My main home and gig-rig these days is a Pod 2.0 through an Ampeg BA-112 bass amp, I own two Pods, which I can find used for no more than $150 each. I don't need the USB port, nor do I need all the extra options wrt amp models/effects/etc. One can 'deep edit' on the Pod XT itself, but not on the Pod 2.0. For some, that's an XT advantage, but I prefer to edit with the software, I think it's much simpler.

I'm also not a luddite nor a technophobe, and when Line 6 comes up with a really authentic pedal steel amp model with a couple of good 15" speaker models, I'll upgrade to whatever that is. But until then, Pod 2.0 is just fine, thank you. Gere, if you can find a place that gives you a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy, you could get your plastic out, buy both, and make your own A/B comparison at your leisure, and return the one you don't like as much. You may feel the XT is the way to go, great, or you may like the 2.0 just fine. All of this is just my opinion, naturally, no need to get the flamethrowers out.

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MSA Classic D-10 8+4, Sierra U-14 8+5, Sierra S-10 3+4, BMI S-10 3+4 plus assorted six-stringers;
Peavey LTD 400, Line6 Pod 2.0 + Ampeg BA 112, '64 Fender Deluxe Reverb, '69 Dual Showman Reverb + EVM Cabinet

Opinions always vary, but ignoring the "extras" on the XT - I still find the quality of the clean amp modeling, and headroom to be just what it is - the next iteration of amp modeling. With each "new" version, or model, of anything - you expect a better level of performance, and I hear a difference that I like.

I also think that being able to access all of the XT's parameters on the unit itself, without having to use the computer editing software is a selling point too - for on the job tweaks.

In the end, these are just our individual opinions, and I don't mean to bash any other's opinions when I "talk up" the XT. In the end, go with what you think, and find what works for you.

Good luck,

David Spires

I'm not sitting in front of my XT, but I use the Jazz Clean amp model (Roland Jazz Chorus Amp) for all my clean stuff, with the drive set at the lowest, bass around 9'o'clock, mids - I have really been experimenting with, but lately at 1 o'clock, treble around 10 o'clock, and presence at 8 or 9 o'clock (this is just off memory - so, I hope I am close!).

I think I am using the U67 mic model, and been playing with more room - 50%?.

I use a touch of compression - a couple dB, and use the gain of the compressor to get my volume level back up some, since the drive is set so low.

Delay - 361ms, all mixed to the left, 15% feedback, mixed at 15-22%.

Reverbs - been messing with a lot, from chamber to vintage plate...

I love using the TubeScreamer model on the Stomp button for overdriven slide steel... like Paul's work in Jo Dee's song "Downtime". I love that thing!

I hope that helps a little, but your volume pedal, pickups, and guitar can make so much difference too.

Gere - good luck! My basic advice is that there are many ways to hook the POD up to your 112. If you want the POD to "do it all", which is what I do - connect it to the "power amp in" on the 112, and set the destination of the XT to direct, or power amp. If you want to use the tone controls of the 112, you might want to bypass the amp modeling all together, and use the XT as an effects unit instead. Either way you go, you have to get the volume/destination/gain structures set right, or it may not sound the way you want.

Probably too much advice... Let me know if I can help.

Just another gear-head,

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

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MSA Classic D-10 8+4, Sierra U-14 8+5, Sierra S-10 3+4, BMI S-10 3+4 plus assorted six-stringers;
Peavey LTD 400, Line6 Pod 2.0 + Ampeg BA 112, '64 Fender Deluxe Reverb, '69 Dual Showman Reverb + EVM Cabinet

I am aware of all the "hidden" drive settings, and how to turn them down on the 2.0 - but I experienced exactly what you have.

Now, it may be that with the different levels of pickup output, and with the active volume pedals a lot of us use, that I/we still overdrive the front end of the 2.0, where another player's gear doesn't inherently drive it as hard.

Dave is right though, if you haven't learned how to turn the drive down on the computer editing software, or through extra button manipulations, you may not have it setup as optimally as you could.

Best of luck,

As I told Terry in my email, my Sierra 14 3-way pickup has a very hot setting (wound to 26K), no problems overdriving the Pod 2 with the settings I sent. But one does need to make sure "Black Panel #2", not #1, is set and the "Drive Boost" is off, a lot of the pre-fab settings have it on. I recommend starting out in 'Manual Mode' to avoid this.

One thing to keep in mind, these boxes (including 2.0 and XT) were really designed with the typical electric guitarist in mind, not steel players. Sometimes I need to circumvent 'features' to get the steel tone I want. Ultimately, I'd have a hard time with this if I didn't use SoundDiver (or Line6 Edit for XT) software to do the DeepEditing. I've had real good luck with this, but I acknowledge this may not work for everybody. I admit, I'm more of a techno-geek than the average guy.

The good part of the 2.0 is that they can be picked up used even more cheaply than I stated earlier. On ebay, almost all the items listed (that have bids) are $100 or lower. On the other hand, that level for Pod XT is more like $250, might as well buy a new one right now. Note that I'm emphatically not against the XT, I'm just waiting until they have serious steel amp models, the subject of a different thread.

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

This is one I've been using with my Carter D-10. Seems real clean, a touch brighter than some of the steel tones I've tried. I borrowed David Spires's delay settings for this - credit where credit's due, really like those stereo delay settings David, thank you.

Built around a Fender twin model. Sometimes use it set to "live 2x12" as well as normal output. Adjust the tone controls to taste. Works nice with my Tele too.
http://www.dataeclipse.com/tdiemer/steel.l6t

[This message was edited by Tom Diemer on 11 March 2005 at 04:36 PM.]

I spent quite a bit of time with the 2.0 and my computer and never could get rid of the harmonic distortion -- whenever playing two or more notes together and ascending or descending a harmonic artifact would be heard going in the OPPOSITE direction of my slide. This is enough to rule out the POD 2.0 for the clean ShoBud sounds I crave.

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

I use mine as an effect processor between the volume pedal and the amp.

Use the Line 6 Edit program to load them into your POD XT.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/jstoner1

Terry

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Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord