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First impressions: awesome. But frustrating at times.
Amps - great sounds. Seems skewed more heavily to grit than clean.
Drives - love them. Bumping the bass up on the amp model seems imperative to retaining low end.
Compression - one knob compressors always frustrate me. But they seem ok.
Synths - as someone who loves synth pedals, this entire knob unfortunately seems…bad.
Modulation - I don't really ever use any of these effects in general, so no real opinion. They seem adequate?
Of everything that is missing, what this pedal really (really) really needs (imo, of course) is the infinity spin knobs on all of them, not just the middle. So you can tell where things are currently and adjust a setting without completely starting from scratch. For example - adjusting eq settings, then adding drive, then going back and adjusting the eq again (I think bass is on that knob). That's just painful.
Overall, at this price point, it's great.
I know it isn't designed for live use, but it's…close to usable live? The knob frustration is probably the only thing that would make me wary of using it live. No good way to do a small eq tweak to a preset. Maybe once I'm more used to it.
Amps - great sounds. Seems skewed more heavily to grit than clean.
Drives - love them. Bumping the bass up on the amp model seems imperative to retaining low end.
Compression - one knob compressors always frustrate me. But they seem ok.
Synths - as someone who loves synth pedals, this entire knob unfortunately seems…bad.
Modulation - I don't really ever use any of these effects in general, so no real opinion. They seem adequate?
Of everything that is missing, what this pedal really (really) really needs (imo, of course) is the infinity spin knobs on all of them, not just the middle. So you can tell where things are currently and adjust a setting without completely starting from scratch. For example - adjusting eq settings, then adding drive, then going back and adjusting the eq again (I think bass is on that knob). That's just painful.
Overall, at this price point, it's great.
I know it isn't designed for live use, but it's…close to usable live? The knob frustration is probably the only thing that would make me wary of using it live. No good way to do a small eq tweak to a preset. Maybe once I'm more used to it.
Alrighty, mine arrived today! I'll start whipping stuff up for it!
Since this is a "portable" concept, product 1 will be a small 2button frontaux, quickly followed by a sled front aux that attached via the bottom plate screws (not replacing the plate, just extending it and leaving a window for the battery compartment access ). Nice and grab&go portability like it's meant for.
Since this is a "portable" concept, product 1 will be a small 2button frontaux, quickly followed by a sled front aux that attached via the bottom plate screws (not replacing the plate, just extending it and leaving a window for the battery compartment access ). Nice and grab&go portability like it's meant for.
Gotcha.
Guess we just need to bag ourselves some more on-the-beach bass playing opportunities - it does appeal!
Just for the record I do believe that Zoom, like Yamaha, is also a long established Japan Inc company? And apparently Apple Corp have made a thing or two in China and my much loved Yamaha BB 1025 was also made there, so made-in-China can't be all bad?
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Still waiting on mine, but the more I think about this pedal the more I think we could eventually see something like a Pod Express pro if this one does well. In my mind, an upgraded version would be a larger pedal, think a darkglass ultra size, a metal chassis, three foot switches, 6 knobs, and an integrated DI.
If Line 6 could do that and put it out for 300-350, I don't think I'd ever need anything else.
If Line 6 could do that and put it out for 300-350, I don't think I'd ever need anything else.
Oh, I like Zoom too. They certainly seem to be one of very few outliers on the über-affordable front. Most everyone else is all about more-is-more-is-more commoditization of digital guitar gear. We'd never be able to compete with that even if we wanted to, because SoCal, Boston, and Victoria mortgages are expensive.
No. The USB port is data only.
For everyone asking specific function and operational questions like this, here is the link to the English manual. It's for both the guitar and the bass models.
POD Express Owner's Manual
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By default, the ON switch turns all processing on and off, but each of its two built-in and two external footswitches can be all effects on/off, Compressor on/off, Synth on/off, Distortion on/off, or Mod/Delay on/off.
This is why I am buying this to try out. I have a small pedal board which has all the effects I need and bare minimum (always on) dirt. I am up to the point I want to add basic amp/cab sim. I was almost going to pull the trigger on a HX stomp on sale for $550 and I have been hesitant at that price. This has all the amps I need for $180. Worth a try! And if it means I can get rid of my hardly used chorus pedal, even better!
Same, I'd really just like some options for amp/cab sims for headphone practice. I have 2 Zoom units, both are kinda noisy (only with headphones). Can anyone who has one chime in on the amps? It seems they are mostly geared towards dirt, hoping that can be adjusted.
They are definitely dirtier by default but I’ve found you can tame that by cranking down the default gain and EQ settings.
I rediscovered my “poor man’s Noble” by choosing the Vintage (Fender) model, cranking the gain down, turning bright mode off (hold down alt and tempo then turn mod counter clockwise), turning the cabinet sim off, then adjusting Bass to taste.
That’s a good point, you will not be able to adjust the amps much. Hopefully I can adjust to my liking. I felt like I heard someone say possibly a computer editor may be coming and for me if that meant more adjustments that would be perfect. I will be playing live with this using presets. But if no editor hopefully stock amps will still be good!
Also, looks like you have ability to turn off cab with amp only or change cab for each amp, so having no cab or changing default to an Eden cab may help with less dirt. I actually can’t wait to try out these combos!
I'm in the same boat as you. The Stomp is amazing, but I don't know that I really need all that for playing around in my house.
This Pod is a great all in one that I can just play on my couch and even add a small aux in speaker if need be.
nate navarro rocks the bass pod express, and in the second half, shows his presets and what he's using
Just in. Hope to spend some time with it this evening.
