Hey fans of JMJ. Rich from Line 6 here.

[OrionManMatt]

Some of these are bound to have been suggested already, but I'm making my own list because you asked for individual opinions. Hopefully their repetition will underscore the market.

1) 3.5mm line-in with a volume control (iPod, CD player, etc.)
2) headphone out
3) pre/post transformed-based DI
4) updated effects modeling (there are many new, fantastic effects out there)
5) 100% wet OC-2 emulation
6) I love the LA-2A as much as anyone else...in the studio. Not live.
7) Testing option: backline a local scene for awhile with an "average" soundsystem
8) Improved B15/SVT emulation
9) PBDDI-styled three preset pedal in which you can use up to three ToneCore-style modules, creating some bass-specific modules.

[Billygoat666]

This is an interesting thread! So great to see a manufacturer asking for opinions from the players!

I might be the only one that feels this way but, to me, the lowdown series does not have the look and feel of pro bass gear. I can't identify what it is about it, but the whole series just looks like toys to me. Even the HD 750. I think part of it might be those cheesy knobs and the glowing marshmallow buttons. As for the combos, I would be embarrassed to take one out due to the plastic porting at the bottom. Just as an example, if you look at a Mesa combo, even the smallest one, you know it means business. It just looks pro. The power switch being on the back of the lowdown heads is really silly too.

After hearing your suggestion of trying the M13 with bass, I'm going to give one a go at my local music store. Nice to see you made a multi-effect pedal board without the cheesy amp modeling.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by richrenken

I know what he is saying. But I understand Jimmy too. That is why the headline for the combos was "Finally, big rock tone in a small combo"

Jimmy, have you gotten to try any of the LowDowns? Wondered your take on the B-15 and SVT.

I tried the LD 110 once about a year and a half ago, but at the time I was looking for a combo that I could gig with (sorry...I can't hang with a 110 for gigs), and didn't really get to explore any of the presets other than a quick shot with them. I remember that I liked the B-15 and SVT presets more than any others, but I have to admit that I was always very skeptical about tube amp modeling, and I wasn't full-on back onto vintage Ampegs like I am now, so any opinions I have about the accuracy of your Ampeg models wouldn't really be valid. I'll head out to GC or Sam Ash later this week and see if I can try the bigger combos.

[gillento]

+1 for a amp/preamp simulator in pedal format not unlike the Tech21 PBDDI.

Include the SUBDUB!!!!!!

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

...

Last time I was in my local music store I saw an AM-4 Amp Modeller and I thought to myself: now why don't they bring that out for bass. (AM-4 is discontinued if I recall correct)
Better yet make a bass version of the AM-4 that is also a preamp with XLR-out like the SansAmp BDDI. And hold the speaker modelling please.
You guys also may bring out a guitar version... then it would be a great stablemate for the M13 perhaps. Basicly what I just described is a POD Live sawn in half with the effects on one side, the amp modelling on the other.
I'd prefer this, because I don't care for the effects, I would use my trusty single-pedal-board in front of a modelling preamp unit.
Some other guy may think the opposite: liking the M13 as a multi-effects, but doesn't care about the amp modelling and go straight into his favourite amp.

....

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by gillento

+1 for a amp/preamp simulator in pedal format not unlike the Tech21 PBDDI.

Include the SUBDUB!!!!!!

I was just browsing local classifieds and spotted an original Bass POD (bean).
I'm thinking of getting, put it on my pedalboard, set it to Sub Dub, and operate it with a looper.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by Pitbull Growl

Just a thought here...

One of the coolest things about tube amps/preamps is the ability to change sonic characteristics by swapping out the tubes. Would it be possible to take the whole "tube emulation" thing to the next level? What I mean by that is, instead of just a generic "tube emulator", could you guys offer voicings for different brands of tubes (ie: Telefunken, Mullard, JJ's, Sovtek, Westinghouse, etc) ? "Tone" is sooooo subjective, but something like that could help you guys @ L6 snag a larger market share by making your product more versatile instead of shoving all us square peg bass players into the proverbial round hole.

Very interesting idea. We have mulled it over.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by Billygoat666

This is an interesting thread! So great to see a manufacturer asking for opinions from the players!

I might be the only one that feels this way but, to me, the lowdown series does not have the look and feel of pro bass gear. I can't identify what it is about it, but the whole series just looks like toys to me. Even the HD 750. I think part of it might be those cheesy knobs and the glowing marshmallow buttons. As for the combos, I would be embarrassed to take one out due to the plastic porting at the bottom. Just as an example, if you look at a Mesa combo, even the smallest one, you know it means business. It just looks pro. The power switch being on the back of the lowdown heads is really silly too.

After hearing your suggestion of trying the M13 with bass, I'm going to give one a go at my local music store. Nice to see you made a multi-effect pedal board without the cheesy amp modeling.

Thank you so much. Justin thought exactly that. I explained to him what happened.

When we did the little combos, they were supposed to be for the entry level, small gigging bass player. Kinda like Spider for Bass. Well, a bunch of my friends became beta guys. Mike Elizondo, Jimmy Haslip, Chris Chaney, Jonathan Ahrens, I expected to get good info from them and then they would just put them in a corner. Well, they were blown away. Mike showed it to Mickey and it was used on half the last Marroon 5 record, Jimmy took the 12" kickback it to an Alan Holdsworth rehearsal and after them wondering why that was all he brought (alan had a stack of amps) blew them all away. Chris started using it for stuff, especially after getting him the Studio 110 and my Jonathan started tracking with it after being known as the fliptop guys.

JMJ was the second guy I went to with the very first 12" LD and he loved it and was the major instigator for the Studio 110.

So with all that excitement, I pitched that we put the front end in a box with an all class D power amp and get it out quick. Well, it ended up taking a while and could only have it be a class D power amp with a linear power supply. We thought it would roll out and be a hit like the combos. But it has only done ok. Don't get me wrong, got some killer player playing it, like Terry Lewis, but man, it is just not all the way there.

That is why I jumped in here after talking to Justin to get more points of view from all level of player, all level of gigging, all areas of gigging and all parts of the world.

The look is one thing. I got it as cool as I could with the parameters I had, and I too wish it vibed better.

But on the sound and features, I personally identify with Justin. I have an old SVT and pedalboard, actually how I got hired at Line 6. The combos were my first product. But at the level of the more pro guys like you, there is more variety and range of needs than I realized and you have really opened my eyes to that.

I really hope I have another shot to win for my community, after all, I am a bass player and I don't play guitar.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I tried the LD 110 once about a year and a half ago, but at the time I was looking for a combo that I could gig with (sorry...I can't hang with a 110 for gigs), and didn't really get to explore any of the presets other than a quick shot with them. I remember that I liked the B-15 and SVT presets more than any others, but I have to admit that I was always very skeptical about tube amp modeling, and I wasn't full-on back onto vintage Ampegs like I am now, so any opinions I have about the accuracy of your Ampeg models wouldn't really be valid. I'll head out to GC or Sam Ash later this week and see if I can try the bigger combos.

That would be awesome and I welcome the good but for sure the bad and ugly.

[richrenken]

Hey guys,

I just want to say again, thank you all for accepting me here and sharing with me your thoughts on Line 6 and our future talking to bass players. I totally find it to be a privilege and do not take that lightly.

I promise you I will never violate the rules of TB and am actually working on pitching to Line 6 to do a sponsored forum. I would love that. But in here I will just answer questions and be very respectful of other company's gear and not speak ill will. Which is easy because I love so much of the same gear as you guys and will not even talk about the stuff I love out of respect to the company's who's gear I don't love as much.

Again, much respect and thank you,

Rich

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Hey guys,

I just want to say again, thank you all for accepting me here and sharing with me your thoughts on Line 6 and our future talking to bass players. I totally find it to be a privilege and do not take that lightly.

I promise you I will never violate the rules of TB and am actually working on pitching to Line 6 to do a sponsored forum. I would love that. But in here I will just answer questions and be very respectful of other company's gear and not speak ill will. Which is easy because I love so much of the same gear as you guys and will not even talk about the stuff I love out of respect to the company's who's gear I don't love as much.

Again, much respect and thank you,

Rich

I would love that too.

I've seen your responses in the amps forum. You are always friendly even though sometimes some guys are chewing you or Line 6 out.

[jro]

Hi Rich,
I've commented before on this thread but recently have been using my 110 for rehearsals and have more to add. At first I brought the 110 because I was too lazy to haul my big amp but I've since realized that I can get by without the big stuff. I'm impressed more and more with it as I play around. As long as the drummer isn't too loud it keeps up just fine and there's been a few comments about how good it sounds.

A couple notes -

To really get the most out of the 110 you can't be afraid to turn knobs. The gain (drive) and the optical compressor settings are key to getting a good tone with some basses. I wish it was a bit simpler sometimes. Maybe the drive and compressor could interact somehow? As for the compressor setting, it can't be bypassed and I've never turned it all the way down. What is it really? Maybe the upper and lower limits need to be set differently and a bypass added to make it act more compressor like?

I've also noticed that the tone knobs seem to do more on some models than others. For instance, the SVT Hi Mid's can really be heard with a small change but the Eden model doesn't seem as drastic (I've been searching for a modern MMiller type of tone). This is proabably by design but it can be frustrating. Maybe the manual should point these things out if they really are different?

It would be great if there was some indication of what the settings are when presets are switched. LED's around the controls would work as long as they aren't too cheesy. I also agree with the previous assessment of the look and feel. Lose the chrome knobs and shiny plastics. Make things a smaller more industrial looking package imo.

If you redo the 110 I would like presets that store the models and a tuner.

Thanks again for listening.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by jro

Hi Rich,
I've commented before on this thread but recently have been using my 110 for rehearsals and have more to add. At first I brought the 110 because I was too lazy to haul my big amp but I've since realized that I can get by without the big stuff. I'm impressed more and more with it as I play around. As long as the drummer isn't too loud it keeps up just fine and there's been a few comments about how good it sounds.

A couple notes -

To really get the most out of the 110 you can't be afraid to turn knobs. The gain (drive) and the optical compressor settings are key to getting a good tone with some basses. I wish it was a bit simpler sometimes. Maybe the drive and compressor could interact somehow? As for the compressor setting, it can't be bypassed and I've never turned it all the way down. What is it really? Maybe the upper and lower limits need to be set differently and a bypass added to make it act more compressor like?

I've also noticed that the tone knobs seem to do more on some models than others. For instance, the SVT Hi Mid's can really be heard with a small change but the Eden model doesn't seem as drastic (I've been searching for a modern MMiller type of tone). This is proabably by design but it can be frustrating. Maybe the manual should point these things out if they really are different?

It would be great if there was some indication of what the settings are when presets are switched. LED's around the controls would work as long as they aren't too cheesy. I also agree with the previous assessment of the look and feel. Lose the chrome knobs and shiny plastics. Make things a smaller more industrial looking package imo.

If you redo the 110 I would like presets that store the models and a tuner.

Thanks again for listening.

We try to match the gear we are modeling. So the compressor is very LA-2A. I remember some of the first sessions I did in LA, the engineer plugged me into the LA-2A and I had a conniption fit. I felt all squished and funny. Well after mixing many records over the years, I grew to love the LA-2A. That said, I know what you mean, I have an RNC on my pedalboard and love to be able to set the attack and release for more of a punchy sound.

On the amp models and the travel on each tone knob etc, that is by design. If you set the knobs similar to the modeled amp you will be very in the ball park of the real amp. The clean model is an eden and I would think it would be hard to get that Marcus sound.

LEDs have been thought of many times. At an affordable cost they do just look cheesy. There are manufacturers out there trying it and I don't like it. One thing we didn't include in LowDown is "compare" mode that is on Spider. I was so new here developing this stuff that I missed it. You can press and hold tuner and then spin the model knob to go into compare and basically dial the knobs to where that particular preset is. I want to be sure this is in future models.

With you guys on growing up the look.

I had an idea after the amps were out on the clean sound. When we go after a clean sound we are shooting for that Marcus kind of sound. Well, his sound that we mostly love is his studio sound. I love love love the bass sound on Slam on David Sanborn's Close-Up album. Well, that is his bass through some bad ass preamp and eq straight to tape. You guys probably could tell me what he used. So my thinking is imagine that we modeled like an Avalon pre for the input and drive and the eq controls were modeled after an API eq section. Then have two DIs on the back that could always send "your" clean and "amped" sound to the engineer to blend. HHHnmmm. ? What do you think? and what do you think would be a cool preamp and eq studio style gear to model for this clean?

[ireidt]

hey richrenken!

me again! I started messing with the presets of the Synth stuff and to be honest, not a fan of the presets of the lowdown LD300 ( I assume the same ones on the other amps)

BUT 3D Trousers setting with the Wah on and either the Octave effect on mid-full or chorus mid-full sounds INSANE! I also changed my rig to a stero rig with a Peavy basic 112. the basic has a berhinger V-amp bean thing( which i wish was a bass pod) but now I can have th effects going with a clean sound underneath and a phase/loop going clean and effects changing not messing with the loop.

Suddenly i like hte LD300 more

I would like to see a way to save presets on a CPU in case you wanta mess around or a way to edit channels on a PC and preview them. That would be cool.

oh and subscribed

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by ireidt

hey richrenken!

me again! I started messing with the presets of the Synth stuff and to be honest, not a fan of the presets of the lowdown LD300 ( I assume the same ones on the other amps)

BUT 3D Trousers setting with the Wah on and either the Octave effect on mid-full or chorus mid-full sounds INSANE! I also changed my rig to a stero rig with a Peavy basic 112. the basic has a berhinger V-amp bean thing( which i wish was a bass pod) but now I can have th effects going with a clean sound underneath and a phase/loop going clean and effects changing not messing with the loop.

Suddenly i like hte LD300 more

I would like to see a way to save presets on a CPU in case you wanta mess around or a way to edit channels on a PC and preview them. That would be cool.

oh and subscribed

Good stuff. Presets are always hard to do. We can't guess what kind of bass guys are plugging in so we try to be sure they sound good with a P-Bass straight up.

[ireidt]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Good stuff. Presets are always hard to do. We can't guess what kind of bass guys are plugging in so we try to be sure they sound good with a P-Bass straight up.

true, I never expect the presets to be perfect, just an example of what the amp/effect/whatever is capable of.

[Moosehead1966]

I have bought the XT Pro just recently.. I hear about being short-changed, but, for my money, I feel optimistic that compared to the Behringer V-Amp Pro, I l have a better quality sound, at least to my ears.. Dunno, I would be excited to see the V-Amp feature of tone knobs being "light-emitted" and virtually represented as opposed to the two options now present.

I run with a Spector NS-2J EX (single coil with Aguilar pre-amp), into a power amp (Behringer A-500) into the Hartke 4X10 "hydrive" cab. Sounds like magic to me folks. I'm 43 yrs. old...Daddy don't want to lift no more crates..

This is my first post, Proud and honoured to be a new member of this community by the way.

Marc

[jimmyjam]

I know this has been kinda mentioned, and I haven't checked out the new PODs, but a complete bypass switch would be great! (footswitchable too). I occasionally use my bass pod pro on gigs, and have to put it in a loop in order to be able to go without it when I want to...
Also fx loop(s) on the pod live and good DI would be great.
I love the idea of the Low Down DI. Tubes would be great too...
I also like the idea of it being a "swiss army knife" like the radial bassbone or EBS DI thingy. I love having an fx loop on a DI, as well as boost/mute functions.
The espresso idea is great too! So many festivals don't have decent coffee!
I still sometimes use my old ADA MB1 for recording, as it's more tubey (has tubes..) than the pod.
Great to see a company actually asking what people want!

[Moosehead1966]

I would like to add to my last post. In referring to the article (product review--LowDown HD750) in the August issue of Bass Player, I was struck by the reviewer's mention of his preference for clarity in knowing where everything is set up in every patch (i.e. LED 's ringing each knob). I know I was referring to the Bass Pod XT Pro initially but this does highlite that many wish for the same.

[richrenken]

Hey Guys!!!

Line 6 is now sponsoring a forum over in sponsored forums.

I am going to have Paul freeze and move this forum over there.

Here is the direct link.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f211/

Looking forward to getting into it with you guys. And thank you for your time you have given already.

Also, thank you to shriekback for hipping me to the sponsored forums. I think we are going to have super great and lively discussions over there. I will be jumping in today and/or tonight.

Thanks again,

Rich Renken
Product Manager