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JeffTadashi « The recording interface that does it all! »
Published on 05/07/12 at 12:55The Line 6 Toneport KB37 is a usb recording interface that does it all! It features 37 midi keys with pitch and mod wheels, expression and footswitch controls, transport controls, mic inputs with phantom power, stereo line level inputs, guitar input with pad, headphone and main outs, and that's just the hardware. I use my KB37 for various recording, songwriting, and production projects, and with this piece of hardware, I can recording and work with pretty much any instrument except drums.
It also features great Line 6 software, with includes their signature guitar amp models, bass models, and vocal preamp models. Also included are guitar pedal effects and studio effects, and additional models can be purchased as well. Best of all, there is zero latency monitoring when using the models. which is perfect for recording guitar. Under normal recording circumstances with guitar amp emulation, there is a slight lag, which can definitely affect the recording performance on faster material, such as guitar solos.
UTILIZATION
Generally, Line 6 hardware is very easy to setup, and it especially works well on Windows systems, which isn't always the case when it comes to usb audio interfaces. Notably, I've always had driver problems with Tascam audio interfaces working with Windows, when it seems their main support is for Mac OS. But I've never had driver problems with Line 6 hardware.
Line 6 has their own update software (Monkey), which helps detect and properly register all Line 6 devices, authorize purchases, and download the newest drivers and software. It is very centralized, very well supported, and Line 6 puts out new software updates with new features on a regular basis. The KB37, specifically, is an older device that has been succeeded by the POD Studio KB37 (which, feature wise, is almost identical), but I would expect Line 6 to create new drivers if, for example, Windows 8 comes out.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, the Line 6 KB37 is one of the few pieces of musical hardware that I use every single day, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a smaller, personal studio setup. It is one of the most versatile usb audio interfaces I have ever owned, and I would easily pay double than what I paid for this hardware. It even sits perfectly on the middle of my desk, between my monitor and my computer keyboard. And with all the various equipment and computer changes that I've been through, the KB37 has never moved from it's spot on my desk.
It also features great Line 6 software, with includes their signature guitar amp models, bass models, and vocal preamp models. Also included are guitar pedal effects and studio effects, and additional models can be purchased as well. Best of all, there is zero latency monitoring when using the models. which is perfect for recording guitar. Under normal recording circumstances with guitar amp emulation, there is a slight lag, which can definitely affect the recording performance on faster material, such as guitar solos.
UTILIZATION
Generally, Line 6 hardware is very easy to setup, and it especially works well on Windows systems, which isn't always the case when it comes to usb audio interfaces. Notably, I've always had driver problems with Tascam audio interfaces working with Windows, when it seems their main support is for Mac OS. But I've never had driver problems with Line 6 hardware.
Line 6 has their own update software (Monkey), which helps detect and properly register all Line 6 devices, authorize purchases, and download the newest drivers and software. It is very centralized, very well supported, and Line 6 puts out new software updates with new features on a regular basis. The KB37, specifically, is an older device that has been succeeded by the POD Studio KB37 (which, feature wise, is almost identical), but I would expect Line 6 to create new drivers if, for example, Windows 8 comes out.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, the Line 6 KB37 is one of the few pieces of musical hardware that I use every single day, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a smaller, personal studio setup. It is one of the most versatile usb audio interfaces I have ever owned, and I would easily pay double than what I paid for this hardware. It even sits perfectly on the middle of my desk, between my monitor and my computer keyboard. And with all the various equipment and computer changes that I've been through, the KB37 has never moved from it's spot on my desk.