S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
I need to spend more time with the VOX models and make something usable for me out of them. I find I have this tendency to stumble upon them and then try and make them sound like something else that I know was recorded with that model amp rather than something I can actually use or need.
But I've been having all sorts of issues getting my Strats to sound worthwhile on my PodXT since, well, since I bought it about a year or so ago. I've gone to great lengths to try but could never get anything with single-coils to sound right. Just flipping through the patches that had been programmed by the previous owner I came across one that made two of the three Strats I have sound like something I could play for all of a three set night.
....I likely would of said three out of three but I didn't try the third. Once I can get some time to crank up again I'll check into it.
One thing that does bother me....on the PodXT there was a simple "Output" knob that acted promarily as a Master Volume knob on the rig when I was using the PowerBlock and 2 x 12 cab. I'm not seeing anything like that on the XT Live. Am I missing something? I'm seeing a small knob on the back near the output, that isn't what I'm looking for, is it?
I need to spend more time with the VOX models and make something usable for me out of them. I find I have this tendency to stumble upon them and then try and make them sound like something else that I know was recorded with that model amp rather than something I can actually use or need.
But I've been having all sorts of issues getting my Strats to sound worthwhile on my PodXT since, well, since I bought it about a year or so ago. I've gone to great lengths to try but could never get anything with single-coils to sound right. Just flipping through the patches that had been programmed by the previous owner I came across one that made two of the three Strats I have sound like something I could play for all of a three set night.
....I likely would of said three out of three but I didn't try the third. Once I can get some time to crank up again I'll check into it.
One thing that does bother me....on the PodXT there was a simple "Output" knob that acted promarily as a Master Volume knob on the rig when I was using the PowerBlock and 2 x 12 cab. I'm not seeing anything like that on the XT Live. Am I missing something? I'm seeing a small knob on the back near the output, that isn't what I'm looking for, is it?
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
That is it. There is also a switch back there that does Something with the volume. Can't remember since I never mess with it, but yeah that little knob would be what you're looking for. Kind of an inconvenient place for it if you ask me.
That is it. There is also a switch back there that does Something with the volume. Can't remember since I never mess with it, but yeah that little knob would be what you're looking for. Kind of an inconvenient place for it if you ask me.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
There's no "kind of." That's REALLY inconvenient....
The switch has a "PAD" position which, as far as I can tell, takes the level down a notch for high output pickups. I was running it in "Guitar" position and it was fine.
I almost wonder if it's going to be worth it to have the setup so the levels on the PowerBlock actually work.
....but then again let's be fair....as far as most guitar players go the more inconvenient you can make it for them to turn up is usually for the better.
There's no "kind of." That's REALLY inconvenient....
The switch has a "PAD" position which, as far as I can tell, takes the level down a notch for high output pickups. I was running it in "Guitar" position and it was fine.
I almost wonder if it's going to be worth it to have the setup so the levels on the PowerBlock actually work.
....but then again let's be fair....as far as most guitar players go the more inconvenient you can make it for them to turn up is usually for the better.
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
:laugh2: Valid point. It is aggravating having to use it as you Master on something like the Power Block since you can't adjust it from the amp itself.
:laugh2: Valid point. It is aggravating having to use it as you Master on something like the Power Block since you can't adjust it from the amp itself.
beggar_guitar
New member
GuitarGuy503
New member
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
I used to have a POD XT. Shortly after I bought it they came out with POD XT Live though (go figure) :smack: I ended up selling my POD XT though due to the fact I needed to raise more funds for my Les Paul purchase. Absolutely, no regrets there. The period of time I owned it though I found it to be a pretty good unit. I personally like to keep my guitar setup as simple as possible though. I think sometimes musicians tend to go somewhat overboard on effects and their music loses its more natural substance. I think one of the biggest things with effects is that you have to know how much effects in your music is enough otherwise you end up killing your songs and making it to busy with effects.
I used to have a POD XT. Shortly after I bought it they came out with POD XT Live though (go figure) :smack: I ended up selling my POD XT though due to the fact I needed to raise more funds for my Les Paul purchase. Absolutely, no regrets there. The period of time I owned it though I found it to be a pretty good unit. I personally like to keep my guitar setup as simple as possible though. I think sometimes musicians tend to go somewhat overboard on effects and their music loses its more natural substance. I think one of the biggest things with effects is that you have to know how much effects in your music is enough otherwise you end up killing your songs and making it to busy with effects.
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S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
Primarily I find I leave the effects off. Very rarely will I use anything more than a boost for volume and some reverb.
However I've been playing in a band where certain aspects of guitar sounds are important, getting the delay right, getting the amp sound right and being able to not so much nail down the exact sound but create something with some likeness to it.
This is where the PodXT has excelled and what brought me to consider using it in a live setting after I all but swore off digital amps for life a few years ago.
Primarily I find I leave the effects off. Very rarely will I use anything more than a boost for volume and some reverb.
However I've been playing in a band where certain aspects of guitar sounds are important, getting the delay right, getting the amp sound right and being able to not so much nail down the exact sound but create something with some likeness to it.
This is where the PodXT has excelled and what brought me to consider using it in a live setting after I all but swore off digital amps for life a few years ago.
LesStrat
Reining PunLowered
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
You're right about the "pad" switch. It's a buffer for high output pups. I needed that for the POD 2.0. It couldn't handle LesStrat (HR/CR/HR).
The output adjuster is there by design. Most of your channel volume should be controlled in the amp controls and volume pedal. The unit output should be set for soundcheck and pretty much left alone.
I always keep some volume in reserve in the volume pedal. But that's just me.
You're right about the "pad" switch. It's a buffer for high output pups. I needed that for the POD 2.0. It couldn't handle LesStrat (HR/CR/HR).
The output adjuster is there by design. Most of your channel volume should be controlled in the amp controls and volume pedal. The unit output should be set for soundcheck and pretty much left alone.
I always keep some volume in reserve in the volume pedal. But that's just me.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
See, that's what bugs me. I'm likely to use the Volume pedal for things like swells and then kick into Wah mode for a solo. The last thing I want to do as I head into a solo is blow out the whole volume getting there.
The workarounds on the Line 6 board have been hilarious. From putting a mixer in between it and the amp, adding ANOTHER pedal...it just got silly. I bought this so I wouldn't have to lug a ton of gear around...kind of defeats the purpose.
See, that's what bugs me. I'm likely to use the Volume pedal for things like swells and then kick into Wah mode for a solo. The last thing I want to do as I head into a solo is blow out the whole volume getting there.
The workarounds on the Line 6 board have been hilarious. From putting a mixer in between it and the amp, adding ANOTHER pedal...it just got silly. I bought this so I wouldn't have to lug a ton of gear around...kind of defeats the purpose.
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
That's how I use the Volume Pedal. To me it's easier than trying to get the volume pedal to a certain point. Of course you could set the volume minimum to your "normal" level and then kick it up with you need to, but I like being able to do the swells and such.
You still considering an Atomic Skarekrough? I may be picking one up this week (Cross your fingers and say a prayer fellas) so I can post a review if that happens. I know there have been a few, but several different reviews never hurt anyone.
That's how I use the Volume Pedal. To me it's easier than trying to get the volume pedal to a certain point. Of course you could set the volume minimum to your "normal" level and then kick it up with you need to, but I like being able to do the swells and such.
You still considering an Atomic Skarekrough? I may be picking one up this week (Cross your fingers and say a prayer fellas) so I can post a review if that happens. I know there have been a few, but several different reviews never hurt anyone.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
I think I've kind of decided against the Atomic with the XT Live.
As great as they may very well be there were just too many things about it that I wasn't all that enthused about when I put it up against a set up with the Crate PowerBlock and a cabinet. The big thing was that above it all I was going to need to plunk down the money for a floorboard on top of it all.
Between the PowerBlock, the cab and the XT Live the whole rig chimes in at around $550. The price tag is less than an Atomic by itself, but that doesn't figure in the fact that I would need to also plunk down another few bills for a floorboard. This set up also meant I had two PodXT devices, so one can be a backup in a pinch.
It was appealing, and if I'd gotten the chance to play one maybe I would have decided differently. But with this setup it allowed me more flexibility, something which has great appeal for me in situations like the one I'm in.
I'd be interested in hearing how you like the Atomic when you get it.
I think I've kind of decided against the Atomic with the XT Live.
As great as they may very well be there were just too many things about it that I wasn't all that enthused about when I put it up against a set up with the Crate PowerBlock and a cabinet. The big thing was that above it all I was going to need to plunk down the money for a floorboard on top of it all.
Between the PowerBlock, the cab and the XT Live the whole rig chimes in at around $550. The price tag is less than an Atomic by itself, but that doesn't figure in the fact that I would need to also plunk down another few bills for a floorboard. This set up also meant I had two PodXT devices, so one can be a backup in a pinch.
It was appealing, and if I'd gotten the chance to play one maybe I would have decided differently. But with this setup it allowed me more flexibility, something which has great appeal for me in situations like the one I'm in.
I'd be interested in hearing how you like the Atomic when you get it.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
I managed to work out my volume issue last night.
When I was using the PodXT as a front end it was never really loud enough, or rather as loud as I know it should of been at peak. There was volume, and it was more than I needed for what I was doing, but I knew the real firepower the PowerBlock had from plugging into the front of it.
It took me a solid hour of just torking and tweaking. I even came to the table with two identical cables to be able to run the stereo out of the PodXT into the Line In on the Crate PowerBlock.
Hysterically enough the resolve came with using the "Line / Amp" switch. I believe I had it in the "Amp" mode. When I kicked it into "Line" mode everything came up to snuff.
The other aspect that threw me was that I had a handfull of patches I wanted to use. I could of sworn with the PodXT that I needed to just axe the Cab Sims. When I did that with the XT Live I found every patch just started sucking.
It took me a bit to figure out to turn the Cab Sims back on, and some tweaking of them to compensate the EQ on them for the cab I was using. But in the end of it all I had the sounds I was looking for.
The only major bummer is that I blew my ears out pretty early on in the whole process. So when it came to do some really fine tweaking of the patches I just didn't have the ears to do it. I was hoping to get this all wrapped up last night and take it to rehearsal this Friday night but unless I feel 100% about working at very low volumes tonight I don't think I'm going to be able to do that.
I tell ya though....this thing's a whole lot of fun when it's working right!
I managed to work out my volume issue last night.
When I was using the PodXT as a front end it was never really loud enough, or rather as loud as I know it should of been at peak. There was volume, and it was more than I needed for what I was doing, but I knew the real firepower the PowerBlock had from plugging into the front of it.
It took me a solid hour of just torking and tweaking. I even came to the table with two identical cables to be able to run the stereo out of the PodXT into the Line In on the Crate PowerBlock.
Hysterically enough the resolve came with using the "Line / Amp" switch. I believe I had it in the "Amp" mode. When I kicked it into "Line" mode everything came up to snuff.
The other aspect that threw me was that I had a handfull of patches I wanted to use. I could of sworn with the PodXT that I needed to just axe the Cab Sims. When I did that with the XT Live I found every patch just started sucking.
It took me a bit to figure out to turn the Cab Sims back on, and some tweaking of them to compensate the EQ on them for the cab I was using. But in the end of it all I had the sounds I was looking for.
The only major bummer is that I blew my ears out pretty early on in the whole process. So when it came to do some really fine tweaking of the patches I just didn't have the ears to do it. I was hoping to get this all wrapped up last night and take it to rehearsal this Friday night but unless I feel 100% about working at very low volumes tonight I don't think I'm going to be able to do that.
I tell ya though....this thing's a whole lot of fun when it's working right!
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
I use the podxt live direct into a board and the sound is OK! It obviously is convenient, but it sounds much better thru my tube amps. I have had 2 problems with the pedal becoming very stiff and squeaky. Sent one one for repair to Line6 and when I got it back it started the same thing over again so I fixed the pedal on another unit myself. IMO, the cleans are good and the distortions are good BUT the in between sounds are lacking! I also can't seam to get equal output volume for different patches as in a clean patch verses a crunch and lead patch. The clean patch isn't as loud with everything maxxed out.
Have you looked at the new Digitech RP-150/250/350 pedals. THEY SOUND AMAZING!!!
Note: Be careful when using headphones, if you select a patch with the Wah pedal the volume is full up and will blow your ears out!!
I use the podxt live direct into a board and the sound is OK! It obviously is convenient, but it sounds much better thru my tube amps. I have had 2 problems with the pedal becoming very stiff and squeaky. Sent one one for repair to Line6 and when I got it back it started the same thing over again so I fixed the pedal on another unit myself. IMO, the cleans are good and the distortions are good BUT the in between sounds are lacking! I also can't seam to get equal output volume for different patches as in a clean patch verses a crunch and lead patch. The clean patch isn't as loud with everything maxxed out.
Have you looked at the new Digitech RP-150/250/350 pedals. THEY SOUND AMAZING!!!
Note: Be careful when using headphones, if you select a patch with the Wah pedal the volume is full up and will blow your ears out!!
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Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
Ain't no pickup, that can fix, anything that says, Line6 .
Someone over in the pickup forum told me that one, as I am dealing with this pedal in a live setting directly into a Yamaha stereo sound board. I was debating changing the pickups in my Strat, but I decided I wouldn't, it sounds amazing thru my tube amp and pedal board. The sounds in the live/direct setting just aren't inspiring, IMO.
Ain't no pickup, that can fix, anything that says, Line6 .
Someone over in the pickup forum told me that one, as I am dealing with this pedal in a live setting directly into a Yamaha stereo sound board. I was debating changing the pickups in my Strat, but I decided I wouldn't, it sounds amazing thru my tube amp and pedal board. The sounds in the live/direct setting just aren't inspiring, IMO.
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S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
Well, that kind of makes sense. A clean amp, even the best of them, are unlikely to be as loud of one given the benefit of one where the tubes HAVE to be pushed.
Some of the appeal of Line 6 products is that there's a community that does a lot to support their products as well as the company themselves. They were the only ones with reasonable support for OSX and they've consistently worked to offer more and more for that platform. I went through this with Behringer and eventually I ditched both a V-Amp Pro and a Bass V-Amp Pro for this reason; their support sucked.
They tend to go in cycles. When they're maxing out production their QC slips. This happened with the Flextone amps. For around 4 months those amps would break down. Once they addressed the problem though they were solid.
Yeah...I keep hearing that.
....and yet I keep going back to hearing what folks are doing with their PodXT's and other Line 6 devices and realize that it's horse****.
Well, that kind of makes sense. A clean amp, even the best of them, are unlikely to be as loud of one given the benefit of one where the tubes HAVE to be pushed.
Some of the appeal of Line 6 products is that there's a community that does a lot to support their products as well as the company themselves. They were the only ones with reasonable support for OSX and they've consistently worked to offer more and more for that platform. I went through this with Behringer and eventually I ditched both a V-Amp Pro and a Bass V-Amp Pro for this reason; their support sucked.
They tend to go in cycles. When they're maxing out production their QC slips. This happened with the Flextone amps. For around 4 months those amps would break down. Once they addressed the problem though they were solid.
Yeah...I keep hearing that.
....and yet I keep going back to hearing what folks are doing with their PodXT's and other Line 6 devices and realize that it's horse****.
Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
The line/amp switch is as follows. Line is a line level setting good for direct signals. The manual says to turn the pot up full for direct input. This setting will overload amps, unless that is what you are looking for, so the amp setting is padded and you adjust the pot for the best sound into the amp. The switch is"inconvenient" to help prevent accidental adjustments. Set it and leave it for that playing situation.
There is a output soft knob on the front pedal area that allows the adjustment for the type of equip you are feeding the Line6 into, combo, studio direct, etc.
The line/amp switch is as follows. Line is a line level setting good for direct signals. The manual says to turn the pot up full for direct input. This setting will overload amps, unless that is what you are looking for, so the amp setting is padded and you adjust the pot for the best sound into the amp. The switch is"inconvenient" to help prevent accidental adjustments. Set it and leave it for that playing situation.
There is a output soft knob on the front pedal area that allows the adjustment for the type of equip you are feeding the Line6 into, combo, studio direct, etc.
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Re: PodXT vs. PodXT Live
You missed the point about the loudness of clean amp SETTINGS verses crunch/dist settings. I my using the same pod into a board, patch 1a, clean Fender Twin reverb, patch 1b Hiwatt run like hell patch, 1c plush, 1d Fender Twin Revereb w/ killer dist. There is no amp involved. With the clean setting maxxed out into the board it is still too soft compared to the other 3 patches. If I adjust them down, they lose the sound I am needing. This situation is into a brand new Yamaha stereo board, 2500 seat arena, very good equip and sound in the house.
You missed the point about the loudness of clean amp SETTINGS verses crunch/dist settings. I my using the same pod into a board, patch 1a, clean Fender Twin reverb, patch 1b Hiwatt run like hell patch, 1c plush, 1d Fender Twin Revereb w/ killer dist. There is no amp involved. With the clean setting maxxed out into the board it is still too soft compared to the other 3 patches. If I adjust them down, they lose the sound I am needing. This situation is into a brand new Yamaha stereo board, 2500 seat arena, very good equip and sound in the house.
