The POD Advice Thread

[Nyarlathotep]

Index (aka Condensed Pod Advice Thread): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310682
Much thanks to luknfur!!!
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refinedbass PMed me for some begginning POD advice, and luknfur made a good case for a thread like this in the club thread, but I want to keep that thread as just the member list and requests for membership.

So, what kind of advice do you POD owners have for the unit? What advice would you have liked to got when you first got the POD? Know any shortcuts/quirks?

The 3 I PMed back to refinedbass:

1) Don't be afraid to experiment. Some combinations my yeild cooler results than you might think

2) Try to start in manual mode when creating a new patch. That way your EQ is what's on the dials, not what the Line 6 guys think should be right. Seriously. Those Line 6 guys created a cool unit, but thinking that you should boost the bass, lo-mids, hi-mids, AND treble on ALL the amp presets is just wierd/wrong.

3) Spend some time getting to know the amps/cabs and mics. In manual mode this is easy, you just select an amp/cab/mic setup with the big amp knob, and then hit the cab/AIR button to switch cabs/mics. The reason I say this is easier in manual mode is that switching amps/cabs with the big knob results in a lot of wierd EQing. In manual you can set the EQ for flat/lo-mid boost, etc..., and flip between the amps to hear each with that EQ. For example, if you set the EQ flat in manual mode you can then flip through the amp/cab/mic combos and hear each "flat". Then with one button you can switch up the cab/mic.

OK....Go

 

[John Herzog]

Tip #1: Turning both 1/4 outs into modeled outputs. Here's an undocumented "feature" you will not find in the manual. I know this works for both the bean and live versions, don't know about the pro.

If you have headphones plugged in, you are always stuck in "Studio mode" but also both the modeled and di 1/4 outputs are putting out the modeled signal. So if you're wanting to feed a modeled signal to two different things like say an amp and a mixer at the same time, you can just plug in a 1/4 to 1/8 headphone adaptor into the headphone output to accomplish that.

The drawback is that if you've got headphones plugged in and are trying to get the DI signal to a mixer, etc, it will never work.

Tip #2: Custom amp set ups. First thing I did when I got my pod was to go through all of the models and change them to flat EQ, picked a matching cab, used the same mic model and saved them to "Amp Set Up". The reason for doing this is that everytime I bring up an amp model, it is flat and ready to go. Kinda like a blank canvas to paint on.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I acctually forgot that I'd done the 2nd one. I accedentally erased them when I "factory reset" the POD

But, I just searched my computer and found them

So my tip #4 would be to back up the POD contents everytime you make a big change. Just get "Line 6 Edit" and us the "get bundle" buttone often. It saves the entire contents of the POD to you're computer.

The headphone one sounds sweet as well.

Speaking of backing up, I also suggest getting the opposite factory bundle for the POD you don't own. There is one for the Live, and one for the bean/Pro. You can open them in Edit, and select individual patches to transfer. Some of the live patches aren't on the bean/pro, and some just sound different. For example "cosmology" is on the live only, and the "sub machine" patch sounds "looser" on the bean/pro.

Live: http://line6.com/customtone/packs/BassPODxtLive214.l6b

Bean/Pro: http://line6.com/customtone/packs/BassPODxt214.l6b

I guess that makes tip #5 for me...

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Anyone else?

I find it hard to beleive that no one has any more "tricks"!

 

[refinedbass]

Great idea starting this thread. Keep the advice comin' fellas.

 

[luknfur]

Anyone else?

I find it hard to beleive that no one has any more "tricks"!

In part, I think there's some reason for that.

I guess I need to post in this thread since I had to go to my PM box to locate it.

From my perspective I just got this thing so I don't even know what's in the manual let alone advanced tips/tricks. From what I can gather, there are a number of us in the same boat. So the guys who have more experience with them are going to have to paddle for a while cause we're busy bailing water.

I'm glad this thread got started cause you have to have some familiarity with the pod to ask a question about it that probably isn't in the manual. So it's not like I was going to be PM'ing anybody for a while anyway. This way I can still get some info and ideas without being able to participate per se'.

Add to that my learning curve has been slowed cause, Having had the V Bass, I jumped right to the pod synth stuff cause the pod has more waves, filters, etc. In a matter of seconds I pulled up a couple synth patches and just changed the wave form and have been stuck on entertaining myself playing those two patches. So either the pod is a cool tool or I just got lucky cause I'm not easily entertained - especially for any length of time (that's why I like the modeling stuff).

If for whatever reason somebody wants to hear the tones, I guess I could email you the file of some clips I made. Don't know, never done it. Never been into recording.

 

[CElton]

+1

The other side of this is that I use this more for the preamp/DI than to record. I don't use a ton of effects, but the PODXT does allow me to add some chorus, verb, or delay and maybe a phaser now and then.

I use it to play live and I like the amp modeling. If we play a gig with ear buds and no stage gear, then I use the cabinet/AIR emulation too.

If we play a gig where I use an amp, then I use a pre into my bass head with the cabinet emulation off and I still get the amp modeling and effects.

It's just handy for me to show up with the PODXT and have a tuner and preamp/DI all in one with some amp/cab modeling and effects to boot. Plus, it is very quiet.

I agree that it takes a while to learn all of the tweakability. I really liked giant slacker's tip on plugging in the headphone jack to get modeled signal out of both outs! In the past, I had to use an additional DI box to get that.

I would really like to figure out how to bi-amp and still get a modeled signal to the board...

 

[luknfur]

+1

The other side of this is that I use this more for the preamp/DI than to record. I don't use a ton of effects, but the PODXT does allow me to add some chorus, verb, or delay and maybe a phaser now and then.

Yep, that I was aware of but didn't even think about: a lot of guys that have pods don't utilize most of what it will do. In fact it seems like the number of guys who go deep like Ped and his Clown Killa stuff, are a small minority (given I don't see much of it floating around).

 

[CElton]

Yep, that I was aware of but didn't even think about: a lot of guys that have pods don't utilize most of what it will do. In fact it seems like the number of guys who go deep like Ped and his Clown Killa stuff, are a small minority (given I don't see much of it floating around).

I'm just a working bass player trying to lay down a groove and play in the pocket. I there are a lot of TBers that are into soloing and recording and I think that's great. I like to take a ride now and then, but it just isn't what my environment calls for. I'm paid to show up, play well, and not draw attention to myself or the rythm section.

The PODXT helps keep things simple for me and I like what it does. In the past, I have showed up to a recording session with it, but again, I am there to lay down a bass track as a foundation, so I usually plug into their Avalon and let the producer/engineer dial in the tone THEY want.

 

[luknfur]

I'm just a working bass player trying to lay down a groove and play in the pocket...

Just to clarify - that’s no criticism and your path is respected. It’s testimony that a single piece of equipment can be used to Kill Clowns or simply interface between an amp and P Bass.

 

[CElton]

Just to clarify - that’s no criticism and your path is respected. It’s testimony that a single piece of equipment can be used to Kill Clowns or simply interface between an amp and P Bass.

I didn't take it as criticism. I just wanted to state the point you made here, that there are many uses for it. I am looking forward to see how others are putting it to use and what else is available to get out of it.

 

[SteveC]

Not a tip and I don't mean to derail, but I wish the "bean" had XLR outs instead of 1/4" outs. Seems like it would make it more useful.

Anyway, when I had one my tip was to get the computer edit software as it made things much easier and more clear when editing your patches. Then back them up.

 

[John Herzog]

Not a tip and I don't mean to derail, but I wish the "bean" had XLR outs instead of 1/4" outs. Seems like it would make it more useful.

Anyway, when I had one my tip was to get the computer edit software as it made things much easier and more clear when editing your patches. Then back them up.

At least the bean has 1/4 TRS balanced outs as opposed to the 1/4 unbalanced outs like the live version. You can get a 1/4 TRS to XLR cable like this one and it will work fine with the bean. Used it through 100' stage snakes, no problems.

I had the bean and I sold it to my cousin to buy the live version. I wish I had read the manual that the outs were unbalanced on the live version before I had.

 

[John Herzog]

This is more of an idea than a tip. If you're going ampless with the bean version, you might consider mounting the pod to the mic stand like this:
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I used a clamping boom, clutch, and pod mounting bracket. If you do get the bracket, get some bolts to replace the rubber things that stick up. They're useless and fall out easy. I dumped the FCB1010 in the picture and replaced it with a FBV 4 button switch.

While this set-up looks a little goofy, it is super easy to tweak on the fly since everything is right at the fingertips.

 

[CElton]

This is more of an idea than a tip. If you're going ampless with the bean version, you might consider mounting the pod to the mic stand like this:
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I used a clamping boom, clutch, and pod mounting bracket. If you do get the bracket, get some bolts to replace the rubber things that stick up. They're useless and fall out easy. I dumped the FCB1010 in the picture and replaced it with a FBV 4 button switch.

While this set-up looks a little goofy, it is super easy to tweak on the fly since everything is right at the fingertips.

+1...I like it!

 

[John Herzog]

+1...I like it!

Thanks, now that I think about it the drummer really appreciated it since I never had bend down to change a setting and catch an eyefull of my backside

 

[CElton]

I currently do not have a pedal board. I kind of set it and forget it, but I am thinking about the FBV Express pedal that would give me a tuner and 4 channels. With the set up you have here, to get more, all I would have to do is turn the knob.

The FBV Express shortboard is just too much $$$$.

 

[Pruitt]

2) Try to start in manual mode when creating a new patch. That way your EQ is what's on the dials, not what the Line 6 guys think should be right. Seriously. Those Line 6 guys created a cool unit, but thinking that you should boost the bass, lo-mids, hi-mids, AND treble on ALL the amp presets is just wierd/wrong.

I've only had my PODxt Live a couple of weeks, having bought it at the same time I purchased a Variax after the price drop. There is one thing I have noticed in the short time I've had it that may answer some of this. At least I'm guessing it might. lol...

Whenever I plug one of my standard basses into the BOD and pull up a patch, it sounds okay, but as you've said, the EQ is noticably off and needs to be tweaked usually due to some muddiness. But when I plug in my Variax 705, I don't get that as bad. The default patches sound so much better.

Which got me to thinking, every default patch has a Variax "model" saved with it. If you plug a Variax into the BOD Live using the digital cable it automatically switches the bass model along with the BOD preset to use what was saved with it. I get the feeling that the presets were made using a Variax that was attached to it and the EQ's were set to work with those particular Variax models.

That's my guess and I'm sticking to it until I hear otherwise. lol...

 

[luknfur]

...Whenever I plug one of my standard basses into the BOD and pull up a patch, it sounds okay, but as you've said, the EQ is noticably off and needs to be tweaked usually due to some muddiness. But when I plug in my Variax 705, I don't get that as bad. The default patches sound so much better...

Don't know what the gismoisms are in the Variax but sounds like a parallel with the V Bass. No comparison between running a V Bass through the bass mags as apposed to the Roland GK pup which accesses the COSM modeling. The rich full tones pretty much slim down to sound like a standard bass (with chorus or whatever). Sounds like the pod you may be able to tweak to get an equivalent tone but that's not going to happen with a V Bass - although some of the patches are actually more useful and/or appealing through the bass mag (depending).

Also another parallel between the two seems to be using it to compliment/accent the natural core tone of the bass rather than using heavy modeling.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Whenever I plug one of my standard basses into the BOD and pull up a patch, it sounds okay, but as you've said, the EQ is noticably off and needs to be tweaked usually due to some muddiness. But when I plug in my Variax 705, I don't get that as bad. The default patches sound so much better.

Which got me to thinking, every default patch has a Variax "model" saved with it. If you plug a Variax into the BOD Live using the digital cable it automatically switches the bass model along with the BOD preset to use what was saved with it. I get the feeling that the presets were made using a Variax that was attached to it and the EQ's were set to work with those particular Variax models.

That's my guess and I'm sticking to it until I hear otherwise. lol...

Sounds logical, especially for the live with its variax input.

Still wish that line 6 had Thought about EQing a little different to get the same sound. Which is possible BTW. I did some different EQing on the SoCal Metal patch, by bassically lowering all the EQ until I had one band at cut and one at flat (I forget which). It sounded about the same, just a little clearer, and more Hi-fi than the incredible muddyness of the default. Oh well...