CALABASAS, CA. (Top 40 Charts/ Line 6, Inc.) - Line 6, Inc, the industry leader in amp-modeling technology, announced today the launch of
Micro Spider, the traveling guitarist's battery-powered best friend and a potent addition to the best-selling Spider III family of modeling amplifiers.
Micro Spider boasts intuitive functionality, total versatility and sensational tone. Featuring four Spider III amp models, a new acoustic guitar model, six Smart Control FX (with reverb, chorus, tap delay and more) and a precise chromatic tuner, Micro Spider offers attitude and flexibility unmatched by amps more than twice its size. Plus, weighing a mere seven pounds, Micro Spider retains a unique virtue: it's on hand whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.
Packed into this raucous little box is quite a bit of muscle: the sound of six C batteries pushing six watts of screaming electricity through a 6.5" speaker has never sounded so furious. Ideal for practicing with headphones and easy direct recording, Micro Spider features a POD 2.0-style direct output. Plus, with its microphone input and dedicated trim knob, Micro Spider is perfect for electric guitars, acoustic guitars and vocals. At home or at the beach, in the studio or in the back of the tour bus, Micro Spider offers world-class Line 6 tone on the go.
"Micro Spider is loud, fast and out-of-control," remarks Darrell Smith, Line 6 Product Line Manager. "The combination of flexibility, convenience and sheer Spider III ferocity makes Micro Spider as powerful as it is portable."
Micro Spider expected to ship in Spring 2008
MSRP: $199.99
Line 6 Announces ToneCore DSP Developer Kit
Line 6, Inc., the industry leader in digital modeling technology for guitarists, announces the ToneCore DSP Developer Kit, a programmable stomp box effects development platform that enables anyone with a PC and an interest in Digital Signal Processing to become a hardware effects developer and distributor.
For the first time, anyone with an interest in DSP software development can write, develop, test, and manufacture digital effects hardware without needing any hardware expertise or developing or tooling any electronics or enclosures. This is made possible by the combination of Line 6's ToneCore modular effects platform and Freescale Semiconductor's software development tools.
Line 6's existing ToneCore effects have achieved critical acclaim and are in use by countless musicians around the world. Thanks to its unique, patent-pending modular design, every ToneCore pedal can be transformed into any other effect by inserting a new ToneCore Module into the ToneCore Dock. The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit (TCDDK) provides everything a developer needs to create their own Modules that contain any effect that they create, and can then be used in any existing ToneCore pedal. No hardware development or expertise is required, since the ToneCore platform already provides all the hardware needed.
Included with the TCDDK is a new ToneCore Programmer Dock. This Dock contains all of the functionality of Line 6's existing ToneCore Stereo Dock, but adds a mini-USB connector that is used for programming and testing development using a PC. The TCDDK also includes a new ToneCore Programmable Module that can be programmed via a PC through the Programmer Dock to produce any effect that the developer creates for download. Since the Programmable Module is Flash memory based, it can be used over and over again while experimenting with different algorithms. Once the desired algorithm is complete, the ToneCore Programmer Dock can be used to program additional ToneCore Programmable Modules (available separately) that can be resold directly by the developer.
The ToneCore Developer platform makes use of two powerful Freescale Semiconductor devices. The Programmer Module contains a product from the Freescale JM family of USB microcontrollers, a versatile single chip solution that handles all of the DSP firmware storage and downloading, user interface (including A/D channels for the pots), Flash memory, and a USB port for downloading and debugging of software.
The ToneCore Programmer Dock (and every Dock and ToneCore pedal Line 6 has ever produced) contains a Freescale Symphony audio DSP56364 signal processor, a 100 MIPS, 24-bit device ideally suited for high performance, low power consumption products like ToneCore. This Symphony DSP provides more processing power than the solution in Line 6's original POD, making it powerful enough for a wide range of audio applications.
Thanks to Freescale's new Symphony Studio Development Tool, everything required to develop software with the TCDDK is available online. By using the extensible development platform Eclipse, Symphony Studio provides DSP users a fresh way to develop, debug and simulate through an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The software can be downloaded for free at https://www.freescale.com/symphonystudio.
In addition, the source code for a fully functional stereo 2-band state-variable filter is provided that demonstrates the complete functionality of the user interface and the audio processing. With this code, the developer can immediately start modifying the example to create their desired effect.
"The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit begins a new era in audio effects creation," says Marcus Ryle, senior vice president of research and development at Line 6. "Now anyone with a PC and the aptitude can aspire to develop the new effect that becomes a 'must have' sound for musicians."
The ToneCore DSP Developer Kit will be available directly from Line 6 in the Spring of 2008, and will sell for $199 (USD). Additional ToneCore Programmable Modules will also be available for direct purchase.
Line 6 Announces Spider Jam
Line 6, Inc. (https://www.line6.com), the industry leader in amp-modeling technology, announces Spider Jam, the new standard in jamming tools and a powerful addition to the Spider III family of modeling amplifiers. Packed with hundreds of artist-designed presets, Smart Control FX and the best band in the world, Spider Jam begins where other amplifiers end.
Boasting the revolutionary Endless Jam engine, Spider Jam features over 100 loops and drum grooves expertly recorded and impeccably performed by the A-list of Nashville and L.A. session aces. Guitarists can write, record or solo for hours with the musicians that helped lift Jimmy Page, Steve Vai, Ozzy Osbourne, Pete Townshend, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Shania Twain and countless more into music industry icons.
More than a jam buddy, songwriting tool and recording device, the 75-watt power section, 12" Celestion Custom speaker and 2" tweeter give Spider Jam a brawny, commanding tone. Small enough for the bedroom, loud enough for the stage, it bridges the gap between practice amp and battle-ready stage rig. Plus, with aux ins and Line 6 A.I.R. direct outs, Spider Jam is versatile enough for the most discriminating studio's gear list.
"Spider Jam is full of instant musical inspiration," says Marcus Ryle, senior vice president of research and development at Line 6. "Its combination of rhythm section chemistry, sound-on-sound loop recording and powerful rock star presets is totally unique and an absolute blast to play."
Spider Jam MSRP: $629.99
