My PODxt observations/questions

I do not own any POD series of Line6 products...I have a V-bass and I saw your post and I believe I can answer SOME of your questions- But I have to pose a question to you myself: Why don't you just get the POD xt LIVE? Seems that this will do the same thing as the POD xt and the floorboard at almost half the price...

OK- on to question 1)

- Didn't see the "question" there...but I'll bite...I guess the question is using one live...can't help you out there other than the "live" version would probably work better for you.

Onto Question 2)

EVERY multi-effects unit will take ALOT of tweaking to get the tone you're looking for just right. I really don't know where they get these clowns that program the factory setups from, but they are almost never right for real-world applications. I look at it this way: Think of the factory presets as "what it can do" rather than "what it will do".

Now we go to "Amp Modeling" or "Modeling in General"

Modeling is not as difficult as one might think- it's been done for almost 20 years! Put in the equation of "digital" modeling and you have a tried and true representation of what a certain amp/cabnet/bass will do. Of course you will find people that don't like it...hell, THEY spent the money to get the real thing- what would you THINK they'd say?

For the most part, modeling is pretty much dead on. No, it will not sound like your friend's SVT with all the setting it has, but it will sound like the Spirit of that rig and that's the important part. You do a little tweaking here and there and you'll get it right- but do not rely on the presets!

 

1. you can use a POD live. Granted, maybe the presets may not be gig-ready right away, but after a little tweaking, you are good to go.

2. tweaking can be easy if you have a certain sound in mind. Its like driving. you won't get to your destination if you don't know where you are going. tweaking can take anywhere from two seconds to two days.

3. as for modeling, i think you are right. you probably won't get a spot on ampeg SVT or Acoustic 360, because there are as lot of variables...speakers, cabinet wood, cabinet size, the condition of the speaker, etc. you won't get exactly the same...BUT...Biff is right. The models are most likely very true to the original, but people don't see the original amp and cab, so they don't think it'll sound the same...my guess is that on a recording, you'd never tell the difference...

 

Deleted my own post cause it was against the rules.

Check your PM

 

I used the original Bass POD Pro rack for a great long time. I found it VERY useful. It sounded good on tape. It worked nicely when playing live with no amp and served very well as a preamp for a more conventional rig.

1. Tweaking: My experience was exactly opposite. I can't tell you how many times I would mess with the thing over and over and fill up very bank with custom sounds, only to reset the thing to the factory presets. I always got the best sound with a factory preset, dial in a little compression and there you go.

2. Modeling is what it is. I think it sounds fine. In the context of a live mix, it works very well. On the POD pro, which sounds as good as the XT but offers different models, the amp models were excellent. The effects models were less useful IMO. Not because of their sound, but because they do require more teaking than an amp model.