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10 Replies Last post: Dec 3, 2009 11:24 AM by strymon  
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Rowbi
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Nov 18, 2009 2:11 PM

Spider Valve MKII Comms board

Hi guys.

 

I've tried asking Line6 this off the board, but I've got no response.  which is fine.  if the answer is 'yes it will work' then that means some of us wont upgrade our amps.  but that's not my point.

 

I would like to by a SV MKII maybe a head, maybe a combo.  I'm not 100% sure on that yet.  I hear the SVPre is on its way for the MKII in a few months, so that's good news.  but here's what I'm thinking.

 

I have an SV Pre and my SV12 is way out of warranty now anyway, and I have taken a look at the communications board in the amp before, and my feeling is that the FBV communications protocols are something similar to MIDI, but with a fundamental difference so that they're not compatible.  BUT it would be silly of line6 to make the FBV protocol so different to MIDI that some kind of translator device couldn't sit in the back of the amp with FBV and MIDI on one board (as I guess it is in the MKII, as when you look at other amps with both like the vetta, the FBV and MIDI ports are next to each other) and then basically the amp's channel switching is controlled by FBV, and the MIDI signals are just translated in the amp in realtime.

 

So where am I going with this... well is communications board in the SV MKII (with FBV and MIDI on it)  the same as the SV MKI board but with the added MIDI things and the MIDI to FBV translator??  If this is the case, and the actual connections from the board to the amp are identical in the SV MKI and MKII that would mean that some of us who will eventually own an SV MKI and an SV MKII could try to buy this board from a line6 service center and swap it out, thus giving us the ability to control both amps with out M13!!

 

obviously those of us who choose to control the amp with FBV pedals, can control both amps at the same time using space's fbv Y splitter (i guess... has anyone tested this with 2 SV's yet?) and then use the MIDI out on the SV MKII to perhaps change scenes on the M13 if thats possible.

 

anyone got any ideas about the comms board or the other info?

mtrash14 Iknowathingortwo
mtrash14
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Feb 18, 2009
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1. Nov 18, 2009 4:19 PM in response to: Rowbi
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

I like what you're saying, but I seriously doubt if its possible, especially for the layman.  Far to complex.

 

If the MK11 is like the MK1 then those plugs are on daughter boards, the real brains is on the DSP board, which in this case is based on the X3, not the POD 2.  The chassis is different (drillings) and the layout is different so must the daughter boards on the front of the amp.  Interchanging the X3 DSP for the POD 2 DSP from the MKII to the MK1 - - - pretty slim change.  Possible - yes, practical - no.  Easy swap - NO!!!!!  Nothing from the POD 2, controls, daughter boards front and back, ribbons, etc,  would work.  Nothing!!!!!  Not even the chassis or the front trim plate.

 

I'd say the hookup from the DSP to the power sections is similar.  I'd also say the power sections is also similar since I didn't hear that Bogner redesigned the MKII, which he would haft to for any changes to be legit. (Bogner Designed)  The MKII still has the Bogner emblen doesn't it?

 

I'd say the SVPre will work but the ribbon cable (DBC) is probably not there like it was, or at least is different now, so a revision to the SVPre is probably needed.  One that may/may not be practical/feasible/etc for Strymon  considering what that would cost, besides what would he do with all the ones for the MK1 he is setting on?  I guess only time will tell on all of that. lol

 

I'd say if you want to upgrade to the MKII then do it, but when you do your old MKI is going to be left behind I'm afraid. lol  Ebay?

 

Good luck

M^T

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Rowbi Guru
Rowbi
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2. Nov 18, 2009 11:12 PM in response to: mtrash14
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

mtrash14 wrote:

 

I like what you're saying, but I seriously doubt if its possible, especially for the layman.  Far to complex.

 

If the MK11 is like the MK1 then those plugs are on daughter boards, the real brains is on the DSP board, which in this case is based on the X3, not the POD 2.  The chassis is different (drillings) and the layout is different so must the daughter boards on the front of the amp.  Interchanging the X3 DSP for the POD 2 DSP from the MKII to the MK1 - - - pretty slim change.  Possible - yes, practical - no.  Easy swap - NO!!!!!  Nothing from the POD 2, controls, daughter boards front and back, ribbons, etc,  would work.  Nothing!!!!!  Not even the chassis or the front trim plate.

 

 

i think you're missing the point a little.

 

what I meant is that the comms protocol from the midi/FBV board to the main DSP board is probably (guessing) just going to be the same.  as there's seperate ribbon cables seemingly for the FBV comms and the direct out comms.  I think MIDI and FBV will share the same comms protocol inside the amp.  check out the pictures and you'll see what I mean.

 

But this is idle speculation.  I'm hoping someone with an SV MKII who has opened it up, took some photos.  if anyone who has photos, but doesn't want to post them on the board yourself, please feel free to contact me and I'll post them for you.  then we can compare them

 

mtrash14 wrote:


One that may/may not be practical/feasible/etc for Strymon  considering what that would cost, besides what would he do with all the ones for the MK1 he is setting on?  I guess only time will tell on all of that. lol

 

 

he's already done it.  it'll be released in a few months.

 

Cheers

 

Rowbi

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mtrash14 Iknowathingortwo
mtrash14
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3. Nov 19, 2009 4:09 AM in response to: Rowbi
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

Yea, I guess I missed your point a tad.

 

Hasn't L6 already said they are not compatible?

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Line6Andy Line6Support
Line6Andy
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4. Nov 19, 2009 2:10 PM in response to: Rowbi
RE: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

Rowbie,

    This would fall under "unsupported hardware modification", so we can't say if/when it is an option (but this is an interesting idea).  You can submbit your feature request at the following link:

 

  http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback/?topic_id=3

 

  L6A

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Rowbi Guru
Rowbi
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5. Nov 20, 2009 10:24 AM in response to: Line6Andy
Re: RE: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

well I'm not really talking about it being a pay for option.  but I understand that you can't be seen to help people modding their amps.

 

hopefully someone with an SV MKII will jump in and help.

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spaceatl Iknowathingortwo
spaceatl
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6. Nov 20, 2009 10:39 AM in response to: Rowbi
Re: RE: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

If anyone would know, my guess is "you know who"...

 

I am not sure if it would work...Personally, I know the mod works with my Flextone III XL and my XT with the SV...I have even controlled all three using a midi cable between the Flex and XT....I remember one or two guys pinging me that did the mod on SVs and those worked as far as I remember...However, one interesting note is that a guy reached out to me not long ago about using the mod with two Vetta IIs in an attempt to overcome the midi comm bugs in that amp...He was a little unsure how to do it so I sent him one...Not sure exactly why, but the mod did not work with two Vetta IIs...Another thing to note, is it really on a daughter board in the MKII...In the Flextone III, which is more or less XT hardware, the FBV and midi are on the main board...I do like the idea Rowbi...

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mtrash14 Iknowathingortwo
mtrash14
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7. Nov 20, 2009 4:05 PM in response to: spaceatl
Re: RE: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

If it's all on a daughter board then maybe.

Its still going to depend on what the MKII has going on, then actually getting one.

 

M^T

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strymon Juststartin'
strymon
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8. Dec 3, 2009 10:59 AM in response to: Rowbi
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

Hey Rowbi,

 

Insightful idea but unfortunately it won't work. FBV is similar to but completely different to MIDI and is unique to Line6 products. It has special messages that are designed specifically to work with their gear. The fact that they have added MIDI to the MKII only means that they have added the jacks and hooked them in with software. The MIDI and FBV streams would surely still be discrete in their firmware since the protocols are incompatible.

 

But, the addition of MIDI does open a lot of possibilites for their users and I'm sure it's a welcome change for all!

 

Terry

Strymon Engineering

http://www.strymon.net/

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Rowbi Guru
Rowbi
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9. Dec 3, 2009 11:17 AM in response to: strymon
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

thanks for the info terry.  that puts the subject of an FBV to MIDI convertor or my idea of this board from a MKII in a MK1 to bed, finally

 

Cheers

 

Rowbi

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strymon Juststartin'
strymon
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10. Dec 3, 2009 11:24 AM in response to: Rowbi
Re: Spider Valve MKII Comms board

An FBV - MIDI converter would still be possible although it would be limited in functionality. And, now that the MKII has MIDI it's probably not worth the development effort required.

 

Terry

Strymon Engineering

http://www.strymon.net/

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