Line 6 Bass Floor Pod direct into computer?

mrjameskent · #1 01-11-2009, 09:14 AM

Hi,

Can anyone confirm if I would be able to use a Line 6 Bass Floor Pod to record direct into my computer, or would it need to go into a soundcard first, such as the Pod Studio GX or similar?

Although if I were to go via the Pod Studio GX I probably wouldn't need the Floor Pod, as I could use the Pod Farm software???

Thanks for bearing with such a noob question - am buying first bass setup so want to get it right.
James

wagstaff · #2 01-11-2009, 09:26 AM

I don't see why not. I do ti all the time with my Korg, you just have to make sure you turn the level down on the Pod so it doesn't clip.

larjo · #3 01-11-2009, 07:55 PM

You need some form of sound card or audio interface to get the sound into the computer. The Bass Floor Pod does not have a USB plug (or similar) that goes into the computer. But any sound card that has analog inputs should work (you most likely have one already installed), if you are using a consumer sound card make sure you do NOT use the mic-input. It is the line input you should be using and like wagstaff said: make sure your volumes are ok.

If you have a more recording oriented sound card you may have balanced inputs, in that case you could use balanced (TRS) cables to connect your Pod to your sound card (check this in the documentation just to make sure but I am pretty sure the outputs support balanced cables).

Have fun!

mrjameskent · #4 01-12-2009, 03:05 AM

Thanks Larjo - just checked and my M Audio Audiophile Firewire only has unbalanced RCA inputs (I bought it for DJing so was fine for the requirements).

Am thinking maybe get a Pod Studio GX to begin with and then add a Floor Pod later down the line when it comes to rehearsals and stuff.

Or is there a better alternative?

Thanks
J

Dave Muscato · #5 01-12-2009, 03:32 AM

The Line6 Bass POD xt Live can. You can plug it into your computer directly via USB and record that way. I've done it on many occasions.

mrjameskent · #6 01-12-2009, 04:51 AM

Thanks Dave, thats given me something to think about - little more than i wanted to spend but want to spend correctly so i don't have to do it again in a year or so!

noxweb · #7 01-12-2009, 04:56 AM

you can connect your floor pod into your computer with no problem (heck you can even connect the bass directly)

all you need is an adapter

you connect the jack that comes from either your bass or the floor pod into that adapter. After that you will have to connect the adapter+jack into your computer soundcard's Line-in plug, you will have to adjust the volumes of your speakers and the volumes on the computer settings so that you won't have neither distortion, or a loud sound coming from the stuff from your computer (like an error in windows, it will make a lot of noise if you don't lower down the volumes). and by this time you should be hearing your bass through your speakers.

After that you just need to download a program that records sound (Audacity for example, it's free), set it on the 'Line-in' input and press record and play.

mrjameskent · #8 01-12-2009, 05:13 AM

Hi noxweb, I thought I could do that, but my understanding is that the sound won't be that great. I already use Ableton so thats no problem.

Loads of research to do as the list is now looking pretty long!

larjo · #9 01-12-2009, 10:21 AM

You should try the sound card you have first before looking in to buying something new. It might not sound so bad and if you are not satisfied with the sound you have something to compare to when you buy something new.

Like Dave said you could look at the Bass Pod Live xt or the Bass Pod xt which have a lot more features than the Bass Floor Pod and you can connect it directly to your computer using USB without going through a sound card (no need for the Pod GX studio).

Plugging a Pod into the Pod GX Studio would mean extra A/D D/A conversions, it would be better for the sound quality if you could get a Pod that you can connect directly to your computer. Same conversions are necessary when you plug the Pod into analog inputs on your sound card. The Pod needs to do a D/A conversion and the sound card needs to do a A/D conversion. Each conversion adds artifacts to the sound.

stflbn · #10 01-12-2009, 10:24 AM

Pod direct into computer is fantastic for recording at home. And I believe all of them have USB on them. Or any that i've had all the way up to the Pod X3

Dave Muscato · #11 01-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Depending on what you want to record, you might check out the POD X3. It is basically a guitar POD xt Live and a Bass POD xt Live in one, plus it has stuff for vocalists... AND, you can use it for two inputs at once (bass + guitar, bass + vox, or guitar + vox).

mrjameskent · #12 01-13-2009, 03:52 AM

thanks to everyone thats given advice, I think I'll do as Larjo has suggested and try out my existing soundcard and see how that sounds.

Failing that I can then look at the XT - I completely get the issue of having a 'chain' of boxes creating artifacts.

I only want it to record bass - I have a USB mic already but thats purely for recording percussion.

man, this bass guitar journey is exhausting!