The Watering Hole

Mine just got here via UPS. $99, ordered Monday, delivered today.  8-) I had forgotten how much fun it was to play with all of these amps and effects.  :D

How'd you get it for $99?  It looks like $169 on the line6 site.  I was thinking about getting it for $99 when it was on sale over the 4th of July, but I waffled and then I was away from my computer too long... and now I can't fathom spending $169 for it.  Was there a sale on Monday that I missed?

Got it here from MF. $99.99 and free shipping.

The — Aug 07, 2008Got it here from MF. $99.99 and free shipping.

Holy crap! $99 WITH the toneport?  I was looking at it for $99 (on sale) as just the plugin from Line6!

Yeah, it's a crazy deal. Placed the order as soon as I saw it.

The gearbox silver plug-in gets installed by default with the PodX3 drivers etc, although of course you have to purchase and activate it).

This seems to be a bit of a con to me, as the PODX3 has all the amp models including all the packs, but the plugin will not allow me to use them as it is the silver version of the plugin.

Anyone know how to get the gold "plug-in ONLY" as a download...I can't see if on the line6 site anywhere?

Jon

Jon — Aug 07, 2008The gearbox silver plug-in gets installed by default with the PodX3 drivers etc, although of course you have to purchase and activate it).

This seems to be a bit of a con to me, as the PODX3 has all the amp models including all the packs, but the plugin will not allow me to use them as it is the silver version of the plugin.

Anyone know how to get the gold "plug-in ONLY" as a download...I can't see if on the line6 site anywhere?

Jon

There are two separate products called the "Gearbox Plug-in". One is boxed and comes with the TonePort DI and comes in two flavors - Silver and Gold. That's what the Mexican dude is talking about. They're priced from $99 to $169, I think.

There is another thing called "Gearbox Plug-In" available straight from Line 6 that activates your POD X3 as the dongle for using Gearbox as a plugin in your recording software - that's the one you see on the update page. It's $99, I think.

You can always use Gearbox with the X3 on its own - buying the plug-in just makes it so you can use it as an effect in your DAW.

Buying that one gives you the complete list of effects, amps, cabs, etc. of whatever Line 6 unit you own in the plugin - so buying that and owning an X3 essentially gives you the Gold plugin, only better because I think you have two-amp capability (I could be mistaken on that as I haven't tried it myself).

That make sense?
Tripper

That certainly does make sense.  What doesn't make sense is the fact that Line6 wants $169 for the gold plug-in package, so I can use my existing Pod as a dongle, but Musician's Friend will give me the same plugin, WITH a USB audio card that has two outs AND a DI out, for $99.  That, my friend, makes no sense at all.  Who would buy the "Gearbox" Pod version in that scenario?  

BTW I ordered the one from MF last night... I've been wanting the plugins for a while, and that is just a SICK deal.

The thing that makes me hesitate is that the "Gearbox Plug-in" that gets installed by default with the X3 (I'm not talking about the standalone gearbox application, the VST also gets installed by default but needs activation (eg, purchase))  When I add this to a track in demo mode (although you don't get any sounds) it actually complains that the metal packs are not installed, even though they are within the X3.   I think I will wait until someone else purchases the plug-in for X3 before I go ahead and buy it as it is not clear at all on the line6 site, and the plugin that I tried today, says it only works with the standard 18 guitar amp models and complains if I try to select one from the X3 metal pack for instance.

Next week, Line6 is going to put the downloadable plugin on sale as well. Probably for much cheaper than the bundle with the DI.

It is a wicked good deal. 99 bucks for something that was $699 MSRP a short while ago--Sweet. I wrote about it some in the gear section after I got mine.

I had to activate some stuff in the Monkey app to get all the models working. Had me confoozed for a bit. Figured the install off the disc would have taken care of that. I just clicked on the Authorize Purchase button and everything activated OK.

Still haven't checked out all the presets yet.

charger — Aug 07, 2008That certainly does make sense.  What doesn't make sense is the fact that Line6 wants $169 for the gold plug-in package, so I can use my existing Pod as a dongle, but Musician's Friend will give me the same plugin, WITH a USB audio card that has two outs AND a DI out, for $99.  That, my friend, makes no sense at all.  Who would buy the "Gearbox" Pod version in that scenario?  

BTW I ordered the one from MF last night... I've been wanting the plugins for a while, and that is just a SICK deal.

The Gearbox Plug-in (the one that activates Gearbox with your existing POD/TonePort as a dongle) is $99:
http://www.line6.com/gearbox_plugin/download.html

It activates whatever model packs you own (metal, classic, fx, power pack, bass), and if you have an X3, everything works (theoretically - my plug-in is attached to my TonePort GX, which has all the model packs, so I don't really know).

If you don't already own a compatible Line 6 device, and even if you do, the MF deal (for the boxed version) is great - especially if you don't have all the model packs.

EDIT: I just bought one. For the hell of it. I figure I can have a portable setup, too...and it comes with everything. $99 is an awesome deal, and the DI is way better than the stupid TonePort GX and its piddly little 1/8" stereo output jack.

Tripper

are you sure that everything works with the X3, as there is no mention of the X3 on that link?

edit: actually I'm just about to buy it. If it doesn't work as expected I can return it under the 30 day money back etc.

I just purchased and activated the plug-in only.  Good news, it works with the X3 and ALL the model packs that should be there are useable via the plugin.

Another night of "have you finished messing about with that recording gear again" from the wife  ;D

Jon — Aug 08, 2008I just purchased and activated the plug-in only.  Good news, it works with the X3 and ALL the model packs that should be there are useable via the plugin.

Another night of "have you finished messing about with that recording gear again" from the wife  ;D

That's GREAT Jon! I was going to try it when I got home...now I don't have to.
Tripper

Tripper — Aug 08, 2008The Gearbox Plug-in (the one that activates Gearbox with your existing POD/TonePort as a dongle) is $99:
http://www.line6.com/gearbox_plugin/download.html

It activates whatever model packs you own (metal, classic, fx, power pack, bass), and if you have an X3, everything works (theoretically - my plug-in is attached to my TonePort GX, which has all the model packs, so I don't really know).

Yes, but if you don't own the model packs, you have to pay something like $99 extra to get them... then your plugin has all those sounds.  And the gold bundle itself as a downloadable plugin is $169.

I just returned the plug-in and got my money back.

Whilst it is very good, I have fallen into the "constant tweaking" trap, never happy with a sound etc, and so with the plug-in I will NEVER be happy with a sound...which I did not want to do.  I'm much happier in a tweak-free environment  ;D

Yeah - fuck that  ;)

C30 Rulez !!! :)

charger — Aug 08, 2008[quote author=Tripper link=1218065064/0#11 date=1218210115]The Gearbox Plug-in (the one that activates Gearbox with your existing POD/TonePort as a dongle) is $99:
http://www.line6.com/gearbox_plugin/download.html

It activates whatever model packs you own (metal, classic, fx, power pack, bass), and if you have an X3, everything works (theoretically - my plug-in is attached to my TonePort GX, which has all the model packs, so I don't really know).

Yes, but if you don't own the model packs, you have to pay something like $99 extra to get them... then your plugin has all those sounds.  And the gold bundle itself as a downloadable plugin is $169.


Sans DI...which is why this $99 Gold plugin bundle is such an amazing deal, because it's like getting a little TonePort, PLUS getting all the model packs (power, classic, metal, fx, bass) for just $99.

Considering that the model packs all together right now cost $150 (if you have a TonePort - they're strangely more expensive ($200 for everything) if you have a PODxt), plus the cost of your interface (a GX is what, $79?)...it is truly a really good deal.

Tripper

ok, I'm just catching up with all of this.  I was almost ready to sell my XT and by an X3 for the model packs and dual amp capabilities.  But, I own a Toneport UX1.  Would I be better off selling the XT for an X3, or getting this for $99 to use with my UX1?    :-/

DreamTheaterRules — Aug 11, 2008ok, I'm just catching up with all of this.  I was almost ready to sell my XT and by an X3 for the model packs and dual amp capabilities.  But, I own a Toneport UX1.  Would I be better off selling the XT for an X3, or getting this for $99 to use with my UX1?    :-/

Personally I would (and did) forget about the toneport and the plugin and just go for the X3.

Really depends on the use.  I've got a Pod XT, an original Pod, and something like 5 amps.  Do I need another Pod?  No, mine only gets used once ina  great while anyway, for late night jamming in front of the TV.  However, I've been wanting the Pod RTAS plugin for a while now... when we're working in Pro Tools, we very often track a DI track when we track guitars.  We use a Radial box that splits out a DI, and it sounds great (meaning it doesn't fuck up the tone of the guitar that is going to the amp... something the old Behringer DIs did).  We've been using the SansAmp plugin and a few other random plugins on guitar, but are never satisfied with the results.  So we have the option to run the DI out and reamp through an amp (we also have the Radial reamp box).  But what I always find myself wanting is the Pod XT tones and tweakability in a plugin.  And now I'll have it.  This is a "tied to the box" solution, though, and therefore really only a mix tool... well, I guess you could play and record through it too... but it's unnecessary in my situation.