Line 6 KB37 v. Line 6 UX2

[brucefan12]

I am about to place an order for my MacBook Pro here in the coming weeks and am eager to start recording. I know I am in need of an interface and Line 6 has seemed to have caught my attention. I have heard nothing but awesome reviews about their products and that they are solid interfaces.

So, here in lies the question. First off, can people on the board vouch for Line 6 being good interfaces or can you suggest better. Secondly, as the title of the thread suggests. Which Line 6 interface is better? Also, the KB37 has the built in MIDI keyboard which is nice and therefore saving me from having to buy a keyboard down the line. Or should I stick with the UX2 and work on my guitar and vocals and purchase a MIDI keyboard seperately?

Thanks,

James

[Rolling Estonian]

I've had the UX2 for over a year and it does what I need. I use Podfarm mostly for headphone playing and practicing and laying down ideas and simple tracks. I really like it. Haven't tried the kb37 but it looks like the MIDI player would come in handy. At the very least to be less cumbersome than an additional keyboard.

M

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

I've had the UX2 for over a year and it does what I need. I use Podfarm mostly for headphone playing and practicing and laying down ideas and simple tracks. I really like it. Haven't tried the kb37 but it looks like the MIDI player would come in handy. At the very least to be less cumbersome than an additional keyboard.

M

Thanks glad to hear from someone that Line 6 is making decent gear! I agree the KB37 is the route I might take, the built in keyboard is a good thing to have escpecially when it comes to using garageband, as using the computer keys to run the MIDI sounds doesn't work that well for me, but I guess like everything it takes practice.

[WickedGTR]

I use/like the UX2...

Haven't used the KB version, but it looks interesting.... Seems it runs about $150 more- for that price you could get a bigger (more keys) MIDI kybd, if you wanted to have a separate unit, or a more portable interface....

[Ben Harmless]

I've got a UX1 and a separate MIDI controller. I've also got a MicroKorg that I like playing with through the various preamps and other models in the PodFarm software. The Vox organ preset sounds great with the Line 6 Big Muff emulation!

I also love softsynths. Love 'em.

I rarely get around to dragging out my 61-key controller. It's big and bulky. I've been thinking about getting a MIDI interface to use my MicroKorg to control the softsynths.

Take all this for what it's worth. I wouldn't mind having the controller on my desk all the time, but it would take up space.

Don't know what it all means, but it's how my setup is for me. I hope it helps.

[Rolling Estonian]

Originally Posted by WickedGTR

I use/like the UX2...

Haven't used the KB version, but it looks interesting.... Seems it runs about $150 more- for that price you could get a bigger (more keys) MIDI kybd, if you wanted to have a separate unit, or a more portable interface....

So it boils down to: Smaller interface with small or large keyboard. Or, One unit.

How much, if at all, will you need a full keyboard?

Personally, the kb makes sense if that's all you need. IMO, of course.

M

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

So it boils down to: Smaller interface with small or large keyboard. Or, One unit.

How much, if at all, will you need a full keyboard?

Personally, the kb makes sense if that's all you need. IMO, of course.

M

For my music, I am mainly a guitar player and singer/songwriter. So, in terms of having a full keyboard array, I am not sure if that is the way to go for me. I do know that I don't like running Garageband's MIDI through the Mac' s keyboard as I find it a pain. So, I do need some type of MIDI controller and the KB37 seemed nice because it has a 36 key, controller, I believe and I can still plug in guitar, mics, and record my core sounds through that. Is there any quality lost in guitar or vocal quality through the KB v. the UX2? I am not belieeving there is as it is the same inputs in both interfaces.

[Rolling Estonian]

Originally Posted by brucefan12

For my music, I am mainly a guitar player and singer/songwriter. So, in terms of having a full keyboard array, I am not sure if that is the way to go for me. I do know that I don't like running Garageband's MIDI through the Mac' s keyboard as I find it a pain. So, I do need some type of MIDI controller and the KB37 seemed nice because it has a 36 key, controller, I believe and I can still plug in guitar, mics, and record my core sounds through that. Is there any quality lost in guitar or vocal quality through the KB v. the UX2? I am not belieeving there is as it is the same inputs in both interfaces.

I haven't done a side by side, nor have I checked the specs. But I can't imagine the input/ouputs being any different. They look identical except for the keyboard.

So, go get one! I'm going to be interested in the review.

M

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

I haven't done a side by side, nor have I checked the specs. But I can't imagine the input/ouputs being any different. They look identical except for the keyboard.

So, go get one! I'm going to be interested in the review.

M

One last question for anyone out there, can a yamaha or roland keyboard 88-keys, be used as both regular keyboard and a MIDI controller? I only ask because I don't know if that is possible or if they exist. I have wanted to purchase a keyboard (full 88-keys) for a while now, I like the feel and playability of the Yamahas, and if this is possible to use with garageband as its MIDI controller, I would highly consider buying a standard Line 6 UX2 and then later on buying a full scale 88 key keyboard.

[Rolling Estonian]

There are tons of full keyboards that also do MIDI. I'm willing to bet Yamaha makes some nice ones.

M

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

There are tons of full keyboards that also do MIDI. I'm willing to bet Yamaha makes some nice ones.

M

So, in essence, as long as there is a MIDI output on the keyboard, it should be able to be used as a controller as well?

[WickedGTR]

Originally Posted by brucefan12

So, in essence, as long as there is a MIDI output on the keyboard, it should be able to be used as a controller as well?

Yes.

Keyboards that are sold as 'MIDI controllers' generally do not have built in sounds.

Any MIDI keyboard with built in sound sources can be used as a controller via the MIDI out port.

However, you may need a MIDI interface for your computer to get the MIDI data into the computer.

Most MIDI controllers nowadays have a USB out that connects directly to the computer, so they will not need a MIDI interface between the computer and the keyboard.

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by WickedGTR

Yes.

Keyboards that are sold as 'MIDI controllers' generally do not have built in sounds.

Any MIDI keyboard with built in sound sources can be used as a controller via the MIDI out port.

However, you may need a MIDI interface for your computer to get the MIDI data into the computer.

Most MIDI controllers nowadays have a USB out that connects directly to the computer, so they will not need a MIDI interface between the computer and the keyboard.

Thank you and with these keyboards being MIDI controllers as well, do you then have access to the sound sources on the keyboard as well as controlling the MIDI sounds in say garageband? Or is it just a strict controller to control the MIDI sounds garageband has to offer?

[WickedGTR]

Originally Posted by brucefan12

Thank you and with these keyboards being MIDI controllers as well, do you then have access to the sound sources on the keyboard as well as controlling the MIDI sounds in say garageband? Or is it just a strict controller to control the MIDI sounds garageband has to offer?

You have access to the sounds, but only as audio signals- you would have to record them as audio, through an audio interface.

The virtual instruments in garageband will record directly to tracks without an audio interface. (You can also purchase a wide array of other virtual instruments that will work with Garageband and other recording software).

Edited to add:

You can record MIDI tracks (MIDI data only) from the keyboard and have that data assigned to a MIDI out port on the computer/MIDI interface, and have it trigger the sounds on your MIDI keyboard 'live'.... that's how it was done in the era before virtual instruments.

But as some point you'll have to record the audio to get it into your mix.

It seems that 'virtual instruments' are the most popular (and easiest) way to record synths and samplers nowadays- the is a huge array of virtual instruments available now at a fraction of the cost of their hardware brethren.

Keyboards with built in sound sources are more widely used as 'live' instruments now... although it's not uncommon to see people using laptops with virtual instruments live now as well...

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by WickedGTR

You have access to the sounds, but only as audio signals- you would have to record them as audio, through an audio interface.

The virtual instruments in garageband will record directly to tracks without an audio interface. (You can also purchase a wide array of other virtual instruments that will work with Garageband and other recording software).

Edited to add:

You can record MIDI tracks (MIDI data only) from the keyboard and have that data assigned to a MIDI out port on the computer/MIDI interface, and have it trigger the sounds on your MIDI keyboard 'live'.... that's how it was done in the era before virtual instruments.

But as some point you'll have to record the audio to get it into your mix.

It seems that 'virtual instruments' are the most popular (and easiest) way to record synths and samplers nowadays- the is a huge array of virtual instruments available now at a fraction of the cost of their hardware brethren.

Keyboards with built in sound sources are more widely used as 'live' instruments now... although it's not uncommon to see people using laptops with virtual instruments live now as well...

Thank you for the explaining that. The main thing is that any keyboard with MIDI capability will be able to control the garageband sounds with ease. That is the key thing here for me. I was just curious about the other. Mainly I feel I will be just using the garageband's simulated instruments and with purchase some add on packs or something of that nature for more sounds if I need it.

[WickedGTR]

The main thing is that any keyboard with MIDI capability will be able to control the garageband sounds with ease.

With ease - but you may need a MIDI interface to get the MIDI data into the computer. Your computer doesn't have a MIDI in port. It's a little more complicated than a simple MIDI controller that you connect to the computer via USB.

Example of a simple MIDI interface.

Good Luck!

[brucefan12]

Thanks Wicked.

[Rolling Estonian]

One bit of advice. Don't put the cart in front of the horse. Take small steps, and focus on the simple first. It works for me. lol

A DAW and its abilities are phenomenal. IMO it's mastry requires a lifetime of knowledge, and you still learn every day. The bottom line is having fun, for me anyway.

M

[brucefan12]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

One bit of advice. Don't put the cart in front of the horse. Take small steps, and focus on the simple first. It works for me. lol

A DAW and its abilities are phenomenal. IMO it's mastry requires a lifetime of knowledge, and you still learn every day. The bottom line is having fun, for me anyway.

M

I agree, you have to have fun, but also, I know that I want to try and have my music to the people by a certain time, therefore, I have to have a certain edge to make sure I stay on track. Still, I will have a load of fun while using my mac and anything in my home studio.