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Pros:
- Decent sound
- Amp models are stored in separate channels
- You can record your own presets
- On-board tuner
Cons:
- The quality of this one is not that great
- Might have some noise issues
I remember the time when I first started playing music seriously. Before that I would perform in front of my friends and family and just strum some amateur songs in my room. I did not need any other equipment, I had my guitar and that was enough for me. But later on, when music started to occupy every aspect of my life, I became more serious about my gear as well. And as I purchased my first electric guitar, I knew I would need an amplifier that I would carry around with me anywhere. That’s when I discovered Line 6 and their products. Micro Spider is a great example of the quality this brand delivers and represents portability, amazing sound and convenience in itself. This article will discuss all the details about Micro Spider and give you all the information you need before rushing to the market.
Features
Even though Line 6 Micro Spider weighs merely 7 pounds, it has the features that you would expect from a bigger amplifier. It is equipped with a single 6.5” speaker that operates on 6 watts of power. This bad boy can be powered with 6 C batteries which makes it perfect for small outdoor performances. Micro spider comes with 5 amp models, including Clean, Crunch, Metal, Insane and Acoustic, each of them stored in separate channels. You also have the ability to record your own presets and store them into the desired channel. Not only that, but it also has Line 6 Smart FX, which delivers those wonderful tones of chorus/flange, phaser, tremolo, sweep echo, tape echo and reverb. Echoes have a dedicated tap tempo that has some gems under the hood: it can activate Distortion Boost or built-in Noise Gate. Surprisingly, Micro Spider has an onboard tuner that will keep your guitar always in shape. And as far as the jacks go, we have a single ¼” input for your instrument, a single ¼” input for the microphone, ¼” phones/record out output, that can be utilized either with headphones for silent practicing or for a POD quality recording.
Controls
As you would expect from the amp of this size, Micro Spider does not have too many knobs but they are enough for controlling each and every sound this amp produces. They are laid out in an intelligent manner, making it easier to understand what is what by glancing at the device. I will break down their functions and try to make sure that you have at least rudimentary understanding of what can be tweaked.
The top part of the control panel is comprised with four buttons for all five channels and amp models. Pressing them will trigger the in-built recordings, while the press and hold motion will allow you to capture your own sounds. The acoustic amp model is activated by pressing both middle buttons. Below them you will see six buttons that are in charge of your tone. Drive acts as a gain knob and adds extra girth to your tone. Bass, Mid and Treble shape low, mid and high frequencies. Channel Volume sets the level of the sounds you store within the channels, while the Master Volume sets the overall level of the device.
The top panel features Mic Trim, which adjusts the volume of the microphone. Here we also have two buttons that switch between the above-mentioned effects and modify their intensity. Last but not least, we have the Tap button with several functionalities. By pressing it at least twice, you can activate the tap tempo. Holding motion will employ the tuner. Pressing and holding this button while turning the Drive knob will activate the Distortion Boost, which boosts your signal before it reaches the amp model. Pressing and holding tap button while turning the echo knob past twelve o’clock triggers the in-built Noise Gate, which reduces any unwanted hiss and noise in your sound.
Line 6 Micro Spider Sound
And we have reached the most important parameter: the sound. Being a tiny amp with just 6 watts of power, Micro Spider can create spectacular and diverse sounds. It is loud enough to jam with your guitar and microphone, but, obviously, it will not crack any windows or blow up anybody’s ear drums. The amp models it offers are all quite useful for cranking your performance up a notch. The Clean is shimmery and bright enough to suit any genre, especially jazz. Crunch is based on ‘68 Marshall Plexi 100 watts and can deliver jaw-dropping distorted sounds. Metal is the replica of Mesa Dual Rectifier and can create rhythmic, dark and modern lower tones. Insane goes nuts and distorts your signal unimaginably, but still maintains its character and definition. And Acoustic model basically combines electric and acoustic guitar amps and makes sure that your acoustic harmony is not affected in a weird way. The onboard effects sound amazing with the clean models and can create some unique sonic combinations if utilized with distorted channels.
Conclusion
All in all, Line 6 knows how to create badass sounds even with smaller power capacity and speakers. Micro Spider will quickly become your go-to tool and occupy your electronic collection. It offers a wide range of useful features and delivers great sound no matter what. Just plug it in yourself and you will know what I am trying to imply. Good luck!
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