The Line 6 DM4 is a stompbox-style effects modeler that puts distortion and fuzz effects underfoot, covering overdrive, distortion, octave fuzz and metal distortion in one cast metal box. It was reviewed by Vintage Guitar in September 2001 as one of four stompbox-style units in the line, alongside the DL4, MM4 and FM4, and MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen later described the family as the pedals that "put a range of delay, modulation, distortion and filter effects underfoot"1. Line 6 now lists the DM4 among its legacy products and states that the DM4 is no longer made2.
What the DM4 does
The DM4 is the distortion and fuzz member of Line 6's early stompbox modeler line. Vintage Guitar described the four units as "effects modelers of vintage and digital effects," with the DM4 covering overdrive, distortion, octave fuzz and metal distortion1. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen, reviewing the later M5, counted the DM4 among the units that put distortion effects underfoot, though he called the DM4 and FM4 "the less popular DM4 and FM4" of the family3.
Models and settings
The DM4's settings are modeled on classic drive and fuzz pedals, and Vintage Guitar's reviewer found several of them close to the originals1:
- Screamer, which emulates an Ibanez Tube Screamer
- Tube Drive, based on a Chandler tube drive
- Facial Fuzz, based on a Fuzzface
- Octave Fuzz, Big Muff, Jet Fuzz, Tone Bender Box and Metal Zone, plus Line 6 original drive and distortion settings1
"The Screamer (which emulates an Ibanez Tube Screamer) setting was very accurate in producing the slight overdrive so useful..."
The reviewer found the Tube Drive setting a very faithful copy, and the Facial Fuzz gave a great Hendrix sound. The verdict overall: the vintage distortions may be just what you're looking for for authentic old-school tones1.
A detail players of the originals will appreciate: vintage pedal buffs can set the controls just like those of the original pedals, whether that means a single tone knob or separate treble and bass knobs1.
Controls and hardware
The DM4 is a stompbox-style effects unit with a recessed control panel1. Four stomp switches do the switching work, and each can store a favorite setting by holding the switch down for five seconds1.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Housing | Cast metal with heavy-duty stomp switches1 |
| Switches | Four stomp switches, each storing a favorite setting held for five seconds1 |
| Bypass | True bypass1 |
| Stereo | No stereo inputs and outputs, unlike the other units in the line1 |
| Expression pedal | Accommodates Line 6's Expression pedal for bouncing between settings1 |
| Power | Battery or wall-wart options1 |
Unlike the DL4, MM4 and FM4, the DM4 has no stereo inputs and outputs, so it is the mono member of the line1.
The Expression pedal input is worth knowing about on a board: Vintage Guitar notes accommodations for the company's Expression pedal, which allows users to quickly bounce between settings on any Line 6 pedals in the signal chain1.
Where it sits in Line 6's line
The DM4 belongs to the same family as the Line 6 MM4, which handles modulation, and the line's approach of putting modeled effects in stompbox form carried through later Line 6 multi-effects such as the M13 Stompbox Modeler, the HX One and the Helix4. Line 6 keeps the DM4's Quick Start Pilot's Handbook available as a PDF on its legacy product page2.
Videos
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Alberto Martinez Del Rio Guitar
Questions
Is the Line 6 DM4 still made?
No. Line 6 lists the DM4 among its legacy products and states plainly that the DM4 is no longer made. It was reviewed in 2001 alongside the DL4, MM4 and FM4 as part of a line of stompbox-style effects modelers, and it remains available only secondhand.
Does the Line 6 DM4 have true bypass?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's 2001 review describes the DM4 as having a cast metal housing with heavy-duty stomp switches and true bypass, features it shares with the other units in the line.
Is the DM4 stereo?
No. Vintage Guitar's review notes that the units in the line had stereo inputs and outputs except the DM4, so the DM4 is the mono member of the family.
Which classic pedals does the DM4 model?
Vintage Guitar's review names the Screamer setting as emulating an Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Tube Drive setting as based on a Chandler tube drive, and the Facial Fuzz setting as based on a Fuzzface. Other settings include Octave Fuzz, Big Muff, Jet Fuzz, Tone Bender Box and Metal Zone.
Can the DM4 run on a battery?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's 2001 review lists battery and wall-wart power options for the units in the line, so the DM4 can run on either.
Does the DM4 work with an expression pedal?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's review notes accommodations for Line 6's Expression pedal, which allows users to quickly bounce between settings on any Line 6 pedals in the signal chain.
Sources (4)
- Line 6 DM4, DL4, and MM4, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2001-12-14
- Line 6 | Legacy Products, Line 6
- Line 6 MM4 review, MusicRadar, 2014-08-07
- Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeller review, MusicRadar, 2011-06-21
