Amplifi From Line 6

[gunpointmetal]

no L6 Link, no DI outputs no VDI input, iOS required for real patch creation, underpowered for live performance.....woohoo, L6, you've reinvented the Bose SoundDock by adding modeling that requires another device to control 

[jasonbogen]

Uhm, monstrous based on what?  Apple's claims?

 

I'd be curious as to where you arrived at that conclusion myself.

 

You can just google the subject.  This isn't even disputed.  The reason is that there are so many versions of the OS out there to support on even more versions of the hardware.  It's the reason Apple dominates app sales despite being have much lower install base.  This isn't Apple love speaking, just known fact.

[smrybacki]

You can just google the subject.  This isn't even disputed.  The reason is that there are so many versions of the OS out there to support on even more versions of the hardware.  It's the reason Apple dominates app sales despite being have much lower install base.  This isn't Apple love speaking, just known fact.

KitKat Android 4.4

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/android-kitkat/

[jasonbogen]

KitKat Android 4.4

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/android-kitkat/

 

Exactly!  So if and when this ever actually takes hold in the Android installed base then all you have to worry about is the difference in hardware and carrier/manufacturer os modifications.  LOL  Maybe the support nightmare gap between iOS and Android apps shrinks significantly, but that is WAY in the future and there will still be a gap.  Bottom line is even in the best case scenario it still supports my point about why they would come out with an iOS app first.

 

Here is another HUGE point on support.  The adoption rates of new iOS vs Android.  Monstrous is an understatement.

 

http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-ios-7-trounces-android-44-kitkat-widespread-adoption-1525234

[smrybacki]

Exactly!  So if and when this ever actually takes hold in the Android installed base then all you have to worry about is the difference in hardware and carrier/manufacturer os modifications.  LOL  Maybe the support nightmare gap between iOS and Android apps shrinks significantly, but that is WAY in the future and there will still be a gap.  Bottom line is even in the best case scenario it still supports my point about why they would come out with an iOS app first.

 

Here is another HUGE point on support.  The adoption rates of new iOS vs Android.  Monstrous is an understatement.

 

http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-ios-7-trounces-android-44-kitkat-widespread-adoption-1525234

Not so fast...from that article:

 

"The widespread adoption of the OS comes partly from the recent launch of four new devices, the iPhone 5s/5c, iPad Air, and iPad Mini, all of which came with iOS 7 preinstalled. The 4 percent gain in December came from users upgrading from iOS 6, the previous year’s version. At the beginning of the month, iOS 6 users represented 22 percent of active devices; now they represent 18 percent."

 

So basically, 6 percent of existing customers on iOS6 upgraded in December.

 

Part of Android's problem is Verizon Wireless, who holds it hostage in SO many ways.  The adoption rate would nearly universal (I feel) if Verizon quits blocking the friggin' update lol....My Droid RAZR MAXX HD has been slated for uddate to AOS4.4 since the announcement...still waiting on Verizon to sort out their bloatware components and push the dang thing.

 

I will give Apple this much; They mus wield tremendous clout given the way Verizon fawns over them...

[jasonbogen]

Not so fast...from that article:

 

"The widespread adoption of the OS comes partly from the recent launch of four new devices, the iPhone 5s/5c, iPad Air, and iPad Mini, all of which came with iOS 7 preinstalled. The 4 percent gain in December came from users upgrading from iOS 6, the previous year’s version. At the beginning of the month, iOS 6 users represented 22 percent of active devices; now they represent 18 percent."

 

So basically, 6 percent of existing customers on iOS6 upgraded in December.

 

Part of Android's problem is Verizon Wireless, who holds it hostage in SO many ways.  The adoption rate would nearly universal (I feel) if Verizon quits blocking the friggin' update lol....My Droid RAZR MAXX HD has been slated for uddate to AOS4.4 since the announcement...still waiting on Verizon to sort out their bloatware components and push the dang thing.

 

I will give Apple this much; They mus wield tremendous clout given the way Verizon fawns over them...

 

 

LOL!  iOS has a 78% adoption rate of the installed user base in 4 months of being out.  They are saying that of the 22% jump in December only 6% was from iOS6.  KitKat had just over 1% as of January 2nd. Only 37% were even on Jelly Bean!    There is such a significant portion of the installed base not only on older platforms, but on multiple older platforms. 

 

Again, my point is the support nightmare this causes and in turn the reason companies come out with iOS apps first and in many cases exclusively.  There is just no denying this.  KitKat is a step towards closing the gap, but it is going to take a LONG time to make significant strides and much of the installed base cant even run it.  Keep in mind every OEM has to port the system to their hardware and then the carriers have control over what is in the OS on top of that.

 

The Verizon problem that you point out is exactly what I am talking about with the carriers.  They don't fawn over Apple...they have no say in it.  Apple's system and hardware is entirely controled by Apple.  They operate this way by design.  It isn't to be OS Nazi's.  They control the experience because the experience is the basis of their entire philosophy.  Google just wants ad revenue and they get that by having as many people use their tools as possible and track all their behavior so they can be effectively targeted.

 

OK, now we are getting too far into the mobile OS discussion that nobody wants to hear on this forum.  LOL  Anyway, it isn't about iOS vs Android it is about why there is an iOS app and there is no Android app.  This is the explanation.

[gunpointmetal]

STFU about android, this about amplifiers.

[smrybacki]

LOL!  iOS has a 78% adoption rate of the installed user base in 4 months of being out.  They are saying that of the 22% jump in December only 6% was from iOS6.  KitKat had just over 1% as of January 2nd. Only 37% were even on Jelly Bean!    There is such a significant portion of the installed base not only on older platforms, but on multiple older platforms. 

 

Again, my point is the support nightmare this causes and in turn the reason companies come out with iOS apps first and in many cases exclusively.  There is just no denying this.  KitKat is a step towards closing the gap, but it is going to take a LONG time to make significant strides and much of the installed base cant even run it.  Keep in mind every OEM has to port the system to their hardware. 

 

The Verizon problem that you point out is exactly what I am talking about with the carriers.  They don't fawn over Apple...they have no say in it.  Apple's system and hardware is entirely controled by them.  This is why they operate this way.  It isn't to be OS Nazi's.  They control the experience because the experience is the basis of their entire philosophy.  Google just wants ad revenue and they get that by having as many people use their tools as possible and track all their behavior so they can be effectively targeted.

 

OK, now we are getting too far into the mobile OS discussion that nobody wants to hear on this forum.  LOL  Anyway, it isn't about iOS vs Android it is about why there is an iOS app and there is no Android app.  This is the explanation.

But...

 

Aw screw it, I ain't gonna buy the thing anyway lol...

[laxtlo]

Soon we gona choose car by operating system etc etc.

[smrybacki]

My ride has no OS...

[Mr_Arkadin]

Not a lot to do with HD here, so I'm moving it to the AMPLIFi forum.

[smrybacki]

STFU about android, this about amplifiers.

Seriously?  It's about both.  In case you hadn't noticed it's an AMPLIFIER designed to use IOS (Android being a popular direct competitor) to facilitate making music.  So you'll just have to pardon us if the discussion veers off on a small tangent of why one OS was supported and not another.

 

Somebody pee in your corn flakes today?

[radatats]

This is actually closer to what many of us are looking for...

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/behringer-ultratone-kxd-series/

 

http://www.behringer.com/EN/products/KXD12.aspx

[Triryche]

Uhm, monstrous based on what?  Apple's claims?

 

I'd be curious as to where you arrived at that conclusion myself.

 

I'm a wanna be hack programer (self teaching).

 

http://opensignal.com/reports/fragmentation-2013/

[Triryche]

Not a lot to with with HD here, so I'm moving it to the AMPLIFi forum.

 

I was waiting for that!!

 It was eating at my ocd

[gunpointmetal]

Seriously?  It's about both.  In case you hadn't noticed it's an AMPLIFIER designed to use IOS (Android being a popular direct competitor) to facilitate making music.  So you'll just have to pardon us if the discussion veers off on a small tangent of why one OS was supported and not another.

 

Somebody pee in your corn flakes today?

Its not about which OS is better or why, though, is it?  L6 peed in my cornflakes yesterday with this hunk of lollipop.

[wps52]

Seems to me this is the perfect solution for having an amp (without needing stomp boxes, mixers, etc) in the living room. I have a music room filled with all that but sometime it would be nice to just have an amp (that doesn't look like it's been on the road for a year) and guitar in the living room. No recording, no extra boxes, just aguitar and an amp that looks like an acceptable piece of furniture.

[smrybacki]

okay, now that right there was funny.

[talwilkins]

Has anyone here actually watched the Anderton's review?

The Guy clearly states that an Android version of the app is on it's way.

Yes, I agree Line 6 should have had it ready at launch but hey that's the way thing go sometimes.

It probably wasn't ready in time for the NAMM show, probably due to the time it takes programming around all the bugs in Android (no I'm defenitly not an Apple fan, wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole). 

 

Just stop fussing about it and wait for the Android app, it's coming.

[RNRage]

For what It's worth.. I preordered one of these today via Sweetwater and their sales rep said that their phones have been "ringing off the hook" for these and the new Boss pedals.

[smrybacki]

Its not about which OS is better or why, though, is it?  L6 peed in my cornflakes yesterday with this hunk of lollipop.

Is all good... Line6 is trying to make money after all, this time in the great untapped teenie bopper, iPhone taping crowd.

[bluebluetones]

I think that while technology, and Line6 in particular has afforded us guitar players many cool toys to play with, I am really glad I was born in the 1950s.  I say that with the utmost respect for all players of all gear and all stylers mind you.  I LIKE Line6 gear and the company "spirit" of innovation.

But here's the thing for me and it's why I have a love hate relationship with my HD500 and JTV59 Variax as well; One of the beauties of playing a guitar is the simple act of plugging it into my favorite amp, or maybe through a pedal or 3 and just playing it.  No digital menus. No fiddling with knobs and dials and stuff -- just playing my guitar and hearing the pure majesty of the sound as it blooms from my amp.

I value this experience because I program and otherwise do battle with computers for a living, and I loved doing it before that all the way back to my Atari 800XL bought in 1983.  I got into computers because it was a Black Art and I was one of a very few people who could do it at the time.  In other words, it was COOL.  Like playing my guitar was COOL.  So as technology continues to try and separate me from that purity by introducing (and damn near requiring!) computers, and now smartphones and tablets just to get to the "patch editor" and twiddle knobs, dials and manipulate digital menuing just to get where I used to get by the simple of plugging in and rocking out -- it makes me a bit mellancholy.

I have this digital gear for those times when I want to experiment with alternate tunings, alien amplifiers I don't own and never had access too and to see exactly why someone would want a ring modulator or whatever.  I DO have fun doing that too mind you, but it is definitely NOT the same experience as guitar->amp->rock either.  Flexibility such as comes with my Line6 gear has it's own pricetag, after all.

So let me shed a manly tear for bygone days, and lament that I now can get an amp that runs on an i-anything.

 

 

I really enjoyed that post smrybacki.  I like the feel and sentiment of it.  Great writing!

[guitarsal]

Been googling as you suggested, and a blurb/product description they copied/asted on the metalguitarist.org says "more than 70 AMPS and 100 effects". If it is based on the HD platform we could see a REAL firmware update doubling our available amp count. That would pretty spectacular.

 

Hopefully it's not another marketing flub like the "double the power" adds we were seeing for the HD X series, which only turned out to be 20% more power, not 100% more. :P

i bought the amplifi 150  without the  app  its  really  nothing  and for  Ipad to be the sole only wat to use the app is wrong in my opion i have  a samsung galuxy tab3  10.1  they  need to make   a app for  androids   very  soon

[talwilkins]

i bought the amplifi 150  without the  app  its  really  nothing  and for  Ipad to be the sole only wat to use the app is wrong in my opion i have  a samsung galuxy tab3  10.1  they  need to make   a app for  androids   very  soon

On the Anderton's review the Line6 guy says it's coming soon.

[Triryche]

To me it's a bit vague.

 

@~6 min he says - Andriod owners watch this space, hopefully later this year, then Paul seems to agree with the speculation of later this year.

 

I would suggest going here and pile on the Andriod request @ IdeaScale, Line6 monitors this site, not so much these forums.

 

http://line6.ideascale.com/a/ideafactory.do?id=23508&mode=hot&discussionFilter=active

 

 

 

On the Anderton's review the Line6 guy says it's coming soon.

[charlyg]

If you're serious about mobile music making, you need iOS, think of all the music apps that are iOS only. I sold my Nexus 7 and got an iPad mini just for that reason. Now, as long as I have it, I'm going to take advantage of ALL the cool music apps on iOS. You Android guys enjoy the wait, cuz it'll be a while before Android catches up music-wise.

[arislaf]

If you're serious about mobile music making, you need iOS, think of all the music apps that are iOS only. I sold my Nexus 7 and got an iPad mini just for that reason. Now, as long as I have it, I'm going to take advantage of ALL the cool music apps on iOS. You Android guys enjoy the wait, cuz it'll be a while before Android catches up music-wise.

That's the spirit!!! Get a useless amp, and an overpriced iPad... it is awesome to use an already old technology (pod x3) with an ipad that together would cost as much as a DT25, an awesome hybrid multi voicing tube amp... Expect and if you are a beginner..

[charlyg]

Again, if you have iOS, it's great, if not, move on and quite whining. Is it perfect, no. Is it what some of us have been waiting for? Yes, no product is for everyone, but that doesn't mean you need to put it down. Or do  you put down every product you don't own?

[arislaf]

Nope, i simply put down whatever is a waste of money with no benefit than what i already own :) And why I should not whining? People expected much more from the reinvented amp and get nothing...It is a matter of free speech after all. :)

[Triryche]

Did Line6 over hype this?

IMHO they sure did.

 

Do I want one?

Won't know until I hear it. But if it sounds good for the price, I wouldn't mind buying one (even without iOS functionality) for quick practices or when buddies stop buy. I have I bit of OCD and am not always comfortable firing up my studio monitors for "guest guitarists".

 

As for tone matching never really been a fan of presets, but might be helpful for people that want something quick and easy to get them in the ballpark.

 

I'm sure it's been mentioned more than once, but I could see this being a successful product group with hopefully expansion into higher end offerings.

[gunpointmetal]

Well, if the little hints a couple of L6 employees have been dropping other places, there is something a little more "Pro" coming down the line in the near future. 

 

I'll poop a candy cane if there is an Android app for this before the end of the year.

 

Is its a cool practice toy? Yes

 

Is it a "Reinvention" of the guitar amp? F**k no....if anything, its a reinvention of a BlueTooth speaker dock

 

If it hurts your feelings when people talk smack about a product you like or own or use....nobody gives a lollipop, just like nobody should give a lollipop when someone talks smack about a product....some of you guys act like someone called your sister a hooker or something....

[Triryche]

Well, if the little hints a couple of L6 employees have been dropping other places, there is something a little more "Pro" coming down the line in the near future. 

 

I'll poop a candy cane if there is an Android app for this before the end of the year.

 

 

Little more Pro typically translates to something I can't afford ATM. :(

 

If there is an Andriod app by the end of the year I'm certain there are specialty sites where you can upload your vid  :lol: :lol: :lol:

[talwilkins]

I think Line6 thinks it's a "reinvention" because of the possibility to "easily" find the tone for a certain song via internet.

That is in a way a pretty cool innovation. Technically there isn't much revolutionary going on, it;s just the way the technologies are implemented and integrated.

Although I am pretty disappointed they didn't deliver something cool for my purposes, I don't fail to see that they came up with something cool. Stupid they didn't have an Android app ready yet.

I am still pretty curious what else is coming our way.

In the meantime I'm very happy with my POD HD500 + DT-25 

[Triryche]

I am pretty curious what setting the tone matching will come up with.

Surely will be a disappointment to many players expecting their guitar and chops to sound like x,y, and z.

 

I remember late 80's early 90's there was a multi-effect pedal board (can't remember which one) that came with a reference card for many bands and you would punch in the code and it called up a preset. The concept was pretty cool, but the results were usually a bit hokey.

[talwilkins]

I am pretty curious what setting the tone matching will come up with.

Surely will be a disappointment to many players expecting their guitar and chops to sound like x,y, and z.

 

I remember late 80's early 90's there was a multi-effect pedal board (can't remember which one) that came with a reference card for many bands and you would punch in the code and it called up a preset. The concept was pretty cool, but the results were usually a bit hokey.

Yes, I can imagine. The nice thing about this concept is that more and more people would create great tones and make them available. Then more and more people would vote on the quality of the tone. Theoretically the tones will become better and better through time. It's a social media type arrangement. Actually quite interesting. I'm curious how it will evolve.

[d1stewart]

Actually still not clear if the sims and effects are loaded on the Amplifi and controlled from the iGear or if the Amplifi is just a power amp/cab and the iOS app has the sims/effects and just streams audio via Bluetooth...

It's the former, not the latter. You can load four new presets, with all models and effects, and cut off the iDevice connection. And if it were just streaming audio from the Amplifi Remote app, there'd be latency, making it unplayable.

[Triryche]

Their may be latency from streamed audio, but it should still be playable since you would be playing along with what you hear.

[Crusty_Old_Rocker]

I'm pretty excited by the potential of this amp.  In some ways it's getting back to the Vetta with all the amp and effects modelling in the amp along with wet and dry signal routing.  One thing I always wish my Vetta had was tweeters for the acoustic tones.  It combines some of the neat ideas of the Spider Jam into something that's gig worthy.  The main shortfall for me is no VDI with Variax control assigned to patches.  If that were added into the next iteration of this amp then we'd have a Vetta III.

 

I can see myself using this amp for everything from practice, through guitar/vocal solo/duo work to band gigging.  I can deal with manually contolling the Variax and using the G30 wireless really frees me and the backing tracks up from being tethered to an amp.

 

I just wonder if there is some way that Variax control might be implemented via the USB port?

 

Can't wait to get myself one of these.

 

Cheers,

 

Crusty

[AtomGram]

I have a great tube amp rig.  A George Dennis Blue with a fairly high end bunch of effects.  All together about 150 pounds. I teach four days a week at a local store and a small community college and play is several local bands.  I bought one of these for rehearsal and work.  It weighs 20 pounds.  It's pretty cool and sounds great.  I bought the 75 but might upgrade to the 150.  I will find out tomorrow at rehearsal.