POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

[B2D]

I'm looking for an alternative to my POD 2.0 as a late-night practice rig. I've had the POD forever, and it sounds fine for what I need, though it has way more sounds than I usually use.

Any recommendations to good alternatives, particularly something iPhone/iPad based? I'll be running it through headphones.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I don't know about software, but have you considered just going unplugged? I find that at night when I play my guitar it lets me nail the minutia of what I am trying to master without allowing any of it to hide behind the amp.

Have you considered a pocket amplifier such as the Vox Amplug? I prefer it to the Pod 2.0 and that way you can use your phone as a metronome or something while you practice.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

Those cheapo iRig things look sweet. One of those with an iPad would probably be a lot of fun.

Do you remember the old Korg Pandora? I had the first and (I think) 4th generations of them. Both were super cool, and had really good drum loops built in. The newer of the two (still well over 10 years old at this point) sounded much, much better than the first.

 

[Mincer]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I am sure there are software solutions that have overtaken the POD 2.0 in convenience and sound quality.

 

[rbc]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

You might consider the Rockman Guitar Ace if you want something simple. If you want higher end, look for a used Rockman X100. Those are excellent if you can find one in good shape.

 

[Mincer]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

i will say the current software (I use iRig) has *really* surpassed what was possible with the Rockman. These days, for simple practice, there is no reason to own a small piece of hardware (unless you are going for a practice amp).

 

[DankStar]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I don't know about software, but have you considered just going unplugged? I find that at night when I play my guitar it lets me nail the minutia of what I am trying to master without allowing any of it to hide behind the amp.

Have you considered a pocket amplifier such as the Vox Amplug? I prefer it to the Pod 2.0 and that way you can use your phone as a metronome or something while you practice.

I dig my amplug still (ac30 model) - my go to for quiet playing, although I do run it with a super OD and the lil' cab. After a bit of playing, headphones really become uncomfortable to me, and I don't always want stuff projected directly into my ears.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I use my Amplug into a portable speaker. It's essentially a mini half stack, but it sounds nice. Expensive small speaker's are better for practicing than cheap large speakers, even if they are the same price.

 

[Wattage]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

iRig works great with the iPad

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

i will say the current software (I use iRig) has *really* surpassed what was possible with the Rockman. These days, for simple practice, there is no reason to own a small piece of hardware (unless you are going for a practice amp).

That’s fine until the developer of your favorite app ****s the bed and undoes the whole look and feel of the GUI, somehow also making it sound somewhat worse in the process. Hardware is a way of hedging your bets against developer sabotage.

 

[rbc]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

That’s fine until the developer of your favorite app ****s the bed and undoes the whole look and feel of the GUI, somehow also making it sound somewhat worse in the process. Hardware is a way of hedging your bets against developer sabotage.

I work as a computer jockey for a living and even I tire of the software treadmill. I have both AmpKit and I use the software amps and effects in GarageBand. I really love the flexibility. On the other hand, sometimes I just plug into my combo (or Rockman) and play. It makes me focus on my playing instead of fooling with the signal chain (real or virtual) endlessly.

 

[Mincer]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

Well, if you like the way it sounds, you never have to update it. I mean, hardware doesn't last forever, either- especially cheap stuff designed for headphone practice.

 

[rbc]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I bought my SR&D Rockman Guitar Ace in the 1990's. It's not fancy, but it still works. Just junk the headphones, or use them for talk radio. Using good headphones with the Rockman headphone amps makes all the difference.

 

[kingsnake]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

i just wish line6 still made the pod 2.0, the pocket pod isn't quite as good as the old models imo...

 

[FuseG4]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I run the headphone out of my everyday amp's attenuator and into garageband Amp Designer where I take a clean flat preamp and cabinet emulation and a virtual pedalboard.

Garageband and Logic Pro work pretty good this way. I've also done it with various settings from Fender Mustang and Champion modelers.
You can do it with just a 1/4"-1/8" adapter and a dry guitar and it sounds decent this way as well, I used to do this, but since I have a tube amp with line out capabilities I roll with it.

the more I think about garageband, the more I think it's a little heavy handed for practice when there's cheap guitar rig only programs,
but danged if I don't just plug in hit a cab sim and a low-pass and high pass eq and call it good.
Pretty sure GB is still free and you can program a drummer pretty easily

 

[Coma]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

There are software amp modelers you can run on your phone or tablet. Basically the same thing you're doing now, but without the dedicated unit (though you will still need an interface). Then there's stuff like the Palmer pocket amp

http://www.palmer-germany.com/mi/en/POCKET-AMP-MK-2-Portable-Guitar-Preamp-PEPAMPMKII.htm

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

Well, if you like the way it sounds, you never have to update it. I mean, hardware doesn't last forever, either- especially cheap stuff designed for headphone practice.

Many times the preferred version of the app ceases to be compatible with your device’s operating system. It’s either update, stop using the app, or keep your phone or tablet on an outdated OS.

I’ve yet to see an inexpensive (or expensive) headphone device break on me. I have seen app developers ruin their own product through a misguided attempt at progress. One of these things is preventable.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I switched to BIAS FX for late night practice and couldn't be happier.

 

[B2D]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I don't know about software, but have you considered just going unplugged? I find that at night when I play my guitar it lets me nail the minutia of what I am trying to master without allowing any of it to hide behind the amp.

Are you referring to playing an acoustic guitar or playing unplugged electric?

In the case of the former, I can't b/c playing acoustic past midnight will likely bother my roommates who are sleeping in the next room.

As for the latter - I'd like some pocket amplification, hence the thread. My Tele sounds too good plugged in to play it unplugged.

 

[B2D]

Re: POD 2.0 alternatives for late-night practice?

I'll be looking into the iRig stuff. I'd already been looking at one of their USB keyboards for using with my DAW. Thanks everyone!