Line 6 TonePort UX1 : JeffTadashi's user review

Line 6's Toneport UX-1 is one of the first USB-audio interfaces that the company has created, and one of the first to use their brand new Gearbox software. For inputs, it had a single XLR mic preamp input with trim knob, a single 1/4 inch instrument input, two 1/4 inch stereo line inputs, and a 1/4 inch stereo monitor input. For outputs, it had an S/PDIF stereo output (RCA type), 1/4 inch balanced line outputs (controlled by the master volume knob), and a 1/4 inch stereo headphone output. The box was compact, but a fully-functional usb-audio interface, and it comes with Line 6's Gearbox software, which includes multiple guitar and bass amps, vocal preamps, compressors, effects, and much much more. It's what you would expect form Line 6.

One of the unique features of the UX-1 (and other Line 6 audio interfaces) is the use of direct monitoring of the wet, processed guitar signal. Normally, monitoring an input signal requires the signal to pass through the computer software, which usually results in a lag or delay from anywhere to 10ms to a couple seconds. When playing guitar and hearing the sound right back, even the smallest lag (as small as 30ms) can be noticeable, and it can effect your playing, when doing serious recordings. However, with the Line 6 interface, the monitoring of the wet, processed guitar signal is instantaneous, and it does not use significant cpu usage either. This is perfect for recording guitar, as you can use this software and hardware with even mediocre and slow computers, with high latencies.

The Line 6 UX-1 is very simple to set up. You need to register the hardware and software through Line 6's website, but there are no serial keys, challenge/response, or any other protections necessary. You just need to have the hardware plugged in, the software recognizes it, and it automatically activates everything. Very convenient!

Overall, the UX-1 is a wonderful product, and it can be used as an introductory usb-audio interface for many guitarists, who are looking to get into the recording world.