The POD Advice Thread

[Nyarlathotep]

To normalize you're patches I'd suggest getting Audacity, or something that can monitor the POD usb output w/o having to record it. There's probably lots of programs like that, but I use Audacity cus it's free.

If you monitor the USB in stereo, even with the headphone jack with a plug in it, left will be the wet signal, and right will be the dry. I set up my system to get a good dry signal (not hard with my jazz ) and set all my patches for that volume. If you're not worried about haveing a DI track for mixing/re-amping, you can set up your patches to any volume you want, using the monitor as a reference. Just set up your sound preferences in windows to not boost/cut your input signal, so that you can set your levels pretty high. Which is good IMO. Oh, and you have to use channel volume on the POD, even if it changes your sound.

Another tip BTW, is "record in stereo". Even if you don't need a DI signal, record in stereo, because (likely depending on the program), mono will sum the wet/dry inputs. Audacity does this. You can always split the track, and make the left side output as mono, doing whatever you want w/ the right (most likly deleting it)

 

[SteveC]

I have an SWR bass wedge monitor. With professional sound reinforcement, you think I can get away on stage witn the XT Live and the monitor (no power amp/cab--have the sound engineer send the bass to the SWR and put bass in the monitors for the rest of the band???)

Depending on stage volume - probably yes.

 

[John Herzog]

The knob labeled channel volume is the one stored with the patches. They should have named it patch volume. The output control is for the overall volume of the unit even when in bypass mode. The live version also has a amp/line swtich that will effect the total output.

I got a ball park normalization mine by hooking it up to a mixer and watching the level meter and adjusted the patches to a consistent reading by using the channel volume control and then saving the patches. I still had to tweak them in a band setting at moderate volume since perception of the sound level is different than the actual meter reading.

 

[Pneuma]

We may need a patch thread. Can't you just upload files to exchange settings?

P.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

unfortunatly you can't upload l6t or l6b files. I've done it a few times by changing the l6* extention to txt. Then you can just put quotes around the name and add the l6* extension (*=t for tone, and b for bundle IIRC)

For example, let's take the "Timmy C v3" tone I created:
1) click on the attachment, and the following should appear:

2) Select "save", and the following will appear:

3) Put quotes and the l6t extension as shown, and hit save.

 

[John Herzog]

Perhap we could ask Paul if we can make the patches as an allowed extension.......

I put a request in, let's see what happens.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I'm to say that the thought hadn't even crossed my mind.

 

[luknfur]

Apparently there’s not one but out of curiosity: is there a startup/shutdown protocol for the pod to computer (non- internet) connections when you record bass thru the USB directly into a computer?

I’ll be playing thru the pod and want to record some short tone/riff of interest and I just plug in the working pod to the computer, fire the computer up, pull up the XP sound recorder, record the clip, exit the recorder, shut down the computer, pull the pod USB, and continue playing. Doesn’t phase anything in the process I'm aware of.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

My "process":

1) turn on the comp
2) connect the POD/comp w/ the USB cable
3) turn on the POD

This way the Line 6 monkey program detects the flash version, instead of displaying a ? mark. Reverse (inserting off for on) the order for shutdown. Windows should keep whatever sound settings (volume, default in/out device, etc.) so that the next time you boot up the POD it'll automatically switch to those. It'll switch back to system default when you shut down the POD too, so you shouldn't have to change anything again, if you use the same USB port on the computer.

 

[luknfur]

My "process":

1) turn on the comp
2) connect the POD/comp w/ the USB cable
3) turn on the POD

This way the Line 6 monkey program detects the flash version, instead of displaying a ? mark. Reverse (inserting off for on) the order for shutdown. Windows should keep whatever sound settings (volume, default in/out device, etc.) so that the next time you boot up the POD it'll automatically switch to those. It'll switch back to system default when you shut down the POD too, so you shouldn't have to change anything again, if you use the same USB port on the computer.

Actually that wasn't using L6 but I'll keep that in mind for when it is. There are no "dialogue boxes" that come up during start up or shut down of this process.

Guess that qualifies as another tip though.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

The sound settings changes happen in the background. I usually have my LTs sound on mute, and when I plug in my POD it unmutes

 

[Nyarlathotep]

In order to record you must have the POD on, and set to be the default input, before opening any recording app. The app should then automatically be set to record from the POD.

Audacity works this way anyway!

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Added index link to the 1st post

 

[CElton]

Has anyone used their PodXT bean strictly as a pre into a power amp such as a Crest or QSC?

Does it seem to work OK?

I am considering cutting loose of my Peavy Max head and going to a straight power amp and using the Pod as the pre.

My only concern is having an additional modeled signal to go to the board, but from this thread I learned that I can plug in a headphone jack an additional modled out from the DI output. The only problem is that I think when you do this, the Pod defaults to "studio direct" mode.

Any thoughts???

 

[kringle77]

I like to blend about 25% of the di signal in with my amp simulations. It give alot more clarity and seems to get some of the amps to sound more "real". The only thing is, the di setting won't save. I've tried a few different things and even though the cab, amp, mic, eq settings are saved, the di does not. Any tips guys?

 

[CElton]

I like to blend about 25% of the di signal in with my amp simulations. It give alot more clarity and seems to get some of the amps to sound more "real". The only thing is, the di setting won't save. I've tried a few different things and even though the cab, amp, mic, eq settings are saved, the di does not. Any tips guys?

When running live through a rig, I won't be using any cabinet emulation. I will use the amp emulation and effects and want to make sure I have the same signal for both my rig and the board.

 

[Pneuma]

Has anyone used their PodXT bean strictly as a pre into a power amp such as a Crest or QSC?

Does it seem to work OK?

I am considering cutting loose of my Peavy Max head and going to a straight power amp and using the Pod as the pre.

My only concern is having an additional modeled signal to go to the board, but from this thread I learned that I can plug in a headphone jack an additional modled out from the DI output. The only problem is that I think when you do this, the Pod defaults to "studio direct" mode.

Any thoughts???

Esentially, that's all I do. I run through our FOH board straight out of the POD. But if you're talking about basically using two outputs, I'm not sure. I know that the studio mode is the suggested one if you're running through PA (or so I recall). The others are tailored to eliminate cabinet and preamp voicing I think.

Admittedly, I haven't mess with that much, since I just run one output.

P.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

I like to blend about 25% of the di signal in with my amp simulations. It give alot more clarity and seems to get some of the amps to sound more "real". The only thing is, the di setting won't save. I've tried a few different things and even though the cab, amp, mic, eq settings are saved, the di does not. Any tips guys?

DI setting saves fine for me (xt bean). Hell, even the gate setting is saved per patch (though I rarly use it )

I actually have 4 patches w/ DI blending @ the moment: Clean wah (lil funk!), dirty wah (as a feedback sim), fuzz wah (greater "feedback"), and an octavia based sound (guitar/bass sim).

 

[kringle77]

It works. I had a brain fart. Im just using my pod at band practice. We use in ear monitors live so, at practice we use pods and my drummer uses and electronic kit. That makes for a very easy, quiet practice. We would have to have a very nice Pa for me to use only the pod live. Nothing really sounds better than my Ashdown , LDS cabs and assorted rack goodies at a live gig!

 

[luknfur]

It works. I had a brain fart. Im just using my pod at band practice. We use in ear monitors live so, at practice we use pods and my drummer uses and electronic kit. That makes for a very easy, quiet practice...

So this was all through headphones with no amplified sound in the room otherwise?

Can you use in-ear monitors (Westone UM2’s in particular) just plugged into computer/amp/whatever headphone jack? In other words can they be used like any traditional headphones or do you have to have some electronic box (interface) to get anything useable out of them?