Line 6 Pocket Pod

[DualRectifier]

http://line6.com/pocketpod/images/popup.jpg

Yay....I mean blechhhhhhh

Well since my post got deleted in the earlier pro-Pod thread, I wanted to clarify my position:

I was not "dissing" modeling technology; I was only dissing Line 6's modeling technology. There are many excellent examples of good guitar amp modeling out there.

I currently have Guitar Rig 2, Amplitube and Waves Guitar Rack (software modelers); and a Digitech GNX3000 and Korg Pandora (hardware modelers). Had a PodXT; got rid of it recently.

I bought a PodXT the week they came out. Had all the model packs, updates, GPonline subscription, downloads, patches, etc. I always considered it far inferior in sound to every other modeler I had, including the Pandora, which is a little battery-powered thing that clips onto your guitar strap, and has built-in drum patterns, basslines, phrase recording, and other features in addition to its far better amp models.

About a month ago I started looking at the current crop of modelers, and only one really blew my skirt up. I bought the Digitech GNX3000, and couldn't believe how much better it sounded than the PodXT I suffered through for 2 years. I mean I was actually mad at myself for not ditching that little red kidney-bean-looking turd sooner. The GNX3000 sounds magnitudes better than the PodXT, no question. The interface isn't as slick, and the online community and marketing isn't as slick as Line 6, so the word isn't out on it, but I tell you...check out the GNX3000. It was impossible for me to even look at my PodXT once I plugged into the GNX.

I understand you Pod guys sound good with your Pods; but you will sound soooo much better with a better modeler, like the GNX3000.

As to the forthcoming Pocket POS, I mean POD, I don't see how it even comes close to the Pandora.

[electronpirate]

Yes, talking modelers on THIS board is like saying the 'D' word. I haven't looked at the Digitech, but I think I have the best 'modeler' on the planet with the Axe-FX, so I'm not changing anytime soon...

EP

[Scott Peterson]

Does nothing for me. {shrugs shoulders and shuffles away}

[MikeyG]

what are the dimensions??

I've had a Pandora for many years. It does the job for playing on the road, but not super-inspiring tonewise. I'd like something a bit more inspiring.

[ned911]

Midi capability?

[DualRectifier]

https://secure.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Line-6-Pocket-POD-Modeling-Processor?full_sku=151065 (https://secure.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Line-6-Pocket-POD-Modeling-Processor?full_sku=151065)


Specs:

Line 6 Pocket POD Modeling Processor Features:

300+ Presets Including exclusive rock star presets with unrivaled tone
32 Amp Models, 16 Cab Models Mix and Match amps and cabs to create your own unique sound
16 Effects Built-in in set of effects that are tweaked to perfection
4-Way Navigation Pad Quickly find the sound your looking for
Chromatic Tuner The built-in tuner can be set to mute for those on-stage tunings between songs
USB Connectivity Edit your presets on the computer with FREE software from Line6.com
CD/MP3 Jack Jam along with your favorite songs
Portable Design Weighs just over 6 ounces! Only 5 x 3.25 x 2.5 inches in size
Optional DC power adapter (sold separately)

32 Amp Models based on*: 64 Fender® Deluxe Reverb®; 59 Fender® Bassman®; 68 Marshall® Plexi 100 watt; Marshall® JTM-45 meets Budda Twinmaster; 60 Tweed Fender® Champ®; Budda Twinmaster head; 65 Blackface Fender® Twin Reverb®; 60 Vox® AC 15 60; Vox® AC 30 non-Top Boost; 85 Mesa/Boogie® Mark IIc+ Clean Channel; 85 Mesa/Boogie® Mark IIc+ Drive Channel; Dumble® Overdrive Special Clean Channel; 95 Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier® Head; 89 Soldano SLO Super Lead Overdrive; Dumble® Overdrive Special Drive Channel; 1987 Roland® JC-120 Jazz Chorus; Line 6® Insane, and more.

16 Cabinet Models based on*: 1960 Fender® Tweed Champ®; 1952 Fender® Tweed Deluxe Reverb®; 1960 Vox® AC-15; 1964 Fender® Deluxe Reverb®; 1965 Fender® Blackface Twin Reverb®; 1967 Vox® AC-30; 1995 Matchless Chieftain; 1959 Fender® Bassman®; 1996 Marshall® with Vintage 30s; 1978 Marshall® with stock 70s; 1968 Marshall® Basketweave with Greenbacks; Line 6® 4x12; Line 6® 1x12; Line 6® 2x12; Line 6® 4x10, and more.

16 Professional Effects:
Compressor
Delay/Compressor
Tremolo
Delay/Tremolo
Chorus 1
Delay/Chorus 1
Chorus 2
Delay/Chorus 2
Flanger 1
Delay/Flanger1
Flanger 2
Delay/Flanger 2
Rotary Speaker
Delay/Swell
Delay
Reverb

Like I said, Line 6 has being slick down. If they could only make 'em sound as good as the best modelers out there, they could make some true believers out of people.

[GuitarGuy510]

Since I couldn't keep a tube head in my apartment I bought a GNX3000 a while back as I knew I was moving so I figured it would be good. I chose it based on suggestions from some friends of mine that I believe have decent ears for tone and have played around with more modeler stuff that I have. Wouldn't you know it, I DID dig it more than the Line 6 POD XT! I bought the MFX Supermodels cd and that helped tremendously IMHO, great stuff! If they could make a mini version of the GNX3000, THAT would be something to get excited about!!! :drool

[Lucidology]

Having had both a Tonelab SE & a PODxt Live...
I agree that the Digitech GNX3000 has a much bigger
& more natural amp sound then either of them..

[bluesdoc]

Having had/used all of the above (except the axe fx), my GT8 stands above all of them. For me, that is.... There will probably be an axe fx in my future though. The reviews are too compelling..... :eek: ;)

jon

[orogeny]

I am a super-minority here.

I like my Digitech RP300A for its modeling. . . . even more than the POD (and I think the POD is purdy darn good).

I just wish it wasn't made like poop. I really have to be carefull with that thing. I bring it in a laptop heavy-padded case to the gig in case I need it.

I have ONE patch saved that will allow me to go into the PA if my amp blows (never has. . . trusty ole fender blues junior). I like it even more b/c it works well with my pedalboard:dude

[Lucidology]

There will probably be an axe fx in my future though.
The reviews are too compelling..... :eek: ;)

jon

True.. the reviews of the Axe Fx are quitecompelling...
my curiosity is raging horribly ... ;)

[MikeyG]

I haven't played the GNX3000. I'm about to start traveling heavily again, so I may need to look into one.

But my new Axe-FX is everything I wanted a modeling amp to be. It's incredible. The Line6 stuff always sounded cold and sterile. Axe-FX is very warm and natural. And it truly has the feel down. The effects are world class. The reverb is as good as Brunos, no joke. Very spacious and not sproingy.

I have too many amps for the amount of playing time I'm getting, what with travel and 2 young kids. Since day one of receiving the Axe-FX, I've been flirting with selling all my tube amps. I'm not saying everyone will want to do this, but it makes perfect sense, in my situation.

[nsriley]

I haven't tried the GNX3000, but did just pickup the new RP350 unit, and am really impressed with it's tones. I've owned a lot of Line6 gear and outta the box without even tweeking much yet, the RP350 sounds a lot better to me than the L6 stuff I've owned. Does the GNX unit have the same chip technology or is it better or worse than the the DNA2 chip in the new RP series?

[Smü]

I heavily liked the Tonelab, I once even ran it into a '78 JMP Super Bass Top. Did everything good except Hi Gain.

[DualRectifier]

The Axe-Fx sounds like a great unit, but at over five times the price of the other modelers we are discussing, I would expect it to be. I'll look into it once prices, wait times, retail distribution, etc. stabilize, but that's a lotta damn cheese for a rack effects unit, and it's really not fair to compare it to other modelers. Seems to be in a "class all its own".

NSriley, I don't know anything about the RP350, but I don't doubt that it sounds much better than anything Line6. My GNX3000 has an Audio DNA or something kind of sticker on it, but I don't know exactly which one it is. I do know it's a much more powerful and updated chip than the GNX4, which costs a lot more.

[MikeyG]

It's also an effects processor that rivals Eventide and high end TC Electronics, so I think the price is more than fair. You get what you pay for.

Plus, the Vetta is $1699, and the Axe-FX sonically slays it ....

[nsriley]

The Axe-Fx sounds like a great unit, but at over five times the price of the other modelers we are discussing, I would expect it to be. I'll look into it once prices, wait times, retail distribution, etc. stabilize, but that's a lotta damn cheese for a rack effects unit, and it's really not fair to compare it to other modelers. Seems to be in a "class all its own".

NSriley, I don't know anything about the RP350, but I don't doubt that it sounds much better than anything Line6. My GNX3000 has an Audio DNA or something kind of sticker on it, but I don't know exactly which one it is. I do know it's a much more powerful and updated chip than the GNX4, which costs a lot more.

Cool. Yup the RP350 has the latest Digitech chip the came out with called the DNA2. It sounds awesome. Kills my old L6 stuff. I might actually ditch my L6 Toneport interface and go back to a regular USB interface and use my RP350 for any modeling recording, although I wanna tweek it for my amps as well.

[MikeyG]

Wow all this Digitech talk prompted me to visit their site. I think their stuff has Line6 beat, from what I can tell. Worth a demo next time I'm in GC.

[vinney57]

I've always feli that Line 6 is basically a machine for extracting the maximum amount of money from some research done ten years ago. I drank the Kool-Aid and spent shitloads on their products but never again - they are really sounding old these days. There are many products that do this thing so much better.

[nsriley]

Wow all this Digitech talk prompted me to visit their site. I think their stuff has Line6 beat, from what I can tell. Worth a demo next time I'm in GC.

Indeed. I hadn't touched Digitech stuff in like 8 years, and all of a sudden I am so impressed with there new gear, I recently bought the Chrous Factory, Expression Factory, Distortion factory and RP350...........and they sound great! I even A/B'ed some of their models, like the Vox, CE-5 and Rat to teh real pedals and couldn't hear much of any difference! :dude

[vinney57]

Those 'Factory' pedals are really rather good.

[s2amps]

Besides the POD, what modelers have a computer interface for creating and edting patches? The one thing I love about my PODxt is the ability to hook it up as a MIDI device and totally control it from the Line6 Edit software.

I realize there must be better modelers out there, but I absolutely refuse to work with little menus!

[halted]

I've always feli that Line 6 is basically a machine for extracting the maximum amount of money from some research done ten years ago. I drank the Kool-Aid and spent shitloads on their products but never again - they are really sounding old these days. There are many products that do this thing so much better.

It sure is beginning to seem that way to me. They're just repackaging and reconfiguring the same old stuff while other companies move forward. I guess as long as the products continue to sell, there won't be any motivation to do something that's groundbreaking and new.

[nsriley]

Besides the POD, what modelers have a computer interface for creating and edting patches? The one thing I love about my PODxt is the ability to hook it up as a MIDI device and totally control it from the Line6 Edit software.

I realize there must be better modelers out there, but I absolutely refuse to work with little menus!

Digitech. They have program called X-edit 2.1 I used it last night. Very cool.

[MikeyG]

It sure is beginning to seem that way to me. They're just repackaging and reconfiguring the same old stuff while other companies move forward. I guess as long as the products continue to sell, there won't be any motivation to do something that's groundbreaking and new.

big +1, they are getting lax, they're gonna get overthrown if not careful.

[MikeyG]

What's Roland doing these days?? I've been meaning to try a GT-8 ... how do they compare with Digitech ....

BTW, I had a Johnson (Digitech) Millenium, years back, which I thought sounded pretty good, at the time. But my tastes in tone have refined dramatically in recent years, so for all I know, it may have sounded like crap compared to the more recent stuff....

[MikeyG]

Well, I tried the GNX3000 today. Not impressed. Line6 still has them beat (I'm talking about the Vetta, I haven't tried the other Line6 stuff).

The Axe-FX is more than 5 times better. Seriously. You don't have to pay the extra $$ if you don't want, but I think it's 100% worth it.

[Lucidology]

Well, I tried the GNX3000 today...

As in any unit, it's all in the tweaking ...
(As I've owned or own most of the modelers ..)

The Supermodel downloads avialable from an independent party
are what really make the GNX3000 outstanding in my opinion
(as their factory presets are horrid...)

The vitural 65' Twin model alone is worth the price..
I use pedals in front of this setting, just like using a amp...

[bluesdoc]

I actually preferred my GNX2 and 3 to the 3000 :eek: But the GT8 is head and shoulders beyond the digitech stuff. As always, imho....

jon

[MoRawk]

Hmm...I just bought the Pocket POD to have something small and convenient that I could just put on my belt and walk around the house with. I'm pretty sure for something in this small a package that the tone is not going to be stellar. Just need it to be decent. I've never tried any PODs before so it'll be new to me. UPS should be dropping it off tomorrow so we'll see.

[RMcFarland]

Its fine. I bought it to do quickie demos at home. Its great for what it is.

[MoRawk]

So I got my Pocket POD today. Just finished playing it for about 3 hours. It's not my Suhr Badger but it's fun as hell. Slipped my iPOD and Pocket POD on my belt, popped on the Sennheiser 280s, set the PPOD to "Back in Black" and jammed away to a bunch of ACDC mp3s in the garage. Walked into the backyard, lit a cigarette, set the PPOD to "Crossroads" and then wailed away to all my Cream mp3s. Yeah, so it ain't tubes and it ain't perfect but dammit if it ain't fun as hell. :RoCkIn

[lchyi]

I used to try to get into modellers and I agree with the consensus here. A well tweaked GNX can really deliver the goods. Awesome through a Tech21 PE60. I haven't heard the Atomic Reactor but I'm sure it's good as well.

[FiveG]

If you're looking at the Pocket POD for the application MoRawk mentions, why compare it to higher end floor-based modellers? Does anyone have thoughts on this unit for something to carry around when travelling, walking around the house, practicing in hotel rooms, etc.? And is there anything similar on the market (ie, easily portable, clip on the belt, play through phones) that is (a) decent, and (b) price competitive?

[Marcello]

Boss even has Joe Pesci doing the GT8 for them

http://media.roland.com/en/v/v0444/v044408M.mov

[edgar joop]

I picked up a pocket pod for recording purposes but have actually used it live with a couple of keeley modded pedals. I was going direct and using an aviom in ear system and the tone was half way decent. I wasn't my tube rig but hey neither is my xtl.

[Lex Luthier]

I picked up a pocket pod so I had something small to throw in the guitar case when I go on vacation. I figured I would give it a try, and if it sucked I would send it back. I have a Pandora and I don't care for it even after endless tweaking, and to my surprise the PP sounded a lot better (IMO). I did download the editing software and made up some of my own patches.

[ronin32]

Just wondering if any of you who have bought this are still digging it for just practicing or jamming away with some mp3/iPods w/headphones?

[sector9]

A good friend of mine has a pod. I laugh at him when he talks about it.

[brianf]

I have one. Lots of fun. Do they sound like the real thing? Probably not but thats not the purpose for me. Just an inexpensive toy to take to a jam or just noodle around with.

I'm sure in 5 years we will be at a point where they get very close to the real thing.

I do think the tweed Champ is quite close though.

brianf

[Alias Archtop]

Pocket pod is awesome. Little tiny bean that a player can pull out anywhere and rock without bothering the person sitting next to 'em. Perfect for teenagers just starting out...great for guitarists who want to practice on the road...great for late night jams.

What is with all the hate? Just weird. Yeah it's a toy...so what???!! :eek:

[2x6L6]

I dig my Pocket Pod for travel - hotel room jamming with my iPod, etc - for that, it is just super-cool and has really helped me have more enjoyable travel playing time. I A/B'd it with a buddy's Pandora last week and I preferred the Pod, but I suspect considering the purpose for which I use them, either would be fine.

I sure learned a lot about modeling reading this page, though!

[HMJLTD]

A good friend of mine has a pod. I laugh at him when he talks about it.

Sector9 craves Pod. Admit it!

[Ramblin390]

I have a johnson j station, I like it much better than the pod, great for headphones, or direct through board or pc, but they're all toys.
http://www.johnson-amp.com/cgi-bin/jstatlib.pl
50 bux off feebay was a steal

[supa_scoopa]

just bought 1 this weekend. like most of the heavy settings. anyone have any customtone.com they like to share?

[tele_jas]

Scenario: The wife and kids are at home - or the roommate is watching the basketball game, and you have to learn 5 songs for band practice in 3 days.

Option A) Drag you your tube amp head > 2x12 cab > Speaker cables > Pedal board > and guitar..... Plug it in and start playing guitar in the back room and hear someone start yelling "Turn it down"

Option B) Grab you "insert modeler of choice" and plug in your guitar to it and either plug it in to your computer or plug you iPod in to it and jam away..... and you can't hear the kids and wife yelling at you ;)

Same thing if you have a recording project you need to start on or an idea you want to lay down at 11pm with wife, kids or even a roommate in the same house..... Nothing beats a "insert modeler of choice here". Take the idea to your buddies, band or producer and they say "I like the idea, lets hit the studio this weekend". The idea, dynamics and feel of the song got across using the POD, just think how much better it'll sound with a Dr. Z, or Mesa, or "insert amp of choice here".

I choose option B for the convince..... but nothing beats the real thing.

[Grap]

I have a POD 2.0, well actually a POD 1.6 with the upgrade chip in it. I recently purchased a Floorboard on a blow-out deal when they made them obselete by changing the POD 2.0's chip so that it now uses the current FBV floor controllers.

Anyhow, I like it. I like how it sounds and I've had it for so long that tweaking it is second nature. Getting the Floorboard has given it a new lease of life & I now use it for reheasals and as a back-up rig at gigs. Does it sound as good as any of main pedalboard/tube amp rigs? No. But then again it cost about as much as two or three booteek stompers for the entire rig.

[Blingdogg]

I'm getting a pocket pod soon. It'll be great for jamming along to mp3 tracks and for silent practicing.

[Judson]

The sales guy in Guitar Center's recording department seemed to love all his Line 6 gear. After telling him about my exbandmate's Vetta II head breaking every other month and the shoty pedals I have delt with, not to mention the sound, he was still trying to get me to buy their new interface. He kept asking if I was a guitar player and I wasn't giving him an answer, I said I play a few things... a few times, YES I play guitar and YES I know what Line 6 is but I just didnt want any and that is all he had to offer. So I went home and ordered what I was picking up online.