Line 6 Bass Pod Express

[Chris Breese]

This is very interesting. Kind of a dumb question, but does anyone know a good brand of fs3/Fs4 foot switch that would work well with this? Not as interested in the expression pedal option.

 

[mmon77]

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.

I don't know what your experience with the Line 6 products, but I've never gotten the feeling that they were made with bass as an afterthought. Of the original flagship modelers, the Helix was the only one with lots of support for bass right out of the box. This is obviously on the lower end of their product spectrum, but again, it doesn't seem like it was made with bass as an afterthought.

 

[mmon77]

This is very interesting. Kind of a dumb question, but does anyone know a good brand of fs3/Fs4 foot switch that would work well with this? Not as interested in the expression pedal option.

I used to use this one with an amp for channel switching and reverb. Never had any issues.

Livewire FSW22 Dual Footswitch

 

[JKos]

does anyone know a good brand of fs3/Fs4 foot switch that would work well with this?

@Pedalnetics will have something gen’d up as soon as he gets a unit.

 

[Pedalnetics]

@Pedalnetics will have something gen’d up as soon as he gets a unit.

yup, sweetwater just shipped my unit today!

 

[MascisMan]

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.

Same here. Went to page 27 and nothing. @Digital Igloo Do you know how to change output to line level?

 

[JKos]

I predict that the volume wheel on the left controlling both the headphone and Out levels (per the manual) will cause more than one user an initial problem. “Why is my Out level so low?”

 

[ric4682]

Yeah this seems super cool. I’ve been looking for a nice headphone option and the Fender Mustang headphone amp thing has been underwhelming tonally, and my HX Stomp is a little cumbersome.

 

[Digital Igloo]

@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.

It's a long shot, but anything's possible.

But didn't Line 6 ALSO fail to release at NAMM? We'd have heard of this a month ago surely?

Fail to release? POD Express was announced when it was ready. Aligning market launch dates with trade shows is kinda pointless these days. It's much more advantageous to announce your product when a hundred other companies aren't announcing theirs, especially if it's not in stores that day.

Same here. Went to page 27 and nothing. @Digital Igloo Do you know how to change output to line level?

Asked the PM; will report back when I hear. That might be a holdover from a different product's manual.

 

[Bassiclees]

I wonder how many they plan to sell in first 1-3 years, what the success criteria is then assume margin per unit.
Seems like making this stuff is a tough business unless you have a hit device.

 

[DonaldR]

I used to use this one with an amp for channel switching and reverb. Never had any issues.

Livewire FSW22 Dual Footswitch

Usually, latching switches are used for channel and reverb. You need momentary switches with Pod Express. From pg 13:

NOTE: Expression pedal and footswitches are sold separately:
The Line 6 EXP-1 expression pedal is a fine choice (available from the Line 6

Online Shop), or most 3rd party expression pedals will work as well.
For single or dual external footswitches, you’ll want to get the “momentary”

(non-latching) type.​

I'm using the same Boss FS-5 switches for 40 years. So Boss FS-5U, FS-6 or FS-7 should work. You can build your own for less than $20 (Hammond metal box, 2x momentary switches, 2x 10k resistances and 1x 1/4" output jack).

 

[DonaldR]

@Digital Igloo : I know it's the Pod Express thread but maybe you can think of another version for us that already have some pedals and don't need the built-in effects (or loyal Line 6 customers with HX Effects ):

• same amp models selection encoder
• getting rid of effects except compressors (might be useful)
• gain, channel volume, master volume knobs
• bass, mid, treble knobs
• using alt button to control the compressor parameters using other knobs
• same tuner
• same form factor
• same battery and 9v power
• same usb-c
• same headphones out
• same two footswitches
• unbalanced mono 1/4" output
• balanced XLR output
• midi input (on 5-pin DIN or 1/4" TRS)

 

[mmon77]

Usually, latching switches are used for channel and reverb. You need momentary switches with Pod Express. From pg 13:

NOTE: Expression pedal and footswitches are sold separately:
The Line 6 EXP-1 expression pedal is a fine choice (available from the Line 6

Online Shop), or most 3rd party expression pedals will work as well.
For single or dual external footswitches, you’ll want to get the “momentary”

(non-latching) type.​

I'm using the same Boss FS-5 switches for 40 years. So Boss FS-5U, FS-6 or FS-7 should work. You can build your own for less than $20 (Hammond metal box, 2x momentary switches, 2x 10k resistances and 1x 1/4" output jack).

Good catch, I didn't even look at that.

 

[MCF]

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...

But it acts as a four channel interface too. This is pretty much a one device does almost everything in a compact and affordable package. Anyone interested in a slightly used Zoom B1XFour?

 

[smallerthings]

I have to say, I wasn't totally sure how to feel about it at first, but right now I kind of want one. That said, I also want an HX Stomp at some point...but this may be the low cost alternative.

If I was making a wish list, I would like to be able to have more control over the effects. It would be nice to dial in the distortion and modulation settings beyond turning it up or down. I suppose the distortion may not be as big of a deal because you can also set the gain on the amp as well. I think it may also help people (me) stop messing with knobs so much and just play. Ultimately I can plug in some external pedals too. It would be a bigger deal if I was getting the guitar version.

I would like to have easier preset access, similar to the Stomp, but it's not the worst setup. At $180 it's hard to complain too much and they could have shipped with no preset options or looper.

I'm mostly interested in having 7 different amps on hand at a given time. From videos I've seen they sound good. Youtubers show it off better than Line 6 did.

 

[Appogee]

So close ... but missing one vital (to me) item of functionality.

EXCELLENT:

• small form factor
• self-powered (ie batteries)
• useful amp and cab models
• tuner
• useful range of FX
• 21 presets
• two footswitches (configurable to be Patch Up and Patch Down)
• stereo out
• line level signal out (via the headphone jack)
• affordable price

... all of which make it perfect for get-on-and-get-off open mic nights and the like.

HOWEVER:

• no pitch shift

... which I sometimes rely on when I'm standing in for a band playing a song in an unfamiliar key.

So, while I've no doubt it sounds better than the Zoom B1 Four which I currently use for open mic nights, it can't replace the Zoom due to that one key item of functionality, sadly.

I'm sure it's perfect for lots of other people.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Dumb question, is there software i would need beyond the driver in order to listen in windows to the bass signal with minimal latency? It seems to me like this should be super easy since the cab and amp are simulated on the pedal. I've Always found amp-on-pc software super confusing with lots of latency

 

[GotGroove]

Dumb question, is there software i would need beyond the driver in order to listen in windows to the bass signal with minimal latency?

Usually, no. Windows needs the USB driver and an ASIO driver (which you probably already have, but they might create one specifically for the pedal), but that is all you should be needing for direct recording/playback.

For that matter, a VST (either an effect or amp sim) in a DAW should not give any latency either. I don't vouch for every stand-alone application there is, but normally it shouldn't happen with those either.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Usually, no. Windows needs the USB driver and an ASIO driver (which you probably already have, but they might create one specifically for the pedal), but that is all you should be needing for direct recording/playback.

For that matter, a VST (either an effect or amp sim) in a DAW should not give any latency either. I don't vouch for every stand-alone application there is, but normally it shouldn't happen with those either.

Thanks for the info, sounds like i may have not had drivers configured correctly or installed in the past

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Seems like a good thing for me being modeling ignorant. Also, knobs just seem easier to me. I'm considering it seriously. I'm still using my old Boss multi. A good stepping stone to more tech based effects.