Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

[beggar_guitar]

Ok.... I have a better idea of where I am going on my new amp purchase, and decided not to buy an amp. My main playing right now is my bedroom, church, and youth services.

Our youth group is about to move into an off campus building and it is small So I was thinking in order to conserve space and take into consideration acoustics and size of the building I think I will go with a floor unit that will allow me to run direct into the system. Because we won't have a lot of stage space, as well it would allow the sound guy more control over the sound in order to balance it out. (Sadly we will probably have to get a set of electric drums for much the same reason)
As well this would be for more convenient for me when it comes to transporting between home/church/youth center, and anywhere else we may play.

I was looking at something like the POD XT Live.
Recommend me some more floor units. What are some pros and cons of this setup?
Thanks!

 

[RW James]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

(Sadly we will probably have to get a set of electric drums for much the same reason)

Slightly off topic... but if you can find the current edition of "Christian Musician" there is a good article about drumming in church. The article primarily talks about drum shields and how much drummers hate them. But he acknowledges that the reason churches get them is because drummers play too loud - which is another reason some churches go to electronic drums. The author went on to say that drummers need to learn to play just as rockin' at a lower volume. It's all about technique and control.

Sorry for the left turn...

 

[vendettabass]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

I'm also considering the XT Live for university next month.. straight into my mac. (usb)... could do with some feedback also..

the XT Live is the only one with USB though which has pretty much bought it for me!

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Slightly off topic... but if you can find the current edition of "Christian Musician" there is a good article about drumming in church. The article primarily talks about drum shields and how much drummers hate them. But he acknowledges that the reason churches get them is because drummers play too loud - which is another reason some churches go to electronic drums. The author went on to say that drummers need to learn to play just as rockin' at a lower volume. It's all about technique and control.

Sorry for the left turn...

Oh yeah I totally agree with you, but this place is seriously way too small for an acoustic kit. For space and sound purposes I think and electric kit is the best idea. Even though I don't like them. We use acoustics at the main sanctuary and they are shielded. We had electrics and I am so glad we got rid of them.

Anyway... Back to topic. I know someone has some adviceon these.

 

[metal]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

get the pod live dude, theres a local band that plays in bars here in my town and the guitar player runs the pod live directly to the pa and it sounds killer !

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Cant go wrong with the xt. Try it out first to make sure its for you though

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Well you guys that are pro XT. Tell me some benefits of the unit. I have read up on it with reviews, and the line 6 site, but I'd like to talk to anyone who has been hands on with it. I am planning to go play one, but I'd just like to know what others thought about them. How easy are they to use/program?

 

[Dave]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

There's one for sale in the trading post for under 300.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Thanks

 

[aleclee]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Though I'm a happy XTL owner, I wouldn't want you to overlook the Boss GT8. The main advantage it has over the POD is the ability to do the "four cable loop" thing and the touch-sensitive dual amp setup. That is, if you're using it with an amp, you can use the wah and distortion in front of the amp and have the delay and modulation in the amp's loop. The latter feature will go from one amp type to another based on how hard you pick. The GT6 doesn't have the dual amp feature but it does let you use the four cable mode.

In fact, I probably would've bought the Boss but the POD made it easier to turn FX on and off via the footswitches.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Though I'm a happy XTL owner, I wouldn't want you to overlook the Boss GT8. The main advantage it has over the POD is the ability to do the "four cable loop" thing and the touch-sensitive dual amp setup. That is, if you're using it with an amp, you can use the wah and distortion in front of the amp and have the delay and modulation in the amp's loop. The latter feature will go from one amp type to another based on how hard you pick. The GT6 doesn't have the dual amp feature but it does let you use the four cable mode.

In fact, I probably would've bought the Boss but the POD made it easier to turn FX on and off via the footswitches.

Ditch the POD and get the GT-8. If you configure it right (and get a pair of FS-5U's) you can turn on and off every effect in manual mode.

Also, the preamps kill all of the ones in the POD.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Here's a brand new POD xt Live (NFS) at AMS.

The POD makes it EXTREMELY easy to switch sounds that you would need multiple amps and a ridiculous pedalboard for otherwise.

I am considering making the move back to an amp, but it might be awhile.

BUT, I am not really unhappy with the POD.

The xt Live is VERY simple to program, and you can NAME your presets. I find the amp-like amp knobs to be quite responsive.

I've never played the GT8, so I won't disparage the unit. It does cost a little more, though.

The Line6 website offers plenty of opportunities for sharing patches/presets as well.

My setup for church is:

GTR-->MXR Dynacomp-->POD-->direct box. Then the signal splits.

XLR out--> mixer (via snake)
Hi-z out--> Hartke B30 bass combo that I use for a monitor.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Oh, yes. I do NOT use any of the factory presets (well, once or twice a year I use a slightly modified Eruption preset). All of mine are personally programmed by me for me. I have channels programmed based on the AC30, AC15, Chieftain, Tweed, Hiwatt, Boogie, and Soldano.

The Vox and Boogie channels have seen the most play; however, I just programmed the Matchless, so I'm getting accustomed to it.

 

[SeraphimTN]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Why spend so much money on something that's only used for a half our or so at church? I'd go for a slightly old Boss ME30. I used one here while I was cab'less during recording. For direct they are awsome for church stuff and are just as good as the other boss one's without a ton of fancy stuff.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Sorry, but the ME30 won't do half the stuff the GT-8 will.

Look at it this way, why spend almost half as much as a GT-8 when all you're really getting is a couple of stomp boxes thrown together?

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

What about the Vox Tonelab SE? Anyone played these? Pros/cons compared to the others mentioned?

 

[lp_gem]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

ive played both and heres my 2 cents..

the vox sounds more organic and "feels" more real.. the clean and semi-dirty tones from some of the amp models sound really good, i was hugely impressed!
the effects on it were also good, definately good enough for church

the only downside was its hi-gain models, the soldano sounded pretty **** to me, the only decent one was one of the marshall models which i think was based on the JCM800 (i forget the name)
it is very very easy to use, simpler than the POD..

the POD wins in the hi-gain amp department, its mesa, soldano and marshall models kick the VOX's butt by a measurable amount in my opinion
its got decent cleans too, and the effects are slightly better than the VOX
the unit has better features but is slightly more complicated than the VOX, but not prohibitively so.. i think most people could get the hang of it after fiddling and reading the owners manual

on the downside, it doesnt "feel" as real as the VOX, like it doesnt respond as naturally to your playing compared with a real amp.. i think the VOX does it quite well (maybe because of the preamp tube?)
i also found it a bit trebley? definately a lot more thin sounding compared with the VOX, but this was just with factory presets so im not sure of its capabilities after much tweaking

I am also in your shoes,, considering one or the other.. i think i am going to go with the POD because i do play heavier stuff from time to time. However if I didnt want extensive use of hi-gain sounds, i would choose the VOX in an instant. the cleans and "feel" are better.. and overall i just found it to be a more organic sounding unit.

hope this helps somewhat..

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

Admittedly, I have not played the Vox. I already had a POD when it was released.

The POD is actually quite easy to tweak. I'm DEFINITELY NOT a gear-head, and I figured it out mostly by tinkering. If you're smart enough to log on to the internet or to figure out MS Word, you can probably program a POD.

It is WAY too easy to correct mistakes and the "naming" function is way-cool. Does the Vox allow patch naming?

 

[lp_gem]

Re: Floor unit questions... (POD XT and Similiar units)

not too sure because i didnt really save any of my own patches, i just had a run through of the presets then id just fiddle around with different amp models/effects etc. and tweak them on the fly