Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

[I_M_Ken]

Hi guys,

I've got a pod XT but no amp at the moment.
Heard mixed info from ppl who have it.

Some are telling me to get a tube amp, and some to get active monitor speakers.
For those who advised monitor speakers, they say that it brings the sounds of the XT out better. And the XT sucks the mids outta the tube amp which ruins the tone.

For those who advised to get Tube amp, they said that, if i get a monitor speaker, the tone will sound very dead and flat....

I'm lost....

So i'd like to hear your opinions before i make any decisions.

Pls advise guys.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

If you amp has an effects loop (or other means for bypassing the preamp), try plugging the POD straight into the loop's Input.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Yeah, you definitely want to avoid plugging it into the pre-amp of another amp.

Have you considered a Tech 21 Power Engine 60? 60 watts, powered speaker cab with 3-band EQ.

I'd also look at the Atomic amps.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Yeah, you definitely want to avoid plugging it into the pre-amp of another amp.

Have you considered a Tech 21 Power Engine 60? 60 watts, powered speaker cab with 3-band EQ.

I'd also look at the Atomic amps.

Sory im not getting what you mean when you say plugging the pod xt into the preamp of the guitar amp.

basically i have no amp now, but a couple friends are asking me to run the Pod XT thru active monitor speakers instead of a guitar amp as it will sound better.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Look here:
http://www.atomicamps.com/products-112-18.html

It even has a purpose-built POD mount

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

I'm pretty sure Skarekrough has used one of those Atomics. You may want to give him a shout.

- Keith

 

[JeffB]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

I had an Atomic for quite some time- overall, yeah that's the best solution, IMO. The Atomic really warms them up, and helps them sound more 3-dimensional. It also improves *slightly* the "disconnected" feeling one gets with an all digital modeller. Be advised that even the 18W puts out some MASSIVE low end with that speaker and the tuned cab. Mine sounded far better off the floor, unlike say a normal amp head and speaker cab.

Also note that the Atomic really gives up the goods when it's got some serious volume on it, just like a regular tube amp- still better than a straight modeller at low volumes, but it's not as "amazing" at said low volume. Kinda like the way the Line 6 Spider Valve is- but the XTL/Atomic has much better tone than the SV thanks to it's far superior modelling engine.

I also plugged my XT Live into the power amp section of my Rivera Chubster, I actually think it sounded better with that setup at lower volumes- I made liberal use of the global EQ on the XTL for that though- it took quite some time to tweak.

I've tried my modellers through a good set of computer speakers, and meh...I don't feel it was as good as the Rivera or Atomic. IDK about dedicated Monitors.

My VOX Tonelab SE sounded awful through the Atomic- all bass, but narrow and very distant sounding (the blanket over the speaker description). I understand the new Tonelab LE's work alot better when used as a "preamp" as they have better global voicing/EQ.

all modellers sound like crap plpugged directly into the front end of a guitar amp, I'd highly advise against it..

 

[ErikH]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Modelers like the XT and XTL need a full range compliment to them. A monitor, such as a powered JBL EON speaker, is much better suited for them than a regular guitar amp, which are tuned to specific frequency range. The Atomic is really what is made for the Line6 stuff but others like the Vox and Digitech RP500 sound really good running right in to the PA mixer.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

wow, thanks guys.
looks like i'd have to go more towards monitors as they dont sell the Atomic where im at. and shipping it over is just way too costly.

Thanks!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

An electric guitar amp is NOT the way to go with a POD. As others have said, you need a full range speaker cabinet for it to work well, because the POD is supplying the "amp" sounds.

A powered monitor will work; a keyboard amp will work; an acoustic guitar amp will work; powered amps such as the Atomic will work; sending the signal directly to the PA mixer will work if you have a dedicated monitor channel for YOU.

I've played direct to the board for several years. The POD can shine through a good PA.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

+1 on the PA/Keyboard amp/ going direct comments.
Whenever I've used modeling units through guitar amps, they sound slightly muffled, and more digital and just sounds bad in general.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

The best I've heard a Pod sound through was a pair of Genelecs. They'd be my #1 choice.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

I run my XT Live without the cab/mic sims and into a Peavey Classic 50/50 and then into a couple of cabinets. It sounds lovely.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Those Line 6 Live pedals sound tons better through tube amps/power amps than with solid state. I've heard it through a solid state amp and then through a Mesa tube power amp. That thing sounded way better through the tube power amp. Richer, louder and more organic. The pedal's distortions can sound somewhat cold through some amps.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

An electric guitar amp is NOT the way to go with a POD. As others have said, you need a full range speaker cabinet for it to work well, because the POD is supplying the "amp" sounds.

A powered monitor will work; a keyboard amp will work; an acoustic guitar amp will work; powered amps such as the Atomic will work; sending the signal directly to the PA mixer will work if you have a dedicated monitor channel for YOU.

I've played direct to the board for several years. The POD can shine through a good PA.

Thanks LesStrat.
I think i'll be headed in that direction, but starting with a small setup consisting of just a small 8 channel mixer w/o fx and a pair of active studio monitors like the Tapco S5 or the KRK Rokit.

Generally we do not need to add anything else to the equation right?

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

I've never used a POD, but I've used a Pandora modeling box and Line 6's Toneport/Gearbox software and ran them through a keyboard amp, both sounded pretty dead. The keyboard amp isn't the greatest though.

It would probably be best if you could try out some different setups before buying - active monitors, tube power amp, SS power amp, see what works best for you.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Where will the 8 channel mixer be placed? Will it be operated by you or a soundman? If you, then there should be no problem. If you are running it to a soundman, you probably need a direct box and a mic cable to run the signal to the board. For short distances, you can use instrument cable from the POD to the board. For longer distances, you should use the DI box to convert the signal to Lo-Z (XLR) to run to the board.

At one point we did not have enough dedicated monitor sends, so I was sharing a monitor with another guitarist. I used a small bass combo amp as an additional monitor be able to boost my signal for ME.

Guitar-->POD-->direct box

From the direct box I used the XLR send and the hi-Z out.

XLR--> board
Hi-Z out-->combo amp, tilted back and facing ME.

I play in two settings now: band and church

For the band, I go Guitar-->POD X3L-->board-->monitor return (wedge)

For church, it's Guitar-->POD X3L-->board, and we have individual digital monitoring stations.

I might split the signal with an ABY box for an upcoming outdoor gig so I can use the POD and my tube amp. We'll see.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

I will most likely go Guitar -> XT -> Mixer -> Monitors
the monitors will be my main out for home studio use.
Will be connecting my computer to the mixer and out to the monitors as well.

mainly for home use as a small home studio setup.
gonna start small first.

So im guessing just a 1/4" instrument cable to connect everything up.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Pod XT with Tube amp or Monitor speakers?

Yes.