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Up to Discussions in Spider Valve
1700 Views 10 Replies Latest reply: Mar 13, 2010 1:47 PM by Apologist RSS
imalrightjack Just Startin'
imalrightjack
23 posts since
Jan 29, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 11, 2010 12:31 PM

So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

So far my amp sounds worse...now I'm not sure why, so I need to do some fiddling, but my metal sounds are now thin and a bit crap.  Or maybe it's just my ears.  The new effects sound decent, just need to do some work.

 

Anybody else had much experience with it?  If my shortboard worked with my iMac then I'd be trying the edit...but it works only with my Macbook.

  • Nick_Mattocks Expert Line 6 User
    Nick_Mattocks
    8,791 posts since
    Mar 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 12, 2010 10:37 AM (in response to imalrightjack)
    Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

    Hi

     

    I have updated my SV 212 MkII to the new firmware.  I can't be 100% certain without flashing back to the previous firmware by how much - if at all - that the presets I had stored have changed, but it is my initial feeling that the sound of the amp isn't as quite full as it was.  The amp models have changed and it's possibly the effect of this I'm hearing or it might be  a large dollop of imagination on my part.  I'll need to go back to the previous revision record a few clips and then re-apply the update and record the same stuff again to be sure IF I can be sufficiently bothered to Probably just better to tweak existing presets to taste with the new firmware in place.

     

    Nick

     

    Edit:

     

    I've had a chance to play and create some presets today, and although I liked the sound of the previous firmware version, some of the bassiness has gone in the new version, but you can fairly easily put it back with a bit of a tweak.  The Screamer effect is really good and I've been having a bit of fun setting up some presets with almost infinite sustain using this this afternoon a la Gary Moore/Carlos Santana - not saying they're accurate, but they sound great.

  • stevementzer Just Startin'
    stevementzer
    38 posts since
    Apr 1, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 12, 2010 9:03 AM (in response to imalrightjack)
    Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

    I played with it a bit last night.

     

    The tube screamer emulation is great, and a welcome to addition for those of us who want to add a little more sizzle to a lead break.

    I also like the different sweep ranges and wah models....

    I already liked the old sine chorus, so I haven't spent much time working with the new models.

    The tracking and sound quality on the harmonizer seems a little bit off as compared to the last rev, but I will need to play with it some more.

     

    As for the amp models.... the 'metal' patches actually sound usable now.....   And the 'crunch amber' (plexi) model sounds a little less farty with the bass.

    It felt like there was a little less bass response on the high gain amber model....  or maybe the treble is a little more pronounced now.

     

    One of the things I found on the last firmware rev is that it was really hard to dial up the highs, and dial back the bass ....  Which some people may have called 'muddieness'.

     

    I'll see how it all reacts at the next rehearsal, but overall, it sounds great.

  • Camacho Just Startin'
    Camacho
    5 posts since
    Mar 2, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 12, 2010 2:31 PM (in response to imalrightjack)
    Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

    I gotta say, that I'm dissapointed.

     

    Love edit and the new effects - but hate how high gain sounds like now.

     

    I agree with imalrightjack - the ampmodels sound thin and harsh after the update. I actually rolled back and got the ampmodelsounds I love back....

     

    I don't know if there's a bug in the new update. But it would have been great, if Line6 had splitted the infusion and amp-update up. That way I could have gotten all the new effects and kept my sweet tone. For now I am going to stay "rolledback" - the sounds of the higher gained ampmodels are more important to me than the new effects.

    • Dino334 Just Startin'
      Dino334
      155 posts since
      Jan 25, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 12, 2010 5:57 PM (in response to Camacho)
      Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

      I'm a high gain/metal kind of guy...so I LOVE the new updates. My favorite is the metal amber.  Got the Marshall and 5150 sound nailed.  Keep in mind I have a HD100 w/a 4X12 cab and am bouncing between my Boss pedal board and the X3L in the loop, both of which I am using the EQ, so I can pretty much dial in the sound I'm looking for.  I'm more and more digging the 4CM/X3L collaboration with the SV...all of my effects and tweaking are there on one board and I'm able to use the X3L like a switching unit....almost like having 2 amps at once for my disposal.  I just use the patch I need for metal on the SV and use the X3L for the clean channel, utilizing the effects for the SV and then the X3L for the clean thru the SV power amp section.  The delays and channel change (from tone 1 to tone 2) seem to trail off seemlessly with no delay, popping, or anything.  It's almost a perfect marriage and the closest thing to a midi/bradshaw type rack I've played in a long time.  Just my 2 cents.

      • dscheidt Just Startin'
        dscheidt
        67 posts since
        May 1, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 12, 2010 6:50 PM (in response to Dino334)
        Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

        Hmmm... how many of you guys are playing the amp with a band after applying the Infusion update? 

         

        I applied the update at home, and thought that the sound was horribly thin.  Went directly to band practice, and whoa... the sound blended in MUCH better!  I use the hi-gain amber, drive about 1/2 way, and it just 'fit'.  One thing that was a problem BEFORE was that there was WAY too much bass in the models.  Most of the time to get a good cutting sound, the bass would be backed way off, and the treble and mids were pushed high.  I now can turn the bass up, and back off the treble a bit.  The tube screamer pedal also adds a nice bite to the amps... I haven't tried the metal pedal yet, but I use it a bit in a Pod farm model, and I hope to have good results with the MkII.

        • Nick_Mattocks Expert Line 6 User
          Nick_Mattocks
          8,791 posts since
          Mar 26, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 13, 2010 1:00 AM (in response to dscheidt)
          Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

          Good point.

          • Line6Waara Product Dev
            Line6Waara
            296 posts since
            Oct 27, 2009
            Currently Being Moderated
            Mar 13, 2010 10:03 AM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
            Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

            Hey guys-

             

            Thanks everyone for downloading the update and checking it out!

             

            Just wanted to jump in with a few thoughts as you explore the sound design changes we made with the update-

             

                 -If you want to save your existing self-made presets after the update, start Spider Valve MkII edit with the amp connected so your existing User presets load, (or hit "receive all")  then be sure to do a "Save Bundle" to your desktop. This at least give you a record of what you'd been using before the update, BUT- the sounds of those presets will definitely change and need to be tweaked.

             

                 -There is now more gain going into the tube stages of the amp, and this means that you'll need to re-learn the relationship of the Drive, Channel Volume and Master Volume. I know it might take a bit more work, and we know it's always a little dicey updating the sound of something that a lot of folks have already gotten used to, but we felt it was worth doing.  The short answer why we did it  is we felt that in live situations, the amp could be made to perform better. A big part of sound design is  balancing between trying to make an amp that sound great in the store, great in your bedroom, and great on a stage when everyone's cranked. We thought our initial pass was a bit too much geared toward the lower volume experience, so  we tried to "open up" the sound by tweaking how much the amp compressed, adding some gain so the tubes could add some more harmonics, dealing with some frequency issues, etc. While it might take a bit more time to rediscover your sweet spot, I hope that overall you'll find the amp has more b**ls now, and is more exciting harmonically. I hope, I hope. : )

             

                 - Once you've saved anything you want to save, be sure you do a factory restore after the update- (hold down the Channel A button on power up, and press the "presets" encoder") Without doing that, levels will be all over the place and amp model defaults will not be correctly loading.

             

            Again, sorry it took so long for us to get it out, and thanks for being so patient-

             

            -Best regards

            Scott

             

            Scott Waara

            Product Manager

            Spider Valve MkII

            • dscheidt Just Startin'
              dscheidt
              67 posts since
              May 1, 2006
              Currently Being Moderated
              Mar 13, 2010 10:58 AM (in response to Line6Waara)
              Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

              Scott,

              Thanks for taking the time to talk about the changes.  I'll have to do that reset thing next week

               

              So far, I LIKE the live sound a lot with the models that I use, which is the hi gain orange and blue.  The tube screamer has been an AWESOME add, plus the extra wah models are great.  Very happy so far, can't wait to put it through it's pace on Sunday night.

               

              BTW, I am having a small problem, when putting the Tube screamer on, I get some clicks.  Not a huge deal, and I'll probably try to reflash the amp and do the reset like you suggested and see if that helps.

               

              Again, thanks!

            • Apologist Iknowathingortwo
              Apologist
              591 posts since
              Jan 24, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Mar 13, 2010 1:47 PM (in response to Line6Waara)
              Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

              Definitely a thumbs up on all the amp models ...they all sound much more dynamic to me ...

               

              All changes were noticeable some were far more noticeable than others. The Insane Amber for instance has more of a Diezel like fuzz/rich harmonic character to the gain now ...

               

              At low volumes(bedroom) I didn't notice it ... but when jamming with a drummer the notes are definitely (not louder) but more distinguishable ...like something's been eq'd if that's possible differently?

               

              All in all I'm very pleased with the amp model changes ...

               

              The FX ...too many reverb models, imo, that coulda been used on something else space wise I like plate and chamber the best.

               

              Love the wah choices all of them distinct ..I like colorful over all the best but each has their own use.

               

              Love the square chorus and the lumpy phaze ...sounds better than the one in my xtl ..waaaay better ..when I dialed it on on lumpy phaze first time I was taken back and went whoa ...nice ..dialed down the speed a bit ...and very cool

               

              Love the dual delay too ...never cared for bubble echo..

               

              And the screamer stomp is amazing ...I'm gona play with it more today and maybe upload a patch once I figure out how lol. Off to play some more thanks Line 6 ..hat's off to ya ..especially for the amp model changes ...made a great improvement in tone.

               

              You made a good amp sound even better.

               

              EDIT:

               

              Played for a good hour straight or so and it keeps sounding better and better ...had to adjust some settings but sound is definetly richer ..has more of a sag sound while retaining high end bite on the Insane Amber ...it is now my new fav but Metal Amber sounds darn good too.

               

              I am noticing that some of the delays ..Dual especialliay I am finding it hard to find a good balance ..it seems too much or too little ..I'll post one of my patches and you can tell me if what you think.

  • mattstrosity Just Startin'
    mattstrosity
    12 posts since
    Nov 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 12, 2010 6:12 PM (in response to imalrightjack)
    Re: So, what do you think of the new Infusion?

    I to am on the fence. The models seem much "noisier" now.. The low end is much thinner. I will say it seems a little more responsive, but I don't know if that is a good thing. I haven't gotten to the fx yet, I'm still trying to dial it back in.

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