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Bass POD Pro LIVE XT...Real World Review

#21
I like it... I have the varibass plugged into it and like the fact that it will change the bass along with the amps... very nice for switching mid stream...

I think tweaking is part of the creative process...

I also have the variax and guitar pod xt live

*I did not however like the original bass pod... sold it a few days after I bought it.
 
#22
I also have the Variax bass, and I have a problem with some of the dedicated Variax patches on the POD XT live. There are about 3 bass models that don't work when connected through the RJ-45. I think it's both of the Manta models and the green Clang (Rick, Modulus and Stingray). Not a big deal but they Modulus is one of my favorite models. Wolfehollow, do you also have this problem?
With the POD and bass together, the tonal possibilities are mind-boggling.
 
#23
Then think about all the time you'd spend tracking down and trying the specific amps, cabs and effects to get the sound you wanted. Not to mention the unbelievable amounts of cash it would take to try them all! What about the effects? I've gone through a minimum amount of gear compared to some of you guys, and my wallet is sore already!

I'd rather spend time programming in a combination I like than going through all that effort and money. If most models are indistinguishable from the real thing by 95% of the people, then who cares? The fact that I can have GK, Ampeg and SWR sounds all in one little stomp box is worth the learning curve. Toss all the presets, model one different amp/cab package for each button and the thing is already a godsend. The fact that it will drive a power amp is great!

With this stuff you could go from 'Stand by me' to 'Sir Psycho Sexy' in a couple of seconds. I'd put the time in for that!
 
#24
Seems like if you do much gigging at all and have access to decent PA for FOH, the extra work up front would more than pay off down the road in less stuff to tote and in (probably) more easily accessable tonal options than a lot of us have presently in our set ups.

I can understand that some people are just non-tweaker types though.

If I didn't already say it, Great Review Tom.
 
#26
philthygeezer said:
Tom,

How do you think it would work with a few Aguilar GS112s and a power amp? The cabs aren't flat.


EDIT: Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...


Can I chime in here? I use this Bass POD XT Live as well. Through a colored cab it sounds off if that makes sense. You couldn't use it to go FOH AND your amp if you were using cabs that aren't flat. That patches wouldn't sound the same.

That is why I am looking at Accugroove cabs. It will reproduce everything I put into tweaking it AND what I hear through the FOH will sound the same through the AccuGroove cab. Or at least VERY VERY close.

If you aren't using PA support at all then just tune your patches to your cab. To help find where it is being affected you could a/b your Aggie cabs to a fairly flat P.A. cab.
 
#28
Tommixx has this one nailed. I've had my XT Live for a couple of weeks, and it's so flexible it does indeed take some time to get it really tweaked out the way each individual will want it.

I used to really hate the old POD model patches. They sounded absolutely silly to my ears - HOWEVER - the application of modeling (at least in Line 6's case) has improved DRAMATICALLY. Not all the standard patches are usuable, in fact I would say that I'll use tweaked versions of maybe 6-10 of them. The sound really is that good.

If you're not prepared to spend time with the unit to learn how to really dial it in, don't bother. Without quality 1 on 1 with the unit to truly undestand what it can do and how to blend all of those abilities, you're probably not going to get any sound out of it that you'll ever use. This is not a tool that you can just turn up to "11".

The BODTONE site is very cool for those of us who will be taking a stab at this beast. I'm anxiously waiting for other players to upload their personally tweaked patches for all to try.

Excellent real world review Tommixx!
 
#29
jondog said:
Why is this in the amps forum? If you still need to run a separate DI, it's not really even a preamp . . . IMO modelling is an effect.

Has anyone compared this side by side w/ a V-Bass?
Click to expand...


1.) It is an Amp/Preamp

2.) You don't have to run a DI, however, there is a DI out on the unit. I prefer to run into a better quality Di and then out. (see pic below of pedalboard I am building out)

3.) I have used the V-Amp and V-Bass stuff. Sounded very good but not flexible at all and very few options. On top of that the construction is very shabby IMO. Line 6 stuff is built very tough.

This board is extreme because I have certain things I want and need. Just using the POD board is very viable.

Link Removed
 
#30
philthygeezer said:
Then think about all the time you'd spend tracking down and trying the specific amps, cabs and effects to get the sound you wanted. Not to mention the unbelievable amounts of cash it would take to try them all! What about the effects? I've gone through a minimum amount of gear compared to some of you guys, and my wallet is sore already!

I'd rather spend time programming in a combination I like than going through all that effort and money. If most models are indistinguishable from the real thing by 95% of the people, then who cares? The fact that I can have GK, Ampeg and SWR sounds all in one little stomp box is worth the learning curve. Toss all the presets, model one different amp/cab package for each button and the thing is already a godsend. The fact that it will drive a power amp is great!

With this stuff you could go from 'Stand by me' to 'Sir Psycho Sexy' in a couple of seconds. I'd put the time in for that!
Click to expand...

I completely agree. MANY, MANY Pros use these for this reason. So many people would be surprised at just how many use this stuff in the studio and live.
 
#32
Razor said:
Awesome setup you got there Mike.
Click to expand...


Not done yet. I am still finalizing the design. But thanks!!!

BTW, SDMF here bro! Los Angeles Chapter of the Mother******* Black Label Society!

Hung with Zakk and James at Randy Rhoads' induction to the Guitar Center RockWalk in Hollywood. Cool cats.
 
#33
BigMikeW said:
Not done yet. I am still finalizing the design. But thanks!!!

BTW, SDMF here bro! Los Angeles Chapter of the Mother******* Black Label Society!

Hung with Zakk and James at Randy Rhoads' induction to the Guitar Center RockWalk in Hollywood. Cool cats.
Click to expand...

Right on brother...right on!!

Always a pleasure to see a fellow member of the family!

SDMF
 
#34
On the topic of line 6 equipment - has anyone else had problems using their gear on stages that are running power from generators? All line 6 stuff seams to flip out - pedals stop working, amps, pods - well not stop, but we had to disconnect a speaker from the stereo guitar amp to make it work properly and the pedals would turn themselves off after you click them on...(rather annoying if you've just broken into a distortion chorus!)

Does line 6 equipment draw more power than others or something? all the other amps and pedals still worked perfectly?
 
#35
I've got the DL-4 (delay modeller) and that runs from an AC/AC power supply rather than the more common AC/DC adapter. I'm not an electronics expert but I suspect that might be a factor - I sometimes found it was a bit flaky when used at church (although I didn't do enough testing to be sure of the problem).

Wulf
 
#39
relayer66 said:
I believe they have sorted it out, I don't notice any latency issues whatsoever on the XT Live. I'm sure it is there (always is with digital equipment) but way to short for me to notice at least.
Click to expand...

I have zero latency problems when switching. The V-Amps are very bad. Only way they to avoid it is to have patches with the same amp model. This came straight from Behringer.

It's processor is weak and has a hard time searching and calling up in real time. A guitarist I played with last year used the V-Amp rack pre (Like the POD Pro). Loved the sound but the latency killed him. O top of that it was built pretty cheaply and had a internal battery/memory problem that kept recurring. He finally just dumped it and went with a SansAmp PSA-1 and a Quadra Verb. That rig killed!
 
#40
Thanks for the kudos guys....

Philthygeezer.....I have to agree with BigMike here.....I have not tried the rig with other bass specific cabs other than the El Whappo....the full range of the EW is ideal for this type setup....you really get the sense that you are using the cabs modeled (I have or have had a lot of the modeled gear)....it is the same with quality studio monitors....the EW is obviously better at the task but even on my Meyers you can "feel" the difference......I was not as impressed by the 750 as I was with the T-Funk or the CA9....I am not sure why but I am thinking the tubes of the 750 in some way are causing this....

I have had no latency issues at all....the only minor gripe I have is that every once in a while I am in a situation where for some reason I get a mild POP when changing the channels.....it is not that bad and I have not had it in the studio....it is not enough to cause damage and it does not appear to get louder if the amp is louder.....minor complaint.....

BigMike.....that is an awesome design for the pedalboard...I would like to see it when finished!!

Tweak on guys!!!!

Peace,

T
 

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