Line+6+Technology

toc Emanating from Agora Hills, California, USA, the LINE 6 Company has contributed immensely to a digital revolution in the music industry since 1995.

What makes LINE 6 unique from other companies in the guitar amplification and effects-making is that it builds its brand value from being indistinct from their competitors. Meaning: the more they sound like something else, the better their products become. LINE 6 employees research the products of different guitar amplification companies like Marshall, Fender, Matchless, and Mesa Boogie with the goal to emulate or model their sounds and use those models within their products (see below for a complete list). Thousands of popular recording artists use LINE 6 products in the studio and live on stage (see below for a list).

The philosophy of this company is down to earth and practical: guitarists in general do not have thousands of dollars to spend on equipment; certain sounds and tones should be bundled up into a buy-once package that is affordable,

=Product History=

AxSys212
In 1996, LINE 6's first product, the [|AxSys 212] was a guitar amplifier that emulated the sounds of a dozen classic guitar amplifiers as well as a couple stomp boxes (sound effects pedals that modify the sound of a guitar).

POD 2.0
Their next release was the [|POD 2.0] in 1997, which modeled thirty-two amplifiers and sixteen stompboxes. The small kidney bean shaped device also functioned for portability (the linked jpeg is bigger than the actual product) and, most importantly, the POD brought great tone to the recording studio. Before the POD, most guitar amplifiers had to be turned up to ear-aching levels to get the right tone to record. With the software that the POD is built on, it simulates a tone and can adjust its dynamics to produce a fuller sound at the same volume. The POD also helped to eliminate complex a setup that usual stomp boxes and amplifiers create with regard to wires and plugs; the POD only needs an input (from a guitar) and output (to an amplifier, a recording input, or even a set of personal headphones), as well as a power source. What this essentially does for the everyday guitarist is she/he can now record at any time, and anywhere with a power source. For computer-based setups, The MIDI in and out jacks allow for POD integration with software recording programs, useful in automating POD effects in real time.



DM4, FM4, MM4, DL4 and ToneCore
In 2000, LINE 6 diversified their market. Not everyone like the idea of emulating the sound of classic guitar amplifiers; some even thought of this as blasphemy. So LINE 6 released a line of four effects pedals; [|the Distortion Modulator (DM4), the Filter Modulator (FM4), the Modulation Modeler (MM4) and the Delay Modeler (DL4)]. In addition to these versatile effects pedals, they released a line of effect-specific pedals called ToneCore. These products took the “trational route” off effects pedals in that each pedal performed one function – ie: adding distortion, adding chorus, adding delay, or adding pitch changes

Bass POD
Also in 2000, LINE 6 made everything easier for bassists, modeling classic bass amps and effects and giving bassist the giving same control over the sound of their basses that POD 2.0 users have.

POD 2.0 Pro
Encompassed all the capabilities of the original POD 2.0, but this one could be mounted on a live or studio rig and easily combined with other professional guitar hardware.

Flextone II Series Amplifiers
These amps were to update the technology LINE 6 had build upon since the release of the AxSys 212.

LINE 6 Edit
Now that POD and Bass POD users digitally controlled their sounds, POD users were puzzled as to what they were supposed to do with the USB jack in the back of their PODs. The answer: connect it your computer! Since these tones were digitally stored, LINE 6 Edit computer software can look into the memory banks of your POD and backup your tones on your personal computer. And since these tones are now on your computer, why not share them with other POD users? You can now e-mail others your tone creations and they can download those tones directly to their own PODs.

Vetta Series Amplifiers
Now that LINE 6 were number one in software modeling of guitar amps, they decided to increase the versatility of their software once again. With the Vetta Series amplifiers, users could now combine the sounds of classic guitar amplifiers with just one amplifier, a FIRST in the industry. Users can now have the sound of a Marshall JCM-800 and a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier at the same time, coming from the same amplifier.

Variax Guitar series, Variax 700 Guitar series, and Variax Bass series
In 2001, LINE 6 got into the guitar industry with [|Variax Guitars]. These guitars were backed with the same approach LINE 6 had on amplifiers; each Variax guitar is built on software technology that models 24 classic electric guitars. This means, with the same guitar, you can have the sounds of a Gibson Les Paul AND a Fender Telecaster without switching guitars. The soon to follow Variax 700 series modeled classic acoustic guitars. With the same idea, you can play a Gibson Hummingbird and a Takamine with the same instrument. The Variax Bass series, once again, improved the versatility of a bass player. And once again, these users could use one instrument to sound like a Fender Jazz Bass and an Ernie Ball Stingray, along with other classic bass guitar models. One thing that LINE 6 relearchers also included in these basses was the software modeling of a number of traditional up-right basses.

Virtual Capoing
The most dynamic software accomplishment of LINE 6 in their software for Variax and Variax 700 guitars was Virtual Capoing. With traditional guitars, guitarists use a device called a capo that clamps down on a guitar’s fret board to raise the pitch key of a guitar. Virtual Capoing is software built into Variax and Variax 700 guitars that can digitally modify the pitch of their guitar strings. This means, as you play on an open E tuning, the sound of the strings is processed through the Virtual Capoing software and the software alters the output sound of the guitar.

PODxt / PODxt Pro & Bass PODxt / Bass PODxt Pro
In 2004, to make the world of guitar amp modeling (even more) ridiculously borderless, the PODxt was the answer. (At this point the PODxt and the PODxt Pro were released at the same time.) PODxt comes with thirty-six amp models and twenty-eight effects models, and a whole lot of free hard drive space. At first, as a factory setting, the PODxt had sixteen banks of four memory spaces (64 spaces in total) for tone storage. But now, simply connecting the PODxt to your PC and logging on to LINE 6 Edit, a free upgrade expands your memory banks to thirty-two banks of four spaces (128 spaces in total). To further utilize the free hard drive space on the PODxt, LINE 6 no longer has to put out a new POD model that incorporates their researchers’ new amp models, they make them available as Add-ons on their website’s online store. (See CustomTone.com & the LINE 6 Online Store)

PODxt Live
Foot controllers are the way a guitarist switch from sound to sound, effect to effect in a live performance setting. The above products have been compatible with the LINE 6 Floorboard, the FBV, and FBV Shortboard (respectively), but you had to buy these foot controllers separately from the products. A LINE 6 Floorboard is compatible with Flexitone series amps and the POD 2.0 and now costs $300 CAD (the same price as a POD 2.0). LINE 6 FBVs and FBV Shortboards are compatible with Vetta series amps, Variax guitars and the PODxt series and costs $500 CAD (the same price as a PODxt). Released in 2005, the PODxt Live eliminates that extra cost for a foot controller, as it encompasses the array of features a PODxt / PODxt Pro has, but it comes in the form of a foot controller and is perfrect for both the live stage AND the studio. These PODxt Live foot controllers are also compatible with storing Vetta amp series tones.

CustomTone.com & the LINE 6 Online Store
These are sites on the internet that any PODxt user can utilize. By downloading the reasources on these sites, users utilize that extra hard drive space that is available to them on their PODxt consoles. At CustomTone.com users can preview (through an Mp3 sample) and download specific tones that LINE 6 users have uploaded to the server for FREE. Though these tones are un-editable when they are uploaded to a PODxt, this resource eliminates the countless hours that a user can spend fiddling around with their PODxt. At the LINE 6 Online Store, users can download add-on packages that array from newly researched amplifier models to newly researched effects models. These resources are modifiable tools a user can utilize to expand their tone variety.

=Other Guitar Equipment=

Spider & Spider II Guitar amp series
The Spider and Spider II series are targeted at guitar players who want to play straight forward loud rock'n'roll.

Vetta Series II Guitar amp series
The Two Amps at Once technology is broadened to encompass seventy different amplifier (for a complete list, [|click here]) tones and over a hundred guitar effect models (for a complete list, [|click here]).

HD147
The [|HD147] (__turn down the volume of your PC speakers before clicking this link__) is another LINE 6 rock amp and sits at 300 watts.

Other Foot Controllers
[|FBV Express] [|FBV2] [|FBV4]

=Other Guitar Hardware & Software=

GuitarPort
This divice acts as a mediator between any guitar and a computer. The plug-n-play feature simplifies the guitar recording phase, but it isn't ideal to play with live. The Software included with this device lets people fully utilize **GuitarPort.com** which features online lessons from famous guitarists in every musical genre.

TonePort
This plug-and-play divice combines with the GearBox software (included) is ideal for any type of recording process, whether it would be electric or acoustic guitar recordings, bass guitar recordings, and even vocal recordings.

GearBox
Is the software that enables a TonePort user to adjust/tweak and create the right tone for recording (for a video demonstration - [|click here]).

Variax Workbench
Variax Workbench is a VERY suffistocated program that creates unparalleled versatility to any guitar. The Workbench uses the same modeling software that is used in the Variax guitar series (duh...). This software almost cuts out the need for a good sounding guitar, because when a user is using this program, she/he can manipulate the sound of what they are playing. This software is highlighted by it's applied graphical interface. A user can select if he wants their guitar to sound like a solid-bodied rock-guitar, or a hollow-bodied jazz acoustic. A user can also pick which kind of guitar pick-ups they are 'using'; with the click of a mouse, you can change from a Semour Duncan Humbucker to a Gibson '57. The position and angle of these pick-ups are also at the user's discretion. A user can save all of these settings to their computer, and even to their own Variax guitar, and truely sound like ANYTHING....

=Products in Progress=

LowDown Bass Amp series

=Who uses LINE 6 Technology?=

This is a list of some of the most successful artists in the recoding industry who use LINE 6 products in the studio and on the stage:
 * Adam Levine, Jessie Carmichael and James Valentine (of Maroon 5)
 * Adam Nutter and Stuart Coleman (of the Music)
 * Adrian Belew
 * Ainjill Halber (of the Ferals)
 * Alex Linares (of Finch)
 * Andrew White and “Peanut” (of the Keiser Chiefs)
 * Andy Taylor (of Duran Duran)
 * Anne McCue
 * “Babydaddy” and Del Marquis (of the Scissor Sisters)
 * Ben Moody (formerly of Evanessence)
 * Bernard Butler (of the Tears)
 * Bernard Sumner
 * Bernie Chiaravalle
 * Bob Bradley
 * Bob Ezrin
 * Sarah McLachlan, Brian Minato, Vince Jones and Luke Doucet (of Sarah McLachlan’s band)
 * “Bumblefoot” (of Ron Thai’s band)
 * Carl Rydlund
 * Carlos Rios
 * Charlie Clouser
 * Chris Chaney
 * Christine Lakeland
 * Colin Edwin
 * Cory Churko
 * Cyrus Bolooki (from New Found Glory)
 * Dallas Austin
 * Damon Minchella (of Ocean Colour Scene)
 * Dan Andriano (of Alkaline Trio)
 * Dan Estrin (Hoobastank)
 * Dan Louis (of Mosquito-B)
 * Dashboard Confessional
 * Dave Catching (of Mondo Generator)
 * Davide Rossi (of Goldfrapp)
 * Donnie Mathis (of OutKast)
 * Ed O’Brian (of Radiohead)
 * “Elbow” (of Peter Turner’s band)
 * Eve Selis Band
 * Gabriel McNair and Tony Kanal (of No Doubt)
 * Garbage
 * Greg Lake (of Lake and Palmer’s band)
 * Hans van der Lubbe (of De Dijk)
 * Heath Saraceno (of Midtown)
 * Hutch Hutchinson (of Bonnie Raitt’s band)
 * “Idlewild” (of Gavin Fox’s band)
 * IHSAHN
 * James Genus and Lukas Gottwald (of the SNL band)
 * James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett (of Metallica)
 * Ron Harris (of Jamiroquai)
 * Jason Freese (of Green Day)
 * Jerry Donahue
 * Jerry McPherson
 * Jim Adkins and Tom Linton (of Jimmy Eat World)
 * John Ashton (of Psychadelic Furs)
 * John Kaye (of Steppenwolf)
 * John Wesley and Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree)
 * Jonah Matranga (of Onelinedrawing)
 * Justin Meldal-Johnsen
 * Kate Transue (of the Ferals)
 * Keane
 * Keith Golden (of Dido’s band)
 * Kenny Greenberg
 * Kern (of Destiny’s Child)
 * Khaliq Glover
 * Lacuna Coil
 * Lenny Kravitz
 * Lenny Mann (of Led Zepplica)
 * Lyle Workman
 * Marten Hagstrom (of Meshuggah)
 * Martin Motnik (of Motnik and Bissonette)
 * Matt Bellamy (of Muse)
 * Matt Rubano (of Taking Back Sunday)
 * Matthew Von Doran
 * Michael Chavez (of John Mayer’s band)
 * Mick Box (of Uriah Heep)
 * Mike Elizondo
 * Mike Scaccia (of Ministry)
 * “Mylo” (of Threlfall and Harley’s band)
 * “Natural” (of Usher’s band)
 * “Nono”
 * Padriac McMahon (of the Thrills)
 * Pete Anderson
 * Pete Hutlinger
 * Phil Sneed and Ryan Phillips (of Story of the Year)
 * Public Enemy
 * Richard Sanford (of Delta Goodrem’s band)
 * Rick Jackett (of Finger Eleven)
 * Robin Le Mesurier (of Rod Stewart’s band)
 * Roland Orzabal (of Tears for Fears)
 * Ron Gardner
 * Russ Russell
 * Scott Ford (of the Twilight Singers)
 * Senses Fail
 * Shaun Glass (of SOIL)
 * “Sin” (of Society 1)
 * Slipknot
 * “Spacey T” (of Fishbone)
 * “Spooky Ruben”
 * State Shirt
 * Stephen Carpenter (of Deftones)
 * Steve Bays (of Hot Hot Heat)
 * Steve Howe (of YES)
 * Steve Pedulla and Tim Payne (of Thursday)
 * Steve Walbroehl (of Into the Moat)
 * Stevie Locks
 * Taka Hirose (of Feeder)
 * The Edge (of U2)
 * Tim Foreman (of Switchfoot)
 * Todd Rundgren
 * Tom Capone (of Instruction Quicksand)
 * Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath)
 * Transworld
 * Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails)
 * VHS or Beta
 * Warren Fitzgerald (The Vandals)
 * Wayne Hussey (of the Mission)
 * Will-Dog Abers (of Ozomatli)
 * Will Lee
 * “X Factor” (of Journey South)
 * Xavier Padilla (of Gipsy Kings)

=Product List=

PODxt / PODxt Pro / PODxt Live
__Amp Models based on __Budda (1995-present) Fender Gretsch Hiwatt Marshall Matchless Mesa Boogie Roland Soldano Supro VOX
 * Twinmaster (1995)
 * Tweed Deluxe (1953)
 * Bassman (1958)
 * Tweed Champ (1961)
 * Deluxe Reverb (1964)
 * Twin Reverb (1965)
 * 6156 (1950s)
 * DR-103 (1967)
 * JTM-45 (1965)
 * Plexi Super Lead (1968)
 * JCM-800
 * JMP-1 Preamp
 * Chieftain
 * DC-30
 * Dual Rectifier (2001)
 * Mark IIc+
 * JC-120
 * SLO-100
 * S6616
 * AC 15 (1960)
 * AC 30

__Effects Models based on __A\DA Arbiter Music Electro-Harmonix Fender Ibanez Leslie Maestro Pro Co Tycobrahe Roland/Boss MXR Musitronics Uni-Vibe
 * Flanger
 * Fuzz Face (1966)
 * Big Muff
 * Memory Man Deluxe
 * Vibratone
 * Tub Screamer
 * 145
 * Echoplex/EP-1 (1963)
 * The Rat
 * Octavia
 * Compression Sustainer/CS-1
 * Chorus Ensemble
 * Delay/DM-2
 * Space Echo/RE-101
 * Dyna Comp
 * Phase 90
 * Mu-Tron III
 * CE-1

=External Links=

LINE 6 Official Site - [|www.line6.com]

CustomTone.com - [|www.customtone.com]

GuitarPort.com - [|www.guitarport.com]

=Works Cited=

Line 6 Official Site. __Company History: Line 6 - Modeling Pioneers__. Online at http://www.line6.com/company. Visited February 15th, 2006.*(and daily since then)

Line 6 Official Site. __Line 6 Artists__. Online at http://www.line6.com/artists. Visited February 15th, 2006.*

__Line 6__. Online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_6. Visited February 20th, 2006.

Line 6. __PODxt: Pilot's Handbook__. Available online at [|http://line6.com/data/l/c0a8090bee7f404fba9ec79f4/application/pdf/PODxt%20User%20Manual%20-%20Pre%20Version%202%20-%20English.pdf]. Visited Febrary 26th, 2006.

Images
Line 6 Logo - [|www.line6.com]

POD 2.0 picture - http://media.zzounds.com/media/brand,zzounds/POD2_0-0c42a57c6d7427f1ada3d442b9f6ad21.jpg