Line 6

The Line 6 logo.

The PODxt guitar effects unit.

Line 6, founded in 1996 and based in Agoura Hills, California, is a manufacturer of digital modelling electric guitars, amplifiers and effects processors.

The company underwent a rapid expansion in the early 2000s due to the success of their POD branded product, which imitates the sound of various classic and modern guitar amplifiers, effects pedals, amplifier cabinets and some microphones, with a good deal of accuracy. The PODxt Live product is a recent development, and extends the features of the original POD with more simulations and effects in a pedalboard package.

Line 6 currently has several other product lines in production:

Their current flagship amplifier is the Vetta II, which can model two amplifiers at once, plus multiple effects and effects chains, both pre and post amplification. The unit is software upgradable, so as new amplifier and effects models become available they can be added to the device. The Vetta I can be upgraded to a Vetta II with a software upgrade and the addition of a hardware interface. This interface provides a digital signal path for the Line 6 Variax brand of guitars. The interface takes the form of a standard RJ45 connector, which provides not only the signal path, but power to the Variax as well.

Line 6 has an active user community, and provides software that allows users to easily download and share patches or device settings. This software covers all of Line 6's existing flagship products.

Their products are used and endorsed by artists such as James Hetfield of Metallica, Matthew Bellamy of Muse, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and The Edge of U2.

Line 6 Products

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AxSys - The original flagship instrument amplifier from Line 6. Released in 1996 in the form of a 2x12 combo powered by 100 Watts. It featured many different types of amp models that appeared original, as well as common effects such as tremolo, chorus, distortion, reverb, and delay. The amp could be controlled using an external Line 6 floorboard (either FB or FB4) or MIDI controller. In addition, the amp also shipped with inputs to control expression pedal settings.

AX2 - An updated version of the original AxSys, was released in 1997. The new amp featured upgrades in tone and a larger amount of amp models. Owners of the original AxSys could upgrade to the new version.

Constrictor is a stompbox from the Tonecore series of effect pedals. This pedal models compressors used in the 60s 70s and 80s, using a switch on the pedal labeled Compressor Dynamics. 2 knobs control features on the compressor. The Sustain knob controls how long is notes are extended, which also evens out quiter volumes and louder volumes. The level knob controls the maximum output level of the compressor. In addition, this stompbox also features a noise gate, controlled by the coresponding knob.

Variax is a line of electric guitars developed and marketed by Line 6. The first series of Variax guitars can accurately model around 25 different types of guitars, including Gibsons, Fenders, Rickenbackers and a banjo, an electric sitar, and about ten acoustic models. Another model was later introduced specializing in modeling acoustic instruments ranging from guitars to instruments from non-Western cultures. A series of modeling bass guitars followed.

Variax Workbench is a software application that can interface a home computer with a Variax guitar to create new types of virtual guitar, allowing the user to change the body type, neck, the type, number of and position of pickups and even allows specifying alternate tunings.

Pod 2.0 is an effects processor with 32 amp models and an array effects such as delay, chorus, reverb, flanger, etc.

Pod XT (Live) (Pro) is the updated version of the Pod 2.0, with an LCD screen, and deeper editing of parameters. It comes in both the "kidney bean" shaped version, the "live" version and rack-mountable Pro version. The Live version includes a floorboard and expression pedal.

Toneport UX1 and UX2 are recording and modelling interfaces, giving the user access to tones available from the PODxt and Bass PODxt and more, for vocals guitar or bass, on a home computer. Comes with recording software, so the user can dial in their own sound, or use a preset tone with the software to create quality recordings that can be manipulated using the software.

Spider II is a line of guitar amplifiers improving on the original spider I model. The spider II does not use valved or chipped amplifiers, instead using a hybrid not found in any other amplifier. Having built in effects, the smaller models (15-30watt) are favourable by learners, where as the larger, more powerful units (including a cabinet 250W amp) are used by musicians such as U2's The Edge and Muse's Matt Bellamy

This is not all of the products line 6 offers! The DL4 delay stompbox, for example, is a popular item which features include a variety of stereo delay effects, a loop sampler, and 3 footswitchable memory settings.

External links

[Line 6]
[Variax guitars]
[Audio interview with Line 6 founder Marcus Ryle]
[Line 6 Variax History] by Jim Miller

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