Line 6 Bass Pod Pro XT Rackmount Units

[barebones]

Been doing a lot of searches trying to educate myself on these units. Looks like there have been various versions and updates over the years. I'm looking at getting one to run into a JBL PRX535 powered 3-way P.A. speaker. I'm just looking for some amp modeling and some decent effects.

Can anyone give me a basic idea of what to look for when buying one of these units, either used or new? Do I just buy the newest unit and trust that everything's good to go? Do I look for units that have already had certain modifications performed on them?

I ask all this because I've been reading a lot of mind-boggling information about older and newer versions, updates, occasional quirks, work-arounds, fixes, etc. I guess I'm just looking to get into this modeling thing with as few technical hassels or glitches as possible. Obviously, I'd prefer not to buy a unit only to have to send it off to be tweaked. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[barebones]

Any thoughts from the Pod People among us?

[barebones]

Bump to the well-informed insomniacs among us.

[BrentSimons]

Hi there,
the only modification that I know of for the rackmount Bass Pod Xt Pro is that there were a bunch that had low output through the 1/4 inch model out jack. Supposedly this was an easy repair/fix for authorized repair centers and is covered by warrantee. You might alos consider the new Pod X3 Pro it costs the same as the XT Pro and is more likely to be updated. Hope this helps.
B

[RSJ4STRING]

I have used a regular Bass POD XT for recording, and live sound for awhile now and have had nothing but success.

[i like tictacs]

I had it for awhile, played it through an all-tube Ampeg SVT. It was a cool little box but I found that it just sucked up too much of my tone, and somewhat took some of that natural edge off. I had it for about 3 months before I sold it and gave up on it.

[barebones]

Originally Posted by BrentSimons

Hi there,
the only modification that I know of for the rackmount Bass Pod Xt Pro is that there were a bunch that had low output through the 1/4 inch model out jack. Supposedly this was an easy repair/fix for authorized repair centers and is covered by warrantee. You might alos consider the new Pod X3 Pro it costs the same as the XT Pro and is more likely to be updated. Hope this helps.
B

This does help. Thanks. I had read about that output issue on the 1/4" jack, but I wasn't clear as to if that had been addressed at Line 6, or if you just had to deal with getting it to a repair center for servicing.

It seems I've read some posts mentioning some mods, or sets of mods, under a couple of different names. I can't seem to track this info down again. I want to say the posts went something along the line of, "Oh, yeah, you just need to get the so-and-so-such-and-such mod," or update, or something along those lines. Not sure what that was all about. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Is it just the sort of sound/settings swapping that people do on these via the 'net?

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

[barebones]

Originally Posted by BrentSimons

You might alos consider the new Pod X3 Pro it costs the same as the XT Pro and is more likely to be updated. Hope this helps.
B

Hmm... Now I'm looking at the features on this one. Is this the only model that allows you to double up on amp/cab sounds and whatnot?

[BrentSimons]

Any of the X3 series will allow you to mix/double the amps. Pod X3 Live, Pod X3 (Bean).
Brent

[barebones]

Originally Posted by BrentSimons

Any of the X3 series will allow you to mix/double the amps. Pod X3 Live, Pod X3 (Bean).
Brent

Cool. Thanks. And, just to clarify, the X3 series is the only model to offer this, right? None of the previous models offer that feature? (Just making sure, since I see the Bass Pod Pro XT models pop up used from time to time.)

[katri]

Originally Posted by RSJ4STRING

I have used a regular Bass POD XT for recording, and live sound for awhile now and have had nothing but success.

+1 i have recorded with a bass POD XT on a few occasions and it sounded pretty good, not practical for me live though. amp modelling works on recordings but IMO not live

[barebones]

Originally Posted by katri

+1 i have recorded with a bass POD XT on a few occasions and it sounded pretty good, not practical for me live though. amp modelling works on recordings but IMO not live

I think that may depend on what modeller you're using and what you run it through. I could see having some problems running such a preamp through a typical bass rig. I'm betting, though, (and I may soon find out) that I'll get good results running through the JBL PRX535, based on what I've heard running other preamps through that system. It's as close to what-goes-in-is-what-comes-out type of setup I've used. It's also about as close as I've come to studio quality sound in a live setting. We'll see, I guess.

[greenboy]

Amp/cab modeling works great live if the rig you are using has a transparent front end and a cab that is less like a standard bass cab and a lot more flat in response like a good PA setup. If the rig is not so transparent it's like looking at something through dirty stained glass in low light. Some things may be neat to look at, some will not, but you can count on anything behind that glass being distorted from its essence as if in a fun-house mirror.

[katri]

Originally Posted by stringbass69

I think that may depend on what modeller you're using and what you run it through. I could see having some problems running such a preamp through a typical bass rig. I'm betting, though, (and I may soon find out) that I'll get good results running through the JBL PRX535, based on what I've heard running other preamps through that system. It's as close to what-goes-in-is-what-comes-out type of setup I've used. It's also about as close as I've come to studio quality sound in a live setting. We'll see, I guess.

True, a more transparent set up would be better, but will the crowd really tell the difference between the models on the POD? IMO for live 'normal' gear is all you need. Besides it would take me ages to get a sound I like for each room. It takes me like 10-15 mins with a 5 band EQ

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by katri

True, a more transparent set up would be better, but will the crowd really tell the difference between the models on the POD?

With the V-Bass they may not know the names of the heads or cabs, but they are hearing a difference, especially if one is using higher gain tube models. I suspect that's little different than with a well-run Pod. (Why do so many forum people think audiences can't easily hear big differences in voicing anyway?) ...At any rate, if the player hears the difference and it's helping them dig into a different and appropriate playing style and mood and then putting that mood out into the audience, it's worth it.

IMO for live 'normal' gear is all you need.

Sounds suspiciously like the argument anti-effects people have toward effects users - and it's true: nobody actually NEEDS anything - unless they want a different sonic environment! Then it's nice to have those extra somethings. The drudgery of only having what we absolutely need is a tyranny of duty, methinks.

Besides it would take me ages to get a sound I like for each room. It takes me like 10-15 mins with a 5 band EQ

Hmmm, takes me seconds if I even bother. And my patches on my V-Bass work right out of the starting gate and with footcontrol are very flexible at achieving different tonal balances. I never touch a knob anywhere but on my bass during gig play.

[BrentSimons]

Originally Posted by stringbass69

Cool. Thanks. And, just to clarify, the X3 series is the only model to offer this, right? None of the previous models offer that feature? (Just making sure, since I see the Bass Pod Pro XT models pop up used from time to time.)

That is correct.Only the X3 series of pods give you this option as well as the new Pod Studio computer interfaces.
B

[barebones]

Originally Posted by greenboy

Amp/cab modeling works great live if the rig you are using has a transparent front end and a cab that is less like a standard bass cab and a lot more flat in response like a good PA setup. If the rig is not so transparent it's like looking at something through dirty stained glass in low light. Some things may be neat to look at, some will not, but you can count on anything behind that glass being distorted from its essence as if in a fun-house mirror.

Ah, you wax poetic! You have crystalized my thoughts eloquently!

[barebones]

Originally Posted by katri

True, a more transparent set up would be better, but will the crowd really tell the difference between the models on the POD? IMO for live 'normal' gear is all you need. Besides it would take me ages to get a sound I like for each room. It takes me like 10-15 mins with a 5 band EQ

Yeah, but why be "normal," right? Normal works in banks and insurance companies. Snoozefest.

And sure, most in the crowd will not notice a difference, but not everything we do in the hairsplitting realm of playing and dialing in bass sounds is for the crowd. A little bit of it at least can be for us, can't it? We get to have fun, too, don't we?

Not that I don't value your opinion, but the whole effects and modeling vs. no effects and modeling argument isn't really why I started this thread. I'm looking to delve into effects and modeling for my own reasons, and I am looking for advice from people here who have embraced--and thereby have experience with--such technology. I've been a heart, soul, and mind-to-fingers-to-bass-to-cable-to-amp guy for twenty-plus years. Now I feel like trying something different. If I really wanted to be a total Luddite, I guess I'd just suspend a strand of virgin lambs wool yarn between my big toes and pluck on that sucker for a while. Now that's organic, man!

[barebones]

Originally Posted by BrentSimons

That is correct.Only the X3 series of pods give you this option as well as the new Pod Studio computer interfaces.
B

Thanks for confirming this for me.