DigiTech Drop

March 2015 Guitarist 135
QUICK TEST
MISCELLANEOUS
Line 6’s new Sonic Port VX is
designed to provide everything
you need for recording to an iOS
device or a Windows computer.
Not just a 16-bit/48kHz audio
interface with a guitar input, the
VX also incorporates both
stereo and mono condenser
mics with preamps, plus it
includes a mini-jack stereo
input. On top of that, you get
another stereo mini-jack for
headphones, plus left and right
jack outputs to connect to a
monitor system. The VX comes
with Lightning and USB
connector cables, is instantly
compatible with iOS devices
and Macs, and can work with
Windows machines if you
install the drivers. You also get
Line 6’s Mobile POD iOS app
for free.
In Use
The VX can either screw onto a
mic stand or camera tripod, or
can sit on your tabletop on its
own easily-angled stand. Simply
choose between guitar, stereo
mic or mono mic inputs, set the
gain with the knurled wheel
and you are away, maybe after
setting the direct monitor
switch for zero-latency
monitoring. The guitar input
has 120dB of dynamic range, so
translates your tone and playing
dynamics really well, the stereo
mic is cool for room recording –
such as gigs and practices –
while the mono mic is suited to
capturing vocals or close-
micing an acoustic guitar.
Verdict
Line 6’s Sonic Port VX covers all
of the bases, from connecting
GUITARIST RATING
Guitarist says: Practical and
portable do-it-all widget for
computer and iOS recording
Combined mic and guitar input device for iOS, Mac and Windows
CONTACT: Sound Technology PHONE: [phone] WEB: www.digitech.com
Line 6 Sonic Port VX £139
GUITARSIT RATING
Guitarist says: Pedalboard-
friendly dropped tunings to
extend your guitar’s range down
The Drop is a dedicated
polyphonic pitch-shifting pedal
that allows you to drop your
tuning from one semitone all
the way down to a full octave,
allowing instant dropped
tunings even in the middle of
a song. A spin-off from the
Whammy DT, the Drop is
compact and comes with its
own 9V DC power supply.
In Use
You set the dropped tuning with
a rotary knob that offers one to
seven semitones or a full octave,
with an extra setting that offers
one octave down plus dry sound
for an octaver effect. A toggle
switch lets you set the
footswitch so it operates either
in normal bypass function or as
a latching switch to introduce
the effect for as long as it is held
down. Tracking is flawless and
the pitch-shifted sound is
glitch-free, albeit losing a little
treble on the way. The
momentary switch is really cool
for either instantly adding an
extra bit of fretboard range or
toggling between two notes for
effect, although there can be a
little bit of footswitch noise.
Verdict
If you use down-tuned guitars
heavily, the Drop is probably no
substitute, but if you want to do
the odd song in a set drop-
tuned, with less hassle, it will do
the job admirably, whether
that’s just dropping down to D
or calling up A-tuned baritone
Instant dropped tuning
CONTACT: Sound Technology PHONE: [phone] WEB: www.digitech.com
DigiTech Drop £129
or bass. With the added octaver
function and those momentary
shifts, it’s a very practical tool
that’s reasonably priced for the
functionality it offers. [TC]
In Use
The VX can either screw onto a
mic stand or camera tripod, or
can sit on your tabletop on its
own easily-angled stand. Simply
choose between guitar, stereo
mic or mono mic inputs, set the
has 120dB of dynamic range, so
translates your tone and playing
dynamics really well, the stereo
mic is cool for room recording –
such as gigs and practices –
while the mono mic is suited to
capturing vocals or close-
Combined mic and guitar input device for iOS, Mac and Windows
01462 480000
WEB
:
www.digitech.com
Line 6 Sonic Port VX
£139
your guitar to amp sims,
through to recording. Easily
portable and bus-powered, it
will let you play or record
wherever your laptop or
iPad is. [TC]
ht t p://bit.ly/
guitarist391
VIDEO DEMO
GIT391.rev_quick.indd 135 21/01/2015 17:49