News

Albuquerque Church Solves Analog Wireless Issues with Line 6 Digital

Faced with audio issues ranging from sound quality to interference, Central Seventh Day Adventist Church in Albuquerque decided to switch from conventional wireless microphones to Line 6 XD-V digital wireless. As Pastor Don Gibson recalls, “Our systems were pretty old, and we started having issues, especially after the FCC rules changed. Then the Line 6 systems solved all our problems.”

Tony McKenzie, a member of the congregation and an AV professional, helped research the change. “Having been an audio-visual technician for over 30 years, I support the church by helping them make proper decisions for their audio-visual needs,” he says. “I was aware of the Line 6 product through my company, Action Audio Visual, so we set up a demo. The difference was so dramatic, it made the decision easy.”

Initially, the church purchased four XD-V70 systems, including three handheld vocal microphones and a bodypack system with headset microphone for the pastor. They were so successful, the church added two channels of the next-generation XD-V75 a few months later, and has plans to expand even further.

“We record all our services as DVDs, so sound quality is really important to us,” says Don Gibson. “The Line 6 mics sound fantastic, and we haven’t had any interference problems or dropouts since we got them. We use them for our praise team, in teaching, in drama, and for things like children’s stories. All we do is turn them on and go. They sound great and work perfect every time.”

Tony McKenzie sees the Line 6 digital wireless system as better by design, starting with the 2.4 GHz transmission scheme with Digital Channel Lock technology. “The first thing is what I call the digital handshake,” he explains. “The Line 6 system works in the Wi-Fi frequency range, and there’s never any interference. The signal is encoded so that once the transmitter and receiver have made their handshake, they are locked in. And any other signal, even on the same frequency, is locked out. It’s a great piece of technology.”

Tony McKenzie is also a big fan of Line 6’s unique approach to microphones. Instead of forcing users to choose from several mic elements, the XD-V75 system offers a single capsule that can be tuned to any of ten popular models on a software level. “That’s a great feature, and it shows how Line 6 really thought outside the box when they developed this product,” he notes. “We can change the setting to whatever mic the customer requests. But we have found that the L6 setting, which is the Line 6 microphone, actually works the best. It sounds better than a 58 and really rejects feedback. That’s what we use at the church.”

Pastor Don Gibson is convinced that Central Seventh Day Adventist Church made a smart decision in switching to Line 6 digital wireless. “As a user, I love the sound quality that we get,” he says. “And since we’re not a huge church, we really appreciate the price, which is very reasonable. I’m not the most technical guy, but I know enough to say that we’re very happy with the Line 6 wireless product. That’s why we keep buying more of it.”

PHOTO CAPTION (left to right): Loren Dryer, Pastor Don Gibson, Tony McKenzie of Action Audio Visual, and Michael Gibson

Now Shipping: StageSource L3t Loudspeaker and L3s Subwoofer

The world’s most versatile loudspeaker systems are now available at your local Line 6 retailer. StageSource™ L3t combines multi-function design, powerful DSP and precision components to deliver the perfect blend of high-powered performance and true scalability. This compact, 3-way speaker system features an integrated multi-channel mixer and a tri-amped design that delivers 1,400 watts of balanced, clean and articulate audio. Embedded Smart Speaker technology provides best-in-class performance across a wide variety of live sound applications.

You can scale the capabilities of your system by connecting the StageSource L3s subwoofer—also in stores now—via L6 LINK™ digital networking. Featuring a 1,200-watt, bi-amped design and Smart Speaker modes for optimal low-end performance, StageSource L3s combines with other Line 6 live sound products to form an intelligent ecosystem that expedites setup and helps you sound your best.

Free v2.0 Firmware Update For POD® HD Multi-effects

Now available for download at line6.com, the free v2.0 firmware update dramatically expands the sonic palette of POD® HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro multi-effect processors, and significantly enhances integration with the James Tyler® Variax®. Watch the update video.

For POD HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro multi-effects, the update includes two brand-new HD guitar models, the world’s first HD bass model (with eight incredible mic model choices!) and a new vintage-voiced mic preamp model:

“Flip Top” HD Bass Amp Model. Introducing the world’s very first HD bass amp model based on* the immortal Ampeg® B-15NF Portaflex®, one of the most popular studio bass amps of all time. The modeled cab features the original 15-inch speaker perfect for laying down some serious thump.

Eight New Mic Choices for the HD Bass Amp Model. Get your ideal bass tone from the new “Flip Top” HD bass model with eight mic choices based on*
        Shure® SM57
        Sennheiser® 421
        AKG® D12
        AKG® D112
        EV® RE20
        Shure® SM7B
        Heil® PR40
        Neumann® U47

“Plexi Lead NRM” and “Plexi Lead BRT” HD Guitar Amp Models. Stunning new HD guitar amp models based on* the Normal and Bright inputs of the legendary Marshall® “Plexi” 1959 Super Lead 100-watt head. Plug into the classic cascading crunch of this historic English head!

“Vintage” HD Mic Preamp Model. A vintage-voiced tube mic preamp based on* the Requisite® Y7. This new model adds incredible warmth to vocal sounds and guitar and bass tones. Its controls include:
        Gain
        HPF (High Pass Filter)
        LPF (Low Pass Filter)
        Phase
        Output

The update also includes a variety of new features and enhancements that make a POD HD500 or POD HD Pro, James Tyler Variax, and DT25 or DT50 guitar amplifier dream rig even more powerful and easy to use. The result is complete analog and digital reconfiguration and control of guitar models, effects, HD amplifier models, analog tube topology, and more with the press of a single footswitch.

Variax Knobs as Controllers. Variax Tone and Volume knobs can act like expression pedals, controlling different aspects of your tone such as delay time, amp drive or anything else you want. Controllers are capable of driving up to 50+ POD HD parameters simultaneously, making it possible to morph between sounds with a single guitar knob.

Variax Toggle Switch Behavior (Local Control). To provide smooth, intuitive transitions between the modeled and magnetic pickups, you can choose whether the Volume, Tone and Pickup Selector switch will control both the model and magnetic pickups simultaneously, or lock the model and only affect the magnetic pickups. For example, when switching between acoustic and electric tones, you can lock the acoustic model controls so that tweaking knobs and switching pickups when playing the electric sound won’t affect the sound of the acoustic when you switch back.

Variax Control Mode (Global/Preset). Choose whether you want to assign Variax guitar models and Local Control settings globally, or on a per-preset basis. Alternately, you can get complete manual control by choosing not to control Variax settings with POD presets.

New Input Selections. The new input selections — “Variax” and “Variax Mags” — allow you to assign any configuration of magnetic pickups and Variax models per POD HD preset. The new “Variax” input selection also recalls whether you were using mags or models per preset, allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off – no need for manual selection or input changes.

POD HD/Variax Custom Tuning Creation. Now you can create custom Variax tunings for any or all of your POD HD presets. Save and recall them per preset — and get up to 512 unique custom guitar tunings with instant footswitch control.

The POD HD v2.0 firmware update is available for POD® HD500, POD HD, and POD HD Pro. POD HD v2.0 firmware updates for POD HD300 and POD HD400 are coming soon.

* All product names used in this webpage are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound model development.

Free v1.8 Update for James Tyler Variax Modeling Guitars!

Now available for download at line6.com, the free v1.8 update update gives all James Tyler® Variax® modeling guitars five next-generation acoustic guitar models based on* celebrated 6- and 12-string acoustics from Martin®, Guild® and Gibson®. If you play your JTV with a POD® HD500 or POD® HD Pro multi-effect processor, the v1.8 update also includes enhanced functionality to make your JTV/POD HD experience even more intuitive and powerful.

Watch the overview movie now.

Next-generation Models:

• New modeling technology. Our new breakthrough acoustic guitar modeling technology gives the five models breathtaking depth and detail, capturing the subtle nuances of string vibration through the soundboard and the tonewoods of the original modeled guitar body.


• Five updated models. The updated models are based on* the Martin® D28, Martin® D12-28, Martin® 0-18, Guild® 12 String, and Gibson® J200 acoustic guitars.

• Variax Knobs as Controllers. Variax Tone and Volume knobs can act like expression pedals, controlling different aspects of your tone such as delay time, amp drive or anything else you want. Controllers are capable of driving up to 50+ POD HD parameters simultaneously, making it possible to morph between sounds with a single guitar knob.


• Variax Toggle Switch Behavior (Local Control). To provide smooth, intuitive transitions, you can choose whether the Volume, Tone and Pickup Selector switch will control both the model and magnetic pickups simultaneously, or lock the model and only affect the magnetic pickups. For example, when layering acoustic models with the magnetic pickups, you can lock the acoustic model controls so that tweaking knobs and switching pickups when playing the electric sound won’t affect the sound of the acoustic when you switch back.


• New Input Selections. The new input selections — “Variax” and “Variax Mags” — allow you to assign any configuration of magnetic pickups and Variax models per POD HD preset. The new “Variax” input selection also recalls whether you were using mags or models per preset, allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off – no need for manual selection or input changes.


• POD HD/Variax Custom Tuning Creation. Now you can create custom Variax tunings for any or all of your POD HD presets. Save and recall them per preset — and get up to 512 unique custom guitar tunings with instant footswitch control.


• Variax Control Mode (Global/Preset). Choose whether you want to assign Variax guitar models and Local Control settings globally, or on a per-preset basis. Alternately, you can get complete manual control by choosing not to control Variax settings with POD presets.

Line 6 on Tour with Garbage

Garbage will soon hit the road in support of their highly anticipated new album—Not Your Kind Of People—and Line 6 is coming along for the ride. The band will be using James Tyler® Variax® guitars and POD® HD Pro multi-effects processors to bring their unique sound to life as the world tour kicks off in April.

On the road, every piece of gear has to go the distance. With 28 instrument models and 11 alternate tunings, James Tyler Variax guitars give Garbage incredible tonal versatility and instant access to a variety of tunings. And thanks to the quality and range of the POD tone, the band will use multiple POD HD Pro multi-effects processors to replace their entire guitar and bass backline.

Line 6 is excited to be a part of this landmark tour—visit garbage.com for show dates, and check back here for ongoing updates about how the band is using Line 6 gear on the road, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, pics and more.

From Theater to Politics, Line 6 Digital Wireless Proves Rock Solid for Prosound Worx

Located in Merrimack, New Hampshire, Prosound Worx is a sound company specializing in live theater. Owner Rich Loomer found an insightful solution to the uncertainties of traditional wireless with XD-V digital wireless systems by Line 6.

“I had the opportunity to try Line 6 digital wireless last year and never looked back,” says Loomer. “I have a rack of 14 bodypack systems – eight V70s and six of the new V75 model – and they’ve been outstanding. In fact, we just won Best Community Sound Design at the New Hampshire Theatre Awards, for a show called The Dinosaur Musical that we staged with the Peacock Players at the Court Street Theater in Nashua last fall. Line 6 was a big part of our success.”

Having worked southern New Hampshire’s active theater scene for about six years, Loomer is well acquainted with the critical nature of wireless on stage. “Obviously, any audio problem is a distraction for the audience,” he notes. “With the Line 6 systems, I haven’t had the problems that I had with other systems. They’ve been extremely reliable.”

Line 6 digital wireless operates in the license-free 2.4 GHz band, which is the same range that Wi-Fi systems use. The system avoids interference through the use of Digital Channel Lock (DCL™) technology. Rich Loomer states, “The building I do most of my work in, the Court Street Theater, has five active Wi-Fi networks, but I haven’t had any issues with interference at all.”

Sound quality has been equally impressive. “The biggest advantage I’ve noticed with the Line 6 microphones is much better gain-before-feedback than your typical analog mic,” Loomer reports. “So I’m able to run things a little louder, with more band sound in the house, and still get the vocals loud enough to be clearly heard.”

In addition to their 14 bodypack systems, Prosound Worx also has a pair of XD-V75 handheld mics. Loomer had the opportunity to use them in a couple high-profile New Hampshire Presidential Primary events. “Every four years, it’s great to be a sound and production company here,” says Loomer. “I was able to use the Line 6 mics for campaign stops by two of the presidential candidates.”

For those assignments, Loomer used his XD-V75 handheld systems, employing the system’s onboard mic modeling to optimize the microphone’s response. “I usually use the ’58 setting, but if the mic is on a podium, I’ll set it up as a D5, so the speaker can be a little further away and I still pick them up clearly,” he states. “I had very positive comments from the national media at both events. They were impressed with the clarity of the sound and the lack of dropouts. You always worry that something will go wrong in front of the national press, but with the Line 6 mics, we had no issues. Everyone was very happy.”

In the theater, Loomer keeps his receiver rack at the front-of-house mix position, using two directional antennas with a clear line=of-sight to the stage. “It’s not a huge theater, and the Line 6 system has plenty of range,” he notes. “We haven’t had any issues with interference or dropouts, and have all 14 channels available all the time.”

Another advantage Prosound Worx found with Line 6 digital wireless is its compatibility with conventional wireless systems. Because it operates in the 2.4 GHz range, adding extra channels of other wireless brands is seamless. “My Line 6 rack gives me all the channels I need for most community theater productions,” says Loomer. “But I just did a production ofLes Mis, and I needed 32 channels. All I did was bring in my old stock of UHF wireless, and set them up as I normally would. The Line 6 mics are completely independent of analog wireless, so there were no intermod issues at all.”

Rich Loomer and Prosound Worx couldn’t be happier with Line 6 digital wireless. “The Line 6 has been great for us,” he concludes. “Its design has obviously been really well thought out, and we now have no issues when it comes to wireless. It’s been fantastic!”

Golden Entertainment Group Elevates Events with Line 6 Digital Wireless

CALABASAS, Calif. - Mar. 15, 2012 - Based in Chappell Hill, Texas, Golden Entertainment Group has found the perfect, reliable wireless solution for its clients: XD-V Digital Wireless Systems from Line 6. Owner Peron Einkauf began using XD-V systems at the 2011 South By Southwest Music (SXSW) Conference in Austin, and they have been a mainstay in his events ever since.

“We provided production for six South By Southwest venues last year,” Einkauf reports. “Normally, we don’t bring any wireless to that event. There’s a venue every 30 feet, bands changing every 30 minutes, and it’s just such a mass of conflict, it’s not worth the trouble. But this time, we tried the Line 6 digital wireless and got great results!”

In fact, Einkauf used eight XD-V70 vocal mic systems in three venues, all in close proximity, throughout the show. “Four days in a row, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., we ran all 8 mics at the same time,” he recalls. “And, they were flawless, no failures or dropouts, ever. And, the microphone’s feedback rejection was exceptional, better than the standard vocal mic we normally use. I have to say, I was impressed.”

Einkauf was so impressed with the XD-V performance that he has continued to deploy them throughout the year. “We do about 30 major events each year, major fairs and festivals throughout the state of Texas,” he says. “We see a lot of touring country acts and older rock acts, and we always bring the Line 6 wireless. Basically, we offer it to anyone who doesn’t have their own wireless, and every artist who has used it, loved it!”

Line 6 digital wireless operates in the license-free 2.4 GHz band, and XD-V70 system offers a choice of 12 simultaneous channels (14 on the new XD-V75 version), all of which are always available due to Digital Channel Lock technology. “The system lets you search for a clear channel, but frankly, we haven’t needed to,” notes Einkauf. “We set up our systems on channels one through eight in Austin last year, and haven’t had to touch the frequencies since.”

Einkauf also appreciates the sound quality of Line 6 digital wireless. Its 4th generation digital transmission platform does not use any companding, creating dynamic range far wider than any analog wireless system. The system also includes on-board microphone modeling technology, allowing the system to take on the characteristics of a wide range of popular mics. 

“You can model several different popular vocal mics on the Line 6,” states Einkauf. “We typically use the ’58 model at events like SXSW. Compared to a standard wired 58, I would say the Line 6 modeling is slightly better. The sound quality is crystal clear, and feedback rejection was better.”

Peron Einkauf is so impressed, he’s also using the Line 6 XD-V70 for his corporate events. “It’s a great system and an incredible value.  It’s good for business,” he concludes.

# # # # #

About Line 6, Inc.
Line 6 products have been at the cutting edge of digital audio development for musicians and audio professionals since the company pioneered the digital modeling guitar amplifier in 1996. Before the Line 6 brand was formed in the mid-‘90s, co-founders Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic were principal developers for the Alesis® ADAT®, the digital multi-track recorder that revolutionized the recording industry.  Today, Line 6 produces a wide variety of hardware and software products including POD® multi-effect processors, POD Farm® software plug-ins, Spider® guitar amps, a range of professional instrument and microphone digital wireless systems, digital live sound mixers, and speakers, as well as the Mobile In™ premium digital guitar interface and Mobile Keys™ keyboards for Apple iOS devices.  For more information, visit line6.com.

Contact:
Line 6, Inc.
Gabriel Whyel
Product Marketing Manager
gwhyel@line6.com
(818) 575- 3673

Line 6 Stages a Revolution in Live Sound at Winter NAMM 2012 Many aspects of live sound have remained largely the same for decades… until now. At Winter NAMM 2012, Line 6 is unveiling a powerful new ecosystem of innovative live sound solutions—from the world’s first smart mixing system and most versatile speakers, to the fourth generation of the acclaimed Line 6 digital wireless platform. Designed to work together as an integrated system—or complement third-party solutions—the new StageScape™ M20d digital mixer, StageSource™ series loudspeakers and XD-V digital wireless microphone family represent the future of live sound.

• StageScape M20d is the world’s first smart mixing system for live sound. Utilizing a groundbreaking touchscreen visual mixing environment, StageScape M20d streamlines the way you mix to get your sound dialed in quickly and keep you in the creative zone. The M20d features 20 inputs, massive DSP power on every channel, multi-channel recording with or without a computer, and remote control of the system via one or more iPad® devices.
  Learn more about StageScape


• The StageSource loudspeaker series combines multi-function design, powerful DSP and precision components to deliver the perfect blend of high-powered performance and true scalability. Comprised of the StageSource L3t 1,400-watt three-way speaker system and StageSource L3s 1,200-watt subwoofer, the StageSource series features Smart Speaker technology and L6 LINK™ digital networking to deliver best-of-class performance across the widest variety of live sound applications.
  Learn more about StageSource


• From instrument wireless to handheld, lavalier and headset mics, all Line 6 XD-V digital wireless systems are built on the same fourth-generation digital wireless platform—the most advanced in the pro audio industry. They utilize precision modeling to provide the sonic nuances of the most popular wired mics, EQ filters to compensate for mic placement, and even cable length impedance. All systems feature one-step setup, compander-free 24 bit audio clarity, and ultra-reliable, license-free operation around the world.
  Learn more about XD-V

Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik to Play the Line 6 NAMM Room Just confirmed! Goo Goo Dolls’ frontman John Rzeznik will play the Line 6 NAMM demo room using some of the latest Line 6 gear! Accompanied by Brad Fernquist (Goo Goo Dolls), John will treat the crowd to a few songs from his multi-decade catalog of chart-topping songs.

No stranger to Line 6 gear, Rzeznik has become one of the most globally respected and influential forces in popular music history, selling more than 10-million albums since 1986 with his band, the Goo Goo Dolls.

If you're at NAMM this Saturday, January 21, be sure to swing by the Line 6 demo room (#212 A/B, level 2, above Hall C) at 3:45 to see the show! Can’t be there? Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook pages for pics and more!