Those of us in the beta testing group received a note the other day suggesting that Line 6 was considering inviting 3rd parties to develop modules for insertion into the Tone Core "dock". I gather the idea is that the dock would essentially be treated as a licenseable platform, the way that Windows or XBox is. Of course, if companies X, Y, and Z needed docks for their modules, then Line 6 benefits by being able to get even better bulk pricing on them from whoever produces them, and saves themselves the cost of the R&D. Clever thinking. Unfortunately, 3rd party developers are pretty much on their own since Line 6 can not provide any development software, though I suppose they are willing to help within the usual limits of IP-theft cautiousness and paranoia (which can go in BOTH directions, so no caustic comments please). So, if you're a DSP whiz and you think "Geez, I could make so many cool pedals if only I didn't have to go through the drudgery of getting the damn thing manufactured and all the calls to Taiwan that THAT entails", then this may be for you. I know it certainly isn't for me. I'm not that clever, and I already have a job.
One of the interesting things this presents is something that prior "modular effects systems" could never get around/past, and that is the proprietary housing/package. Sequential Circuits had a nifty frac-rac chassis but if you didn't like their phaser, you were stuck. They never allowed others to take advantage of the chassis/cage so that manufacturer X's effects could be mixed and mingled with SCI's. Same thing with the Korg PME system and the Vesta Fire system. Line 6's idea here is to use a single pedal format, rather than a cage/control chassis, but allow others to use the pedal framework/dock. So, modular in a different kind of way.
Would this mean that a spate of cheap plug-in modules would suddenly make themselves available? I don't think so. At least not for the moment. How far it goes, I can't say. The absence of development system may simply preclude all but Line 6's avowed competitors from doing anything with this possibility. Still, I'm pleased that they are willing to maybe broaden out. It's a very 21st century way to do business, and very different from what most pedal manufacturers have been doing.
Please note that this is NOT any sort of official announcement from Line 6. It is merely a hint about what MIGHT be in development in the future. People are considering options, and something might come from it or something may not. I'm not well-informed enough to say either way, so take it at that level.
