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Bass POD Pro LIVE XT...Real World Review

#281
Hey its funny this thread came back too life ...i just got a basspod xt live ....didn't cost anything much and i only have used a b7k and chourus as effects before..i took the pod to a jam today blind and i had fun ..Now after reading nearly everything on the net about these things in the last couple of days ..i agree this thing will need a lot of tweaking..it helps being able to plug it in to the computer..
I like that I can have heaps of sounds available ,and set it up for different songs ..i havnt started editing yet but that will stsrt soon ..I at least know how to access the different sections......
Anyone got any tips before I start..?
Also im still gonna use my dg b7k ..after the pod though .
 
#282
@xelaalex Tips?
1) Save ALL of what is on it to your computer now so you can go back if you mess up
2) If you used any of the amps in the sims and do not like the factory preset, tweak the amp settings to the same as the real amp you used that made it sound great. Learned that the SVT , Bassman, and Acoustic 360 sims all sounded much like the ones I used in the past if set like real ones.
3) If you can't get an amp right, try using the graphic EQ. I used that to make the Acoustic 360 sound like an Acoustic 370 with a folded 18 cab.
4) The Jet Flanger can be made to sound almost exactly like the one Mars Cowling used in Pat Travers' band. Better than the one in the Line 6 HD500X
5) Make patch mods, if at all possible, at stage/gig volume using your amp(s) and cab(s). Boosting bass in a patch at home playing at low volume or making patches entirely in headphones will NOT sound the same live.
6) Also at stage volume: once you have all patches made, switch through them to level their volumes with each other. You will learn to do this and press the SAVE button quickly. After you level them a few times, they'll work for most venues along with using your volume pedal for control.

Being in an originals/cover band, about 4 to 12 presets covers all of what we do. The rest of the tonal differences get made up by your playing technique and settings on your bass.

Examples using banks:
1A Clanky(if played hard) ZZ Top live bass sound(i.e. their live recording from New Orleans The Warehouse). SVT sim used
1B Bassy, muddy R&B, early Beatles bass sounding patch. Acoustic 360 sim used
1C Dark distortion like Jack Bruce/Cream doing Crossroads live versions. SVT sim, dirt pedal, graphic EQ
1D Over the top distortion, SVT sim used, dirt pedal, graphic EQ to cut highs and add lows sucked out by the dirt pedal(Clash "Should I Stay or Should I Go" sound)
2A Normal SVT sound with the gain set on the edge of breakup. Play normal it's clean, play harder it gets a bit gritty. SVT sim. Switchable light background reverb useful for filling space in a 3 piece or if you do this song(listen closely to the bass)

2B Flange channel. SVT sim, Jet Flanger, EQ. Added switchable echo with the timing set to match a famous Pink Floyd song's bass
2C Chorus bass. Bassman sim, chorus, EQ. Set to sound like the bass in Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"
2D Cliche rock bass. Similar to 2A with a bit of EQ mid scoop and echo way in the background(arena sounding bass)
3A Ric bass. SVT sim, extreme EQ in the amp and with the graphic EQ set to make almost any normal bass sound like a Ric. Cannot be used with a "bright bass"(i.e. Fender Jazz)
3B Ric bass 2. Same as above but the graphic fixed so the patch is useful for "bright basses".
3C Synth bass. Bassman sim, various effects until the bass sounds like Korean K-pop band Brown Eyed Girls song Abracadabra which it appears is the identical sound as Lady Gaga's song "Judas"(synth starts at timemark 0:21).


3D 3C with less dirt

Since we use BOSE L1's and sometimes "real" amps, the above patches got modified so banks 1 to 3 were BOSE, 4 to 6 were for real amp with ACME B2's.

Good luck and have fun!
 
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#284
tommixx said:
OK, before anybody forms any preconceived notions about this thing TRY it for at LEAST a week or 2........Straight out of the box it is more or less useless....a LOT of the presets are just really pretty bad.......A few of them are REALLY good though if you look for them......I don't mean ANY disrespect at all to the folks at Line 6 but I honestly believe that they could do a better job with the initial factory defaults.....However, with that said I also feel in fairness to them that they HAVE to compromise between Live patches, Studio patches, and headphone patches so I will cut them some slack!!!

A bit of background may be helpful.....I am a pro bassist and recording engineer for over 25 years and I have probably played just about everything, everywhere at some point or another.....I feel more than qualified to offer the insight I am about to give so come along for the ride, if you want.....

IF YOU DON'T LIKE LINE 6 PRODUCTS DON'T READ MY POST.....I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR SOMEBODY SAY LATER THAT ALL MODELING SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!! With that said and off my chest MOST MODELING DOES INDEED SUCK.....but NOT ALL of it......From my own qualified statement a LOT of it does!! I know from whence I speak because I know for a fact that you hear it on the radio EVERYDAY....I do it....my friends do it.....big name artists and especially the "hottest" new (and "Old") producers do it......whether you agree with it, like it, don't like it or do not know the difference is NOT the point!! Read the review for what it is......Please.......

Anyway.......I preordered this with the thought that I could use it for my Studio work (as a player and an engineer) and hopefully be able to incorporate it into my live gigs as well......I was especially interested in being able to use it on one offs and pickups through a set of in ears or into a good monitor system WITHOUT having to lug around my El Whappo and associated amp etc etc etc.......My bass(es) on 1 shoulder and the POD Live on the other......well guess what? IT WORKS!!!!

I have spent roughly 18-20 hours tweaking NEW presets and organizing them and laying them out the way I want them.....you get 16 banks of 4 each which = 64 available presets.......I WILL NEVER use them all I don't think but at least I know they are there.......so far I have about 5 banks worth which = 20 patches.....I have grouped my presets by style and amp then varied cabs, effects, and EQ for each.........some have the effects already on and some have the effect off but there if I want to engage it.....I will tell you that you HAVE to tweak this thing to use it the way you want it......IT IS NOT A PLUG AND PLAY BOX out the gate......

Now as far as sounds go.......the amp simulations are actually VERY good but obviously with a few exceptions....I particualrly like the AMP 360, Ampeg B-15 and SVT, Eden WT300, Fender Bassman Combo, Fender Bassman Head (Silverface), Fender Dual Showmen, and the SWR SM500 (I think this model is actually better than a 900 I have!!) I REALLY want to love the Aguilar 750 (which is illustrated in the book as a DB680???? go figure!!) but I have yet to get the right combo to be great.....I actually have it on several of my presets but I am still tweeking.......

NOW here is where the depth of this comes into play....YOU REALLY HAVE TO get into the tweaking to figure out the best cab combos AND THE BEST CAB SETTINGS when playing with this thing........For Instance, you HAVE to choose the RIGHT sounding mic and room mix combinations if you are setting this up with headphones.......MY ADVICE IS SET THIS UP THROUGH A RIG FIRST!!!! That way you bypass all the room and mic combos and you can just get on with trying different combos together.....ONLY then would I go back and tweak the mic and room combos through phones!!!!!

DO NOT have any predisposition when choosing your combnination of amp and cab....TRY THEM ALL to be sure.....you will typically find that there are several cabs that match well with certain amps and you can save each of these flavors as a preset and then you have them!!! I took the time to go through and try EVERY cab with EVERY amp to come up with the combos that I have but for me I liked the AMP 1X18, Ampeg 1X15 Flip Top and the 8X10, David Eden 4X10, Fender Bassman 4X10 new Speakers, Fender Bassman Combo, Fender 2X15 Double Showmen, and the Sunn Coliseum 1x12+1X18......I have matched these cabs with different amps (in some cases pretty weird combinations like an SVT with a Fender Bassman combo with new speakers or Aguilar 750 with a Marshall Major 4X15.....

There IS NO right or wrong only whether it sounds good or not......obviously they nailed a few and REALLY missed on a few and I am sure that we will probably all disagree on which so I will leave that for another debate.....In my opinion, and more importantly, in my experience, this is a tool just like anything else....you buy it for a specific thing and use it as such....nothing more, nothing less.....KEEP AN OPEN MIND!!!!!

In practical application so far I have used it on a LOT of different stuff....I used it as an EFX insert into my Thunderfunk (using failry flat settings) into my El Whappo with GREAT results....The Thunderfunk adds just the right amount of "something" along with the El Whappo to make this concept really work....I have used the POD Live into a Demeter Tube DI (to amp and snake) into a Crest CA9 through the EL Whappo with unbelievable results.....this is a really great and flexible rig.....I also have used it as an EFX insert into my 750 but I was not as happy as with the other combos....I have used it to a console to tape and through an Avalon U5 and a Demeter tube DI to tape and I like both....the Avalon was sweeter, but hey, it is an AVALON!! I should mention also that I have a pair of Blackfaced LA2A compressor and the one modeled here is VERY VERY good......BUT, use it in moderation for best effect.....I have set it to come on on the peaks only and I have it on each preset....some of them need the volume boost so you will have to watch for that...

The most interesting combinations so far have been my bass to the POD Live, out of the POD live to a Demeter tube DI to the snake and run off In ears (Shure 600 with UE-5's) and/or a stage wedge......this is where this rig is really a killer......I walked into a gig last week with my Sadowsky on 1 shoulder and the POD Live on the other pushing the case for my Meyer Floor wedge with a gig bag on top......A couple of the guys wanted to know where my bass rig was and I pointed to the wedge.....almost freaked them out......got a sound check, added a little drums to my wedge mix.....got the bass happening in the wedge and bam I was done in like 3 minutes....took all of 5 minutes or less to setup for a total of under 10 min setup time.....

UNREAL tone through the EAW PA and my Meyer LOVES this thing!!!!! I could hear the changes I was making to the POD Very clearly and got mondo compliments on the tone from the band and the FOH guy (a friend of mine) The FOH guy was blown away that it was that simple to get my level and I did everything else (IT IS CRITICAL TO MATCH LEVELS BETWEEN PATCHES AND THIS WILL TAKE SOME TIME!!! I used the Live XT out to a console and then used the solo function after I set up the initial levels......just go through each patch and match the gain on the patch from there!!).....he had me more or less flat in the PA and I used the POD to get all of the tone!!!! It could not be any easier (except for the time I dedicated to getting it to this point!!)

I AM SOLD.......I HIGHLY recommend that if you are looking for a flexible, programmable, tone tool, check it out.....IT WILL NOT BE FOR EVERYBODY and if you think it sucked thats OK......this is all my opinion and LINE 6 did not make this for everybody.....Personally, I KNOW that somebody will use this on a hit record that you will hear in the next 6-12 months and you will never know the difference!!!!! All you will hear is the tone......TRY it you may like it.....

EDIT: DO NOT GET IT UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO TWEAK!!!!!! That is all I can tell you!!

EDIT : In defference to incubus post below I am not trying to be pompous but to avoid the trolls who will come on here and say how bad the unit sucks....I WILL use this (along with a Bass Pod Pro XT and Bass POD as well as LINE 6 guitar gear) on projects that are probably going to win Grammys and sell millions of records over the next couple years or so (unless I die or until they make the next 1)....I have no particular tweaking talents and therefore I know that the same results can be had by all with enough patience.....PATIENCE....now that is something that most of us are lacking in these days including myself......

The Patience required to maximize the performance of this tool will be greater than a number of instant gratification type people are willing to invest and thus my point....If you don't have the patience don't ruin it for someone else who might want to make the investment....IF you don't give it a fair shake and merely dismiss it because "it sucks" you are doing a disservice and in my opinion, borderline slander against LINE 6.......If it sucks to you and you have given it a fair shake GREAT.....you gave it a chance and did not like it, move on......it sucks TO YOU but that doesn't mean that the product sucks....

Peace,

T

I have deleted what I hope was the pompous part of my post....I stand behind the rest of my statements......
Click to expand...
I have ordered the Line 6 bass XT Live. New/old stock. I am anxious to start fiddling with it and discovering some new sounds. I am looking for a nice deep, round, phat Ampeg like tone out of it. I hope it delivers. Your review was certainly well received. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
 
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#285
Gospel Bass Player said:
I have ordered the Line 6 bass XT Live. New/old stock. I am anxious to start fiddling with it and discovering some new sounds. I am looking for a nice deep, round, phat Ampeg like tone out of it. I hope it delivers. Your review was certainly well received. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Click to expand...

That member hasn't logged on in over a year. Congrats on your purchase though. I picked one up a few months back looking for exactly the same thing you are. I don't use modulation/delay/reverb effects at all, so I was mostly looking for a couple usable amp sims, compression, parametric EQ, and a HPF.

The amp sims were usable. Nothing to write home about and I don't feel like they challenged any previous heads that I used tonally, but they weren't the awful mess people make them out to be. I never punched up an Ampeg SVT sim expecting this glorious tube warmth to come pouring out. I usually ran through the patches objectively without looking at the names of what they were supposed to be, only the sound they produced.

As for the compression, EQ, HPF, and some of the overdrives and distortions; no complaints at all. I feel that they were even more usable than the amp sims. Most all were quiet, and neutral as far as altering the tone (except where that is the models function).

Unfortunately, it couldn't deliver enough feedback for me. When I turn a knob on an analog piece of gear, there's usually a smooth linear change. With the XT, it felt as though the knobs were stepped (not the physical feel, but the changes they made). It didn't have that feel on everything, but on the things that mattered most to me, it seemed like there was a disconnect between my physical changes and what was happening through the speakers.

In the end, I decided it just wasn't the solution I was looking for. Hopefully it IS what you're looking for though, and it works well.
 
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#286
blubass said:
That member hasn't logged on in over a year. Congrats on your purchase though. I picked one up a few months back looking for exactly the same thing you are. I don't use modulation/delay/reverb effects at all, so I was mostly looking for a couple usable amp sims, compression, parametric EQ, and a HPF.

The amp sims were usable. Nothing to write home about and I don't feel like they challenged any previous heads that I used tonally, but they weren't the awful mess people make them out to be. I never punched up an Ampeg SVT sim expecting this glorious tube warmth to come pouring out. I usually ran through the patches objectively without looking at the names of what they were supposed to be, only the sound they produced.

As for the compression, EQ, HPF, and some of the overdrives and distortions; no complaints at all. I feel that they were even more usable than the amp sims. Most all were quiet, and neutral as far as altering the tone (except where that is the models function).

Unfortunately, it couldn't deliver enough feedback for me. When I turn a knob on an analog piece of gear, there's usually a smooth linear change. With the XT, it felt as though the knobs were stepped (not the physical feel, but the changes they made). It didn't have that feel on everything, but on the things that mattered most to me, it seemed like there was a disconnect between my physical changes and what was happening through the speakers.

In the end, I decided it just wasn't the solution I was looking for. Hopefully it IS what you're looking for though, and it works well.
Click to expand...
Well...thank you for your thoughtful comments. I currently use the small Line 6 Bass Floor pod with the expression pedal and actually like it quite a bit. I figure, I should be able to get some "warm" round sounds out of it through my gear. I don't expect a SVT packed through a 8x10, however I should find sufficient "color" to my rig. I enjoy using the envelope filter for a funky tone aka auto wah as well. I shall reply when it arrives. Surprisingly, since these are no longer sold I was able to cop one still sealed in the box to include a carrying bag. Couldn't go wrong with this purchase. I appreciate your responses. Tell me, are you able to get a sweet phat Ampeg/Eden "tubey" kinda sound ? Which setting amp/mod may accomplish this if you can tell ?

GBP
 
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#288
zon6c-f said:
Most bang for the buck ever was my Line6 black butter bean Pod

Until...

I bought a used Korg Pandora's box

Which is Not as tweak able not computer reliant ( I've never connected my Pod to a PC )

Korg has looping and drum patterns and phrase sampler

Both devices are excellent in there own way


OP gave excellent review
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Yeah man...I have the Pandora too...it Rocks ! However, I needed to have a floor pedal and I was trying to get some good tone advice from anyone who currently has or has ever used the XT Live Bass Pod. Trying to get some warm "tubey" sounds out of it. Wonder if that is possible ?
 
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#289
Gospel Bass Player said:
Yeah man...I have the Pandora too...it Rocks ! However, I needed to have a floor pedal and I was trying to get some good tone advice from anyone who currently has or has ever used the XT Live Bass Pod. Trying to get some warm "tubey" sounds out of it. Wonder if that is possible ?
Click to expand...
Just responded to your post in the effects section. :)
Yes it is possible but you;re right nothing will sound exactly like an SVT but an SVT. ;)
Best wishes,
Brent
 
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#290
I've been using the XT Live for a long time. Rather that trying to get a specific sound, I use the presets, based on their names, for different songs. I'm in a cover band, and I want to vary my sound to somewhat match the genre or what I hear on the original recordings. I've turned off, or reduced the compression on most of them, as I found I was plucking too hard. I have a couple of patches I created for specific songs, and they sound awesome! My only complaint is when the board gets hot, like outside in the sun, the volume starts cutting out.
 
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