Ableton Live and Gearbox/TonePort DI/Gearbox PlugIn

[rlwilliams]

Greetings!

I know this is not specifically meant for Ableton Live, but since music hardware and software go hand in hand, I was wondering if anyone could help with a new setup I'm attempting. I just bought one of the Line6 Gearbox/TonePort DI/Gearbox Plug-In deals that are going for $99. I'm using Live 6, but I don't know how to set it up properly to use it within Ableton.

This is my setup:

Macintosh G4
Ableton Live 6
Digi002 Rack which is hooked up to the computer through firewire
Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO
Gearbox/TonePort DI/Gearbox Plug-In

In the past the mixer has been the hub for my microphone, keyboards, guitar and bass. These are all output from the mixer through the 3/4 buss to the Digi002 into channel 1 and 2. This setup has been a decent setup with relatively low latency and decent sound, considering my G4 is getting a little older.

I bought the Gearbox Gold bundle because of the Gearbox Plug-In, lots of guitar options, and it was a great price.

I'm writing here today to see if anyone can help me figure out where my hookup is going wrong. I have the TonePort DI which came with the Gearbox software hooked to the computer through USB. The D.I. Output from the back of the TonePort is going to Input 3 on the back of the Digi002. Analog Out 1 from the TonePort is going to a channel in my mixer to be able to monitor it with my headphones.

Whenever I attach a guitar to the input of the TonePort, everything is great. The guitar sounds super and the Gearbox works fine. This is before I open Ableton Live. Whenever I open Ableton Live and now play the guitar, it sounds horrible with clicks and pops.

I don't understand in Ableton, do I select the TonePort as my Input and Output, or my Digi002 as I've done in the past. When I select the TonePort, the clicks and pops are not as bad, shouldn't the selection still be my Digi002 the way I have it hooked up?

Another thing that is baffling me is I can record guitar into Ableton, but HOW DO I INCREASE THE GAIN for the guitar recording? All knobs in Gearbox are up to 10 and there is still not a good recording signal.

If anyone has a similar setup, or knows how this new dongle works with setting up to an already established sound input, I would greatly appreciate your words of wisdom. I don't want to use the TonePort as my main input, I just want to be able to use it to record the great guitar sounds.

If you need anymore information, let me know. In the meantime I'm going to try to work this out.

Thanks,

Ronnie