Engadget

Line6 introduces StageScape visual mixer, lets you touch it up to eleven

James Trew — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:11:00 EST

It might seem like we've gone mixer mad around here, but with a huge music trade-show starting this week, it's no surprise there's a pile of new tech on offer. The StageScape M20d visual mixer from Line 6 being one such example. Of course, we have inputs (12 line / mic, four line-only, and two for USB/SD streaming) and outputs (four XLR monitors, two master) all strummed along by internal 32-bit floating-point processing. What piqued our interest, however, was that seven inch screen you see up there. Rather than fumble over a mash of faders, you thumb the instrument's icon to pull up its parameters. Other features include Kaossilator style X-Y multi-parameter control, and color coded pots -- presumably so you don't kill the guitar solo by mistake. A final flourish is remote control via an iPad, for mid-track sound tweaks -- though you might need one of these. Tap the PR after the break for more info.

Continue reading Line6 introduces StageScape visual mixer, lets you touch it up to eleven

Line6 introduces StageScape visual mixer, lets you touch it up to eleven originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video)

Daniel Cooper — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST

Musical device maker Line 6 has widened its range of music-making peripherals to include these two new MIDI controllers for your iDevice. It's the first (so it says) bus-powered gear that'll draw a tenth of your iPad's battery -- meaning you'll likely get nine hours of music-makin' on a full charge. We gave the devices a play and found them a joy to use, the keys were comfortable and had some weight, solidly built with chunky rubber volume controls and LED-backlit octave switch keys. The only downside is there's no natural slot (or groove) to place your iPad at the right angle for sustained use. After the break we've got a video with some pretty amateurish playing, but don't let the assault upon your ears dissuade you from how good this device feels. The 25-key version will cost you $150, the 49-key version $200 and both are expected to arrive before the end of the quarter.

Gallery: Line 6 Mobile Keys Hands-On At CES 2012

Dana Murph contributed to this report.

Continue reading Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video)

Line 6 Mobile Keys iDevice MIDI controllers hands-on (Video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers

Joe Pollicino — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:01:00 EST

Line 6 hasn't been a stranger to uniting musician's iDevices and MIDI controllers with its MIDI-Mobilizers, but now it's unleashing a duo of keyboard-style controllers of its own here at CES. Its Mobile Keys can connect straight to your iPhone's 30-pin port, and even over USB if you feel like recording some loops straight from your computer. The controller features velocity sensitive keys, two 1/4-inch jacks for sustain pedals and the like, and it'll interface with any apps that support CoreMIDI. Thankfully, the controllers are bus-powered, so you won't need batteries -- we'd imagine, however, that the convenience might be at the expense of your iDevice's normal run-time. If you're recording bug is piqued, you'll be able to pick it up with either 25 or 49 keys in the "early 2012, respectively priced at $150 and $200. Full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers

Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp -- party on, Wayne

Lydia Leavitt — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:42:00 EST

No word yet on if the volume peaks at 11, but what Line 6's new Mobile In offerings will do is turn your iPad or iPhone into a pro modeling amp, with a sick range of amplifiers, guitar cabinets, stompboxes, tones and rack effects. The setup comes in two separate parts: the free mobile Pod app and the Mobile In adaptor, which lets aspiring metalheads (or Fleeting Foxes) connect their guitars to an iOS device using the 30-pin connector. Line 6 says this connection blows similar jack-based apps out of the water, and it's throwing in 24-bit/48kHz digital sound for good measure. Although you'll get a killer 110dB of dynamic range for guitar, you can still achieve 98dBs when you plug in another mono or stereo-line level -- that old keytar, perhaps? With that kind of combo you'll be thankful to know that it records and works with other CoreAudio apps like GarageBand -- perfect for jamming out with your keyboard toutin' buddies without the back-breaking work of carrying a heavy amp. Have your lighters ready for when the $79.99 adaptor ships this fall, but until then, check out the video and full PR after the break.

Continue reading Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp -- party on, Wayne

Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp -- party on, Wayne originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MIDI Mobilizer II stores your musical stylings, plays nice with CoreMIDI apps

Michael Gorman — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:45:00 EST

Much music making progress has been made since we first saw Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer -- namely, Apple put MIDI APIs in iOS and iPads started slinging super funky synthesized songs on the regular. In order to embrace the Cupertino-curated CoreMIDI standard, Line 6 has unveiled the MIDI Mobilizer II dongle. It looks like the original and uses the same MIDI Memo Recorder app to store and dispense your sonic musings, but this $70 piece of kit only works with the 3rd and 4th gen iPod touch, the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, and the iPad and iPad 2. Most importantly, the MIDI Mobilizer is compatible with GarageBand and all the latest CoreMIDI apps the kids are crazy about. Still not sold on the device's ability to help you make a dope digital ditty? Peep the PR and video after the break to learn more.

Continue reading MIDI Mobilizer II stores your musical stylings, plays nice with CoreMIDI apps

MIDI Mobilizer II stores your musical stylings, plays nice with CoreMIDI apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

KR1 DIY guitar / synth makes its debut at Castle Frightenstein

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST

We've seen a few Zoybar-based behemoths since we were hepped to the modular guitar platform way back in '08, but few have caught our fancy like Kevin Rupp's KR1. Featuring a Korg Kaossilator synth, both the Pocket Pod and a wireless transmitter from Line 6, and the beloved Sanyo Pedal Juice battery pack, this bad boy can do double duty as both your ax and your backing band. But enough of our jabber jaw -- you want to see it in action, right? Check it out after the break.

[Thanks, TK]

Continue reading KR1 DIY guitar / synth makes its debut at Castle Frightenstein

KR1 DIY guitar / synth makes its debut at Castle Frightenstein originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple introduces MIDI to iOS 4.2, iPads the world o'er get ready to rave

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST

Although musicians were quick to pick up on the iPad's possibilities as a control surface, the audio production corner of the App Store is still overwhelmingly devoted to things like guitar amp models and soft synths -- that's because until recently there was no way to send MIDI commands from iOS (not that some folks didn't figure out workarounds). That's why we were excited to hear about the appearance of MIDI APIs in iOS 4.2. What does this mean for all of you would-be Brian Enos? The gang over at Create Digital Music have put together a handy guide to what we might expect from a world where all out iOS devices can communicate via MIDI, whether through the USB cable or over WiFi -- and it is a brave new world, indeed. Intrigued? We were too! And we were pleased to find out that yes, the M-Audio Uno works with the iPad, and that the accelerometer can indeed be used to pitch bend. Unfortunately, we also learned that the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer is a lot less exciting than we thought it might be (that is, until third party devs go to town on the thing). Hit the source link for all that stuff and more. Or just peep the video after the break, if you wonder what the next version of Pianist Pro holds.

Continue reading Apple introduces MIDI to iOS 4.2, iPads the world o'er get ready to rave

Apple introduces MIDI to iOS 4.2, iPads the world o'er get ready to rave originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The iPhone gets third party apps for third party hardware, but the proprietary SDKs make the future sad

Paul Miller — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST

Leave it to Apple to make the process of building software to work with new third party iPhone hardware sound like some Kafkaesque nightmare. Here's the basic gist of it: Apple, just like always, has to approve any third party hardware that plugs into one of its iOS devices over the 30-pin dock connector. What's new is that before only the first party manufacturer could build software that works with that hardware, but now Apple is allowing that manufacturer to act as a gatekeeper for third party apps that would interoperate with its hardware. That means exciting times for app developers that are raring to mix with the likes of Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer (pictured) and AKAI's SynthStation 25, but it's also a far cry from the land of computers where anybody can build a plug-and-play USB MIDI device, and anybody can build software that speaks to it. It also means juggling proprietary SDKs, NDAs, and other agreements, which could become very difficult for developers if or when the hardware availability balloons. Hopefully we can get something more elegant before it comes to that. Hit up the source link for an in-depth discussion of this issue.

The iPhone gets third party apps for third party hardware, but the proprietary SDKs make the future sad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 peripheral brings MIDI and iPhone closer than you ever expected

Ross Miller — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:56:00 EST

It's no amplifier substitute, but Line 6 has come up with something potentially even better for the budding songwriter buried deep within your rhythmic veins. The MIDI Mobilizer for iPhone and iPod touch is an app-based peripheral that lets you record, playback, store, and transfer MIDI sequences and parameters using the MIDI Memo Recorder software. While it does sound convenient in theory, we'll have to wait until we can try the dongle out for ourselves. At this point in time, price of the Mobilizer is TBD and the release date is the ever-vague Spring 2010. As for the recorder app, it's currently available on iTunes free of charge, although it's more or less useless without the complementary hardware. For now, you'll just have to settle with living vicariously through the promo video, after the break.

[Thanks, Fred]

Continue reading Line 6 peripheral brings MIDI and iPhone closer than you ever expected

Line 6 peripheral brings MIDI and iPhone closer than you ever expected originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 announces Relay G30 system for guitar players who want to rock you sans tether (video)

Tim Stevens — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST

We've been to concerts where the lead guitar player seemed more concerned about tripping over the wire running to his amp than actually putting on a good show, and that's not cool. Line 6, creator of a series of rockin' music gadgets in the past, is back to sever that tether without trampling your tune, man. It promises great sound over 100-feet, even able to replicate the frequency loss from different lengths of cable, and pledges to be "the most dependable wireless unit you've ever experienced." It uses the 2.4GHz band (so hopefully nobody's running a boosted 802.11b router nearby) and costs $420 -- a bargain in this line of work. Don't believe us? Trust Steve Stevens, who not only has a lovely last name but also rocked out with Billy Idol on Rebel Yell and said "there are systems that cost well over $3,000 that sound nowhere near as good." Of course, if you're a big-spender with tour funds to blow, Line 6 will happily sell you the 12-channel G50 and G90 models, which will set you back $560 and $840, respectively.

Continue reading Line 6 announces Relay G30 system for guitar players who want to rock you sans tether (video)

Line 6 announces Relay G30 system for guitar players who want to rock you sans tether (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone

Darren Murph — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:39:00 EST

Apple's closing out the new application talk today at WWDC with a demo from Line 6 and Planet Waves, who have joined the Cupertino-based company in order to give your iPhone the ability to control your guitar and amplifier. Sadly, the wireless communication between the Line 6 Variax guitar and the iPhone on stage had some issues, though the folks assured us we could see more later on at Line 6's website. If this thing manages to function, it will also let you re-tune your six-string and change models on the fly. No word on price or availability just yet, but we'll let you know if either of those factoids appear.

Gallery: Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

Line 6 and Planet Waves brings guitar and amp control to iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6 launches POD Studio USB interfaces, POD Farm plug-ins

Darren Murph — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:59:00 EST

Nearly a month after Line 6 treated bedroom guitarists everywhere with the brilliant BackTrack, along comes a few new tools for the more serious musicians. Or, at least the ones that think they're serious. The newly announced POD Studio family of USB recording interfaces feature the POD Farm plug-in and 44.1/48kHz, 16-/24-bit recording. The no-frills GX unit boasts a single 1/4-inch guitar input, while the UX1 adds a balanced XLR input with preamp and two 1/4-inch analog outputs; the top-end UX2 (pictured) offers two 1/4-inch inputs (one normal, one pad), two balanced XLR inputs with preamps and phantom power, S/PDIF digital output and a pair of assignable VU meters. Each box comes packed with Ableton recording software, though Line 6 doesn't bother to share the costs for these.

[Via Electronista]

Read - POD Studio family
Read - POD Farm plug-ins

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Line 6 launches POD Studio USB interfaces, POD Farm plug-ins originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line 6's BackTrack is here to record all your moments of brilliant greatness

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:25:00 EST

You play guitar, and we know you're very gifted. You haven't been to Juilliard, but it doesn't matter because you're inspired. What you need now is something to capture inspiration, so you can then drag it -- in the form of a WAV -- onto your desktop via USB 2.0. You need BackTrack by Line 6. Just plug your guitar into BackTrack, plug BackTrack into your amp, and start playing. The device begins recording when it detects a signal and it never stops as long as the battery has a charge (up to eight hours). When you let out a truly boss riff -- or a tasty lick -- you don't have to worry about losing that gem. The basic package retails for $139.99, can capture up to 12 hours of audio and comes equipped with 1GB flash memory. BackTrack + Mic comes equipped with 2GB flash memory and an internal microphone, records for up to 24 hours and retails for $209.99. Both models are rechargeable via USB and have the standard 1/4-inch in / out and headphone jacks.

[Via CNET]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Line 6's BackTrack is here to record all your moments of brilliant greatness originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Line6 releases the Pocket POD for tone on the go

Nilay Patel — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:31:00 EST

While we're not crazy about modeled solid-state guitar tone, sometimes firing up that 800-watt tube amp just isn't feasible -- which is where Line6's new Pocket POD comes in. Essentially a miniature version of the company's popular POD amp modelers, the Pocket POD features 300 presets based on vintage and modern amps and cabs developed in conjunction with several popular guitarists, a host of effects including delay and compression, 1/8-inch input for jamming along to an iPod, headphone jack, and USB connectivity to Line6's Vyzex software to tweak and tune your presets any way you like. If this thing sounds half as convincing as other Line6 modelers, it'll be quite a steal at $129 -- but deep down you'll know it's not the same.

[Via Macworld]

Line6 releases the Pocket POD for tone on the go originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple's POD trademark app faces more opposition

Darren Murph — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:05:00 EST

We're pretty sure Apple faces about as much legal heat as every other big time corporation out there, but ever since Cisco invited Apple (or vice-versa?) to a few rounds of throwdown, "Apple" and "trademark" just seem to go hand in hand. Apparently, the POD moniker that has caught so much flack over the years is facing a slew of additional opponents, who apparently think the oh-so-coveted three letter word fits better in its own name. PodFitness, Inc., Secure-It, Inc., Varsity Group Inc., TastyBytes Software, Inc., VNU Media Measurement & Information, Inc., and Line 6, Inc. (makers of the highly-regarded "POD" lineup of guitar effects processors) are all crying foul on Apple's notoriously tight grip, but considering that all the filings are still marked as "pending," we can only assume the war wages on. Nevertheless, some of the filings stretch back to 2004, and although most things like this have a way of simply "vanishing" over time, we're fairly certain the grumpy plaintiffs are (at least somewhat) enjoying that "instituted for proceeding" bit. So while opposition continues to flail helplessly as it tries to disarm the almighty POD from Steve and Co., we're still left wondering how everyone and their next of kin can prefix any product at all with "i" without raising a fuss.

[Thanks, Nikropht]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Apple's POD trademark app faces more opposition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments