UX2 - Mike problems and I'm getting angry

[SarahAndreaRoyce]

First: Windows 10

I bought a pre owned UX2, after the driver install all the goodness was  there to be found and  I quickly found the Line-6 Audio Midi Devices tool to select the right input. Happily I connected my two condenser mikes (a Rode NT1a is my main) selected the 48v and  got some very loud  noice with no sign of an actual recorded signal. When I  put the  48v off I got no  signal at all.

Then I tried my M1 MacBook. Halleluja, I have  to  go deeper than ever to install the drivers... but the  problems remained the same there  (actually I could select in and outputs, but all was quiet)
Back  in Windows (my desktop and main machine) I did  a bit back and  forth with  the seller who advised me to install the original delivered software as well, which only let to disabled licence server frustrations. Not yet completely frustrated I tried the instrument in with a guitar and  that worked. Than I switched back and now the Mics worked as intended.
 

So I thought well user error someway along the way, but all is good now, so I enjoyed an evening of good microphone tone - and found all was back to hell after restarting the PC in the morning, again I did all kind of things and at one point it even worked again for a hot minute. But there is nothing reliable I can do to make it work. Also the problem seams  to extend  to the music input port, when I tried that the  day before it seamed to already work than. I also patched  the monkey to work without  licence as advised  here, tried  Pod Farm 2 to change inputs. And I cannot figure  out what makes it work, replugging doesn't work, if I deplug  the USB while the computer  is running I get a blue  screen of death,  if I only plug  it  in after  it is started and/or  the  Line-6 Audio Midi Devices tool is  running changes nothng.

Does anyone have  any idea? Does anyone even read this forum any more - as the latest poster seemed to  have a similar problem that stayed unanswered?

[silverhead]

Yes, people still actively try to help others in this forum on a daily basis. I’m sure your post will be read by many. Unfortunately your situation is difficult to help with. The problem is intermittent and the device is used. Do you know its history? Are you using the correct power supply? My suspicion is that the device itself is faulty, or the issue is very specific to your computer setup (driver conflict?), and so no amount of well intended help here will be very useful.

 

My best suggestion is to return and replace the device or get a refund if that is possible. Otherwise open a support ticket with Line 6. Follow the Support tab at the top of this page.

 

Meanwhile someone who has had your problem and found a reliable solution to it may answer here. Personally I don’t know where to begin. I’m only responding to let you know that many people will read your post, but you won’t likely get many helpful responders.

[SarahAndreaRoyce]

Thank you  Silverhead.

In the meantime I tested it with a completely different machine with Windows 10 and have the same random results. The power supply is over the usb cable (in both instances).
I'd say there could be a hardware reason - only there is one point that immensely speaks against it. If it works, it works exactly until the next reboot. The smell of driver problems lingers strongly, but the drivers are the newest ones. On both computers I get a blue screen of  death if I  disconnect the USB while the PC is running.

The history of the device is that it was bough more than a decade ago and extremely rarely used with a Core 2 Mac by the previous owner.
He did not know that the licencing  is no longer available, wich btw confused me even further as PodFarm 2 is still available for purchase - when the licencing is not  possible?

To say something positive: When it works I am very happy  with the audio quality. It just doesn't do me any good if it is always a gamble if it works today.

Regards, Sarah

[silverhead]

On 2/18/2025 at 5:10 AM, SarahAndreaRoyce said:

….

He did not know that the licencing  is no longer available, wich btw confused me even further as PodFarm 2 is still available for purchase - when the licencing is not  possible?

….

When the UX2 was introduced it included a license for the original POD Farm product. I believe this license would still apply to your UX2. You can still download and install Pod Farm; it will only run when the UX2 is connected- the hardware is the license.
 

When POD Farm 2 was released the original license did not extend to it; you still need to purchase PF2 separately if desired.

 

Unfortunately I can’t help with your actual problem. However I had a similar issue with a Line 6 M5 device some time ago. It had been sitting unused for a few years and when I tried to resurrect it I found that it would not start up properly most of the time. Being stubborn I kept trying. Like your UX2 the few times it did start up properly it worked properly. Over time it has gotten to the point that it starts up and works properly every time - it’s been a long time now since it has failed to start. I offer no explanation for that but perhaps you’ll be lucky - maybe it’s just gotten lazy and needs exercise!

 

[SarahAndreaRoyce]

Interesting. Probably corroded contacts. So I'll stay on it. I still think it is worth it, it is a really nice interface I'd love to use regularly.

[SarahAndreaRoyce]

About a Week is gone and low and behold, you, @silverhead were right  sharing your experience. I still don't know for certain the why, but I consequently kept using the X2, restarting again if needed and it starts to get more and more reliable. I also deactivate the 48V button and disconnect it before restart, only to  plug it in after Windows  booted and I'm logged in, and only activating the phantom voltage after a few seconds  to give the X2 some time to boot. May be an unnecessary voodoo ritual though, who can tell ;-)   

[silverhead]

Inexplicable but true! Maybe I haven’t gone crazy after all. Witches and gremlins…. Thanks for letting us know - might be useful for others in similar situations.