What do you think of the PodXT for home recording?

[Snouter]

I want to hear some recordings from you POD advocates.

The PODXT combined with a Line6 Variax is an amazing combination. I used to skeptically read that users haven't played their Fender or Gibson or whatever after getting a Variax and could not really believe it until I got the setup. I am actually considering selling my Ash bodied G&L S-500 since I have not used it since getting the Variax/PODXT combination.

Check out my songs if interested in the tones. All guitar work on all the songs is the Variax through the PODXT into Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro 3. Bass is my G&L Tribute L-2000 and drums are Frank Basile's Smart Loops. Unfortunately there is no Variax microphone yet, so you will have to bear with me with my vocals.

My Cover and Original Songs

 

[Fury]

Yeah, bass is alright through an FX processer straight into the desk. Clean guitars or guitars with effects like chorus or delay or reverb can sound quite nice if the EQ settings are right, but distorted guitars sound nasty and fake. There is no "air" sound when recording straight in, and you need a bit of that air sound when recording distorted guitars.

I was going to say this exact same thing - Bass Pod is solid - Guitar Pod is okay for clean bad for distortion!

 

[steve350]

Just my 2cents. I gig and record. I use the Vox ToneLab for both. I've tried about 10 different boxes before purchasing the ToneLab. I think it emulates all of the amps you could need beautifully. Are the effects as good as my Kurweil KSP8, no, but it doesn't cost $1.8k.
Perhaps my situation is a bit unique. I gig all over the U.S. We have to rent amps. I never know what I am going to end up with. I might request a Twin Reverb or something else and wind up with a Peavey.
I carry my ToneLab on the plane with me. No matter what amp they give me
I can make my Tonelab sound like what ever I want. It's crystal clear.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Just my 2cents. I gig and record. I use the Vox ToneLab for both. I've tried about 10 different boxes before purchasing the ToneLab. I think it emulates all of the amps you could need beautifully. Are the effects as good as my Kurweil KSP8, no, but it doesn't cost $1.8k.
Perhaps my situation is a bit unique. I gig all over the U.S. We have to rent amps. I never know what I am going to end up with. I might request a Twin Reverb or something else and wind up with a Peavey.
I carry my ToneLab on the plane with me. No matter what amp they give me
I can make my Tonelab sound like what ever I want. It's crystal clear.

So it has good clean AND distortion? How's the sound as far as emulating a Marshall brown tone?

 

[Ronan]

Ah, it's good to see that no matter how many years go by, the same dumb arguments appear on this forum over and over.

They come up over and over because every day there is some new person duped by the marketing hype that amp emulation is great and to to this day amp emulation still screws up records. To this day an emulation of a fender twin or dual rectifier sound nothing like what they claim to sound like.

I always chime in on these arguments not because I have anything against the people that make all these fake amps, I chime in because I have mixed thousands of tracks and every time the guitars were done with fake amps the tracks are worse because of it. I chime in because tons of people getting into recording themselves are getting duped into spending money on something that makes their recordings worse when there are options that cost the same or less that will make better records (and hold resale value)

 

[SilverSurfer]

They come up over and over because every day there is some new person duped by the marketing hype that amp emulation is great and to to this day amp emulation still screws up records. To this day an emulation of a fender twin or dual rectifier sound nothing like what they claim to sound like.

I always chime in on these arguments not because I have anything against the people that make all these fake amps, I chime in because I have mixed thousands of tracks and every time the guitars were done with fake amps the tracks are worse because of it. I chime in because tons of people getting into recording themselves are getting duped into spending money on something that makes their recordings worse when there are options that cost the same or less that will make better records (and hold resale value)

What would be a better option financially? I can't use my Marshall live in the apartment. Even with an isolation box I'd get kicked out. The only option is to rent studio time and that'll cost more than the Pod cost me, easily.

I'm just making "demos" and fun recordings of cover songs I like. At 35, I am not trying to "make it" in the music business. This is for fun. So I have a PodXT and I'll try it out. If it doesn't work, then I'll return the silly thing and try something else.

But for right now, for what I am doing, it's really the best alternative.

 

[HangDawg]

What would be a better option financially? I can't use my Marshall live in the apartment. Even with an isolation box I'd get kicked out. The only option is to rent studio time and that'll cost more than the Pod cost me, easily.

I'm just making "demos" and fun recordings of cover songs I like. At 35, I am not trying to "make it" in the music business. This is for fun. So I have a PodXT and I'll try it out. If it doesn't work, then I'll return the silly thing and try something else.

But for right now, for what I am doing, it's really the best alternative.

God, I hate to be a prick but in this thread you are 35 and in the other one you are 36. Now which one is it? Are you sure the Triple rectifier that you keep saying sounded like shit, wasn't really a Marshall?

 

[MarkIV123]

It seems like this is the Ford vs Chevy vs Pepsi vs Coke debate....
Amateurs with limited $$$ will love the ToneLab, POD, SansAMP etc. for recording.

People with $$$ with probably opt for studio time with valves and such...

I've owned all of the above emulators at one time or the other and for my money, experiece, and time the POD works best for me.... The USB connection is priceless for recording and updating firmware and tones. In time it will only get better.....

For all those who haven't tried them out, do it.. Find a good retail chain like Sam Ash and Guitar Center who have good return policies and have fun.. In time you'll figure out what works best for you.. Just remember to SAVE YOUR RECEIPT!

 

[Lambo]

Well said MarkIV123!
Ronan, O.K., what would be the cost effective, blows them away solution to the amp simulators? This is not meant to be a contentious question, I really want to know.

 

[mixmkr]

They come up over and over because every day there is some new person duped by the marketing hype that amp emulation is great and to to this day amp emulation still screws up records. To this day an emulation of a fender twin or dual rectifier sound nothing like what they claim to sound like.

I always chime in on these arguments not because I have anything against the people that make all these fake amps, I chime in because I have mixed thousands of tracks and every time the guitars were done with fake amps the tracks are worse because of it. I chime in because tons of people getting into recording themselves are getting duped into spending money on something that makes their recordings worse when there are options that cost the same or less that will make better records (and hold resale value)

That is a bunch of total nonsense. Seems like you need to work on your recording/mixing chops more to get better sounds rather than blaming equipment. ...and it doesn't matter if you have "mixed thousands of tracks"... as I know guitar players that have been playing for 25 years and they still suck.

Since you so adamantly insist that direct in style recording devices screw up mixes, I am going to adamantly disagree.

 

[groucho]

They come up over and over because every day there is some new person duped by the marketing hype that amp emulation is great and to to this day amp emulation still screws up records.

Actually, my man, they come up over and over because folks like you can't accept that just because something is right or wrong for *you* doesn't necessarily mean it's right or wrong for *everyone*.

However, this is - in my opinion - the main problem with humans in general, so you're not alone.

And anyway, if everyone grasped this fairly simple concept, 90% of the threads on any given forum would not exist, so perhaps it's for the best.

Chris

 

[shredfit]

I must agree with Mixmkr. While I still think modeling amps need improvment, the POD pro does have it's place. With modern software and track counts you can just record the unprocessed signal for "Real" reamping later (if that floats your boat).

Also, the POD (if used direct) requires a lot of tweeking to get usable results... one also MUST know what the real deal sounds like and you can get something pretty close... again NOT exact but certainly useable.

Another option (which I currently use live) is to turn OFF the cab simulation crap in the POD, run it to a tube power amp, then marshall cabs...then mic up... This produces really good results...(dare I say great results) plus it gives you the tube amp response that is somewhat lacking in the POD by itself... It's like having the preamp section for 32 different amps at your disposal.

Shred

www.secondtakeband.com

 

[Ronan]

That is a bunch of total nonsense. Seems like you need to work on your recording/mixing chops more to get better sounds rather than blaming equipment. ...and it doesn't matter if you have "mixed thousands of tracks"... as I know guitar players that have been playing for 25 years and they still suck.

You might be right on this, but whether I deserve it or not, I for some reason have a reputation for being really good at getting guitar sounds. Lots of my clients have been on the cover of guitar player magazine etc (some several times), but I am always trying to learn more. Its really great that you get amazing sounds out of a Pod and I would love to hear it, and learn how you did it.


For the folks that asked about good priced options, I would suggest an older Boogie studio pre amp (as low as $250 used) or a sans amp. With both of those things, I miss the sound of the air, but at least they do not screw up mixes as bad as a Pod.

 

[HangDawg]

Also, the POD (if used direct) requires a lot of tweeking to get usable results... one also MUST know what the real deal sounds like and you can get something pretty close... again NOT exact but certainly useable.

Well, according to one guy round here the Dual Rectifier sucks because it too requires a fair amount of knob twiddling to get great sounds from it. So, I guess this makes the POD suck as well.

 

[shredfit]

Well, according to one guy round here the Dual Rectifier sucks because it too requires a fair amount of knob twiddling to get great sounds from it. So, I guess this makes the POD suck as well.

Well every amp I've EVER used required a fair amount of twiddling to get GREAT sounds from.... therfore, we MUST conclude, ALL amps SUCK!

Shred



www.secondtakeband.com

 

[Monsoon]

Ronan, have you heard some of the patches for the PodXT on the line6 forums? I am not saying you are wrong because I too love the sound of a REAL amp, but you have to admit they don't sound THAT bad.

I wouldn't put them on a studio album, but for demos and the like, they serve a good purpose. For what I'm doing (home recording - this is HOME recording not STUDIO recording dot com - lol!) they work perfectly well.

I think that's the point some people are missing. I mean, what can you do when you live in an apartment, or when you have a wife and kids. Can't always turn it up. My current amp, I've never turned higher than 4.5 (it is a 150 watt amp, so even that is kinda loud). I've looked into isolation booths, too, and they run $1500 and up. Sorry, but that's a heck of a lot of money for home recording just to keep from bothering the family or neighbors. I have that rectifier thread going, and some have suggested an isolation booth (too expensive), some have suggested getting a little bitty amp (which is probably a really good idea, actually, but where's the fun in that). Some of the later posts say don't even bother getting a tube amp if you can't crank it. That's discouraging. So, frankly, I'm about ready to just grab a Vetta II. <gasp! - as the purists grab their pitchforks to chase me out of HR.com> But I can get one for 700-800 and I don't have to turn it up to 9. Would I prefer a tube amp? Of course! That's why I started that other thread. But there is a place for pods/vettas/etc., and now that they are upgradeable, they get better every year. If (when ) I get signed to that major record label contract, I'll record with the real thing.

But to get back to the point, look at the context in which people talk about pods/vettas. Most often it's because of ease of portability to go jam at a bud's house, or to do a backyard gig, or a small club or something - where the acoustics don't matter or suck anyway, and nobody can tell the difference. Or to do home recording.

I used to have a Korg effects processor. When I'd go over to my drummer's house, all I'd bring would be my guitar, a couple cables, and that processor. We'd run it into the pa system he had set up in the basement around his kit, and off we'd go. No lugging heads or cabs around. I could carry everything in 2 hands. Get set up in a couple minutes, break down in a couple minutes. Did it give me the most amazing sound you've ever heard? No. Did it allow me to easilly and quickly get over to my drummer's place and spend time jamming, and practicing, and creating? Heck yeah. Would I go into a professional studio with that setup? Heck no.

There's a reason these things are popular, especially among the home recording community. And that's because you can't always crank up the volume when doing demos out of the house. It's not the end of music.

 

[HangDawg]

I guess I'm just spoiled because I do my home recording in a detached garage. The only thing that bleeds into the house is kick drum if I'm tracking drums. And you can't even hear that if you are in the far end of the house watching TV. I feel sorry for y'all that have to resort to PODs and the like.

 

[SilverSurfer]

I think that's the point some people are missing. I mean, what can you do when you live in an apartment, or when you have a wife and kids. Can't always turn it up. My current amp, I've never turned higher than 4.5 (it is a 150 watt amp, so even that is kinda loud). I've looked into isolation booths, too, and they run $1500 and up. Sorry, but that's a heck of a lot of money for home recording just to keep from bothering the family or neighbors. I have that rectifier thread going, and some have suggested an isolation booth (too expensive), some have suggested getting a little bitty amp (which is probably a really good idea, actually, but where's the fun in that). Some of the later posts say don't even bother getting a tube amp if you can't crank it. That's discouraging. So, frankly, I'm about ready to just grab a Vetta II. <gasp! - as the purists grab their pitchforks to chase me out of HR.com> But I can get one for 700-800 and I don't have to turn it up to 9. Would I prefer a tube amp? Of course! That's why I started that other thread. But there is a place for pods/vettas/etc., and now that they are upgradeable, they get better every year. If (when ) I get signed to that major record label contract, I'll record with the real thing.

But to get back to the point, look at the context in which people talk about pods/vettas. Most often it's because of ease of portability to go jam at a bud's house, or to do a backyard gig, or a small club or something - where the acoustics don't matter or suck anyway, and nobody can tell the difference. Or to do home recording.

I used to have a Korg effects processor. When I'd go over to my drummer's house, all I'd bring would be my guitar, a couple cables, and that processor. We'd run it into the pa system he had set up in the basement around his kit, and off we'd go. No lugging heads or cabs around. I could carry everything in 2 hands. Get set up in a couple minutes, break down in a couple minutes. Did it give me the most amazing sound you've ever heard? No. Did it allow me to easilly and quickly get over to my drummer's place and spend time jamming, and practicing, and creating? Heck yeah. Would I go into a professional studio with that setup? Heck no.

There's a reason these things are popular, especially among the home recording community. And that's because you can't always crank up the volume when doing demos out of the house. It's not the end of music.

Well I went with HangDawg's suggestion and it seems to be working well. I am just running my pod to my powered monitor speakers and micing the speakers directly. So it's like this:

Guitar>Pod>Monitor Speaker>Octava Mk319>DMP-3>Recorder

So far the sound isn't that bad at all. I get real speaker emulation at controllable volume. No, it doesn't sound like a Jose Marshall, but it's good enough for HOME recording. I am re-doing my cover of Alice in Chain's "Down in a Hole" to see how the new equipment is going to work, so I can post that in a few weeks when it's done.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Well, according to one guy round here the Dual Rectifier sucks because it too requires a fair amount of knob twiddling to get great sounds from it. So, I guess this makes the POD suck as well.

(Stupid 10 character rule...)

 

[Ronan]

Some of the later posts say don't even bother getting a tube amp if you can't crank it. That's discouraging. So, frankly, I'm about ready to just grab a Vetta II. <gasp! - as the purists grab their pitchforks to chase me out of HR.com> But I can get one for 700-800 and I don't have to turn it up to 9.

Yo Monsoon,

I have added enough about my dislike for the Pod on this thread so I will not add any more, but let me talk about my love of tube amps.

Decent tube amps love to be driven hard and sound great when you crank them up. A decent tube amp sound great cranked, but many are still pretty cool at lower volumes (not Marshalls) and still better than almost any solid state amp I have ever used and miles ahead of any Pod sounds I have ever heard.

One of my favorite amps of all time is the Rivera TBR2-SL. Its stereo, 160 watts a side with 21 tubes of pure glory that can knock houses over when you crank it, but it also sounds really good at low volumes low enough that you can have a conversation over the amp with out raising your voice. I am talking about high gain sounds with long sustained notes etc. Low enough volume that you could record in an apartment with out an iso booth.

Rivera also made the TBR1-SL which is only 60 watts a side but the same amp. I have seen a few of them around used for $600US. If you found something like this and bought a small 1-12 cab, for about $750 (less than you are talking about spending on the Vetta II) you can have one of the best guitar amps ever built, that you could use to record in an apartment. It will blow away the Line 6 amp and you will be able to sell it for what you paid for it in 3 years (I will never sell mine!!). I say all this assuming you do not live in a place like Australia where its tough to find gear.

Also it does not cost $1500 for a iso booth for guitars. If you are handy with tools you can build one out of $50 worth of MDF (meduim density fiberboard) and insulation from Home Depot. It will not silence a super lound amp but if you have an amp that sound decent at modest volumes you can get it low enough where it will not even bother room mates or family in the same apartment. It could be small enough to fit under a big table.

I do not hate Pods because I am a purist. Its because I love records and great sounds. The day a Pod equals a half decent real amp in terms of sound, flexiblility, responsiveness to a players feel and financial value I will pick one up and start using it.