POD XT - Tips and Tricks - Problems and Solution

Bob Lawrence · From: Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada

Santa thought that I was good all off last year and dropped off a POD XT to me for Xmas. I guess he doesn't know everything.

It is a great little unit which includes such a proliferation of options and settings that I thought that it would be handy to post any tips, tricks, problems, solutions, etc all in one thread. I am sure that all of us would appreciate it if you keep to the topic at hand when posting and provide info for only the POD XT and not any other models or units. This will provide a condensed thread of helpful info for all that are interested.

Simply stated the POD XT is a tone toolbox. It can be used as a Direct Box for recording or for playing live through a PA, Digital In/Out recording via USB for a computer, a Chromatic Tuner, a Guitar effects unit, (For example: Distortion, Compressor, Chorus, Flanger and many others as well.)a Amplifier modeling unit,a Cabinet modeling unit, front-end tone shaping for use with amplifiers, Virtual microphones, etc... all in one package. For more info about the POD XT and it's features you can try the link below from Line 6:
http://www.line6.com/podxt/index.htm

There are several other threads of helpful info but it takes allot of reading to get a few tips. For example, here is a great tip from David Spires:

"I have found the best amp model for me is the Jazz Clean amp (the Twin Reverb model still has too much drive for the really clean stuff)."
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTML/003216.html

I was using the Tube Preamp feature through a PA at the time that I read his post. It sounded Ok but the volume level (at lower levels) was very erratic. Thanks! David. I will try the Jazz Clean Amp settings at the pub later today.

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Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Congrats on the new gear. I won't tell Santa on you.
I was pissed of when this came out because I'm using (and liking) my Pod 2.3 and I don't want to have to be thinking about newer and better.
I'm curious to know how much of the user interface and the actual internal architecture of the XT is similar or identical to the 2. I don't want to be sharing tips and observations about carburetors when y'all are using fuel injection (if you catch my drift.) But I'll say that I'm getting some real good sound from my Pod live into the rear of an Evans.

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

Hi Bob,
I'll try to post my latest settings tonight.

Jon,
The XT is supposed to be based on the Vetta amp modeling, so people are saying that the amp models do sound different than the Pod 2. The XT has a lower noise floor, and the Jazz Clean amp will give me a very clean sound (where the Twin sim still wants to break-up on the front end). The effects choices are more extensive, and I think of better quality. Everyone's ears are different. If you like the 2.3, keep using it and wait for the price to drop on the XT in the future...

Thanks,

Dave

[This message was edited by David Spires on 06 January 2003 at 11:41 AM.]

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Thanks for the info, Dave. We're both doing the Carter-to-Pod thing and I'll venture to say that we sound totally different which is how it ought to be. I can say that you have a great sound--I heard you online from St.Louis--but I don't believe you were using the Pod back then. Myself, I'm not so concerned with ultra-clean so the Fender stuff works well for me. One comment for someone who recently complained of a 'sterile' sound---I got past my assumption that my patches had to be dead-clean. I pushed the Drive control (the manual equates this not with 'overdrive' but rather as analogous to the channel volume knob on the Fender). This gives me a slightly throaty, fatter sound that I like (in other words, tubey). I also make sure to keep the volume pedal in the 50%-80% range, only pushing it to milk sustain. This keeps the Pod under control.

Bob Lawrence · From: Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada

Jon:

Sorry, but I can't help you with your question. This is my first POD experience. You could check out the message system at the line 6 site. I'd bet that someone has answered that question by now.

David:

Thanks for the info. I look forward to seeing what your settings are. I tried the Jazz Clean Amp setting with some digital delay, at the Pub on Sunday and it sounded fine. I was getting a little intermitting distortion but I believe the problem is with my Evans amp (playing with the drive on the POD had no effect on the distortion). The amp needs to go in for repair. Hopefully the distortion wasn't going through the PA.

Intermitting problems like that are hard to solve. You sounded great in St. Louis with your rack system. It sure would be great if you could get close to that sound with a POD.

Bob

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Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Dave, it would be great if you could post your settings. I have a pod out on trial from the local music store and i`m going to give it a good work out over the next few days.

Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Well i`ve used it for recording and think it`s great. Here`s the settings I used.
Amp. #28 Jazz Clean, Drive=0, Bass=7.5, Mid=5, Treble=6.5, Pres=6, Chan Vol=9.
Cab. #16 4x10 Tweed.
FX. #53 Tube Echo set at 17 with tap tempo set fast.
Mic. 57 off Axis.
I did not use the reverb of the Pod for recording I added some studio reverb afterwards. Once I have done a few live gigs using the reverb I will post again.

Bob Lawrence · From: Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada

Allan,

I tried your settings (very close) and recorded my Emmons PP into a Boss BR1180 CD. It sounded great. Nice and clean with lots of warmth.

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David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

Well, I finally got around to the settings I am working with right now. Remember, my signal chain is Carter with George L E-66 pickup, old MatchBro (with steel tone control about 25% from full treble), Goodrich Pedal (who knows what model #) to POD XT. I also use the Destination on "Direct" for all uses...

Direct Recording Setting - to Line In on my board:

Amp 28: Jazz Clean
Drive 0
Bass 10
Mid 6
Treble 4
Presence 2.5
Channel Volume 10
Reverb 5
Output 9
Cabinet 13: 2x12 Jazz
Mic 3: 421 Dynamic @ 10% Room
Compressor ON
Threshold 0
Gain +20dB
Gate ON
Threshold -90dB
Decay 22%
Delay ON
Model Stereo
Time 361ms
Offset 0%
Mix 22%
Feedback L 15%
Feedback R 0%
Post Setting
Reverb Model: Vintage Plate
Pre 80%
Decay 50%
Tone 80%

I am trying the same settings for live, into my DPC 1000 power amp and Nashville 112E enclosures with the following adjustments:

Bass 8
Mid 4
Presence 3.5
Output 5
No Cabinet

I am really trying to get this thing equal to my rack rig. I love my rack, but I just want something less noisy and smaller - and the XT is that. I'm driving myself crazy though trying to tone match. Right now, I am OK with using the POD for a showcase, or in the demo studios. However, if it was St. Louis or in front of Paul Franklin, I would still go to my full rig.

I just got a 10 band EQ pedal to try and further shape the XT's tone, but I'm not sure if it is helping. I hope these settings help someone! I think I am about to go nuts... Time for a vacation.

Thanks,

Dave

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · From: Denham Springs, LA. USA

Hey David,, all that tone is in your hands or at least that's what I been hearing a lot of people say, Ha ha

Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

I have noticed that when using a Hilton VP, I have had to adjust gain and tone on the botton of the pedal to reduce gain and roll off some highs.

I am using it straight into a WEBB 6-14e amp.

Until adjusting the Hilton, I had the Treble almost rolled off on my Webb.

After trial and error I have got it dialed in to my ears the way I want it to sound.

The PODxt is an awesome unit and I have only scratched the surface of its potential.

Hope this helps someone out there in Steel Guitar Land!

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Tim Harr
Carter D-10 8p & 9k w/ BL-705s, Hilton pedal, PODxt, Webb 6-14E Amplifier

http://groups.msn.com/TimHarrWebPage/yourwebpage.msnw

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