Line 6 Bass Pod Express

[SlowpokeJoe]

Lots of weird negative opinions in this thread...It's an affordable, small alternative to a Helix in what seems to be an easy to use and nice sounding package, if you don't get it or like it then it's probably not for you.

I think it's pretty cool and look forward to checking one out in person.

 

[BGroovy]

Love the form factor and price. I’d consider one for traveling as a practice amp and for my better powered jam in the park Phil Jones rig.

 

[fretlessman71]

Powered by 3 AA batteries if you want! Very convenient - I wonder how many hours of use before those batteries need to be replaced?

 

[mmon77]

Powered by 3 AA batteries if you want! Very convenient - I wonder how many hours of use before those batteries need to be replaced?

 

[MynameisMe]

It’s for people who like knobs not screens on pedals I think

Ironically, that may be may be me.

 

[ga_edwards]

Weird. Seems like something no one asked for/wanted/needed.

You would be mistaken. I've been hoping Line 6 would revisit the Pocket Pod concept and update it with HX algorithms for some time now.

It would appear my wishes have come true.

 

[ga_edwards]

Seems like a perfect backup solution if my LT ever dies on me at a gig. The included amps and effects would certainly get me through a gig easily enough.

Heck, it would even work as a "fly rig" for certain gigs. Imagine that, everything I need for a gig, including a bass with Helix quality tone all in one gig bag! And I wouldn't even need a power supply!

 

[GrayGoesBlack]

Weird. Seems like something no one asked for/wanted/needed.

Haha, this new thingie is actually the first time in twenty years that I'd consider buying a Line6 product. It's spot on for me, like the old red bean was (in theory, sounded like crap). Seems pretty spot on to me, and I'll definitely want to try one out.

 

[manchego_eggo]

ok so checked the manual and you can effectively go DI by setting output to line level and using a 1/4" to XLR (see pg 27) just like an HX Stomp. im very close to buying one haha.

 

[DonaldR]

ok so checked the manual and you can effectively go DI by setting output to line level and using a 1/4" to XLR (see pg 27) just like an HX Stomp. im very close to buying one haha.

Just speculation but I think it would be impedance balanced (like HX Effects) and not full transformer balanced (like a DI). I'm using TRS-XLR with my HX Effects and it's working fine. I have a passive Radial DI in my gigbag just in case.

 

[DonaldR]

Weird. Seems like something no one asked for/wanted/needed.

Never bounded with HX guitar amp models but I remember liking bass models a lot when I was using their Pod Farm plugins. I like footswitches and knobs so I got an HX Effects instead of the HX Floor/LT (no bass models at that time). I'm using the ZeroAmp Bass DI (Tech21 BDDI V1 model) and added an Ampeg preamp pedal for a different flavour sound. I would have got the Pod Express if it was out.

Line 6 Octaver model and Compressor model are very good IMHO.

Bass pedalboard:

Guitar pedalboard:

 

[DonaldR]

Weird. Seems like something no one asked for/wanted/needed.

Exactly what I was looking for when I ended-up with an Ampeg SCR-DI: portable, battery powered, aux-in (usb in this case), headphone out, overdrive circuit, XLR out (TRS-XLR in this case). Tuner, compressor, octaver and looper as a bonus.

Saying again, it' missing a midi input (maybe V2 can add headphones/midi-in without adding 5-pin midi) or have a software update where I can call specific presets using F3/F4 input instead of presets up/down.

 

[Shenron]

I kind of see this Line6 Bass POD in competition with Zoom products MS60-B and B1four... small footprint for highest portability, at the expense of not fully real-time controllable. The knobs should make it easier to use than the Zooms, which seem to have more effects and controllable parameters but are also older technologies. B1four slightly more real-time controllable (patch selection) but won't fit in your pocket, MS60-B the sturdiest of the bunch but the least easy to operate.

So each of them has an edge over the others, making all worthwhile to different people. Unfortunately the POD costs twice as much as the Zooms though...

 

[Gustopher]

I am excited for it. Line 6 makes nice equipment and this is the kind of compact tool I would want for playing at home. I don't like having a million parameters to change, I get option anxiety lol.

 

[burpgun]

I'm interested in this. Have messed around with Line6 gear for something like 20 years up through Helix Stomp and Native, I've found it hard to get a good sound. My bass POD died a long time ago but I have to say I actually had the best success with getting decent bass sounds out of that thing. Mabye this new little guy will do the trick.

 

[Parzival]

I kind of see this Line6 Bass POD in competition with Zoom products MS60-B and B1four... small footprint for highest portability, at the expense of not fully real-time controllable. The knobs should make it easier to use than the Zooms, which seem to have more effects and controllable parameters but are also older technologies. B1four slightly more real-time controllable (patch selection) but won't fit in your pocket, MS60-B the sturdiest of the bunch but the least easy to operate.

So each of them has an edge over the others, making all worthwhile to different people. Unfortunately the POD costs twice as much as the Zooms though...

Zoom fumbled bad not having their new bass version of the MS60 ready for sale by NAMM. Now Line 6 has beat them to market with a competing product.

I wasn’t on board with the new POD at first, but the more I look at it, I’m seriously thinking about getting one. My board would be down to four pedals and this appeals to me right now. Plus, we are discussing trying to do some ampless gigs starting in the fall, and this would work perfect with that having amp models.

 

[birminghambass]

This thing looks like it might replace my Zoom MS60b (which I love). Great price too.

 

[GotGroove]

This thing looks like it might replace my Zoom MS60b (which I love). Great price too.

For some it might. The price and pedal quality definitely won't be an issue I agree. It's also a good start for people just getting into effects. Personally, I'm not yet convinced.

There's a lot I like about this pedal, but also a few things I don't like. I like the layout, the amount of options and that you can make more than enough presets (I think). What I don't like is the synth section for example. I love the idea. I just don't like the sound choices they made. The same goes for the dirt section. It's not the sound I'm looking for. Perhaps I simply need to hear more of what it can do when effects are combined but the video's I've seen so far haven't convinced me yet. I understand that not everyone shares my taste in dirt and synth sounds so if people like this more than I do, by all means. To each his/her own.

I will try it if I can and see if I can get the sound I want from it. I love playing with pedals as much as anyone else so I'll have fun toying with it, no matter if I buy it or not. But I'm also going to wait and see what the MS-60+ has to offer. It may have more I like than this pedal. I'll know when I can play around with both pedals.

 

[ga_edwards]

Saying again, it' missing a midi input (maybe V2 can add headphones/midi-in without adding 5-pin midi) or have a software update where I can call specific presets using F3/F4 input instead of presets up/down.

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.

I wonder if one of the additional secret functions is USB midi. Some enterprising users realised that the old Zoom MultiStomp pedals could be midi controlled via the USB port (and a dongle or two) - completely undocumented feature.

 

[ga_edwards]

There's a lot I like about this pedal, but also a few things I don't like. I like the layout, the amount of options and that you can make more than enough presets (I think). What I don't like is the synth section for example. I love the idea. I just don't like the sound choices they made. The same goes for the dirt section. It's not the sound I'm looking for. Perhaps I simply need to hear more of what it can do when effects are combined but the video's I've seen so far haven't convinced me yet. I understand that not everyone shares my taste in dirt and synth sounds so if people like this more than I do, by all means. To each his/her own.

From the manual:
Updating your POD Express device will ensure you always have the latest models, features, factory presets, enhancements, and bug fixes. To update your device, you can use the free Line 6 Central application for Mac and Windows computers, available from line6.com/ software.

I'm hoping that this means new models will be available in future updates for users to swap in/out with ones they don't like within the same group of models. i.e., swap the factory EHX fuzz model out for the Clawthorne