Line 6 Pod XT Live

Once you learn what parameters you have control over with this unit It is a fairly simple unit

Fun to see that some people like the way the amps simulations sound cause actually i don't use them I only use the Modulations/Delays/Reverbs in the FX Loop of my Peavey JSX Tube Head and it sounds fairly good for me
I don't dig at all the 'Digital' sounding amp/cab simulations
I prefer to use real Tube amp with the speakers working hard
Modulations rating: Chorus 8/Flanger 6/Phaser 7/Rotary 8
Delays rating: 8 only using Digital Delay/Tape Delay/Tube Echo
Reverbs rating:Let's forget them There not very good sounding and normally i would record without reverb and add it afterward with reverb from Cakewalk Sonar 4.0 PE
P.S. Sometimes i use the cabs simulations to change the quality of the Head/Speakers Basic tone and it does the job for me

Nver had a problem with the unit so far
So i'm crossing my fingers

Never had to contact them (good for me)

Good unit but i'm pretty sure that for Modulations-oriented effects i could find something that would still sound better Still looking I mainly play Jazz/Rock/Pop music and my influences are Pink Floyd,Led Zep,Yes,The Police,Sting,Pat Metheny,Joe Satriani
and my gear is Ibanez JS1000/Fender Strat Custom Shop/Gibson Les Paul Standard Peavey JSX Tube Head/Peavey Classic 30 Dunlop Wah 535

Very easy to use once you understand the logic of the pedal. It is as easy to use as it can be given how complex it is.

Sound is OK. I placed in between my Epiphone Elitist Les Paul and the Marshall TSL602. The sound was good coming through the amp and all effects responded well. Somehow digital on the chorus and flangers. To me, the best of it is the modeling of distortions and other effect pedals such as the filters.

Well... first it came dead on arrival. After replacing a part at the shop the pedal worked fine for 3 months, then it presented two other problems with 2 different cards. What can I say? The shop has had it more time than I had. I know electronics are set to fail eventually but not like this. This is evidence of poor quality testing. I am purchasing a Boss GT-10 because I am done with it.

Acceptable. Answered quickly and were nice.

I play rock and metal. Been playing for good 15 years now (in bands, recorded albums). I like all the options it has... I hate its quality. I wish it was well built and would not die on me, now I am traumatized. All its good characteristics are no longer relevant once the "appliance" stops working...

Unless you download the software it a not user friendly at all.. Editing patches is ok with software.. Manual wasn't that great either... I had to reset everything then had a heck of a time installing software just to upgrade to the lates firmware...

I'd rate it a 3 on ease of use... unless you download the software.. I play gigs and need to change on the fly... Line 6 really fails you there..

Fender strat into a Vox ac50

Everything sounded like you were playing through your nose... the cleans were not bad but wouldn't be my first choice

I had too many problems with it so returned it...Just didn't trust it...

The store I got it from was really good ... don't know about line 6 themselves...

I wouldn't replace it because I no longer have it...

Sounds pretty good through headphones not so great through a PA. Editing patches is very easy with the computer software they give you.

I liked this OK until I heard the Fractal Audio AXE-FX. I think Fractal Audio is more than a few steps ahead of Line 6 in the quality and tone departments. I had a feeling that Line 6 was not keeping up with the rapid changes in technology. I believe there are much better A/D converters out there and much more computing power than anything Line 6 puts into their gear which translates into MUCH, MUCH better tone. Better components are what would get these modeling rigs into the real tube amp world and get rid of the fizzyness and harshness that has kept them from being accepted by tone freaks. If Fractal Audio can do it, why can't Line 6 do it? Why would they let another company beat them at the very thing that they do best? Could it be profit margin? If you have the market cornered using cheaper parts that give you a bigger profit, why upgrade even if you could sound better? That would be a big plus for musicians but a bad business/money decision for anyone cutting corners to increase profit. Ultimately it is always a bad business decision to cut corners on quality because you start loosing market share to other companies with better products. In this day and age would you rather have a Toyota or a Ford?

It hasn't broken so far but I wouldn't use this on a gig without a backup. I have had other Line 6 equipment fail on me before. This unit isn't "built like a tank."

Used them several times and they seem pretty good to me.

One must keep in mind that in most cases you get what you pay for. That said, this is an inexpensive unit with a lot of features for the money. It doesn't sound as good as the higher end stuff from Fractal Audio but it is only around $325 street price. So if that is what you want to spend, then this is a good deal for the price. I think the problem for Line 6 from here will be that their flagship Vetta II which does cost a lot of money, IMHO is not in the same league as the Fractal Audio AXE-FX either. I think Line 6 can do better. Maybe the competion will be good for them.

Pretty easy to use if you're using the computer editing system. If you're not, its a bit tedious with the tiny screen and being a floor unit, but that said, it does well with its small screen, and even when you're editing on the unit directly its not so bad at all, particularly compared to many other units. The Line 6 edit software really does make things a breeze though and given the nature of this particular device, it really only makes the most sense to use it with a computer, though its intended for live use as well.

I'm using this with a Washburn and Yamaha guitar, both with different varieties of Seymour Duncan pickups. I'm giving this kind of a mixed review based on the different applications I've used it in. When recording direct, its pretty damn good. The amp and cabinet models are all pretty decent and some are pretty convincing. The amp models when overdriven sound great direct and are pretty tweakable overall. They probably won't make you think it was recorded on a particular piece of gear, but when the guitar gets mixed with the other instruments, its hard to tell it wasn't recorded direct, well, most of the time. Some of the models are less impressive but its subjective and a matter of taste as with anything. The distorted tube sounds are generally pretty good and the clean tube sounds are sort of flat and weak, lack punch. The sparkly clean sounds are pretty good.

The effects are generally crap, though I think that has more to do with the fact that everything is modeled on old effect stomp boxes and great care was taken to model their muddiness and general crapitude. Again, this is a question of taste and really I don't want my guitar sound to be complete indistinct just so it can sound like "insert name of classic guitarist here". Again it really depends on what you're after. Thats not to say all the effects are bad, a couple of the stomp distortions are pretty decent as are the wah effects. In fact the wah effects are really fantastic and very surprising when I first heard them. It adds a whole dimension of versatility. The mod effects are generally crap, with the exceptions being the sine chorus (which is merely OK) and the rotary effects which are infinitely usable. The tremelos are good too, but its probably hard to mess that up. Whammy effect is pretty good too. Delays, nothing remarkable though there are some real oddities included, but really I just use one or two of them and the rest I ignore. The reverbs are average at best, with the spring reverb being the best if thats really what you want. The rest are pretty basic and not inspiring. The EQ is very useful for dialing in your sound.

Keep in mind, that stuff is all decent when recording direct. As an effects unit in front of a real amp... Hmmm, not so good. The poor quality of the stomp effects become pretty apparent in front of an amp and the amp models really sound lifeless and puny. That said, I feel like the general gist of the POD stuff is for going direct either for recording or direct to the board, but the POD Live XT really implies its meant to be used in a live setting with amplifiers and in that regard, it just kind of sucks. I use an ADA MP1 and a Digitech Valve FX with my amp set up (late 60's Fender Bassman with cab) and really the POD doesn't come close to getting such a usable clear tone as that 14 year old gear.

One universally annoying thing is the fact that it makes this annoying buzzy sound even on clean sounds but apparently it can be eq'd out. Still irritating.

The thing is hands down the toughest piece of gear I've ever seen. The only reason for the score not being perfect is because the volume/wah pedal gets uncalibrated VERY easily and of all the things on the board it feels the cheapest and squeaks badly sometimes (plastic washers). Otherwise its a tank.

These days, you can almost judge a company's support based on their web presence and frankly theirs is outstanding. I found out how to calibrate the volume pedal quickly and easily through their site and the one question I had was answered quickly.

Overall its an oddity of a unit. Using it for recording direct, its outstanding, and for that alone its worth having. Using it in front of an amp? No thanks. When my GSP 21 does a better job thats bad news. Then again, it cost half what the GSP 21 cost originally, so there is that. There is also that adage that you get what you pay for, and in this case its pretty true. It won't replace a ton of amps or effects, but it does what it does ok and if you keep in mind that it won't be that end all be all replacement, then you're fine.

I did compare it to a Digitech GNX 4000 or whatever it is, and I picked this one because it was built SO much better and seemed to have a better interface. This was a shame, because I miss Digitech's good pro level equipment and the GNX 4000 seemed more like hobbyist gear at best. Then again, the POD XT Live feels the same way, just well built.

Final thought, the rack version might have suited me better, but its not as feature packed out of the box as the new POD Live 3s so its kind of a why bother. If you're just using it for recording, its outstanding, but it really doesn't replace good effects gear or even stomp boxes for live performance.

My main complaint is that tiny LCD screen which is basically the only way you can edit stuff and you have two knobs for selecting/tweaking your amps,cabs,stompbox,modulation and delay. It very inconvenient when you have to make quick setting changes while playing in a live situation.

It was wise of them to put the amp controls up front though so i'll give them points for that. You never know when you need to make a few tweaks on your sound while on stage. I don't think anyone else came up with that kind of easy access to tone controls.

This thing requires some light reading to use properly it's gig ready out of the box but if you want to maximize it's potential then do your homework.

I was using a whole bunch of older digitech models before. The main difference i noticed once i final got the settings right on this thing it had a whole lot of kick and dimension than what i expected from a modeling unit. I admit it may not sound 100% completely like the original but considering i'm playing through a solidstate combo amp i think they did a pretty good job modeling.

Here is where i wont be so kind. The stomps and modulation effects were not up to my standards. I found a few useful stuff but it seems i have to download and pay extra for more effects i can see why people might have a problem with this.

So bare in mind this is an amp-modeling unit with effects on it, not a multi-effects unit with amp modeling. Modeling wise though i think this thing is the best out there.

Never had any major problems with it. I think its very cool to be able to back up your settings on your computer just in case.

Never really needed to contact them.

Like i said this is an amp-modeling unit, i don't use effects that much but eventually i'll probably pay for the effects packages. Right out of the box i'm not completely satisfied but not completely disappointed either.

Some people may argue that amp-modeling will never sound exactly like the original but it will bring you damn close. If you want the real deal then get the real deal it'll cost a whole lot more and thats just one amp.

I'm a working musician sometimes i need a whole bunch of different sounds in one gig whether in the studio or live. So you can imagine how convenient this thing is for me.

Bottom line it could be better but what were you expecting? Everything you ever needed and ever will need in a $400 price tag, get real.

If it's effects you're looking for go for the BOSS but if it's amp modeling this thing gets the job done for now.

As far as ease of use goes, if you want instant gratification its, well, just fine. If you want to tweak sounds (which is paramount to use it to its potential) it is not so "user friendly". At least not from the front panel. If you use the software however, it makes a huge difference. You really need to use the software to use this box effectively. The stock sounds are not good at all. This however does not mean that this box is unusable, quite the opposite.

As I spoke before, the stock sounds are barely usable. The all start to sound the same after a while. Similar to the original POD. You really need to be a tweakhead to get usable sounds. Once you learn how to work with this box, I personally have found that the only downfall is the digital edge on some of the distortion sounds. Now, that said...its subjective. I have used many many pedals, the BK Butler is the only one that I really swear by that is an external box. I find the XT OD/Distortions sounds.....just barely on the really good side. Once again, this is subjective. As far as i am concerned, when in the studio, you can tweak away with the sounds. When you are live, you need to preset things to taste. This is where your ears come in. Compare and listen carefully and dont be afraid to dig in. This is the ONLY way you get this box to scream back at you, and believe me...it will.

Very solid, very reliable. Pedals are build like trucks. Quite nice.

I have had no reason to contact them at all. I would not know.

Overall, for tweakheads, this is a fantastic all in one box if thats what you are alooking for. I have heard zero from any other company over the years that can even compete with this box. Some have better sounds out of the box, but this thing screams when you learn how to dig in.

I like knobs, and i'm not fond of fighting with stuff to get the sound I have in my head. I just don't have that kind of patience. I found this unit to be a real pain in the @ss to customize my sounds until I hooked it up to the computer, and man o man what a difference! Screw trying to tweek this thing right at the unit! Hook it up to your computer, and it's just as easy as turning 'real' knobs on all the amps and effects. Piece of cake. So ease of use using the PC is a big fat 10.. but ease of use using the unit itself is more like a 4.. so i'll give it a 5 overall.

I have to admit when I first plugged this thing in, I was pretty disappointed. The stock sounds, you'd think would be great ones to really show off what this thing can do. Well, the stock sounds sucked and they sucked hard. I hooked it up to the PC using the Gearbox software and found a bunch of 'default' tones that just plain out rocked.. awesome sounds. Using the software, just pick the amp you want to use, pick the cabinet, pick your effects and there you have it. Sure, if you were to A/B the 'virtual' rig with the 'real' thing you might only be 98% of the way there.. but that's way closer than I was getting with just one amp and a dozen effects boxes.

Built like a rock.. not had any problems. Another reviewer said something about the plastic power input jack breaking off.. that's what that little plastic loop thing is for by the power input jack.. it's designed to act like a strain relief, so if the power cord gets yanked (like if you trip over the cord) it doesn't yank on the jack itself.

I haven't had to deal with 'em, and I bought this used, so I don't know.

Again.. I wasn't really impressed with this thing at first.. but once I hooked it up to the computer using the Gearbox software, I really unlocked the potential of this thing. I play in a cover tune bar band, and between my strat, my les paul, and this box, I can handle whatever kind of tones I need. I don't even bring my amp to gigs anymore.. just run this baby right into the board. Provided your board doesn't suck and you've got a real PA (a Fender Passport isn't a real PA, by the way) you should have no problem. Quite honestly, this gadget is the best gear investment i've made to date.

Review of this unit after 2 years of use and having just sold it on, fairly easy to use once you've got to grips with the manual and what does what.....simple one box solution for just about everything you need. Well built and mine was 100% reliable.

This is where it gets more difficult....great unit for recording on Sonar and in the studio, interfaces well, has good sounds and nice stereo....but it has proved to be a disappointment when gigging live with the band....doesn't do the job in my opinion....becomes anonymous and disappears into the general sound.....not strong enough to stamp its authority on your sound and make you stand out...tried but gave up and sold it on.....seems to be a problem with a lot of the multi effects units....I've changed to a Carl Martin Quattro...only does about 20% of the Line 6's armourey but way ahead for live use at volume.

Was 100% reliable.

They get back to you eventually.

All singing, all dancing box of tricks that is a bit of a toy if you're into live performances really....pity because it has a feel good factor and is convenient but in the final analysis for me it couldn't cut it after 2 years of trying.

If you've used rack-mounted multi-effects units, it's not difficult to navigate around the XT Live. Editing patches is easy and the manual is excellent. Despite all this, it's rather challenging to get really good sounds out of it, simply because there are SO many parameters to adjust. You choose your amp model, effects, speaker cabinet, even the simulated mic type and position, and every one of those parameters is tweakable and has a major effect on the sound. Whether it's good or bad depends on your point of view. If you're a tweaker, you'll love it. If you like to plug and play, find something else.

I run it straight into the PA. The speaker simulators are good, and it does sound like an amp...just not a very good one. It feels rather cold and distant at all times, and I don't feel "connected" to the unit like I do with an amp. I like the clean tones better than the distorted ones, and can get a nice clean strat tone by using the Hiwatt or Blackface models plus a little compression, chorus, and delay. The distorted tones are pretty harsh and trebly sounding. You can dial this out with the EQ, but then it sounds muddy.

Do NOT expect to plug into this thing and feel like you're playing through a JCM800 or Blackface, or even a decent Mesa. While it does do some reasonable approximations of those tones, it's completely lacking in the feel, the the complexity, the overtones, and more than anything, the dynamics of those amps. Tube amps clean up when you turn down your guitar volume, and get more dynamic and punchy when you turn it up. The XT Live just gets quieter or louder. It's not expressive like a good amp is.

The effects are generally pretty cool and are on par with other effects units in this price range. Don't bother comparing it to an Eventide, but in the Digitech/Boss/Korg league the XT Live compares well.

It's bulletproof, and I gig without a backup all the time. The only issue I've had is that the wah pedal tends to lose about 50% of its sweep range, so that in the fully depressed position it's only halfway through the frequency sweep. There's a fix for this on Line 6's website and it's easy, but I've had to do it several times over a two-year period with this unit.

Never had to deal with them directly, but the website and knowledge base are very helpful, and software updates and model pack installations are easy and painless.

I've been playing for 20 years, 4 years professionally. I play hard rock, blues, U2-influcenced alternative, and worship music. The XT Live is great for what it is - a $300 modeling multi effects unit. To say that it actually gets close to the amps it models - a JCM800, an AC30, a Blackface, etc - is ludicrous. The XT Live's strengths are price, portability, and reliability, not sound. It's great to be able to show up to a gig with just this thing and not have to lug amps back and forth. However, in sonic terms it is not even close to replacing my tube amps and boutique pedals.