Line 6 Powercab Plus

1
2 3
I
n recent years digital
modelling for the guitar has
really come of age thanks to
bigger, faster processors and
the plummeting cost of
memory. The latest modellers,
arguably led by Line 6’s Helix
range, have a realism and ease of
use that would have been
unthinkable just 10 years ago. The
all-in-one eff ects/amp modeller
with direct outputs is a perfect
solution for events that use ‘quiet
stages’; typically broadcast,
theatre and churches, where
volume levels have to be tightly
controlled and backline and
onstage monitoring is removed,
with performers using in-ear
monitors. But what about those
gigs that don’t use quiet stages?
For those, you need a powered
speaker cabinet, but one that
doesn’t colour your carefully
programmed amp models. Line 6
has come to the rescue, with the
new Powercab range, including the
amazing Powercab Plus. Powercab
Plus has a special co-axial
loudspeaker that reproduces the
full range of your amp modeller. It
also includes built-in speaker
modelling, with six jaw-
droppingly accurate digital
recreations of classic loudspeakers,
and 128 Impulse Response-
enabled pre-sets, with the ability
to load more through the
Powercab’s editing software.
Off ering practical features like
retractable kickstands, cool
designer looks and a neat,
understated control panel,
Powercab Plus can be used with
any MIDI-capable amp modeller;
however, it comes into its own
when used with the Helix, off ering
end-to-end digital audio with
practically zero latency. You can
choose to keep cabinet modelling
in the Helix or offl oad it into the
Powercab Plus, freeing up memory
for other cool stuff . The controls
couldn’t be easier: there’s a small
LCD display with a volume knob,
home/save buttons and an edit/
select knob that features a
programmable coloured surround,
so you can see at a glance which
patch is in use. Rear-panel
connectors cover every need, with
inputs on combi XLR/Jack sockets,
a balanced output with ground lift,
digital AES/EBU/L6 Link in and
out, full MIDI and USB.
Line 6’s Powercab Plus is
technology at its most brilliant,
but the most important thing is a
reassuring volume knob that you
can turn up. With a digital power
amp peaking at 300 watts and
125dB SPL on tap, there’s more
than enough volume for most
small to medium gigs and there’s a
balanced output ready for bigger
stages. The only downside is the
price. There’s a simpler and
slightly more aff ordable Powercab,
which keeps the loudspeaker
modelling but does away with
almost everything else, but we
think the Plus is the one to go for.
Nick Guppy
LINE 6 POWERCAB PLUS
Digital modelling gets real with a proper amp for your floorboard
1
CABINET
The Powercab Plus
uses a custom 12"
co-axial driver in a
smartly-designed
cabinet, with curved
rear corners and a
front port, maximising
projection and clarity
2
ILLUMINATI ON
The Edit/Select
knob surround can
be programmed to
light up in different
colours as a useful
quick guide to which
patch is in use
3
CONNECT IONS
The Powercab
Plus has full digital
integration with the
Line 6 Helix and AES/
EBU digital in/out
connections for
maximum audio
fidelity with almost
zero latency
TYPE: Full-range
powered cabinet for
modelling preamps
OUTPUT: 300W
SPE AKER: 1x12"
custom design co-axial
CONT ROLS: Volume,
edit/select, home,
save, ground lift on/off,
LF cut on/off
SOCKETS: Input x 2,
balanced XLR output,
AES/EBU/L6 in/out,
MIDI In/Out/Thru, USB
(audio in/out and
software connection)
WEIGHT: 16.1kg
DIMENSIONS:
[HxWxD]
462x567x305mm
CONTA CT: Yamaha
Music Europe GmbH
line6.com
AT A GLANCE
THIS IS TECHNOLOGY AT
ITS MOST BRILLIANT
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
USABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SUMMARY
Photography: Adam Gasson
£799
REVIEW
95
NOVEMBER 2018 TOTAL GUITAR
TGR312.gear_line6.indd 95 10/10/2018 14:53