Opinions about the PODxt?

[MikeRocker]

I know that it's been mentioned in other threads, but for the sake of having all replies in one place (and not having to wade through 1000 old threads which may or may not be relevant), I thought I'd start a new thread: what's the bottom line on how the PODxt sounds? For recording as well as through a PA? It seems to have some pretty nice features. I have a POD 2, and while it's cool, I'm not in love with it...is the XT a significant sonic upgrade? For what it's worth, I'd use it more for rock/rockabilly/country sounds (Fender, Marshall, Vox, etc), not so much for super heavy stuff. Any thoughts/insights?

Thank you!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

I've done some minor studio work with a PODxt, and I think it's fine for recordings in which the guitar plays a minor role, set more in the background. I can't imagine using this as my bread and butter for overall guitar tone. That's why I've sunk so much cash into guitars, amps and pedals. Still, there are applications in which the POD shines.

PROS: It's a nice unit with some cool, sometimes convincing, tone options, and it offers a lot for its price point.

CONS: It's not a Fender. It's not a Marshall. It's not a Vox. If you want the real tones, you've gotta use the real beasts.

- Keith

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

For sheer amount of different sounds it can make, its great. I've never played any of the amps modeled so i cant tell ya if theyre accurate- i dont even care. They sound good. The effects are why i bought it though, and theyre great.

Wish i bought the floorboard version of it though - had to buy a behringer midi controller on top of that

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

It depends what you want.

If you want EXACT replicas of the tone, behavior, and feel of the amps and effects modeled, you will not be satisfied.

If you want an incredibly versatile tone pallette that sounds great and doesn't cost a fortune, you will love it.

Most people who rag on modellers do so because what they hear doesn't sound exactly like their fantasy version of the amplifier being modelled. To me, that's not really the point. I've never played a 1968 Marshall Super Lead with a Variac on it, so I don't really give a crap if the PODxt model isn't dead on. All I care is that it sounds good, and in that department it's a winner.

There are some models I really don't care for, and some I absolutely can't stand. Other guitarists might think those models are the be all and end all of guitar tone. The models I do like cover a lot of ground, and it would be literally impossible to accomplish the same thing with a tube amp.

Bottom line: if you're looking for a 100% accurate replica of your vintage favourites, don't bother. If you're looking for great tone and plenty of versatility, go pick one up.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

Most people who rag on modellers do so because what they hear doesn't sound exactly like their fantasy version of the amplifier being modelled. To me, that's not really the point. I've never played a 1968 Marshall Super Lead with a Variac on it, so I don't really give a crap if the PODxt model isn't dead on. All I care is that it sounds good, and in that department it's a winner.

Bottom line: if you're looking for a 100% accurate replica of your vintage favourites, don't bother. If you're looking for great tone and plenty of versatility, go pick one up.

I've also found that there are folks that just don't and won't spend the time the PODxt needs to get a good sound out of it. They turn the knob and if it isn't there then they don't bother trying to EQ for it or read the manual to see what changes might have been made to it, etc.

I applaud Line 6 for not just making good models but also listening to what players' wish lists were for those amps and putting it in there. The downside is that the amps might not be dead-on from the first spin of the knob, but alot of what's there are things that players had actually requested.

I'd be reluctant to try and put together an entire 3 set night in a short span of time with my PODxt, but with a little more experience I think I might be able to do so to my level of satisfaction.

 

[Voxman]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

I think it`s great

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

I've also found that there are folks that just don't and won't spend the time the PODxt needs to get a good sound out of it. They turn the knob and if it isn't there then they don't bother trying to EQ for it or read the manual to see what changes might have been made to it, etc.

That's a very good point that I neglected to mention. If you don't like tweaking, stay far, far away.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

i love the amp tones, but hated the fact that the fx weren't as tweakable as i liked. if they had been, i wouldve certainly kept mine. you would be suprised to hear how many major releases use a POD for all of the amp sounds.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

That's a very good point that I neglected to mention. If you don't like tweaking, stay far, far away.

Actually, that's good advice for any piece of music equipment you buy -- guitars, amps, effects...anything. People get lazy, throw their hands up and say "This is a hunk of junk" without really getting at it from all sides and squeezing every last drop of potential out of something they recently bought.

There are gems out there that sound terrific from the start, but those are rare (hence, gems). Give something at least a couple weeks of hard work. Then if you still don't like it, return it or sell it.

- Keith

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

It's amazing on gigs to go direct, esp if your amp fails. It sounds pretty decent thru a power amp, NOT GREAT, will NOT replace a great amp.

The models impress me a lot, esp some of the Marshalls and Bogners, the Cornford is very responsive. The reverbs are nice.

Thru the FX loop it colors the tone wayyyy too much for my tastes, I have played units with far less coloration. I feel it's signal path does something to the signal which is very hard to balance out even with the level knobs.
I feel it was a significant improvement over the Pod 2.0.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

It's amazing on gigs to go direct, esp if your amp fails. It sounds pretty decent thru a power amp, NOT GREAT, will NOT replace a great amp.

Thru the FX loop it colors the tone wayyyy too much for my tastes, I have played units with far less coloration. I feel it's signal path does something to the signal which is very hard to balance out even with the level knobs.

Too many people think of a POD the same way they think of a multifx box like a Digitech from the 90's or something. It is a completely different device. It was designed to go direct, not through an fx loop or in front of an amp. Depending on the power amp, you should be able to get a pretty good sound going straight into that. I have had inconsistent results myself.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

I've done some minor studio work with a PODxt, and I think it's fine for recordings in which the guitar plays a minor role, set more in the background. I can't imagine using this as my bread and butter for overall guitar tone. That's why I've sunk so much cash into guitars, amps and pedals. Still, there are applications in which the POD shines.

PROS: It's a nice unit with some cool, sometimes convincing, tone options, and it offers a lot for its price point.

CONS: It's not a Fender. It's not a Marshall. It's not a Vox. If you want the real tones, you've gotta use the real beasts.

- Keith

I'm giving a big +1 to this one. I've got one with a few of the model packs on it (I have yet to get the bass pack). Its honestly a GREAT recording tool...but its not an end-all-be-all unit.

Though, I use mine for mostly heavy music...so thats all I can really share my experiences with. You can get some great high-gain sounds out of it, but they always sound just a little artificial. Thats why I'm gonna be start mic'in up my KRANK here for recordings pretty soon.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

I wish to own a PODxt oneday.... i only have the 2.0 so far and i did some demo recordings with it.. For MultiFX units they sound great.... I don't think of them as sounding like real amps but they are good multiFX's.... Many MultiFX's when you strip back all the chorus, delays and other stuff the amp sounds are cold and lifeless.. but the Pod's still seem OK...

Like the 2.0 i waited until i could score a cheap used one... So maybe soon i'll be able to grab a cheap XT soon..

I still want a Keyboard amp for my bedroom so i can use these multiFX's things thru a full range amp and speaker set up.... plus i want a Synth oneday anyways...

 

[these_go211]

Re: Opinions about the PODxt?

the pods are great for flexibility and tons of options. i have a guitar pod 2.0 and a bass pod xt. i love all the effects in the xt. sure, some of them i'd nver use but it's great for experimenting. also, you can get some real crazy sh-t running drum machines and keyboards thru the pods.

i've heard a lot of folks say they think the pod 2.0 version of the jcm800 model is better than the xt version.