Line 6 GuitarPort RiffTracker

This Product lets you connect the guitar and amp to the computer, and get almost any sound. You can tweek that sound with virtual effects and virtual amps controls on the screen. Most products like this usual are limited when it comes to more heavy metal sounds, but this one delivers many crunchy and heavy sounds as well as many different clean sounds. Then you can record and mix tracks also you can import drum tracks or any other file you may have. The main thing that seperates this product from others is "it actually works" i have another product like this from m-audio, it never ever worked correctly. one hint install all software BEFORE you connect device!!!!

GuitarPort with RiffTracker is the ONLY way to go as a computer based guitar recording software...........I only wish they came out with this 20 years ago. RiffTracker/RiffWorks works seamlessly with GuitarPort and is such a pleasure to write and record with, I RARELY if ever use the other BIG named DAW's anymore.....and I've got /had them all.

RiffTracker is my jamming partner. At any given time when its up with a cool rythym or lead solo, all I have to do is plug it in (guitar, bass, or keys); select an instant drummer (more are available on line)and lock it down. I'll save it for later or continue to built on it. Plus, when I need to work on lead solos (new material or songs I have to practice); all I do is first record the rythyms, add some bass, wake up the instant drummer and JAM! If you are after the "quick thought and record it before I forget", then the Rifftracker is for you.

It's not easy to review this product since it's really (at least) three products bundled together. I'll do my best to make it clear which I'm talking about. #1 The Guitar Port hardware: This thing couldn't be simpler. Think of it as a "guitar to usb adapter." In reality, it acts as an external USB soundcard and input device. It functions well in this role and has relatively low latency on mid-range systems. It really is just a single 1/4" input with a big volume knob, and its operation is as simple as that suggests. #2 The Guitar Port software: The best way to describe this product is a visual interface to the PodXT/Vetta amp and effects models. If you're familiar with those products, you pretty much know what you're in for from a sonic standpoint. The digital models are, well... digital. They're very good digital models, though, and I think most people who are familiar with the limitations of digital modeling will be satisfied with the quality. The interface is very easy to navigate as most of the amps and effects look like their real-life counterparts. While you could choose to add packs of additional models (see my comments on "upselling" at the end), the ones you get "out of the box" are very versatile. #3 The "Riff Tracker" software: Having some familiarity with various recording software, I was at first a little frustrated with this product. It is a completely different approach to recording from what I was used to from the studio or traditional DAW recording. Once I understood it better, however, I really started to like it. As the name implies, you build songs by layering guitar, bass, and drum riffs on top of each other. Once you've recorded some of your song components, you can construct a song by dragging and dropping the riffs together. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like writing a song the way we used to do when the whole band wrote together - the drummer would lay down a groove, the bassist or guitarist would chime in, and we'd all just keep playing until the ideas became more solid. It's very cool to be able to do this on your own with the software. Once you've created your tune from the "building blocks," you can go back and add vocals, solos, etc. that span the entire song. Working with the drums fits this paradigm as well - you basically set the style for each riff and tell it how much to vary the beat and play fills, and it comes up with a beat. I know that doesn't sound like it would work, but it's pretty effective in action. Like I said, once I got my mind around how this thing works, I really started to enjoy it. UPSELLING ("selling the blades") - the rest of the products: One of the big shaving product companies (Gillette maybe) came up with this idea that they would sell razor handles at a loss because they knew they'd make their real money selling the blades to fit the razors. Both Line 6 (the Guitar Port folks) and Sonoma (the Riff Tracker people) have taken this concept to heart. Both products act as portals to various add-on products. Line 6 offers a subscription to Guitar Port Online which offers lessons, play-along tracks, setups that match popular songs, etc. They also offer model packs that add amps and effects to the core Guitar Port software. Sonoma offers drummer styles that fit different genres and rhythms. The good news is that all the add-on products I've tried (a small sampling) have been very high quality. The REALLY good news is that you can enjoy Guitar Port and Riff Tracker fully without adding any additional products - they're not "crippled" in any way. The bad news (if you want to call it that) is that you will probably WANT some of these add-ons (in my case, the additional drum styles!) This is just a warning that you may wind up spending a little more money down the road. The best thing about this package is that you can go from absolutely no computer guitar songwriting and recording solution to a complete set-up with one purchase of less than $200.

I own it and it is a great tool for recording. The options available with rifftracker are more than you would ever need to create that perfect demo. Guitarport is simple, plug-in and play... that's it. The tech support is always helpful whenever questions come up. What more can I say. I love this thing.

Very good price for a very good recording gear. Rifftracker makes recording easy. It has great sound. Extremely easy to install. It can also use your computer as a heavy duty amp and has many pedals and effects. Rifftracker has many drumtracks to play to. A great product!