Pod Vs Tube

[Twang Man]

Are there many of you that like the Line 6 Pod 2.0 ? I don't think it is as good as an actual vintage tube amp or amps, but it is the closest thing I have found in a SS, considering I haven't tried that many. I am mainly into old school Country, Rock, Blues & RockaBilly & occasionally I even play a little early Sabbath and Deep Purple, etc.
I think the POD gets pretty darn close on some models and not as close on others. I prefer the Pod's Fender models most. I don't care that much for the Pod's Marshall modulations.

One thing about the POD is it takes some getting used to and it takes some tweaking. After you get things figured out there isn't that much tweaking to do on a regular basis. I generally keep my EQ - Bass 3.5, Mid 10, Treble 7 to 8. Treble on 10 when using the 59 Bassman because its pretty dark. Part of using the Pod is learning the personalities of the diffferent amps and how to tweak them to get what you want. To me this is part of the fun.
The Flextone is supposed to be the POD in a combo amp form, but I have to say as much as I like the POD, I absolutely hated the Flextone. It sounded totally sterile to me. I didn't keep it long. I'm wondering if maybe I just didn't give the speaker long enough to break in.

What's the deal with the new POD XT ? I hear you have to upload drivers from your computer or the web to be able to use the new extras that aren't on the POD 2.0. Is this true?

 

[nuntius]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

lol i have the flextone 2... i cant wait to sell it and put the money towards a marshall stack.

you did the right thing getting rid of it

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Line6 is always updating the software, but right out of the box, the XT has lots more stuff than 2.0. Any extras you would have to download. I like the PODs sound- will probably get an XT Pro soon.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

I've used a Pod as well as Flextone before, and never really liked 'em. Are you using it to record, or as a preamp into a power amplifier? I've never heard a modeller as preamp used live that I thought even closely resembled tubes. I do like using my VG-88 for tracking solos, tho. The sound is more immediate and it stands out better from the rhythm tracks in the mix. I also like the fact that its very quiet, and I can pretty much use as much gain as I want without it feeding back ...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

The VG88 sounds great! Wish they made a rack mount version. I use a ROland GP-100 preamp direct ro PA for my live sound...Im not really into re-creating classic sounds, and it works fine for me.

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

The PODxt has way more versatility than the POD 2. There are many metal heads that love the POD 2 hi gain models more, but the effects tweakability and all the other stuff sounds way better. Line 6 is working on a free update for the XT due out by the end of summer. We demo-ed it at our last Line 6 meeting and they sound killer. It will have Post EQ, all the cab models are better voiced, some new models added. It's a huge leap from the existing version.

The 2.0 can only be updated via a chip. If you have a 1.xx ersion you have to buy it, but on 2.xx you can call Line 6 and they will send it to your for free to get to 2.3.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

AZ,

Are there any rumblings about updating the Flextone II chip? I'm still using a 2.0 chip. I'm going to get the 2.4 upgrade real soon, and was wondering what to expect?

Thanks in advance.

-Matt

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Matt as far as I know, what ever chip version was last on the Flex II's are it. You ought just call them and have them send you out one before they run out of them (if that's possible). I don't suspect any more defvelopment will be done on the II series.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Care to let me know more details about what is in store for the POD xt Pro? Thinking of getting one later this summer.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

I sold my Pod 2.0 to get the XT, biggest mistake I ever made, the XT is ****ty all around. So I went and sold my Xt and got a Vox Tonelab. First time in a long time I've been this impressed with a piece of equipment, it sounds stellar, the XT can't touch it as far as sound quality.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

My guess it depends on what you want it for...Im not really looking to create classic or modern sounds...I am more interested in making my own stuff up....I don't think the vox comes in a rackmount, does it?

 

[InstituteOfNoise]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Here's a link to the announcement of what's in store for the XT. The first post is the one you want to read.

http://line6.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=007158


Hey Xeromus, I see your from Rochester. You familiar with a band called "The Franks"?

 

[Hellion]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Here's the scoop for me. After 25 years of hauling around heavy equipment, I'll take settle for something that sounds close and is lightweight (POD) versus something that weighs 40 pounds, because I guarantee that the majority of the audience doesn't know nor will they be able to tell the difference. As long as I can get a reasonable sustain, distortion set on kill, and some depth in the echo, I'm a happy man.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Here's the scoop for me. After 25 years of hauling around heavy equipment, I'll take settle for something that sounds close and is lightweight (POD) versus something that weighs 40 pounds, because I guarantee that the majority of the audience doesn't know nor will they be able to tell the difference. As long as I can get a reasonable sustain, distortion set on kill, and some depth in the echo, I'm a happy man.

This is very true.. Only a guitarist can tell true tube tone from a tube Sim.
And I've even been fooled :smack: I just got a line 6 guitar port And I
must say I'm impressed how close they get. it's great for recording. But
the one thing that can't be simulated is the Dynamic responce of a tube.
Especially in a amp that has a tube rectofier you can't get that sag in
the note. That's why I guess I'll keep lugging my tube amp to gigs?
But it's cool that you can show up to a gig with a pod and still get
passable tube tones.

 

[Twang Man]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

Thanks for the link Institution of Noise. I'll be joining that Line 6 Forum. I am going to have to have a POD XT sooner or later.

 

[Duncan]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

. it's great for recording...

I agree with that - I use my GT 6 for home recording stuff (only just started...) and I've found that as a DI, it gives really nice tones, but I would never use it at a gig...I've tried it at rehearsal plenty of times and it just doesn't sound good enough - versitile, but just not good enough for the sound I am after, so I'll stay with my Les Pauls, Marshall JMP , fulltone wah, modded Ts-9, modded volume boost and that's it for me...

..although I can see the benefit of not lugging a quad around...!!!

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Pod Vs Tube

After more than a decade with tube amps behind my back (a relatively short period of time I know) in the case of the Tube vs POD question I think the answer is VOX Tonelab or Tech21 SansAmp stuff. The POD has its role and use but both the VOX and T21 gadgets put more tube-like juice in your tone.