Boss GT3 and GT5 questions? How about POD?

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What is the major difference between Boss GT3 and GT5? I heard that GT3 is actually the later model.
Have anyone out there tried one? How is it compared to other units like Zoom?
How's the COSM amp simulation found in the boss units compared to Line 6 POD?

I tryin to look for a unit that sounds darn good rather than compared to amount of onboard effects.

Thanks!
 
As far as i know pod is good for recording, while the gt-3 gt-5 is a floor unit, more suitable for gigging. Pod tries to sound vintage. The gt-3/5 does not. It's more futuristic sounding. If you are recording and you are after a classic sound get the pod, if you are gigging and you are in an indie/pop band get the gt-3/5. That does not mean that the boss floor unit doesnt sound good or that it cant sound "classic". I have tried all of it gt-3/5, pod, Zoom, it's really what sort of sound you are after.

The cosm simulation is ok, the pod is better. Gt-3 is a latter model, stripped down a bit, you dont miss anything interesitng if you are a normal guitar player, now if you are after becoming the next vai, there are some weird things you can do with the gt-5. Go to http://www.harmony-central.com
and you ll find user reviews for every guitar fx availiable there.
 
As far as i know pod is good for recording, while the gt-3 gt-5 is a floor unit, more suitable for gigging. Pod tries to sound vintage. The gt-3/5 does not. It's more futuristic sounding. If you are recording and you are after a classic sound get the pod, if you are gigging and you are in an indie/pop band get the gt-3/5. That does not mean that the boss floor unit doesnt sound good or that it cant sound "classic". I have tried all of it gt-3/5, pod, Zoom, it's really what sort of sound you are after.

The cosm simulation is ok, the pod is better. Gt-3 is a latter model, stripped down a bit, you dont miss anything interesitng if you are a normal guitar player, now if you are after becoming the next vai, there are some weird things you can do with the gt-5. Go to http://www.harmony-central.com
and you ll find user reviews for every guitar fx availiable there.
 
Animaniac...how's your sister Dot these days. Haven't seen her for a while.
 
Thanks Animaniac for the valuable advice!

I really want to get a good sounding unit that I can use for recording. One that really sound like those wonderful vintage amps, or at least the closet. I guess pod is a better choice. Just wondering if the cosm sounds as good as the pod's simulation. Then I can have the flexibilities of the gt3/5 and manage to get a good recording sound out of them.

Well, looks like getting both is the best choice.

So how is the zoom gfx8 compared to gt3/5?
Between 3 of them which is a better choice for floor units?

BTW, what do you mean by wierd things you can do on the gt5 that gt3 could not do?

Thanks!
 
Those units you are considering are good but I don't think they are extremly convincing as amp. simulators. I think that the Sansamp PSA-1 is still the ultimate simulation and very programmable compared to the POD. It doesn't have effects inside but it does a great job of getting tube amp sounds. It is about $ 550. new and a used one could be had for about half that amount. Also, the Yamaha DG-1000 is very nice....but it is about $ 1000. The Boss gt-3 has nice effects and is easy to program. I don't like POD's but that is because the effects sound digital and I prefer analog. Look and listen to the Sansamps at www.tech21.com
 
I tried all three-the GT-3/5 and the POD. I ended up walking out with a POD pro. Comparing them all side by side the POD's sound was far more superior. The GT3/5 are good and initially it was going to be the choice between those teo and wheather the 5 was worth the extra money. The problem with the newer GT3 is that BOSS want to sell both models; this means that the GT3 although having more effects (only a couple) the GT5 is still better-the GT3 tends to be a little gimmicky the likes of it's auto riff function-more suited for begginers.

The POD pro on the other hand has many benefits-it has more presence than the littler kidney shaped POD for starters. Although the units should sound the same the POD pro had a marginally better sound that was noticable-again an advantage. With concern to recording and live play the POD pro is designed for both. It has different functions on the back for live and recording modes. It also has digital in's which make it suitable for recording. You say you want that vintage amp sound-deffinatly the POD. The only downside to the POD pro is that it is rackmounted. It is good for recording with this respect but to play live you can overcome this by buying the FB4 or floorboard pedals (the latter the one I'm getting-more complex and with extra's including a wah pedal) which therefore make the POD pro practiacl live.

So no, you don't have to buy both-get a POD pro and a floorboard and you will have saved money and have the best sound you can have for money. With any outstanding sounds you really want that it does not have investing in a couple of extra single pedals is no real problem (I actaully like having a series of seperate pedals-for one it looks better on stage and on the other you have control on your most valued effects in a seperate unit and therefore more control in manipulating them to obtain that optimum sound).

Don't take my word for it-try them out.

Which ever you buy you will not be dissapointed-there all good units for the money-the only drawback on the POD pro is that the price is at it's peak-both the GT's have come down as they have been out a while-if you can wait a while then even better.

Let us know which you got if any.

Later-Krystof.
 
SOme say that the Zoom's have better distortion effects, i dont know. I am using a boss me-8, which has the mt-2 circuit in it, for heavy metal after a Grate blue voodoo with a jackson hooked up the mt-2 is the best you can buy.

ps:
Monty man, what are you smoking...i dont have a sister! :)

[This message has been edited by Animaniac (edited 07-15-2000).]
 
I tested EVERYTHING out there,, everything mentioned above and then some. I owned a J Station for 4 days and took it back. What I eventually did(should have been the first thing I did) was take the most inexpensive guitar I own down to Sam Ash and line all the effects processors up. Pod,J station,GT3,Gt5,KorgAX100,Zoom GFX8,etc.
The Zoom GFX8 won hands down!! I must specify that I play Metal,,that makes a huge differance. I am so glad the search is over.
 
I used to own a GT5 for live playing, replaced it with a GX700 and midi controller, replaced that with a GT3, and am reasonably happy for live...that being said, I had/have used all in my studio, and demo'ed a Pod Pro last night for direct recording...no contest, the Pod Pro is the best of the bunch for this application, hands down! Don't have any idea about live use, I never will as I'm purchasing this as a strictly permanent installation device for direct recording purposes using the amp
simulation in the studio (I know, kiddies, it's not a real amp, so what, I can't afford, or have the room, for all the amps it sims, and 90% couldn't hear the diff in a mix, 9% wouldn't care, and the other 1% are us engineers, who are sometimes too anal for our own good, myself included!)
Anyway, the Pod Pro is the best I've heard so far at what it does, but the Boss is very good for live (ease of use,passable tones, instant, seamless switching, etc) so make your pick based on usage...all will work, comparing these units is somewhat like apples and oranges, although they all cross over into each others territory (sort of)

BW
 
-bwindsor

I understand your point but the POD pro with the floorboard makes it perfect for live use in my poinion. We are here talking in realistic terms-like myself I don't have the money to buy a POD pro as well as one of the GT's-the floorboard therefore is the answer to save money and still have the best sound in the studio and for live use don't you think?
 
Krystof01,

Of course, you are right, the only reason I use different units for live and studio is because there is a slight glitch (delay) when switching between patches which use different models on the Pods, and no delay with the Boss unit...I can't stand any glitching between patches live, so I go with the Boss for that reason, even though I think the modelling in the Pod (and Pro) is "much" better than the COSM technology in the Boss.
Bottom line, I need both because I play live and operate a studio, each seems better suited for it's primary intended use (?)
If I didn't play live, I wouldn't even consider the Boss, but don't get me wrong, it's great for that application. I've heard the new Pod and Pod Pro version do switch more seamlessly, I haven't tried this as I don't need a board to switch in the studio, so I don't own one, from all reports though, it's still not quite "instantaneous" (wish it were, though!)

Good luck with whatever you choose,

BW
 
bwindsor, hope i'm not out of scope here but i seem to remember the gt3 having a slight delay when changing patches during my testing at the store. i'm a nut when it comes to seamless patch changes. as a live guitar player doing covers you have to go from lead to rythm and back without missing a millisecond or 2. the only way i have been able to solve this with the new generation stuff is to run 2 units with an a/b switch and have my next sound ready to go on both. yeah, i take up 4 channels on my board. it's almost worth lugging around a full rig but i'm too old for that. anyway, isn't there a slight gap when changing patches on the gt3?
 
Roybot,

I've never experienced this with the GT3 or 5...or the GX700 with an FC Controller either...I'm surprised you're finding a glitch with this product, the only thing that comes to mind is I was once told the reason for glitching was the units (in that specific case, Line 6) need time to "ramp up" (that's what they called it) when changing from one preamp model to another...let's say Fender for rhythm, Soldano for lead...that being said, I know the programs I switch between on the GT3 use radically different preamps and effects like this, and I really don't notice any glitch (I am picky about this as well) but I guess I wouldn't rule out the slight possibility it's a certain set of preamps/effects in an order I don't use, that might cause this to show up in your case...I doubt it though...you've got me puzzled, I'm going to pay close attention at the next show and see if I'm simply so used to this configuration, I haven't/don't notice it!

I'll try and post what I find.

BW
 
Bwindsor,
I have to take your word on this and I am sure you are right and my memory is wrong. I'm going to check this unit out again. I believe I chose my RP-2000 over this unit cause it had more convincing amp/cabinet modeling to my ears. The GT-3 sounded alot like Boss footpedals to me. Do you agree or am I wrong again? Thanks,
Roybot (I'm done)
 
Roybot,

No, you are absolutely right, the GT3 does sound very much like the individual Boss pedals, with maybe a little more flexability regarding programming (in some cases)
I never cared much for the amp sims, although I'm not familiar enough with the RP2000 to compare the two...I just bought a Pod Pro for this application in my studio, there is no comparison between this and the Boss, etc. gear simulations, not even close. But simulations aside, what really floored me about the Pod Pro was when I listened to the guitar sounds direct, monitored through the console, I have never heard any product sound so close to a mic'ed amp without really being mic'ed...regardless of what anyone thinks about the sims (I like them, generally) this product excels at sounding like a mic'ed amp when direct, and I believe that is it's primary intent...Good luck with all choices!

BW
 
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