What I was thinking (and that may sound silly from a newbie in Midi like me) is to find a cable wit a Midi "pin" plug on 1 side/RJ45 on the other to connect the GT8 to the Spider head where the FBV goes and change programs on the Line 6 (FX, different preamp etc.) with the GT8 via MIDI.
I like the sound of the Line 6 but like the convenience of the GT8.
I used to play on a Marshall all tube JCM 2000 and was hooking up my GT5 on it with a 4 cable method using the FX loop on the Marshall. Best of both worlds, I had the all tube sound from the amp with the FX programed just how I want it on the GT5, and placed anywhere i wanted before or after the Marshall preamp thanks to the FX loop on the Marshall
Now I have a GT8, I live on the other side of the planet and had to sell my Marshal before coming here and I can't afford to buy another one...but i like the line 6 Spider IV, the only problem is I cant do what I used to since there is no FX loop, so I am trying to find a way around that...or at least being able to use the GT8 as a better foot controler for all the possibilities of the Spider IV without having to spend another $200 on a Shortboard...I have the FBV EXPRESS with it but that's nowhere near as convenient as the GT8 as far as programming it.
I did try to use the GT8 straight in the amp, dialing a neutral clean sound on the Line 6 and using the full preamp/FX etc from the GT8, not bad at all but i think i still like the Spider IV sound better...