Community: Message List

Connecting Spider (Jam) amp to 'home theater' speakers: what should I be aware of?

support@line6.com — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:42:58 GMT

The Spider Jam amp has so called 'Direct/Recording Out' output, which the manual describes as

"Direct/Recording Out - This pair of RCA jacks is perfect for connecting Spider Jam to an external recorder or computer to capture your jams. Or, connect them to your sound system to hear Spider Jam through it."

First of all, does "sound system" include your average home-theater speakers? And, should the amp be plugged directly to (a) the speakers themselves or to (b) the A/V receiver, which itself is connected to speakers)?

More precisely, I have a pair of DALI Concept 6 speakers with a declared impedance of 8 Ω and a "recommended amplifier power" of 30 to 150 W [dali-us.com]. What should I be vary of (before burning out the speakers)?

Thank you for the support!

PS. What normaly causes problems (when connecting amp to "normal" speakers)? Too much current from the amp output (no pun intended)? Well, how much current do Spider amps give out (at their 'PA' or 'Direct Out' outputs)?

How to get more song (and 'artist bank') presets?

support@line6.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:09:49 GMT

Can tones from the CustomTone be also used on a Spider Jam?

If so, how?

If not, is there any other means by which to extend the default song presets?

Thank you for the help.

PS. How is each of the formats (.l6t and .h5e) used ... and can any of these be used on a Spider Jam?

Re: Share Spider Settings...again

support@line6.com — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 20:20:31 GMT

Are there any official updates from LINE6 to existing song-presets? I mean, the company has lot of session players, who could've really nailed various songs down ... and this would make for a great company advantage over competitors (at least for many budding players).

For example, on Spider JAM, there is a preset for "NOTHING ELSE" (matters, obviously ). Now, where could one find, say, "NOTHING ELSE SOLO", etc.

And regarding the (possible) in-built memory limit: couldn't additional presets be stored on a SD card?

EDIT: Only now have I found the CustomTone: what would be the easiest way to use .l6t files on Spider Jam? Which say POD would one have to buy (or is there a way to use the .l6t on Spider Jam without additional equipment)?

PS. These .l6t files are tone patches, right? Would the .l6t intended for Spider IV also work for Spider Jam?

Re: RE: Problem with "resonance" using electro-acoustic

support@line6.com — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:43:39 GMT

Don, these are useful suggestions ... except for the last one. I wouldn't dare let the amp be out of my-hands-reach (in case of this "resonance" problem), for it might "blow up". For instance, what would (likely) happen in the METAL at 20% recording (in the OP), if I didn't mute the string?

Regarding the pre-amp settings: I've already had "bass" completely off. Will play around with the NOTCH FREQ. setting though.

Also, I've noticed that the amp (the instrument cable in fact, I think?) acts as an antenna! If it is the cable, then does this necessarily mean that the cable (its shielding) its faulty? I will try/buy another cable as soon as possible either way.

Thank you for now.

EDIT: Oh, and there is the "hum" when the MASTER VOLUME is relatively high (at ~50%). I mean, it is there already before, but it's audible at about that MASTER VOL.

Also, why is there such a discrepancy between overall volume between, say CLEAN at METAL pre-sets? I know, that the DRIVE, BASS, etc. settings naturally have to be different (from, say, CLEAN preset), but the METAL is about "twice" as loud! The difference is so pronounced, that I have to (1) first lower the MASTER VOL. and (2) only then dare to change to another the pre-set ... although now I dare use only CLEAN pre-set, till this problem is solved (somehow).

Problem with "resonance" using electro-acoustic

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:36:23 GMT

Hello to LINE6 community!

First the parameters:

Ibanez AEL20 electro-acoustic (with the hole-cover on it)
Planet Waves 4.5m cable
2.x firmware
"MIC IN" knob turned off (100% left)
guitar plugged in "GUITAR IN" input (#1 in the manual; not the "AUX" one)
guitar's pre-amp settings all in the lower 3rds (the "bass" is off; see picture)

Now, the problem is that there is some kind of "resonance" that could (by the sound of it; listen to 2 recordings below in red) easily destroy the amplifier. The problem is aggravated further on non-CLEAN presets (particularly the METAL or INSANE) where I had to be really careful plucking even one (1) string!

On CLEAN I dare to let it resonate ... but on METAL/INSANE I have to mute the string that is "resonating", otherwise I'm afraid it will tear the speaker (or fry some transistor). Listen to it for yourself in these 2 recordings (CLEAN at 40% master volume, METAL at 20%). [@rapidshare.com; didn't know any better ]

From my un-systematic diagnosis I can tell that there is particular "resonance" with the open D string (namely, its frequency) ... though I can't tell whether this is the "resonant" frequency for all settings. In bullets, the problems are with:

open D string
5th fret A string
10th fret E string

I didn't check the D frequency on upper strings (G, B, E) ... but the problem is more pronounced at the low frequency (at the bass strings).

BTW, can you help me understand

the NOTCH FREQ. knob on the guitar's pre-amp (and its role in "cutting" the feedback)
whether the hole-cover really helps with the un-wanted feedback ... or does it worsen it (by trapping and bouncing sound waves inside the guitar's cavity)?

Also, I'm not a complete novice at circuits (but no expert either, by any means), so you can give more details than usual (though I don't know what the "usual" is).

Thank you for the help.

EDIT: I've already tried different outlets/electric plugs, but it didn't help. I'll also try different guitar cables (and guitars) to eliminate other possible sources of trouble ... and also update to 2.09 FW. Hoping to hear from you, too!