So what is it? Basically it's a USB soundcard in a snazzy red case, with phono outputs, a headphone output, a line-in and most importantly - an input for an electric guitar (or microphone or whatever). That's not the clever bit - the clever stuff is the bundled software that processes the guitar input and makes it sound like I'm playing through a giant marshall stack with a grand's worth of effects pedals at my feet.
Really, for the money it is excellent - umpteen different amps modelled, a bunch of stomp boxes, a noisegate, a metronome and a tuner all united on a sweet computer interface that you control with just your mouse. For me with wife and tiny baby, being able to get a good sound without cranking up an amp is really cool. Headphones are fine - and if I want I can stick it through my stereo too.
Anyone considering purchasing one may have some questions like I did, about what else you need to run it an such. Well, because it's a soundcard in its own right all you really need is:
- Computer with Win98-ME-2000-XP (I use a 1.8MHz laptop with 1Gb of RAM)
- Guitarport Sound Engine software (included)
- USB cable to GuitarPort (included)
- GuitarPort (obviously :)
- Electric guitar cable
- Electric guitar
- Headphones (they plug into the GuitarPort, not the computer)
That's the super-slimline basic requirements. Other than that you could run a cable from the line-out of your computer (if you have one) to the line-in of the GuitarPort; That would let you mix the computer's sound output with the modelled sound output of your guitar. Another groovy thing about it being a soundcard is that you can select it as an input in some recording software (e.g. the excellent and free Audacity) and record your rocking new sound.
Good job, Line6!
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