Should I return my Pod HD bean?

[CptSensible]

So, for Christmas I got a "new" Pod HD bean (Sweetwater was blowing them out on Black Friday). However, I'm finding it to have a hiss/hum/buzz, particularly when I'm playing my Strat, that makes it virtually unplayable (I'm listening to it with headphones). It isn't too bad with humbuckers, but even then most of the Line 6 presets have a loud buzz associated with them.

Is this normal? Is there a fix? Or should I just return it? My guess is that I'd have to just return it and look for something completely different since Line 6 isn't making beans anymore.

Really bummed out about this

 

[ColdFrixion]

It's either fizz or related to noise caused by a monitor, light or something else. If it's fizz, you can usually fix it with a low pass. Does it only happen when playing or is it constant?

 

[joec63]

60 cycle hum (single coils) ?

Clean or Dirty amps ?

Instead of using a Line 6 created preset try your own and see what you get. Are you using the PC editor ?

 

[slugworth]

There are a couple of configurable noise gate options on the bean that are actually pretty good. If you're just using stock presets (which suck on the POD, btw) then they are probably not running the noise gate how you'll need it for your strat.

If you decide to give up on your bean and would consider selling it, PM me. I might want to buy it.

 

[CptSensible]

Fizz is only when I'm playing. Happens on any preset, including the clean Fender Twin and Deluxe presets I made from scratch.

 

[phazersonstun]

Power issue in the house maybe?

I thought there was something wrong with my 11rack as I had a similar issue even on clean settings with buckers.
I'm thinking there is no way this unit is actually this noisy with out something being wrong. I almost sold it.

My house is on the older side with more outlets on the same circuit than there should be. Turns out if the damn lamp in the living was turned off all of a sudden the rig was dead quiet.

 

[CptSensible]

I'll try yet another room, but my house isn't that old and I've tried it in three different rooms already.

 

[jageya]

They still make those?

 

[CptSensible]

Have a noise gate on all of my presets. Helped but didn't eliminate the buzz. It's really pronounced with single coils. Basically you hit a note and it buzzes until it fades out 20 seconds later.

I got the Pod to be able to play while watching TV. Not interested in keeping it if it is this temperamental.

 

[ColdFrixion]

Post a sample. I'm pretty sure it's fizz, which is an issue with early POD's. Is it apparent with clean presets?

 

[CptSensible]

Unfortunately, I don't know how to post a sample.

Using my semi-hollowbody with humbuckers, I get none of the issue with my homemade presets (at least the clean sounds). Maybe the issue is with the single coils in my Classic 50s Series Strat.

 

[ColdFrixion]

Unfortunately, I don't know how to post a sample.

Using my semi-hollowbody with humbuckers, I get none of the issue with my homemade presets (at least the clean sounds). Maybe the issue is with the single coils in my Classic 50s Series Strat.

Have you tried any distorted presets with the humbuckers? If not, try it and see if it reappears.

 

[CptSensible]

Have you tried any distorted presets with the humbuckers? If not, try it and see if it reappears.

With a Marshall amp with a Screamer out front, I get buzz if I don't have a noise gate at the beginning of the chain. Without the noise gate there is just buzz regardless of whether I'm playing. With the Strat, I was getting buzz as soon as I played and much more aggressively. I'm thinking that guitar might just be off limits with this unit, which is a shame because I don't feel like playing surf with humbuckers.

 

[ColdFrixion]

With a Marshall amp with a Screamer out front, I get buzz if I don't have a noise gate at the beginning of the chain. Without the noise gate there is just buzz regardless of whether I'm playing. With the Strat, I was getting buzz as soon as I played and much more aggressively.

I'm guessing it's the pickups then.

 

[CptSensible]

So, maybe the issue isn't the Pod.

I tried out another single guitar with it and got the same digital fizz. So, I then tried out both guitars with my Mustant III amp, of which I haven't bad fizz/hiss when using single coils and now it too sounds awful.

Maybe my household is currently subject to some weirdness. Or maybe both my cables have decided to pack it in. Or maybe the Mustang caught the digital flu from the Pod.

Makes me want to just put all this digital stuff away and play my Deluxe Reverb.

 

[Frank Ritchotte]

So, maybe the issue isn't the Pod.

I tried out another single guitar with it and got the same digital fizz. So, I then tried out both guitars with my Mustant III amp, of which I haven't bad fizz/hiss when using single coils and now it too sounds awful.

Maybe my household is currently subject to some weirdness. Or maybe both my cables have decided to pack it in. Or maybe the Mustang caught the digital flu from the Pod.

Makes me want to just put all this digital stuff away and play my Deluxe Reverb.

Guitar cable?

 

[CptSensible]

Will try different cable and turn off all lights with dimmers later this evening.

I had a Pod HD500 several years ago that spontaneously developed fizz issues that eventually went away. Well, I sold it before they had a chance to return. Anyway, maybe its all due to some weird interference with the lights or outlets. In any event, I can't have a situation where I can only use the unit in the dark, before noon, on a Tuesday, while standing on one leg.

 

[Jdstrat]

Try lowering the amp model's drive and master volume. A lot of amp model default master volume settings are way high and can cause some fizz or hiss.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I'm sure if you plugged that strat into a traditional pedal board through an amplifier with significant gain, and put those speakers right up to your ears youd hear a nasty buzz too

 

[mojah]

Return it...