Line 6 Live Showdown: XT or X3

[Trego]

I am the Associate Pastor of Worship Arts at a church that just merged. We've run into volume issues with the small room that we meet for the worship service, and one remedy that I am contemplating is, going digital for the electric guitar, getting rid of the amp on stage. I really thought that I preferred the sound of tube amps over digital gear, but my most recent experience with digital modeling was a Line 6 Flextone II.

I realize that the modeling has come a long way, so these are two that I've been doing some research on.

In a worship setting, does the X3 merit the additional $100 new? The XT is also much easier to find used.

Should I avoid both? What should we look into instead?

Thanks, Matt

[oldhousescott]

Matt, you may want to ask this question over at praiseandworshipforum.com as well. Anyway, I can't speak to the X3L, but I use the XTL and am really digging it. We are running silent stage -- well, discounting monitor wedges, all the instruments are direct. I bought mine used and it came with a couple of the additional packs already installed. I just ignored the factory presets and created a couple of banks myself for clean, crunch, etc. I doesn't feel like an amp, but it sounds pretty darn good. The XTL is certainly good enough to get the job done. The X3 probably sounds even better, but I would worry about its durability in the long run. Another candidate is the Axe-FX, but that's a whole 'nuther level in quality, complexity, and especially price.

[troykennedy]

X3 - better quality components and processors.

[moseskim]

The X3 does have more bells and whistles, but the real question is whether or not you will use them: extra microphone port, voice preamps, bass preamps, effects loop, all of model packs (I didn't use the extras that much). Lincoln Brewster is a huge supporter of Line 6; I read an interview where he stated that the X3 does have higher quality converters but couldn't personally hear the difference between his XTL and X3. He's sponsored by them of course so he has to upgrade (and it's free anyways for him!). I just sold my x3 but if I got another one I'd go for the XTL. The metal casing was sturdier (X3 made of super hard plastic) and in the end I didn't use the dual tone feature at all.

[moseskim]

Also, take a look at the Tech 21 Character series. Brett Kingman has some great demos of them on YouTube. I'm actually using them for my direct option now and that's why I've sold my X3

[epluribus]

Wow, at this price point the world really opens up. No question L6 has a huge following, but several others come to mind at this performance/price level. Digitech is putting out some pretty great stuff right now, and their pro-level pedalboards make working onstage easy--excellent amp sims, very nice FX. Behringer has of course gotten in on the act, though I've not played their stuff since the venerable VAmp Pro--and that had some terrific amp sims, but the deep-editing was limited. The Vox Tonelab series is reknowned for amp sims w decent FX, while Boss's GT-series is the hot ticket for FX quality, but with decent amp sims. :rolleyes:

I'd just run down to GC and take 'em all for a whirl...after you read through the manuals online first that is. :)

Amps vs. DI...my main beef with pure DI has to do with imaging. If the mains aren't near the stage, the remoteness of the sound can look and feel a little ersatz. That can be solved with onstage amps used as monitors/fills. Many of us who use Cyber Twins use them that way, and they're perfect for that. You go DI with the built-in XLR jacks, and use the MV to set monitor/fill level. That way the amp sound is localized as it should be, the player gets a monitor, and the volume level is at your complete control.

Of course you can always set an extra main right near the stage and achieve the same imaging quality for the entire band--I like to do that for speaking presentations. The house mains do all the heavy lift, (away from the mics!) and my small onstage main creates the spatial effect.

Food for thought... :)

--Ray

[atquinn]

In terms of just XT vs X3, I think the X3 sounds better; I never liked the XT, but I replaced my Boss GT10 with an X3 Live a few months back. However, like Ray suggested, the best thing to do would be to go to the local Guitarget and try out the various units (Digitech RP500, Vox Tonelab, X3 Live, Boss GT10) and figure out what works best for you. In my experience, these units all have their own sonic signatures and interface quirks so it's best to try before you buy.

-Austin

[heretic]

X3, no doubt.

[i8guitar]

Having the XLR outs AND the 1/4" outs are a real plus using the X3 Live in a direct situation. I also like the footswitches better on the X3L over the XTL, particularly if you have large feet and are trying to get to the tap tempo for a change while singing and trying to make eye contact with your audience :)