Hi guys

I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these. I know there are better individual effects and processors, but I'm lazy and tired of schlepping gear.

Looking at the specs, I can't figure out how you run a stereo input into the unit. You use the 'guitar' 1/4" of course, but then what? Do you have to use the XLR to get into the parallel effects chain? If so, do you need to match impedence or get an adapter/buffer or something? There's an 'aux input' beside the XLR, but it gets no mention in the text specs.

I have a feeling that the answer is glaringly obvious. Sorry in advance.

Thanks for your time,

Kev

Hi Kev!

There is indeed an 1/4" Aux input on the back. I plug the melody side through the guitar input and the bass side through the aux input. I have the ACTV-2 pickup and I can't say I notice any impedence problems using the Aux input. The levels seem fairly balanced.
You have to designate which inputs are used for Tone 1 and Tone 2 on each patch, so you can configure the routing any way you like. I don't use the amp modeling a lot, quality sounding effects, reverb, etc, and it sure is great to just have one piece of gear to haul around.
Bonus.. using the Line 6 Gearbox program I can leave the unit on the ground, tweak patches like a madman on my laptop and never have to bend over! Things like bending over, how much things weigh are probably more important to me than they should be..
Hope this helps..
Dave

I think stick users of this unit would use the aux input.

Hi Kev - I don't have the X3 Live but I had a few extra minutes this morning to search out your answer. If you don't already have the manual get the Advanced Manual here:

http://line6.com/support/manuals/?families=1&submit=Submit&1st=1st

Go to page 3-8 for the section on connections. In the diagram on the upper left you'll see the number "4" for inputs. Press that to set up your inputs. Now you have
an input setup page (Chapter 6). That 'Aux' input is mentioned there on page 6-1. This should get you started. In that section you then choose to route the two signals to wherever you like.

Sean Stirling

Thanks, guys - looks like I'm not (quite) as dense as I thought. I think I'll grab me one - my music store has a 30 day return policy, no questions asked, so now that I know the basics are in place there's no real reason I shouldn't try it.

My problem is, I know exactly what sound I want, but I don't necessarily know how to get it.

Much appreciated,

Kev

Kev said:

My problem is, I know exactly what sound I want, but I don't necessarily know how to get it.



That's the fun part - you'll end up finding several sounds
Sean Stirling

I use the X3Live for my stick. Bass is plugged into the guitar input and the melody side in the aux input.
As mentioned before, you can route the inputs any way you want to the signal lines (tone1, tone2).
Also, configuring it for stage use is well done. 2 xlr's for the inhouse soundsystem and 2 1/4" jacks for your own rig. Both output sets can be configured to produce different signals (xls's with full amp simulation and jacks without it) in order to match the gear.
And yes, Gearbox is a very easy to use program to tweak preset, save, load, backup, restore etc.
And, also, the X3 acts as a license key for pod farm, so you can use the podfarm plugin in your recording software

All in all, I think it offers very good quality for the money.

WARNING: if you are using a Mac with Snow Leopard, there's some issues when connecting line6 gear (not just the x3), please check the line6 site for that (there are some beta drivers that don't cause kernal panics). I am using Leopard and then all is fine.

Cheers,
Bas.

I was highly skeptical of this unit (or any of the all-in-ones out there), but I can't imagine performing/recording without it. The array of possibilities are nearly endless. The reverb modellers put nearly all hardware verbs I've used to shame.

It's the most versatile of the Line6 floor units as well; with full MIDI in/out, and a USB connection for the Gearbox software.

I love using Ableton Live to send program change messages, and modulating any FX settings that I want to. Filter sweeps via Ableton dummy clips FTW! lol.

Has anyone had a play with the X3 Pro? It all looks great in theory, but being in Australia, none of the retailers have them in stock yet, and the kicker is that they want A$1999 for them locally. Ludicrous when i can buy from a dealer in the US directly for US$699 (currently the equivalent of A$810 in our dollars plus shipping!)

Regards,
Sam

Hey Sam.
Frankly I just don't see the benefits of the X3 Pro over the X3 Live. You get a couple more input/output options, but that's about it. And the comparison chart at Line6 is wrong: The X3 Live does indeed have XLR outs, but the comparison chart doesn't list them. If there were more FX/modelling options then maybe....