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NAMM 2013: Line 6 Expands Functionality of DT-series Amps and POD® HD-series Multi-effects with Free Firmware Updates
DT-series amps and POD HD-series multi-effects now offer guitarists more tones, features and flexibility than ever before
ANAHEIM, Calif.—January 24, 2012—Line 6, Inc. (NAMM room 212A), is pleased to announce the availability of two firmware updates that dramatically increase the functionality of DT-series amps and POD® HD-series multi-effect processors. These free updates feature new HD tones, more configuration options and unprecedented flexibility.
V2.0 Firmware for DT-series amps
Co-designed by Line 6 and tube-amp guru Reinhold Bogner, DT-series amplifiers combine reconfigurable analog topologies with Line 6 technology to provide boutique feel and sonic versatility. Firmware v2.0 introduces the following features:
- 30 HD preamps (increased from 4) give guitarists the ability to create unique amp tones by pairing any preamp with any combination of dynamic topologies—including negative feedback loop, operating class, power tube mode, and more—within Reinhold Bogner’s reconfigurable tube power amp
- Musicians can load a DT amp with up to eight unique voicings (four on channel A, plus four on channel B), providing a wide array of tones for performance and recording
- Each voicing can be configured with a choice of 12 reverbs, all of which feature unique parameter settings
- Reverb spillover allows the reverb to finish its decay when switching between Channel A and Channel B
- Each amp model can have its own unique 12AX7 boost setting*
NAMM 2013: Line 6 Expands StageSource Family: L2t & L2m Loudspeakers
Line 6 Expands the StageSource Family with New L2m and L2t Loudspeakers for Musicians on the Go
Exceptional sound, unparalleled DSP power, modular architecture and easy digital networking make the new loudspeakers as powerful as they are portable
ANAHEIM, Calif.—January 24, 2012—Line 6, Inc. (NAMM room 212A) today announced the new StageSource™ L2m and L2t loudspeakers, expanding the StageSource family with models designed for even greater flexibility and portability. With unmatched sound, unparalleled DSP power, modular architecture and proprietary L6 LINK™ digital networking, the new StageSource L2m and StageSource L2t loudspeakers deliver more than any other loudspeaker for musicians.
“StageSource L2-series loudspeakers are designed to deliver great sound from solo performances in coffee shops to full-on rock shows,” said Max Gutnik, Vice President of Product Management, Line 6. “We took the same unsurpassed sound quality, powerful DSP, feedback suppression and digital networking technology as our award-winning StageSource L3 series, and placed it within an even more portable form factor. As a result, StageSource L2 provides more than any other powered loudspeaker in its class—and delivers unparalleled power, ease and flexibility when combined with StageScape M20d as part of the Line 6 live sound ecosystem.”
NAMM 2013: Marshall Slash SL-5C First Photos + Specs
Marshall Amplification is pleased to announce the launch of the new SL-5C Slash Signature Amplifier.
The SL-5C is an all valve 5 watt amplifier incorporating various features, but above all else that distinctive Slash tone.
Working closely with Slash after the success of the AFD100, it was deemed appropriate to make a more accessible amplifier that is ideal for home or studio use. The SL-5C has two channels; Clean and Overdrive. A single volume control for the clean takes you from authentic Slash clean to Marshall crunch. The Overdrive channel, consisting of volume and gain, nails the AFD style tone and more. Both of the channels have obviously been approved by Slash himself. A master EQ section of Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence is included, as well as high quality custom voiced digital reverb. On top of providing 5 Watts of valve power, the SL-5C can also be switched to just 1 Watt at any time giving you perfect Slash tone at bedroom volume. The amp also has high and low sensitivity inputs.
At the heart of the amp are three ECC83 preamp valves and a single EL34 valve for its power stage. Slash’s favourite Celestion ‘Vintage 30’ 12” speaker brings the amplifier to life.
Specs
Power: 5 watts or 1 watt
Type: Combo
Channels: 2 Custom Voiced footswitchable Channels – Clean & Overdrive (footswitch included)
Controls: Green/Red Channel Status LED’s, Full EQ section, Presence Control, Digital Reverb (footswitchable), High/Low Sensitivity Inputs
Power Tubes: 1 x EL34
Preamp Tubes: 3 – ECC83
Speaker: Celestion Vintage 30 Speaker
Power Output: Dual Output – 5 watts or 1 watt
Speaker Outputs: 8 & 16 ohm
Front panel includes Slash signature
Notes: Expected to ship May 1st 2013
Confirmed: Marshall Slash SL-5 (aka AFD5 combo) will be released at Winter NAMM 2013
News just in! Slash (@Slash) tweeted the following on 21st Jan 2013:
“I won’t be able to attend myself, but the new Marshall AFD 5w Combo will be making its debut appearance at NAMM this weekend. iiii]; )’”
Shortly followed up by none other than Paul Marshall (@PaulM1962)
“@Slash absolutely true, the all new @MarshallAmpsUK AFD 5W combo can be seen @NAMM on the Marshall stand, super cool combo”
Note: The photo above IS NOT the AFD5 (also called the SL-5). The photo above is of a custom 5 watt combo that Marshall made for Slash a while back, but is not the same amp as the AFD5/SL-5
Viva Belov!
Viva Belov! Or in English: “Living Belov!”
The above photo shows this slogan printed on the amp chassis of a Blackheart Engineering Little Giant (BH5H), and it sure is true, those things are alive!
The ‘Rock Out Certified’ Little Giant was one of Pyotr Belov’s many creations, this one being with Blackheart Engineering, but he’s also worked on the Epiophone Valve Series (including the Valve Junior), his own custom boutique amps (Called Belov Amps) and the more recent rereleased Ampeg guitar amps. They’re all examples of Viva Belov!
Now Belov’s going in a new direction, and had setup a new company with the sole intention of helping other companies maximise their potential through all plases of releasing a new music product to the market. Here’s the info from the almightly Belov himself:
“After 25 years in the Music Instrument Industry I decided to offer my knowledge to all of those who want to take their product to the next level. This week I formed Belov Group LLC. To learn more, please visit www.belovgroup.com. Belov Group LLC offers a range of consulting services all designed to help your company reach its potential and react to new opportunities quickly with less risk.
There will be no major launches, no flashy web sites and no Facebook to suck up valuable time. The focus is on the customer and their product. I will be at NAMM so perhaps I will see you there and be glad to answer your questions in person.”
Why Settle For 4 Amp Voicings, When 30 Will Do!
All you need to know is that Christmas has come 2 months early! With Line 6 already releasing the POD HD updates recently, now it’s the turn of the DT Series of amplifiers to get some serious love with firmware v2.0 bringing some great new features.
Now there are all POD HD amp models (30 increased from 4), some other configurable amp parameters, 12 reverb models, 17 selectable cab models (including no cab). These are all configurable via MIDI, so if you would prefer not to have these extra options, that’s fine too, as the original features and ease of use will still be there.
With this update the DT50 you can now use the direct output when in standby mode (which was already there on the DT25).
Read more…
Marshall 2012 DSL Series
The original Marshall DSL is a modern classic, and for those of us who own one, they are easily able to sound similar to a plexi, an 800, a hotrodded 800 and that of an ultra gain monster. The old range included a 20watt combo DSL201, a 40watt combo DSL401, a 50watt head DSL50, and a 100watt head DSL100. There were also 2 limited edition 85th birthday series in honour of Jim Marshall’s 85th birthday. They were both basically the DSL50, in head form and also a not seen before combo DSL50. Those were called 1923 for the head and 1923C for the combo (1923 being the year Jim was born).
Amp Modeller Makers Get Amp Manufacturer Support – Why?
Line 6 started a trend in 1996 with the release of the AxSys 212 modelling guitar amplifier and soon after in 1999 the red kidney bean shaped POD was released and changed how guitarists recorded guitar tones in the studio. Since then Line 6 have released many other products, but so have other companies too!.
After reading about IK Multimedia’s release of officially certified Orange and Carvin amp models for AmpliTube on Guitar Noize I begun to think about original amp manufacturers and how in the past few years, they have been more willing to officially support/certify amp models/simulations of their ‘real’ amps.
Dream Big for Your Dream Rig
Save Big on Your Dream Rig
Line 6 Promo Offers $500 Savings on the Best-Sounding, Most Advanced Guitar System Ever
RUGBY, UK, 8TH October 2012—Line 6 UK Ltd. is pleased to announce the “Save Big on Your Dream Rig” promotion. The Line 6® Dream Rig integrates a James Tyler® Variax® guitar, DT-series amp, and POD® HD500 or HD Pro multi-effect into the world’s best-sounding, most advanced guitar system. Customers can save £325 on the entire system, or up to £125 on select components.*
From 1st October – 31st December 2012, customers visiting participating Authorized Line 6 retailers will receive £100 instant savings on DT-series amplifiers and £125 instant savings on James Tyler Variax guitars
Hot Covers Amp Cover Review
Protect & Serve
Protecting guitar amps is something that is important to a lot of guitarists, and for various different reasons. You may have a vintage or limited edition model, which will hold its value far better is it’s kept in good condition. You might have kids and pets who of course don’t care for your gear quite as much as you do. Or of course you might just want to keep dust off you new amp purchase, and stop it looking too battered after only a few band rehearsals.
Some manufacturers do make very thin/flimsy ‘dust cover’ style amp covers for their own amplifiers. These do just that: They stop dust but they’re not padded and so don’t protect against knocks and bumps when transporting your gear. If you’re a serious touring player, you’ll likely want some sort of flight case for your amp, but short of that and if you’re like me (playing in a local band, and playing a couple of gigs per month) you’ll want something in the middle, like a padded custom amp cover.
In steps Hot Covers!
Read more…
