I picked me up a POD XT Live!
Home > Home Recording Forum > Gear Gab > I picked me up a POD XT Live!
Posted on Mar 15, 2007 11:12 am
BeerHunter
www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member Since: Feb 07, 2005
I walked into the local music shop yesterday intending to buy a Boss delay pedal. Then I saw a Boss compressor and a few other Boss pedals that I'd like to buy. Anyways, I started pricing out what my ideal pedal rig would cost. I figured that I would want about 6 Boss pedals, a pedal board and wiring kit. Well, the pedals cost about $100 - $120 each (CDN), the board was about $150 and the wiring kit was $89. Grand total on this setup would be just under a grand. So while I'm fighting off the GAS attack I'm looking around at other options. Well, it didn't take too long for me to decide that the analog pedal route wasn't really for me but this was just what I needed to compliment my setup. Anyways, in the tradition of GAS, I walked in intending to buy a Boss pedal at $120 and walked out with $500 POD XT Live!
I have messed around with it for a few hours at band practice last night and I must say, I love this unit. I have it connected to my computer via USB and the analog out goes to my rack. This allows me to blend a digital signal with a mic'd up amp AND a blend to my PA in stereo! It sounds incredible. One feature that I like is the ability to download patches from the web and have them update the XTL almost immediately. Sweet, sweet unit. I can tell I'm going to be busy for awhile!
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Mar 15, 2007 11:36 am A coworker of mine has the POD xt Live as well and loves it. Good score for ya. I have hated pedals for years...just creates lots of cables, pedals are typically noisier...one multi-unit will always get before a pedal does. Even if the pedal sounds a little better, with the convenience and noize factors considered I always lean toward multi-units...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 12:42 pm Sweet. I wish they had that one out when I was looking. I got the GT-6 instead, and am always 'looking over the fence' so to speak.
Sounds like the xt live is a lot easier to work with, connection wise, and software wise.
Good score.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 15, 2007 12:48 pm It has a VST plugin which works great along with the stand alone software. I like the fact that I can tweak the sounds via the plug-in and have them automatically saved to the pedal unit. Programming the patches and access to the patches is a breeze. I'm kicking myself for not doing this sooner.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 12:57 pm ach, yer killing me. the '6 does the patch tweaking fairly nice, but it's not realtime. you have to change things, then save, and the 6 updates. Almost realtime.
If I could trade up for little $$$, I'd do it, but I don't think the 6's are getting much these days.
ah well, it's still pretty nice, and does what I need it to do.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 15, 2007 01:27 pm pjk, the GT6 is suppose to be a great unit as well. Certainly nothing to shake a stick at. There are getting to be quite a few multi effects floor units out there now. I looked at a few before deciding on the XTL. They had a GT-8 there as well as a Zoom version and a GNX4. They all seem to do pretty much the same thing. What sold me on the XTL was that my band mate has had a POD 2 forever it seems and he is getting great sounds from it. The second reason was the amount of free patches that are available on the Line6 site. I have done my share of manual programming before and a big selling feature was not having to input the patch info manually. Well, that and the messy setup I had before was really starting to get anoying.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 02:37 pm Yeah, it's pretty nice. I've been happy with it, but not as happy as I could be, I think.
I think I'm not working with it as much as I should, so there's more I could get from it. Though I do a lot of crazy things with it.
The GT-8 came out like 6 months after I got the 6, so I was kinda dejected about that.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 05:12 pm Okay, now I'm in a bad mood.... (congrats, by the way, on your POD).
I've been lusting after those things since they came out, but I've also been looking at those Boss units too....what do I do?
Not being a 'real' guitarist, I've seen it as a bit of an extravagance, and I've been trying to get along with my cheapo Digitech RP80 and my Tri-AC. Now I'm getting to a stage where I need something more, and the POD/Boss thing has been so tantalizing. Then there's the POD Bass package, which intrigues me....it might replace my ageing ART BCC.
Curse you all, you've got me itching to spend money again....
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 05:14 pm As Mr. Jackson says,
"It won't take long, it'll just take money."
and, of course, permission from 'er indoors!
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 15, 2007 05:27 pm Hey TC, I have a RP50 that had been getting me by but the limitations started to get the best of me. The problem that I have with my RP50 is that if you need to move from let say patch #1 to patch #10 you have to stomp through the other patches to get to it and you hear them as it passes through. EG; if one of the patches that you are passing through has a phaser on it you hear a swoosh as you pass by it. If the two patches are side by side and you accidently hold the pedal down for a moment too long it skips right passed it. The other headache I had with it is that programming it sucked. Takes way too long fumbling through the menu system. These issues plus the fact that sound quality wasn't that great was a big factor that lead to this purchase. Athough we are not gigging we are rehearsing and my previous setup was not intended to be played live. Now thankfully I can play live.
I also like the fact that it has a VST plugin so as I'm tweaking my dry track to get the sound that I'm happy with I can easily save that to the XTL and be able to recall the exact sound when playing live. That is a hell of a lot easier than finding a sound that I like and then trying to recreate it using the gear I had.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 06:13 pm Hmm...I don't gig anymore, so I never need to roll between patches, but I know where you're coming from.
I'm also getting kinda tired of the little dance I do every time I change from guitar to guitar to bass to guitar. I try to get different sounds every time (to keep life interesting), so I shuffle through different pedals/DI/effects etc. with all the guitar, patch and 9v cords (I keep one 9vAC, and two 9vDC power cord adapters 'live' on my desk so I can just slip in a new pedal and plug in). If I had the POD XT with the Bass package, I could just plug in my guitar or bass and have at it.....
Dammit, now I'm getting riled....
Quote: I can easily save that to the XTL and be able to recall the exact sound when playing live
That alone is worth the price of admission!
I also love the idea of recording dry and using a VST to modify the sounds....
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Mar 15, 2007 08:35 pm Congrads BH !
I have a question 'bout that unit, if you will...
When you change patches, does it allow a delay from the first patch to 'finish' before it 'connects' with the next ?
DiemusikString benderMember
Since: Unknown
Mar 15, 2007 10:33 pm Congrats on the gear Beerhunter! Man I love my XT Live too. Such great sounds and so easy to use. I dont really play live anymore but I got the XTL because I still have that foot control mentality from playing live!
Hey Hue, Actually this thing is pretty instant from patch to patch which was another factor for me because I didnt like the delay I had on my older digitech unit.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 16, 2007 01:28 am Hey Hue, when switching from bank to bank it doesn't engage the next patch until you stomp on one of A,B,C or D pedals and it is instant. I hated that on my Digi pedal and it was reason enough to replace it.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Mar 16, 2007 06:48 pm BTW: Kudos to PJK for the 'er indoors catch.
Nice....
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm BeerHunter, make sure you get all the updates by using the Line 6 Monkey. It will automatically update itself and then update your drivers and the firmware for the XT as well. And yes, the expansion packs are well worth the money. I have my POD xt fully loaded and love it. And I have the bass pack in the UX-2 and it is killer. But using the Gearbox software is killer and you can set that thing up for different sets as stated above. I just keep mine loaded with the factory stuff and simply load up what I need right from the PC for my custom patches. And tweaking the thing with the Gearbox software is the only way to fly if ya ask me. It sure beats the heck out of editing with the little window.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 20, 2007 10:41 am Hey Noise, ya, I have been using the Line 6 Monkey for the updates. The unit I have right now is on loan until my NIB one comes in. I had an issue with it though where it seemed that the pots were dirty on my guitar. As I turned up the volume I would get static. I ended up flashing the firmware and all was well afterwards so I'm not sure what that was all about.
The Gearbox software is really awesome. I like the way you can tweak away and then simply save it to the XLT. So much easier to get consistant sound. Even levelling the volume on all the patches didn't take long at all.
I'm very happy with this purchase. Probably the best purchase I've made to eliminate a lot of hassles.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 20, 2007 07:44 pm Ya, I rarely use the volume pot on my guitars at all. I have an FBV with my POD xt and it has the volume and wah right on it. I think the Line 6 Live has 2 pedals on it as well does it not?
I've never had that issue happen yet to me with either the POD xt or the UX-2 running Gearbox.
But hell ya, I love having two tons of patches to run through for any sound I so desire. Only problem with that is searching through them to find the exact one I want. That or tweaking ten of the same identical patch. I think I'm going to try and organize them by type into separate user folders in the main user folder.
Mar 21, 2007 10:03 am Congrats!! I bought one of these about a year ago and it's probably the best purchase I've made in 15 years of playing guitar. If you really want to have fun get one of their Variax guitars to go w/ it... nothing like being able to change guitars and amps on the fly. I've heard complaints about them but mine has never had a problem.
Mar 26, 2007 12:02 am Good luck with your new purchase, the line6 edit software is great and with all the model packs the tones are endless.
Shane
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 26, 2007 06:09 am i've loved my XT that i've had for a few years now, along with the Variax that i just got , i can craft about any sound i can think of , line 6 rocks.
Mar 26, 2007 06:48 am You got a Variax now too? Cool. With the weather getting nice I was strolling around my yard this weekend with the Variax flung over my shoulder, felt great...outdoors, guitar, beer and a bonfire...
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 26, 2007 07:30 am oh yeah a got a lefty 500 about a week ago. the sucker rocks , even though i still need to mess with the set up a little ( a little high for me, but it works for the acoustic models) . I like messing with the sitar.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Mar 26, 2007 02:56 pm I'd love to add the Variax to my collection but I simply can't afford it right now. My understanding is that it really makes the XTL come to life.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Mar 26, 2007 09:41 pm i guess you could say the are made for each other ..
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
Apr 03, 2007 09:12 am My local Guitar Center is selling the PODXT Live for $400 right now. I may have to take a serious look into this.
Apr 03, 2007 08:01 pm Hey Beer Hunter, I have a POD XT Live, a great unit.
This is an amazing thread from the old Line6 forums. Full of user created bundles (64 tone sets)
line6.com/cgi-bin/ultimat...=3&t=016178
mclir9, are you in the US ? POD XTL retails for $399 and you should be able to find it for less.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Apr 03, 2007 08:23 pm Thanks Tony. I have a few of these bundles already. There is another similar thread somewhere on the Line6 site. Gonna grab the ones I don't have. I love messing around with these but it is so adicting! You know, too many late nights and such.
BTW - best deal in Canada I could find was $465.
GregorMember
Since: Jan 08, 2004
Apr 03, 2007 09:56 pm Yeah I got one a couple months ago. I love it!! I would like to get a Variax as well but probably later as the wife would kill me if I spent that (income tax refund)money on a guitar. :)
