PODs. Regular or XT?

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

After Gary Morse played here in Portland and was using a POD I am wondering who else uses them and whether the "regular" one would have less than desired features. I think his was an xt. He had it set to an old fender amp and cab sound with reverb and delay much like my RV3 without the "hiss".

I see that there's a USB port on the Pro which could be easily used to record on HDDs, and thereby with Sound Forge or Pro Tools make it possible to "bring recording work home". Then there's the lines out, like Gary was using stereo with two Nvl 400s, and low/highz outs for PA boards.

Just wondering. I'd think the number of the hundreds of settings, cab and amp models would be much more than a steel player would need, as well as a lot of the reverse reverb, flange, so as to be overkill on the Pro xt model, but the USB and other features might make it more desireable. Too bad they don't have a match bro feature.

Also the midi as just mentioned is purported to be able to be processed.

Anyhow, thank for any input, as I'm considering one for the near future.

EJL

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

I have one of the original Pods that I use when I play live. I understand the XTs are better sounding. I was also using the Pod to record with, but the Pod is 16 bit, and I record in 24 bit and I can hear the difference.

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

I can give you my opinion, since I have worked with both...

The XT is less noisy (hiss), the clean amps are "cleaner" (less intermodulation distortion), and the effects built in are more indepth. It isn't even a contest. This is all in comparison to the Pod 1, 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 that I had tried, and yes even after tweaking with the computer based software.

Now, some guys - and Gary is one of them, can make anything sound good, but there is a reason that the XT is the newest Line 6 generation... it is newer / better implemented technology.

As for what I think of it - I have been using my XT for just under one year, recording direct, and playing live direct and into various amplifiers.

As always, give both of them a try and see what you think of them.

Good luck,

David Spires

[This message was edited by David Spires on 17 October 2003 at 12:49 PM.]

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

What is the sampling rate on the POD XT? 44.1kHz?

Brad Sarno

PS David, the "Black Box" is still coming along nicely...

David Doggett · Posted 17 Oct 2003 4:33 pm

I just started using a POD XT. I considered the Genesis 3 and POD 2, but the XT seemed to have so much more, and has a view screen for editing and tweaking. For example, the POD 2 has only one type of reverb, but XT has about 14. Sure you're not going to use all of them, but it was really worthwhile to listen to all of them and choose the ones I like.

There are 64 channels you can set up any way you want, or leave with the factory presets (which can be recalled if you change them). Each channel has your choice of amp, speaker cab., mic (for the speaker if you want it), and any effects you can imagine, which can be stomped or push-buttoned in or out.

With the amp you choose, you have real knobs on the POD that let you adjust the EQ just like on the real amp. You can have your standard EQ settings come up when you select the channel, then just tweak with the knobs, like a real amp. In fact, I set my amp roughly for the room and set it back out of reach, then do all the adjusting after that with the POD.

The amp models are very good. I use a tube preamp model and the Twin Reverb model. These sound good for clean steel and I haven't had a chance to play with all the others. There are many classic tube amp models that can be overdriven for any type of distortion you want.

The speaker cabinet models are not useful live, but might be for recording. Live it is redundant to have a cabinet model. They change the sound, but what you get is the combination of the model's sound and your real speaker cabinet sound. If any of these combinations sounds good it's strictly coincidence, and you could probably get the same sound just by tweaking the EQ. So for me it is simpler not to use the speaker cabinet models.

Now how does it really sound? It sounds really good at low to moderate volumes. The amp models sound like what you expect, tube warmth and all. At club volumes it will only sound good if the amp you are playing through is very clean with lots of headroom. Your amp needs to have high fidelity and no character of its own in order to accurately reproduce the sound of the amp being modeled by the POD. My Nashville 400 works well up to high volumes. Then the louder it gets, the more like an NV400 it sounds, and the less like the amp being modelled. I think an NV 1000, with 100 more watts, would work better at high volumes. I'm sure a big power amp in a rack would be great.

------------------
Student of the Steel, Fessy S12U, Emmons S12 E9 P/P, Carter D12, Nashville 400, Fender Squire, Peavey Transtube Supreme into JBL 15", 1968 Gibson J50, '60s Kay arch-top, 7-string Raybro, customized Korean Regal square-neck, roundneck Dobro 90C, 1938 Conn Chu Berry tenor sax, '50s Berg mouthpiece, Hamilton upright piano, Casio keyboard. You make it, I'll play it (sort of).

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

Hey Brad,

Sampling rate is 44.1kHz on the XT, and the POD 1 & 2 was only 32kHz, also 24 bit / 16 bit respectively.

Glad to hear that the "box" is coming along. I'd love to give it a more thorough test drive.

Have fun,

David Spires

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Just to add to the data base: I have used a Pod 2 (2.3). I have no experience with the XT. I ran the Pod at first thru the preamp in insert in the back of an Evans FET 500 and most recently thru a Mosvalve 962 (the smaller 80W/side power amp) into a cab w/ a Weber California speaker---either 12" or 15" depending on my mood--the 12" has sparkle, the 15" has bottom. I like the Pod. I abandoned it for a while as I assembled an all tube rack rig and convinced myself that the real tubes just sound better. But you know?---I wouldn't trust myself to pass a blindfold test. I'm a sucker for the psych job of the word tube. I went back to the Pod because I missed the fingertip controls (I mount it on a leg of my guitar via a combination of a Line6 mounting rig, a piece of drum hardware and a short length of gooseneck mic extension---ask if you want more specific info--it works brilliantly.) Anyway, after convincing myself that I had found tube heaven I tried the Pod again and I'm pretty sure I like it better than the tube rig.
I'm currently in love with my new old Fender Deluxe reverb but I'm a fickle sumabitch.
I'm not in a spending mood but I'd have to conclude that if I like the Pod 2, I'd love the XT. I mean, better is better, right? But if you wanted to spend less, in my opinion you can do well with a Pod 2 (2.2 or 2.3 is apparently a necessary chip upgrade requirement for noise floor improvement. I think I've got a spare if anyone needs it).

Disclaimer----I like a little bit of grit. I don't know if mega-clean is obtainable in a Pod but I've not really looked for it.

ajm · From: Los Angeles

"For example, the POD 2 has only one type of reverb,....."

I am by no means a POD expert, and don't own one. I don't know the differences between the various models.

I was goofing around with one of the "kidney bean" versions in a music store once (don't know which software version) and hated the reverb on the presets. I somehow found out that there is another reverb type you can call up. I did, and it made a lot of difference (better).

------------------
Artie McEwan

Rainer Hackstaette · From: Bohmte, Germany

The POD 2.0 (2.2/2.3) has two reverbs: a spring type and a room type. These types can be "deep-edited" with the PC software. Each has 5 parameters: Density, Diffuse, Tone, Decay, Level. They go from 0 to 63.

Either reverb type can be assigned to any amp model, whether the original amp has reverb or not. Factory presets, however, use spring reverb by default, if the original amp has spring reverb.

The XT model is miles ahead of the 2.0 in every aspect, IMHO. The display alone would be worth the difference in price to me.

Rainer

------------------
Remington D-10 8+7, Sierra Crown D-10 gearless 8+8, Sierra Session S-14 gearless 8+5, '76 Emmons D-10 8+4, Peavey Session 400 LTD

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Yeah---I meant to address that. Pod 2 has two reverbs. Spring and "digital room" reverb (yeahyeahyeah--it's all digital). I forget now the exact protocol but basically any amp sim that had a spring tank in real life would automatically have a spring reverb associated with the program. All the rest default to 'room'? I'm not certain if that's how it's set up. Although these are Pod defaults, with the included CDrom program you can interface the Pod via computer and 'deep edit' to change specific amp/reverb defaults. Possibly the Pod Pro (rack mount) has these settings available without needing to do the interface thing.
Reverb parameters of depth (wet/dry mix) and dwell (length of tail) are adjustable on the face. There are a lot of tweaks that require two button menu shifts. It's not very difficult but if this sort of thing irritates you, it can be a turn off. As we all know, getting a setting just right in your living room is not even close to a guarantee that you will love it on the stand and in the heat of battle, with picks on, you just don't want to be trying to remember if you need to hold the tap tempo button while turning the mid tone control to shorten up the verb or whatever.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Damn, Rainer--how come you said the same thing as me with 75% fewer words?!

---actually, you said a whole lot more. I forgot about all those parameters. I decided to pass on the fine tuning--way too much information.

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 18 October 2003 at 03:40 PM.]

Rainer Hackstaette · From: Bohmte, Germany

Garry Vanderlinde · From: CA

Has anyone compared the Behringer V-amp 2 to the POD? They look similar but the Behringer is a lot cheaper.

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

...and the XT even has a tuner!...

..Jon, I just bought a pod and I would like some details on how you leg-mount yours...sounds like the Zebco string dispensor...

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Garry, I've been checking out the Behringer V-Amp 2 lately because my Genesis3 was defective. The V-Amp 2 comes with a cool case, power supply, and remote foot pedal to change programs and kick on the tuner. I tried the first version, the V-Amp 1 a year ago and it didn't impress me. The guy at the store told me to just try the new one and give it a fair shake. It's only $139 for the whole kit.

Here's what I've found so far. The models are great sounding, very impressive. The sampling rate is low, 32kHz like the old POD but my ear doesnt' seem to miss the absent frequencies above 15kHz, so far. The parameters aren't as intensive as the Genesis3, which is very thorough. The V-Amp2's EQ points are fixed and there's no cabinet resonance control. The 7 or so reverbs have fixed parameters except for level. The output is very quiet compared to the noisy/hissy Genesis 3. The cabinet models are good too. It has a tuner which works well. No digital out but that makes sense because of the sampling rate of 32kHz. It has a aux input so you can mix in your Band-In-a-Box if you want.

I was avoiding this unit because of its brand and serious lack of tweakability. BUT after having used it for a week now I find it to be quite excellent. I turn off the cabinet model when using my amp, but have been using the amp model of an old Marshall JTM-45 run real clean. Reverb 4 is very nice on steel. The delay tap control is great and easy to dial in what you need. I'm totally impressed with it and find it better sounding than the Genesis 3, maybe a bit more natural sounding. Keep in mind that this modeling technology is quickly evolving and the Genesis 3 is well over 2 years old now. Behringer is known for doing a pretty decent job of ripping off what other's have developed and implementing it very affordably. The unit is made abroad but so is the POD. I like how the Gen3 is USA built and I miss that. I think I'll give the V-Amp2 another week of trial to be sure. For the price it's hard to beat the Gen3 or the V-Amp2. I'm usually an anti-digital purist, but this modeling thing continues to impress me. I never imagined that for under $150 there could be a box that did so much.

------------------
Brad Sarno
Blue Jade Audio Mastering
St. Louis
http://home.earthlink.net/~bradsarno/

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Hey Pat---yeah, it's the Zebco rig. Also featured here before I got the Pod--
http://www.angelfire.com/ny/lightsound/outrigger.html

The clamp is a Pearl drum clamp with swivels on both ends, much like these--
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=031019160450067031025057129184/
g=home/search/detail/base_id/108794

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=031019160450067031025057129184/
g=home/search/detail/base_id/50402

I note that Musician's Friend is out of stock and I can tell you that they lie like pigs about "due dates". In fact they didn't have my Pearl back then either and I waited and waited. Finally went to 48th street and found it.

Instead of the pole, substitute a short (6") mic gooseneck.

This all assumes that you have the Line6 mic stand mounted Pod platform. Their website used to offer accessories like case and holder but I can't find accessories there now. I'm afraid you are on your own if you don't have one. If you need photos of this for engineering ideas I'll email you some.

=====================================

aha---I found it................
http://store.yahoo.com/linesix/podmountii.html

============================
aw, man, the formatting got all screwed up. I give up.

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 19 October 2003 at 04:14 PM.]

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 19 October 2003 at 04:21 PM.]

Garry Vanderlinde · From: CA

Thanks Brad,
That is encouraging info. Musicians friend still has the Genesis 3 in stock. Would you definitely recommend not getting one due to your previous experience with it?

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Garry, I'm not sure that I wont end up with another Genesis 3. It really is a great box. I really liked what it would do. I want to really weigh the plusses and minuses of both before I decide.

Brad Sarno

Buck Dilly · From: Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.

Having used both, the XT is well worth the $. I have used the XT live into my Vibrosonic as well as direct in the studio. The cleans sounds are great. The only thing I would like is input attenuation. They clip easily.

------------------
Lacquer Emmons PP,D-10, 9+9, Nationals, Dobro-8, Dan-O's, '70 ES 340, Scofield-Ibanez ES, Tube Amps. "Blue Sparks From Hell", "Kings in Disguise".

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Thanks for the wall of info. More will be digested as it comes.

I'm looking into the Behringer here as for the price I'm not seeing a lot of diff and I can definitely get by with 24 bit sound.

I'm a "dyed in the wool Peavey guy" so "perfect sound" isn't that "important" Heeeehehehee

I'll check some prices and see if I can try one out first.

Thanks.

EJL

David Doggett · Posted 20 Oct 2003 10:38 am

Buck, are you saying your guitar input into the POD is too hot and causing the POD to clip, or that the POD output is too hot and is making your amp or board clip? If it's the latter, the POD has both a main output level control and a channel output level control, as well as a "drive", which is like a pre gain control. I compared my volume level without the POD in the line at all, and with the POD active in the line, and noticed that the volume was louder with the POD in line. So to be sure this was not overdriving my amp, I cut back the POD main output control until the volume matched what I'm getting without POD from my BL 712 pickup and Hilton pedal, which is already a very hot combination.

Where 'bouts you live in Jersey?

Buck Dilly · From: Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.

Dave- It clips on the way in. EmmonsPP into Goodrich Pot volped into MatchBro into Pod XT into Vibrosonic. THe clip light goes on at the POD. I cant really hear the clip but it clips. I just got a new volped (LDR) and this may be somewhat adjustable. I live in the furthest Northern corner of the state. Sandyston. Stokes Forest. Buck

------------------
Lacquer Emmons PP,D-10, 9+9, Nationals, Dobro-8, Dan-O's, '70 ES 340, Scofield-Ibanez ES, Tube Amps. "Blue Sparks From Hell", "Kings in Disguise".

Buck Dilly · From: Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.

Eric- Specs don't matter. R and D matters. The POD folks did thier homework.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I damn near pushed the "buy" button at Mus. Frnd today, but a 1331$ property tax bill pulled my finger off it..

I can see that the USB for home sound forge track editing would put me miles ahead of having to "go over" to "studios", and playing into the puter. Besides the higher mhz.

Also the track record, and availability of "smart card" adding things is a plus.

We'll see what happens. I've got a couple weekend gigs that are in the works that will probably allow me to spring for it. Damn. I wish they had a matchbro proggy in it!

Thanks for all the info.

EJL

J J Harmon · From: Reynolds, GA 31076

Is there a site somewhere that users swap sysex files for the line 6 products.

I ordered a Flextone II HD today. "A fool and his money are soon parted." I wanted the 200 watt stereo into 16 ohms for my 15" JBL's. I tried the mosvalve 1160. Not enough power.

The Flextone has the pod built in. This model has been discontinued and the latest just doesn't have the power. Of course the closeout price is right.

Forum Index > Electronics	Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic