Ben Adrian Cartographer

The Cartographer is a modern guitar amplifier model that has gained recognition for its unique tonal characteristics and versatility, particularly within the context of digital modeling platforms like Line 6's Helix.

History of the Cartographer

• Origins: The Cartographer amp model was developed by Ben Adrian, who initially built the amp for personal use in his band named "Cartographer." The amp began its life as a 1977 Traynor YBA-1, which had been poorly modified and was not functioning optimally when Adrian acquired it. He undertook the task of modifying it to suit his specific sound requirements, ultimately creating an amp that would work best with his guitar, an Electrical Guitar Company C500.
• Design Features: The Cartographer amp features a unique gain structure with two drive controls: Drive 1 and Drive 2. Drive 1 functions as a traditional gain knob, while Drive 2 controls gain between the second and third tube stages. This setup allows for a wide range of tonal textures depending on how these knobs interact. The amp also includes two bright switches that boost high frequencies at different stages of the preamp, enhancing tonal flexibility.
• Tonal Characteristics: The Cartographer is known for its ability to produce both clean and overdriven sounds with rich harmonic content. With Drive 2 set to maximum, players can achieve high-gain tones, while lower settings on Drive 1 can yield clean tones reminiscent of classic Plexi amplifiers. The amp's design encourages experimentation with its various controls to create personalized sounds.
• Integration with Digital Platforms: The Cartographer model has been integrated into Line 6's Helix platform, where it has gained popularity among users for its versatility and ability to produce modern tones suitable for various genres, particularly in worship music settings.

Popular Settings

• Clean Tones:
  • Set Drive 1 low (around 3) with Master Volume high to achieve big, clean sounds.
  • Engage Bright switches for added clarity if desired.
  • Ideal for jazz or clean rock styles.
• Overdriven Tones:
  • Increase Drive 2 to maximum while adjusting Drive 1 to around 7-8 for rich, saturated overdrive.
  • Use Treble around 6-8 to enhance brightness while keeping Mid at 4-5.
  • Excellent for hard rock or modern metal tones.
• Dynamic Playability:
  • The amp responds well to guitar volume adjustments; rolling back on the guitar can yield cleaner tones while pushing it forward brings out overdrive.
  • Players often find that subtle changes in picking dynamics result in significant tonal shifts.
• Experimentation:
  • Users are encouraged to experiment with the interactivity between Drive 1, Drive 2, and Master Volume to discover various textures and tonal characteristics.

Notable Players

• Ben Adrian: As the creator of the Cartographer amp, Adrian himself is a notable player who utilizes this amp in his performances.
• Worship Musicians: The Cartographer has found favor among worship musicians who appreciate its ability to deliver versatile tones suitable for praise music settings.
• Line 6 Community Users: Many guitarists within the Line 6 community have praised the Cartographer model for its flexibility and tonal range, often sharing their custom patches and settings based on this amplifier.

Summary

The Cartographer amp represents a modern approach to amplifier design, blending classic influences with contemporary needs in music production and performance. Its legacy continues to grow as more musicians discover its unique capabilities within digital platforms like Helix.