Line 6 Bass Pod Express

[tbirdsp]

I was trying to use just a lightning-USB C cable to connect my old iPhone 12 Mini - Line 6 said I need to use a lightning-USB adapter for any lightning equipped IOS device. It's in the Pod Express manual, just hard to find. I'll probably have the same issue with volume that BGroovy had though.

 

[Jebberz]

Still not available up north in Canada. It is just what I needed at home to practice when the pledalboard is away in our rehersal place. Can't wait to try it.

Also, if I'd want tu use it only as an interface (form the computer to my powered monitors) when I'm not playing bass, would I need to stick a jack on the input to turn it on, or simply use an external power suffice would be enough (the manual is not totally clear on this).

 

[Ronky]

Ordered this pedal to use for practice (home alone). I have rechargeable AA batteries, so this was a no brainer.

 

[Pluckman]

Also, if I'd want tu use it only as an interface (form the computer to my powered monitors) when I'm not playing bass, would I need to stick a jack on the input to turn it on, or simply use an external power suffice would be enough (the manual is not totally clear on this).

It turns on when a power supply is connected, even if an instrument cable is not connected to the input.

 

[StevewiththePbass]

I started reading this thread with a lot of excitement for this thing. Having gotten to the end, it sounds like it’s not for me. I don’t need the $600 worth of power the Stomp has, but a few selectable HX amp/cab sims and a bit of modulation on physical knobs at a lower price would fit my use case perfectly.

But a Walkman-style output level control and zero parameter control for the sounds, not even in software? I am sad now.

 

[Pluckman]

I started reading this thread with a lot of excitement for this thing. Having gotten to the end, it sounds like it’s not for me. I don’t need the $600 worth of power the Stomp has, but a few selectable HX amp/cab sims and a bit of modulation on physical knobs at a lower price would fit my use case perfectly.

But a Walkman-style output level control and zero parameter control for the sounds, not even in software? I am sad now.

I'm still on the fence whether I'm going to return mine. I only need it to do a couple things decently so it might work. So far it doesn't seem like an all around effects solution. If it's aimed at beginners, I would say the interface doesn't seem intuitive enough for a beginner. I'm experienced at programming effects units and the interface is pretty clunky for me. I like that it has a built in simple looper.

 

[tbirdsp]

With the proper adapter I was able to play music off of my iPhone 12 Mini through the Pod Express. I do have an issue that when switching apps (Like Youtube to Pandora) the playback gets choppy unless I unplug the phone and plug it back in. Might be my phone.
Note I don't have the problem BGroovy has with the volume of his bass being too low compared to music - there are several ways to increase the level of your bass - the "boost" function of the distortion section or just select an amp model and increase the gain and/or master volume.

 

[Jebberz]

It turns on when a power supply is connected, even if an instrument cable is not connected to the input.

Thanks, it really suits my need then as a practice tool/ compact USB audio interface for my small rehersal space at home.

Just have to wait for it to arrive (early May in Canada I was just told)

 

[warptheory]

Manual says something about rechargeable batteries. Can you put rechargeable batteries in this and charge them with the 9v input? That would be super sweet for practicing on the go.

 

[srambo590]

I feel conflicted. I was initially impressed by the demo videos I saw for this device and figured hey, I could get a lot more bang for my buck by spending $180 on this opposed to just a couple effect pedals. I don't go overboard with them in general, so I don't need the best of the best when it comes to chorus or octave pedal. I feel like I could easily run this through my effect loop on my Portaflex and at bare minimum have a good dirt pedal and at the most extreme try and use this for an ampless set-up at some point, assuming all I would need to do is connect it to a pre-amp and then a PA?

If it weren't for the enclosed being plastic I wouldn't feel so on the fence about it

 

[Pluckman]

I feel conflicted. I was initially impressed by the demo videos I saw for this device and figured hey, I could get a lot more bang for my buck by spending $180 on this opposed to just a couple effect pedals. I don't go overboard with them in general, so I don't need the best of the best when it comes to chorus or octave pedal. I feel like I could easily run this through my effect loop on my Portaflex and at bare minimum have a good dirt pedal and at the most extreme try and use this for an ampless set-up at some point, assuming all I would need to do is connect it to a pre-amp and then a PA?

If it weren't for the enclosed being plastic I wouldn't feel so on the fence about it

I bought one, tried it out, then returned it. Programming the pedal was a challenge and felt clunky for this experienced multieffects user. The SVT and B-15 models' gain needed to be turned way down to the very first few notches of available gain settings to keep them sounding clean enough for me. An important issue was with the dirt effects knob. The boost and overdrive were pretty usable and easy to program quickly, but the boost, overdrive, distortion and fuzz don't have any kind of tone setting. The distortion and fuzz are trebly and fizzy sounding with no way to quickly turn down the tone to smooth them out. I found that I could turn down the treble control on the amp modeler and control the distortion and fuzz tone this way, but I still wasn't satisfied with the fizzy tone and didn't like having to do the extra step.

 

[srambo590]

I bought one, tried it out, then returned it. Programming the pedal was a challenge and felt clunky for this experienced multieffects user. The SVT and B-15 models' gain needed to be turned way down to the very first few notches of available gain settings to keep them sounding clean enough for me. An important issue was with the dirt effects knob. The boost and overdrive were pretty usable and easy to program quickly, but the boost, overdrive, distortion and fuzz don't have any kind of tone setting. The distortion and fuzz are trebly and fizzy sounding with no way to quickly turn down the tone to smooth them out. I found that I could turn down the treble control on the amp modeler and control the distortion and fuzz tone this way, but I still wasn't satisfied with the fizzy tone and didn't like having to do the extra step.

I honestly don't think I'll use the amp/cab sims 90% of the time, my effects loop has a blend knob so I would essentially use that to apply dirt and effect intensity so I would be using this more as a multi-effect unit as opposed to a simulated rig, but I tend to fall into your line of thinking and really don't have any interest in fiddling around with a knobs for hours on end just trying to get a correct sound. ‍

 

[steelbed45]

I'm struggling with setting the 1/4" output to line level. I can't find anything specifically addressing this in the manual under the global settings.

 

[Pluckman]

I'm struggling with setting the 1/4" output to line level. I can't find anything specifically addressing this in the manual under the global settings.

I don't think setting the input to line level is a feature on the pedal.

 

[john hennessy]

I have mine on a board with a tuner, 2 button footswitch, and Sushi Box Finally for a direct rig and it’s excellent. My only gripe is that there’s no visual feedback on the pedal for when effects mapped to external footswitches are on, but other than that minor issue this thing is great

 

[Pedalnetics]

Went a slightly different route with the switch, and turned it into an attached bottom plate with integrated wire channel & plug.
Nice and simple, easy to throw in a bag and go, still have access to the battery compartment, and got the replacement longer-screws specs from Line6 so they're the perfect oddball match.

(they used Plastite plastic threading screws, definitely weird/they didn't even use metal heatset threads inside the enclosure, just threaded plastic)

Next up is a slightly wider bottom plate so you can attach a Sonicake or Dunlop expression pedal too
I'll post em for sale on the 2nd so I can skip all the April1st clutter of fake products buring posts.

 

[warptheory]

Are those soft touch switches or mechanical clicky ones?

Maybe not the most accurate terms but I think you catch my drift.

 

[Pedalnetics]

Are those soft touch switches or mechanical clicky ones?

Maybe not the most accurate terms but I think you catch my drift.

Soft touch; if you're patient and balanced enough (or use a finger) you can trigger them completely silent

 

[ErnieD]

Welp. My L6 bass POD Xpress pedal arrived last week. Ordered from SW. But juat had the time to open the boxes late last nite.
It had a use warning sticker on the plastic bag the pedal was in, besides the two cardboard boxes it came in.

As I pulled on the plastic bag, I heard a tiny rattling sound. Once I pulled it out of the bag, the leftside silver button and 2 tiny springs fell onto my floor. WT*?
Obviously it arrived damaged. I called SW this morning. Of course, again my regional rep VM picked up. He's never, ever helpful anyway. And kind of a wise-***, know it all ...Hurumph, hurumph, but I digress.
Another rep picked up only to say, the Line6 is out of stock, ETA unknown.
So I'm on hold for a new one. Got the RTA email right away. I'll do that soon. But kinda rethinking this pedal choice now.

 

[srambo590]

Welp. My L6 bass POD Xpress pedal arrived last week. Ordered from SW. But juat had the time to open the boxes late last nite.
It had a use warning sticker on the plastic bag the pedal was in, besides the two cardboard boxes it came in.

As I pulled on the plastic bag, I heard a tiny rattling sound. Once I pulled it out of the bag, the leftside silver button and 2 tiny springs fell onto my floor. WT*?
Obviously it arrived damaged. I called SW this morning. Of course, again my regional rep VM picked up. He's never, ever helpful anyway. And kind of a wise-***, know it all ...Hurumph, hurumph, but I digress.
Another rep picked up only to say, the Line6 is out of stock, ETA unknown.
So I'm on hold for a new one. Got the RTA email right away. I'll do that soon. But kinda rethinking this pedal choice now.

This is more of SW CS issue, sounds like they tired to ship you a demo unit and pass it off as new. I had talked to a rep a couple days ago about placing a pre-order for one, he said they'll be back in stock within 2 weeks.