The new Line 6 "Vetta" is an Awesome Digital Modeling Amp!
Written: Jun 10 '03 (Updated Jun 11 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Rich in features, excellent sounds, choice of simulated cabinets and effect models. Very easy operation.
Cons: Expensive Equipment...yes, but worth every penny!
The Bottom Line: So, as digital technology improves, so will modeling gear!
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| vanwarp's Full Review: Line 6 Vetta 100watt Guitar Amplifier 212 |
My daughter is in the market for a new, more powerful modeling amp. This was all the information I needed to seek out and test drive and to ultimately find out what all the new modeling amps had to offer. I’m very familiar with Yamaha and Vox products but I decided to check out what was happening with Line 6...the forerunners in the Digital Modeling Amp Technology.
Line 6 were the first to put digital modeling technology in a combo amp format for the guitarist. I consider Line 6's first generation modeling amps as a successful experiment and the second generation modeling amps as an improvement on their earlier models. Besides, Digital Technology is still in its early stages with less than 10 years in the making, one could say they are just starting out. With this in mind, the “Spider” could be considered the “baby” and the “Flextone” the “toddler.” Now, the “Vetta” is more mature and slides in as the young adult of all Line 6 Digital Modeling Amps.
The difference between this model and earlier Line 6 products is that they have developed a completely new modeling process called “Point-to-Point Interactive Modeling” which they claim captures all the dynamic interactive components of a real tube amp, and they’ve included Line 6's new AIR II (Acoustic Integrated Recording) outputs for PA or direct recording. More about this a little later. Does all of this really work? Well, I’m glad to report that this new modeling process is a huge step in the right direction and it works so much better than earlier models, I was so very impressed!
Features:
For starters, the “Vetta” is actually two amps in one. So what you get is two simultaneous signal paths, just like playing two different amps at once. Very innovative approach just like what many professionals do in real live situations! Further, you can get this digital modeling amp in a 100-watt 2x12 combo or in a 200-watt stereo head format. Regardless of the format, there are no less than 23 buttons, 16 knobs and two LCD displays on the “Vetta.” Line 6 products are among the best at offering easy-to-use interfaces, and learning how to operate this thing is so easy, even a ten year old can drive it.
The “Vetta” offers 45 different amp models to choose from and 30 stompbox models, 28 different cabinet simulations, 44 effects models and 128 presets - 64 factory and 64 user, arranged in 16 banks of four programs each. The combo is loaded with a pair of stereo-wired 12" custom Celestion speakers and weighs in at 65 lbs. All controls reside on top of the amp, ergonomically comfortable to control and edit sounds whether standing above the amp or seated in front of it. The controls for the “Vetta” head are all on the front of the panel with the usual rear panel controls that includes a total of four extension cab stereo outs with the option of switching to 4, 8 or 16 ohm operation. The combo only has two extension speaker cab outs with the choice of 8 and 4 ohm operation. With an extension speaker connected, you can route the dry signal to one cab and the wet to another, or feed one model through the Vetta cabinet and another through the extension speakers. The manual includes pictures for illustrations of all the proper set-ups. Wonderful options!
Line 6's user interface large LCD contains all the relevant editing information, while the smaller one displays patch names and numbers - a knob on the left of this display can be used to scroll through patches, although with the magnificent floor controller supplied as part of the package, I can't see it getting much use at all. Indeed, the Vetta's FXB/FBV Custom Foot Control ($599) floorboard is one of the most comprehensive I've ever seen - pretty much a button for everything, as well as two assignable pedals and a bright, large LED display.
At the rear of the panel, there are XLR stereo outputs for direct recording, a headphone jack and a buffered stereo effects loop. The effects loop is full stereo, and with MIDI compatibility you can have an outboard unit to track program changes as you switch banks, patches or amps. And of course, those direct outputs can feed a mixer for live use as well. What more could you possibly want?
Interface:
Credit the ingenious interaction of Line 6's LCD display and analog-style controls for it’s ease of use simplicity. Most adjustments occur via a set of gain and tone knobs, and because the current control status appears on the LCD screen, you can determine settings at a simple glance.
You can toggle effects on and off with a simple push of a button. Selecting and editing an effect is as easy as pushing a button or flicking a switch which automatically takes you to the relevant screen, and there’s always a hardware knob for each onscreen parameter. Multi-page menus are kept to a minimum, and most edits can be accomplished in less than two or three quick moves. It just doesn’t get any easier than this. Those with a little experience with digital modeling programs will not even need the manual.
The digital display adds a lot of value to the standard features. Take the tuner, for instance, you now get a full-screen digital readout. Press the tuner button once and the built in chromatic tuner is activated. Tuning your guitar has never been easier. The tuner is smooth and responsive with accurate tracking and precise intonation.
Sounds:
The factory presets that come with the amp are a very good starting point. I recommend all new owners start here for a general feel for the amp. You will want to play with these sounds later, but I recommend you wait until you get a good all round feel for the amp first.
The virtual tone controls interact with each other and with your guitar and the dynamics of your playing, all influencing one another much the same way as a conventional professional set up would. For example, when you back off your guitar’s volume control, the “tones” change accordingly. Crank the gain and there is a tremendous sense of power just like revving up the motor on a Formula One Race Car.
Most of the Vetta’s custom amp models are excellent. Some mix and match pre-amp stages from various classic amps for a lively and useful assortment of Fender/Marshall and tweed/blackface hybrids. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! You can also freely mix and match any of the 45 amp models with any of the 28 cabinet configurations, so if you've ever wondered what this or that amp would sound like going through this or that speaker configuration, well, you can experiment and experience those possibilities now! Sweet!
In addition to getting a variety of classic overdrive and distortion boxes like the Tube Screamer and other excellent stompbox simulations, there’s a full suite of post-amp effects, including some uncommonly realistic and tasty reverbs, tremolo (Fender and Vox styles), EQ (4-band graphic and parametric), compression, noise gate, pitch shift, rotary speaker (Leslie 145 and Fender Vibratone), some vintage and modern modulation effects (chorus and phase, Uni-Vibe) and a host of vintage analog and tape delays. Furthermore, you can alter the order of effects in an instant via a simple two-knob interface. Fun, fun, fun! The effects sound very good, and each model has a complete set of controls. As with the amp models, these controls mirror the originals, with some additional enhancements available as well. Formidable! Whatever you want to do, you can do it!
In addition, the effect chains are completely independent for each model, so you can superimpose, say, various flavors of fuzz, low and hi-fi delay, synchronized modulation effects, and so on. The sheer number of combinations can be quite literally overwhelming. Fortunately, Line 6’s very cool and tasteful two-amp presets provide a fine overview of all the Vetta’s twin-tone tricks.
More on Tone Shaping the “Vetta”:
One critical aspect of any amp is the way the controls influence the tone and gain structure. With the “Vetta,” each amp model has a gain and tone structure that corresponds to that of the original amp. If the amp being modeled had bass, treble, and midrange knobs, so will the Vetta model. In cases where the original amp had a minimal EQ setup, the Vetta model mirrors it but also gives you additional “post-amp” EQ controls. For example, the Vetta's Fender Deluxe model has bass and treble controls just like on the original but you also get post-amp midrange and presence controls so that if you wish to adjust those to your taste, you could. That way you can enhance the sound of the Deluxe without altering its basic character. Very Innovative!
Recording:
The cabinet simulations are amongst the best I could find, and you can select emulations of several popular microphones. The ability to mix and match amps and cabinets adds more exciting possibilities to help make your recording experience a totally satisfying one. Wish I could have tried this out...but I am convinced the “Vetta” is a terrific recording tool.
The Foot Control Floorboard:
The all-steel floorboard offers a large LCD display, dual realtime control pedals, and switches for selecting programs, activating effects, and tapping in delay and modulation tempos.
The realtime control options emphasize simplicity over comprehensiveness. The pedals’ functions default to wah and volume, although they can also regulate basic parameters such as modulation depth and effect blends.
Documentation:
The “Vetta” operation manual is excellent. It gives you all the information you need in an informal, conversational tone that is easy to understand. It includes plenty of helpful diagrams, a factory preset chart and photos of the modeled amps and effects.
Concluding Remarks:
The question is, will I recommend the “Vetta” to my daughter and how does it compare to the Vox Valvetronix? My first impression is Yes, the “Vetta” out-performs the Valvetronix! But with all the new modeling products out on the market right now, other options are also available. For instance, I think Line 6's PODxt is actually a better choice for my daughter. The PODxt benefits from all the new modeling techniques that Line 6 implemented for the “Vetta.”
Furthermore, the AIR II cabinet/room modeling outputs for PA or Direct Recording which simulates the process of recording a real guitar amplifier in a studio and gives you the ability to choose different microphone simulations and to add some "room/space" effects to your sound. This all adds up to a very versatile unit. I found the PODxt to be one of the most powerful multi-effects units on the market right now that can also be used live with the Line 6 FBV shortboard going straight through the PA for the ultimate compact rig. All this for half the price of the “Vetta.” This set-up is also much better than the Valvetronix, IMHO! Sounds like a very good deal to me!
Setting-up the PODxt for Live Use:
The foot controller is essential if you want to get the most out of the PODxt onstage. But the PODxt does come with standard MIDI connections, so that it can be piloted by any MIDI controller, but the most gratifying option is Line 6’s FBV Custom Foot Controller.
You can plug the PODxt straight to the mixer and out the PA system. Or, you can plug the PODxt in between your guitar and the front of your combo amp and use it as a multi effects unit and tone shaping tool. Or, you can always do what I did to test drive the PODxt and plug it into the effects return jack (or I could have used the Power Amp In jack) on my Peavey Ecoustic Amp. Whatever you use, in order to take full advantage of the sounds and tone available with the PODxt, you must program the unit according to your choice of set-up. And those three choices are:
1. Direct (Studio/PA) - The PODxt was made for this set-up, the experience is as good if not better than what they say.
2. In Front of a Combo Amp - Best effects unit and tone shaping tool I’ve ever used.
3. Power Amp with Cab(s) - Same as two.
Effectively, having every one of these options to re-voice everything to sound its best coming out of whatever rig you are using is just f*cking great!
There’s nothing like the “Vetta” or the PODxt on the market right now. The “Vetta” sold me on the new Line 6 digital modeling products...but the PODxt simply blew me away!
I would recommend the "Vetta" to a friend, but only if he doesn't already own an amp. Otherwise, the PODxt with the optional FBV shortboard is a sweet deal!
~Vanwarp~
Recommended:
Yes
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vanwarp
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"Only sick music makes money today." Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher (1844 - 1900)
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