Tonecore Pedals
You can set up any of the Line 6 Tonecore pedals the same way that you would any other stomp box. Plug your guitar into the input of the pedal and plug the output of the pedal into the next step in your chain, whether it be another pedal or an amp. If you are using many pedals, you may need to arrange the order to get the best sound, especially if you have boutique pedals with very high output or stereo effect pedals that require a stereo input/output (please see the information below regarding common effect chain setups). Once you have your pedal(s) setup, give it some power either from the Line 6 DC-1 adapter or a 9 volt battery, stomp on it to turn it on, and ROCK OUT!!!
Note: All Line 6 Tonecore pedals are designed for instrument level input, but have no problem being placed between the guitar and the amplifier or in an amplifier's effect loop.
Q: Are the ToneCore pedals "True Bypass" when I disengage the effect?
A: No, the Tonecore pedal will still have the audio signal running through the processor, but you will not hear the effect.
Common Effect Chain Order:
- Pedals are often set up in the following categories from the guitar input to the amp:
- Dynamic control: Constrictor (compressor)
- Filter control: Otto Filter, FM-4
- Overdrive/Distortion: Crunchtone, Dr. Distorto, Uber Metal, DM-4
- Modulation: Liqua-Flange (Flanger), Space Chorus, Tap Tremolo, Roto Machine, MM-4
- Time based: Echo Park (Delay), DL-4, Verbzilla (Reverb)
Please remember that this is only a guide, and many players will vary this setup order depending on personal preferences. You can find more information on effect pedal chains at http://www.harmonycentral.com/articles.
Other tips for getting a better tone:
- Use the highest quality cables you can afford
- Use the shortest cable lengths possible between units
- Confirm that all of your power needs are coming from the same source (to avoid ground loops)
Q: Is there any way to combine sounds on a Line 6 Stompbox or Tonecore? For example, what if I want some chorus and tremolo at the same time?
A: The Line 6 pedals are designed to play a single effect model at a time. Due to the high processing demands of modulation circuits, having the option of using more than one of the effects at time would have compromised the processing power dedicated to each effect and would have resulted in lower quality sound.
Q: How can I do a factory reset on my Stomp Box Modeling Pedal?
A: Have the power supply connected and press & hold A & D ('Tap' on the DL-4) button while plugging in your guitar to the left mono input.
Q: Are the Four-Button Stomp Box Modeling pedals True Bypass" when I disengage the effect?
A: The Four-Button Stomp Box Modeling pedals are "true bypass", meaning that the audio signal is sent directly from the input jack to the output jack. You can disable the "True Bypass" by holding the first and the third buttons (from the left) when powering the unit (inputing instrument cable into the left Mono input) to hear the effect after the effect is disengaged (i.e. trailing delays).
Q: When I activate a channel on my Stompbox Modeler, I get the same sound no matter which model I have selected on the dial.
A: Line 6 Stompbox Modelers use a combination of "live" controls and stored settings so it can be a little confusing a first. When you press one of the preset buttons, you are recalling the stored sound saved in that location regardless of where the model select knob is positioned. When you rotate the model select knob, you switch to that model and the associated control positions for it are recalled. The rest of the controls become active as you adjust them. Once you have a sound you like be sure to save it to one of the channels because once you switch to another channel, it's gone.
Q: I am noticing a volume boost/loss when I engage my Four button modeling pedal. Why is this?
A: The "True Bypass" mode will not have any noticeable effect on the signal path, so there will be very little change in overall volume when the pedal is disengaged. If the pedal is engaged at all time (i.e. allowing trailing delays) you may notice a slight increase in volume as the pedal is always active. These type of volume effects can be minimized by using the previous tone tips recommended and/or using a looping system (i.e. Voodoo Lab's Pedal Switcher or GCX) for larger pedal configurations.
Q: How should I power my Line 6 Pedals?
A: We recommend using the Line 6 DC-1 for the Tonecore pedals, PX-2 AC Power Supply for the 4-button stompboxes, or the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power units for powering pedals. The Pedal Power 2 Plus can power up to 6 Tonecore pedals and two Modeling pedals at once, and the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power AC can power up to 4 Modeling pedals. Other power supplies may not deliver consistent voltage and are not supported by Line 6.
Q: What are the specifications for Line 6 power supplies?
A: Power Supply F.A.Q.
Q: Can I run my Line 6 Modelling pedal in a parallel or series FX loop?
A: Line 6 does not support the use of any Line 6 Four Button modeling pedal in an effect loop as the Line 6 Modeling pedals are designed for instrument level (guitar/bass output) to be inserted between the instrument and the amplifier. The signal strength of a line level signal (i.e. an effect loop) can cause the input buffers to fail.
Q: What if I have a level control on my FX Loop?
A: It is up to the player to determine how to set the effect loop level according to personal taste, but Line 6 does not recommend placing any Line 6 Four Button modeling pedal in an effect loop. The send would need to be reduced to approximate a guitar level signal (i.e., -22db, 1.5v pp max, etc). The problem with this is that you rely on the modeling pedal for make up gain, which if you tailored the input would result in higher noise floor. If a loop is the only desirable way to connect a Line 6 Modeling pedal, you will need a -22db pad on the front end and a +20db buffer on the output to make up the gain.
Q: Can I run a tuner out of an unused output of a Line 6 pedal?
A: There is no technical reason why this would not work, although some users have noticed noise in their system when this is done.
Q: Are the Stompbox Modelers MIDI compatible? Are they able to exchange patches and/or other information with the POD and other Line 6 products?
A: In order for two digital devices to communicate with one another, i.e. exchange patches and/or other MIDI information, they must both have MIDI In and Out capabilities. The "Stomp Box Modelers" do not feature MIDI compatibility; thus they are unable to communicate with other MIDI devices.