Pod XT Live - Would it make a good preamp?

[neutrino]

I've searching around for a new rig and I still haven't really hit the spot of what I'm looking for. With that said, I was thinking that if I purchased:

Pod Xt Live
Power Amp (QSC RMX series I guess)
Cabinet (Probably Aguilar GS series or Ampeg or something)

Would this setup allow me to really experiment with different models of amps to give me a better idea as to what the sound in my head is?... and then later down the road pursue that option?

 

[brettlingle]

No the PODXT Pro would not be a good representation of different amps. The only thing I think it is good for is low volume bedroom playing. You turn it up loud and it just sounds horrible IMHO.Unless you like that thin farty tone. It's a novel idea this amp modeling but it's just not there yet. Bottom line is Line 6 sucks end of story.
Brett Lingle

 

[neutrino]

oh....

 

[Randracula]

Bottom line is Line 6 sucks end of story.
Brett Lingle

I don't think that Line 6 sucks, but rather(the Bass Pod) is intended more for direct recording.I've seen POD's at many high end studios but as a preamp I think you would be better off looking elsewhere.The Sansamp RBI is supposed to be a very good preamp, you might want to check it out.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Sansamp RBI
BBE Max
Alembic F1-X
Demeter VTBP-201S

All are very good preamps, used by lots of people.

 

[leftyguy81]

Has anyone ever used the bbe bmax-t? if so, how does this compare to the Sansamp RBI?

 

[Mobay45]

I own the BBE BMax-T but I've never played through the Sansamp. I ended up with the BBE from playing through a rig that I really liked.

 

[adouglas]

It CAN work, but there are better preamps. I don't think Line6 sucks at all, but I also don't think that it's the be-all, end-all either.

I have a Bass Pod XT and a floorboard, but I use it only as an effects unit...and I only use two effects, an auto wah deal (envelope filter) and overdrive. I find that an overdriven amp model sounds a lot better than any of the modeled distortion boxes.

Having tried various effects boxes (both standalone pedals and multi-fx units), the Bass Pod XT is much better than any of them. I do have some wishes...such as the ability to control the mix of wet and dry signals, but it's not that big a deal.

99 percent of the time I'm running it with no model at all.

I have a pre-Fender SWR Grand Prix preamp and a Stewart World 1.2 power amp, driving a Flite Sound 1x15. I also run a line out of the SWR into one of my band's Bose PAS units. It sounds AWESOME.

Now, it should be said that I've never TRIED using the Pod alone as a preamp, using one of the models.

 

[whamonkey]

I owned one and returned it......my Sansamp is just fine...actually the DI out of my Eden is even better. Pod is great for guitarists...so-so for bass...IMO.

P.S. My returned XT live can be had at MF for $339 in the clearance section....just a head's up. It's "brand new"...

 

[neutrino]

hrmmmm.... oh well

 

[bovinehost]

The Sansamp RBI is dirt cheap and does a pretty good SVT. Back when I was running a preamp/poweramp setup, I had one and liked it a lot.

The modeling stuff is all too freakin' modern for me.

the i'm a caveman,
Jack

 

[Randracula]

The Sansamp RBI is dirt cheap and does a pretty good SVT. Back when I was running a preamp/poweramp setup, I had one and liked it a lot.

The modeling stuff is all too freakin' modern for me.

the i'm a caveman,
Jack

I don't care for the digital stuff either.I actually really like the MXR M-80.I cant get a really good clean sound on one channel and come pretty close to the Sansamp BDDI(using the blend and trigger)on the other channel.

 

[Psychicpet]

well.... my two bits is that I picked up a Bass POD xt Live and really like it
the main reason for getting it was that one of my main gigs is an "in-ear's" gig and so I have no need or use of an amp live but wanted some more flexibility for tone, that and the fact that for the past 2 years all I've been going for was that elusive "studio sound live" and reached it fairly well with an Avalon U5 DI and an EBMM bass but I wanted to explore different possibilities and the Bod xt has done that for me. Does the Ampeg rig sound like a real SVT and 8x10" mic'd up..?? not entirely BUT it's a cool and usable sound and the signal that I get in my in-ear monitors os a direct feed from my xt Live and it sits great in the mix and sounds , well, great
BUT (as there always is) without getting into digital land, the next best thing on the planet and absolute industry standard has got to be the aforementioned SansAmp Bass Driver DI!!! invaluable piece of gear.
but do have fun and remember, if you don't end up liking what you buy... the next great piece of must have gear is only a NAMM show away

 

[adouglas]

BTW, one of the things I really like A LOT about my Bod XT is the ease of fiddling around with the programs and saving them. Much simpler than other boxes I've used. It's so easy that I routinely run through the various presets I use during sound checks, tweak as needed and save on the spot.

 

[oddjob]

I run an XT (not a XT Live) in my rig. I have tried it all over my signal chain and found it works and sounds best working out of the effects loop of my SWR (and yes, I have run it with just a power amp).

As a preamp it is fine, give some tonal variations and is pretty flexible. But it a bit "hard" sounding. Running througn the loop I use it more for the effects and to lightly help my amp's tone (which is pretty killer on its own)