What works as an interface between Vox tonelab and iMac w/10.5?

gtroates · June 18th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Hello,
I just recently upgraded from an old purple iMac (running 8.6) to the latest version of the large screen desktop iMac running 10.5. I used to record into a digital four track (Boss BR-532) then dump the information and edit it using Roxio Titanium Toast CD burning software. Now I need help modernizing into hopefully recording straight into the computer using Garage Band. I have a Vox Tonelab desktop unit with pedalboard which makes sounds much better than the Boss did to my ears so I want to plug into it before plugging into an interface. What interface would allow me to use the two cords out to record in stereo from the Vox? As I am using the Vox for tones, I am not sure I need a device which has built in amp simulations like the Toneports do, do I? Also being new to garage band, is there an easy way to record a stereo signal? I like to use multi tap delaying sometimes and this works well in stereo.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me, any tips are appreciated.
Brian

photoweborama · June 18th, 2008, 05:48 PM

I don't know if that model has a line in or any input at all.

You can get an M-box, or something like that.

If you want something cheap, but good enough to start with, get an IMic from Griffin. I'm using one right now to play my music back through my Mac, but I only have an older G4 PPC tower unit.

gtroates · June 18th, 2008, 06:52 PM

Just to clarify my computer's inputs: it has an audio mini plug input, three USB inputs, two firewire inputs, an ethernet plugin, and a video input.

getbent · June 18th, 2008, 07:07 PM

you could definitely get a toneport with two inputs so that you can do the stereo thing... you don't have to use the amp and effects sims... you can use it just as a capture box... but, you may want to look at the presonus firebox.

that would fit the bill as well. Stereo tracks are easy to record in GB.

gtroates · June 18th, 2008, 08:08 PM

Thank you for your replies Getbent and Photowebarama, I'll look into these choices.
Which toneport model would you recommend? (last question on this thread from me, I swear)

claudel · June 20th, 2008, 06:44 PM

I use my Tonelab LE with an iMac/10.5.3.

For audio I have a Apogee Duet, which was pricey but sounds incredibly good.

For MIDI I have an old UNO which does the job of loading/sending patches without problems.

getbent · June 20th, 2008, 06:55 PM

The apogee is, well, the apogee of interfaces right now. it is the best... and most elegant. if you can afford it.... you bet!

if you go the toneport path... pick the one (just read the descriptions...if you buy it at sweetwater call them and a real sales engineer will ask good questions and make a great suggestion) but pick the one that fits your recording needs. If you want to record in stereo, you probably want one with at least two interfaces!

other than that... they're all pretty good. NOT as good as the apogee, but still perfectly good to make a great album.

gtroates · June 21st, 2008, 04:40 PM

Thank you all for your answers, I have to save up some money now. I'm leaning towards the UX2 Toneport at $139. I like the two XLR inputs because I have plans to record my classical guitar duet album soon, and that means two microphones to get the balance correct.

Brian blaut · June 26th, 2008, 01:10 PM

I have the toneport UX2 and I have a Mac and I have the tonelab and I use Garageband. The toneport works really really well. In fact, you might just want to leave it plugged in to your computer and use it for all your computer audio because mp3, ect will probably sound better though this than with the built in audio in your computer. Its definately the case with mine, but then again, mines a laptop. So if you have the room, plug in some good speakers to the toneport's output and keep it permanently in control.

You'll love the Line6. when you get lazy, you can just use the line6 for playing around, as it has pretty good software and different models and sounds than the tonelab. BUT with an A/B comparison, I still think the tonelab is still more lively sounding. But still, half the time, I omit the vox from the equation and just use the line6 for simplicity (I use a laptop and don't keep a designated station, so I'm always setting up in random rooms and breaking down when I'm done).

To use the tonelab, plug into the inputs of the toneport and in toneport software, make sure and turn off modeling. There is a bypass putton on the software.

gtroates · June 27th, 2008, 12:07 AM

Brian,
Thanks for the good information, it was helpful. I just need to wait a couple weeks to get enough money in my music budget to buy the UX2, I look forward to starting my recording projects then.

June 18th, 2008, 04:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
gtroates TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington (USA) Age: 43 Posts: 26	What works as an interface between Vox tonelab and iMac w/10.5? Hello, I just recently upgraded from an old purple iMac (running 8.6) to the latest version of the large screen desktop iMac running 10.5. I used to record into a digital four track (Boss BR-532) then dump the information and edit it using Roxio Titanium Toast CD burning software. Now I need help modernizing into hopefully recording straight into the computer using Garage Band. I have a Vox Tonelab desktop unit with pedalboard which makes sounds much better than the Boss did to my ears so I want to plug into it before plugging into an interface. What interface would allow me to use the two cords out to record in stereo from the Vox? As I am using the Vox for tones, I am not sure I need a device which has built in amp simulations like the Toneports do, do I? Also being new to garage band, is there an easy way to record a stereo signal? I like to use multi tap delaying sometimes and this works well in stereo. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me, any tips are appreciated. Brian __________________ Imitate, assimilate, innovate... (Clark Terry)

June 18th, 2008, 05:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
photoweborama Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 50 Posts: 1,431 15 Photos	I don't know if that model has a line in or any input at all. You can get an M-box, or something like that. If you want something cheap, but good enough to start with, get an IMic from Griffin. I'm using one right now to play my music back through my Mac, but I only have an older G4 PPC tower unit. __________________ Best guitar photos on the net! photoweborama.com!

June 18th, 2008, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
gtroates TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington (USA) Age: 43 Posts: 26	Just to clarify my computer's inputs: it has an audio mini plug input, three USB inputs, two firewire inputs, an ethernet plugin, and a video input. __________________ Imitate, assimilate, innovate... (Clark Terry)

June 18th, 2008, 07:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,114 37 Photos	you could definitely get a toneport with two inputs so that you can do the stereo thing... you don't have to use the amp and effects sims... you can use it just as a capture box... but, you may want to look at the presonus firebox. that would fit the bill as well. Stereo tracks are easy to record in GB. __________________ Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.

June 18th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
gtroates TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington (USA) Age: 43 Posts: 26	Thank you for your replies Getbent and Photowebarama, I'll look into these choices. Which toneport model would you recommend? (last question on this thread from me, I swear) __________________ Imitate, assimilate, innovate... (Clark Terry)

June 20th, 2008, 06:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
claudel Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Just Outside Area 51 Posts: 597 28 Photos	I use my Tonelab LE with an iMac/10.5.3. For audio I have a Apogee Duet, which was pricey but sounds incredibly good. For MIDI I have an old UNO which does the job of loading/sending patches without problems.

June 20th, 2008, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,114 37 Photos	The apogee is, well, the apogee of interfaces right now. it is the best... and most elegant. if you can afford it.... you bet! if you go the toneport path... pick the one (just read the descriptions...if you buy it at sweetwater call them and a real sales engineer will ask good questions and make a great suggestion) but pick the one that fits your recording needs. If you want to record in stereo, you probably want one with at least two interfaces! other than that... they're all pretty good. NOT as good as the apogee, but still perfectly good to make a great album. __________________ Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.

June 21st, 2008, 04:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
gtroates TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington (USA) Age: 43 Posts: 26	Thank you all for your answers, I have to save up some money now. I'm leaning towards the UX2 Toneport at $139. I like the two XLR inputs because I have plans to record my classical guitar duet album soon, and that means two microphones to get the balance correct. __________________ Imitate, assimilate, innovate... (Clark Terry)

June 26th, 2008, 01:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brian blaut Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California, USA Age: 34 Posts: 1,322	I have the toneport UX2 and I have a Mac and I have the tonelab and I use Garageband. The toneport works really really well. In fact, you might just want to leave it plugged in to your computer and use it for all your computer audio because mp3, ect will probably sound better though this than with the built in audio in your computer. Its definately the case with mine, but then again, mines a laptop. So if you have the room, plug in some good speakers to the toneport's output and keep it permanently in control. You'll love the Line6. when you get lazy, you can just use the line6 for playing around, as it has pretty good software and different models and sounds than the tonelab. BUT with an A/B comparison, I still think the tonelab is still more lively sounding. But still, half the time, I omit the vox from the equation and just use the line6 for simplicity (I use a laptop and don't keep a designated station, so I'm always setting up in random rooms and breaking down when I'm done). To use the tonelab, plug into the inputs of the toneport and in toneport software, make sure and turn off modeling. There is a bypass putton on the software.

June 27th, 2008, 12:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
gtroates TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington (USA) Age: 43 Posts: 26	Brian, Thanks for the good information, it was helpful. I just need to wait a couple weeks to get enough money in my music budget to buy the UX2, I look forward to starting my recording projects then. __________________ Imitate, assimilate, innovate... (Clark Terry)