Just got a new piece of gear

[Eric O'Reilly]

Hi guys, I was looking for a good multi effects processor, and got the pod hd, bean. I was very exited, but after about 2 straight hours with it i want to rip my hair out! Ive been using the pod 2.0 for ten years and loved it for practice, but this took forever to get a useable tone, the models suck, the effects are cumbersome and hard to manipulate, dont get me wrong, i just got it today so i havent given it a fair shake, but my old pod could dial in a great tone in 30 secs, this thing is flying the space shuttle! Im sure with tweaking ill get some awesome tone from it, but im just not used to making presets, i like to manually dial in my tone, i dont know, maybe i struck out, maybe when i move next month i can get an amp i like and actually play the frickin thing out loud! Im so sick of headphones! Thanks for entertaining my rant.

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

I hope i grow to like it.

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

I think in the future its gonna be a 5150 or 6505 with all analog pedals! I got this pod hd mainly for headphones, but for it to be trumped by its 15 year elder pod 2.0 is absolutely astonishing! I haven't heard it through my amp yet, but headphones did not sound right, all the high gain models are very fizzy and hard to play, not smooth like my old pod, i know there are all sorts if eqs in this thing but, so far, no dice. Ill tell you my experience with it tomorrow. Thanks and good nite.

 

[acwild]

Good luck with it. I know some people got usable tones from that device. A Pod with headphones vs. a 5150 just isn't the same experience by far. There's really no substitute for a great amp.

 

[coldsummer]

Maybe try some presets from the on-line facility (I forget what Line 6 call it). I bought the HD pro after having the X3 Pro for several years and couldn't get on with the HD so I sold it and kept the X3.

 

[Razzle]

Yea I tried a GT-100 but found it too cumbersome to quickly get in and out to change settings. It's just not something I would use live (a pedal multi-effects approach).

 

[dkannen]

I had a POD HD pro for a while, and I only used it for the effects, to go along with my ENGL head. It was great for that, but could never get along with the amp modeling. Sold it and took the plunge on an AxeFx and I don't even use my amp head anymore haha

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Well i have an update, i tried it some more, i tried it through my amp, and got some alright sounds when not using the models , just effects, and over all still very disappointed, i guess i should have saved the money towards my amp of dreams an old block letter peavey 5150. I really am depressed and sad, i was looking forward to playing with this device so much, and i really should have saved my money, i will never use line 6 again, ive heard so much bad about them sounding fake, sterile, cold, digital, fuzzy, fizzy, all of the above are true, but my old pod 2.0 sounds a million times better, with headphones , pa, amp, than this. I will never buy a piece of gear without trying it from now on, demos aren't worth a damn! The funny thing is they claim it feels so real and the models are a+, BS! Im about to shelf it for

 

[guitvai1]

I had a POD HD pro for a while, and I only used it for the effects, to go along with my ENGL head. It was great for that, but could never get along with the amp modeling. Sold it and took the plunge on an AxeFx and I don't even use my amp head anymore haha

Yep, I took the plunge on the Axe FxII a couple of months ago and now my Engl E580 and Mesa 2:90 sit idol.

 

[Spudmurphy]

i felt for you reading your posts. Sometimes the old gear cannot be trumped. I understand your feeling now towards Line 6, but you did like their old stuff.
I don't use my Line 6 for amp modeling just as an FX device using an FBV floorboard out front and it's great.

I'm not a luddite but I hate all these menus within menus within menus. at least the Pod XT has a fantastic GUi when connected to a PC/Laptop and you can really tweak every parameter easily using the GUI.

I was wondering whether your POD has the same functionality?

Anyway, I think Line 6 has done some sterling work and have been very innovative - their Delay units albeit quite old now are still used by many pros. Careful with the Axe FX. I've heard great reports but don't fall into the same trap twice - try it out first.

Good Luck - if you decide to keep on tweaking, let us know how you get on.

P.S. Do they have a CS that you can contact?

 

[acwild]

Careful with the Axe FX. I've heard great reports but don't fall into the same trap twice - try it out first.

AxeFx is one of those rare pieces of equipment that I can openly recommend. It's that good, but... You need to pair it with good speakers. As much as I love my AxeFx, I was running it through studio monitors. They just don't compare to a nice guitar cab. It'll work with headphones but I think it's a bit extravagant for that kind of setup. As I recall, budget is a factor for Eric. An AxeFx itself will cost more than a nice amp plus you'll need to budget for a good speaker system, possibly even a power amp depending on what you choose. Then there's a midi controller, possible expression pedals, etc...
To quote Ferris Bueller, "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Let me rephrase, i wont not ever use line6 again, i will always use my trusty 2.0 that ive loved for years, i just wont be using they're new stuff, and I will say last night I was starting to get a semi useable tone, but still nothing to write home about. I will continue to try, and no Im not using a computer with it yet, ive just been using the display, imo a piece of gear should not have have a pc to go with it! We are musicians not scientists, lol , no im joking, i got this cause i live in apt building where i cannot play loud at all, and are now moving to a larger place, so i think i will trade all this in toward the amp i always wanted, and some pedals.

 

[GarMan]

I was thinking about getting one myself. Hmmm.

 

[cionian]

It's a real disappointment when a new piece of gear doesn't live up to expectations. A number of years ago I was in the same situation and looked at the HD but decided to go with a GT8. The amp simulation stuff is crap as well (marketing hype) but the effects are great. I place it in the parallel loop of a tube amp and it sounds huge. Multi effects in my opinion should not be derided and used with the right equipment they are excellent value for money. I would have spent a good deal more if I went with individual pedals and I don't think they would necessarily sound 10 times better if any.

Before you write it off, I think you should try the effects only in a parallel loop of a good amp.. You dial in the amp's sound and mix the effects to taste.. I think you'd be surprised. Anyway, I hope it works out for you but yes, as someone has mentioned, a good amp with good speakers is a must!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I know just where you are coming from. I use a Line 6 Duoverb which is a long since discontinued amp and have done so for 10 years or more. It sounds so good, and feels so right to use. I bought a Line 6 Flextone amp a few years back and it sounded horrible! I also have had a Pod XT and was equally disappointed.

Why not accept that the Pod 2.0 is 'your' sound and embrace it? Maybe even get one of the old rack mount Pod 2.0 units and build yourself a cool little rack with a tube power amp?

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Well after a long dirty day at work installing floors, I came home and started away with it again, i didnt even take off my work clothes or shower yet, and started playing, and STILL! No dice! I am absolutely furious! I have no idea what to do, maybe it will sound alot better through my amp when i get to try it again, im not going to give up on it, i must get my moneys worth! Lol!

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

I dont know, maybe im used to older gear, im not ready to have to adjust 100 digital menus and parameters to find a tone that still doesn't agree with me, some times it sounds alright, but it dont feel right, ya know what i mean? It doesn't feel real, or react to my hands and fingers and pick attack the way the 2.0 did or a real amp, I got to admit, that old little red bean has some very playable tones that are super easy to manipulate, and react just like real amps! I just though the new one would be like this but better, instead it doesn't .

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have more or less given up trying to find something that sounds 'better'.

Nearly all of the classic players have stuck with the same gear for a good chunk of their career. Phil Collen from Def Leppard uses the same JMP1's and Randall power amps that he has used for years. Brian May has his Vox AC30's etc. Maybe the Pod 2.0 is your tone?

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

After i came home from a long dirty day of work, i came home and gave it another whirl, still no dice, i just dont get it, i thought it would be like the old one but better, it some times sounds alright but does not feel right at all, know what i mean? It does not react like a real amp to pick attack, or my fingers, tap harmonics. I hope it will sound better through my amp when i try it again.

 

[rjudo]

I know just where you are coming from. I use a Line 6 Duoverb which is a long since discontinued amp and have done so for 10 years or more. It sounds so good, and feels so right to use. I bought a Line 6 Flextone amp a few years back and it sounded horrible! I also have had a Pod XT and was equally disappointed.

Why not accept that the Pod 2.0 is 'your' sound and embrace it? Maybe even get one of the old rack mount Pod 2.0 units and build yourself a cool little rack with a tube power amp?

This. Good advice, sometimes newer doesn't always work out to better.