Here is the issue - When you use a guitar for the input to the BackTrack (a -10db input) the BackTrack creates a digital file. When you put that digital file into your computer - using Garageband, iTunes, Quicktime or whatever - the volume is too low to be usuable for anything..including just playing it back.

 

I disagree here. I just recorded a riff on to the BacKTrack, Marked it, and dragged the WAV file onto an audio track into Ableton Live. Completely dry, the wav files measured about -11dB. This is right in the range you want to be (-12 to -10)      for a dry track considering most dry tracks will be re-amped later on with plug ins, outboard gear etc. See pic:

 

The only way to get the volume level up is to put the instrument through an amp and take the line out of the amp to the BackTrack which you are correct about "Your Line Out is most likely Line level so it would be feeding the BackTrack a +4dB signal. The input on the BT expects an instrument level which is -10dB. It will work but you need to mind the level your feeding the BT from the Roland as to not clip the input on the BT." Most amps use the headphone output for the line out so you can no longer hear the amp. You then have to put headphones in the output of the BT to hear what you are doing.

 

In order adjust the volume,  you have to record something, download it to the computer, see if the level is correct, and then record it again if its wrong. This defeats the whole idea of using the BackTrack for a spontanious recording.

 

Again, I disagree. That's one way to do it but not the only way. Most recording applications offer ways to boost your WAV file levels if you want to. See pics before and after.

Before:

After:

 

The guitar input signal (-10db) is often too low to trigger the auto-record function even when you set the auto-capture to "soft". If you do get it to work it will cut out if you play softly or hesitate at all while playing.  When you record using an amp as the input the autorecord function works better.

 

There is no control in the BackTrack Utility for raising the volume of the input - there are only the controls for the auto-record sensitivity "soft" "medium" 'loud" but this has nothing to do with the volume of the recording.

 

Well, not my guitar here. I'm using a 100 dollar Carlo Robelli beater that we abuse here in the office. The guitar is loaded with three strat style single coil pups. I had my BackTrack set to 'Soft" and it picked up my signal fine, even when I played dynamically loud and very soft. No problems.

There is no control in the BackTrack Utility for raising the volume of the input - there are only the controls for the auto-record sensitivity "soft" "medium" 'loud" but this has nothing to do with the volume of the recording.

 

A lot of people on this thread seem to be having problems with this.  I have used Strats, LPs, Gretschs, Danelectros, Godins, Ibanez, and put the guitar volumes to the max and nothing will make a usuable sound level on a BT .wav file.

 

This is true and possibly something we can improve in the future. I'd suggest submitting a feature request for this.

http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback/?topic_id=3

The manual for the BT says very emphatically:

Make copies of the files on your computer to build up a library of inspiration, burn them to CD, convert them to MP3 to share them with your fans and collaborators. You can play them in your favorite audio software, and even load them into your recording software as a foundation for fuller recording of your ideas.

 

No where does it tell you that the volume of the files created from your guitar are useless for any of these activities. And no where does it tell you how to work with that situation.

 

Our manuals would never call out a function being "useless" but I understand if you weren't sure off the bat how to adjust audio files etc. Perhaps this is something we can consider in future manual revisions.

The only other way to raise the volume of these files is with something like "Audacity", a free audio software package that has an "amplify" effect.

 

But all of these work arounds for raising the volume of guitar generated files - amp out to BT, Audacity, etc defeats the whole idea of using the BT for spontanious recording - and basically makes the BT promotion quite fraudulent.

 

I have to ask: Have you ever actually used a guitar with a BT and tried to use the files  on  a computer?

If you want/need to raise the levels of the WAV viles captured then yes, you are correct, you'd need to route some other outboard gear in line with your guitar and BT or use software to adjust levels. However, as I've stated earlier in my post, the ideal range for a dry signal into a recording app is -12 to -10 which the BT caprtures quite nicely.

Yes, I have used the BT and captured wav files and used them in recording apps. I love it. I think this thing is spectacular.

Line6Miller

There is no control in the BackTrack Utility for raising the volume of the input - there are only the controls for the auto-record sensitivity "soft" "medium" 'loud" but this has nothing to do with the volume of the recording.

That's probalby the root cause of the issue that I experience. When I strum very hard on my Takamine EG530SSC it wil start recording, but as soon as i take it easier or play fingerpicking on my guitar it just stops. Will there be a solution for this on short term? Or is it better to bring it back to the seller?