M-Audio BLack Box VS Line 6 Variax

cleanbluesky

cleanbluesky

cleanbluesky

Soldato
Joined
2 Nov 2004
Posts
24,654
I've just sold much of my recording gear on eBay and I'm looking to replace my toneport with one of the above. The reason I have chosen these two is because they can be controlled with knobs and buttons on the device rather than software only.

Line 6 Variax
Pros
WoNt be tethered to computer, can be used elsewhere.
Looks quick and idiot proof

Cons
May rely more heavily on presets than Black Box.
More expensive
Construction may be dubious
Last Line6 product I had used names for amps that were ambiguous, so guesswork/trial'n'error was involved

M-Audio Black Box
Pros
Cheaper
More versatility through buttons
Can use it with my quality guitars

Cons
Tethered to computer
May not SOUND as good
Getting hard to find
May not sound as good as Line 6
 
Why is the black box "tethered to the computer"? Ironically enough mine doesn't work through the USB, I record it through jack input into my M-Audio soundcard!

I love my black box, I can record lots of instruments through it (XLR & S-PDIF inputs) and it makes my Squier Strat sound passable for a decent guitar. (especially with a substandard player behind it too!)
 
You realise the Variax models different guitars(clean), not amps, so you'd need an amp/modeller too to play anything other than clean?

They're fairly different things.

Are you more satisfied with your guitar's sound than the sound of your amps? If so, get the black box. Or vice versa.


I'll throw in a V-Amp pro as an alternative to the Black box, if you don't need it to connect to the computer. It still has digital outs though if you feel the need to plug it in.

You're asking whether to get two different things, which satisfy different purposes, which makes it hard.
 
Last edited:
Something to keep in mind about the Variax is that it needs power; either from batteries [which also means you can plug it straight into an amp/inst-level input, like any other guitar, with a standard mono TS lead], or from its own mains-powered supply [in which case you'll need a stereo TRS lead to go between guitar and the external PSU - and always carry a spare stereo lead, 'cos no-one else will have one to lend in emergency situations!].

dmpoole will be able to answer this with some authority, but I'm guessing/hoping that Variax guitar battery life is much better than the Variax bass battery life [1-2 hours for a 9v; emergencies only!].

It's no biggy, it just means that the Variax isn't quite as immediate as a traditional passive electric. You're going to be tethered to something, whether it's a power supply or a Duracell warehouse.

Variax build quality? Again, I can only speak from experience of owning the bass, but it's a solid enough beastie. Hardware's not the best but there's nothing obviously cheap or insubstantial; nothing that detrimentally affects the instrument's playing.

Having said that, I have to confess that I've not gigged with it, so I don't know how it would stand up to the nightly grind. I have no reason to suspect it'd let me down, though. I have a hunch that most gripes about construction would have originated from the early days when they were at their most expensive, and the price tag led to inflated expectations.
 
Last edited:
simisker said:
S

dmpoole will be able to answer this with some authority, but I'm guessing/hoping that Variax guitar battery life is much better than the Variax bass battery life [1-2 hours for a 9v; emergencies only!].
Click to expand...

Never used batteries - in fact I didn't know you could :)

I was told the original Variax bass wasn't too good but the newer ones are a lot better.
Incidentally my bass player bought a Line 6 Lowdown the other month and I must admit I'm impressed.
 
dmpoole said:
Never used batteries - in fact I didn't know you could :)

I was told the original Variax bass wasn't too good but the newer ones are a lot better [...]
Click to expand...
Well well, live and learn: turns out I was doing the bass battery life a disservice too! Looks like both systems give 12-14 hours on 6 AAs with an emergency 1-2 hours on a 9v. Obviously not preferable to mains power, but it's a usable backup at least :)

CBS probably knows all this anyway. Me, I'm just pleased to be talking gear as it's something I don't do much of these days :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom