Playing live without an amp.....using what?

Bronson Bergeson · Post by **Bronson Bergeson** » 27 Apr 2012 11:42 pm

Looking to see if anyone is playing live without an amp and what they're using. We're using in-ear monitors obviously and I'm looking to get by with an easy setup as I'm only playing 4-6 songs a night with it. I've tried a pocket POD but its sounding a bit thin.

Thanks in advance.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 27 Apr 2012 11:52 pm

Were I in your shoes, I think I'd take it as a rationalization to get one of Brad's Revelation preamps.
If the only issue is a thin tone, you could throw an EQ before your pod.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 28 Apr 2012 2:53 am

The best unit for that is the PODXT ,

Post by **Joey Ace** » 28 Apr 2012 2:59 am

I agree with the PODxt.

With a great monitor mix it's all I need for medium to large shows.

The only reason I use an amp is we often depend on others for the monitor mix, no IEMs, and you can never be sure what you get.

When I know the sound tech, and what he has to offer, I'll just use the PODxt.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 28 Apr 2012 5:59 pm

I played in a church band for several years using in-ear monitors, and no amp. I used an old Digitech 2112 preamp/effects unit, but I recently replaced those with Line 6 POD HD's, so that's what I would use in the same situation now.

Steve Schmidt · Post by **Steve Schmidt** » 28 Apr 2012 6:07 pm

For those of you that are using the Pod XT, I am in the same situation and I just picked up a used Pod XT and would like to use it in church and not bring my amp. Are you using any amp models? If so, what are you using and what cabinets are you using?

Do you have any tips on setting this up?

thank you in advance

steve

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 29 Apr 2012 7:19 am

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ight=podxt

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ight=podxt

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ight=podxt

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ight=podxt

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ight=podxt

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 29 Apr 2012 12:52 pm

Bronson,

I play live without an amp and run the set up pictured below. Thinking of going with the pod just to see if it might sound better although I am very pleased with the sound I have right now.

Can't seem to find the POD XT, anybody have a link for it or maybe suggest a model of the Pod that would work well for pedal steel?

Here's the set up I use, Ollie suggested the tech 21 Blonde and it works tremendously well.

Keith

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 29 Apr 2012 5:36 pm

Any of the POD's except the first generation will work well for steel, the first ones did not have a decent clean setting, this was fixed with the POD XT. Check eBay to see what you can find...

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 29 Apr 2012 5:53 pm

Thanks Dave, this is the one I'm looking at right now.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... 2000000000

Don't mean to hijack this thread Bronson, basically looking for the same info as you.

Keith

Bronson Bergeson · Post by **Bronson Bergeson** » 29 Apr 2012 7:29 pm

Thanks everyone, I think I'm gonna give the POD XT a try. Found a used one for $75. If anyone has any settings they'd like to share I think a couple of us would be grateful.

Steve, you should stop on out to The Lookout in Maple Grove or JR's Outpost on a Thursday as our band (The Hell Country Truckers) host a country jam at each one every opposing week. I honk straight into a NV112 with that group so no need for IEMs.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 29 Apr 2012 11:06 pm

PodXT...you bet. I've been using one for recording, and it sounds really nice.
65 Twin modeling, with a 2-12" cabinet model...a little reverb, a little delay, recorded in stereo.
Big sound and no amp to schlep. What's not to like?

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 30 Apr 2012 4:36 am

I've used a PODxt since they came out and used ones are dirt cheap now BUT if you want to take the next step up...the POD HD is even better.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 30 Apr 2012 6:59 am

Skip Edwards wrote:PodXT...you bet. I've been using one for recording, and it sounds really nice.
65 Twin modeling, with a 2-12" cabinet model...a little reverb, a little delay, recorded in stereo.
Big sound and no amp to schlep. What's not to like?

Do you use a buffer amp?
PodXT has no efx loop (PodXT Pro has one.) This is one of my complaints about the Pods. So you can't put your volume pedal after some efx and before others.
Actually you could, if you control volume in software with an expression pedal.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 30 Apr 2012 9:12 am

Hey Earnest...
No, I'm not using any buffer. I'm running from the VP, straight into the Pod. It's working for me...

Andy Zahnd · Post by **Andy Zahnd** » 30 Apr 2012 9:23 am

Not beeing to picky ---
I never was happy with any of the POD's. Also the XT was not what I was looking for... I surched/resurched for along time and found it...
I just got my Telonic Preamp/Amp... I tried it straight to the PA over the DI out, was using the monitors to get some off my playing, tested my inear and I have to say... that Telonic preamp worth every penny I spend! That's so strange... what I hear is more a tubeamp then a preamp over the mixboard back to the monitor/inear. Guys, if you realy looking for the best.... Telonic has it! I never will do a gig anymore without this preamp!!!!

Jerry Kippola · Post by **Jerry Kippola** » 30 Apr 2012 1:20 pm

If u want to sound like a million others, get the pod xt. If you want the sound of you + your steel, get a Demeter tube direct box.

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 30 Apr 2012 1:25 pm

Any of you guys ever used an ADesigns REDDI for steel DI chores? It is an absolute hands-down monster size wise, (pricey, too) but the tone coming out of that will make pretty much everything else in the under $1000 category pale in comparison. They are almost bullet proof as well, ready for the road.

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 1 May 2012 2:12 pm

Ken, went to the site and checked it out. Looks real interesting. On the Canadian site for $715 USD with free shipping which is not bad as it weighs 10lbs.

http://www.economik.com/products/shop-b ... a-designs/

Do you have one of these for your steel? Any sound clips running direct?

Keith

Boo Bernstein · Post by **Boo Bernstein** » 2 May 2012 11:44 am

I perform in Mexico quite a bit and the backline is always questionable at best. I eventually just started going direct. I switch between a POD XT (which works well) or this little pedalboard that I put together. (I sometimes switch the delay to a different pedal.) Very simple, easy to dial in and small enough to fit in my backpack.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 2 May 2012 5:30 pm

This has worked pretty well for the last 15yrs.

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 3 May 2012 4:19 am

I'm not a steel player (no gunfire, please) but an audio engineer/producer/guitarist/rabble rouser in general I've had a REDDI since they were introduced, and worked with Peter Montessi in some design things.

I'll bring mine out this weekend, and ask the one and only Shady Mitchell (with whom I work, a dear friend) to share his thoughts. If a clip is possible, I'll post or send it to you.

Keith Davidson wrote:Ken, went to the site and checked it out. Looks real interesting. On the Canadian site for $715 USD with free shipping which is not bad as it weighs 10lbs.

http://www.economik.com/products/shop-b ... a-designs/

Do you have one of these for your steel? Any sound clips running direct?

Keith

Keith Davidson · Post by **Keith Davidson** » 3 May 2012 5:39 am

That would be great Ken, thanks so much. Could you also include the signal chain as well if you get a sound clip?

Will be pretty cool to hear this.

Thanks again,

Keith

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 3 May 2012 9:55 am

Ken Morgan wrote:Any of you guys ever used an ADesigns REDDI for steel DI chores?

I've been using my TubeWorks 4001 DI. I'm guessing it's similar to the REDDI

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 3 May 2012 9:59 am

Bronson, are you guys at "The Lookout" tonight or next weeK?