A few short weeks after claiming to have reinvented the guitar amp with a pair of AMPLIFi streaming music player and combo instrument amp hybrids, Line 6 is expanding its new connected range with the introduction of the AMPLIFi FX100. The effects unit leverages the connected world of iOS devices to grant players access to a wealth of professional-quality tones in the cloud, as well offering intuitive creation of brand new sounds, the ability to match the signature tones of fretboard masters from tracks in a user's music library, and share favorites with fellow musicians via an online community.
Using the Line 6 AMPLIFi Remote app for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, players can search for time-tested classic tones, create new ones from over 200 amp and effects modulations, and share favorites and rate existing tones for accuracy via the cloud-based community. A cloud-based automatic tone-matching feature can help nail a guitar hero's signature sound in double-quick time by suggesting matches for the player's tone in songs sourced from a user's music library.
Tracks from a mobile device's digital library can be streamed to the FX100 over Bluetooth. Interestingly, at the same time as routing a guitar signal to amp, the unit can play music from a source device through a home stereo system or external speakers, effectively allowing the player to decide where in the neighbor-pleasing sonic mix the live guitar sounds should sit.
Cable connections can all be found to the rear of the rugged metal chassis, including a 0.25 jack for a nice quiet shuffle jam through headphones. There's a built-in tuner/tap tempo feature, up to 100 presets are available on the unit itself (though the app can open the door to unlimited online possibilities), and a chain of up to eight effects can be used at the same time.
The Line 6 AMPLIFi FX100 will be available from the beginning of May. A price has not yet appeared on the company's website, but retailer Sweetwater is currently showing a list price of US$419.99.
Product page: AMPLIFi FX100