Bass Pod XT Question

I've done a search for BassPod XT issues but haven't really found a precise answer, so I'll ask my question here. My apologies beforehand in case anyone is exasperated.

So: I'm thinking of picking up a Bass PodXT for real cheap used. I currently run a pre-amp/power amp set up. I know that the BassPod XT is basically a pre-amp.

I want to use the BassPod XT as an effect and tone shaper with my existing pre-amp and power amp setup. I figured I would just use the effects loop on my pre-amp, get a foot controller, tweak the Pod as needed beforehand, and be done with it. HOWEVER, I've heard that the BassPod XT can be very muddy or noisy when plugged into a pre-amp, and that this is perhaps not the best way to use a BassPod XT.

I should also mention that I play an active bass, which is noisy in and of itself if I don't roll the treble off a bit on the instrument and my pre-amp. I compensate for the resulting lack of highs with other tweaks as needed.

I understand that different equipment and different setups have their unique issues. I was just hoping someone had some insight or experience.

Thanks.

[atheos]

The Bass POD can be configured for both line and amp outputs so that is not an issue. I used my XT Live successfully with both passive and active basses. Another thing though is that will the POD fill your needs - as you said it's more a preamp. It has effects but the quality is much so-so. The amp and cab modelings on the other hand are excellent IMO.

What effects are you going to use? If it's the basic distortion, chorus, delay etc. then the POD will probably do. I'm not too big fan of the distortions but the EQ helps a lot. Please note that it doesn't e.g. have any pitch shifting effects (except for -1oct octaver and some synth harmony thing which isn't too useful). Also there's no FX loop if you would like to use some of your own effects with it.

When it comes to tone shaping the newer X3 is way better as it has two simultaneous signal chains so you can tweak both wet and "dry" signal separately. And other brand multieffects have the kind of effects that PODs don't.

Thanks Atheos. I really don't use crazy effects. Just a wee bit of chorus and delay here and there. I'm more interested in the amp and cab modelling. BTW, how is the quality of the compressor and noise supression on the POD?

You mentioned that the Pod has no effects loop. Can't I just chain my other pedal (literally only 1 pedal) before or after it?

I've also read that the POD has no bypass. That's a pain, but I heard there's a patch that basically acts as a pypass. True?

[atheos]

No, there's no "true bypass" but the basic bypass (it's just a preset with everything turned off, easy to make even yourself) doesn't IMO color the tone nor add noise. If you're paranoid you can get a looper pedal with true bypass and put the POD through it

Of course you can put normal effects before or after the POD (preferably before) but that'll just cause some extra work if you are into changing presets in between songs. I assume that that won't be a problem for you. I mean, I have my distortion in my AX3000B's FX loop so that I can make some presets use the pedal and others not without having to touch the distortion pedal itself. On the other hand I use the Korg as floorboard as I did with the XT Live as well.

Compressors are OK (both the default compressor and the stomp effects), I could live with them. Plenty to choose from.

If the POD is real cheap there's no reason not to buy it since you could get it sold for the same price for someone else if you don't like it.

[Ric5]

I use my bass pod in parallel with other effects.



I find the bass pod is good for getting a dirty growlly sound but not good for a claen sound.

So on my pedal board I use the bass pod and the marshall guv'nor give me 2 different dirty sounds. The VT bass pedal gives me a cleaner but not completely clean sound. The MAR bass di+ gives me the modern clean sound. I mix all 4 sounds together to get the tone that I want.