I've spent about 2 hours with the POD XT, and it certainly is an improvement. I'm going to be putting it through it's paces over the next two weeks (before I decide to keep it), but so far - it is impressive. I just love the idea - running it into the PA / recording console / or a power amp in on my Nashville. I'll be letting all of you know what I decide, in case you want to try one.

Ahhhh - More Gear,

I remember the details of your rack, circa April 2002. If the PODxt comes close to that I'll be surprized.

I use a POD 2 for Tele, but never could tweek it to my satisfaction with Steel.

The USB Digital I/O does sound like a good thing, but they have not implemented the drivers yet (due early next year, as with a program for backing up presets to the computer).

The good thing is that everything can be accessed on the unit itself.

Yep, I have grown very used to the sound of my rack, and I'm not sure that anything less / smaller will directly compare. Everything is a trade off, so we'll see...

Have a good one,

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Tim
1990 Lashley Legrande D10 8 & 4. V-amp, Blue Tube II, Nashville 400

I used it on 2 gigs on Saturday - run into the Power Amp in on a Session 400 Limited that I have. I have to say that I was very impressed. The noise floor is very low, and after about 5 hours of fooling with it, I got clean sounds that I could live with. The great bonus are the overdriven sounds... I was taking a lot of overdriven solos on these gigs, and they really had a great feel.

I'll be in the studio this week to see what it does for me recording direct, so I'll update you further then. It really does a great job, is quicker to setup, smaller, lighter, and I might just have to keep it...

It's going to take a few more days to know for sure - compared to my normal rack, but let me tell you guys... The POD XT is at least a generation better than any of the other models out there. The noise floor on it beats my TransTube Fex so bad that I couldn't believe it.

I love gear...

Gary...are you still on this forum? Have you tried out the new POD?

Thanks,
Mark

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Sho~Bud Pro I, Fender D-8 (C6&E13) http://www.darkmagneto.com

I know that Jeff Peterson uses the POD series too, but I've never had the success he has talked about with the earlier models... Even though I have an engineering degree, it could just be "operator error", but I certainly am pleased with the XT so far. It's going to the studio tonight...

By the way, Jeff if you are out there, have you tried the XT?

Thanks,

Curious what settings you are using. I used the Twin head with the Deluxe cab (POD 2.2) when I was with Janie. All her stuff was direct to the P.A. as well.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your reputation preceeds you. I gave the XT a final "spin" at a Western Beat - plug & pray gig last night. I ran into a Fender Twin, and gave the other out from the POD to the board. It was great. The single biggest problem I had with any of these type of units was too much background hiss in the clean settings, but the XT really is great. Gary, if you have found a way around that in your PODs (which you must have), I wish I had learned that from you earlier.

For what it is worth, I recommend the new POD XT. The only endorsement I can give is that I bought one (I guess that's a pretty good endorsement!). Like any other effects unit, it takes a lot of time to get what you want. Don't just plug it in an expect the right sound to fall into your lap, but it is in there.

Happy pickin',

Is the built-in tuner good enough that you don't need to carry a Korg? Also, how do you like the Leslie effect?

The tuner is good enough. I had used the tuner in my TubeFex for years, but the POD XT lets you change the "calibration" 1Hz at a time. It works well with my tempered tuning chart.

The Leslie cabinet hasn't impressed me yet, although I just tinkered with it for about 20 minutes.

It is made by Line 6, and is available in Musicians' Friend or any other large chain music store. The key is - this is the Line 6 POD XT, not the POD Pro, or the POD 2.0. At least I did not have as good of luck with these earlier versions.

It is a pre-amp unit with effects, and is meant to model different amplifiers. Of course, it is geared to guitar players - and many of it's sounds are rock oriented. However, it has Fender Twin and Roland Jazz Chorus amp models that I am using for cleaner sounds.

You could use this an expensive headphone amp, or in front of your normal amp, or into a power amp / cabinet, or straight into a board for live or recording.

Like all units programmable, the "devil" is in the details - getting all of the parameters set to your liking. Sorry for the long post, just trying to share what I know about it.

Take care,

The XT is a completely new "engine", based on their new Vetta series amps, so it's not based on the 2.x stuff at all. Yep, everyone including Jeff Peterson told me that the 2.2, then the 2.3 chip upgrades solved the noise issue (which I tried to no avail). Trust me, I believe these great players that have told me that they have good luck with them. On the other hand, I'm an electrical engineer (by day), and a "gear head" myself, and I just couldn't get the noise floor down to an acceptable level. I may just have a different target in mind than...

The bottom line is, if it works for you - then that is all that matters. I'm just spreading the word that the XT is a new level of performance (at least in noise reduction). I just can't imagine what will be out there in 10 years...

Happy Pickin',

How are you big man? I'll bet you are tearin' it up as usual...

Actually, you caught me on this one - I've never tried the Korg line (or the Behringer V-Amp). As far as amp modelers go, POD 1.0, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, and the Johnson J-Station before getting this new POD.

I would bet you would have pretty good luck with any of these amp modelers - the way that your playing and sound have a "drive" to them.

When you are ever in the Nashville area, please let me know. I'd sure like to see you.

Sincerely,

Bob