I agree. Didn't like any of the synth sounds. Dirt was OK. Chorus good, Delay OK, but didn't like the other modulation. Compression pretty great. Also waiting on the MS-60+
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Just what I thought when I saw this, great for connecting to your laptop and playing along to videos.
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Well, if I can change the options (different synth sound, dirt, delay etc) available to me, that would definitely change things. But in all honesty, what I expect that to mean is that if any of the models/effects on the device gets updated, the pedal gets the same update for that effect/model. If I'm wrong and you're right, that would make the pedal a lot more valuable indeed.
Maybe it's the mango colada bubble tea talking, but those amp models sound really good to me.
I was shocked a Squier could sound that good, but it's not stock; there's a McNelly pick-up in it.
I suspect you're right, but hope you're wrong.
I'm guessing dsp is fairly limited. They probably set a hard limit for each section and had a small subset of effects that would fit.
With no screen, it gets messy. You could run into a case where you load something that uses all the dsp and they'd have to disable the other effects blocks of they turn that one on but the user would have no visual indication of this. So a lot of effects are probably right out. Although I'd say the trade-off would be worth it, with appropriate disclaimers.
It may be feasible to swap certain ones - maybe screamer in for muff, for example. I'd prefer extra filters over the oc2.
But... really, it's under $200 and packs a lot in a small package. My likes aren't your likes aren't the next guy's. Nobody is going to love everything about it. I think it's a solid pedal. The trade-offs on things like size and price are practical and understandable.
This was exactly my take too - the synths sound awful, and the drives aren't great either. Was also hoping for an Aux in - although I suppose you can use the USB input for music play alongs. Aux in is handier.
Don't know about the Zooms offering on the bass side, but my HX Effects is in a totally different league than my Zoom G1Four.
I think USB input is better than aux-in with its DA-AD conversations, except if your are still using your 4-track cassette player
The HX drives and synths are pretty good indeed, but you have to adjust parameters, which cannot be done on the Pod Express. Maybe they are working on an editing software.
I watched a few videos on it last night and came to the conclusion that it might be nice to have as something lightweight for a one pedal option for a gig. I am looking at joining a blues band and my idea for that is to not bring my normal pedalboard at all, just my Precision and my Fender Rumble 500 combo. This would give me the tuner and allow me to have either just the sound of my amp, or a nice overdriven sound using one of the amp/cab combos. I likely wouldn't use much of the effects, but if I did want to do something with an effect, it would be there.
For the price, it would be worth a shot at least as an experiment. I have definitely spent more in the past on experiments that I didn't move forward with.
For the price, it would be worth a shot at least as an experiment. I have definitely spent more in the past on experiments that I didn't move forward with.
But didn't Line 6 ALSO fail to release at NAMM? We'd have heard of this a month ago surely?
Quite so. There's very little to complain about the price and quality. But the problem is the same for us all. Do we like what it sounds like? So far, I'd like to see what the MS-60B+has to offer first before I decide if or which pedal I'd buy. For others it's a reasonable pedal to get started with multi-effects. I think we're more or less on the same page here, we just use different words to describe it.
Obviously. the entire HX line is made for guitar and has set the standard for guitar effects for years. Compared to that the old G1F is a dinky toy. The advantage of zoom bass products is that they are designed to work for bass, not with bass as an afterthought or effects that are only serviceable with a complicated workaround like parallel signal chains and whatnot. The old MS-60B was, and in all honesty still is fairly decent for its age. It's not complicated to create a sound that sits well in any mix. And there have been upgrades. The B6 is a huge step forwards compared to the old B1F. If the upcoming Ms60B+ offers the same quality of effects the B6 has, it'll be a better deal for most people than this one and at half the price. If for no other reason than that you have actual control over your effect choices. That's why I'm waiting. But let's save the speculation on the MS60B+ for another thread.
They did, but it is out now and ZOOM isn't. What I was alluding to was video I saw of the ZOOM folks at NAMM with their bass version that they said would be ready, this year, with no real set date. Line 6 beat them to market, even though they weren't ready at NAMM either. I was just saying, if ZOOM could have had that thing ready at NAMM, when they had a model there to talk about, they would have gotten out ahead of Line 6 on a very similar type device, or at least one that would appeal to the same customer base.
But, at the end of the day, maybe you don't want to be first. Marketing is tough. If the POD gets in peoples hands and starts to get bad reviews, then ZOOM could come in later and save the day and be heroes, if their product is good. On the other hand, if the POD is a huge hit, the ZOOM may be an afterthought when it hits the market. You just don't know. I do think ZOOM just wasn't ready and would have liked to have been first.
I think I am going to wait until they both come out and see what the reviews are from players out in the field. I had honestly forgotten about the new ZOOM until someone in this thread brought it up. I would imagine the new ZOOM will have a lot more effects than the POD.
Sorry for all the ZOOM speculation, but one more thing. If I am ZOOM, I am trying to get the new ZOOM ready to go in the next 30-45 days. It is a big risk, but if people aren't liking the new POD, they will be inside the return window at a lot of places. EDIT: Nevermind, I forgot their guitar version did come out. They may not be as worried about the smaller bass market.
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I know - and that's why the - albeit limited number/quality - of video reviews was pretty disheartening. Go listen to the video reviews if you haven't. It's not impressive, not in the least. I'm hoping they are very inaccurate, and honestly might just buy the pedal so I can see for myself. If the sounds are good, this box is an amazing solution for the typical cover band guy who needs a good basic tone, and simple but good sounding drive, synth, and modulation a couple times a gig.
I would guess space cost. It seems to me that people who may try this aren't using MIDI?
Knobs do seem to imply easier editing than a screen. Even if the editing options are limited.
I've also done this with my Stomp with no issues - even though I now use a Radial Pro DI...just in case. Tuner, effects, amp, DI. All for $180 and an adapter for your XLR. Could be appealing if you con't use 8 blocks per preset. Honestly, if I didn't use my Stomp for bass synth pretests, I'd think about this pedal. Run it into a Khan or whatever flavor tube DI and want and you'd have a great little board.
That seems like a logical step, depending on DSP potential.
Exactly. Can be said for ANY pedal. Like I said, I could ALMOST use this instead of my Stomp. I don't really use all the power of the Stomp - except the purchased presets. They use ALL the blocks and potential. If I went back to playing my Yamaha synth instead of using my bass/Stomp, I could probably get by with this pedal...and have an extra $300 in my pocket.
I checked the user manual and it's written on pg 13:
When connecting to a mixer (mono or stereo), set the POD Express OUT jacks to line level—see “Global Settings” on page 27.
But nothing on pg 27. They will probably add it in the next document revision.
Anyway on pg 7 it's written the outputs are unbalanced TS, so you cannot use 1/4" TS to XLR, a DI will have to be used.
This is exactly how I feel!
Love the older bass octaver sound, the one based on the EBS, and would have been nice to have their darkglass distortion model, and maybe a more synthy fuzz, but I completely get that that's just me.
Also, I absolutely love stacking Octavers through Filters, and that's obviously not possible here.
If there was ever the option to swap effects on and off, I'd be on it tomorrow, but I guess that's what the stomp's for, and I need to save up and bite the bullet and get that!
Looks like a cool pedal though, and still tempting for the amps, cabs and comps alone!
