Pocket Pod
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Darvin Willhoite
- Posts: 5715
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Roxton, Tx. USA
Pocket Pod
Is anyone on here using one of these for guitar or steel either? If so, what is your overall opinion of the unit?
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
-
- Posts: 254
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Henderson, KY, USA
I have been using one for only a short time for both steel and 6-string. I've stuck primarily to the delay, compression and EQ to this point. I'm relatively satisfied. The price:performance ratio is reasonable for me. I like the ability to program it using the computer and USB. I agree that it is difficult to use live. Small buttons, small display make it tough for stubby fingers and old eyes.
I am also trying the tube preamp setting for my acoustic instrument pickups - but have not tried those outside of my basement yet.
Eric - could you expand on why you don't like the reverb?
I am also trying the tube preamp setting for my acoustic instrument pickups - but have not tried those outside of my basement yet.
Eric - could you expand on why you don't like the reverb?
- DALE WHITENER
- Posts: 629
- Joined: 10 Nov 1999 1:01 am
- Location: TRINITY,NC USA
-
- Posts: 6895
- Joined: 15 Nov 2002 1:01 am
- Location: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
- Contact:
- Dave Mudgett
- Moderator
- Posts: 9648
- Joined: 16 Jul 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
To expand on what Eric states, the Pocket Pod is based on the recent version of the Pod 2 - they changed the DSP chip for the Pod 2 in the last couple of years from the original Pod 2 DSP chip. I've tried both the recent Pod 2 and Pocket Pod now, and the spring reverb is very grainy and "boingy", as he says.
My point is that - if you have used an older Pod 2 and liked the reverb (I do - I consider it largely comparable to something like a Holy Grail), don't necessarily expect the reverb on the newer Pod 2 or Pocket Pod to be the same. They are very significantly different, to my ears.
On any of these Pod 2 based units, I have found it possible to get away from the distorted patches. But to get the clean sounds I want, I generally need to edit the factory patches. I usually just go in and "deep edit" them to get the full range of parameters. Some of them have "Boost" switches that are best edited in "deep edit" mode. I have to admit that I never got very far into testing the Pocket Pod - for me, really bad-sounding reverb is a showstopper.
Of course, that's all just my opinion. YMMV and all that.
My point is that - if you have used an older Pod 2 and liked the reverb (I do - I consider it largely comparable to something like a Holy Grail), don't necessarily expect the reverb on the newer Pod 2 or Pocket Pod to be the same. They are very significantly different, to my ears.
On any of these Pod 2 based units, I have found it possible to get away from the distorted patches. But to get the clean sounds I want, I generally need to edit the factory patches. I usually just go in and "deep edit" them to get the full range of parameters. Some of them have "Boost" switches that are best edited in "deep edit" mode. I have to admit that I never got very far into testing the Pocket Pod - for me, really bad-sounding reverb is a showstopper.
Of course, that's all just my opinion. YMMV and all that.
- Jack Stoner
- Posts: 22087
- Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
- Location: Kansas City, MO
-
- Posts: 254
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Henderson, KY, USA
I like it VERY much for what it is. Cheap portable earplug amp / jam session effects rack, even a passable telecaster stereo pod 2.x.
It does have it's drawbacks and I have a Podxt I use for one nighters and an xtLive for Sit Down ( THAT'S WEEKENDS ANYMORE FOR THOSE OF YOU IN Los Gatos..) gigs.
The xts have the only "perfect" settings, and capabilities. Especially the xtLive with a compressor BEFORE the VP when you're using it for tele.
Like I said. I like the Pocket pod for what it is.
EJL
It does have it's drawbacks and I have a Podxt I use for one nighters and an xtLive for Sit Down ( THAT'S WEEKENDS ANYMORE FOR THOSE OF YOU IN Los Gatos..) gigs.
The xts have the only "perfect" settings, and capabilities. Especially the xtLive with a compressor BEFORE the VP when you're using it for tele.
Like I said. I like the Pocket pod for what it is.
EJL