Line 6 Sonic Port Channel Audio Interface

Happy with this purchase. 4.5 stars. If you wanted to skip to the chase, scroll down to the Summary at the bottom. UPDATE All volume issues are no longer an issue. Using Tonestack as my go-to sim, and the volume is more than adequate. Like most apps, Tonestack allows you to adjust input/output levels, but more importantly, if your clean boosts are giving you too much dirt, you can just add another amp and get your clean volume from that setup. Also, I have successfully used Sonic Port with a FiiO E7 for more boost, but in light of the above, it's just not necessary. ORIGINAL REVIEW These days, I'm pleasantly surprised when electronics work at all, let alone flawlessly. I guess that comes from years of Windows and Android machines. But I digress. This was truly plug and play with my Air 2. I have the first generation iRig and hate the thing. Could never get it to work consistently, and when it did, it sounded horribly. I mention this because if you have an old analog interface that connects via the device headphone jack, you can rest assured that the new digital audio interfaces are light years better. To be fair to iRig, there are new digital models like the HD, which are said to be excellent. Did a lot of thinking and research before choosing the Line 6. Although I would prefer a hardware-mounted volume pot as on the Apogee Jam 96k and discontinued Peavey Ampkit (don't recall the iRig HD so can't compare), I prefer connecting headphones to the interface instead of the iPad so I'm not tangled in wires. I also like the fact that the Sonic Port sits nice and stable on a flat surface (as opposed to a round design). and, of course, Sonic Port comes with Line 6 software. Once you plug in Sonic Port, the hardware automatically launches your App Store to download the bundled Mobile Pod software. I was very concerned about it drawing power from the iPad, but I'm completely satisfied with its performance after a full day of running it through the paces. Glad I didn't drop major coin on an expensive phantom power interface. It could use a bit more volume boost for cleans in some software like GarageBand--I'm having to dime the amp master volume and output pots of the sim software which isn't ideal for a warm jazz tone. I have needed my guitar volume at 10 (Duncan Hot Rod humbuckers) as well, which really makes it worse of course. Thinking of running a cheap headphone amp (like my Fiio E7) between the interface and my headphones so I can turn down the gain for better tone. Think I can use the line out for the headphone amp. Another slight downside is that Sonic Port is not compatible with wireless headphones. Not sure if any of the other are; but I would assume that interfaces without a headphone out jack wouldn't interfere with Bluetooth headsets. Dunno, but worth looking into if that's a critical factor for you. Gear: I've been running it the background with GarageBand or Mobile Pod whilst using Guitar Pro and Amazing Slow Downer. Plays nice with others. It works with other free sim software I've tried as well. The Lightening cable was longer than expected -- another pat on the back to Line 6. So this is my 4th Line 6 hardware purchase. Had 2 pods and a mini Pod. All work flawlessly. FWIW - I always use a right angle TRS adapter to protect my headphones and the device. Worthwhile investment. Anyway, I ran 2 very different types of headphones without a glitch. The first pair are IEMs with a mic. I was expecting issues but it worked just fine via the 1/8th" adapter. Also worked with my Grado SR 80is. Not a techie but thought impedance diff. Would have an impact, but no. SUMMARY: ---------------- POSITIVE: ----------------- - Well-made - Light weight and quite small - Flat sides for stability - 1/8" Headphone out - 1/4"' line out - Bundled with Line 6 Mobile Pod software (which FYI DOES run in the background) - Bundled with two adapters, one of which is Lightning cable - Clear sound for my needs. No discernible noise - Great price via-vis competition - Plug and play - Seems compatible with variety of headphones -- at least using an adapter - Plays nice with Apple Core Audio apps - Very low drain on iPad battery for jamming activities (haven't tried recording). ----------------- NEGATIVE: ----------------- - No hard volume or gain pot - Relies on device power and cannot simultaneously charge iPad - Could use a bit more amp boost for some dry cleans. Won't be an issue for most. - Not compatible w/ wireless headsets Advantages far outweigh negatives. If mine was stolen, I'd have ordered a new one the same day.

I just give 1star to let you know one big glitch. As many reviews say, this is a cool stuff to play with. The sound is the quality of pod family. Works nice. But you can not input your pod tone to GarageBand. When launch GB, your sonic port now only works as interface. You have to make your own sound again using GB virtual amps and stomps. At this moment, you don't have any option to record your mobile pod sound on your iDevices. This is a silly glitch.

This is the second gen of the line6 mobilepod/sonicport. It is a great product, I purchased it for line-in from my guitar and other sources to an iPad garageband. It works great with audiobus for the line6 effects and a good line-in, but if you are going DI from a guitar the volume may not get up there. I _WAS_ able to find a workaround and use the mobilePOD, but turned off all effects and head/cab modeling and was able to get a little bit more volume from it. Overall a great product and does exactly what I wanted for the price! Can't wait for their next gen of mobile recording/modeling.

There are nights when my wife watches her shows that I am absolutely not interested in. And on those nights I end up being bored reading or wasting time mindlessly browsing websites on the tablet. I'm not rich so I don't have a studio in my house so I unfortunately cannot practice playing the guitar when the boss is watching "Dancing With The Stars." This little gem has got to be one of the best purchases I have ever made. I hook this up to the iPad, plug in the guitar and headphones, open up MobilePOD, start some tunes and I get to jam along with my favourite songs as loud as I want. The Line 6 MobilePOD software is in no way even close to sounding as good as the Helix, but for a quick jam fix it does the job. After some amp and effect tweaks I have a pretty decent sound that will entertain me for the night and allow me to get my practice in. This unit works very well. Low noise and easy connections. It couldn't be simpler. There is 1 1/4 line in port for plugging in your guitar or other musical instrument. For output's you get both an 1/8 and 1/4 line out for connection to external amps or other devices. There is also an 1/8 out headphone jack. The unit uses the power port on an iPhone or iPad to connect and it comes with both the new Lighting connector cable and the old style power connector cable. I don't know how this unit and software sounds running it through an amp but I personally wouldn't use it in that way. I know that the sound and effects produced by this unit will in no way match the sound and power from my Helix board. But I am actually quite surprised at how good it does sound through the iPad and a set of headphones. You have the ability to use various software applications. Line 6 has the MobilePOD which sound pretty good but is limited on effects. Or you could use apps such as Jammit which I've personally never used, or ToneStack which I also use and is quite good. I have found that the ToneStack app doesn't sound quite as good as the MobilePOD app, but it makes up for it with an amazing amount of decent effects. Be warned though, all of these apps have in-app purchases to unlock additional amps and effects. So the cost could run up to be almost twice as much as the initial Line 6 Sonic Port purchase. MobilePOD is cheaper than ToneStack and does have an in-app purchase for additional amps and effects which I believe is approx. $20. ToneStack however has additional in-app purchases as much as almost $70! But that's for the whole kit and caboodle but it does give you a dizzying array of amps and effects.

Item was in poor condition

This little thing is serious stuff. I used it to get my ideas down with my iphone and it work like magic. Material is durable and cable seems strong as well. Never had even one problem with this, it even comes with app recommendations that let you play with mutliple amps and even work simultaneously with garage band. ( I really recommend using it with GB). Very easy to instal and overall just a lifesaver. If you're into having a very small music set, this is for you. You can make some real sounding stuff with this.

買おうと思ったら認識されないということで軒並み低評価になっていたので様子を見ていましたが、復活と聞いて早速注文。 iRig系でも良かったのですが、低ノイズと聞いてこちらを待ってました。 確かに低ノイズで、MobilePod,及びGarageBandでもほぼノイズレスで認識します（シールドはカナレ）。 ただSonicPort側のイヤホン端子に接続するとノイズが出ます。当方iPadに接続して使っていますが、iPad側のイヤホン端子につなぐと問題ないです。 遅延もなく宅録用途なら十二分、ライブなどで使うとしても十分使用に耐えうるものと思いますが、いかんせん付属のケーブルがよろしくない。 まず本体との接続がシビアで、適当にグリグリやっても刺さりません。 また抜くときも、ケーブル側の持ち手が本体に半分ほど埋まるため、抜きづらい上に硬いです。 おそらく本体より先にケーブルが死にますね・・・そしてケーブル単品での購入はできない・・・ ここが気になってますが、製品としては満足です。また何かあったら追記しようと思います。 とりあえずiOS端末とつなぎたいなら、コンパクトで安いですしおすすめです。

Ich betreibe den Sonic Port mit dem iPhone5 und den Apps von JamUp XT und BIAS. Ich bin hierbei einfach nur sprachlos. Was hierbei von meiner Gitarre (Line 6 Variax 500) rüberkommt, ist unglaublich. Die beide Apps sind nun herrlich integriert. Somit bietet BIAS die Verstärkersimulation, welche bis auf die verwendeten Rohren im Gerät konfiguriert werden kann !! In JamUp werden die Effektgeräte zugeordnet und eingestellt. Alles in absoluter Echtzeit, kein Signalversatz. Selbst mit dem kleinen Display des iPhone kann hier problemlos ein Sound entweder gebastelt oder vom Internet geladen werden. 3 Dinge braucht der Mann oder die Frau: Gitarre - Sonic Port und iPhone (mit Apps).

Me llego mucho antes de lo esperado, excelente calidad de sonido. Lo uso para tocar en vivo con el bais fx. Edito después de dos años de uso( lo sigo usando) pero se que no se funciona en Ios13, no he actualizado mi IPAD y no hay ninguna solución todavía de parte ni de apple ni Line 6. Si lo quieren, les recomiendo esperar , o comprar otro.