GETTING STARTED WITH BASS POD XT PRO

[boglej2]

Right so i just bought one of these, and i've read here how they are useless out of the box, which i found out for myself, but i was thinkin what if everyone here who owns one and has come to grips with it could shed some light on hw to get the most out of it, or just any useless tips(don't say read the manual thats kinda obvious and i'm looking for something a little more insightful)

So any tips/hints/suggestions greatly appreciated!!

 

[HugoM]

I use my Bass Pod XT Pro more as a preamp and therefore it's connected to a Crown power amp and that power amp is connected to one cab with two 10's and another cab with one 15.

I don't do anything fancy. The Pod stays on manual and I play with different amp models (my current favorite is "amp 1: tube preamp" with no cabinet).

 

[McGoo]

I sat and read the entire manual cover to cover, I'm a gadget wh*re anyway, and even though I'm no musician yet!! I think I could offer a couple of pointers.
What do you want the board to do for you?
Are you looking for a sound to call your own, are you trying to recreate a sound you already know but can't afford/lug around (Ampeg SVT and an 810)?
Do you want the simplicity of effects all in one place?
I set mine up with a custom program for my Gretsch Hollowbody, with a sound rattling around in my head and added a bit of reverb and chorus for some color.
The one thing that you really need to consider if using the models and effects in a pre setup is what coloration your power amp will add.
I played around with a Fender Bassman 60 and at high "basement" volume it sounded OK but I would be hesitant to use it with a Super Plexi (yes I know this is a guitar amp) or with an amp that adds compression like and Ampeg.
If you give some hints as to desired result, perhaps I could help you out.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I flip through the amp models until I get something close to what I'm hearing in my head and adjust the gain and maybe the EQ a little. Then i flip through the cab models until I hit something close. Then I try the different mics. After that, it's back EQ for final tweaking. Now it's time to pick some effects, if desired. If you really need some tone shaping, you can use the para-EQ, but I never touch that.

 

[boglej2]

ok i have my first kinda request on this. I'm gna be using it live, so how do i get my levels all the same between all the channels you have saved with effects etc.? does the channel vol knob come into play here, don't really understand its function??

 

[HugoM]

. . . I'm gna be using it live, so how do i get my levels all the same between all the channels you have saved with effects etc.? does the channel vol knob come into play here . . .

Yes, the "Channel Vol" knob position, when changed, can be saved along with other settings. Keep in mind that the "Output" knob never gets saved.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Hugo: How do you hook it up to your poweramp? The balanced XLR or 1/4" outputs? Do you switch to one of the "live" modes or leave it in "studio direct"?

I just bought a used XT Pro and discovered that it had a bug - the 1/4" output was way too quiet in "live" mode. Supposedly Line 6 has a fix so my Pro is sitting in the local Line 6 service center right now.

I'd like to use it in the recommended "1/4 in to onstage poweramp, XLR to the board" configuration, provided they can fix the dang thing for me.

I've got the bean version, too, so I'll just keep using that live until I can get the Pro fixed.

- Rob

 

[HugoM]

Hugo: How do you hook it up to your poweramp? The balanced XLR or 1/4" outputs? Do you switch to one of the "live" modes or leave it in "studio direct"?

I use the balanced XLR "Model" in "Studio Direct" mode.

I just bought a used XT Pro and discovered that it had a bug - the 1/4" output was way too quiet in "live" mode. Supposedly Line 6 has a fix so my Pro is sitting in the local Line 6 service center right now.

I vaguely recall that the 1/4" output was quiet, but I moved on to XLR.

I'd like to use it in the recommended "1/4 in to onstage poweramp, XLR to the board" configuration, provided they can fix the dang thing for me.

Hmmm... I can't easily try that setup, as my current amp is XLR only.

I've got the bean version, too, so I'll just keep using that live until I can get the Pro fixed.

- Rob

I just saw your post at the Line 6 forum (http://line6.com/support/thread.jspa?threadID=36005&tstart=0). Thanks for bringing this out into the open! Let us know how your Pro turns out.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Will do. I'm supposed to get it back this week.

Thanks for the help!

- Rob

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I'm resurrecting an old thread because I realize that I never told HugoM how things turned out.

The good: the Sacramento service center applied the magic fix ("tech bulletin #19") and increased the output level of the 1/4" outputs. My "pro" now has the same output levels as my "bean" when I run in live mode (w/horn or without horn). Of course, the bean can put out a hotter output with a TRS cable (6 db more because it's balanced, I believe) while the Pro has only unbalanced 1/4" outputs. But, with the same unbalanced cables I get the same levels out of both boxes.

The mediocre: I wish the 1/4" outputs were a bit hotter in live modes. I still get plenty of volume out of my Carvin DCM 1000 and Avatar 210 + Avatar 115, but to really drive the amp to full volume I'd need to use the XLR outputs. Of course, I'd only need full volume if I didn't have PA support, so the XLR outputs would be available.

The ugly: Line 6 told me this was covered by warranty no matter how old the PODXT Pro. Unfortunately the service center wouldn't even consider fixing it under warranty since I wasn't the original purchaser. I was hoping that they'd "get the memo" once they read the tech bulletin, but they charged me $180 for the repair. Ouch.

But, I've ended up with a working unit that sounds great, so I guess that's that.

- Rob

 

[RobbieCanuck]

And since I'm resurrecting an old thread anyway...

I'd really be interested in hearing how other PODXT Pro users put together their live rigs. What modes do you run in (live vs. studio direct vs. studio direct with speaker emulation off)? Do you run to a power amp and cabs or a bass head and cabs? Just to an onstage rig, just to the PA or to both?

I'll be using it for the first time live in 2 weeks. We'll be outside in a small patio outside the bar. I plan to get most of my sound from the onstage rig:

Bass -> PodXT Pro (live w/horn) -1/4" model output-> Carvin DCM1000 -> Avatar 210+115

I'll also run the XLR model output to the PA. Our PA is mostly for vocals, though, so I'll just use it for a bit of fine tuning.

Still to be decided: Should I run the Carvin in bridge mode for maximum power to the Avatars, in stereo so I can tweak the relative 210 vs 115 levels, or with the POD in crossover mode with the lows going to the 115 and the mids/highs going to the 210?

All of this is _before_ I finalize the patches I'm going to use!

I'm sure that no one in the audience will notice or care, but I'll have fun playing with it.

- Rob

 

[matt11]

I'm looking forward to hearing how things are working out for you on gigs with your Bass Pod/power amp rig. For reasons of space and convenience, and since I already own a Bass Pod XT Pro, I'm thinking about selling all my heads and going the same route.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Our next show's in 8 days. I'll let you know.

My big problem right now is too much choice. I'll need to force myself to choose one basic amp/cab sound with a couple of variations.

- Rob

 

[King David]

I had the xt live, and switched to the x3. I used the frankenstein model as my main sound. It is somewhat SVT like, but a little harrier, and I think it is a little deeper. I also use the Sub dub preset for some really deep bottom dropping out of the subs sound. I use the jazz amp for a nice clean and tubey sound some times.

 

[Drucifer]

I just bought a used Bass PODxt PRO, got it in last night and was trying to put it in the effects loop of my 800RB. I couldn't get any output using the 1/4" direct input, but when I plugged my bass directly into the POD, it worked. It's probably a setting, I'm going to play with it this weekend. My goal is to use it for live use, mainly to model amps and cabinets since I'm building a pedalboard.

I'll post updates when I get a chance, I'd like to hear from other folks who are using this effect.

 

[jrmy]

Personally, I've found that it's a TON easier to edit my models & patches via the Line6 USB + software than by using the knobs & menus on the box. I think interface in Line6 Edit is much more intuitive.

 

[Drucifer]

I've been playing with it for a few weeks now, the output was very low using the line input and live output with my 800RB's effects loop, but going into the input the levels are better (still losing some volume on most patches, though).

 

[jrmy]

How much have you played with editing the settings? The volumes vary widely between patches, but you can overcome that by editing the gain and channel volume settings. Also, the amp models vary in how well they take different signals - if you're playing a bass with active pickups, you may want to try editing the amp models on your favorite patches to see if that makes things more consistent. I had a terrible time with the fliptop model whenever I'd kick on a boost or distortion, but the "Highway" model (maybe their take on a Hiwatt) takes higher outputs like a charm.

I've been playing with it for a few weeks now, the output was very low using the line input and live output with my 800RB's effects loop, but going into the input the levels are better (still losing some volume on most patches, though).

 

[Drucifer]

Hi jrmy,

So far I've just downloaded the latest firmware and then plugged it in to my amp. I haven't had a lot of time to mess with it, I've just been using the presets. I need to read the manual, too. I haven't had any experience with effects, I intend to use this mainly for amp and cab modeling. I'm also building a pedalboard and that's taking away from playing around with the PODxt. I'll give you an update when I start getting my hands dirty.

 

[jrmy]

Yep, it's pretty crucial to mess around. But I also remembered something at a gig last night - there's a line/amp level switch on the back of the POD XT, right between the aux input and model output - it's really small and easy to miss, but totally changes your output level (line level obviously being much quieter than amp level)... since I use my POD for both recording and playing live, I have to remain aware of that and switch the level accordingly. Last night at my gig I forgot and was all "Damn, everything is so quiet!" Then I remembered, flipped the switch to "amp level," and had to frantically run to my amp to turn my levels down there because suddenly everything was hellaciously loud!

Hi jrmy,

So far I've just downloaded the latest firmware and then plugged it in to my amp. I haven't had a lot of time to mess with it, I've just been using the presets. I need to read the manual, too. I haven't had any experience with effects, I intend to use this mainly for amp and cab modeling. I'm also building a pedalboard and that's taking away from playing around with the PODxt. I'll give you an update when I start getting my hands dirty.