Code vs Spider V vs IDcore

It's no secret that modelling amps are certainly on the rise! This blog is made for the guitarist in the market for a compact, versatile amplifier that can offer a vast range of sounds.

So lets talk amplifiers. Until recent times most guitarists didn't have the luxury of many different amplification options unless they had deep pockets or were a pro touring musician, even if they did have this luxury it would have come in the form of many different types of heavy combos, heads and cabs.

As a musician if you wanted different sound options you had to buy, store and interchange between lots of amps as they were all designed to be good at one or two particular sounds. Today this problem has been solved with the emergence of modelling amps that have the amazing ability to 'model' a huge range of amplifiers while also being very reliable at all times, giving musicians the option to have a single amp that does it all.

These innovative amps are only improving year upon year so we have made this mini blog to give you a rundown of some of our favourites that you need to try! 

Blackstar ID:CORE V2

Don't let the small size of these amps fool you. Every model in the new Version 2 Blackstar ID:CORE range sound huge! These revampted and revitalised digital modelling amps pack a scary amount of killer features into a compact, lightweight and stylish chassis.

The new range features four models called the STEREO 10, STEREO 20, STEREO 40 and STEREO 40H, the key difference is that they all offer different levels of power to suit the players needs. The 10 and 20 models are ideal for home practice and recording while the larger 40 editions give you enough power to gig with and additional footswitch control. 

So the ID:CORE STEREO amps get their name courtesy of their dual 5 inch stereo speaker configuration, one of the key features that helps them achieve their large spread of sound for their size. Controlling the response of these speakers is the ISF control allowing for British or American sounds and 6 innovative Blackstar voices - Warm Clean, Bright Clean, Crunch, Super Crunch, OD 1 and OD 2. This is what really gives the ID:CORE V2 amps their tonal versatility!

Once you have chosen the perfect voicing you can then add amazing extra depth and character with the built in effects. With these 12 vintage style effects you have digital reverb, delay and modulation modes. All the effects are highly tweakable thanks to a intuative four way effects knob and a tap tempo button! 

For home practise sessions the ID:CORE will be right at home and even features a Stereo MP3/Line In for great sounding jamming or listening to music. These amps are also really handy in a home recording scenario thanks to its speaker-emulated line out for silent use, USB audio connectivity and Insider software for deep editing and sharing your sounds.  

Marshall CODE 

With Marshall HQ being located at Bletchley Park, home of the famous codebreaker computer, they though it would be fitting to name their new innovative modelling amp range the 'CODE' Series. Although not quite as groundbreaking as the famous machine its named after it really is an innovative clever piece of kit. 

The CODE Series features 4 models of various wattage including a matching head and cabinet - The CODE 25, CODE 50, CODE 100 Combo, CODE 100 Head and CODE 412 Cab. 

The smallest is a 25 Watt 1x10 Combo Amp that is super lightweight and, like the rest of the range, is absolutely crammed with modern features, including an impressive 14 preamp models, 4 power amp models and even 8 speaker cab models.

Marshall are very proud of the tonal capability of these models but the potential is enhanced even further with over 100 preset slots available and up to 24 built in effects! You could argue in the FX department the CODE takes the prize with settings emulating a Compressor, classic stompbox Distortions, Auto Wah, Pitch Shifter, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo....everything you could need!

It's good to see a classic, iconic brand such as Marshall thinking ahead for the future, they have really embraced this with the new CODE's and you can expect both Bluetooth and USB compatibility as well as the introduction of their very own Marshall Gateway App. The app really is a stand out feature of the range as it allows you to create, tweak and share your very own personal sounds with the Marshall community and even access Marshall artist inspired presets. 

If you a fan of the classic Marshall sound but need a modern amplifier for home that is also very recording friendly, the smaller CODE 25 is the way to go thanks to it's lightweight chassis, connectivity options and vast modelling power. If you are looking for a more all in one, practical gigging or rehearsal amplifier then the CODE 50 1x12 Combo would be a sound choice. For those who need that extra volume and spread of sound for larger venues the CODE 100 2x12 Combo or the CODE 100 head with the 412 cab would be better suited thanks to the dual 12" speaker arrangement and extra wattage. 

Line 6 Spider V

The Spider V is the latest technological advance from Line 6 and is the newest incarnation of their legendary modern classic that is the Spider range. These modelling amps arguably started the modelling amp trend by offers scarily convincing models and a vast tonal soundscape for owners to explore.

Featured models in the new range are the Spider V 30, Spider V 60, Spider V 120 and the Spider V 240. 

Like the original Spider models from previous years the new versions are not only fast and easy to use but also offer their lucky owners an impressive 200 amps, cabs and effects models to choose from. Line 6 don't stop there either, they have carefully built in 128 crafted presets that include iconic rigs & classic artist tones that you have always dreamt of!  

This certainly is their most sleek and refined model to date with an intuitive interface, lightweight construction and understated black matte finish. It's not just the looks that have changed though, Line 6 have really thought about the player with this one and included a built-in tuner, metronome and even real drummer loops!

With the seriously high-quality amplifier emulations and presets created by today's top guitarists, the Spider Vs are some of the most versatile and practical home practise, rehearsal, recording and gigging amps out there.