Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ?????

[hifidude55]

As the title states, I am interested in your opinion(s) on what the best method of amplification would be for use with a Line 6 POD X3 Live.

Currently I run my guitar through the X3 and into the auxiliary port in the back of a Roland Micro Cube but with its tiny 4" speaker, it's quite impossible to get anything even remotely resembling a quality and full-bodied tone. I've also tried the X3 into my Peavey Classic 30 but I don't know how to make the amp models sound accurate without an excessive amount of tweaking on both the pedal and the amp.

I have heard good things about both the Reactor by Atomic (tube-driven) and Tech 21's "power engine" series (solid-state). I've also read that a PA system is an effective amplifier when used in conjunction with the amp-modeling preamps on the POD. These are the options that I have found but I'm open to new ideas, I just want something that will provide amplification without excessively "coloring" the tone of the X3's amp models.

I don't need something something loud enough to melt faces, just enough to comfortably play over a drummer without becoming distorted. Also, I've never used a PA system so if that's your recommendation, please include some suggestions as far as brands, models, wattage, number of speakers, speaker size, etc.

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[woemoejack]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

when you ran the POD into your classic 30, did you plug it into the amps input or effects loop return?? if you ran it into the input, you were also running it through the amps preamp section. if you want to get a more accurate sound out of the POD, go into the effects loop return.

 

[CTN]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

if you're using a PA, then you don't need to worry about anything just plug straight in.

Personally I'd use a nice clean sounding power amp, solid state preferably through a decent cab. The Atomic Reactor powered cabs would probably be a safe bet, as would the Tech 21. But you should try them out to see how it sounds before doing anything.

Also, if you're going to use your own amplification, you may as well turn off the amp modeling/speaker simulation functions on the POD, because it'll more than likely turn your final sound coming outta the speakers to mud.

If anything, use the preamp features of the POD, and let your power amp have its own sound.

that's only if I absolutely had to use the Pod. I would much rather not use anything Line6.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

Tech 21 Power engine. That's kind of it's thing.

I've run modelers straight to PA before and it always leaves something to be desired. Now, I have never run a real nice unit into a PA - like an Axe FX, Eleven Rack, GSP1101, etc. That might work better...

 

[smorgdonkey]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

There are output settings so if you are using a PA then you have to set the POD to 'PA' in the output settings. They sound much better like that.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

I've used both the Power Engine and the Atomic Reactor 112 with a Pod XT. Both do a great job.

 

[hifidude55]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

Also, if you're going to use your own amplification, you may as well turn off the amp modeling/speaker simulation functions on the POD, because it'll more than likely turn your final sound coming outta the speakers to mud.

The entire point of what I'm trying to accomplish is to find the best way to USE the amp and cabinet models, not turn them off.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

Tech 21 Power Engine. I have one. It does the job the great and isn't too expensive.

I think the Atomic Reactor is a few hundred dollars more. I haven't tried one so I can't say it's better.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

Atomic reactor is the way to go if you want minimum coloration.
I recently got Fryette 2/90/2 power amp. It colored the tone but in a really really really good way.

 

[hifidude55]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

So if I went the route of the power amp, the signal chain would be...?

Guitar > POD > Power amp > ???

 

[cakire82]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

So if I went the route of the power amp, the signal chain would be...?

Guitar > POD > Power amp > ???

Yes, exactly.

But in POD presets (tones) you might also have cabinet and mic simulations. So you might want to disable them if you are going to use with a power amp.
I didn't disable mine and it sounds great. Try it decide it for yourself.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

Did the AR thing when they first came out- worked well for the POD XTL, worked horribly with the Vox Tonelab.

The thing I did not like was the AR was wayyyy too bassy/boomy. The speaker/cab is overkill for the job at hand. And its ungodly cumbersome/heavy (the 18W, I'm speaking of)Not to say it's bad, cos it's not- just that it has it's issues as well.

I actually probably had the best tone/timbre running the XTL into the power section of my Rivera Chubster- that cab & speaker combo just seemed to be the most lively sounding and really opened the POD up.

 

[hifidude55]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

I appreciate all the responses. I'm leaning towards a PA, does anybody have any recommendations?

 

[hifidude55]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

What about the Buffer2 by Red Iron Amps going into a pair of powered speakers?

http://www.redironamps.com/buffer.html

 

[cakire82]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

What about the Buffer2 by Red Iron Amps going into a pair of powered speakers?

http://www.redironamps.com/buffer.html

This is just a buffer to warm up your sound isn't it? Give more tube sound to the tone.
I think this is quite over priced. You can get a Fryette Valvulator -I or Grand Fidelity b-283 for half the price. Or get them both. Put the V-I before the POD and B-283 after the pod then you will still need a power amp/PA/atomic reactor....

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Amplifying a Line 6 POD - PA system vs guitar amp vs PE60 vs Atomic Reactor vs ??

I use a POD XT with a Crown power amp through a Budda 2x12 and get some great sounds. It's not as loud as a 50w tube head but it sounds pretty good and works for a live situation.