BackTrack is like TiVo, 'cept for guitars
(Credit:
Line 6)
Ever been noodling around on your guitar, stumble on some great hook and rush to record it, only to completely forget what you played? Line 6's new BackTrack device records while you play, so if inspiration takes hold you're able to create an instant replay.
So how's the BackTrack different than say, anything else that records audio? Basically, it is its simplicity that might make this a winner. You plug your guitar into the quarter-inch input and start playing. It automatically starts recording, and should inspiration take hold, you hit the "Mark" button and it stamps the selection as a keeper so you can review it later.
The 24-bit, 48KHz audio is stored to 1GB of internal memory as .WAV files (roughly 12 hours of audio) and can be transferred by USB to a computer. The internal battery--good for more than eight hours--is recharged by USB, too.
Another version of the device--BackTrack + Mic--adds (wait for it) a microphone with automatic gain control, letting you capture vocals or other musicians. It also has double the memory capacity.
The BackTrack and BackTrack + Mic are available now and cost $139.99 and $209.99, respectively.
Josh Goldman is a senior editor for CNET Reviews, covering digital cameras, camcorders, and related bits and pieces, along with writing the occasional laptop or software review. He doesn't have a podcast, newsletter, or CNET TV show, but you can follow him on Twitter if that's something you do. E-mail Josh. 
