Line 6 POD 2.3 Upgrade

Having bought this to do what it does best "Record quick and plenty sweet enough" It delivers. Great manual..not hard at all if you have been tweaking since '85. I get quick results with demos and happy clients especially when their amps crap out. (often)
Owning a Fuchs, Budda, and Victoria doesn't mean they get used unless it's very high end session and of course gigging.

"87 PRS I bought new, '53 tele my dad bought new, PRS HBody 2, strats, Taylor 814 BCE, others..

Anyone who spends time in a studio knows live and recording are 2 extremely different things. By the time you create a small space for everything between Bass, keys, vocals, acoustic etc etc in a great mix from pop to whatever, there is so much hacking on frequencies to get a balanced sound, that you solo an instrument on it's own and it's usually not pretty.
That said, the Pod delivers well in the environment intended..recording or you alone Jamming out solos with backing tracks for fun & woodshedding. With simple backing tracks to keep chops up I love the POD..,,of course it won't growl like a Fuchs, especially the Budda (that little bastard will rock your socks off) or Victoria...it isn't meant to push air through a super expensive tube amp..but for quick woodshedding and doing your own music it's FAST and EASY and sounds good enough that most non-musicians are going to be blown away..(assuming you can actually play well in a lot of different styles which is ALWAYS done by players the PLAY A LOT & OFTEN...the POD makes it easy to do just that. In fact with blues it amazes me how close to a tube amp it sounds especilly dynamics and harmonics. 8 for sound as it obviously is processed.

Been at it for 4 years and got a lot of miles...no problems ever!

No clue!

Been playing 45 years since I was 7. Of course I gig often with the amps...vintage rock R&B....same band for 15 years with players better than myself. Look younger guys must understand how far this technology has come. To have one piece of gear do all the POD does was unheard of most of my life. I will say if you want a more serious preamp then the ADA MP1 or 2 would be the choice..real 12ax7's running hot and serious tone for days but not much effects at all. The speaker simulation of both these units is astounding!!
I love the sound in a recording or jamming situation and it delivers a sound that would have cost thousands 12 to 15 years ago! I love the thing when used for the right purpose..not for gigging! It is a fantastic value that delivers so much so quickly... 10

Overall the POD is usable, but it can be frustrating at times. The most common adjustments (like volume and EQ) are easy to make. But changing some of the lesser used parameters require pushing buttons while turning knobs at the same time. It takes some getting use to. I seem to refer back to the manual quite a bit. I've used all sorts of floor and rack mount processors over the years. Every piece of equipment I've used that only had a 1 or 2 digit display has been difficult to work with. The POD is no exception. But after you get use to the interface it's easy to get the sound you want. Saving and recalling user presets is easy. The manual is really helpful and easy to read.

For the first few hours I was disappointed with the sound, but I read the manual, tried some different amp and cabinet models and WOW - I got some really good sounds out of the POD. This is by far the best silicon distortion I've heard. In fact, it's very, very close to sounding as good as a real tube amp. It can generate anything from clean to total distortion. The dynamics and frequency response are really good. The signal to noise ratio is really good too. Even on the high gain settings I don't get any noise when I stop playing. The effects are really good. The delay and reverb sound pretty natural and smooth. The chorus really creates a nice, wide stereo sound.

I usually play the POD direct into headphones (Sennheiser) or through my Behringer digital EQ into my Adcom stereo preamp into Paradigm speakers (all nice audiophile grade stuff). I play an Ibanez SA with stock pickups.

I haven't spent too much time trying to recreate my favorite artists sounds, but I've got a good Van Halen and Metallica sound out of it. Some of the clean models are a bit bright and dry, but I worked with one and got a nice, smooth, warm sound.

I think most of the grief people give the POD results from disappointment that it doesn't sound just like a tube amp. Well, it's not a tube amp and no semiconductor will ever sound just like a tube amp. So don't expect the POD to sound just like a tube amp. If you want real tube amp sound - buy a real tube amp! I've personally owned tube and solid state amps and I like um both. They each have their place. Nothing can beat real tubes cranked up to saturation. But none of the neighbors in a 3 mile radius want to hear my guitar solo at 2am. And I can't convince my wife to take out a loan for that new Mesa Boogie stack. But I can play my POD anytime, anywhere and it only cost a fraction of a tube amp. And in my opinion the POD actually sounds 98% as good a real tube amp.

And one more thing, I've read complaints from people running their POD into power amps and guitar speakers. I believe the POD was designed to run directly into a mixer, computer, PA, whatever. The POD already has amp and speaker cabinet emulation. Running it through amps, cabinets and speakers is going to effectively double the effect and you'll get too much amp and speaker cab coloring.

Haven't owned it very long, but seems well constructed.

Overall I'd say the POD is awesome. I've been playing guitar for 15 years. I've tried all kinds of effects, processors, amps, etc. The sound quality is really good. I wish it was a little easier to use, but I'm getting use to it. The POD should make just about anyone happy - unless you really want a real tube amp sound, then get a real tube amp. I think I'll be keeping my POD for quite a while and if I lost it, I'd have to buy another one the next day. You can't beat the price / performance ratio of the POD. I'm going to try recording some music with my POD and my computer. I've connected it and tried a few riffs and the POD sounds really good. I think the tube amp makers need to watch out. Now that I have my POD I may never go back to the hassle of big, expensive tubs amps again!

The unit is fairly simple to use. The one thing that I do not like is having to use the TAP switch to obtain access to certain functions. The software though is simple enough.

I am using a Parker Fly Deluxe. I think the key in coming to peace with this unit is recognizing what it can do and cannot do. I think the following simulations are useable: dual rectifier, Line6 clean, and Jazz clean. Interestingly enough, I do not find the clean sounds to be particularly clean but useable as an in-between sound. I also live the 2X12 cabinets. I don't know if they really sound like the real things or not. All of the other cabinet simulators (especially the 4X12) I thought sucked. The chorus sounds also suck pretty bad too. Who uses a flanger anymore? The presets also really sucked - they had the mids and treble cranked until my ears bled. What is left is not bad.

Now I am comparing this to my setup which follows this signal path: Parker -> Dunlop Wah -> Aphex Optical Compressor -> A/B/C Clean (no distortion), or Fulldrive II, or Marshall Guv'nor -> Boss GE7 eq -> Rockman Stereo Chorus (used in mono) -> Line6 DL4 delay -> A/B Normal or Tremolo channel of VOX AC30TBX. All effects are connected with True Bypass capability. It is a tough measure for the POD to live up to. At the same time, the POD is heck of a lot less heavy than everything else.

It has not busted yet.

I have contacted Line6 in the past via email about other units that did not work properly. They never returned my email.

It seems to be an okay unit for quick recording. It offers that ever so lovely advantage of hitting one button on a midi controller and having your sound exactly how you want it (within the capabilities of the unit).

Don't have one myself, but there has to be a learning curve with any device like this. I use a Behringer in my studio because the POD is too expensive for me, and I'd heard that the POD didn't sound as good in some areas, so it was as simple as taking the cheaper and possibly better option.

Well, I heard the POD being used by a live band the other week, and the guitarist had a GREAT sound, coming out of this small Marshall combo. Really clear on the cleans, smooth chunky distortion and creamy solos (he was a damned fine player you may have gathered). When I saw the POD on the floor, I was very suprised. So suprised, in fact, that I went up to the guy later during a break. He had the thing going through the effects loop of the amp (the club amp - not even his own), and he said that was the way to go with this thing.

No idea

No Idea

Simple enough to change basic sounds. Presets seem suspect for live use. Ironically enough I think this unit was designed for direct recording but was remarketed towards live use (I give line 6 an A+ on Marketing this unit).

The sound from most patches is strangely dark and I have had 3 friends using different guitar use this and to my ear the amps always sound colored in a dark tone. Not only is it dark, but it seems to shadow the acutally sound of the guitar plugged into the unit.

Software allows for deeper editing, but again I'm not sure that really deals with dark tone this unit seems to have inherently in everything.

The effects are okay, but do not seem to be close to actual items they purport to emulate. On the one had the amps do resemble what they say, but they are still colored very strangely - a lack of presence, brightness, and this feeling no matter what guitar is plugged that it's almost a bass wood heavy tone.

The manual is great at stating what each item should emulate, really good at it. But again, does it really sound like these items? I suppose that is each end users opinion

Again all guitars seem to sound the same out of this. The effects are not the strong suit of this beast. Using this with an amp does not seem to be a good thing, it only further emphasizes the issues stated above. You can get sounds close to your favorite artist, but there is something I can't quite put my finger on that doesn't sound right to this ear.

Seems dependable enough. Who has money to own two of any one item?

Never dealt with them. Well, that's not true. I tried emailing once and it bounce back as undeliverable. I think it's great that the firmware upgrades are free to previous owners.

For practicing in your room with headphones - solid piece of gear. For informal recording at home - good piece of gear.
For truly emulating well amps and effects they say they do - a C passing grade.

For the $299 spent here there are some other options out there to try. Try not to give in to the Marketing that makes this unit to be all that and a bag of chips. It's good, it's decent, and some will be happy, but I would suggest checking out the competition first.

I am submitting this review because I have finally given up trying to get the sounds I want from this unit. I had an original 1.0 POD and have upgraded to 2.3 along with the in-between versions. I use it live through a very good JBL inhouse system with a Furman 16 channel monitor mixer/in ear system. The sound people have constantly complained about lack of warmth, harshness, etc. I have tried different pickups, different guitars, etc. I recently purchased a Korg PX-4 as a toy, but I have ended up using this as my live setup. There are some shortcomings, such as no MIDI for preset switching and a general lack of bottom on most models, but the sound is so much more open. The AC30 sounds have a smoothness and crunch that I never got with the POD. I have access to many more effects, and there is a separate compressor. I am using the PX-4 until the Vox Tonelab comes out in October, but I have already gotten many compliments on my tone, which I never heard in 3 years of POD usage. Let me note that a live amp is not an option where I play.

The features are well-documented in other reviews. Biggest flaw in my opinion is lack of good effects and inability to program all parameters without using software/MIDI connection.

Never had a problem.

My contacts with Line 6 have been professional and competent.

I've been playing semi-professionally since the Beatles and am competent in most styles other than metal or country. I mainly use a Strat I built with VanZandt Vintage Plus in neck/middle and a JB JR for the bridge. I have owned and/or played through most of the coveted vintage amps like blackface Fenders, Plexi Marshall, etc. The POD's overall tone is one of harshness and jaggedness, and there seems to be too much high freqency content on most models. I personally find 16 bit processing/AD to be smoother and more amp-like. I am selling my POD to use toward the purchase of my Tonelab or Valvetronix. I have not been happier with my tone than I am now with the Pandora (after tweaking the bottom end at the monitor and house boards). Three years of tone torment are over.

OK...one more for the tube guys to laugh at...but lets start by saying, I am a "tube-snob" also...there probably won't be anything that will ever get the 3-D sound of tubes..I have owned my POD for about 6 mo., and have spent alot of time tweeking at it, and have gotten some pretty cool tones from it...editing is very easy...the manual is a HUGE help..it is easy to read, and is alot of help understanding the original amp that is modeled...mine came from the factory with the 2.3 chip...

I am using a '93 stock Am. Strat, and an Eric Clapton Strat w/Lace Sensors..I run this into a Classic 30 (w/JJ/Tesla preamp, and power amp tubes)thru the effects return, using the POD as the preamp...most of the amps that were originaly 1X12 combos sound the best thru my setup...most of the presets I run with the "direct" setting on, and the cabinet simulator off...with EQ, I try to be as pure to the original as I can...if the original amp did not have any mid control, I do not use it in my EQ either...if my 1X12" does not quite get the characteristics of the original amp, I will try using the original speaker cab simulation that came with the amp..some of the larger amps I just can't get close to the original, I guess due to my limited setup...that really breaks my heart when it comes to the Plexi...I run the master output between 5 and 8, and usually start with all EQ, and drive (gain) at 5 for the amp I am tweeking...several of the amps, in particular the '60 Champ, I run the drive low, the channel volume at 10, and use the master output volume to overdrive the power tubes in the Classic 30...NO, it does not sound exactly like an orignal '60 Champ, but is a very cool "ratty" sound...I can't get the sound of any of my favorite players, cause most of the tone comes from the hands, and I have only been playing guitar for about 2 yrs...prior to that, I played drums for 35 yrs, and engineered for about 20 yrs...most of the EFX are good, I just can't find a great chorus...I am looking forward to hearing the new PODxt...for what this is, a software based "amp", I give it a very solid "8"...a "10" would have to nail the amp to the bone...

I think it would be very dependable, and would probably never need a backup on a gig, cause I play SO BAD I will never leave my living room...and the world is better off for it....

from what I have heard and read, CS seems to be very good...

I try to play blues, and classic rock..I have a Marshall VS65R, and a Marshall 1936 2X12 (that works great with this setup)...if I lost it (how stupid would I be)or it was stolen, I would listen to the new PODxt, and still consider this one very seriously..only modeler compared to was the J-Station..I have had a Flextone II Plus and a Cyber-Twin...I wish it had a tallent button.........

Let's just say that if you've used an amp, then you can easily get good sounds out of this by simply picking a preset and/or twisting knobs; just like an amp! But they didn't stop there, they added features that are absolutely incredible in a unit that is THIS inexpensive, that is if you want to tweak it to the enth degree. So in all, this unit is easy to use but doesn't sacrifice detailed control ability!!!

The manual is a good read and very useful...

I run out of my guitar into a wah and then into the unit and then have stereo out running to my VS1680. I use a Vintage Tube Mic patch on that to warm everything up just a TOUCH... But this unit sounds good with that bypassed, too... Very responsive; pretty true to the originals...

They pretty much went into overkill on R&D with this thing, endeavoring to get every nuance of the BEST of a sample of EACH amp exactly right, or as close as possible. Some of the amps modelled don't have controls for ALL the knobs on the POD, so instead of leaving them "blank" they added functionality, so you could shape the sound after the original amp, if you want to.

They model tube amps and the warmth is good, not perfect. But I think they are close enough. The gain structures really respond pretty acurately and feel good when you're playing, so now I've got a room full of beautiful tone in one little box on my desk!

The effects are also good; very useful and you have enough control over them to keep you happy... Again, you can either quick tweak from the controls or edit the heck out of them from the software...

I returned my Korg PX4 because some of the sounds were goofy, like they were programmed by foreigners who had no clue about tone; "Oh, that sound funny, make it preset".

THANK GOD, I returned that little guy for the POD... The PX4 is powerful for what it is, but only $50 more gets you the POD!

The Line 6 guys took several of EACH amp they wanted to model into a studio and tweaked them to pick the ONE of each kind that they would finally model for the unit and then did the absolute best job they could to match that sound; EXHAUSTIVE research, I think, but the results speak for themselves!!!

Seems really sturdy... I tend to think of sturdy as something that you could use to subdue an intruder in your home. Seems like it could take a beating and dish one out if necessary... From the ads it seemed like it would be smaller, but its size allows one to get at the controls easily...

I would have rather had all the outputs that are on the rear of the unit sort of ganged together. When you've got everything going, it looks like Medusa with all the cords splayed out from the rear of the unit. Might cause a connector to break someday...

The Soundiver software is good for quickly getting into the guts of a preset to edit, but I've always hated using Soundiver, because I still haven't grasped the conceptual framework of the software's funtion. I'm sure its great, I just haven't taken the time to learn the "curve"...

No dealing with the company... Their website is good... They have user presets posted and one can copy them in multiple different ways either by tweaking the settings from a picture or downloading the patches directly (although, I was never able to get that to work), but its consistent with the fact that they include different levels of access to the nuances of the unit.

I'd anticipate that their support would be good and comprehensive as well...

If you're like me and VERY selective of the stuff you buy to equip your rig or studio or whatever, this is a MUST HAVE for any guitarist who wants to be able to go direct to a recorder/DAW and still get great tone. I'm sure its right at home on stage, too.

There's enough controls built in to keep any reasonable person happy for a long, LONG time...

For the price you pay, this is one great unit; a definite classic...

on all points it work without a problem

I like th sound qualty it dosn't sound to digatal but with 24 bit adapters it would probaly sound better.

I am so glad they made it out of metal it will stand the ware and tare till future upgrades.

The best it could possibaly be.

Many talk about cheaper products and to tell the truth I really belive you get what you pay for.For a replacement of an amp on stage I don't see anything more portabal or better sounding.The only thing I do at low volums is turn the bass trebal and mids up all the way with the A.I.R on and it sounds like I am getting every thing I need.Many have had problems with the metal setting if you do that at high and lower volums on metal setting you get much better results.Just try the mesa duel with and without the A.I.R and you won't belive the differnce in crunch.

I did that in the shop befor I bought it and I was't gonna compete with the mesa but the crunch factor was much better.

I have had my POD for a year before doing a review. I have upgraded to the 2.3 chip last week. I have a few things to say about the POD and the naysayers who don't like it. Good for you. Everyone has their own preferences. But if you don't like getting to learn about MIDI, editing patches, (which I find easy), don't buy it. You can twist and go, but you get better sounds if you tweak your gear. This goes for any amp. I had a triple rec, and it took me six months to get a good live sound out of it. Plus it didn't want to cut through the mix. I had both the two and the new three channel triple.

I am using the POD with a MESA 20/20 power amp and a BBE 362. I run this trough a MESA 212 recto cab. This baby can get loud as you want to get. If you need it louder, mike it! I have heard most of the amps that are modeled and even owned a few. Most are overrated. Most sound killer, if you're Brian May playing it, or Van Halen. But if you want the closest thing you can get to real thing, and add features that are not on the original amp, get the POD. I know that a lot of people have come up to me after a gig, and said what do play through? they just about Piss themselves when I tell them it's a POD. If you think people who go see Eric Clapton sit and wonder "Is he playing through his Marshall ballbreaker or whatever?" they don't. People like good tone and line 6 has it. Every Model sounds unique. My wife who has no sense of tone, can tell the improvement in my sound, and even the difference between amp models sometimes. Don't get me wrong. If you want all of the genuine 32 amps the POD models, go get em' if you can find em'.But I know players who can make a recto or a TSL 2000 sound like crap, (and do), and make a valvestate rock you into the ground. It's all in your perceptions and bias. If you are convinced nothing can take the place of a Plexi, nothing will. I think the POD gives you better control over your levels, and with the Mesa cuts through the mix like butter.I got the floorboard, and I love the sound.I recommend using sounddiver to tweak, to get the best settings and sound.

Had a year, not even a burp. Always worked perfectly.

Called back every tome, I got a 100.00 rebate. Free 2.3 upgrade chip, free upgrade of soundiver. These guys care about their customers, and how satisfied they are.

I play a little of everything, from heavy to rapcore, to praise and worship. I have a patchbank for every style I play. If someone is having a problem with the POD, I would suggest it's the operator, not the POD. No emails from tube fanatics please, but serious questions are appreciated.