Line 6 PODxt Review

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(More customer reviews)This Line 6 Podxt is awesome and I have just started playing with it. I am sure there is so much things this Podxt can do I have just not discovered yet. It can give a direct studio recording or use it live or hook it straight to your desktop through a USB port. I can make it sound like my old Univox amp or I can make modern synth effects great for playing Industrial or make your own sounds. I even hooked my mic and made some great vocal effects as well.

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The incredible sonic flexibility and quality of the original POD® is now super-charged. Get PODXT and you'll have Line 6's newest generation amp and cab models as found in our flagship Vetta amplifier. Combine that with over 60 classic stompbox and effect models, including hand-picked selections from our award-winning stompbox modeler series. Route the effects stompbox-style before the amp, or run 'em after. You want to put your fuzz through a tape delay and run it all in front of a small tweed amp? How about a lumpy vibe in to a high-powered "treadplate" head with a 1x8 speaker cab miked off-axis and dressed up with stereo delays? You're only scratching the surface.
But wait - there's more! PODXT has our newest-generation A.I.R. II cabinet/microphone modeling which allows you to choose from 4 different classic mic models and even adjust how much of the room sound you hear! There's even a dedicated studio-quality compressor. Add a bit of verb (spring, plate, hall or room) and now you're ready to track.
PODXT even has a USB digital in/out for direct digital computer recording. And its flash-based memory means easy upgrades to keep your PODXT on the cutting edge.
With 128 user/factory presets, many based on some of the most popular guitar songs ever recorded, you'll have instant access to an unbelievable collection of classic guitar rigs. Imagine the sonic possibilities of having all the coolest amps, cabs, mics, stompboxes, and studio reverbs all tweaked, wired-up, and ready to go.
Based on the most prized amplifiers in the history of guitar, PODXT Live features 42 classic and modern amp models and 24 cab models, all run through 4 incredibly precise and dynamic microphone model options to provide a complete tonal palette for any type of live gig or studio session. This amazing collection of Line 6® Amp Models has been used on countless hit recordings and tours and is now on the floor at your disposal.
Amplifier Models Inspiration never comes easy. When you're creating your music, the last thing you want to do is fight with your gear for the right tone. With POD® XT, finding that elusive tone is easy.
PODXT is the next generation in the Line 6® POD® family and sets a new standard for guitar tone. We've amassed a dream collection of the most popular amplifiers and meticulously measured and analyzed every tonal aspect to bring you their amazing sonic signatures. PODXT features 42 groundbreaking amp models built from the award-winning technology found in our flagship Vetta™ amplifier.
Cabinet and Microphone Models PODXT features 24 models of the most historic speaker cabinets ever built. From modern to vintage, you'll have the ultimate collection. And it doesn’t stop there. PODXT has our newest-generation A.I.R. II cabinet/microphone modeling which allows you to choose from 4 different classic mic models and even adjust the position of the mic and how much of the room you hear. PODXT's ability to mix and match speakers cabinets and mics will help you find the vibe that you're looking for.
Stompbox and Studio Effects POD® XT packs 50 stunningly-crafted models of classic stompbox and studio effects. Many of these effects are based on* highly sought after classics like the Octavia, Big Muff Pi®, Uni-Vibe, and CE-1 Chorus Ensemble.
And with flexible routing, you can mix and match up to 6 of these effects simultaneously. Now you've got an arsenal of tools to that will blow away even the most jaded guitarists and producers.
Chromatic Tuner While not as glamorous as all those nifty effects, every guitar player who’s come within two feet of a tremolo can’t live without a tuner. PODXT’s built-in Chromatic Tuner offers precision tuning at the touch of a button. Audio Mute or Bypass options with an adjustable tuning reference are featured as well as hands-free operation when used with the FBV series foot controllers.
Precision Chromatic Tuning
Audio Mute
Bypass
Hands-free Operation (with optional FBV-series foot controllers Check them out here!)

Ins and OutsPOD® XT is equipped to handle today’s guitar recording needs. Our 24-bit converters and 32-bit floating point processing create a killer tone, delivered through +4dBu balanced or -10dBV unbalanced 1/4 inch connectors. Or go digital with PODXT’s USB digital audio in and out for the most incredible tone available. MIDI lets you automate every move and our optional FBV generation foot controllers let you do it all with your feet. PODXT also comes with a high-power headphone output for silent jamming.

Creating Your Perfect Tone
While the presets, many of which are song based, are a great place to start looking for a great tone, sometimes you just want to roll your own. Critical tone controls are available as knobs on the main panel, but POD® XT also offers an intuitive, incredibly easy to use screen display for deep patch editing, where any tone shaping parameter is easily accessed and changed to generate your own sonic character.
Above the PODXT's display you'll find 5 effect on/off buttons where you can instantaneously defeat or enable stompboxes or rack-type effects. Double pressing each button allows you to edit the effects settings. Single pressing seamlessly switches the effect on or off.
Comp (Gate) This button accesses our model of a highly sought-after LA-2A® COMPRESSOR, as well as a lightning-fast NOISE GATE. You'll find a fully-adjustable threshold for each, as well as a completely variable decay time for the gate.
Stomp This is where PODXT's STOMPBOXES and vintage distortion models live. There are 10 classic stompboxes ranging from light overdrives, heavy distortions, and psychedelic 60's fuzzes. Whichever one you choose, you'll have complete control over the Drive, Gain and Tone knobs.
Mod PODXT comes with all the classic flavors of MODULATION like Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Rotary and Vibe. Chorus like Andy, flange like Eddie, vibe like Jimi... it's all there.
Delay PODXT has faithful models of vintage tape echoes to modern marvels like tap-tempo stereo ping-pongs. You can adjust the delay time in milliseconds or by any note value you choose. Just like the original POD™, you can easily TAP in a song's tempo, and now you also have tap tempo control over modulation speeds. Imagine changing the speed of your tremolo along with your delay time right from the front panel - or via your foot using the optional FBV Shortboard.
Cab/AIR To top it off you can mix and match speaker cabinets, microphones (and even mic placement!) in the CABINET section. PODXT's next generation speaker cabinet models include all the historic speaker types you've come to know and love. You'll swear you're hearing the paint rattle off the studio walls thanks to Line 6's all new A.I.R. II technology.
Reverb PODXT gives you a full-time reverb knob just like your old standby. But in addition to the authentic spring tanks, you now have everything from vintage Plate reverbs to cavernous Halls.
* All product names used in this webpage are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound model development.

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BBE Maxcom Sonic Maximizer; Dual Channel Compressor / Limiter / Gate with Full Featured Sonic Maximizer Review

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(More customer reviews)Several decades ago I bought and used a BBE unit in my home studio. I had several people hear my recordings and state my sounds were the best home recordings they had ever heard (in terms of quality and not composition). I attributed the high quality to the BBE. Recently I decided to build another home recording studio, this time all digital, and start writing and producing music again. I had to have a Maxcom in the chain to make the studio complete. BBE has done a fabulous job with this unit. One might reason that combining all the features into one box would compromise the quality. They would be wrong... If you are into making music, you need this unit. You will be amazed by the sound. Like most things very useful, after using it on your first composition, you won't want to be without it...
I highly recommend it...

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The BBE MaxCom\' is a highly sophisticated Dual-Channel Compressor and Limiter with Gate, housed in a compact and easy-to-use package. It provides a live or recorded mix with all the clean, clear punch that only a truly professional dynamics controller can. However, the MaxCom is much more than a high-quality, superbly engineered compressor/limiter.The MaxCom is the first signal processor of its kind to feature an on-board BBE Sonic Maximizer. The BBE High Definition Sound process employed by the Sonic Maximizer is world renown among music and sound professionals for remarkable improvements in total sound quality, bringing crystalline clarity and air to the source material as well as revealing rich harmonic subtleties. The MaxCom employs BBE's latest High Definition Sound technology, in the very same 4th Generation BBE Professional chipset which powers the 482i and 882i Sonic Maximizers.This single-rack-space dynamics processor includes two independent full-featured compressor/limiters, each channel having independent controls for Threshold, Compression Ratio, Attack Time and Release Time. Additionally, the MaxCom\'s \'linking" function allows for phase-coherent tracking of stereo signals and adjustment from the Channel One controls. Comprehensive metering is achieved via dual bar-graph meters on each channel that indicate Input Level and Gain Reduction.MaxCom\'s intuitive design makes it easy to operate, and its rigorous engineering and robust construction assure clean, distortion free audio and a predictable, repeatable range of control from undetectable to clearly identifiable. Whether the goal is to pull a \'lost" instrument up in the mix, control vocal levels or dial in hard-limited speaker protection, the MaxCom can accomplish the task with ease, reliability and sonic excellence. By offering a superb, full-featured compressor/limiter with an integrated BBE Sonic Maximizer system, the MaxCom has no equal at any price.

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Line 6 POD Mount Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm very pleased with this. As advertised, it fits perfectly under the handle on my amp and puts the Pod within reach. It was also easy to mount this to my studio countertop for better access when recording. My only disappointment is with the rubber plugs that hold the Pod to the mount. Mine didn't stay put as well as I would have liked, so now I have only 3 of the 4. The 4th went missing when I was moving it. 3 is still enough to hold everything in place, but I'd be happier if all four would have stayed in place better to begin with. Not enough reason not to purchase this mount, though. It's worth every penny.

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Getting your POD where you want it is a cinch with the versatile, bullet-proof POD Mounting Adaptor. Its innovative design of folded, heavy gauge metal includes four rubberized pins that slip snugly into the four mounting holes on the bottom of your POD, holding your POD securely while making assembly a snap. Holes for screws are included to attach the mount permanently to your POD, or to attach the mount-and-POD assembly to a desktop or other setup. The mount is angled to tilt POD toward you for easy operation on stage or in the studio. An included locking ring secures your POD on top of any standard mic stand or hardware that has standard mic mount threads. This same versatile mounting adaptor is also designed to slip under the handle of a guitar amp, giving your POD a secure perch while keeping it within easy reach. No matter where you want your POD, this mount can get it there.

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Behringer V-Amp 2 Guitar Amp Modeling Pod Review

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(More customer reviews)Alright, I have to admit that I'm a big Behringer fan. I appreciate that Behringer makes quality products at prices that the average working musician can actually afford (much like Peavey in the days of yore). I have several pieces of Behringer equipment in my studio ranging from mixers to rack units to cable testers and I have never been disappointed with any of their products...until now. I mention this so that anyone who chooses to read this review will understand that I'm not writing this from the view point of an equipment snob or an elitist, but as someone who has a good deal of experience with musical equipment in general and particularly Behringer. Until now my -ONLY- gripe with Behringer has simply been their instruction manuals which have always been on par with the old manuals that came with 486 PC motherboards...in other words, completely useless. Their products however have always been well above par for the price range and in my book have often given me the best "bang for the buck". Compared with this, the Behringer V-Amp2 is sadly disappointing.
My main gripe about the V-Amp2 is simply the sound of the presets. Ok, ok...I KNOW that "tone" is a very subjective thing and that in the world of music and especially guitars you can never please "all of the people, all of the time". That said, the majority of the presets on this unit "out of the box" sounded as though they had been programmed by some teenage metal monger with no sense of tone what so ever. If I were your typical "Yngwie-ite", I might find this very pleasing but as a guitarist who's primary interest is classic rock and blues, I found the presets disappointing at best and often downright annoying. Even the presets that were supposed to emulate "SRV" and "David Gilmore" were quite poor to say the least and not really usable at all.
Beyond the quality of the presets, I should also issue a bit of a warning here...no one at Behringer bothered to adjust the volume on the presets either. Some are rather quite and soft and with the click of a button you can darn near blow out your speakers! More than a tad bit frustrating for a person who's just messing around with this unit for the first time. Would it really be all that difficult for these folks to include a normalize function?
Now in all fairness with some "tinkering" this unit -can- produce some very good sounds...it does have the potential. This however leads me to my second gripe; this is NOT a very "user friendly" device. "As is" there is very little room to edit your tones beyond simple changes to amp/cabinet simulation and very basic effects. Any -serious- editing MUST be done via the MIDI editor (which isn't even included with the unit and has to be obtained via Behringer's website). For folks who aren't all that midi savvy, this leaves you with very limited choices in how to tweak out that perfect tone. In addition this also limits this devices use for live applications...unless you have the unit plugged into a computer next to your amp, should you need to make any changes to your tone settings you have to stop, unplug the unit from your rig, run to your computer, make and save your changes, run back to your amp and HOPE the changes you made will actually sound good thru the amp otherwise it's "lather, rinse and repeate". Imagine doing this on stage during a live gig?? I don't think so... Very simply this is one of those "toys" where you will spend more time playing with the unit itself trying to get the right sound(s) and not a lot of time actually playing your instrument. Personally I'd rather have my hands on the guitar instead of the little blue guitar shaped box.
It should be mentioned that this unit does compare well to higher priced units such as the Line 6 "POD" and these short comings are just as much a problem with more expensive comparable units. These devices in general really were not designed for ease of use in live situations (despite any advertising to the contrary) and "on the fly" changes are often difficult at best with any such device until you are intimately familiar with how to dial in specific tones. If anything, in this regard the V-Amp is a bit superior to the POD if for no other reason than it simply costs less for comparable results (and comparable levels of frustration).
On that note and again in all fairness...maybe it's just me and that I'm getting "old and lazy". Over the years I've often laughed at older folks like my father for being so completely inept at working his computer. Often I've thought "you could get so much more out of that -if- you'd only take the time to really learn how to use it". Computer's are after all rather complicated devices. A person who has never used a computer before doesn't typically sit down at the keyboard and start "surfing the net" right away. Perhaps I'm being the same way with this "new music technology"...maybe I just don't have the patience to sit down and learn it properly. On the other hand to me this shouldn't be "rocket science" either. I've already payed my dues by learning how to play the guitar and I don't feel as though I should have to spend weeks let alone months learning a "new device" just so I can do what I already know how to do and have been doing for over 25 years. In my mind, I play -guitar-...I should be able to plug that instrument into a device, tweak a couple of knobs/dials to get the sound I want and then rock until my soul is content. To me units such as this V-Amp or the comparable POD simply feel like home dentistry and just as painful.
Now in regards to the models and effects specifically, as with virtually any "simulator" or "modeling amp" there is more than a fair degree of subjectivity as to how authentic any of the models actually sound. If for example you really want the sound of a classic Fender Twin Reverb the BEST way to get that sound is...well...to play thru a classic Fender Twin Reverb. You simply can't get that exact same sound from a little blue (or red) plastic box sitting on the counter be it a $99 Behringer or a $250 POD. Even under the best of conditions in the most exacting environment there are simply too many variables to accurately reproduce such a sound with a generalization...tube quality and condition, bias, speaker age, mic choice, mic placement, etc., etc.. All these things play an important part in regards to how a given amp sounds and especially among vintage amps, even under ideal conditions no two amps sound exactly the same. In other words, despite any labeling that may suggest a given model is supposed to sound like "such and such", it really doesn't. On the other hand, this can also be said of PODs and similar units as well. A "model" is just that...it's usually not an accurate reproduction of the genuine article. This isn't to say that any of the models sound "bad" but you do have to put some effort into getting a good, let alone a really great tone with one of these devices. Again here, to me it just seems easier (not to mention more productive) to plug your guitar into a really great old amp (tube or solid state), crank up the volume and -play- rather than sit there for hours on end fiddling with knobs and MIDI functions trying to get something that is "almost close".
The same can be said of the effects on the V-Amp2 as well. When one is trying to define an instrument effect such as "delay" for example, one must ask what type of delay are we talking about? In the broadest sense, delay means the delay and repeat of a given signal but when you look at this specifically, delays have their own characteristics. An "Echoplex" for example does NOT sound the same as a classic analog delay pedal such as a DOD which sounds completely different from a digital delay even from the same company. Different delays from different companies sound completely different...try a classic digital delay from Arion for example against a comparable DOD and a BOSS...while they all may work in similar fashions, they all sound very different to the discerning ear. So that said, the effects on the V-Amp aren't "bad" but again they are simply broad generalizations of the given effect. Again with a degree of tweaking you can produce some very usable sounds but it's not nearly as simple as plugging in your favorite classic pedal and dialing in the right tone.
-If- a person's intent is to use this device strictly in a DAW based studio environment, with some work it has the potential to be a very useful tool -if- you are willing to take the time (and have the time) to play with it a bit (or A LOT depending on what you are looking to do). From that perspective, this would be a worthwhile investment. The sounds and quality are on par with units such as the Line 6 POD costing a great deal more and if you are seriously considering a POD you really should try one of these V-Amp's first. On the other hand, if you are looking to use this unit live or if you have a major recording session coming up where you are going to be paying for studio time and can't really afford the time to mess with it trying to find the right sound, a more traditional approach may be in order.
Bottom Line...
After purchasing this unit and messing with it for nearly 6 months, I traded it in for a Digitech RP series multi-effects pedal which is much easier to use. I'm primarily a live performer and the V-Amp2 (like the Line 6 POD) was simply more trouble than it was worth. Yes you can get decent sounds out of it but why rip out your own teeth doing so...

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If a lack of money and floor space is all that's been standing between you and a roomful of vintage guitar amps and effects pedals, get ready to love the V-AMP 2. It comes loaded with 32 amp models, 15 speaker cabinet models and 16 classic effects.

Any Classic You Like The V-AMP 2's 32 amp models are organized into four groups: CLEAN, BLUES, METAL and ROCK. Just twist the dedicated dial to plug into unbelievably authentic simulations of the greatest British and American tube amps from the 1950s to today. You even get models of uncommon--yet renowned--boutique tube amps! When you select an amp model, a speaker cabinet model is automatically selected. But if you'd prefer a different model, just go to EDIT>CABINETS, then use the BANK UP/DOWN buttons to navigate through all 15 options.
Just like on an actual guitar amp, you've got a three-band EQ, GAIN, REVERB, VOLUME and MASTER VOLUME dials. By holding the TAP button, the TREBLE dial becomes a PRESENCE control. This enables the adjustment of a high-frequency filter that can add or remove a "shimmer" from the V-AMP 2's tone.
Top Tone--In Full Effect The V-AMP 2 gives you flanger, chorus, compression, delay and 12 other beautiful digital effects to apply to your sound. Adjust the effect's level in the mix via the EFFECTS dial. To adjust effect parameters, you can rhythmically press the TAP button to alter delay times or LFO speeds, or hold down the TAP button and twist the EFFECTS knob to access e.g. feedback or depth. By using a MIDI pedal, such as the BEHRINGER FCB1010, you can access an additional Wah Wah effect. You can adjust the filter characteristic by entering EDIT mode, selecting the DRIVE menu and turning the EFFECTS knob while holding the TAP button.
Presenting the Presets All of these elements have been combined into 125 different presets divided into 25 banks, accessible through the BANK UP/ BANK DOWN buttons. Within each bank, you can press buttons A through E to explore its different presets. You can also create and save your own presets. Start by selecting a preset, then making any changes you wish: amp, EQ, effect, etc. The preset LED will begin to flash, indicating that the V-AMP 2 is ready to save your settings. To do this, hold the preset button down for about two seconds. Once the LED stops flashing, you have saved the modified preset. On top of all this, the V-AMP 2 also features a built-in tuner and noise gate. In essence, it's a Swiss Army Knife for the home recording enthusiast or gigging guitarist who can't seem to settle on one amp.
Stunning in the studio The V-AMP 2 features several configurations that make it an invaluable asset in the studio. Access the configuration menu by pressing the B and D buttons at the same time. Then use BANK UP and BANK DOWN to select a configuration.
When using headphones, the V-AMP 2 will switch into Studio Mode 1 (S1). This stereo mode works well for both monitoring and recording with effects, amp and speaker modeling. It doesn't apply the additional three-band EQ to the signal, but most recording programs--like energyXT2.5-- have their own EQ. In Studio Mode 2 (S2), the V-AMP 2 sends a signal with amp and speaker simulation, but only the right output has effects. You can either record both left and right outputs to separate tracks, or record the "dry" left output while monitoring the right output.
Stellar on Stage The V-AMP 2 has three live configurations. When performing live with this device, you can either run it to an amp on stage, run directly to the mixing board, or both. Live Mode 1 is the best choice for running the outputs directly to the mixer, because it applies amp and speaker simulation, effects and an additional 3-band EQ.
Use Live Mode 2 to run the V-AMP 2 into the effects return inputs of 2 different guitar amps. This configuration does not feature speaker simulation, allowing the amplifier's natural speaker sound to go unaltered. In this scenario, the amps would be mic'd on stage to get the sound to the house speakers, and having a dedicated monitor would be less important. In Live Mode 3, you can send the left output to an amp's effects return for onstage volume, while the right output sends signal to the main mixer for inclusion in the main house mix. Also note that you can press the TAP key while turning the GAIN knob to adjust the input sensitivity to match the output of your guitar's pickups. If the CLIP LED lights, the input's sensitivity should be reduced.
Veni, MIDI, Vici The V-AMP 2 comes fully equipped to fit right into a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) setup. It can be controlled in real time from a computer, or via a MIDI foot controller during a live performance. Its MIDI connectors are international-standard 5-pin DIN connectors. You will need dedicated MIDI cables (not included).
The MIDI IN jack receives MIDI controller data. It can be adjusted in EDIT mode by pressing the A button and then using the arrow keys. MIDI OUT/THRU sends data to a computer. You can transmit both preset data and parameter changes. Some people even use the V-AMP 2 as a remote control for parameters of their DAW or VST instruments, which is more handy than using the mouse alone. If set to MIDI THRU, the V-AMP 2 does not send its own MIDI information, but passes on the signal received at the MIDI IN connector.
What's in the Box Behringer V-AMP3, Power Cable, User's Manual

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Line 6 POD X3 Review

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(More customer reviews)Geez, where to start. This thing is unreal. For the gigging musician you only need to plug your Mic into the XLR input and your guitar/bass into the guitar input, dial up your favorite patches (you can create your own "User" patches), and run your output into the house PA. No amp or other gear to lug around!!
This thing has truly great guitar/bass sounds and great vocal sounds both out of this one unit. What I really like about it is that the key parameters (gain, EQ, presence, volume, reverb) ALL have their own dedicated knobs on top of the unit...no fumbling thru a bunch of confusing and dimly lit menus. And when you are at the gig there is a way to get the patch number to take up the whole LED (in BIG letters) so you can actually see what patch you are using. And did I mention the sound....I have Boss 600 digital recorder with amp/bass models which until I got the Pod, I thought were pretty good. Well I no longer use the Boss for guitar sounds. Instead, now I run the Pod into the 600 (which is a great digital multitrack recorder with so/so effects).
And now lets talk about the studio. This IS your computer audio interface. The Pod interfaces with your computer (Logic, Cubase, Gband, etc.) via a USB interface. You get simultaneous wet and dry outputs over the USB so you can get all the inspiration the Pod gives you but if you choose, record dry while your DAW is tracking. You can also use your DAW to cycle the Pod thru patch changes if that is the direction you want to go. The Line 6 website has updates/drivers and you will want to plug your Pod into your computer and follow the update instructions on the LIne 6 download page.
When I got this thing I plugged in my guitar (Takamine acoustic first, then Epiphone Casino elec) and some headphones and read just enough in the manual (5 min) to audition the thing. I ended up playing guitar for 2 hours. I was in heaven. Yea, there are a lot of high gain "thrasher/shredder" sounds but there are also a lot of clean sounds that I prefer. The next day I plugged in my Mic, set the Mic gain pot to max and got a great guitar/vocal thing going. However, the MIc input defaults to "mute" so I had to spend about 10 minutes to figure out that I had to play with both the input and output menus to get the MIc working. I played/sang for 3 hours straight after that. It was very inspiring. The next day I figured out how to get the sound to come out of the two 1/4 outputs into a Fender Princeton amp. It sounded great too.
The only "bad" thing is that for each patch you have to have to setup the inputs, outputs, and vocals. Otherwise, the Mic input will not work nor will the outputs work as they default to "Mute". What you want to do is setup user patches that have all these switches set the way that YOU want them so you don't have to tweak each patch every time you turn the thing on. Also the manual is a bit weak and some of the controls are a bit confusing at first. But it is not as difficult as the 600 as the 600 has about 4 levels of menus while the Pod X3 only has 2 levels of menus.
Oh yea, and if you want you can buy a footswitch controller if you are gigging. My friend has the Pod XT and I was just about ready to buy one when I stumbled across the X3....I am so glad I got the X3 as having the capability to do BOTH guitar and vocals at the same time (with their own controls) is huge for me. As a singer/songwriter I could setup all my user patches, show up at the gig with just my guitar, Mic, and Mic stand, and run my feed directly into the house board.
Best money I ever spent on a piece of gear. If you just want a stomp box for your guitar try the pocket Pod or the Pod 2.0. But if you want vocals, guitar, and a computer audio interface, this is your baby.

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The POD X3 will inspire and amaze you with the most complete collection of POD-quality guitar amp, cab, stompbox and studio effect models ever. This arsenal of rare vintage treasures, modern boutiques, and perennial classics offers nearly unlimited creative possibilities. Create your own tones or instantly play through any of the 250+ professionally dialed-in presets. For those in search of greater tonal possibilities, POD X3 gives you more power than ever before to create entirely new sounds. Split your guitar signal and play it through two guitar amp and effect signal chains at once. Add bass or vocals using the bass amp and high-end mic preamp models now included in POD X3.You can even plug in two instruments at once, each with its own independent tone processing. Whatever your music calls for, POD X3 has the power and flexibility to deliver. Whether you choose to recreate the sounds of the past or turn tradition on its ear, POD X3 comes fully-loaded with most inspiring collection of POD-quality amps and effects to let your sound break free. Most powerful POD EVER!Line 6 POD X3 Features and Benefits Electric Guitar POD X3 offers a whole new level of control over your guitar tone. Plug straight into any one of the 78 ear-shattering guitar amp models for pure, unadulterated guitar tone. Combine amp and cab models with the mouth-watering collection of 98 stompbox and studio effect models to build out your rig. Take your sound to the next level by blasting your guitar through two guitar rigs at once to create a massive wall of sound that even guitar heroes of the past would respect. Or plug POD X3 in front of your favorite stack or combo to pile on up to nine simultaneous effects, including

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Behringer Active DI Box for Guitar GI100 Review

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(More customer reviews)[1] Behringer Ultra-G is very useful if you're planning to record your own stuff. My band rents a studio room to practice. The system used to record us is simple (and it's free): A cheap environment mic is used to record drums and the voice goes directly to the mixer. The result is a poor quality recording: The music is all mixed and it sounds terrible. The voice is the only thing that sounds great because it's directly recorded to the console. This reference tape is very improtant because we use this tape to hear what is okey and what we have to improve. Well, now I use this Direct Box to record my guitar directly to the console. We put the environment mic inside the room to record the drummer. The result is a more separated mix: The voice and the guitar sound great and the drums are okey, it's to "understand" it and to correct mistakes. I have to mention that the cabinet simulator included in the Ultra -Gcabinet is incredible, sounds natural and let you record directly without an expensive amp.
[2]So you're going to play live? Well, you can use the traditional mic system AND additionaly connect your guitar to to the console thru the direct box. Or you can use only the direct box instead of the mic in your amp. The problem with the mics is that they filter others sounds and frequences (like the drums) Sometimes this could be a nightmare to the sound engineers. With the direct box you avoid this problem and you get a more clean sound from your guitar.
My band play death metal, so it's important to hear the riffs, the solos, the drum rolls and the bass lines properly to enjoy the music. This little red devil is going to solve a lot of problems like home recording, live playing and studio recording. If you're a guitar player like me, do yourself a favor and get one now, you'll be very pleased with the results.

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Professional Active Direct Inject Box with Switchable 4x12" Cabinet Simulation

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Line 6 Pocket POD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This thing is great for practicing with head phones. The wide variety of sounds make for a more authentic practice session (so when you're playing U2 songs, you don't sound like ACDC and vice versa) and makes practicing more fun.
The only big downside is that it sucks down power like nobody's business. I bought four high-end AAA batteries and the Pod ate them in a about a week of playing for less than 2 hours a night. Furthermore, the manual states that only non-rechargeable batteries (or the optional AC adapter) should be used. I now plan to buy the Line 6 DC1, which is line 6's 9 volt adapter, from Amazon soon.
Another, much smaller downside is that the real manual is only available in PDF format from Line 6's web site. But if you're at Amazon, you probably have an internet connection.
While getting the manual, you should probably also download Vyzex, which is Line 6's software for editing the tones from the Pocket Pod. This software isn't absolutely necessary for using the Pocket pod, but it does make editing tones somewhat easier, and it also allows the use of download tones (which work somewhat like synthesizer patches.) I also think the software could be better designed.
Still, I'm very pleased with the product. When you consider it's cost versus the cost of an amp head, plus stomp boxes, etc., the variety of amps and effects modeled, and the fact that the Pocket Pod doesn't take up much space at all, it's a great deal, especially someone like me who practices in an apartment.


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The Line 6 Pocket POD puts world class Pod tone and rockstar presets in the palm of your hand! About the size of a handheld tuner, Pocket POD is the only personal amp modeling and effects processor packed with over 300 custom presets dialed in by rock stars and professional studio musicians who know great tone. With its 32 classic and modern amp models, 16 cab models, and 16 effects, Pocket POD enables you to create mind-blowing guitar tones wherever inspiration strikes. AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase','http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0','width','326','height','282','title','Line 6 Pocket POD','src','http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemFiles/Flash/LINPOCKETPOD','quality','high','pluginspage','http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash','movie','http://www.americanmusical.com/ItemFiles/Flash/LINPOCKETPOD' ); //end AC code Line 6 Pocket POD Features: Legendary POD Tone to Go Portable and battery powered 300+ presets dialed in by artists a

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Line 6 FloorPOD Plus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well, I bought this to replace my Pod 2.0 and my floorboard. This is a more compact package with much better effects. The device is plastic, and probably won't be as durable as the floorboard (which is probably indestructible). I don't notice much of a difference in sound, if any. I haven't recorded with it yet, mainly used it live.

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POD® is recognized throughout the world as the way to get authentic amp tones and effects in a small package. Now you can take those award-winning sounds heard on countless platinum-selling albums on the road with zero hassles. The newest addition to the legendary POD line, Floor POD Plus unites the timeless sounds from POD® 2.0 with a greatly expanded set of premium effects. This slick, road-ready package gives you 32amp models, 16 classic cabs, 16 modulation effects (including chorus, flanger, and tremolo), 6 delay models, and 2 different types of reverb- all with ultimate tweakability. Now, with Floor POD Plus it\'s easier than ever to create your own custom signature sound and bring it to the stage with time to spare. Amp Models Spin the model knob on Floor POD® Plus to audition 32 meticulously modeled classic and modern amplifiers. Whether you\'re looking for a mellow, glassy clean or a full-blown beast, you will find a sound to fit any style of music. Once you\'ve picked the amp you want to use, you can mix and match it with any of the 16 classic cab models until you find that one combination that gives you the chills. Now you can tweak your tone controlsettings to create something truly unique. With Floor POD Plus, your imagination is your only limitation. Amp Models based on*: Tweakable World-Class Effects When the time comes to add some color to your sound, Floor POD® Plus has all the tools you need. Add some depth to your clean sound with a mellow chorus, make that solo scream with some delay, and add some vibe with a choppy tremolo. There are 24 effect models in all including: - 16 modulation effects-like chorus, tremolo, and flange - 6 delay effects- including crystal clear digital, warm tape echo, and sweep echo for a new set of creative possibilities - Spring and hall reverbs and more… With the effects in Floor POD Plus, you can create that multi-dimensional sound you\'ve always dreamed of.Effects Models based on*:
Room Reverb Spring Reverb Tape Delay Roland Space Echo Digital Delay Reverse Delay Sweep Echo Electro-Harmonix® Deluxe Memory Man Compressor Gate Chorus 1 Roland® CE-1 Flanger Rotary Tremolo Swell PaiA Roctave Divider Tycobrahe Octavia® Mu-Tron III Oberheim® Voltage Controlled Filter Comet Trails Uni-Vibe MXR® Phase 90 Ring Modulator

* All product names used in this webpage are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during Line 6\'s sound model development.

Ins and Outs

Whether you\'re practicing the songs you\'ve written, recording an album, or playing live on stage, Floor POD® Plus has all the ins and outs you need to shine in any situation. Just plug in front of any guitar amp and crank it up, or plug directly into the board to instantly access that famous POD® direct tone.



MIDI In & Out - Connect Floor POD Plus to your MIDI equipment to select Channel Memories (via Program Change messages), automate settings (via Continuous Controller messages) and back up your tones (via SysEx). All the details are online at line6.com/manuals, in the downloadable MIDI Reference document. Phones - When it\'s time to monitor while recording or to make sure you aren\'t going to keep the neighbors up all night, plug in the headphones here. Output To Amp/Line - The unbalanced 1/4-inch connectors get the sound from your Floor POD Plus to a guitar amplifier, recorder, mixer or PA system. Flick the rear panel switch to AMP when you\'re feeding into the front of a guitar amp, or choose LINE to send you signal to a mixer or PA. The rear panel LEVEL knob sets the - you guessed it! – Your master output level. Changing the OUTPUT level does not change your tone, so you can get the tone you want at any volume level. Aux Input - Connect a CD player, MP3 player, drum machine, virtual accordion, or other device here, and you\'ll hear it at the Floor POD Plus headphone and Left and Right outputs. Very handy for jamming along! Input – Hey- Your guitar goes here.

Amazing Sound with Minimal Setup Time
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Korg PX5D Pandora Guitar and Bass Multi Effects Processor Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had the Pandora for two weeks now and I've used it extensively. So far, I am pleased that I bit the bullet and shelled out the money for this thing. It's loaded with all sorts of features, and most importantly, it prevents me from being turned off my instrument because of crappy sound (I am on vacation, about 7000 miles away from my beloved amps and mixers and doodads and geegaws).
But take note, if you are listening to this thing through mediocre headphones or earbuds, you will hear a very sub-par and overall tremendously frustrating sound. For example, my Sony earbuds that I would rate 8/10 for iPod listening makes the Pandora sound totally tinny- scoops out all the mids, boosts the uselessly high treble and muddies up the bass. You will sit there trying to dial in a usable tone cursing the paint off your walls.
On the other hand, I have a pair of Audio-Technica M50 studio monitor headphones (no product endorsement, just saying what works for me) that sounds fantastic with the Pandora. So I guess the moral of my story is to pair this headphone amp with headphones that have a flat EQ response.
Because the Pandora is marketed as a headphone amp doesn't mean you are confined to headphones. I plugged the Pandora into a cheap bass amp and my guitar actually sounded pretty good! I can't wait to plug it into a good sound system and let it scream. From what I've heard, people have had a lot of success with going direct into PA or going through guitar or bass amps.
As far as the effects go, they gave me pretty much all I need and much much more. I am overall impressed with the built in reverb and delay effects, and the distortion sounds very good also. Some of the effects work in stereo so you can get that left to right rotary speaker effect. On top of the effects that I use all the time (reverb, distortion, compression, etc.) there are some WACKY stuff in here that I really haven't been able to use except for a few laughs. The intelligent harmonizer holds some potential although the tracking has a tiny, barely noticeable but noticeable hesitation. But since I'm greedy and I like having the option of oodles of stuff even though I might not use them, I would rate the effects on the Pandora 9/10 (where 10 is reserved for OMG EVERYTHING IS SO GOOD)
Korg put a lot of amp/cab/effect combo presets onto the Pandora, and when I started out, I used "Linkin" for my distortion, "Pop" for clean chorusy stuff and "Fab4" for clean tones. I ended up being 10% dissatisfied with them, so I just made my own presets and now I am 99% satisfied. The tweaks weren't big, like dialing down the distortion and adding a touch of reverb to "Linkin" preset and killing the teeny OD on "Fab4" etc. Much like the effects, some of the presets are wacked out. There is a preset on there called "Ill" and I can't for the life of me figure out how to use it in a musical way. Another preset called "Fire" has a really cool fuzzed out sound for single note melodies but goes haywire when you start playing harmonies. It might work really nicely for Muse basslines and such.
One thing I like about this is the AUX input and how it can transcribe recordings to your desire. It has made learning new songs for vocals and guitar much more convenient. The bass canceler function seems to work pretty well, and I imagine it would come in really handy, although I am separated from my bass right now. Korg included a lot of drum loops and an option to add basslines to those drum loops for jamming and practice purposes, but I wouldn't build my career on those drum/bass loops... they can sound kinda cheesy.
The construction of the Pandora looks very solid. I was worried at first that the Pandora would be built like the Korg tuners, which are light plastic without much heft, but I was happy to find that the Pandora feels really rugged. The instruction manual is comprehensive and is multilingual (if you ever get the urge to learn how to talk about flangers in German or something...)! I've been using batteries to power mine since I didn't get a wall adapter, and I burned through a pair of AAs in a week and a half of thorough use.
Other than that, the thing comes with a mini version of Ableton Live, the adapter cable for the footswitches (not included, planning on getting one myself) and the USB cable. Korg even included little rubber pads so the little rectangle doesn't get pulled off the table.
Overall, very happy with the product. Cheers, Korg!
For people who don't want to read all of my drivel,
Pros:
Great sound with good listening devices
Lots of useful effects
Lots of useful amp and cabinet models
Good presets
Very utilitarian (backlight option for the screen, etc.)
Solid construction
Neutral:
Some effects and presets I would never use
Doesn't come with wall adapter
Small learning curve in navigating through the menu
Cons:
Adjusting volume balance between aux and input is finicky.

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Back in the 1990s, the first Korg Pandora placed its indelible stamp on the pocket multi-effects processor category. Today, Pandora is still king of the category. Today's highly-evolved Korg PX5D is your personal rehearsal hall, an all-hours amp shop, your own audio recording suite as well as your digital doorway to the modern studio. And best of all, the battery-powered PX5D still fits in your pocket, so your great sound is always with you.

Big for Its Size Despite its compact size, the Pandora PX5D is laid out with game-controller efficiency--so you can spend more time playing and less time wishing you were already playing! Modern and up to date, the PX5D serves double duty as a stereo USB audio interface, allowing you convenient access to audio recording software on your computer.
High-Quality "REMS" Based Effects Korg's "REMS" Modeling Technology has been widely acclaimed for its natural, authentic sound quality. A total of 180 effect types are available in the Pandora PX5, divided into seven categories that match the seven effect modules that are simultaneously available.
Dynamics This section includes everything from simple compression to advanced algorithms that can emulate a humbucking sound from a single coil pickup (or vice-versa); transform an electric guitar into an acoustic timbre, add a fretless character to any bass sound; plus a series of wahs and auto-wahs.
AMP Modeling In addition to some of the most popular and widely recorded amps, the PX5D multi-effects processor includes a number of rare and boutique amplifier models--everything from the ubiquitous VOX AC30 to a US Hi-Gain (think snakeskin) amp. A total of 15 guitar amps and 11 bass amps are all delivered with spot-on accuracy. Bass synth and Guitar Synth models are also featured in the PX5D.
Cabinet Simulations Matching the right amp to the right cabinet is a necessity for capturing a classic tone. But go ahead and mix and match to build your own custom "virtual" rig. From a single 8" tweed to a 4 x 15" mammoth, the PX5d has it all.
Modulation Effects You name it, Pandora has it--phasers, flangers, choruses, filter sweeps, U-Vibes, tremolos, intelligent pitch shifting, rotary speaker, auto-panning. Best of all, each effect can be tweaked to your own personal preference.
Delay Settings Five Delay effects--each with five variations relating to feedback amount--are available in this Pandora PX5D multi-effects processor. Delay time is conveniently set using the Tap key on the front panel and a versatile Reverse Delay is onboard.
Reverbs Eleven Reverb algorithms place the final ambience and sheen on your sound.
Noise Reduction Keep your sound clean--and silent in between songs.

100 Presets, 100 user programs Seventy Guitar Presets and Thirty Bass Presets are ready and waiting to get you started with your new Korg PX5D. For those who like to make their sound their own, 100 User Program location are available for storing your custom settings. Using the Software Editor Librarian provides faster, graphic editing and allows you to build up libraries of custom patches. A simple USB cable provides the connection to your computer.
Clean panel design for intuitive control With almost gamer styling, the PX5D is an easy-to-operate multi-effects processor. A four-way cursor to the left and a recessed dial to the right combine for easy navigation of the backlit LCD screen. For the amplifier traditionalist, dedicated thumb wheels across the top offer real-time control of Gain, Bass, Treble and Volume. Four Program Memory buttons keep your favorite programs close at hand! An adapter cable is included, allowing two optional footswitches to be connected to the PX5D for hands-free operation.
Drummer and bassist included 128 accurate and professional Rhythm & Bass groove patterns are built in to your Korg PX5D--including simple "click-track" style metronome beats. The Rhythm patterns have three variations, so you can find the one you like. Use the Tap key to set the tempo to anything from 40 to 240 Beats per Minute (BPM). Both Major and Minor bass lines are included with each groove, and you can set the Bass Key to any note. Up to sixteen patterns can be strung together into one of twenty chains--an excellent feature for writing a new tune, practicing a part or crafting that killer solo--in context!
The world outside Connect an MP3 player, CD, USB or other external audio source to the AUX IN jack and you can play along. Wrong key? Use the Key Transpose function to change the pitch of the song into any musical key. For the bassist, the PX5D multi-effects processor also contains a Bass Cancelling function that removes the bass sound from an external audio source so that you can play and hear your bass along with the song.
Repeat as necessary Phrase Training is a fun feature for learning difficult material or for working on solos. You can record up to 80 seconds of audio from any external source and play it back repeatedly (looped) at a slower speed--without changing the pitch. This is a great way to learn complex or rapid passages by ear, since you will be able to hear the phrase slowly. You can also record yourself chording along with the built-in rhythm and bass accompaniment, and then practice your soloing skills.
Digital USB doorway In its off hours, the Pandora PX5D moonlights as USB audio interface for all your computer needs, offering two-channel audio communication to and from your Mac or PC.
What's in the Box Korg PX5D, Owner's manual, Two AA alkaline batteries, Strap holder, CD-ROM, Footswitch adapter cable, Rubber feet

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Behringer GDI21 Guitar Amp Modeler/Direct Recording Preamp/DI Box Review

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(More customer reviews)When i bought it, i needed a preamp but it is more than a preamp, it is a very complete box. You can use like a guitar modeler with several sound options when changing the positions of the switches in the front panel (drive, treble, bass and level controls and amp, mod and mic switches, i dont use the ground switch) and create several sounds like Jazz, distortion, clean, rock, metal, blues. You can activate the effects with the foot switch that is the weak element of the box, it feels fragile. If you use the box like a recording box, connect it with a XLR female cable to a mixing console or a computer. When you need a preamp or effects pedal it is a suitable selection. I think that it is best for recording rather than a gig because of the foot switch.

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Guitar Amp Modeler / Direct Recording Preamp/DI box

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