Line6 POD - Is it worth it ?

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leedon

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I've been trying to get a decent sound while recording direct to PC, but have not been able to find it. I don't want to have to buy any new gear, but after looking on the web, I might have found what I need.

Is the Line6 POD2 really as good as they it is for direct recording ? At the moment, I am running into my Line-In through a GFX-707 effects pedal, cutting the amp out completely. The sound is 'ok', but still a bit too 'over-distorted'. Does the POD really sound as good as a mic'ed setup ? If anyone uses one, please let me know what you think, or even better, send me a soundclip if you have one. I really need to find out if it's worth getting one.

leedon99@hotmail.com
 
If your going guitar>distortion pedal>soundcard, the Pod will be a phenomenal improvement. If you wanna get a true amp sound , then it's decent but not great. But you said you only needed something 'decent' , right? lol Honestly though, best thing do to is try it out first, and other direct recording types too, like the Johnson J-station , yamaha dg stomp and boss gt-3.
 
I'm not looking to go Professional, but I want something that will give me a good guitar sound for direct recording. I have heard a lot about the POD, and recently heard about the Johnson J Station. Are there any others I should look at (in the same price range) ?
 
I think the direct sound sucks, to be honest, which is why I didn't buy it (or any unit like that, I think no speker emulator cuts the cheese). But it seems to be a good effects box, and just the fact that it can replace a whole bunch of fuzzboxes, phasers reverbs and delays and stuff is neat. So it can still be a good buy.
 
1mb MP3 POD Sample... Check it out...

here's a sample from a project using the POD soley for guitar.

it's a 1mb 128K MP3 3 song snippet.

let me know what you think...

-kp-
 
Unfortunately, the effects on the POD suck ass...I mean really badly. So really you'll be buying it for the amp modeling.

Let's just say....it works. The buzz has died down now and suddenly everyone is realizing, "hey it sounded so real yesterday, but now it's kinda lifeless." I've been able to tell when somebody is using a POD in a recording fairly well, especially if they're using lighter distortion or bluesy tones.

It's great for really heavy stuff though, I will admit that.

Buy it only if you need the flexibility and can't afford your own sound in amps & mics.

Slackmaster 2000
 
There are now tones of units that do this kind of thing (amp modeling, that is) -- besides the two already mentioned, there's the Yamaha DG-Stomp, the Roland VG-88 (which also models guitars and pickups), something by Zoom, things by Digitech... and don't forget there are many amps that do this as well -- all the Line 6 and Johnson models, the Yamaha DG series, there's some new Roland amp, something by Crate -- and they all have direct outs too.

I personally really like the POD. Very flexible and convenient and I think it sounds terrific.

-AlChuck
 
well my POD MP3 sample didn't transfer. too big. i didn't see the file size limit until after i had transfered it.

FWIW, if you want to hear it, Email me and i'll send it.

-lp-
 
POD Sample #1

lets try this again...

here's a 6 sec POD: sample #1

-kp-
 

Attachments

Yes, buy the POD.

I like many was disappointed with the POD when I first bought it (I was going to get a boss GT-5). After spending time to work with it the sheer brilliance came to light. I would admittedly prefer the real thing (tube amps etc).

No need to worry about mic placement, dogs barking outside etc with direct recording, brilliant isn't it.
 
Boss GT-3. 24 bit A/D conversion. Not advertised as a direct recording unit but blows away the competition. It's packed w/ everything!
 
I had a POD once but it pissed me off and I stomped the shit out of it while drunk. Before that had happend I thought it had sounded decent but it always had this annoying sharpness to it when using any of the distorted amp models. I solved the sharpness problem with a Hughes & Kettener Red Box, which is a cabinet emulator.

I also have a GT-3 which I despise, the distortions sound completely artificial to me and I could never coax a decent tone out of it, I spent many hours messing with it and now it's in my trade/sell pile.

My next toy was a Digitech RP100 because it was cheap and I didn't have money for a new POD. I was really surprised by the sounds I got from it. I liked it so much I went and bought the RP200 for the expression pedal. I don't think I've ever seen these mentioned on this board. Very nice for the price.
 
My 2c worth

I don't intend to step on anyones toes here, but probably will. I have been playing guitar for 38 years, have played all great amps...blah blah blah. I currently own a Carvin MTS3200 100 watt tube head, and a 1950's Gibson BR-6 55 tube sweetheart. Now the tube guys think they know what I'm gonna say next...WRONG! I had a Line6 AX2/212 for 3 years, sold it, and I'm still sorry. Absolutely the best recording amp I have EVER heard...of course, my opinion only. The POD is just a slightly scaled back version without the power and speakers. The AX2 didn't quite cut it live, although it was VERY GOOD. But as far as recording, I would choose it in a microsecond over the hassle of recording a tube amp, because I believe unless you have tons of experience and top of the line equipment, you can't beat the Line6 direct stuff. I also know that I have owned some really crappy tube amps over the years, so just because something is tube doesn't automatically make it great. The main reason people don't like the modelling stuff is that they expect it to sound like $10,000 right out of the box using the presets. It doesn't work that way, but as I have said a million times, if you work with it, learn it's ways and keep tweaking, you may ( with an open mind ) be changed forever. Remember, I'm still talking about direct recording. Tubes still have the edge live, but in the coming years, the technology will advance enough to even them up in all aspects. I have fooled many an amp "expert" by listening to the AX2 recorded sound and they thought it was tubes all the way. Tube purists will not give in, and that is their complete right, my point is, if you don't change with the times, you might get left behind.
 
Tweaking a GT3

Guitard,
Did you ever change the options to "headphones" in the Utility/Global settings on the GT3. Not very difficult, just 3 or 4 pushes of a button. I take it you did. The combo, stack, etc. settings absolutely SUK! The headphone setting is where it's at.

If I were to buy another amp it would be the Ax2 212, hands down! "Are you gonna buy that amp or just druel over it?" said the sales rep after my 10th or 20th visit.
 
I've been considering getting something like the POD or J-Station, but find that the majority of the folks who do eventually are disappointed with them.

What I'm curious about is the purely software guitar effects solution such as Audio FX 2.

Anyone try this? How's it go?

Thanks.
 
rockinRobert, u really can't compare an AX2 to a POD... I myself really would have bought that AX2 too if I didn't hear that peavey (that I'm now waiting for).
The AX2 is great and has got all the little things you need and a whole lot of things you DON'T... that's why I chose the peavey - and the footcontroller is included.
But still, the AX2 is a great amp BUT: the POD is more like the flextone... and the flextone sucks like hell. why? because the sound it produces is polished like on a cd - and you wouldn't really want this unless you use it for _direct_ recording only.

so for directrecording the POD is quite nice - I heard some samples. But as far as I know the effects are as shitty as the flextone's. theres some chorus, flanger and stuff which can't be freely adjusted. you can't get a "deep, slow flanger", just that fixed one and all you have is a mix-knob.
 
six said:

so for directrecording the POD is quite nice - I heard some samples. But as far as I know the effects are as shitty as the flextone's. theres some chorus, flanger and stuff which can't be freely adjusted. you can't get a "deep, slow flanger", just that fixed one and all you have is a mix-knob.
Click to expand...
Six, that was my point, great for direct recording. As far as adjustability goes, the POD comes with SoundDiver software so that you can tweak to your hearts content. You shouldn't have any problem getting that "Deep slow flanger". I agree that to have to go into your computer to tweak is a hassle...unless you like that kinda stuff, but the ability is there. If Line6 listens to the people, they will eventually master it.
I had my problems with them. The main thing was that although the AX2 is their top line amp, they didn't support it well, and aside from the original AxSys 212/AX2 212 conversion, they haven't come accross with any upgrades. I purchased one of the first AX2's out there because of the promise of constant upgradeability. Well, they came out with POD and Flextones and let the AX2 rot in a corner. If they made a direct recording unit/pre-amp with the brain of the AX2, they would sell millions of them. I would have bought that amp just for the Soldano SLO patch. Modelling is the way of the future, just because it presents so many more options to the player and value for his money. I really honestly think that they (the industry, not just Line6) will eventually nail all of the charctaristics of a tube amp. Blasphemy, you say!!!! :)
And if they do, you can have every great amp ever made for less than the price of one of them. Really, it's alot closer than you think already. Nothing wrong with being a purist, I wish I could afford to be one. It's just a matter of value for your hard earned dollar.
So while I think modelling is definitley the way of the future, Line 6 needs to listen up.
 
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