X3 that much better than the XT?

[kful]

To those familiar with both, is the X3 that much better, soundwise, than the XT?

Thanks!

[cybersnyder]

On guitar, I'd say Yes, absolutely. On bass there's less of a sound difference and more of an ability to do more things like blend two different sounds. I find that blending a DI model with an amp model can sound very nice. Hope that makes sense.

[wyliee]

I merged my guitar rig (Flextone II and pedals) and bass rig (Read Pre) into one X3 Pro. Definitely a step up for the guitar side. The bass side isn't quite as detailed as my Read Pre, but it is close enough for live work.

The ability to blend two different chains makes a big difference, IMO. I still don't like the presets and have spent quite a bit of time with the X3 connected to my laptop for deep editing.

[René_Julien]

To me soundwise there is no difference.

The X3 is like a (guitar) POD XT and a Bass POD XT merged into one.
Or two of the same POD XTs merged into one considering the dual virtual rig option.

Only difference is the equalizer, which I like better on the X3 (although many bassists will not agree with me).
I think 4band semiparametric is more than enough.

(There might be some other little details that are different that I might oversee.)

IMO, X3 is better. Basicly it is two XTs into one unit.


My opinion on this is based on owning the X3 and having tested it out thoroughly and test-driving the Bass XT for 2 hours.

[richrenken]

I know that X3 is running at 24 bit 48k and that is bringing a bit better fidelity to the X3.

[cybersnyder]

Are the bass amp models lower in volume (in general) than the guitar amp models? When I try to create a layered sound with bass and a guitar amp I find that I have to crank the bass amp channel volume all the way and barely add any guitar channel volume. There is one bass model that sticks out in volume. I think it's Frankenstein, but that's just from memory and I could be wrong.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Are the bass amp models lower in volume (in general) than the guitar amp models? When I try to create a layered sound with bass and a guitar amp I find that I have to crank the bass amp channel volume all the way and barely add any guitar channel volume. There is one bass model that sticks out in volume. I think it's Frankenstein, but that's just from memory and I could be wrong.

Not that I know of. It may be a function of clean and dirty sounds and RMS.

[phellouin]

I think that the only thing that is missing with the X3 is the biamp possibility

[stflbn]

For me, one major difference in the X3 is that it has EQ adjustments on what's coming out of the unit that effect ALL patches equally. So you can roll into a show with presets and find a room that needs more mids and simply adjust the mids overall coming out of your unit and it will effect all patches used.

Very helpful for playing live.

[OldogNewTrick]

Originally Posted by richrenken

I know that X3 is running at 24 bit 48k and that is bringing a bit better fidelity to the X3.

Interesting, what speed is the xt running at? I believe its resolution is also 24 bit.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by OldogNewTrick

Interesting, what speed is the xt running at? I believe its resolution is also 24 bit.

I am honestly not sure, but it was slower for sure.

[bassophile]

Hi there,

Here is my 2 cents:

After extensive AB testing of Bass Pod XT and X3 regarding bass amp models I concluded this: Sounds are not same on the Xt and X3 even if I set exactly the same parameters of amp eq, cabinet, room, and mic settings. It is very close but not identical. I also noticed some strange thing in X3: sound of modeled 112 Dinamic mic (AKG D112), which is generaly bass drum mic, is too "full rangey" and 20 Dinamic (Electro-Voice RE20), which is used for brass instruments, vocals etc. has deep, low mid character. After checking on XT I realised that sound of these two mics is somehow switched on X3. RE 20 sounds like D112 and vice versa. I also noticed that amp eq tweaking doesn't react same.

Regarding latency: XT has 3 ms and X3 has about 1-1.5 ms which is again not good enough if you want to record your DI signal not through POD but to other DI box in order to avoid unnecessary AD-DA conversion, and both of these latencies are too big for proper phase alignment betwen non-POD DI signal, and POD modeled signal.

Generaly bypass sounds are same regarding frequencies and dynamics, only XT is slightly slower (1.5-2ms) which is neglible.

Conclusion: X3 is faster and with more options, but, SOUNDWISE, I cannot say that it's superior to BASS POD XT. It is different, which is strange regarding factory claims that there were no changes in modeling architecture of bass amps.


Cheers.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by bassophile

Hi there,

Here is my 2 cents:

After extensive AB testing of Bass Pod XT and X3 regarding bass amp models I concluded this: Sounds are not same on the Xt and X3 even if I set exactly the same parameters of amp eq, cabinet, room, and mic settings. It is very close but not identical. I also noticed some strange thing in X3: sound of modeled 112 Dinamic mic (AKG D112), which is generaly bass drum mic, is too "full rangey" and 20 Dinamic (Electro-Voice RE20), which is used for brass instruments, vocals etc. has deep, low mid character. After checking on XT I realised that sound of these two mics is somehow switched on X3. RE 20 sounds like D112 and vice versa. I also noticed that amp eq tweaking doesn't react same.

Regarding latency: XT has 3 ms and X3 has about 1-1.5 ms which is again not good enough if you want to record your DI signal not through POD but to other DI box in order to avoid unnecessary AD-DA conversion, and both of these latencies are too big for proper phase alignment betwen non-POD DI signal, and POD modeled signal.

Generaly bypass sounds are same regarding frequencies and dynamics, only XT is slightly slower (1.5-2ms) which is neglible.

Conclusion: X3 is faster and with more options, but, SOUNDWISE, I cannot say that it's superior to BASS POD XT. It is different, which is strange regarding factory claims that there were no changes in modeling architecture of bass amps.


Cheers.

Good stuff. Interesting observation on the mikes. I use both of those in the studio, the real ones, so I can tell what you are describing. I will check that out.

Yup, with any digital processor, when you record your DI and POD you have to go in and nudge them into phase.

There was no change to the models, are you sure it isn't the faster processor that isn't adding to the clarity or something? What do you think?

[bassophile]

I checked again this afternoon only to be 100% sure about my stated view. Definitely there is difference regarding sound on same settings. I'm talking only for amp/cab/mic models. Richrenken, I really paid attention regarding your question whether it's so because of better processor. I think it's not, because in this situation there should be almost same kind of frequency and transient response difference applied to every model, which is not the case. Differences are rather drastic, regarding character, eq control responding, and it's variant depending which amp model is checked. Some models are very very close, and some are noticeably different. For instance, L6 Brit Invader model on XT has very slight response on HI MID while on X3 there is drastic change when you move same Hi mid control. There is still issue with mic swap between 112 dynamic and 20 dynamic. Again, these differences vary from amp to amp, mic to mic or cab to cab. Room effect is also slightly different. Interesting is that there is no audible difference between bypass (tuner) sounds.
Also bass amp models on X3 are generally quieter than XT.

Despite that, bass sounds on X3 are very good, but I couldn't find any general improvement over XT which I use in studio work very often.

Test is done with Fender 60 Anniversary Precision bass USA, and '77 Jazz Bass into AVALON U5 DI - connecting active thru out to INPUT of XT or X3 and then to RME HDSP 9632 soundcard. Monitors used: Yamaha NS-10M and custom earmonitors.

[bassophile]

Again, sounds are very close, but not perfectly same!

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by bassophile

I checked again this afternoon only to be 100% sure about my stated view. Definitely there is difference regarding sound on same settings. I'm talking only for amp/cab/mic models. Richrenken, I really paid attention regarding your question whether it's so because of better processor. I think it's not, because in this situation there should be almost same kind of frequency and transient response difference applied to every model, which is not the case. Differences are rather drastic, regarding character, eq control responding, and it's variant depending which amp model is checked. Some models are very very close, and some are noticeably different. For instance, L6 Brit Invader model on XT has very slight response on HI MID while on X3 there is drastic change when you move same Hi mid control. There is still issue with mic swap between 112 dynamic and 20 dynamic. Again, these differences vary from amp to amp, mic to mic or cab to cab. Room effect is also slightly different. Interesting is that there is no audible difference between bypass (tuner) sounds.
Also bass amp models on X3 are generally quieter than XT.

Despite that, bass sounds on X3 are very good, but I couldn't find any general improvement over XT which I use in studio work very often.

Test is done with Fender 60 Anniversary Precision bass USA, and '77 Jazz Bass into AVALON U5 DI - connecting active thru out to INPUT of XT or X3 and then to RME HDSP 9632 soundcard. Monitors used: Yamaha NS-10M and custom earmonitors.

Thank you for observations. I do appreciate it.

[ataraxia]

I think the pod x3 is def worth the extra money, but I use it for almost every instrument when I'm recording. I use it for bass (where the dual tone running a blend of D/I and an amp sim sounds great), I use some of the vox when I'm trying to put a little variation in, and it's amazing for guitars where the dual tone allows for some amazing results.