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I just saw that thing pop up and it definitely seems super interesting. The sounds on the video were nice. But the sounds on their website don't have all that much low end, weirdly enough.
But that shot of the back, running on AA batteries, made it look very plasticy and cheap...
Here's their "official" page: Line 6
But that shot of the back, running on AA batteries, made it look very plasticy and cheap...
Here's their "official" page: Line 6
Just watched the video and it doesn’t look good at all for live use. And the switching and preset setting seems convoluted and confusing. It’s like it’s based on technology from 25 years ago.
This looks like the perfect thing for some of my forthcoming gigs. Small and has the right amount of stuff.
If the price's right I'll get one for sure.
If the price's right I'll get one for sure.
Just ordered it, seems like it could be a great piece for $180.
Weird. Seems like something no one asked for/wanted/needed.
POD Express Guitar | POD Express Bass FAQ
What’s POD Express?
POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass are spiritual successors to the classic bean-shaped POD, Bass POD, and Pocket PODs—a pair of ultra-portable and affordable battery-powered multieffects that sound great and are ridiculously easy to use. If you’re just beginning your guitar or bass journey, or if you’ve been curious about modeling before, POD Express is the perfect way to jump in—no screens, just turn knobs. It’s compact and light enough to practice or write songs anywhere—the beach, the campground, the green room, your in-laws’… In a pinch, you could also use it as a backup/third rig.
And each POD Express is only $179.99 US street.
What amps and effects do they have?
Seven amp models, seven IR-based factory cabs, and 17 effects (up to four available at once, including a looper), all curated from POD Go and Helix/HX. A full list can be found starting on page 18 of the User’s Manual here.
Can I store presets?
Yes. POD Express has a total of 21 preset locations.
How do I control this thing with only two switches?
By default, ON turns the amp, cab, and effects on and off and TAP/TUNER sets the tempo, but you can repurpose either switch (plus up to two external switches) to turn individual effects or the amp modeling on and off. Pressing both ON and TAP selects Preset Up/Down mode. We expect most people to keep this on their desk most of the time anyway. The switches are there just in case you need POD Express as an emergency backup for a gig.
How do I control this thing with only five knobs?
Hold ALT and turn the knobs to access the amp’s Gain, tonestack, and channel volume; it can be done with one hand. There are additional secret functions hiding in there as well for more sophisticated users.
Is there an audio interface?
Yes, there’s a 4-channel audio interface built in with reamping. You can record to Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. You can even jam along with YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or calls from your mom.
How is it powered?
POD Express ships with three AA batteries, which’ll give you about 6 hours of play time, but it also supports rechargeable AAs. Or use the Line 6 DC-1 power supply (sold separately) or your favorite 9V power supply or power brick (150mA or greater).
What’s the difference between POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass?
Other than the amp/cab/effects set, chassis color, and silkscreen, nothing.
Why is the chassis plastic?
The name of the game here is portability and affordability. POD Express is the spiritual successor to Pocket POD, which also has a plastic chassis.
Why aren’t there XLR outs, stereo effects loops, IR loading, variable input impedance, MIDI, tubes, and a cupholder?
Because POD Express isn’t made for the type of guitarist who needs that stuff. And it’s $179.99.
Why’d you give us two simpler multieffects instead of [insert imaginary expensive flagship here]?
Line 6 cut its teeth on easy-to-use multieffects and we wanted something that, like the original POD, would incentivize guitarists—especially those new to digital or even new to the instrument—into playing more often and in a wider variety of environments.
When are POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass available?
Very soon.
What’s POD Express?
POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass are spiritual successors to the classic bean-shaped POD, Bass POD, and Pocket PODs—a pair of ultra-portable and affordable battery-powered multieffects that sound great and are ridiculously easy to use. If you’re just beginning your guitar or bass journey, or if you’ve been curious about modeling before, POD Express is the perfect way to jump in—no screens, just turn knobs. It’s compact and light enough to practice or write songs anywhere—the beach, the campground, the green room, your in-laws’… In a pinch, you could also use it as a backup/third rig.
And each POD Express is only $179.99 US street.
What amps and effects do they have?
Seven amp models, seven IR-based factory cabs, and 17 effects (up to four available at once, including a looper), all curated from POD Go and Helix/HX. A full list can be found starting on page 18 of the User’s Manual here.
Can I store presets?
Yes. POD Express has a total of 21 preset locations.
How do I control this thing with only two switches?
By default, ON turns the amp, cab, and effects on and off and TAP/TUNER sets the tempo, but you can repurpose either switch (plus up to two external switches) to turn individual effects or the amp modeling on and off. Pressing both ON and TAP selects Preset Up/Down mode. We expect most people to keep this on their desk most of the time anyway. The switches are there just in case you need POD Express as an emergency backup for a gig.
How do I control this thing with only five knobs?
Hold ALT and turn the knobs to access the amp’s Gain, tonestack, and channel volume; it can be done with one hand. There are additional secret functions hiding in there as well for more sophisticated users.
Is there an audio interface?
Yes, there’s a 4-channel audio interface built in with reamping. You can record to Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. You can even jam along with YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or calls from your mom.
How is it powered?
POD Express ships with three AA batteries, which’ll give you about 6 hours of play time, but it also supports rechargeable AAs. Or use the Line 6 DC-1 power supply (sold separately) or your favorite 9V power supply or power brick (150mA or greater).
What’s the difference between POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass?
Other than the amp/cab/effects set, chassis color, and silkscreen, nothing.
Why is the chassis plastic?
The name of the game here is portability and affordability. POD Express is the spiritual successor to Pocket POD, which also has a plastic chassis.
Why aren’t there XLR outs, stereo effects loops, IR loading, variable input impedance, MIDI, tubes, and a cupholder?
Because POD Express isn’t made for the type of guitarist who needs that stuff. And it’s $179.99.
Why’d you give us two simpler multieffects instead of [insert imaginary expensive flagship here]?
Line 6 cut its teeth on easy-to-use multieffects and we wanted something that, like the original POD, would incentivize guitarists—especially those new to digital or even new to the instrument—into playing more often and in a wider variety of environments.
When are POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass available?
Very soon.
Seems like a nice entry-level offering to the Line 6 modelling line. I think it sounds good. Allot of different sounds available for less than the price of a good dirt pedal.
Looks like a good product for its target audience.
Looks like a good product for its target audience.
It was explained much better on the video with the girl in the flannel shirt. Does seem like it would be just as easy to use as the HX One. It has more options to mix effects than the HX One and has amp/cab stuff, but at the same time, it’s limited in its effects. With a DI box, this would make a cool little flyrig.
This looks right up my alley. I loved the tones I got out of the stomp (especially the Mesa Carbine model) but it was hard to justify keeping it around when my most complicated patches were 4 blocks.
The convenience of having an audio interface at the end of your pedalboard is awesome, and this is really compelling at $180 compared to the more expensive options like the GK plex and Darkglass element.
The convenience of having an audio interface at the end of your pedalboard is awesome, and this is really compelling at $180 compared to the more expensive options like the GK plex and Darkglass element.
Good to know extra foot switches can be added and that the amp sims can be turned on and off, was wondering about that.
Can you clarify that? Is that saying I can hook up my phone usb-c to usb-c as aux input?
I ordered one. I'll give it a go. I think I've owned everything from the helix line at one point except for the One.
@Digital Igloo - any chance a firmware update would allow for swapping effects down the road? Seems like a long shot but figured I'd ask.
The manual is up on their site if you want to dive in.
https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a4015...pdf/POD Express Owner's Manual - English .pdf
https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a4015...pdf/POD Express Owner's Manual - English .pdf
It’s for people who like knobs not screens on pedals I think
