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I HATE my Pod!!

Benjamin Strange

Benjamin Strange

Commercial User
Dec 25, 2002
9,737
310
49
New Orleans, LA
www.ufodeathcult.com
Disclosures
Owner / Tech: Strange Guitarworks
#1
So I've had a PodXT for about a year now, and am seriously beginning to hate it. The clean sounds are fine, but anything with distortion on it, no matter how slight, just disappears in the mix. Ugh!! I've tried everything; EQs, cab swaps, mic placement... everything just sounds so thin when mixed in with everything else.

I'm considering selling it and getting some other direct recording device (it's for guitar, by the way). I used to own a Boogie Recto Directo, and that was awesome, but a little limited and kinda pricey. Anybody have any experience recording with a Roland VG-88? Does it dissappear in the mix as well? I am feeling a little skeptical about the digital modeling thing at this point - I've had much better results recording the direct out of my Boogie VTwin (another good sounding, but limited, device). Any suggestions to get some good distorted guitar tracks to tape?

I'm using a ProTools MBox, by the way.
 
#5
Originally posted by basstriaxis
Isn't the Demeter a bass pre? I need something for guitar.

I don't to buy alot of gear just to get a good guitar sound to tape. The POD was convenient for that kind of thing, but it just isn't cutting it. I may have to go the VG-88 route.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

How are you going in to your sound card? Before you dump the POD, try using it's SPDIF outs to your sound card (assuming your card has a SPDIF in port)

I have the Behringer BassVamp Pro, and the direct digital signal sounds a heck-of-a-lot better than going direct with my analogue SansAmp BDDI.
 
#7
Don't mean to "blame the victim" but I've gotten some very usable sounds out of the pod. Not even pro or XT. Just pod.

Another trick I've found that works nicely is to turn off the cab emulator and use it as a preamp, run it through an amp, mic it, and voilla: a new sound.

NOTE: I have a regular POD but record a piccolo bass through it, not a guitar per se.

Best,
--JES
 
#11
Originally posted by fhodshon
i've had a Roland VG8 for years. never disappears in the mix. and tons of free patches available.

i loved it sooooo much, i bought the VBass. with my opticals driving the system rather than the GK2B, i'm in heaven!

can't recommend the V-Instruments enough.

fred
Click to expand...

Thank you! A real answer. I am probably going to pick up the VG-88.
 
#12
Originally posted by steve-o
...sounds amazing..it just takes some time i guess
Click to expand...

I totally agree, I bought a pod pro a year ago.
First month, woaw it sounds great because it's a pod, next months, it's crappy it even has no tube, then , I realized it is a great tool of versatility and quality for recording.

It is certainly not a plug n play device, but for guys who like knobs, it rules !
 
#13
A couple thoughts:

1. I forgot to mention that the Pod (and every other direct recording device) does FEEL different from a cranked amp, and that does drive some people batty.

2. Pre-pod, I used an SWR Interstellar Overdrive as a distortion and direct recording device. limited range of sounds, but sounded AWESOME. Probably like the boogie.

Best,
--JES
 
#14
I can relate to what you are saying here... I " HAD" a pod too, but it was a Line 6 Bass Pod Pro rack mount system. I dunno, I always thought that MORE was better, but I'm going back to more simplicity now. Just to let you know, this Bass Pod Pro had at least 15 different "modeled" cabinet sounds and and 15 diff. "modeled" amp sounds. Add to this all kinds of weird **** like synthesizer and ring modulation effects.
And I could never, ever get all this "cool" stuff that sounded great when by myself to really mix right on a consistant basis with the other instruments.

Personally, I believe when in LIVE applications, you had better have a real good sound ENGINEER who actually is CONTROLLING your sound , because it's just daunting to make all this stuff work RIGHT all the time. However, when you're mixing a recording and you are in this type of controlled environment where as you have the time to "tweek" and re-do it over and over, THEN it's much better.

Yes, I've succumed to being just a good in-the-pocket bass player who tries his best to focus on tone. I now leave all the "weird" stuff to the guitar players... and what a relief THAT is !
 

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