Using a POD for playing live

[Rotten Guitar String]

We're playing Comfortably Numb at some talent show thingy, and I'm going to use my POD 2.0.

I went and tested it with the sound system today (POD --> sound system), and I noticed that the sound that came out was sort of muffled and too smooth. I wanted a kind of scratchy sound for the solo like I get when I use it with headphones.

Does anyone know what could be going wrong? Could it just be a matter of messing with the EQ?

I did have it set in "direct mode"

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

It could be the headphone output.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

It could be the headphone output.

Or the headphones themselves. Maybe you had the output level a bit too high for them and were "overdriving" the headphones so to speak. In my experience, the output level on the PODs have PLENTY of power for headphone usage, in fact you could very easily do some damage to your hearing if you crank it up very much.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

No... it sounds perfect through headphones.

The problem is when I plug it into the sound system (from the left and right outputs), the sound ends up too smooth and muffled

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

Well, of course there's a difference between them. Different headphones sound different, what can you expect when you compare it to PA? Especially, with the PA, from what location were you listening to it? From your playing position or the place where the audience will hear it from? I think you'll have a hard hard time if you try to make it perfect there.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

No... it sounds perfect through headphones.

The problem is when I plug it into the sound system (from the left and right outputs), the sound ends up too smooth and muffled

Hmm...

Doesn't the POD bypass cabinet and mic sims when you plug into the headphone jack? If so, that could definitely be the difference you're hearing. Even if that's not true, that might be something to tinker with next time.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

No, the cabs are turned on when listening through headphones.

I think Johtosotku had it, because I was standing on the stage, when the speakers face outwards. It's kinda like standing behind your amp, you don't hear all of the highs.

Thanks guys

 

[FretFire]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

No, the cabs are turned on when listening through headphones.

I think Johtosotku had it, because I was standing on the stage, when the speakers face outwards. It's kinda like standing behind your amp, you don't hear all of the highs.

Thanks guys

He probably was correct then. Next time, have someone else noodle around on your axe a bit and run out into the seats for a second to see what it sounds like there. Are there no monitors on stage?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

He probably was correct then. Next time, have someone else noodle around on your axe a bit and run out into the seats for a second to see what it sounds like there. Are there no monitors on stage?

AAAAH, the beauty of a wireless during soundcheck

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

My friend was standing down there and said it sounded perfect... so I guess it was just where I was standing

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

I ALWAYS have to tweak my POD settings when I plug into the PA. The sound quality varies significantly from a small combo amp to the PA. I can get it close at home, but it is simply not the same as running through the PA.

 

[marvar]

Re: Using a POD for playing live

One other thing- if you are using both L and R outputs, but the PA is in mono, or the two channels of the PA you are plugging into aren't panned L and R then you may be witnessing phase cancellation.THe result is a thinner sound, loss of lows and drop in volume. In other words, going stereo into mono causes the two signals to cancel each other out to some degree. You don't have any separation. Try just using one output and see if you like the sound better.