® M13 Stompbox Modeler v2.0 DELAY MOD DISTORTION FILTER VERB Advanced Guide An in-depth exploration of the digital technologies and musical machinations of the M13 Stompbox Modeler.
Please Note: Line 6®, DL4™, MM4™, FM4™, DM4™, Verbzilla®, POD® and Vetta™ are trademarks of Line 6, Inc. All other product names, trademarks and artists’ names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. Product names, images, and artists’ names are used solely to identify the products whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound model development for this product.
M13 v2.0 Advanced Guide M13 v2.0 Advanced Guide © 2009 Line 6, Inc.
Table of Contents Features................................................................................... 1•1 Firmware Update v2.0..................................................................................... 1•2 Firmware Update v1.07................................................................................... 1•3 Setup Details........................................................................... 2•1 Tuner, Setup Mode....................................................................
Appendix A: Reference.......................................................... A•1 MIDI Control................................................................................................. A•1 Looper & Expression Pedals........................................................................... A•1 FX Toggle On/Off........................................................................................... A•2 Scene Select....................................................................................
Features Features Welcome to the M13 Stompbox Modeler Advanced Guide. This guide contains in-depth details of your M13’s features and functionality. With over 100 Models and a Looper in one device, there’s a lot to work with. Our goal with this guide is to provide you with the information you need to make it easy to find the sounds you’re looking for. In the chapters that follow, we’ll be referring to the six Knobs that adjust the various parameters of the M13 effects.
Features Firmware Update v2.0 Here’s an overview of the new features we’ve included in the v2.0 firmware update: 1•2 New FX Models We’ve added over 20 new models in the v2.0 firmware. These include Pitch Glide, Smart Harmony, 6 different Mod FX including 2 unique Flangers, a Pattern Tremolo and a handwired MXR® Phase 90-inspired Phaser, the new Particle Verb, a Bass Octaver, 5 custom EQs and 8 Wah models from the POD X3 series.
Features Firmware Update v1.07 In April, 2009 we released Firmware Update v1.07 for the M13. This added some of the most requested features from users since the original M13 shipped. Here’s an overview of the features that were added with that update, which are of course included in the v2.0 update: Tempo Parameter A new Tempo parameter has been implemented.
Setup Details Setup Details Before you begin using your M13, it’s always a good idea to get in tune. Tuner To enter Tuner mode, press and hold the Tap switch for a few seconds. LCD 3 will display the Tuner. LCD 4 will display the note you’re tuning. If you’d like to tune to a reference other than standard 440, turn Knob 3 to select from 425 to 455. To toggle between Mute Audio (your guitar will be silent) and Bypass Audio (you’ll hear your guitar dry with no FX), turn Knob 5.
Setup Details Expression Pedals 2•2 In LCD 1 you set up your expression pedal assignments. You’ll also see your current firmware version number displayed in the upper left corner. Any or all 4 FX Units in the M13 can be controlled by an expression pedal. You can use up to 2 pedals at once. Each can be assigned to an FX Unit or the Looper. You have 3 selection choices here: Pedal 1, Pedal 2, or Off.
Setup Details Preferences In LCD 3 you set up FX Preferences, beginning with FX order. The default is 1>2>3>4, left to right. If you prefer, you can set it to 4>3>2>1, right to left, using Knob 3. Please note that pedal assignments are retained per FX Unit # and follow the selected routing. For example, if FX1:PDL2, then PDL2 controls FX1 whether its first or last in the routing. The Model Select Knob toggles between True Bypass and DSP Bypass.
Setup Details FX Loop You can insert the FX Loop anywhere in the signal path. Use Knob 5, LCD 3 to select your insert point. Your choices are Pre All, Post FX 1, Post FX 2, Post FX 3, Post All & Off. The following are a few routing examples to demonstrate the M13’s flexibility.
Setup Details MIDI Backup With a MIDI interface and a sysex application, you can back up your M13 Scenes to computer. It makes it easy to build a custom Scenes library, or exchange Scenes with others. To backup your Scenes, or to dump the current Scene, follow these steps: • Turn Knob 3 to set your MIDI Channel from Ch. 1-16 or Omni (default is Ch. 1).
Model Details Model Details The following are details on a few late-breaking models and features that were implemented in the latest M13 firmware. These were the result of customer requests, as well as features the development team wanted to add in the final months of development. Tap-based FX Many guitarists who use time-based effects like to set their delay times to a note value relative to the song tempo, as opposed to setting delay times in milliseconds.
Model Details DryThru Models 3•2 Another popular request from DL4 users was to provide a completely dry signal path when using specific Delay models with a dry Mix setting, so that no tone coloration was added. When we originally created our Tape Echo, Tube Echo, Sweep Echo and Echo Platter models, for example, we also modeled the dry path of the classic delays these models were based on.
Model Details Expression Pedal Details Almost any parameter in the M13 can be controlled by an expression pedal, as long as you’ve set up your FX Units and Looper assignments accordingly, in Setup Mode. To set up expression pedal heel and toe values for the parameter you’d like to control, here’s an example of how to do it. Let’s say you’d like to control the Mix level of a Reverse Delay.
Tube Compressor Model In addition to the 5 compressors described in the original M13 manual, which are all typical stomp box type compressors, we also snuck in a Tube Comp model in v1.07 based on the studio classic Teletronix LA-2A® Optical Compressor, known for its smooth, easy to adjust, tube sound. You’ll find it at the end of the Distortion FX group.
Scenes Details Scenes Details The M13 offers you two different ways to select your Scenes, depending on the way you like to work. Your choices are Momentary Scene mode or Latch Scene mode. To clarify what we mean by a Scene, it’s basically the equivalent of a unique pedal board setup, which you can program yourself. It includes up to 4 active FX and another 8 FX set up but bypassed. When you select a particular Scene, a combination of 4 active FX is immediately loaded into your M13.
Scenes Details Autosave Whether you’re in Momentary Scene mode or Latch Scene mode, your choice of Autosave or Manual Save is an important one. In Autosave, any change you make to your Scene is saved automatically. This includes not only the on or off state of the individual FX while your scene is loaded, but also the configuration of the Scene itself. Let’s load a Factory Scene and see what happens in Autosave mode.
Scenes Details Scene Setup With the M13 you can create your own custom Scenes and save them in all 12 Scene locations. Combine this with the fact that you can back up all your Scenes to computer, and you have an unlimited ability to customize and store your own library of sounds. When you begin tweaking the FX models and creating combinations you like, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Scene Setup mode. This is where you store and name your custom Scenes.
Scenes Details Intra Scene Effect Copy In v2.0 firmware we’ve enhanced the Effect Copy feature to enable you to copy an effect from one Scene to another. For example, if you have a special Ping Pong Delay setting in one Scene and you’d like to add it to another Scene, you can copy it to any FX location you like in the second Scene. Here’s how: • Set up the Effect you want to copy, with all parameters adjusted to your liking.
Looper Details Looper Details The Looper in the M13 is similar to the looper in the DL4 Stompbox Modeler. It gives you up to 30 seconds of mono recording time at normal speed, or 60 seconds at half speed. Keep in mind your loop will play back in mono, even if you’re running stereo FX. Looper & Live Guitar When you record and play back a loop, your current Scene will still be active.
Looper Details Looper Controls When you engage the Looper Controls switch, the 7 switches in the two bottom rows will control the Looper, enabling you to record and play back a loop while your current Scene is still active. Here are the details: 9 6 7 8 2 3 4 1 5•2 5 1 Looper Controls Switch – when you step on this switch it will light up red, indicating the two bottom rows of footswitches will now control various functions of the Looper.
Looper Details loop that will be recorded each time the loop cycles in Overdub mode. In other words, if Overdub Level is set at 80%, every time your loop cycles in Overdub mode it will decrease in volume by 20% in relation to your live guitar. For no reduction in volume, set Overdub Level to 100%, but be aware that hot levels may build up and distort. EQ – your recorded loop will also be affected by the EQ settings you made in Setup mode.
Looper Details Looper Tutorial If you’re new to loopers, here’s a basic example of how you might use the M13 Looper along with your live guitar. We’ll step thru the recording of a loop, add an overdub or two, use Half Speed and Reverse, and demonstrate how Pre/Post has an effect on the mix. Start by selecting one of your favorite Scenes. For this example, make sure you’re in Momentary Scene mode by first pressing and holding the Looper Controls switch.
Appendix A : Reference Appendix A : Reference MIDI Control The M13 will send and receive MIDI CC and Program Change messages on any MIDI Channel from 1 thru 16 or Omni, selectable from the M13 Setup mode, LCD 4. MIDI implementation includes MIDI CCs for Looper Control, FX Unit On and Bypass messages, Tap Tempo, Expression Pedal CCs and Program Change messages for Scene select. It is therefor possible to control the M13 from a MIDI controller or a computer sequencer.
Appendix A : Reference FX On/Off Toggle Memory Location FX Unit 1A FX Unit 1B FX Unit 1C FX Unit 2A FX Unit 2B FX Unit 2C FX Unit 3A FX Unit 3B FX Unit 3C FX Unit 4A FX Unit 4B FX Unit 4C MIDI CC# 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 0 to 63 = Bypass 64 to 127 = On 64 to 127 = On 64 to 127 = On 64 to 127 = On 64 to 127 =
Appendix A : Reference BPM / Milliseconds BPM 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126 128 130 132 1/4 Note 750 732 714 698 682 667 652 638 625 612 600 588 577 566 555 545 536 526 517 508 500 492 484 476 469 462 455 1/8 Note 375 366 357 348 341 333 326 319 312 306 300 294 288 283 277 272 268 263 259 254 250 246 242 238 234 231 227 1/16 Note 187.
Appendix A : Reference Miscellaneous CC Commands Command Bypass All + FX Loop Bypass All - FX Loop Tuner Mode Looper Levels A•4 MIDI CC# 23 24 69 - 0 to 63 = Bypass 64 to 127 = Undo Byp. 0 to 63 = Bypass 64 to 127 = Undo Byp.
Appendix B :Tips Appendix B : Tips We’ve had several questions from M13 users regarding saving Scenes, either within the M13 itself or when performing MIDI Dumps to computer. This chapter includes some helpful tips on how to best save and recall your custom Scenes, as well as step by step instructions on how to update your firmware.
Appendix B :Tips Saving Scenes Internally With your M13 set to Auto Save, if you make changes to a Scene and you want to give it a new name, here’s how to do it: • Enter Scene Setup mode by pressing and holding the Scenes switch. • Select the Scene you’re already on by stepping on its switch (2B for example). • Rename it as described on Page 4•3. Once you have the name you like, you can simply exit Scene Setup mode by pressing any switch and your new name for Scene 2B will be automatically saved.
Appendix B :Tips Flash Memory Update Instructions Here are some instructions on how to update your M13’s Flash Memory. Please note that Line 6 does not endorse Cubase, MIDI Ox or Sysex Librarian. We refer to these apps as examples only, since users report that they often use them to perform firmware updates. Needed: • A MIDI interface that connects to your computer via USB (download the current Driver for it if you don’t have it installed).
Appendix B :Tips Procedure: 1. Connect your MIDI interface to your computer via USB cable. 2. Connect the M13 MIDI Out to your MIDI interface In, and connect the M13 MIDI In to your MIDI interface Out. 3. Make sure your computer is set up to ‘see’ the MIDI interface (on Mac, you must configure Audio MIDI Setup; on Win, see Additional Instructions For Windows Users on the previous page). 4. Download the latest M13 Firmware from the Line 6 website (log in with your Line 6 User Name). 5.
