PodXT vs. PodXT Live

[Skarekrough]

So, I was thinking about my options for a digital amp and kind of dreading the fact that I'm going to have to drop some serious cake on a floorboard for the PodXT.

It seems like for a little bit more than the floorboard new (the big one) I could get myself into a PodXT Live and get BOTH a floorboard and a PodXT. I'd be able to transfer patches I create at home on the PodXT to the PodXT Live and would only have to haul that around to gigs.

Anyone use both in this manner? Anyone use the XT Live? How do you like it?

 

[guitarded]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

You could do this easily with a computer. You want to make sure that both units have the same model packs installed or not installed. Good think about about the floor board and shortboard is you can use them if you decide to upgrade to a Vetta II.

 

[SOLO GUITAR STEWIE]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

my freind has a PODXT Live and loves it, I was thinking of going the dual PODXT/POD XT Live route until I got Gas for a tube amp. It would make recording and practicing at home nice, and using the XT Live for gigs would make easy setup/teardown time with easy access to tone

chris

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I have the XT Live and I really like it. For what I do it's perfect. Right now I am just searching for the perfect amp to pair it with.

I would rather the wah/volume pedal be a seperate rather than having to stomp it forward to activate the secondary function. You can assign 2 of 3functions to the pedal. Wah, volume, and Mod Tweak(so you can adjust an assigned parameter of whatever modulation you are using). It does have an "In" for a second pedal though. I just havent purchased one.

Everything is laid out very simply. You have 4 patches per band, and 32 banks I think. *I know you know some if not all of this already*
When you have a particular patch selected you can turn on or off the Amp Model, Stomp Box, Modulation, and Delay. Double tap one and it brings up it's options so you can tweak if you need to. You can't adjust or turn off the Comp, Noise Gate, or EQ on the fly.

The pedal, to me, borders being crowded. I will set a distortion or tube screamer to the Stomp Box for solos, and sometimes when moving for it I accidentally turn on or off my Mod or Amp, and occasionally switch patches.

It's easy to navigate, and tweaking it is pretty simple from the pedal. Of course using Gear Box or Line 6 Edit is so much easier since you can see it all right in front of you at the same time.

A friend recently switched from the XT to the Live, and he just saved his personal patches to his computer, and then transferred them to the XT Live unit.

Silly question.... Do you edit your tones through your computer? If you do then you already know what to do. Save to disk, and then load it onto the new unit.

I don't know if you can transfer the Metal and Classic expansion packs, if you have them, to the new unit. I assume Line 6 would allow this.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The XTLive is sooo useful BUT I hate the fact it has preset OUTPUT styles such as direct v Bose PS1 v etc etc

It Eq's your output. I like a falt output so I can use it in the front of an amp. The XtLive takes that control away - you have to pick some kind of EQ - and even set FLAT it affects tone or output.

 

[davedvdy]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I think having both is definitely ideal. You don't want to just buy the 4 stomp+expression pedal unit? (I think it's called FBV Express) I can't remember though, but it's $100.

I have the XT Live and I really like it. For what I do it's perfect. Right now I am just searching for the perfect amp to pair it with.

POD's don't sound best going through a traditional amplifier from what I recall. I heard it is just best to run them straight into really good powered speakers. I run mine through a regular solid state amp and it sounds really good though, but I heard amps color the sound.

The XTLive is sooo useful BUT I hate the fact it has preset OUTPUT styles such as direct v Bose PS1 v etc etc

The regular XT has an output select within the tuner button as well. I honestly don't see anything negative about it, it just allows you to customize what is best for your set up.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The XTLive is sooo useful BUT I hate the fact it has preset OUTPUT styles such as direct v Bose PS1 v etc etc

It Eq's your output. I like a falt output so I can use it in the front of an amp. The XtLive takes that control away - you have to pick some kind of EQ - and even set FLAT it affects tone or output.

So, am I getting this right....because I know on the PodXT it has the options for output for things like the Bose PS1 and other devices like poweramps, etc. Is this NOT present in the Live?

I think having both is definitely ideal. You don't want to just buy the 4 stomp+expression pedal unit? (I think it's called FBV Express) I can't remember though, but it's $100.

If I'm going to use a digital amp on stage then I want to be able to do more than just access four sounds, that's the appeal of a digital setup to me. I learned that the hard way with a Flextone amp; I bought the 4 button footswitch and a month later realized it was a waste of money for me.

POD's don't sound best going through a traditional amplifier from what I recall. I heard it is just best to run them straight into really good powered speakers. I run mine through a regular solid state amp and it sounds really good though, but I heard amps color the sound.

It will be going into a Crate PowerBlock and a Marshall 2 x 12 cab.

 

[junkroom studios]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I have an XT Live. I use my PC to swap patches back and forth so you should have no problems at all.

It is an awesome unit for live gigs. It is sturdy and it sounds excellent direct to the board. I did a set on the weekend and used the stage monitor and that is it. You cannot play with the harmonics doing it that way but it is a simple rig. At other shows, I use an amp. A separate wah may be nice if you use it a lot.

I dumped four amps when I got the XT. It does not replace a nice tube amp BUT it is far more practical and flexible that it was not worth having all these amps. I have no bugs about the XT live. I have my 12 or so patches and switching them during sets is easy. Ok, I wish it had an XLR out but I have an el cheapo DI in case I need it.....

You can edit the eq depending on what type of a system you are linking into. There is a direct to PA and then into a head or power amp. It does rechape the tone but you can over ride it and set your own shaping.

I had a flextone floorboard (the four button one) and it was way too limited. Had a flextone amp and the large floor board but the amp got farty at high volumes. The XT is better built than the floorboard.

I run mine direct into my mixer and monitors at home. IMHO, it is still not as good as a good amp but it is far more flexible and practical for gigging. It sounds killer while recording!!! http://myspace.com/rockwoodconvergence

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

So, am I getting this right....because I know on the PodXT it has the options for output for things like the Bose PS1 and other devices like poweramps, etc. Is this NOT present in the Live?

The XT has the same options Studio Direct, Combo Front, Combo Pwramp, Stack Front, Stack pwramp, and the Bose setting. Also when using combo or stack front it gives you an EQ.
That is how it is on the bean XT right?

It will be going into a Crate PowerBlock and a Marshall 2 x 12 cab.

I run mine into a Power Block, and into a Peavey 4x12, but I am considering getting a 2x12. How well do you like that Marshall cab in your set up? I'm asking cause I really don't know where to begin looking when it comes to 2x12 cabs.

I have heard that full range speakers sound better with the POD, but I don't know first hand.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I run mine into a Power Block, and into a Peavey 4x12, but I am considering getting a 2x12. How well do you like that Marshall cab in your set up? I'm asking cause I really don't know where to begin looking when it comes to 2x12 cabs.

I have heard that full range speakers sound better with the POD, but I don't know first hand.

The cab is decent. It takes some tweaking but I've found that you kind of have to develop a patch with the headphones and then ditch the cab sim and then play it through the cab and tweak it to taste.

Reading on the Line 6 board today there are a bunch of folks raving about the frequency response on 10" speakers and how good they are, so who knows.

I can tell you that I'm pretty happy with my setup. I just need to really hunker down and work on it more.

BTW...I have a line on a PodXT Live for a decent price so this may happen sooner rather than later.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The cab is decent. It takes some tweaking but I've found that you kind of have to develop a patch with the headphones and then ditch the cab sim and then play it through the cab and tweak it to taste.

Reading on the Line 6 board today there are a bunch of folks raving about the frequency response on 10" speakers and how good they are, so who knows.

I can tell you that I'm pretty happy with my setup. I just need to really hunker down and work on it more.

BTW...I have a line on a PodXT Live for a decent price so this may happen sooner rather than later.

I need to check their boards out. I've never been there before, but I have a friend that raves about it.

I'm not as happy with my set-up as I would like to be, and I am blaming it on the cab. So 10"s would be worth a shot to try perhaps.

I say go for the XT Live considering you are already using the XT I don't see how you could be unhappy with the floor unit.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I like the xt Live.

 

[davedvdy]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I just exchanged my POD XT for a XT Live

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The only place where you could run into some problems would be if you've got any of the model packs. You'd have to buy them again for a second unit...flip flopping between the two wouldn't be very convenient.

If you don't have any model packs though, that wouldn't be a problem .

 

[davedvdy]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

So, am I getting this right....because I know on the PodXT it has the options for output for things like the Bose PS1 and other devices like poweramps, etc. Is this NOT present in the Live?

That is correct, I don't know why he made an issue out of it, you just set your output accordingly.

If I'm going to use a digital amp on stage then I want to be able to do more than just access four sounds, that's the appeal of a digital setup to me. I learned that the hard way with a Flextone amp; I bought the 4 button footswitch and a month later realized it was a waste of money for me.

Yeah, that makes sense. That thing doesn't have the bank up or down on it, which would make a difference. Having a patch, and the ability to add Amp, Stom, Mod or Delay at any time, really brings the value up. This is why I just exchanged my POD XT for a Live...although, I don't doubt having the red one has it's pluses, being so compact and desktop worthy.

It will be going into a Crate PowerBlock and a Marshall 2 x 12 cab.

I'm playing mine right now going through a regular amp and it sounds great, I don't know what all this talk of "coloring" the sound is.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

Yeah, that makes sense. That thing doesn't have the bank up or down on it, which would make a difference. Having a patch, and the ability to add Amp, Stom, Mod or Delay at any time, really brings the value up. This is why I just exchanged my POD XT for a Live...although, I don't doubt having the red one has it's pluses, being so compact and desktop worthy.

I'm going to have a hard time justifying keeping the "bean" around when I get the Live. To a certain degree the convenience of having something with the smaller footprint just out there in my studio is what appeals to me. I'm very much a person that'll leave their gear at a rehearsal space and show up a little early to tweak if needed.

I'm playing mine right now going through a regular amp and it sounds great, I don't know what all this talk of "coloring" the sound is.

If you get a chance, try it out on a PowerBlock setup or one of the Roland keyboard amps. If you've only used it through one amp then it's pretty likely that it's just a factor that your ears are used to hearing.

One thing I did find...if you have something plugged into the headphone port it wont let you change the output on it. Just keep that in mind...

 

[davedvdy]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

I'm going to have a hard time justifying keeping the "bean" around when I get the Live. To a certain degree the convenience of having something with the smaller footprint just out there in my studio is what appeals to me. I'm very much a person that'll leave their gear at a rehearsal space and show up a little early to tweak if needed.

That makes sense for you, and unlike the Boss GT stuff, you can dump your patches in the computer as you know, so you don't have to start over. What you are saying is especially true if you have any of the model packs. Btw, I don't know if you have the Bass Expansion, but it is really excellent, I was extremely impressed with the fullness in tone...really no need to buy a Bass POD XT, when they give you just as many amps and cabs (I guess it's just missing all the bass effects except Bass Overdrive which the reg. XT has).

If you get a chance, try it out on a PowerBlock setup or one of the Roland keyboard amps. If you've only used it through one amp then it's pretty likely that it's just a factor that your ears are used to hearing.

One thing I did find...if you have something plugged into the headphone port it wont let you change the output on it. Just keep that in mind...

Thank you for that info, I will definitely try one those amps.

I run a stereo adapter chord to an amp, as I was told that it runs balanced stereo that way.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The xt Live also shipped w/ FX Junkie installed. I think they still do this.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

The xt Live also shipped w/ FX Junkie installed. I think they still do this.

I did notice that.

The only model pack I have for my XT is the Bass amp model pack...which is nice but I mostly got it for playing at home....which is what I'd plan on doing with the XT excusively.

Looks like the deal goes down tomorrow morning.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live

Spent an hour putting the XT Line through its paces with my 73' Strat.

Damn that thing's impressive! It's a GREAT front end for the PowerBlock!

I must of spent 3/4 of the time on one patch though, and it was made for the Variax! I'm excited to hear what else is in that thing!

I love my tube amps but I really missed the flexibility and versatility.

It's nice to be back in the land of digital again!