass Input -To connect your electric guitar or bass, plug it into this input. This connection routes the instrument’s signal into GearBox where you can choose your tone and route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the TonePort outputs. This input also features a Pad switch; engage this switch when using a guitar/bass with high-output or active pickups, to avoid overdriving the input.

Headphones - If you want to listen to the audio from TonePort using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Outs on the rear panel of TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into any TonePort input.

Connect up to two Microphones

Connect to the S/PDIF input of an external device to send TonePort’s output digitally

Connect your USB cable from your computer’s USB port.*

Connect an Expression Pedal here for control of MIDI parameters

*Note – be sure to always power off or mute your speakers or monitoring setup before connecting and disconnecting the USB cable between TonePort and your computer, as well as before booting up or shutting down your computer if TonePort is already connected. The best practice is to always power on your speakers last, and power them off ﬁrst when connected to other audio gear to avoid a “pop”.

Line Inputs - if you want to record the signal from a line level source, such as a keyboard, your stereo receiver, the line out from a mixing console, etc., connect them to these Left and Right ins using 1/4inch TS audio cables.

2•11

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Footswitches - if you want to use one or two on/off toggle or momentary footswitches to remotely control functions in the GearBox software, you can plug the 1/4-inch footswitch plugs into these 1 and 2 jacks. To conﬁgure each Footswitch, go to the GearBox Preferences. You can also use these footswitches to trigger recording and playback commands within the included Ableton Live Lite 5 software!

Expression Pedal - Connect a 1/4-inch TS expression pedal to control Volume, Wah or any other MIDI CC parameter in GearBox or your recording application. To conﬁgure the expression pedal, go to the GearBox preferences .

USB - This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort with the full USB bandwidth. TonePort also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a non-powered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with un-powered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

S/PDIF Digital Out - To send the output of TonePort to an external device digitally, connect a 75Ohm coaxial cable into this RCA jack and then into the S/PDIF digital input on the external device. This is the best choice for connecting to digital recording devices, such as a DAT recorder. This S/ PDIF output sends the same audio as is sent to TonePort’s Analog Outs* (with the exception that any audio coming into the TonePort’s Monitor In jack is not routed to the S/PDIF output). The digital signal is always sent at 24-bit resolution.

*Note that when using TonePort KB37 with GearBox, the GuitarPort Player playback audio is never routed to this S/PDIF output. This is necessary to comply with artist copyright requirements that Line 6 follows for the GuitarPort Online Tracks and artist content.

Monitor In - If you want to hear the signal from a line level source mixed with all the other audio coming from your computer, but do not want this audio recorded, then plug the source in here. Note that this is a stereo jack, so you should use a stereo 1/4-inch TRS audio cable for this connection.

Analog Outs - These Left and Right balanced jacks output all the audio from TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any TonePort input. So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using TonePort as your computer’s sound card. Use either 1/4-inch TS or TRS cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the headphone jack on the front of TonePort if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

TonePort DI

Connect your electric Guitar or Bass

Guitar/Bass - To input your electric guitar or bass, plug it in here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. This input also features a Pad switch; engage this switch when using a guitar/bass with high-output or active pickups, to avoid overdriving the input.

Connect to your 3rd-party audio Connect your stereo Headphones

Connect a USB cable from here to your computer

interface for recording with GearBox

plug-in

Analog Line Outs – connect to your powered speakers or mixer

USB - This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort with the full USB bandwidth. TonePort also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a non-powered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with un-powered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

Phones - If you want to listen to the audio from TonePort using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Outs on the rear panel of TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into any TonePort input.

D.I Out - This connection lets you record an unprocessed signal to your track, to which you can apply the GearBox plug-in. If you use a 3rd-party audio interface, connect the D.I. to one of its inputs, and route that input to the track you’re recording into.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Analog Outputs - When using TonePort DI as an audio interface for your recording application, these outputs carry the Master stereo mix from your recording project. If you ‘re using a 3rd-party Audio Interface, these outputs supply the ToneDirect™ magic to your interface or mixer, when using the GearBox application alongside the plug-in. See the ToneDirect™ Monitoring section for more details.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

TonePort GX

Connect your electric Guitar or Bass

Guitar/Bass - To input your electric guitar or bass, plug it in here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable.

Connect your stereo Headphones/Line Out Cable

Connect USB cable from here to your computer

USB - This of course is where you connect the supplied USB cable to TonePort GX, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide TonePort GX with the full USB bandwidth. TonePort GX also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a non-powered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with unpowered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

Line Out/Phones - When connecting TonePort GX as an audio interface for your recording application, this output carries the Master stereo mix from your recording project. If you ‘re using a 3rd-party Audio Interface, these outputs supply the ToneDirect™ magic to your interface or mixer, when using the GearBox application alongside the plug-in. See the ToneDirect™ Monitoring section for more details.

If you want to listen to the audio directly from TonePort GX using stereo headphones, you can also plug them into this 1/8-inch stereo jack. This line out/headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Outs on the rear panel of TonePort; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into any TonePort input.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

GuitarPort

Instrument input - your electric guitar or bass, plug it into this input using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. This inputs the signal into GearBox where you can choose your Tone and route the processed signal both to your audio software and out the GuitarPort outputs.

Analog Line Outs – connect to your powered speakers or mixer

Monitor In – connect a line level, stereo output (from your stereo, MP3 player, etc).

Analog Line Outs - These Left and Right RCA jacks output all audio signals; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any the Instrument or Monitor inputs. So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using GuitarPort as your computer’s sound card. Use sheilded RCA to RCA tipped cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the headphone jack on GuitarPort if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

Headphones - If you want to listen to the audio using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/8-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Line Outs; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into the Instrument or Line inputs.

Connect your stereo headphones

Connect USB cable from here to your computer

Monitor In - If you want to hear the signal from a line level source mixed with all the other audio coming from your computer, but do not want this audio recorded, then plug the source in here. Note that this is a stereo jack, so you should use a stereo 1/8-inch tipped stereo audio cable for this connection. You’ll hear any audio coming into this jack via the Analog Line Outs and Phones, but it won’t go to GuitarPort’s Record Send 1-2.

USB - This is where you connect the supplied USB cable to GuitarPort, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide GuitarPort with the full USB bandwidth. GuitarPort also gets its power from this USB connection, so it should not be plugged into a nonpowered USB hub, or operated on the same USB controller channel with un-powered devices. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

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PODxt

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Phones - Connect your stereo Headphones

Instrument input – Connect your electric guitar or bass here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. PODxt itself contains the processing power that turns your naked input signal into that roaring guitar Tone, which is then fed out the Analog Line Outs, as well as fed to the Record Send 1-2 digitally to your computer across the USB connection. When you are connected via USB to your computer, you can also launch GearBox and use it to alternatively load Tones stored on your hard disc, edit them on your screen, and make adjustments for output and Record Send levels.

Phones - If you want to listen to the audio using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Line Outs; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into the Instrument input.

Analog Line Outs – connect to your powered speakers or mixer

Instrument Input - Connect your guitar or bass

USB - Connect to your computer

Analog Line Outs - These Left and Right ¼-inch jacks output all audio signals; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any the Instrument input. So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using PODxt as your computer’s sound card. Use shielded ¼-inch tipped cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the Phones jack on PODxt if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

USB - This is where you connect the supplied USB cable to PODxt, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Of course your PODxt is capable of processing your guitar Tone all by itself, but you’ll need to connect the USB cable to your computer to use it with GearBox, and to use PODxt as your sound card device. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide PODxt with the full USB bandwidth. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

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PODxt Live

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Instrument Input - Connect your guitar or bass

Aux Input – (Monitor in) connect a line level, stereo output (from your stereo, MP3 player, etc)

Instrument input – Connect your electric guitar or bass here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. PODxt Live itself contains the processing power that turns your naked input signal into that roaring guitar Tone, which is then fed out the Analog Line Outs, as well as fed to the Record Send 1-2 digitally to your computer across the USB connection. When you are connected via USB to your computer, you can also launch GearBox and use it to alternatively load Tones stored on your hard disc, edit them on your screen, and make adjustments for output and Record Send levels.

Phones - Connect your stereo Headphones

Analog Line Outs – connect to your powered speakers or mixer

USB - Connect to your computer

Analog Line Outs - These Left and Right ¼-inch jacks output all audio signals; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any the Instrument and Aux inputs. So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using PODxt Live as your computer’s sound card. Use shielded ¼-inch tipped cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the Phones jack on PODxt Live if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

Aux In (Monitor In) - If you want to hear the signal from a line level source mixed with all the other audio coming from your computer, but do not want this audio recorded, then plug the source in here. Note that this is a stereo jack, so you should use a stereo 1/8-inch tipped stereo audio cable for this connection. You’ll hear any audio coming into this jack via the Analog Line Outs and Phones, but it won’t go to PODxt Live’s Record Send 1-2.

Phones - If you want to listen to the audio using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Line Outs; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into the Instrument and Aux inputs.

USB - This is where you connect the supplied USB cable to PODxt Live, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Of course your PODxt Live is capable of processing your guitar Tone all by itself, but you’ll need to connect the USB cable to your computer to use it with GearBox, and to use PODxt Live as your sound card device. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide PODxt Live with the full USB bandwidth. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

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PODxt PRO

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Phones - Connect your stereo Headphones

Instrument input – Connect your electric guitar or bass here using a standard 1/4-inch TS instrument cable. PODxt Pro itself contains the processing power that turns your naked input signal into that roaring guitar Tone, which is then fed out the Analog and Digital Outs, as well as fed to the Record Send 1-2 digitally to your computer across the USB connection. When you are connected via USB to your computer, you can also launch GearBox and use it to alternatively load Tones stored on your hard disc, edit them on your screen, and make adjustments for output and Record Send levels.

Phones - If you want to listen to the audio using stereo headphones, then plug them into this 1/4-inch stereo jack. This Headphone jack outputs the same signal fed to the Analog Line Outs; the audio from your audio software on the computer, as well as anything plugged into the Instrument input.

Connect any Line-Level source you want to record to the Line Input

Unprocessed Instrument Out- When using GearBox Plug-in, connect to 3rdparty audio recording interface

Instrument Input - Connect your guitar or bass

USB - Connect to your computer

Analog Line Outs, Use either Unbalanced (¼ -inch) jacks or Balanced (XLR) jacks to connect to your powered speakers or mixer

Line Input - if you want to record the signal from a line level source, such as a keyboard, your receiver, the line out from a mixing console, etc…, connect it to this input using a 1/4-inch TS audio cable.

Unprocessed Guitar Out - This connection allows you to send an unprocessed signal to your recording application, while monitoring the fully processed signal thru the main Outputs. Very handy if you’re using a 3rd party recording interface with your recording application and the GearBox plug-in. For more info, go to the ToneDirect™ Monitoring section of this Guide.

Note: Your PODxt Pro can also send an unprocessed signal thru its USB connector, as explained

here.

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Digital Input and Output – use the AES/EBU or S/PDIF type connections to connect to other digital gear that uses one of these formats

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Unbalanced and Balanced Analog Line Outs - The Left and Right Unbalanced ¼-inch jacks and the Balanced XLR jacks output all audio signals; the audio from your audio software on the computer, and anything plugged into any the Instrument inputs (and effects loop, if you are using it). So, these are what you want to connect to your monitoring system when using PODxt Live as your computer’s sound card. Use shielded ¼-inch tipped or XLR tipped cables to connect directly to your powered speakers, mixer or power amp setup. Note that you can also use the Phones jack on PODxt Pro if you want to use headphones for monitoring.

USB - This is where you connect the supplied USB cable to PODxt Pro, with the other end going to your computer’s USB port. Of course your PODxt Pro is capable of processing your guitar Tone all by itself, but you’ll need to connect the USB cable to your computer to use it with GearBox, and to use PODxt Pro as your sound card device. Note that you should always connect to a separate USB controller channel from other USB audio or MIDI interfaces to provide PODxt Pro with the full USB bandwidth. It is also recommended to connect directly into a USB port on your computer and not into a USB hub.

AES/EBU and S/PDIF Digital connections - To connect to another digital audio device with your PODxt Pro, use the pair of these digital jacks that matches the format of your other device (AES/EBU or S/PDIF). Connecting digitally is the best choice for routing to external digital recording devices, such as a DAT recorder. These digital outputs send the same audio as is sent to PODxt Pro’s Analog Outs.* The digital signal is always sent at 24-bit resolution. All settings for conﬁguring the PODxt Pro’s digital in/out options are found on the PODxt Pro device itself by pressing the “I/O Dig Select” button on the front panel (these digital I/O options are not accessible in GearBox). For more information on using these digital connections, please see your PODxt Pro Pilot’s Handbook.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

PODxt - Audio Signal Routing & Re-Amping

Re-Amping is the fancy schmancy name for recording a dry, unaltered instrument signal to be processed later during mixing - this gives you the greatest ﬂexibility to make later tone tweaks, since you don’t have to commit a particular sound to the track(s). This is of course the way that plug-ins work, so it’s something that all plug-ins, including GearBox Plug-in, provide. If you don’t have plug-ins but do have PODxt, there’s another kind of re-amping available.

PODxt, PODxt Pro* and PODxt Live provide an additional set of driver options for recording where the signal fed to Record Send 1-2 can be set to “processed” or “unprocessed” independently from what you are hearing as your monitor signal from the PODxt device. Access the PODxt Audio Signal Routing options by clicking the Advanced button in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices control panel...

Select the signal to be routed to the Record Sends here.

In the PODxt Signal Routing selector you can choose one of four routing modes for the signals that run inside PODxt, and to Record Send 1-2:

Send Processed Guitar - This is the normal mode of operation: PODxt-processed sound is sent

•

to your computer via Record Send 1-2 so it can be recorded in your audio software. PODxt gets its input from the guitar plugged into its INPUT jack, and you can listen to PODxt-processed guitar sound as well as sound coming from your computer via PODxt’s LEFT OUTPUT, RIGHT OUTPUT and PHONES jacks.

Send Clean Guitar - This mode sends unprocessed guitar to your to Record Send 1-2, while you

•

listen to PODxt-processed guitar and software playback coming out of your PODxt. You can use this to record an unprocessed guitar signal in your audio software for later re-amping, while hearing your PODxt-processed guitar signal without latency being added by your recording program. You can then choose USB Signal Routing modes 3 and 4 when you’re ready to playback that track and re-amp it through your PODxt. You may also want to record a copy of your PODxt-processed sound from the analog outputs of your PODxt when you are making your digital recording of the clean guitar, so you have the processed version for reference when re-amping. This track is also handy for punch-ins, since you can listen to it during punch-ins to hear the processed version of the part of the previously recorded track that you want to keep.

The text in the Record Sends panel describes the signal now being carried on he Record Sends

This slider sets the level of the re-amped signal sent to PODxt for monitoring

Send Clean Guitar Re-Amp Playback - This mode sends un-processed guitar to your recording

•

software, feeds the signal from your computer into PODxt’s processing, and lets you hear the PODxt-processed computer sound at PODxt’s outputs. You can use this to run an unprocessed guitar track that you recorded using USB Signal Routing mode 2 into your PODxt for re-amping,

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

allowing you to listen to or record the PODxt-processed result via PODxt’s analog outputs. You can also use this mode during initial recording, so that unprocessed guitar can be recorded to a track, and the output of that track can be sent by the recording program to PODxt at the same time. This lets you punch-in on the track while you’re recording, and hear PODxt processing of the already recorded part of the track as well as the new portion that you’re recording during the punch-in. Your recording software will add some latency to the guitar signal that it is monitoring back through to PODxt. You can generally get the lowest latency by reducing your buffer size in the recording software, but lower buffer settings will utilize more of your computer’s processing, so you may not be able to run as many tracks or effects in your recording software when you do this. See your recording software’s instructions for details.

Send Re-Amp Playback - This mode is designed to receive unprocessed guitar from your recording

•

program, and send processed guitar back to the recording program for recording. You can use this to run an unprocessed guitar track that you recorded using USB Signal Routing mode 2 into your PODxt for re-amping, so you can digitally record the PODxt-processed signal back to another track in the recording program.

Note – it is not a supported practice to “hot swap” your Line 6 device (unplug the USB cable and plug it into a different USB device) while it is in use by GearBox or any other audio software. In fact, this just isn’t a good idea to do with any USB audio devices, since it can result in a loud pop, loss of sync

and possibly crash or corrupt your current audio software project.

Routing audio from your Line 6 hardware to an external device

In addition to the ability to route digital audio directly within your computer, you may instead want to route your GearBox or PODxt signal into another sound card on the same or separate computer. Better yet, with all the great tones you can now create for your mics & instruments with GearBox, there is no need to limit them to the inside of a computer! You may also want to send the signal to external hardware such as an analog or tape Multitrack unit, a DAT or video tape recorder, or even to an ampliﬁer or P.A. system for live performance. To follow are instructions for these different types of setups.

Connecting analog outputs to an external device

You can route your GearBox Tone to just about any type of external device simply by connecting the Analog Outs from the back of your GuitarPort, TonePort or PODxt directly into the external device’s line level inputs. This allows you to amplify or record your GearBox signal using any external device that accepts analog line level inputs.

Connect your TonePort, GuitarPort or PODxt Analog Outs to the analog inputs on any external audio device

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Routing analog outputs to another sound card

If you want to use GearBox and your Line 6 device in a computer recording setup where a sound card already exists, then you might ﬁnd it useful to connect your Analog Outs into the analog inputs of the existing sound card. More information can be found in the Sound Card and Sound Issues section of this guide.

Connecting the Digital Output from TonePort UX2, UX8, KB37 or PODxt Pro to an external digital device

TonePort UX2, UX8, KB37 and PODxt Pro also include digital outputs, which allow you to connect to digital devices such as a DAT recorder, Minidisk, another sound card, or most any device that offers a S/PDIF (or AES/EBU for PODxt Pro) format digital input. Please refer to your hardware’s User Guide for more information.

ToneDirect™ Monitoring

A unique feature of your Line 6 hardware is ToneDirect™ Monitoring, which is a separate audio path that allows you to monitor the incoming signal with the lowest possible latency, for uncompromised feel and responsiveness when recording or jamming.

Plus, this lets you to set the audio buffer size in your recording application at a large value for efﬁcient use of your computer, yet still enjoy extreme low latency monitoring while recording. On Windows systems, the ToneDirect™ audio path has its own buffer adjustment while on Mac, no adjustments are needed.

ToneDirect™ Monitoring buffer size slider (Windows®)

TonePort & GuitarPort devices The Line 6 ToneDirect™ Monitoring audio path has its own buffer to allow you to keep your ASIO Buffer Size at a high value, for more solid performance and more efﬁcient performance of your ASIO software. The initial default is one tick to the right of “Extra Small” as shown. Raise this slider if you are getting any dropouts in your monitor signal.

PODxt devices utilize a USB audio buffer (rather than ToneDirect™ Monitoring) which provides an independent, direct monitor signal with its own buffer adjustment. When a PODxt/Live/Pro is selected as the Line 6 device in this dialog, the ToneDirect™ Monitoring section of the dialog is replaced by a PODxt-speciﬁc “USB Audio Streaming” buffer slider:

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

ToneDirect™ and your Line 6 Hardware as the preferred Audio Interface/Sound Card

If you choose your Line 6 hardware as the preferred sound card for your audio setup, you get the beneﬁts of ToneDirect™ monitoring automatically when running the GearBox application for tone control. This is standard operation when GearBox is acting as a tone front end for recording or jamming.

PODxt/Live/Pro users: All Tone processing is performed internally on the PODxt device, saving CPU resources and providing even better feel and responsiveness for recording!

ToneDirect™ Monitoring while recording with GearBox Plug-in

ToneDirect™ is a feature of the GearBox full application, not the GearBox Plug-in, so in order for you to enjoy the feel and responsiveness provided by ToneDirect™, you’ll need to run the GearBox application alongside the GearBox Plug-in. Keep in mind that these 2 applications run independently of each other, so any tone settings you make in the GearBox application will have to be matched in the Plug-in to provide the same results. You can achieve this by making your settings in the GearBox application, saving the tone to your tones folder, and then recalling that tone later when applying the GearBox Plug-in.

Using a 3rd-party Audio Interface with TonePort DI

If you use the GearBox Plug-in with a TonePort DI or a PODxt PRO, you’ll be able to monitor your signal with ToneDirect by following these steps (illustrated on the graphic at the beginning of this Guide):

Connect the signal source to the input of your Line 6 Hardware.

•

Connect the unprocessed dry output of the TonePort DI / PODxt PRO to your Audio Interface.

• This will be the source you’re running the plug-in on.

Disable Input Monitoring in your recording application, for the track you’re recording into.

•

Connect the processed Analog Outs to your Audio Interface, or alternatively, to a mixer (if you

• don’t want to connect them to the recording interface, or if your interface does not support input monitoring)

Launch the GearBox application and monitor the recorded signal thru the Analog Outputs of

• your Line 6 Hardware, to get the beneﬁts of ToneDirect™ monitoring

Using a 3rd-party Audio Interface with other Line 6 Hardware

If you have a non-Line 6 audio interface you’d like to use for computer recording/playback, you’ll need to purchase a guitar/signal splitter, which will afford you the unprocessed dry output needed to feed your Audio Interface.

Connect your recording source to the splitter input.

•

Connect Output A from the splitter to your audio interface. This will be the source to run the

• GearBox plug-in on.

Choose this channel as the track input in your recording application, and disable input monitoring

• for that track.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Connect Output B from the splitter to your Line 6 Hardware, the outputs of which will be

• connected to your audio interface, or a mixer (if you don’t want to connect to your audio interface, or if your interface does not support input monitoring).

Launch the GearBox application, and monitor the GearBox processed signal thru your hardware’s

• Line Outputs. These outputs supply the ToneDirect™ Monitoring magic.

Mac® Users: There’s yet another option for you!

The Mac Core Audio driver features the ability to combine the inputs from 2 separate audio interfaces into one aggregate device (for more info on this, please refer to the Recording Setup Guide available in the Online Help page). Perform the following steps:

Combine your Audio Interface and your Line 6 hardware into one aggregate device.

•

Connect the recording source to your Line 6 hardware

•

Make sure that your hardware is sending an unprocessed signal thru USB. Choose this signal as

• the input for the track you’re recording into. This track will receive the GearBox plug-in.

Disable Input Monitoring for the track you’re recording into.

•

Launch the GearBox application, and monitor the GearBox processed signal thru your hardware’s

• Line Outputs. These outputs supply the ToneDirect™ Monitoring magic.

Using Line 6 Hardware as your Audio Interface

In order to enjoy the beneﬁts of ToneDirect™ Monitoring, perform the following steps:

Connect the recording source to your Line 6 hardware

•

Launch the GearBox application, and monitor the GearBox processed signal thru your hardware’s

• Line Outputs. These outputs supply the ToneDirect™ Monitoring magic.

Route the unprocessed signal to your recording application. Choose this signal as the input for

• the track you’re recording into. This track will receive the GearBox plug-in.

Disable Input Monitoring for the track you’re recording into.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Sound Cards & Sound Issues

One of the many unique features of your Line 6 Hardware is its ability to function as a computer sound card. You can choose to make your hardware the preferred sound card for your computer, or alternatively keep your current sound card the default device for playing system sounds, etc…, and connect your hardware to it so you can hear GearBox tone thru your computer’s sound card.

Choosing your Line 6 Hardware as the Preferred Audio Device

Setting up your Line 6 Hardware as the preferred Audio device means that all system sounds, as well as the audio output of your mp3 player and other audio applications will be routed thru your hardware.

Windows®

Go to your computer’s Control Panel, and select Sounds and Audio Devices.

Click on the Audio Tab

All your sound devices appear here

Select your Line 6 Hardware as the default audio device for Playback

and Recording

Click Apply when done

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Mac®

Go to your computer’s System Preferences, and click on Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices

Click on the Audio Devices Tab All your sound devices appear in the drop down menus

Select your Line 6 Hardware as the default audio device for Input and

Output

Close the window when done.

Connecting Line 6 Hardware to your Preferred Audio Device

If you want to use GearBox and your Line 6 device in a computer recording setup where a sound card already exists, then you might ﬁnd it useful to connect your Analog Outs into the analog inputs of the existing sound card. This allows you to use the existing sound card with your recording application to also receive additional discrete inputs directly from other sources at the same time, if this is the preferred setup. When your Line 6 device is connected to another sound card this way, then you will want to be sure your recording software is set to use the other sound card as its input device for recording. In this conﬁguration, since your Line 6 device is not in use by an audio application as a sound card, its Analog Out signal is what is being recorded, and therefore, levels are controlled by the GearBox Monitor level and hardware Output knob.

GuitarPort users

Connect a 1/8-inch stereo cord to the Headphone Out, or use the Stereo RCA Line outputs with an adapter.

Connect the other end to the Line Input of your sound card.

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TonePort users

POD xt/Live/Pro users

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Using Your Line 6 Hardware

Connect the mono 1/4-inch Analog Line Outputs. Or, connect a 1/4-inch stereo cord to the Headphone Out

Use an adapter if needed to connect to the Line Input of your sound card.

Connect the mono 1/4-inch Analog Line Outputs . Or, connect a 1/4-inch stereo cord to the Headphone Out

Use an adapter if needed to connect to the Line Input of your sound card.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Line 6 driver PaneL & recording

So, just how does all that huge amount of Tone get routed around between your Line 6 gear, computer and recording software you ask? All this is performed by the audio driver - a software component installed with GearBox that allows the audio to be routed to the right place. This section provides an overview of the different driver types and where you can tweak a few settings to work best with your particular computer setup.

For more instructions about setting up GearBox and your Line 6 hardware for recording with speciﬁc audio recording programs, please check out the Recording Setup Guide documentation found on the

GearBox Online Help page.

Audio Routing

TonePort and GuitarPort - As shown in the following basic diagram, sources that are input into the Line 6 hardware are handled by the audio driver, which manages applying the GearBox Tone processing to your signal, feeding the processed audio out the Record Sends to your audio software, gathering playback audio from your audio software and then routing the audio back to the Line 6 hardware’s outputs and to your monitoring system. The driver also grabs the GearBox processed signal before routing it to the Record Sends and hands this off to Tone Direct Monitoring immediately, to provide a low latency monitor signal, which is then routed to the Line 6 hardware and mixed with the rest of your audio and fed to your monitoring system.

PODxt - As shown in the following basic diagram, sources that are input into PODxt are fully processed right on the PODxt hardware and the GearBox software acts as a computer Graphical User Interface for the processing running on PODxt. The PODxt processed audio is then handled by the audio driver, which manages feeding the audio out the Record Send to your audio software, gathering playback audio from the audio software, and then routing the mixed audio back to the PODxt’s outputs and to your monitoring system. PODxt also grabs its processed signal before routing it to the Record Sends its internal Monitoring system immediately, to provide a low latency monitor signal, and then mixes it with the rest of your audio to your monitoring system.

3•1

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

The Line 6 Audio-MIDI Device Control Panel

Since your Line 6 device includes our high-performance audio driver, it can act as a USB sound card for just about any audio software that might be installed on your computer. This is the place where you can access the audio driver settings for your connected device to see and conﬁgure things such as the current Sample Rate, Bit Depth, Buffer settings, Record Sends, etc. One thing to note here is that this dialog offers controls speciﬁcally for your Line 6 hardware. The GearBox software is independent of these settings, however, you’ll see information regarding your Record Sends here which may change depending on whether GearBox is currently running or not. For TonePort and GuitarPort devices, you can think of the GearBox software like a giant rack of gear – if it is not running and conﬁgured to use your TonePort/GuitarPort hardware, your guitar signal will still be heard, but will be “naked”, without all those lovely amp & effects sounds. For PODxt devices, since your Tone is always running on the PODxt itself, you’ll hear whatever your PODxt’s Tone and audio routing settings are set to deliver, and GearBox can be running or not to control which Tones you want to hear. There, aren’t you feeling smarter already?

The options in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Device dialog are slightly different if you are on a Windows® versus a Mac® system, and also slightly different depending on which Line 6 hardware you are using. Just check out the descriptions that match your setup in the following sections…

Windows®

You can launch the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog from within the Windows® Control Panel (Start button > Settings > Control Panel), or from the GearBox Help > Hardware & Driver Settings.

TonePort & GuitarPort - This example shows TonePort UX2 as the selected device, with the GearBox software running. You’ll see some differences with a PODxt device selected, which are noted in the following diagram - click on a number to go to its description. If you have the TonePort UX8, you’ll have even more options, so be sure to also read up on the UX8 speciﬁcs...

3•2

Driver Tab

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

1 2 3

4

5

9

10

6

7

8

1 – Line 6 Device selector: Allows selection of any supported Line 6 USB audio device that is connected. Note that if you have more than one supported device connected, each will be selectable in this list, regardless if it is in use by the GearBox application or not. If your device is not connected and powered on, it will not appear in this list.

2 – Selected Device Icon: An icon for the selected Line 6 Device appears here.

3 – Driver version: Displays the current device’s installed driver version number.

4 – ESN: Displays the current device’s unique Electronic Serial Number.

5 – ASIO Client indicator: If you are running audio software that is using this Line 6 device as its

ASIO sound card, the name of the software will appear here. If not in use by an ASIO software, “none” is displayed here as shown.

6 – Buffer Size: The ASIO buffer size in use. Note this ﬁeld is only active when in use by an ASIO application. As your audio software documentation will likely tell you, the ASIO Buffer Size will affect the “responsiveness” and “latency” of the audio. The lower the setting, the faster the response, but with the trade-off of higher processor usage and the risk of audio dropouts. Raise the value if you are getting inconsistent playback or recording in the audio software. Basically, 512 is generally a good average setting.*

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

*Note that TonePort and GuitarPort devices also offer ToneDirect™ Monitoring, which is a separate audio path with its own Buffer setting. This allows you to keep the above ASIO Buffer Size at a “safer”, higher value, yet still beneﬁt from low latency monitoring of your input signal while recording. Similarly, PODxt devices offer a USB audio buffer which provides an independent, direct monitor signal with its own buffer adjustment as well. More info on ToneDirect monitoring can be found in this section.

7 – Bit Depth: The ASIO bit depth in use. Note this ﬁeld is only active when in use by an ASIO application. It is best to use the highest bit rate your ASIO software will support to ensure high quality audio.

8 – Sample Rate Converter Active indicator:

TonePorts support 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates natively. Some TonePorts also support 88 and 96 kHz sample rates by way of an internal sample rate converter. This indicator lights up to show you when this converter is active, which can be any time your ASIO software is requesting a different sample rate than what your device “natively” supports. TonePort UX8 supports 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates natively, meaning that these sample rates are not converted.

9 – Driver Operation indicator:

TonePort & GuitarPort devices - Displays what sample and bit rate the current device is operating at (or with no text if not in use).

PODxt devices do not utilize this feature and therefore no text will appear here when a PODxt is the selected device.

10 – Lock Driver Format: When checked, this forces the Line 6 audio driver to operate at the Sample and Bit rate settings entered in the two ﬁelds below (as opposed to following the sample rate requested by a host audio application).

Note – This checkbox will remain grayed-out while the current Line 6 device is in use by the GearBox application and/or any 3rd party audio application. To access the Force Driver Format feature, you will need to exit GearBox as well as any audio software that might be using the currently selected Line 6 device as its audio device. This checkbox will then be selectable.

3•4

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Inputs & Recording Tab

Input Source Select: This is a mirrored control for the Source Select within the GearBox application where it allows the user to select which physical input is used on the device. Note that this control is ONLY selectable when the GearBox software is not in use by the current device. When GearBox is in use, it remains grayed out, but displays the current Source that is selected within GearBox.

When Gearbox is not in use by the selected Line 6 device, this Input Source Select, like the Source Select in the GearBox application, offers a list of input options.

GuitarPort and PODxt devices are always “ﬁxed” to only route their “instrument” 1 /4 input signal into GearBox. When a GuitarPort or PODxt is the selected device, this Input Source Select list offers only “Instrument” as the source.

TonePort UX8 has a larger set of options - see the next section for its Inputs & Recording tab.

Device Sends Info box: One line for each GearBox Record Send appears here along with a description for exactly what signal each Send is carrying.

TonePort devices will show two Sends (Record 1-2 and Record 3-4)

3•5

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Single Tone Source (Mono/Stereo): When the GearBox application is not running, Record 1-2

• and 3-4 both carry the unprocessed signal. When running GearBox, Record 1-2 will carry the fully GearBox-processed signal. For Record 3-4, you can choose between a signal with no posteffects, and a fully unprocessed signal.

Dual-Tone Source: If you’ve selected one of the dual input conﬁgurations from the input menu,

• Record 3-4 will always carry the signal from the second audio source. When GearBox is running, these sends will carry the Tone 2 signal of a Dual-Tone conﬁguration. See the TonePort Dual-

Tone Operation section for more about this.

Note: TonePort DI and GX can only run in Single-Tone conﬁguration.

GuitarPort will show two Sends (Record 1-2 and Record 3-4). When the GearBox application is not running, Record 1-2 and 3-4 both carry the unprocessed signal from GuitarPort’s input. When running GearBox, Record 1-2 will carry the fully GearBox –processed signal, and for Record 3-4 you’ll have a choice between routing a signal with no post-effects, or a fully unprocessed signal.

*If using TonePort or GuitarPort with an audio recording software that is conﬁgured to access TonePort via its WDM or DirectSound drivers, then only one Send will be available in the recording software (Send 1-2). You must access TonePort via its ASIO driver on Windows to utilize the additional Send 3-4.

PODxt will show only one Record Send (Record 1-2). The type of signal that is routed to the Record

Send 1-2 is determined by the PODxt Signal Routing option within the Audio Signal Routing dialog (accessed by the Advanced button within the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog). Note that this Audio Signal Routing determines this signal routing regardless if GearBox is running or not for PODxt devices. (See the PODxt Audio Signal Routing section for more about this dialog).

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Inputs & Recording Tab (TonePort UX8 only)

The Inputs & Recording tab lets you select speciﬁc inputs for recording. Input source options are as follows:

Input 1: Instrument 1 or XLR 1 or Line 1 or S/PDIF (L) Input 2: Instrument 2 or XLR 2 or Line 2 or S/PDIF (R) Input 3: XLR 3 or Line 3 Input 4: XLR 4 or Line 4 Input 5: XLR 5 or Line 5 Input 6: XLR 6 or Line 6 Input 7: XLR 7 or Line 7 Input 8: XLR 8 or Line 8

You can also link inputs into stereo pairs. This affects hardware monitoring controls in the Outputs & Monitoring tab (see below).

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Using Inputs 1 & 2 with the GearBox standalone application

The GearBox standalone application works with the TonePort UX8 driver to provide ultra-low latency via ToneDirect™ monitoring for Inputs 1 & 2 of the UX8, which includes two high-Z Instrument inputs, two XLR inputs, two Line level inputs and stereo S/PDIF input. GearBox’s ToneDirect Monitoring is ideally suited for recording guitar and bass with amp and effects processing, providing

the instantaneous feel necessary for competent performance while tracking.

ASIO Record Sends

This box displays the ASIO names of the UX8’s input sources as they appear in recording applications utilizing the UX8’s audio drivers.

Sends 9-10 and 11-12 represent processed and semiprocessed signals respectively, from the GearBox standalone application. If GearBox is not running, Sends 9-10 and 11-12 carry the signal from Input 1.

See GearBox Standalone Application for details on using the GearBox sends with the TonePort UX8.

Hardware Meters Show

Use this menu to select the input and output levels you want the UX8’s hardware meters to display.

Clock Source

Set your preferred TonePort UX8 clock source with this menu. Select SPDIF to sync the UX8 to S/PDIF clock source from another device’s digital output.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Outputs & Monitoring Tab (TonePort UX8 Only)

Important: Note that the Outputs & Monitoring tab provides control over monitoring levels,

speciﬁcally, what you hear coming out of the UX8. These controls do not affect Output or Send levels, the audio that streams into your recording software. In other words, volume and pan levels here are purely analog, intended for monitoring live input levels (from instruments, mics, etc) and computer output levels, in order to facilitate the recording process.

The Outputs & Monitoring tab provides control over hardware monitoring settings, including input source volume, pan and mute states. You can specify different mix settings for each pair of UX8 outputs if you like.

By default, the only sounds that come out of the UX8 are the computer’s output and GearBox 910 signal (fully processed), all through Main Outs 1-2. You can directly monitor other UX8 inputs by unmuting the corresponding input source in this tab. The UX8 provides monitoring through the hardware with zero latency, which is ideal for tracking with multiple sources simultaneously.

Use the drop-down menu at the top to select the output pair for which you want to mix. Each output pair can have different mix settings.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Mix Controls

Inputs 1 - 8 offer the following controls:

Mute (On/Off) Monitor Volume (-100dB to +6dB)

Monitor Pan (100% Left - 100% Right)* Stereo Monitor Meters

* -3dB panning law is applied to the pan control to maintain a constant monitoring level across the panorama.

Mix Controls for Inputs 9 - 12:

GearBox monitoring controls behave identically to Inputs 1- 8, with the exception of the Volume Level. GearBox Sends provide a max monitoring level of 0 dB, whereas the other inputs max at +6 dB, in order to match the 0 dB maximum monitoring level provided by the GearBox standalone application.

Main Monitor Volume

This slider controls the overall monitoring volume for the current output pair. What you hear is displayed in the adjacent level meter and includes the combination of input sources and computergenerated signals, such as those assigned to the current output from within your recording software. Note that computer-generated signals are unaffected by the volume slider. The level meter’s clip LED graphics light up when the signal reaches 0 dB.

Main Mix vs. Talent Mix

The UX8’s two front panel headphone outputs mirror Outs 1-2 and 3-4 respectively. You can use the monitor controls, for example, to create a “main mix (1-2)” that captures the overall image of the recording project, while a separate “talent mix (3-4)” can be provided for the musician who is currently adding a new part, and may need a click track and an ample level of themselves above the rest of the mix. Additional output pairs 5-6 and 7-8 are available for headphone mixers or sending to a mixer, other monitors, etc.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Stereo Pairs

When the “Stereo” checkbox is active in the Inputs & Recording tab for a pair of Inputs, the representative Inputs in the Ouputs and Monitoring tab will display them as “locked” as a stereo pair.

The lock icon represents two sources linked as a stereo pair.

Using tool tips

You can obtain precise value readings for output levels, volume sliders and pan sliders. Do this by hovering the mouse cursor over the meter or slider you wish to read.

The Pan sliders for a “locked” stereo pair are automatically set to 100% Left and Right.

Mac®

Line 6 Audio-MIDI Settings - Driver Tab

You can launch the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog from within the Mac® System Preferences, or from the GearBox Preferences > Hardware tab. On Mac® systems, all Line 6 hardware utilizes the Mac® OS X® Core Audio driver format, which means that most of your Line 6 device settings will be in the OS X® Audio-MIDI Setup dialog. You can get to this dialog from within the Line 6 AudioMIDI Devices dialog (or, from the Finder by going to Applications > Utilities > Audio-MIDI Setup).

TonePort & GuitarPort – The following example shows TonePort UX2 as the selected device, with the GearBox software running. If you have the TonePort UX8, you’ll have even more options, so be sure to also read up on the UX8 speciﬁcs...

PODxt - You’ll see some differences with a PODxt device selected – which are noted in the following descriptions…

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

1 2 3 4

5

6

1 – Line 6 Device selector: Allows selection of any supported Line 6 USB audio device that is connected. Note that if you have more than one supported device connected, each will be selectable in this list, regardless if it is in use by the GearBox application or not. If your device is not connected and powered on, it will not appear in this list.

2 – Selected Device Icon: An icon for the selected Line 6 Device appears here.

3 – Driver version: Displays the current device’s installed driver version number.

4 - ESN: Displays the current device’s unique Electronic Serial Number.

5 – Run Audio-MIDI Setup button: On Mac® systems, Core Audio sound card driver settings are

conﬁgured in the OS X® Audio-MIDI Settings utility. This button launches this dialog for you (see following OS X Audio-MIDI Settings Dialog section).

6 – Sample Rate Converter Active indicator: TonePorts support 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates natively. Some TonePorts also support 88 and 96 kHz sample rates by way of an internal sample rate converter. This indicator lights up to show you when this converter is active, which can be any time your audio software is requesting a different sample rate you’re your device “natively” supports or is “ﬁxed” at. Also see the Force Driver Format checkbox option. TonePort UX8 supports 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates natively, meaning that these sample rates are not converted. See the description for the

3•12

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Mac Audio-MIDI Setup dialog for more about Sample Rates.

Note that TonePort ToneDirect™ Monitoring, which is a separate audio path than what the Mac® Core Audio system routes to your audio software. ToneDirect Monitoring allows your Gearbox processed monitor signal to function with very low latency. There are no adjustments necessary for these monitoring systems. More information on ToneDirect can be found in the next section.

Mac OS X® Audio-MIDI Settings Dialog

Note: For TonePort UX8, please see the following UX8 Audio-MIDI Settings section

5a

5b

5e

5c

5d

5f

5a – System Settings:

The Default Input and Default Output options allow you to choose the sound card you want

• your audio applications to use by default. If you want this to be your Line 6 device, select it here.

The System Output option allows you to choose which sound card the Mac System Settings are

• played through. You may NOT want to choose this to be your Line 6 device, since it can be rather annoying to hear those dings, beeps or frogs croaking at blaring volumes in your headphones or monitors when working in your audio application! Even better, you can turn these system settings off completely in the System Preferences > Sounds dialog.

5b – Properties For: Choose your Line 6 device here to allow the Audio Input and Audio Output options display its settings.

5c – Audio Input:

In the top selector, you will be able to choose your Record Send for your Line 6 device to conﬁgure

• its Format options below. TonePort devices will offer Record Send 1-2 and Record Send 3-4 here.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

TonePort UX8 will show several Sends and more options - please see next section. GuitarPort and PODxt devices will show their Record Send 1-2 here as the only option.

The Format selectors show you the Sample Rate* and Bit Depth that the Line 6 device will is

• operating at for recording. The Bit Depth for all Line 6 devices is ﬁxed at 24 bit.

*It is recommended that you do not use the Sample Rate selector in the Mac Audio-MIDI Setup dialog to set your sample rate when your recording software is running. Typically, your recording software will offer a Sample Rate option within its own “Preferences” or “Audio Setup” settings. It is best to conﬁgure the Sample Rate within the recording software, and you will see the device’s sample rate switch automatically to match it.

5d – Volume sliders (audio input):

Sliders 1 and 2 will adjust the level of the Record Send selected above*.

*It is recommended that you use ONLY the GearBox Record Send knob instead of using these sliders here to set your Record Send Levels for Line 6 devices. Adjusting the sliders in this AMS dialog may result in unexpected levels if adjusted also in GearBox.

5e – Audio Output:

•

The Format selectors show you the Sample Rate* and Bit Depth that the Line 6 device will is operating at for playback. The Bit Depth for all Line 6 devices is ﬁxed at 24 bit.

*It is recommended that you do not use the Sample Rate selector in the Mac Audio-MIDI Setup dialog to set your sample rate when your recording software is running. Typically, your recording software will offer a Sample Rate option within its own “Preferences” or “Audio Setup” settings. It is best to conﬁgure the Sample Rate within the recording software, and you will see the device’s sample rate switch automatically to match it.

5f – Volume sliders (audio output):

Sliders 1 and 2 will adjust the playback level coming from your Line 6 device*.

*It is recommended that you use the GearBox Out To Monitor controls (or the knobs on your Line 6 hardware) instead of using these sliders here since you may otherwise end up with two controls affecting your playback volume, which can get rather confusing.

3•14

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Mac OS X® Audio-MIDI Settings Dialog (TonePort UX8 Only)

5a

5b

5c

5d

5e

5f

5a – System Settings:

The Default Input and Default Output options allow you to choose the sound card you want

• your audio applications to use by default. If you want this to be your Line 6 device, select your UX8 here.

The System Output option allows you to choose which sound card the Mac System Settings are

• played through. You may NOT want to choose this to be your Line 6 device, since it can be rather annoying to hear those dings, beeps or frogs croaking at blaring volumes in your headphones or monitors when working in your audio application! Even better, you can turn these system settings off completely in the System Preferences > Sounds dialog.

5b – Properties For: Choose your TonePort UX8 here to allow the Audio Input and Audio Output options display its settings.

5c – Audio Input:

In the top selector, you will be able to choose your Record Send for the TonePort UX8 to

• conﬁgure its Format options below.

The Format selectors show you the Sample Rate* and Bit Depth that the Line 6 device will is

• operating at for recording. The Bit Depth is ﬁxed at 24 bit.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

*It is recommended that you do not use the Sample Rate selector in the Mac Audio-MIDI Setup dialog to set your sample rate when your recording software is running. Typically, your recording software will offer a Sample Rate option within its own “Preferences” or “Audio Setup” settings. It is best to conﬁgure the Sample Rate within the recording software, and you will see the device’s sample rate switch automatically to match it.

5d – Volume sliders (audio input):

These sliders 1 - 12 will adjust the level of the Record Send selected above*.

*It is recommended that you use ONLY the GearBox Record Send knob instead of using these sliders here to set your Record Send Levels for Line 6 devices. Adjusting the sliders in this AMS dialog may result in unexpected levels if adjusted also in GearBox.

5e – Audio Output:

The Format selectors show you the Sample Rate* and Bit Depth that the TonePort UX8 is

• operating at for playback. The Bit Depth for all Line 6 devices is ﬁxed at 24 bit.

*It is recommended that you do not use the Sample Rate selector in the Mac Audio-MIDI Setup dialog to set your sample rate when your recording software is running. Typically, your recording software will offer a Sample Rate option within its own “Preferences” or “Audio Setup” settings. It is best to conﬁgure the Sample Rate within the recording software, and you will see the device’s sample rate switch automatically to match it.

5f – Volume sliders (audio output):

Sliders 1 - 8 will adjust the playback level coming from your Line 6 device*.

*It is recommended that you use the GearBox Out To Monitor controls (or the knobs on your Line 6 hardware) instead of using these sliders here since you may otherwise end up with two controls affecting your playback volume, which can get rather confusing.

3•16

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Line 6 Audio MIDI Settings Dialog - Inputs & Recording Tab

1

2

1 – Input Source Select: This is a mirrored control for the Source Select within the GearBox application where it allows you to select which physical input is used on the device. Note that this control is ONLY selectable when the GearBox software is not in use by the current device. When GearBox is in use, this selector remains grayed out, but displays the current Source that is selected within GearBox.

When GearBox is not launched, this Input Source Select, like the Source Select in the GearBox application, offers a list of input options. The options will differ depending on the Line 6 device. TonePort UX1/UX2 display the following:

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

When GearBox is not in use, the Input Source Select menu is available. As shown here, TonePort devices offer several input Sources to choose from. The selected Source is what gets routed to the Device Sends.

GuitarPort and PODxt devices are always “ﬁxed” to only route their “instrument” 1 /4 input signal into GearBox. When a GuitarPort or PODxt is the selected device, this Input Source Select list offers only “Instrument” as the source.

2 – Device Sends info box: One line for each GearBox Record Send appears here along with a description for exactly what signal each Send is carrying (see the description above for item #7).

The Device Sends Description then shows the input Source, and informs you if that signal is “processed” or not. Since GearBox is not running, the signal is unprocessed.

TonePort UX1/UX2 will show two Sends (Record 1-2 and Record 3-4)

Single Tone Source (Mono/Stereo): When the GearBox application is not running, Record 1-2

• and 3-4 both carry the unprocessed signal. When running GearBox, Record 1-2 will carry the fully GearBox-processed signal. For Record 3-4, you can choose between a signal with no posteffects, and a fully unprocessed signal.

Dual-Tone Source: If you’ve selected one of the dual input conﬁgurations from the input menu,

• Record 3-4 will always carry the signal from the second audio source. When GearBox is running, these sends will carry the Tone 2 signal of a Dual-Tone conﬁguration. See the TonePort Dual-

Tone Operation section for more about this.

Note: TonePort DI and GX can only run in Single-Tone conﬁguration.

GuitarPort will show two Sends (Record 1-2 and Record 3-4). When the GearBox application is not running, Record 1-2 and 3-4 both carry the unprocessed signal from GuitarPort’s input. When running GearBox, Record 1-2 will carry the fully GearBox –processed signal, and for Record 3-4 you’ll have a choice between routing a signal with no post-effects, or a fully unprocessed signal.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

PODxt will show only one Record Send (Record 1-2). The type of signal that is routed to the Record Send 1-2 is determined by the PODxt Signal Routing option within the Audio Signal Routing dialog (accessed by the Advanced button within the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog). Note that this Audio Signal Routing determines this signal routing regardless if GearBox is running or not for PODxt devices. (See the PODxt Audio Signal Routing section for more about this dialog).

Line 6 Audio MIDI Settings Dialog - Inputs & Recording Tab (TonePort UX8 Only)

1

2

3

4

5

1 – Input Source Select: TonePort UX8 offers 8 individual input sources, each with its own selector where you can choose which physical input is to be used for each. Input source options are as follows:

Input 1: Instrument 1 or XLR 1 or Line 1 or S/PDIF (L) Input 2: Instrument 2 or XLR 2 or Line 2 or S/PDIF (R) Input 3: XLR 3 or Line 3 Input 4: XLR 4 or Line 4 Input 5: XLR 5 or Line 5 Input 6: XLR 6 or Line 6 Input 7: XLR 7 or Line 7 Input 8: XLR 8 or Line 8

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Using Inputs 1 & 2 with the GearBox standalone application

The GearBox standalone application works with the TonePort UX8 driver to provide ultra-low latency via ToneDirect™ monitoring for Inputs 1 & 2 of the UX8, which includes two high-Z Instrument inputs, two XLR inputs, two Line level inputs and stereo S/PDIF input. GearBox’s ToneDirect Monitoring is ideally suited for recording guitar and bass with amp and effects processing, providing the instantaneous feel necessary for competent performance while tracking.

When GearBox is not in use, the Input 1 & input 2 selectors are available. As shown here, TonePort UX8 offers several input Sources to choose from. The selected Source is what gets routed to the Device Send.

Stereo Paired Inputs

You can also link inputs into stereo pairs. This affects hardware monitoring controls in the Outputs & Monitoring tab (see below).

2 – Device Sends info box: One line for each GearBox Record Send appears here along with a description for exactly what signal each Send is carrying.

The Device Sends Description shows the input Source, and informs you if that signal is “processed” or not. In this example, Gearbox is running and is set to process the Input 1 Source, therefore, you can record the processed signal by choosing “Send 9-10” in your recording application.

3 - Restore Defaults - click this button to restore all this tabs settings to their original default values.

4 - Clock Source - Set your preferred TonePort UX8 clock source with this menu. Select S/PDIF to sync the UX8 to an external S/PDIF clock source from another device’s digital output. If you are not connecting anything into UX8’s digital S/PDIF input, then keep this set to Internal to use the UX8’s own clock.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

5 - Hardware Meters Show - This selector allows you to choose what the VU meters on the front of the UX8 are measuring. Note that these hardware meters function even if the GearBox software is not currently running.

Outputs & Monitoring Tab (TonePort UX8 Only)

Important: Note that the Outputs & Monitoring tab provides control over monitoring levels,

speciﬁcally, what you hear coming out of the UX8. These controls do not affect Send levels, the audio that streams into your recording software. In other words, volume and pan levels here are purely analog, intended for monitoring live input levels (from instruments, mics, etc) and computer output levels, in order to facilitate the recording process.

3•21

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

The Outputs & Monitoring tab provides control over hardware monitoring settings, including input source volume, pan and mute states. You can specify different mix settings for each pair of UX8 outputs if you like.

By default, the only sounds that come out of the UX8 are the computer’s output and GearBox 910 signal (fully processed), all through Main Outs 1-2. You can directly monitor other UX8 inputs by unmuting the corresponding input source in this tab. The UX8 provides monitoring through the hardware with zero latency, which is ideal for tracking with multiple sources simultaneously.

Use the drop-down menu at the top to select the output pair for which you want to mix. Each output pair can have different mix settings.

Mix Controls

Inputs 1 - 8 offer the following controls:

Mute (On/Off) Monitor Volume (-100dB to +6dB)

Monitor Pan (100% Left - 100% Right)* Stereo Monitor Meters

* -3dB panning law is applied to the pan control to maintain a constant monitoring level across the panorama.

Mix Controls for Inputs 9 - 12:

GearBox monitoring controls behave identically to Inputs 1- 8, with the exception of the Volume Level. GearBox Sends provide a max monitoring level of 0 dB, whereas the other inputs max at +6 dB, in order to match the 0 dB maximum monitoring level provided by the GearBox standalone application.

3•22

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Main Monitor Volume

This slider controls the overall monitoring volume for the current output pair. What you hear is displayed in the adjacent level meter and includes the combination of input sources and computergenerated signals, such as those assigned to the current output from within your recording software. Note that computer-generated signals are unaffected by the volume slider. The level meter’s clip LED graphics light up when the signal reaches 0 dB.

Main Mix vs. Talent Mix

The UX8’s two front panel headphone outputs mirror Outs 1-2 and 3-4 respectively. You can use the monitor controls, for example, to create a “main mix (1-2)” that captures the overall image of the recording project, while a separate “talent mix (3-4)” can be provided for the musician who is currently adding a new part, and may need a click track and an ample level of themselves above the rest of the mix. Additional output pairs 5-6 and 7-8 are available for headphone mixers or sending to a mixer, other monitors, etc.

Stereo Pairs

When the “Stereo” checkbox is active in the Inputs & Recording tab for a pair of Inputs, the representative Inputs in the Ouputs and Monitoring tab will display them as “locked” as a stereo pair.

The lock icon represents two sources linked as a stereo pair.

The Pan sliders for a “locked” stereo pair are automatically set to 100% Left and Right.

Using tool tips

You can obtain precise value readings for output levels, volume sliders and pan sliders. Do this by hovering the mouse cursor over the meter or slider you wish to read.

3•23

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – Driver Panel & Recording

Important Things to Know When Recording

This section will give you some great pointers for using your Line 6 Hardware for recording, to help you get your brain wrapped around all that complex computer stuff your geeky friends talk about at parties. We’ve got even more info, including setup tips for speciﬁc audio programs and system tweaking tips in our GearBox Recording Setup Guide – its available free on the line6.com GearBox Online Help page!

Sample Rate and Bit Depth

When you set a sample rate and bit depth (also sometimes called “word length”) in your recording software, your Line 6 software will automatically match these settings. If you want to check to make sure that everything is going as it should, just perform these steps:

Conﬁgure your recording program’s sample rate settings, and then conﬁrm that your Line 6

• hardware is running at the correct settings in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog (Windows) or in the Audio-MIDI Setup dialog (on Mac). It is best to always change the sample rate settings in your audio software.

Typically, you can choose the 44,100 sample rate in your audio software for most projects. But if

• you have special requirements for your session, then you can alternatively choose 48,000, 88,200 or 96,000 Hz in your audio software and your Line 6 device will support any of these rates.

For the Bit depth, it is typically best choose the 32-bit option in your Windows audio software

• and in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices dialog IF your Windows audio software supports this rate. If not, then 24-bit is the next best choice. On Mac, choose 24-bit in your recording software. Avoid using 16 bit unless you have to since it can lower the audio quality.

GuitarPort Tracks Can’t Be Recorded

Attention GuitarPort Online members… Your guitar and/or other input signals (except for Monitor In) from your Line 6 device are the only signals routed to the Record Sends and made available to recording software. Tracks played via the GearBox program’s internal Player will not be routed to the Recorded Send, cannot be recorded to other programs, and won’t be routed to the S/PDIF digital outputs for Line 6 devices that include those outputs. This restriction on Player audio routing is required in order for Line 6 to protect the copyrights of the musicians and other copyright owners that have licensed music for use in GuitarPort Online.

3•24

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

gearBox Stand-aLone aPPLication

Overview

The GearBox software is your new Tone Control Central. It gives you visual control, makes it easy to create, edit and save your Tones, includes plenty of great presets, and connects you directly to our exclusive online Tone Library of thousands of professionally programmed Tones. GearBox can run alongside your favorite recording software, letting you easily control every detail of your sound right from your computer during recording. And our additional GearBox Online Help documentation includes step-by-step instruction for using GearBox with some of the most popular Windows® and Mac® recording software, to help make your computer recording experience a great one. GearBox even connects you to GuitarPort Online, our exclusive online world for guitarists who want to play along with the latest and greatest tracks, lessons and licks, covering the greatest guitarists of all time. Check it out when you’re looking to pick up a few new tricks, or just want to have a great time playing some tunes.

The GearBox software is free for every owner of our TonePort, GuitarPort and PODxt recording and modeling interfaces. Combine that with Line 6 Monkey, our world class driver software technology, options like GuitarPort Online and Model Packs, plus access to the online Tone Library, and it all adds up to be the world’s most advanced tone system for guitarists. We call the whole shooting match The GearBox Platform. To follow is a tour of the GearBox interface - note that the GearBox interface includes different options depending on if you are using TonePort, GuitarPort or PODxt hardware. Click on a number to go to its description…

GearBox Controls and Operation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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12

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19 18 17

4•1

16

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

The above screen shows GearBox running with a TonePort device in use. There are some differences when connected to a GuitarPort or PODxt device - look for the mentions of device-speciﬁc controls and behaviors in the descriptions below. Some of the unique GuitarPort and PODxt controls and behaviors are also called out in following sections. All descriptions that follow are the same for Windows® or Mac®, unless otherwise noted.

1 – Source Select menu:

TonePort UX1, UX2, UX8, KB37 – Here is where you choose which physical input(s) you want to use for the GearBox Tone path. Note that TonePort devices also offer a Dual-Tone Source option. See the next Dual-Tone section for more about this.

TonePort DI, GX, GuitarPort, PODxt – No Source Selct is shown since these units offer only one input.

2 - Show/Hide button: Clicking this button collapses or expands the viewable height of the Amp and Effects controls. It’s useful to collapse these controls if you want to maximize the size of only the lower Browser window.

3 - Tone Menu: Click here to choose from all saved Tones – when you create and save your own masterpiece Tones, they’ll appear here too.

4 - Amp Model menu: Choose from all available Amp Models available for your connected device. Remember, you can add more models with optional Model Packs from the Line 6 store!

5 - Cab Model menu: Choose from a huge assortment of speaker cabinets. We’ve pre-chosen cabs to match up with your selected amp, but you can choose the Cab here independently - a different cab can make a huge difference on the sound, so try a few different ones!

6 - Tone Options menu: Click this button to do an “A/B” Compare of your settings vs. preset settings, view or edit the Tone Info, Save the Tone, or Save As to do a copy of the current Tone.

7 - Monitor controls:

Monitor Volume – the level of whatever input signal you are feeding into GearBox (e.g. - your

•

guitar) – this is independent of the level routed to your Record Send 1-2 as well as the “playback” level of audio software that is routing its output to your Line 6 device.

Monitor/Clip light – will light up green to indicate your signal, and gets yellow and then red as

•

the level increases. Red means your signal is too hot (in which case you should turn down your input source and/or Monitor vol.)

Mute button – Mutes the monitor signal only.

•

Note – GearBox will not display this Mute button when PODxt is the source device.

4•2

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Pan slider – Pans your source input left or right. This affects the signal that is routed to BOTH

•

your Record Send 1-2 and the Monitor path. Double click on the slider to set it to dead center.

For TonePort devices – When using a single Tone Source, these control the Record Send 1-2 Monitor signal path. Send 3-4 has its own set of Monitor controls (accessible in the effects panel when you click the Send 3-4 icon). If you are in a Dual-Tone Source mode, these controls will affect the current, visible Tone only.

For TonePort UX8 only – Note that GearBox’s record sends are labeled “9-10” and “11-12”.

8 - Out To Hardware controls:

TonePort & GuitarPort –

Volume knob – controls the level of audio routed out the analog Line Outs (and headphone out)

•

of your device. This will affect both your Monitor signal AND the playback signal coming into your Line 6 device from your audio software. It does NOT affect the level of your signal going to the Record Send 1-2.

Output Indicator/Clip light – will light up green to indicate your signal, and gets yellow and

•

then red as the level increases. Red means your signal is too hot and you should reduce all individual levels and/or the Volume knob.

Mute Line Out button – Mutes all signals routed to the Line Outs only (and not your headphone

•

out), but does not affect the signal routed to the Record Sends. This is very useful when recording with a Mic since it stops your mic signal from coming out your speakers (to avoid feedback) but still lets your hear it and everything else through your headphones.

Note – GearBox will not display this set of Out To Hardware controls when PODxt is the source device.

For TonePort/GuitarPort devices – These controls affect the Monitor and playback signal paths for both Record Sends 1-2 and 3-4, or both Tones when using a Dual-Tone Source.

For TonePort UX8 only – Note that GearBox’s record sends are labeled “9-10” and “11-12”.

9 - Bypass button:

TonePort – will bypass all amp and effects processing for the currently displayed Tone. Just your “naked”, unprocessed signal will be heard as well as routed to your Record Sends when bypassed.

GuitarPort – will bypass all amp and effects processing. Just your “naked”, unprocessed signal will be heard as well as routed to your Record Sends when bypassed.

PODxt – will bypass only the amp

10 - Tuner button: Toggles the display of the Guitar Tuner.

11&12 - Effects Show/Hide and On/Off toggles:

Clicking on the top portion of each of the little “stomp box” icons in this row will toggle the

• lower Effects Panel to display that effect’s controls. You can do this independently of switching the effect itself On/Off. Note that you can use your left or right mouse button to do this.

Clicking the bottom portion of the stomp box will toggle the effect On and Off.

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4•3

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

13 - GearBox Record Send and VU Meters:

TonePort & GuitarPort – These show the signal level of the GearBox-processed audio that is sent to your recording software. For UX8, this send is labeled Send 9-10. For other TonePorts, it’s labeled Send 1-2. This send represents the fully-processed GearBox audio signal. To record exactly what you hear, select this send as your audio input, within your recording application. If the little clip indicator at the bottom of each meter lights red, turn down the RECORD knob and/or turn off the +18 button, because you are clipping your audio, which can cause harsh, bad sound for your recording.

These indicators will light up red when the signal is clipping.

Note – Gearbox will not display VU Meters when a PODxt is the source device.

14 - Record Send 1-2 controls:

Record knob – controls the level of your GearBox processed Tone that is routed to Record Send

•

1-2. this will ultimately control the record level into your audio software for any track receiving this Send 1-2 signal.

+18 button – Boosts the level of the Record Send – useful if your GearBox signal is a weak one

•

and you need more level to get a good record level.

Mono button – sums the GearBox stereo Tone to a Mono signal for Record Send 1-2 (the same

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mono signal is fed to both Send 1 and 2 channels). Useful if you want to record from Send 1 or 2 and ensure it is not one side of a stereo signal.

Note – Gearbox will not display the Mono button when a PODxt is the source device.

15 - USB device connection indicator:

TonePort & GuitarPort – This little USB plug icon appears ﬂashing if GearBox does not ﬁnd a supported Line 6 USB device connected to the computer.

PODxt – When GearBox is set to use a PODxt source device, a little red PODxt icon is displayed.

If the PODxt device is disconnected or powered off, the icon appears with a question mark.

16 - CPU meter: Shows how much of your computer’s processing power is currently being utilized. If it reaches the red then you may experience audible dropouts and therefore need to reduce other processes running, or bypass some GearBox effects.

17 - Effects Control display: This panel displays the controls for the selected effect (see # 11 & 12 and #18 for how to choose to show an effect’s controls). For TonePort this can also show the Record Send 3-4 controls.

4•4

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

18 - Effect menu: Offers selection for which effect’s controls are shown in the Effects Control display area.

19 - Info Bar: Text appears in this bar relating to what your mouse cursor is currently hovering over. This is a very handy source of tips while using GearBox – remember to look here for info while clicking around!

20 - Browser controls: All button in this row control things that appear in the Browser panel below. We’ll go into more detail on the browser section separately, which includes the GuitarPort Online functionality, Player, Tone Locker, and more!

21 - Hardware Meters Show menu:

TonePort UX2/KB37 only – allows selection for what signal the VU meters on the TonePort UX2 device will measure.

22 - Show/Hide Effects display button: Click this button to collapse or expand the area which shows the Effects Control display and Record Send 1-2 controls.

For TonePort UX8 only – Note that UX8 hardware meters are conﬁgured in the Line 6 AudioMIDI Devices application, Inputs & Recording tab.

23 - Hum Reducer feature:

TonePort & GuitarPort – Use this feature to eliminate that annoying hum that guitars sometime have, especially when in front of computer monitors. Click the Hum Reducer button to walk through the use of this feature:

4•5

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Note 1 – GearBox will not display the Hum Reducer options when a PODxt is the source device.

Note 2 – The Hum Reducer is for Instrument Input 1 only. Hum Reducer is not available for Mic, Line

or Digital input.

GearBox with TonePort and GuitarPort

Using GearBox with a TonePort or GuitarPort device gives you access to multiple Record Sends, and with a TonePort UX1/UX2/UX8/KB37, you get Dual-Tone operation, bringing out the most out of GearBox!

Note: TonePort DI, GX and GuitarPort can only run in Single-Tone conﬁguration.

Pre/Post Record Send

GearBox displays an additional Record Send for TonePort and GuitarPort devices, which provides several useful signal routing functions. When you have a single input Source chosen in the Source Select menu, you’ll see the Send 3-4 icon (labeled Send 11-12 for UX8) in the row of the Effects icons.

Click on this Send icon to show its controls in the panel below.

4•6

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Select PRE to route an unprocessed signal to Send 3-4. Select POST to route a semiprocessed signal to Send 3-4 (see below).

Record Send 3-4 has its own dedicated set of controls and meters that are equivalent in function to the Send 1-2 controls of the same name (see the GearBox Controls and Operations section). When using an audio recording software conﬁgured to use the ASIO TonePort driver (on Windows®) or Core Audio driver (on Mac®), it is possible to select the GearBox Send 1-2 or Send 3-4 independently for your track inputs for recording.

Please note that the pre/post setting of Record Send 3-4 is not saved within the Tone Preset.

Note – if your audio application is conﬁgured to use the TonePort WDM driver (on Windows®), you will only be able to access Send 1-2 in the recording software, and it will carry both GearBox Send 1-2 and 3-4 signal paths, pre-mixed into Send 1-2.

Monitoring a GearBox-processed tone while recording “Dry”

With GearBox Send 3-4, you can send a dry, unprocessed signal to your favorite recording application, while monitoring a fully GearBox-processed tone thru your hardware’s outputs. The Send’s Pre/Post switch gives you a couple of options:

In the PRE position, Send 3-4 taps into the audio path before any processing is applied to the

• input source, routing a totally dry signal thru the USB port. This of course is useful when using plug-ins, including the GearBox Plug-in, since you can record a pass with a no-compromise, great feeling tone, without committing any tone shaping to the track (see the ToneDirect™

Monitoring section for more info).

In the POST position, Send 3-4 taps into the audio path right after the EQ, and before any post-

• FX are applied. With this setting, you can apply some amp or mic preamp modeling to your signal before routing it to Send 3-4.

In the POST scenario, you can designate the Modulation, Delay and Reverb FX to be either before or after Send 3-4 to determine if that effect is processed on the Send 3-4 signal or not. For example, if you move set a Delay and a Reverb effect both to “Post”, then they are only processed on the signal sent to Send 1-2, and Send 3-4 is tapping the signal just before these effects. This makes it possible to monitor Send 1-2 and hear these effects, but then choose Send 3-4 in your audio application and actually record the signal without them.

For TonePort UX8 only – Note that GearBox’s pre/post record send is labeled “11-12”.

4•7

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

The selected effect’s icon moves to the left or right of the Send 3-4 icon depending on the effect’s Pre/Post setting

Click on an effect to display its control display in the Effects panel

Use the Pre/Post toggle switch

Dual-Tone operation (TonePort UX1/UX2/UX8/KB37)

These TonePort devices are unique in that they give you not one, but two independent Tone paths! This feature allows you to process two completely independent Tones for two separate inputs at the same time, such as your guitar plus a microphone, and allows your recording software to record each in its own separate track.

The “Dual-Tone” inputs are the ones in the Source Select menu that have the “&” symbol in the names (e.g. Inst. & Mic 1).

When choosing one of the Dual-Tone input Sources, this displays two distinct Tones within GearBox, allowing you to tweak each source with its own independent Tone settings. When in this Dual-Tone mode, GearBox automatically routes Tone 1 to Record Send 1-2, and Tone 2 to Record Send 3-4, which allows your recording software to record each into separate tracks.

For TonePort UX8 only – Tone 1 and Tone 2 route to Record Send 9-10 and Record Send 11-12 respectively.

In Dual -Tone mode, the Tone 1 & Tone 2 toggle buttons appear at the top left to allow you to show the Amp and FX conﬁguration for the respective Tone path. Note that these other controls across the top of the dialog automatically adjust the currently displayed Tone’s settings. For example, here the “Inst. & Mic1” Source is selected, and the “Instrument” Source’s Tone path is selected. Several controls at the top now affect only the Instrument Tone. To adjust the Mic 1 Tone settings, you switch the Tone 1, 2 toggle button, and then adjust the controls independently.

Tone 1, 2 toggle buttons

Monitor controls affect the currently displayed Source’s Tone

Selects a Tone preset for current Source’s Tone

Note that the Send meters and control automatically change when toggling between Tone 1 and Tone 2 Sources as well.

Out To Hardware controls affect BOTH Tones

4•8

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

The Send 1-2 controls are shown for Tone 1, and Send 3-4 controls are shown for Tone 2

Operating GearBox in Dual-Tone mode can require some major processing power from your computer (not surprisingly, twice as much as a single Tone!). Each effect that is powered “on” will use some processing power – effects that are “off” do not use processing power.

Note that the Hum Reducer is for Instrument Input 1 only. Hum Reducer is not available for Mic, Line or Digital input.

MIDI Control

When using GearBox with TonePort and GuitarPort devices, GearBox offers options for remote control of its parameters. You can connect a 3rd party MIDI controller device to a MIDI port on your computer and set GearBox to receive MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) data from it.

GearBox is also capable of sending out MIDI CC data for the adjustment of the onscreen GearBox knobs and switches.

To send out MIDI CC data from the adjustment of GearBox onscreen knobs & switches, check this box.

To control GearBox features (such as Wah or Volume) from a 3rd party hardware MIDI controller device or software, choose the MIDI Port that your controller unit is connected to. GearBox will then receive MIDI CC data on MIDI Channel 1.

4•9

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

TonePort UX2/UX8/KB37 Controllers

TonePort UX2, UX8 and KB37 include footswitch jacks on the hardware to provide remote control of GearBox parameters, such as Wah and Stomp On/Off. You can assign these controls to any available GearBox parameter or MIDI function from the MIDI tab of the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices application.

TonePort devices have the following jacks:

UX2 2 footswitch jacks

UX8 2 footswitch jacks

1 Expression pedal jack

KB37 2 footswitch jacks

1 Expression pedal jack

KB37 Controllers

Additionally, the TonePort KB37 features a number of knobs, wheels and buttons which can be conﬁgured to control more GearBox and 3rd-party application functions. KB37 ships with a default set of functions assigned to its controllers, which you can of course re-conﬁgure in the Line 6 Audio-MIDI Devices control panel.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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KB37 default messages for non-GearBox applications

Controller Default MIDI/Control Message

1 - Octave up None (internally shifts note numbers +1 octave; Not Re-assignable)

2 - Octave down None (internally shifts note numbers -1 octave; Not Re-assignable)

3 - Pitch Wheel Pitch Wheel (Not Re-Assignable)

4 - Mod Wheel CC 1 (Modulation Wheel)

5 - Program increment +1

6 - Program decrement - 1

7 - Knob 1 CC 73 (Attack Time)

8 - Knob 2 CC 75 (Decay Time)

4•10

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Controller Default MIDI/Control Message

9 - Knob 3 CC 72 (Release Time)

10 - Knob 4 CC 91 (Effects | Depth)

11 - Rewind MMC Rewind

12 - Forward MMC Fast Forward

13 - Stop MMC Pause

14 - Play MMC Play/Stop

15 - Record MMC Record/Punch

16 - Button 1 CC 65 (Portamento)

17 - Button 2 CC 127 (Poly On)

18 - Button 3 CC 126 (Mono On)

19 - Button 4 CC 123 (All Notes Off)

Expresion Pedal CC 11 (Expression)

Footswitch 1 (Sustain) CC 64 (Sustain)

Footswitch 2 MMC Record Punch

To re-map the functions of any of these controllers, go to Edit>Preferences and follow these steps:

Select the Hardware tab

Click here to display the Line 6 Audio- MIDI Device control panel

Select the MIDI tab

4•11

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Click here to recall any Preset or Default Mapings

This column populates with all re-assignable controllers for your device (TonePort KB37 shown here)

...Or click here to create a Custom MIDI Mapping

Name and Save your Custom Mapping as a Preset

Choose which GearBox function (if any) to assign to controllers

Choose the Type of Control, which

Click Apply, then OK when done

CC/Action it will perform, and the Switch Mode for your controllers

Note - For a complete list of GearBox MIDI - parameter assignments, and more help on Footswitch/

Controller setup, please check out the GearBox Online Help.

4•12

Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

GearBox with PODxt

One difference between PODxt and TonePort or GuitarPort devices is that PODxt’s have their own onboard DSP processing and Memory. You can think of GearBox as a computer “user interface” for what is running on your PODxt device. Because of this hardware architecture, you’ll see a few differences here for GearBox controls with PODxt as compared to TonePort or GuitarPort. It also means that the processing horsepower used to apply all those juicy amp, cab and effects models to your Tone don’t need to run on your computer’s processor, which should give you a bit more reserve processing power for other things, like recording software and more complex sessions.

When using PODxt, PODxt Pro or PODxt Live hardware with GearBox, the GearBox interface offers a ﬁxed set of Tone options. The Instrument input is “ﬁxed” as the GearBox input source, and the input signal is routed to the Record Send 1-2. Please refer back to the GearBox Controls and Operation section for description of the common interface features. To follow are some details on the items speciﬁc to using GearBox with PODxt devices.

GearBox Controls and Operation

The GearBox interface offers controls for a single Tone path when PODxt is in use. Click on a number to go to its description…

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

1 - Source Device indicator: A PODxt, PODxt Live or PODxt Pro* icon appears here to indicate which type of device is now in use by GearBox as the Source device.

2 - Tone menu: Select from your set of GearBox Tones folder to load one on your PODxt. Note that you can also select a preset directly on your PODxt hardware and all its settings will appear in GearBox. You can also use the Tone Locker in the GearBox Browser panel to access items stored in your PODxt Memory.

3 - Monitor Volume knob: Adjusts the monitoring level of your Tone - this is independent of the level routed to your Record Send 1-2 as well as the “playback” level of audio software that is routing its output back to your PODxt.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

4 - Pan slider: Pans your source input left or right. This affects the signal that is routed to BOTH your Record Send 1-2 and the Monitor path. Double click on the slider to set it to dead center.

5 - Amp bypass: Bypasses the current Amp model so that you’ll hear your guitar with no amp processing (yawn), but you’ll still hear any effects that are powered on. Note that this bypassed signal is also what is routed to Record Send 1-2.

Note: The Amp Bypass control is an exclusive feature of PODxt devices. Any PODxt tone saved with the amp bypassed will load in a TonePort or GuitarPort device with the amp active.

6 - Tuner button: Toggles the display of the Guitar Tuner.

7, 8 - Record Send 1-2 controls:

Record knob - controls the level of your PODxt Tone that is routed to Record Send 1-2. This

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will ultimately control the record level into your audio software for any track receiving this Send 1-2 signal.

Note that for PODxt devices, there is also further control of what type of signal is routed to Record Send 1-2 within the Audio Signal Routing dialog. Get to this from the Line 6 AudioMIDI Devices control panel – read more about it in this section.

+18 button - Boosts the level of the Record Send – useful if your signal is a weak one and you

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need more level to get a good record level.

PODxt MIDI control

For PODxt, PODxt Pro and PODxt Live - MIDI control options are found on the device itself - you can connect MIDI cables directly to your PODxt and then dial up the MIDI settings on the PODxt’s display panel. Please refer to your PODxt Pilot’s Handbook for all the details on MIDI control.

Using PODxt’s MIDI control features, you can remotely control most parameters on your PODxt device and hear them in real time. Likewise, PODxt can transmit MIDI CC data back out its MIDI Out when you adjust its knobs and switches. This interaction all takes place between PODxt and your MIDI device, without GearBox needing to be involved at all. When your PODxt is also connected to your computer and you are using it with GearBox, you will see the respective onscreen GearBox controls also automatically adjust when you are controlling PODxt remotely. Again, just think of Gearbox as a computer “user interface” for what is running on your PODxt hardware.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How To...

Basic Operation .................................................................................... 4•16

How to turn GearBox’s software knobs ........................................................................ 4•16

How to ﬁne-tune GearBox’s knobs and Model or Tone menus ................................... 4•16

How to show an effect’s controls without turning on an effect ................................... 4•17

How to show/hide all Tone controls ............................................................................. 4•17

How to show/hide the Browser ..................................................................................... 4•17

How to show/hide the Effect control panel .................................................................. 4•17

How to resize the GearBox program window ............................................................... 4•17

Use the Tuner ............................................................................................................... 4•18

Metronome Tips ............................................................................................................ 4•19

Change and Save Tones ........................................................................ 4•21

How to initialize a Tone ............................................................................................... 4•21

How to save a Tone ...................................................................................................... 4•22

How to change the factory Preset Tones ...................................................................... 4•22

How to set the De-Esser ................................................................................................ 4•23

How to use the Wah and Volume effects ..................................................................... 4•23

Hardware setup .................................................................................... 4•24

How to select hardware for GearBox to use ................................................................. 4•24

How to select your Preferred Audio Device ................................................................. 4•25

How to connect your Hardware to a guitar amp .......................................................... 4•25

Stay Up To Date .................................................................................... 4•26

How to check the versions of GearBox, Line 6 hardware driver & ﬁrmware,

and get updates ............................................................................................................. 4•26

How to register your Line 6 Hardware purchase .......................................................... 4•26

How to purchase Model Packs...................................................................................... 4•26

How to use your Model Packs with GearBox ............................................................... 4•27

GuitarPort Online & Player Operation .............................................. 4•28

How to adjust the volume balance between your guitar and the Track ....................... 4•28

How to connect to the Internet ................................................................................... 4•28

How to disable Download Accelerators ....................................................................... 4•29

How to ﬁnd FAQs ......................................................................................................... 4•29

How to ﬁnd GearBox Tone and GuitarPort Online Track ﬁles on your hard disk ...... 4•29

How to join GuitarPort Online .................................................................................... 4•30

How to load an MP3, WAV or AIFF ﬁle ...................................................................... 4•31

How to load a Track from an Audio CD ...................................................................... 4•31

How to load a Track ﬁle from GuitarPort Online ........................................................ 4•34

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to load a Track ﬁle from your hard disk ............................................................... 4•34

How to load GuitarPort’s Tutorial Track ...................................................................... 4•35

How to prevent GuitarPort Online from trying to connect to the Internet ............... 4•35

How to set the Loop start and end points .................................................................... 4•36

How to share your Tones with other GuitarPort users ................................................. 4•36

How to show/hide all Tone controls ............................................................................. 4•37

How to show/hide the browser ..................................................................................... 4•37

How to show/hide the effect control panel .................................................................. 4•37

How to show/hide the Track sections display .............................................................. 4•38

Basic Operation

How to turn GearBox’s software knobs

Click your mouse anywhere on the knob (Windows® users, you’ll be using your left mouse

• button for this).

While continuing to hold the mouse button, drag the mouse up and down.

•

Do not drag your mouse in a circular turning motion.

•

Also, check out the details on ﬁne-tuning knob and other settings…

You can double-click many knobs such as Pan, Record, Monitor, Amp Model knobs and the Out To Hardware volume knob to re-set them to their default settings.

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How to ﬁne-tune GearBox’s knobs and Model or Tone menus

You can ﬁne-tune the setting of most of GearBox’s on-screen knobs as well as the Model and Tone menus.

For knobs:

Click the left button of your mouse anywhere on the knob or other control.

•

Use your keyboard’s left/right arrows to jump big steps. The up/down arrows ﬁne-tune.

•

Or, use your number keypad’s / and * for big jumps and + and - to ﬁne-tune.

•

For Model and Tone menus:

Your keyboard’s up/down arrows select items in the menu once you’ve clicked on the menu to

• select it.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to show an effect’s controls without turning on an effect

To see an effect’s controls without turning it on, click on the top portion of the effect’s “stomp box” icon. (Click directly on the On/Off portion of the icon to toggle the effect On/Off). Windows® users can also right-click anywhere on the icon to show its controls. Mac® users can control-click.

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How to show/hide all Tone controls

Click the Collapse/Expand arrow button to the left of the Tone menu at the top left of the GearBox program’s window to show/hide the Amp and Effects controls in one click. Note that this is independent of the Browser window, allowing you to keep the Browser window’s contents visible and toggle your Tone controls to be shown or hidden as you need them. There are also separate show/hide arrows for the Effects section and the Browser.

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How to show/hide the Browser

The bottom portion of the GearBox window, where the GuitarPort Online content and other items are shown, is called the Browser. Click the arrow button at the top left side of it, to the left of the Back/Fwd arrow buttons, to show/hide the Browser. There are also separate show/hide arrows for showing/hiding the Amp and Effects controls together individually, or you can click the top-most arrow button to show/hide the Amp and Effects in one motion.

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How to show/hide the Effect control panel

It can be handy to hide the Effects’ details when you don’t need to ﬁne-tune them and want more space available to view items in the Browser. Click the arrow button at the left side of the Effects area to show/hide the Effects control panel.

There are also separate show/hide arrows for showing/hiding the Amp and Effects controls together individually, or you can click the top-most arrow button to show/hide the Amp and Effects in one motion.

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How to resize the GearBox program window

The width of the GearBox window cannot be changed. However, when the Browser is expanded. The height of the main Gearbox windows can be increased to allow the Browser to take as much vertical space as you have available on your computer’s display.

On Windows® - When the main GearBox window is not maximized (and when the Browser is expanded), you can click and hold the top or bottom edge of the main GearBox window and drag to make it taller or shorter. You can also click the maximizing icon (at the top right edge of the program window’s title bar) to maximize its vertical size.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

On Mac® – When the Browser is expanded, you can click on the bottom right corner of the main GearBox windows and drag to resize it vertically.

The Show/Hide “arrow” buttons work in conjunction with the show/hide arrows for the Effects, Browser and Track sections display to allow you to show/hide portions of the GuitarPort controls and maximize the space available for the Browser to display information.

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Use the Tuner

Click the button at the top right of the GearBox interface to display the Tuners tuner. You can then play an open single string on your guitar (or bass guitar), and the display on the right side of the tuner will show you which note that string is currently tuned to. The large meter in the tuner shows you whether the string is sharp or ﬂat relative to that note. When the needle is pointing anywhere on the left side of the meter, your string is ﬂat and needs to be tuned up. When the needle is pointing anywhere on the right side of the meter, your string is sharp and needs to be tuned down. The Mute/ Bypass switch lets you choose whether your guitar will be muted while tuning, or if you will hear it with amp/cab/effect processing bypassed.

The Tuner’s Reference control tells the Tuner what to tune to. 440Hz is the standard reference value for A and is generally used for tuning reference. Unless you have a particular need to adjust the Tuner’s reference, you probably want to stick with the standard 440Hz setting for this control.

The standard tuning for guitar is, from the largest string to the smallest, E-A-D-G-B-E. Other tunings are also sometimes used. For instance, “Drop-D” tuning is accomplished by tuning the biggest string down to D instead of E. The table below provides a number of alternate tunings for you to try. Tunings are listed on the left. Columns labeled String 6 (the fattest string) to String 1 (the thinnest string) tell you the pitch to which you need to tune that string:

Tuning String 6 String 5 String 4 String 3 String 2 String 1

Standard E A D G B E

Down 1 Half Step E

Down 2 Half Steps D G C F A D

Down 3 Half Steps D

Down 4 Half Steps C F B

Down 5 Half Steps B

Drop D D A D G B E

Drop D

Drop A A E A D G

Drop B B G

Drop C C G C F A D

Open E E B E A

Open E7 E B D A

Open G D G D G B D

Open D D A D G

Open A E A D

b

D

A

G

E

A

b

D

B E A

b

A

b

D

B E A

G

E

D

G

b

b b

b

E A E

b

B

b

G C

F B

b

B

b b

B E

A D

b

E

b

D

b

E

B

b

D

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Tuning String 6 String 5 String 4 String 3 String 2 String 1

DADGAD D A D G A D

Note: All half-steps use ﬂats to match the chromatic tuner.

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Metronome Tips

The Metronome provides a simple “beat sequencer” you can use to practice your timing. To use the metronome, press the Metronome button above the Browser. The metronome will then be displayed within the Browser panel.

Metronome Controls

Speed - The metronome’s tempo is controlled by the Speed knob and text box on the left and is

•

measured in beats-per-minute. For ﬁne tuning, click the text box and drag it or just double click on the text box and manually enter the speed you want.

Volume - The metronome’s monitor volume is controlled by the Volume knob. The metronome

•

will not be sent to the digital out of GuitarPort. So you can Record Digitally without recording the metronome. So turn it up!

Start/Stop - The Start/Stop switch will turn metronome play on and off.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Presets

Presets allow you to instantly play along with a variety of patterns.

Style - GearBox comes with several preset drum sequences available - just click on the “STYLE”

•

menu and select the one you want. If you can’t ﬁnd what you need, you can build it with the “beat sequencer”.

Saving - The last modiﬁed sequence will be automatically saved as “Custom”, but you may want

•

to click the “Save” button and give your percussive creation a name. This also keeps you from overwriting it later by modifying another sequence. If you get bored of one of your creations, just load it up from the “STYLE” menu and press the “Delete” button. You can not overwrite or delete the original presets.

Building a Beat

If you don’t ﬁnd a pattern you like, you can customize your own.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Beat Slider - The Beat Slider indicates how many beats are played before the loop repeats itself.

•

Every tick mark is one half-beat. Two half-beats make one beat, so the numbers below the tick marks indicate the total number of whole beats played per loop. You can have a maximum of 8 beats or 16 half-beats or a minimum of 1 half-beat to every loop.

Now comes the fun part - making the drum sequence. Each row in the matrix beneath the beat slider is a separate percussion sample and each column is a beat. To sound a drum sample on a particular beat, just click the button where the percussion row meats the beat you want. Enabled beats appear red with a small circle while disabled beats are blue. You can make modiﬁcations to the sequence while running the metronome - just click the Start switch to get it going. The light will sit over the currently playing beat.

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Change and Save Tones

How to initialize a Tone

Select Basic Guitar, Bass, or Vocal Tone from the Tone menu at the top left of the GearBox program’s window to call up a Tone we’ve included as a basic starting place for use when you’re creating your own Tones (hence the name “Basic Tone”).

All the effects have basic sounds programmed so they’re ready to go if you turn them on. This Tone is, of course, completely customizable by you, so you can turn it into whatever you want.

Saving the Basic Tone - Once you’ve made alterations to this basic Tone, you can then choose Save Tone from GearBox’s File menu if you’d like to have your changes replace the Basic Tone. Or...

Save As - Choose Save Tone As from GearBox’s File menu if you’d like to leave the Basic Tone as

it was, and save the new setting you’ve created as a new Tone. You’ll then be given a dialog to name the Tone, and provide additional information to categorize the Tone if you like.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

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How to save a Tone

You can create, edit and save your own Tones any time you like. A Tone includes your Guitar or Bass Amp & Cab, Preamp, and Effect Model selections and their settings. The yellow Tone menu at the top left of the GearBox program’s window shows which Tone is currently selected and will also give you access to the new Tones you save.

If the Tone name is shown in italics in the Tone menu as shown above, it has been altered versus the saved version of the Tone. If the Tone name is shown without italics, the Tone has NOT been altered versus the saved version of the Tone. Once you’ve altered a Tone, if you want to keep that altered version you’ll need to decide whether you want to Save your Tone or Save As, as described below.

Save Tone – If you select Save Tone from GearBox’s drop down menu, your current settings will replace the Tone whose name was shown in italics in the Tone Menu. The old version of the Tone will be erased and replaced by this new Tone, which will now be available from the Tone menu whenever you want it.

Save Tone As – If you select Save Tone As from GearBox’s drop down menu, your current settings will be stored as a brand new Tone. The Tone whose name was shown in italics in the Tone Menu will not be affected. The new Tone you create will be added to the Tone menu so you can call it up again in the future whenever you want it. To Save As:

From GearBox’s drop down menu, select Save Tone As. You’ll be able to name your Tone and

• save descriptive information.

Click the Browse button at the top of the Save Tone As dialog box if you want to choose a

• different location to save this Tone, or you want to create a new folder for storing Tones in. Tones must be stored within GearBox’s Tones folder in order for them to be accessible from the GearBox Tone menu.

Click on the Save button to ﬁnish saving your new Tone.

•

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How to change the factory Preset Tones

If you want to tweak one of the factory Preset Tones, all you have to do is:

Select a Tone from the Preset Folder in the Tones menu.

•

Make the changes you want.

•

From the File menu, select Save to update the Preset Tone with your changes.

•

To save your new Tone without replacing the Preset Tone, choose Save As instead.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to set the De-Esser

The Female and Male De-esser Stomp effects are available in GearBox only when used with TonePort devices.

A de-esser is an audio tool designed to reduce sibilance (Sss and Shh sounds) from vocals. It does this by “listening” for audio energy focused at a selected FREQUENCY (the frequency where the objectionable part of the Sss and Shh sounds are occurring). When it hears high level audio at and around this frequency, it quickly ducks the volume by the AMOUNT you choose, effectively reducing the volume of Sss and Ssh sounds that get recorded.

To use the De-Esser appropriately, try ﬁrst recording a test vocal track without it. If you hear more Sss and Shh sounds that you would like, try adding a band of EQ to that recorded track in your recording program. Set that EQ to provide a bandpass with a narrow width or Q, and set it to cut quite a bit, maybe something like -20dB. Now set the frequency for that band of EQ to one of the frequency points available from GearBox’s De-Esser, and playback the recorded track, switching back and forth between enabling and bypassing the EQ to hear the results. Try different frequencies until you ﬁnd the one that seems to have the most effect on the Sss and Shh sounds, then disable that EQ. Use that frequency setting in GearBox’s De-Esser, set the AMOUNT knob to a medium setting, and record another test track. If all has gone well, you should hear that your Sss and Ssh sounds are being reduced, and you can then further adjust the AMOUNT knob as needed.

See the Model Gallery for speciﬁcs of the Female De-Esser and Male De-Esser Models.

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How to use the Wah and Volume effects

GearBox’s Wah and Volume effects can be controlled via MIDI using a hardware controller or messages from MIDI software. See the GearBox Online Help page of the Line 6 web site to learn more about setting up MIDI control. The Wah effects can also be used without a MIDI controller for a “parked wah” sound: just turn the Wah effect on, and set its Position knob to get the sound you like.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Hardware setup

How to select hardware for GearBox to use

GearBox software can be used with TonePort GX, DI, UX1, UX2, UX8, KB37, GuitarPort, PODxt, PODxt Live, or PODxt Pro* hardware. When you start GearBox, it automatically looks for the Line 6 device connected to your computer. If GearBox cannot detect your Line 6 device at startup, it will show a ‘No Hardware Found’ message, and ask you to choose what Line 6 device to conﬁgure for.

You can also select use GearBox’s Preferences to set how it will conﬁgure itself for your Line 6 hardware. Choose Preferences from GearBox’s Edit menu (Windows®) or GearBox menu (Mac®) and select the Hardware tab:

If your Line 6 hardware is connected to your computer and it’s not available from the “Launch GearBox using:” menu there, there is a USB connection error. It is speciﬁcally recommended to always connect your Line 6 device directly to your computer’s USB port, and not into a USB hub. USB hubs can

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

sometimes cause communication errors with USB audio devices.

* Note – On Windows® systems, it is not recommended that you connect both a PODxt and PODxt Pro unit to the computer at the same time. These two speciﬁc Line 6 devices utilize a common device driver, and only one can be initialized at a time.

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How to select your Preferred Audio Device

See the Sound Cards and Sound Issues section of this guide to learn how to set your Line 6 device or some other soundcard as your Preferred Audio Device in Windows® or Mac®.

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How to connect your Hardware to a guitar amp

We get this one a lot – Many Line 6 users want to know how to physically connect their hardware to a guitar amp, because they think it will sound better that way. In fact, the opposite is true: Because the audio signal we provide for direct monitoring features a virtual amp emulation that’s optimized for fullrange systems, the results you’ll get when using a guitar amp will be less than ideal, due to the limited range of guitar speakers.

If a guitar amp is your only monitoring solution, following are a few pointers to help you get the most out this connection:

If your amp has an effect loop, plugging into the effect return is the preferred connection, for 2 reasons:

You are bypassing the preamp’s tone stack, which tends to color the signal in an undesirable

• fashion.

Your Line 6 Hardware generally puts out a line-level signal, which is generally too hot for the

• guitar input of your amp.

If your amp has no effect loop, then plug into the front input, following these steps:

Place all your tone controls at the 12 O’clock position.

•

Turn your amp’s Drive or Volume setting all the way to zero. If your amp has a Master Volume,

• place that control at 12 O’clock or below.

Plug in your hardware, and slowly bring up the Drive until you hear a satisfactory level of volume,

• being careful not to overdrive the input.

You can also try disabling cabinet modeling, by selecting No Cab in GearBox’s Cabinet menu, to further enhance your tonal experience.

PODxt (PODxt PRO, PODxt Live) Users: Your device features an output setup menu that optimizes the output for different monitoring systems, including the front end or the loop of a guitar amp. Please refer to your PODxt Manual for more information.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Stay Up To Date

How to check the versions of GearBox, Line 6 hardware driver & ﬁrmware, and get updates

To easily see what version of GearBox software you are using, just go the Help menu and choose About GearBox. This also lists the credits for the creation of this software.

To check for any available updates for GearBox or your Line 6 Gear…with your Line 6 hardware USB cable connected, and with your computer’s Internet connection active, launch Line 6 Monkey from GearBox’s Help menu. Don’t forget to check out all those additional items available for you in the Optional Add-Ons tab of Line 6 Monkey!

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How to register your Line 6 Hardware purchase

It’s important to register your Line 6 hardware so that you can obtain customer support and stay informed about the latest new products and Add-Ons. Visit the Line 6 web site Support section and select the Register Gear option there.

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How to purchase Model Packs

Model Packs are additional sets of amp, cab and/or effects that you can purchase to expand your Tone possibilities for your Line 6 device! You can purchase, install and authorize Model Packs using Line6 Monkey online – you don’t even need to get out of your chair! With your Line 6 device connected, just launch Line 6 Monkey and go to the Optional Add-Ons tab and see what’s available for your Line 6 hardware. Follow the steps to easily purchase and download Add-Ons and start using them in minutes.

You can launch the Line 6 Monkey program from the GearBox Help menu by choosing Update & Conﬁgure with Line 6 Monkey.

Alternatively, you can launch Line 6 Monkey directly by going to:

Windows® - Start Menu / Programs / Line 6 / Tools / Line 6 Monkey

•

Mac® - Finder / Applications / Line 6 / Line 6 Monkey

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to use your Model Packs with GearBox

Once you’ve purchased and authorized your Model Packs, simply restart GearBox with your Line 6 hardware connected and you’ll see the new models available within the GearBox.

The Metal Shop, Classic Collection & Bass Expansion pack models will appear under the AMP MODEL drop down menu with either an MS, CC or BX preﬁx added to the start of their names.

The FX Junkie pack models will be spread out among Stomps, Mods, and Delays and will be preceded by an FX.

The Power Pack is included as a standard feature set on PODxt family devices, and is an optional upgrade on TonePort/GuitarPort. Power Pack models will not have any special preﬁx, but they will appear under AMP MODEL, Stomps, Mods, Delays, and Verbs.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

For more info on Model Packs, please check out the Model Pack Handbooks.

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GuitarPort Online & Player Operation

How to adjust the volume balance between your guitar and the Track

Use the Track Level slider under the Player button above the Browser to set the level for the current Track playback…

…and use the Volume knob on the amp panel to set the level of your guitar signal

More tips…

Guitar still too quiet versus your Track? Try Guitar too quiet in the Troubleshooting section.

•

For Track Level problems, see Track Level issues Troubleshooting.

•

Getting distortion or clipping as you try to make these adjustments? See Noise and Distortion

• troubleshooting.

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How to connect to the Internet

You need an Internet connection to use the GuitarPort Online features of GearBox. If you do not already have an Internet connection, you will need to contact an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and purchase an Internet access plan from them. We recommend a “broadband” connection such as DSL, ISDN or cable modem for use with GuitarPort Online. LAN (Local Area Network) connections such as many businesses have also should work well with GuitarPort Online (you can tell the boss you’re doing “research”!). You can also use a “dial-up” connection, but these are generally slower and downloading Tracks from GuitarPort Online will take some time over a dial-up connection.

Note – you will need to enable Cookies in your Internet Browser software to successfully connect to GuitarPort Online.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

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How to disable Download Accelerators

Please see the troubleshooting topic for Download Errors – Download Accelerators.

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How to ﬁnd FAQs

For the latest Frequently Asked Questions and up-to-the-minute support information, please visit the

GearBox Online Help page of the Line 6 website. You can also go to the Line6.com web site directly,

navigate to the FAQTRAQ system within the Support section and search for information on all Line 6 products!

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How to ﬁnd GearBox Tone and GuitarPort Online Track ﬁles on your hard disk

GearBox stores Tones and GuitarPort Online Tracks as ﬁles on your hard disk. By default, the GearBox installer creates a GearBox folder and stores all your Tone ﬁles in this location:

Windows® - My Documents\Line 6\Tones\GearBox

Mac® – Documents/Line 6/Tones/GearBox

Tones must be stored in this GearBox folder to appear in the Tone menu at the top left of the GearBox window, and to appear in the Tone Locker. You can organize your Tones without leaving GearBox by using the Tone Locker, which is available from the Tone Locker button above the Browser.

Additionally, by default the GearBox installer creates a Tracks folder and stores your GuitarPort Online Tracks within it at this location:

Windows® - My Documents\Line 6\Tracks

Mac® – Documents/Line 6/Tracks

Alternatively, Tracks can be stored anywhere on your hard disk, and can be opened from The GearBox

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

File menu - Open command, or via the LOAD FROM HARD DISK button available from the Player button above the Browser.

To get to the default Tones and Tracks folders and access the Tone and Track ﬁles outside of the GearBox program:

Windows®

Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.

•

Double-click Drive C:, then Program Files, then Line6.

•

Double-click the Tones or Tracks folder.

•

Mac®

Open the Finder and select Documents.

•

Select Line 6 and then look in the Tones or Tracks folders.

•

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How to join GuitarPort Online

If you’re not already a member of GuitarPort Online, click the GuitarPort Online button above the Browser with your Internet connection active and the Browser will show you how to become a member or take a tour to see what GuitarPort Online is all about.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

If you want to be a better player, and learn more licks, technique and songs, this is the place you need to be!

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How to load an MP3, WAV or AIFF ﬁle

Click the LOAD FROM HARD DISK button under the Player button above the Browser to load an MP3, WAV or AIFF ﬁle from your hard disk to use as a GuitarPort Track.

The recently used Tracks are also available in the GearBox File > Track > Recent Tracks menu

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How to load a Track from an Audio CD

Note – you do not need to be a GuitarPort Online to use the Player to load CD Tracks or audio ﬁles from your hard drive and play along with them!

GuitarPort can load audio from a standard Audio CD. The steps are slightly different depending if you are on Mac® or Windows®:

Mac®:

Click on the Player button above the Browser.

•

Insert an Audio CD (you can disable auto-launch of CD player programs).

•

Click LOAD FROM: CD, select the Track you want, and click the Open button.

•

This launches the Open window, where you can choose your CD drive to access its contents.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

Choose your CD drive here to view its contents

Select a track and click Play to preview the track before loading it

Click Open to load the selected track into the Player

Once you click Save, the CD track is automatically loaded in the Player and played directly

• from your CD drive. You can play just like with any other GPO Track or Hard Disk ﬁle using the transport.

TIP – You can launch the Mac® iTunes® program if you want to have it connect to the Internet and retrieve the CD Artist name and Track info for the CD. Once iTunes® does this, you can close it and the Open dialog will then show all the actual CD Track names since they will be stored in memory from iTunes®.

Windows®:

Click on the Player button above the Browser.

•

Insert an Audio CD (you can disable auto-launch of CD player programs).

•

Click LOAD FROM: CD, select the Track you want, and click the Open button.

•

You should now see the contents of your audio CD in the window.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

If you want the dialog to retrieve the actual name of the CD, Artist and Track names, click the Get CD Info button.

Select a track and click Play to preview the track before loading it.

Click Refresh if you have a CD inserted but its tracks do not appear in the list.

Click Open to load the selected track.

Once you click Open, you are prompted where to Save a copy of this Track – this “rips” the CD

• track to your hard drive as a WAV ﬁle. The default Save directory is your \My Documents\Line

6\Tracks folder.

Once you click Save, the CD track is automatically loaded in the Player and you can play this

• track just like any other GPO Track or Hard Disk ﬁle using the transport.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to load a Track ﬁle from GuitarPort Online

Note – you must be a GuitarPort Online member to gain access to GuitarPort Online tracks. For membership details, please visit www.guitarport.com

Click the LOAD FROM: Online button in the Player to load a Track from GuitarPort Online.

The recently used Tracks are also available from the Track Loaded menu:

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How to load a Track ﬁle from your hard disk

Click the LOAD FROM: Hard Disk button in the Player to load a GuitarPort Track ﬁle that you have saved to your hard disk.

The recently used Tracks are also available from the Track Loaded menu:

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to load GuitarPort’s Tutorial Track

GuitarPort includes a Tutorial Track to introduce you to its basic features and operation. You can load it from the Help menu at the top edge of the GearBox program’s window, by selecting Open Tutorial Track.

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How to prevent GuitarPort Online from trying to connect to the Internet

By default, GearBox is conﬁgured so that GuitarPort Online will attempt to automatically connect to the Internet as needed to access the online features. You can disable the auto- connect behavior via the GearBox Preferences:

Select Preferences from the GearBox menu (Mac ®) or Edit menu (Windows ®) and click the

• Internet tab.

Click the Help question mark at the top of the dialog box and click an item for details.

•

Uncheck the Network Enabled box and then click OK to exit the Preferences.

•

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to set the Loop start and end points

When the Loop is on for the Track loaded in the Player button above the Browser, you’ll be able to see and set the Loop’s start and end points in the Track Sections Display:

Click the Loop button to light it red if it’s not lit already.

•

The looped portion of the Track is shown in orange.

•

Light the BY SECTIONS button if you want the loop points to “snap” to the sections.

•

Click, hold and drag the orange arrow at either end of the loop to set the start/end.

•

There are also Hot Keys for setting Loop start, end and on/off.

•

You can also double-click a section to set the loop start and end points to loop that section.

•

You can hold the SHIFT key and double-click a section extend the loop to include that

• section.

If you choose Save Track from the GearBox File menu and save the Track to your hard disk, the

• Loop points will be saved with the track.

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How to share your Tones with other GuitarPort users

If you are a GuitarPort Online subscriber, you can put Tones you want to share in the Public folder of your Tone Locker. From there, any other GuitarPort Online member can access them and experience your Tone-creation genius! Tone is your Private folder will not be visible to other GuitarPort Online members.

GuitarPort Online members have access to the Online Tone Locker, which appears in this right pane of the Tone Locker

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

You can also, of course, share Tones that are stored on your local hard disk by emailing them as individual ﬁle attachments to your friends who also have GearBox.

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How to show/hide all Tone controls

Click the Collapse/Expand arrow button to the left of the Tone menu at the top left of the GearBox program’s window to show/hide the Amp and Effects controls in one click.

Note that this is independent of the Browser window, allowing you to keep GuitarPort Online visible and toggle your Tone controls to be shown or hidden as you need them. There are also separate show/ hide arrows for the Effects and the Browser sections as well.

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How to show/hide the browser

The bottom portion of the GearBox window, where the GuitarPort Online content and other items are shown, is called the Browser. Click the arrow button at the top left to show/hide the Browser.

There are also separate show/hide arrows for showing/hiding the Amp and Effects controls together individually, or you can click the top-most arrow button to show/hide the Amp and Effects in one motion.

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How to show/hide the effect control panel

It can be handy to hide the effect details when you don’t need to ﬁne-tune the effects, and you want to have more space available to view items in the Browser. Click the arrow button at the left side of the effects area to show/hide the Effects control panel.

There are also separate show/hide arrows for showing/hiding the Amp and Effects controls together individually, or you can click the top-most arrow button to show/hide the Amp and Effects in one motion.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 –GearBox Standalone Application

How to show/hide the Track sections display

Click here

When you’ve selected the Player button above the Browser, you’ll see a display like the one above. You can click the arrow button to the left of the GuitarPort Online tab button to show/hide the bottom portion of this display. Separate show/hide arrows control the display of tone controls together, Effects and the Browser.

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – GearBox Plug-In

gearBox PLUg-in

Welcome to the wonderful world of GearBox Plug-in, where legendary studio-standard tone and classic vintage effects are all available to you within your favorite recording application, in a ﬂexible native software plug-in format!

A Quickie Plug-in Primer

There are many types of plug-ins in the world of software. Plug-ins are relatively small applications that can only run when loaded inside a compatible host application. Plug-ins operate within the host application to extend the capabilities of the host. In the world of music software, audio plug-ins ﬁnd frequent use inside audio/MIDI host applications, commonly referred to as DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). Audio plug-ins provide signal processing for your audio tracks or live audio input.

A helpful analogy for plug-ins is to think of them as effects pedals. Effects pedals change the tone of your bass or guitar before the signal reaches your ampliﬁer. As with pedals, rack effects units, or any other conventional piece of outboard gear, plug-ins provide graphical controls for whatever parameters they might expose. For example, a distortion plug-in will most likely have similar controls to a typical distortion pedal (such as drive, gain and tone). Visually, plug-ins often resemble the physical gear they emulate.

When working with DAWs, using plug-ins provides numerous beneﬁts over using outboard effects like pedals or rack processors. Here are a few of the primary beneﬁts:

Plug-ins are “non-destructive” to your audio track – this means that you can add or remove

• effects and tweak their settings as often as you like without actually affecting the original audio recording. Recording with outboard gear means that the signal going to tape will be “wet” (with effects and amp tone) and cannot be changed without recording another pass.

Plug-ins sound the same way twice. Because you can store plug-in settings as presets, precise

• settings can be loaded reliably with tweaking. Every time you go back to work on a speciﬁc song, you can rest assured that your tones will be identical to the last session.

Plug-ins are automatable. Host applications provide easy ways to create and manipulate

• automation, giving you surgical precision of your tone without having to “ride the faders” of external gear during a record pass.

Plug-ins don’t break, corrode, take up space on your ﬂoor or get stolen

•

MIDI Remote Control and Plug-in automation

Most audio plug-ins are automatable, meaning their parameters can be manipulated in real-time by some method. The two most prevalent methods are MIDI automation and plug-in automation. Both methods provide unique beneﬁts.

MIDI automation means using MIDI messages, either from an external controller like a KB37, or from the host application, to modify parameter settings on the target plug-in. Most host applications, such as Cubase or SONAR, provide robust MIDI sequencing capabilities, allowing you to literally draw MIDI controller changes (MIDI automation), which then get sent to track plug-ins or externally, to outboard gear. The latter example is the most common use of MIDI before the rise in popularity of plug-ins.

Today the most common use of MIDI with plug-ins is simply to control them from a tactile control surface or, in the case of software instruments, from a MIDI keyboard. This is called MIDI remote

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – GearBox Plug-In

control, because the MIDI control messages are coming from an external (remote) source. To successfully use MIDI remote control, you must know what parameters respond to a given MIDI CC function. Manufacturers typically supply this information with their product.

Plug-in automation means controlling plug-in parameters from with the host application. Conceptually this is similar to MIDI automation, in that you create automation within the track of the host application. The automation sends parameter change values to the plug-in. But there are a couple distinct advantages:

Plug-in automation is sample accurate (far more accurate than MIDI). This high resolution

• allows you to create smooth curves and fades, without any stair-stepping effect, ideal for critical, professional applications.

Plug-in automation parameters carry the actual names of the parameters, where as MIDI requires

• mapping generic MIDI control functions to various plug-in parameters.

Plug-in Formats

There are quite a few available plug-in formats in the digital audio recording world. The GearBox Plug-in uses the VST® (Virtual Studio Technology) format for Windows® recording environments, and the AU® (AudioUnits) format on the Mac® platform, and RTAS® (Real Time Audio Suite) for both Mac and Windows, for compatibility with the vast majority of audio recording software on the market.

Activating the GearBox Plug-in

So how do I get the GearBox plug-in, you ask? The upgrade process is easy – make sure your Line 6 Hardware is connected to your computer (with an internet connection), and follow these steps:

Launch Line 6 Monkey

You’ll need to log into your Line 6 account, and make sure that your hardware is fully up-to-date. If this all new to you, get help here.

Grab any available updates Login to your Line 6 acoount

TonePort DI Silver/Gold bundle customers: The GearBox Plug-in is included in your purchase, and needs only to be enabled on your computer. This way, please…

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Line 6 GearBox 3.5 – GearBox Plug-In

Purchasing the GearBox Plug-in

Click on the Optional Add-Ons tab, select GearBox Plug-in, then click on Purchase Add-Ons. You will be taken to the Line 6 Store, where you can purchase a license for the plug-in. Follow the instructions on the resulting page to receive your activation key.

Activating the Plug-in

In Line 6 Monkey, click on Activate Purchase. A window will pop up, that will prompt you to enter the activation key you just received.

Line 6 Monkey will connect to the server to validate the license, and program your hardware. That’s it, you’re done! You are now ready to use the GearBox Plug-in with your favorite recording application.

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Line 6 POD xt Pro, TonePort UX2, TonePort UX8, TonePort GX, TonePort KB37 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Start Here

Activation

Transferring Activations

About Line 6 Hardware & Software

Before You Get Started

System Requirements and Installation

Updating & Registering with Line 6 Monkey

Login account

Register your hardware

Compatibility Check

USing YoUr Line 6 Hardware

TonePort UX1

TonePort UX2

TonePort UX8

TonePort KB37

TonePort DI

TonePort GX

GuitarPort

PODxt

PODxt Live

PODxt PRO

PODxt - Audio Signal Routing & Re-Amping

Routing audio from your Line 6 hardware to an external device

Connecting analog outputs to an external device

Routing analog outputs to another sound card

Connecting the Digital Output from TonePort UX2, UX8, KB37 or PODxt Pro to an external digital device

ToneDirect™ Monitoring

Sound Cards & Sound Issues

Line 6 driver PaneL & recording

Audio Routing

The Line 6 Audio-MIDI Device Control Panel

Important Things to Know When Recording

gearBox Stand-aLone aPPLication

Overview

GearBox Controls and Operation

Pre/Post Record Send

Monitoring a GearBox-processed tone while recording “Dry”

Dual-Tone operation (TonePort UX1/UX2/UX8/KB37)

MIDI Control

TonePort UX2/UX8/KB37 Controllers

KB37 Controllers

GearBox with PODxt

GearBox Controls and Operation

PODxt MIDI control

How To...

gearBox PLUg-in

A Quickie Plug-in Primer

Activating the GearBox Plug-in