The send on release is so the switches can be multi function. Quick press and release does one thing, long press does another. In use that’s say long press to change the preset in between songs, and short press to turn on and off say a boost pedal within that preset. It depends how you set it up. I really don’t get the issue, with normal pedals, do you press them and leave your foot on them or something? They are called stomp boxes for a reason, just kick it and get on playing! The millisecond difference between it working on press or release makes no difference in a live situation, and if you’er so good at timing when using a looper, I’d imagine you’d naturally compensate for the difference.
I play guitar for a living, have for 30 years. This is not a problem for a well-trained guitarist. The product works as it SHOULD so that the switches can be multi-function. There are many well-received products that work this same way and MANY pro players use the Xtone live with flawless results. You have a paradigm in your head that you can’t let go off. YOUR timing is the issue, not the product. I will now buy an Xtone so thanks for the review.
Thanks a lot foe this review. I was looking to buy the Xtone Pro as you can get it for under 160 bucks currently. For me, this was kind of a postive review. I can get around that Switch issue. Apart from that, looks like the Xtone fullfills most of your requirements for a audio/midi interface and I see not many alternatives out there. Even powering of the ipad is possible with the camera adapter they provide in the box, where you can connect another usb. One cable only running into your rig, whether is a 9V on the interface or a usb into the adapter, I think it makes not much difference. I don't want to build a pedal board, as you did. I like to have one box only. I think that you only focused on the one think that you did not like thou. What about the latency of the audio interface, how was your experience there? And you implied that the issue is that they bought cheap switches. Is the issue on the switches hardware or in the software? I can solder, so, if I buy good switches, am I ending up with the perfect device? Thanks!
I held off for 2 years in buying this device. I saw it on TH-cam being demonstrated by a freaking hot guitarist along with recommendation. I was really excited about this price of hardware. It’s like….I’m going to ditch my D/A & now get 2 functions for the 1 box-plus all the other mind blowing features that come with it.Wow! So eventually I racked up enough cash to go ORDER one of these things. Just 3 days ago. I went back to that channel all excited just to listen to that great vid again after 2 years. I go to the comments while listening, to catch up on the great comments! Well OMG! One comment immediately got my attention…. and my heart bloody well sank. I didn’t expect that. I’d just ordered this from their site! 😤😅 Are you freaking well kidding me?? 😲 Not Happy! Anyway I ended up here on this channel to listened to this AWESOME presentation. Thank you so much Sir. I really appreciate that. And I immediately cancelled my order! What gets me is how they continue to sell this product!! This is shameful.
Have you tried to use both the left and right inputs? I'm trying to use it for a synth and stereo. I was able to plug an XLR mic into the second input and it was fine.. but when I plug a quarter inch into the second jack there's no signal.. if I turn the gain up I hear white noise...
Phase is 180 degrees off at 1k? Are you sure? What other hardware have you analyzed? Was that input 1 or 2? Headphone out? What about the Scarlett solo or something of the sort?
I am not a specialist on the bugs side, so can't comment on that side, but why huge accent on the iPad/iPhone usage? I am looking into buying XTone Pro to use with my macbook for all usages you are describing here (except the beach :D ). Practice, experiment, record etc. I am a complete noob, but I can't find what is wrong with this approach?
Great review!, I just knew about your video because someone else mentioned to me, I also had all these issues you mentioned and end up selling my Xtone Pro, they're useless and Elroy C. Hu (the Xsonic customer "support") was really unpolite and didn't care about what I found too and he censored me on their facebook forums for exposing my findings... To add to all what you mentioned on the MIDI switches (which that alone makes it unusable) the Xtone "Pro" has also other serious issues: 1: On their continuos control MIDI they skip data in order to have a smaller memory buffer (Elroy C Hu confirmed it and said this was "by design and no intention on changing it") so instead of sending 0-127 like all MIDI controllers should do it sends in chunks of 8: (0-7-15-23-31... etc.) so if you assign this to a fine control like volume you'll have a "step-skip" effect that make it sound horrible and not smooth at all, this happens with all expression pedals, it's not the pedal or polarity, it's the way they handle the data to cope with their limited DSP 2: The frequency response has a phase shift of 180 degrees at 1kHz, anyone can verify this by running pink noise through it and using an audio analyzer like SMAART or similar, this is a MAJOR issue as the tone of your instrument is changed and you'll have phase issues on your frequency response 3: All their inputs have a (hidden) fixed limiter and HFP, I guess this is also to cope with limited DSP, I found this also by running the same audio analyzer and found that it was limiting peaks and also cutting below 70Hz 4: The XLR outs are 180 degrees polarity inverted from their 1/4" jack and headphone outs, this is also easily verifiable by running an audio analyzer through it, so, with this issue if someone is monitoring with XLR and headphones or 1/4" outs at the same time they will experience a horrible phase shift on top of what the unit is already applying to the signal because of the issue I mentioned on point 2 I'm currently using for my iPad a cheap but very solid alternative: the Behringer UMC204HD as audio interface and their big but reliable FCB1010 MIDI controller that still to this date is the best cheap MIDI controller out there, I want to get a Morningstar MC8 but they're out of stock because of the chip shortage worldwide, they're also more expensive but from what I've seen the Morningstar are the best MIDI controllers if money is not an issue Thanks and hopefully my findings can also help other users to AVOID the Xsonic products!
Thanks for the review. loved the approach and the unbiased opinion. One small suggestion for you with future content: eliminate the word “um.” It becomes a distraction with repetition. I found myself rewinding several times because i couldnt concentrate on the quality information you were sharing. There are exercises on youtube to help break this habit. It can have a huge impact on how you present yourself and how others perceive you. I say this with the best of intentions.
I don’t know. If I’m about to make a change of some sort, I’d rather engage the foot switch before I have to make the change and then all I have to do is release the foot switch when I’m ready for the change. Seems easier than having to engage the switch while making the change simultaneously.
Yo Bro, I think you missed my use case. It's a lot more humble than your three. Let's therefore call it "Use Case Zero". I'm sure there are many retirees like me who finally have the time to explore this passion, and are doing pretty good during the pandemic learning the basics of guitar. I can play most chords now (including barre), and I'm gradually learning lots of famous riffs. I can see myself getting better and better at a fast rate. It's been a blast. I probably can play around 300 songs from the 1960-2000's (badly compared to a professional), but still have a lifetime of learning ahead of me with not enough time. I'm now starting to venture into learning how well my playing sounds with the right guitar, the right amp, and the right effects rig. Many times I can achieve this all with my cheap Fender Mustang Micro Amp. Sometimes I find that I'm spot on with my playing, while other times I learn that to produce the "right sound" means that I have to adjust in same way (e.g. settings, strum/picking pattern, effects, tone, etc.). I wish the Mustang Micro would save my presets! Therefore, my use case is to have the ability to play like the recording to a reasonable degree. Having a portable rig like an iPad, Bias FX, headphones (no real amp) and an interface may allow me accomplish my use case. I don't even need a foot pedal (midi controller). It's possible down the road I may want to record tracks, but more to critique myself in a one-off manner. Based on my use case, what's the ideal rig? Which interface is "good enough". I think my only interface concern is possible latency of something like iRig as an interface. I'm also concerned about how much of a rabbit hole it will be to establish good FX presets for my song list. I find it very time consuming to learn the chain of amps and effects necessary to produce the sound. I've learned sadly that there is no website that lays out the rig used for all famous songs, because musicians are notorious fot not sharing this information. Having a portable rig like an iPad, Bias FX, headphones (no real amp many times) and an interface of some sort might have me accomplish my use case that I can't do with the Mustang Micro. It's possible down the road I may want to record tracks, but more to critique myself in a one-off manner.I have a Zoom recorder, and I'd be interested in incorporating that some way.
Thanks so much. I´ve been looking for this kind of info for good amount of time
The send on release is so the switches can be multi function. Quick press and release does one thing, long press does another. In use that’s say long press to change the preset in between songs, and short press to turn on and off say a boost pedal within that preset. It depends how you set it up. I really don’t get the issue, with normal pedals, do you press them and leave your foot on them or something? They are called stomp boxes for a reason, just kick it and get on playing! The millisecond difference between it working on press or release makes no difference in a live situation, and if you’er so good at timing when using a looper, I’d imagine you’d naturally compensate for the difference.
I play guitar for a living, have for 30 years. This is not a problem for a well-trained guitarist. The product works as it SHOULD so that the switches can be multi-function. There are many well-received products that work this same way and MANY pro players use the Xtone live with flawless results. You have a paradigm in your head that you can’t let go off. YOUR timing is the issue, not the product. I will now buy an Xtone so thanks for the review.
Thanks a lot foe this review. I was looking to buy the Xtone Pro as you can get it for under 160 bucks currently. For me, this was kind of a postive review. I can get around that Switch issue. Apart from that, looks like the Xtone fullfills most of your requirements for a audio/midi interface and I see not many alternatives out there. Even powering of the ipad is possible with the camera adapter they provide in the box, where you can connect another usb. One cable only running into your rig, whether is a 9V on the interface or a usb into the adapter, I think it makes not much difference. I don't want to build a pedal board, as you did. I like to have one box only.
I think that you only focused on the one think that you did not like thou.
What about the latency of the audio interface, how was your experience there?
And you implied that the issue is that they bought cheap switches. Is the issue on the switches hardware or in the software? I can solder, so, if I buy good switches, am I ending up with the perfect device?
Thanks!
Thx for the useful info
Thanks for the info!!
Thank You! 🙏
I held off for 2 years in buying this device. I saw it on TH-cam being demonstrated by a freaking hot guitarist along with recommendation. I was really excited about this price of hardware. It’s like….I’m going to ditch my D/A & now get 2 functions for the 1 box-plus all the other mind blowing features that come with it.Wow! So eventually I racked up enough cash to go ORDER one of these things. Just 3 days ago. I went back to that channel all excited just to listen to that great vid again after 2 years. I go to the comments while listening, to catch up on the great comments! Well OMG! One comment immediately got my attention…. and my heart bloody well sank. I didn’t expect that. I’d just ordered this from their site! 😤😅 Are you freaking well kidding me?? 😲 Not Happy! Anyway I ended up here on this channel to listened to this AWESOME presentation. Thank you so much Sir. I really appreciate that. And I immediately cancelled my order! What gets me is how they continue to sell this product!! This is shameful.
Thank you
Have you tried to use both the left and right inputs? I'm trying to use it for a synth and stereo. I was able to plug an XLR mic into the second input and it was fine.. but when I plug a quarter inch into the second jack there's no signal.. if I turn the gain up I hear white noise...
Logic pro is on now iPad
I wonder how do you think/feel about it?
Phase is 180 degrees off at 1k? Are you sure? What other hardware have you analyzed? Was that input 1 or 2? Headphone out? What about the Scarlett solo or something of the sort?
Cool! 😅 Did you ever see the episode of Southpark where Cartman buys the Fair Ground Park type thing....you'd love it, have a look..
I am not a specialist on the bugs side, so can't comment on that side, but why huge accent on the iPad/iPhone usage? I am looking into buying XTone Pro to use with my macbook for all usages you are describing here (except the beach :D ). Practice, experiment, record etc. I am a complete noob, but I can't find what is wrong with this approach?
Great review!, I just knew about your video because someone else mentioned to me, I also had all these issues you mentioned and end up selling my Xtone Pro, they're useless and Elroy C. Hu (the Xsonic customer "support") was really unpolite and didn't care about what I found too and he censored me on their facebook forums for exposing my findings...
To add to all what you mentioned on the MIDI switches (which that alone makes it unusable) the Xtone "Pro" has also other serious issues:
1: On their continuos control MIDI they skip data in order to have a smaller memory buffer (Elroy C Hu confirmed it and said this was "by design and no intention on changing it") so instead of sending 0-127 like all MIDI controllers should do it sends in chunks of 8: (0-7-15-23-31... etc.) so if you assign this to a fine control like volume you'll have a "step-skip" effect that make it sound horrible and not smooth at all, this happens with all expression pedals, it's not the pedal or polarity, it's the way they handle the data to cope with their limited DSP
2: The frequency response has a phase shift of 180 degrees at 1kHz, anyone can verify this by running pink noise through it and using an audio analyzer like SMAART or similar, this is a MAJOR issue as the tone of your instrument is changed and you'll have phase issues on your frequency response
3: All their inputs have a (hidden) fixed limiter and HFP, I guess this is also to cope with limited DSP, I found this also by running the same audio analyzer and found that it was limiting peaks and also cutting below 70Hz
4: The XLR outs are 180 degrees polarity inverted from their 1/4" jack and headphone outs, this is also easily verifiable by running an audio analyzer through it, so, with this issue if someone is monitoring with XLR and headphones or 1/4" outs at the same time they will experience a horrible phase shift on top of what the unit is already applying to the signal because of the issue I mentioned on point 2
I'm currently using for my iPad a cheap but very solid alternative: the Behringer UMC204HD as audio interface and their big but reliable FCB1010 MIDI controller that still to this date is the best cheap MIDI controller out there, I want to get a Morningstar MC8 but they're out of stock because of the chip shortage worldwide, they're also more expensive but from what I've seen the Morningstar are the best MIDI controllers if money is not an issue
Thanks and hopefully my findings can also help other users to AVOID the Xsonic products!
You are like Heisenberg😊
Thanks for the review. loved the approach and the unbiased opinion. One small suggestion for you with future content: eliminate the word “um.” It becomes a distraction with repetition. I found myself rewinding several times because i couldnt concentrate on the quality information you were sharing. There are exercises on youtube to help break this habit. It can have a huge impact on how you present yourself and how others perceive you.
I say this with the best of intentions.
i can assure you that preset switching is a little dodgy no matter what youre using.
I don’t know. If I’m about to make a change of some sort, I’d rather engage the foot switch before I have to make the change and then all I have to do is release the foot switch when I’m ready for the change. Seems easier than having to engage the switch while making the change simultaneously.
Yes, certainly some people use 'on release' for MIDI. In fact - the Xtone has an audio latency issue, which adds to the reasons NOT to get it.
Yo Bro,
I think you missed my use case. It's a lot more humble than your three. Let's therefore call it "Use Case Zero".
I'm sure there are many retirees like me who finally have the time to explore this passion, and are doing pretty good during the pandemic learning the basics of guitar. I can play most chords now (including barre), and I'm gradually learning lots of famous riffs. I can see myself getting better and better at a fast rate. It's been a blast. I probably can play around 300 songs from the 1960-2000's (badly compared to a professional), but still have a lifetime of learning ahead of me with not enough time.
I'm now starting to venture into learning how well my playing sounds with the right guitar, the right amp, and the right effects rig. Many times I can achieve this all with my cheap Fender Mustang Micro Amp. Sometimes I find that I'm spot on with my playing, while other times I learn that to produce the "right sound" means that I have to adjust in same way (e.g. settings, strum/picking pattern, effects, tone, etc.). I wish the Mustang Micro would save my presets!
Therefore, my use case is to have the ability to play like the recording to a reasonable degree. Having a portable rig like an iPad, Bias FX, headphones (no real amp) and an interface may allow me accomplish my use case. I don't even need a foot pedal (midi controller). It's possible down the road I may want to record tracks, but more to critique myself in a one-off manner.
Based on my use case, what's the ideal rig? Which interface is "good enough". I think my only interface concern is possible latency of something like iRig as an interface. I'm also concerned about how much of a rabbit hole it will be to establish good FX presets for my song list. I find it very time consuming to learn the chain of amps and effects necessary to produce the sound. I've learned sadly that there is no website that lays out the rig used for all famous songs, because musicians are notorious fot not sharing this information. Having a portable rig like an iPad, Bias FX, headphones (no real amp many times) and an interface of some sort might have me accomplish my use case that I can't do with the Mustang Micro. It's possible down the road I may want to record tracks, but more to critique myself in a one-off manner.I have a Zoom recorder, and I'd be interested in incorporating that some way.