Author Topic: POD XT ? (Read 2727 times)

Petre · « **on:** July 25, 2006, 01:16:16 PM »

Hey guys, i think the pod XT live may be the solution to all of my problems, just i have a couple of queries. Firstly, there seems to be quite a lack of high-gain amp models. Theres 2 mesa's and a couple of high gain marshalls but other than that it looks a bit sparse. I play mainly heavy metal and death metal as well as john petrucci leads and stuff. Influences are In flames, Opeth, Evergrey, Children of bodom (lots), nightwish, rob zombie etc. Is the POD XT live a suitable option or is it more intended for rock and stuff?

Another question i had, was can u add odd pedals outside the XT if you wanted to add somethign else to the mix liek an EQ pedal or maybe a distortion/overdrive pedal (sounds silly but i mean if the amp models dont quite have enough gain?) . Would this screw up the sound ?

Just the XT live seems perfect for me. Its in price range, id be able to play with it live with a cab, and record at high quality at home, and plus id be able to switch between large sets of effects (i range from heavy chugging to thick solos, to shred, to atmospheric wails and stuff) at the push of a button for presets. Oh, and is the "auto swell" a volume swell? and does it work nicely?

So in summary..
Are there enough high gain amp models for someone who plays solely heavy metal?
Can u add pedals before and after the XT with it sounding good still?
Is the auto swell a volume swell, and is it any good? (very important effect im gonna need)

and finally, is it any good at all anyway?

Thanks loads guys, any input would be much appreciated!!
Sorry for the hordes of questions (both in and outside this thread, just im still quite a n00b and this place is the only real friendly place i can ask and get good opinions from!)

Petre

Petre · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:41:48 PM »

ok need to clear a thing or two up, turns out theres a heavy metal amp model pack available to buy featuring engl powerball, peavey 5150 etc.

My main query now is..

Can you connec the POD XT live directly into a cab or does it need a head?

I know they can go straight to PA but i need an amp to practice with both at home and with a band. and if it can go straight into a cab whats the volume like on the POD ? Does it go that high? Im thinking maybe ill need a poweramp of some sort to go between the POD (preamp) and cab ?

Cheers,
Petre

blue · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:59:06 PM »

the pod is a preamp, so yes you'd need a power amp if you wanted to connect it to a cab. as to effects, you can put pedals in front of it and it has an effects loop. i've used distortion pedals, wahs and an electro harmonix pog and they all sounded fine through it. of course, it has a large number of modelled effects built in as well, which are generally very good. i'm told some people actually use the pod just for it's effects, ignoring the amp models.

gingataff · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:08:32 PM »

As far as high gain models, many people complain that it has too many!
Don't forget that there are a few of Line6s own original amp models, the Insane is very good and versatile, and there's the Spinal Puppet which is great too. But thats in addition to the Mesa Boogie (which I dont actually like) and Marshall (the plexis are best) and the Soldano SLO. If you connect the XT or XT Live to your computer you can update the firmware to 3.0 and you get more amps for free, including a Soldano SX(P?)88 and that rocks.
If you want more then you can get the metal pack and get Bogner Uberschall, Peavy 5150, more Marshall and Boogie, ENGL powerball and more.

You can use pedals with it, after all its just a kind of effect pedal itself, but you're better off doing that with the XT Live as it has a 'pad' switch that reduces the input sensitivity so that your distortion pedal doesn't overload it.
The auto swell is very nice, and very adjustable, you can sound like Holdsworth (just not play like him!)

As for connecting it to a cab, you'll need a power amp. I'm not sure about the XT bean, but the Live has a setting that adjusts the EQ for connecting to a combo/power amp/stack etc.
But if you need a stack why not save and get one of the amps like a HD147 or (bloody espensive!) Vetta?

Or you can use the POD with an Atomic amp from Harry Kolbe. Still bloody loud!
Ultimately its not perfect, as I said its a multieffect unit at heart, but its cheaper than a load of amps and gets you close to the sound, just beware its quite easy to get a bad sound out of it so its worth getting patches from the Line6 forum and customtone website.

BTW, if there is anybody here who wants to share patches maybe we can do it via pm!

Petre · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:48:16 PM »

awesome, sounds really ideal so i reckon ill go for it, and probably real soon too as ive just about got enough, then i'd just have to save for either a power-amp and cab, or an atomic amp. (the atomic amp and XT live work out still cheaper than just the HD147 :lol: , and the HD147 is alot less versatile by the looks of it)

so the atomic amp goes plenty loud? Im not a huge fan on the looks but i dont really care anymore lol, unless anybody knows any good cheap poweramps (the more desireable option) ?

Either way i think maybe the atomic is the way to go. So long as it gets close to the sounds of the amps it models and isnt brittle i reckon i'll be really happy with it. At least, until i realistically am gonna have the money for a real good head, cab, and pedalboard with around 10 pedals. i think £650 will be good for what im getting and is gonna suit my style nicely. at least it will be better than my 15 watt marshall practice amp right?

If anyone has any reason why i shouldnt commit to getting this, speak now or forever hold your peace :?

cheers
Petre