Version Comparison: Spider Valve FX Infusion

Q: What is the Spider FX Infusion?

A: Spider FX Infusion is offered as a free firmware (1.50) update for all Spider Valve Mk II (112, 212, HD) amplifiers owners with a Line 6 FBV MkII Shortboard™  or Express™ Controller or MIDI- USB interface device.

Q: How do I update the Spider Valve Mk II (112, 212, HD) amplifier to the 1.50 firmware?

A: There are two ways to update the Spider Valve Mk II firmware:

1) Using an FBV Mk II Express or Shortboard to update the firmware via Line 6 Monkey.   See the following link for the procedure:

2) Using a MIDI-USB converter.  Please see the following link for more information on updating Line 6 gear via MIDI:

Q: Is the Mk II version of the FBV Express or shortboard required to update the firmware on my Spider Valve Mk II (112, 212, HD) amplifier?

A: Yes, as the previous FBV (Mk I) does not have the USB connection necessary to connect to a computer for the update.  You will also need to have the FBV Mk II Express/Shortboard registered to your user account to complete the install.  You may also update via Midi as described above, and in that case you will need to register the amp to your user account instead of the FBV MkII Express/Shortboard to complete the install.

Q: What is the Spider Valve Edit software?

A: The Spider Valve Edit software allows you to edit and download tones for your Spider Valve Mk II amplifier on your computer.  See the following link for more information on using the Spider Valve Edit software.

Q: Do I need to calibrate my Expression pedal on my FBV Mk II unit after I perform the firmware upgrade?
A: Yes.  See the following link for the information on how to calibrate your FBV Mk II pedal (and update the firmware if necessary):

Q: What new effect models are included in the Spider FX Infusion firmware update?

A: There are 28 new effects in the update 1.50. In addition, there have been some changes made to the amp modeling  that reflect a desire for the amp to “open up” a bit more, especially when played at higher volumes. This will occur as the amp having  a bit more gain overall, and as increased headroom for some of the clean and mid gain models. As always, experiment with the relationship between the Drive, Channel Volume, and Master Volume knobs to find your desired tone.

FX-1 – Gain

Blue Comp: Based on* the Boss® CS-1 Compression

Vetta Juice: A Line 6 original originally created for our flagship Vetta II guitar amplifier.

Boost & EQ: A stompbox compressor that also provides you with some EQ controls so you can further shape the tone.

Screamer: Based on* an Ibanez® Tube Screamer®, the overdrive heard round the world.

Killer Z: Based on* Boss® Metal Zone, the industry standard distortion pedal for metal players since 1989.

Octave Fuzz:  Based on the Tycobrahe Octavia, the classic fuzz+octave effect.

Bass Overdrive: Based on* the Tech 21 Bass Sans Amp

Clean Sweep: This is a wide range sweeping filter with a slow decay. It’s similar to Auto Wah, but with a band pass filter shape.

FX-2 – Chorus/Phaser

Analog Chorus: Based on* the Boss® CE-1 Chorus Ensemble.

Square Chorus: Based on* the Boss® CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, but with a square wave acting as the magical modulator.

Random Chorus: This chorus uses three different modulating filters all running randomly.

Jet Flanger: Based on the A/DA Flanger.

Lumpy Phase: Kinda like a Uni-Vibe®, but more radical.

Warble-Matic: It can produce a nice mild phasey sound or with the depth maxed you can simulate the sound of an alien spacecraft .

FX-3 – Delay/ Sweep Echo

Analog Delay: Based on* the Boss® DM2 Analog Delay.

Stereo Delay: Run this effect post in order to hear it in stereo, with one delay on the left, and another on the right. The time parameter sets the left delay’s time, while offset sets the right delay time as a percentage of the left. So, if you set time to 500ms, and offset to 50%, your right delay time will be 50% of 500ms—in other words, 250ms.  This effect will be summed in mono on a mono amplifier (i.e. Spider IV 75) but will be in stereo when using the stereo line out.

Bubble Echo: Bubble Eko has a Sample and Hold filter on the repeats. A Sample and Hold filter takes a filter sweep (like the one on Sweep Echo), chops it up into little bits and rearranges them semi-randomly.

Reverb

King Spring

Large Plate

Small Room

Tiled Room

Chamber

Medium Hall

Large Hall

Wah

Chrome: Based on* a Vox® V847

Colorful: Based on* the wah part of a vintage Colorsound® Wah-Fuzz

Weeper: Modeled after* an Arbiter® Cry Baby