Line 6 Pod XT Live

When I first got it, I was a little confused on how to adjust the settings. The software that was available for the computer made it easy to start off but after a while it was easy to figure out on the fly. There was a lot of reviews on here about the pod not being user friendly, well they just need some time to figure it out. I could change just about anything in seconds.

I play in a band with some good friends of mine. When I heard my lead guitarists well tuned spider amp compared to my Marshall with no effects, Mine sounded really thin. I got this pedal, worked out a few clean channels and a few different crunch channels and our rigs sounded much better together.

The sound quality of this pedal is all in how much time you have to tweak it. There is so many settings for each effect. You will have to spend some time setting it up prior to playing a gig, and probably some more on the first couple.

Well as for reliablility, I gigged with mine for well over a year, and played in my own house almost on a daily basis with no issues other than the noisy expression pedal. Well a week ago I shut it off working fine, and just the other day turned it on to jam out and nothing. the display was blank and only three lights came on.

I checked out all of the tech and forum info on line 6 about resetting the board or getting into the safe mode. Still nothing. One forum listed a way to hold down the second botton in from the left while turning it on and well there you have it. SRAM falure. contacted a Line6 repair shop, Closest one 200 miles away, they said that they could fix it for 70 dollars an hour plus parts and shipping both ways. make me wonder if I should get the new pod3 or just get it fixed. who knows. Oh yeah there is only a one year warranty...too bad I have had it for about 2 years.

I havent tried them yet since my warranty expired. I might give them a chance since one forum said that the issue that Im having may still be under warranty. Doubt it though

This is one of the most versitle pedals that I have ever owned. If I would have had a variax I might have seen every thing that this pedal could do. I think that I will still buy another line6 product, even if I dont fix this one. The only thing that I wish it had was a second built in expression pedal similar to the long board for the spider series, not the cheap plastic expansion pedal that is offered.

This thing has so many sounds, I doubt any player will ever use them all to their sonic potential. This will provide a studio rig or live fx board to suit the tastes of any guitarist.
So simple to use, okay it may take a few weeks to get totally familiar with what's available, but once you get going, you can't stop.
The pilot's handbook is a great asset, easy to read and the images are cool. I often flick through the manual as a bed time read.lol

In the studio, the business.
I am a pro recording artist and I have used this unit constantly on the road and in the studio.
I am a strat player exclusively, and all of my axes have really come to life with this thing. Whether I'm playing vintage single coils, custom shop 69's or lace sensors with the mid boost, I have always been able to create great sounds when using the Pod XTLive.
It's only noisy owing to my vintage style guitars, I live with it because I want that vintage strat sound and noise is a part of it quite often. The unit itself is silent, no trouble. Perfect when used as a pre amp for microphones.
All of the FX are good quality sounding. They are varied and not all are to my taste, some are just for fun in my practice time.
I even use it in the studio with my Taylor 412ce. Awesome.
The amp models are what make it for me, some truly awesome options in this department.

When used live, I don't bother with the amp models (except if needing a dual amp tone) I just put it in front of the clean channel on my Fender Deville 212. The fx are great, I am a real fan of the wah pedal and much prefer it to my CryBaby.

Rock solid, I have never ever had an issue.
IMO Line6 is very good quality.

The best, their website is just surreal, no other manufacturer offers so much to download.

I am a pro and I have been releasing albums for many years now.

This machine is great. I was thinking of upgrading to the Pod X3Live but I am happy where I'm at. If it works, don't fix it.

First of all, if you can't get a pretty broad palette of usable tones out of this thing, here are a few of the possible reasons.
You're not trying.
You didn't read the manual.
You're not sure what tone you're going for.
Your ear is broken.
You're too hung up on that tube vs. digital debate.

Seriously, with all the resources available for Line6 gear, there's no excuse for not being able to get some great tones.

Editing patches couldn't be more intuitive. If you can work an amp, you're in there. That said, there are a lot of routing options available here, depending on your guitar, amp, or application. It can be complicated to really take advantage of everything if you don't read the manual.

Speaking of the manual, it's corny. It's also really clear and straightforward. I normally just dive into whatever piece of gear I'm playing with and go. With the PODxt, I had been told that it was a good idea to read the manual FIRST, otherwise I would never get it's full potential. Do yourself a favor, READ IT.

My signal path is;
Ibanez RG's - Korg DTR 1000 - Alesis 3630 - Weeping Demon wah - Boss OS2 Overdrive/Distortion - PODxt Live - BBE Sonic Stomp - Crate FXT120 (2x12 combo also feeding a 4x12 cab. Bring earplugs).

I run from the processor chain straight into the FX loop return, bypassing the amp's preamp section, and making the POD the preamp.

I don't have any issues with noise, at least not due to the POD. Any pickup hum or noise is easily filtered out either by the gate in the POD, or the Alesis.

The effects for the most part are really top shelf. Anyone who's used a multi effects unit before will know that says a LOT. There are so many models and tones available that, like I said earlier, if you can't find something, you're not trying. If anything, there's a few too many. If you're in a cover band playing vastly different styles over the course of a gig, this thing could very well cause a religious experience.

The best way I can think of to explain the tone quality is that I can take a model of a high gain amp, and get a chunky distorted to pieces tone. I can go from that to a slightly overdriven cleaner tone for chords, just by lower the guitar's volume control.

Absolutely dependable. It's built like a tank.
I gig with it regularly. Never needed a backup yet. I HAVE had to run it straight into a PA when my amp had a few issues.

Never had an issue.

I play a variety of things. I have a cover band that I play out with for fun, but my primary project is a heavy, progressive thing. Think TooL, Pink Floyd, Filter, Alice in Chains, and Dream Theater in a blender on whip. I not only manage to get all the tones I need for covers, but I've been able to get tones with this that I've been trying for YEARS to get.

If it got stolen, I'm going hunting. Then I'm going to buy a new one with the money out of the thief's wallet.

I compared it to a number of other units from Digitech, Korg, ZOOM, and the others. The only real competition was the PODx3. Since I already use a TonePort UX2 for recording, I couldn't just to have XLR inputs on my pedalboard. There just wasn't enough of an improvement over the xtLive to justify the "upgrade". Not to mention, the x3 feels like a cheap toy.

One of my favorite things about this is that I can erase EVERY preset and replace it. I can save the factory tones, download more, create new ones, and do it all without having to sit on the floor staring at a tiny screen that only shows single digits. The only thing I can think of that I would REALLY love to have in there is a talk box.

it is so easy to use that i barely had to try when i was setting up all the patches this is amazing

there are lots of pre-set artists it was awesome and very many pre-sets

ive used this without a back up in my gigs and it hasnt worn out.... amazing

never had to call!! thank god

i play metal/ hard rock ive bveen using this for about 3 months and its been great to me i would get this produst over and over again i love all the pre-sets my favorite feture is the Computer download

I must admit it was allot easier using the Pod XT than my old Digitech RP 12. But to solve the problem of getting a perfect amp tone through my amp did take awhile of thinking. I am using ESP LTD guitars with EMG pickups.

This is how I run it and I have A/B switched to compare with actual amp and it is dead on. The first thing I did was start running diffrent inputs to my amps effects loop. The amp is a ENGL Fireball halfstack. The one that had the most power was running from the "phones" jack to the "receive" jack on effects loop. Then I used the "pad" switch to cut some high noise, nothing major. Then I set the effects loop to 75%. When I started with the tone I knew one thing do not go by any know knob position, use your ears, this is most likely what people have a problem with and I am also guilty. Note: I like to run The tube screamer with every amp model that is high gain. Note: make sure to use the compression - the pod I do not think automatlly add this in the model - around 3 is good. People complain of fizziness, what I noticed is I do not run high volume, around 1.5 to 2 on volume, so when I heard what I would consider very little fizziness I unplugged everything and ran my guitar strait in the amp, it was still there. What I figured out is I am using Vintage 30 speakers and if I do not run the volume to at least 2 or 2.5 the fizziness will be there. Just need to overdrive those speakers and it went away. Note: when you run this from phones jack to one input of effects loop you cannot channel select, you just made your amp into only a power amp.

Very reliable. No problems

Never had to use them.

I am not putting anyone down for saying "hey this thing sucks and has bad tone. It took me about a year to figure this out. I do not play often and try new things allot. I hope this can help some people when running this into a amp. I am sure you are wondering if I have an Engl Fireball why would I use this? I bought it for the effects, I am very pleased they work fine in effects loop and staight into amp front panel. Before someone says "You know when I run the POD XT LIve like this I cannot channel switch my amp, I didn't worry since I got the ENGL model perfect, anyways I just goof around at home.

Really easy after a bit of trial and error. But like anything with so many features you need a few months before you are fluent with the features and how to make the most of them.

I use the POD XTLive for recording at home and as an fx unit on stage.
When recording I hook it up direct into my Yamaha AW16G 16 track machine.
The resulting sound quality is awesome. I play Fender strats exclusively and use Fender Valve amps live. The Blackface Lux amp simulator is my favourite of the 36 amp models on board. The sound is not far off the real thing IMO. When tweaked enough you can dial in some really awesome tones.

Live I put it straight into my amps front panel and turn the amp mode off. I actually love the Wah pedal function, it is chosen over my cry baby pedal. All I use live is the SINE CHORUS effect. For lead tone I use the amps overdrive channel.

This unit's tube preamp setting is fabulous for recording vocals.

No problems and I have had this unit since 2004.

Great, the website answers any questions and if you call Line6 they are really cool.

The Pod XTLive is a very horny piece of kit.
For recording direct it is wonderful. No messing about setting up pedals (which always drains your sound when several are connected with patch leads) and mics. The mic settings on the unit are good.
The amp models are good but they are not as good as the real thing.
It is a plus when you can record and get great tone at sensible volume levels and the results are consistent owing to the A.I.R settings.

Some folk have knocked the build quality. The right output socket outer ring has snapped off, luckily the socket holds jack leads tightly without it and it has not impaired the sound quality.

I find the unit sounds equally as good when you use mono by only plugging into the left output.

Many of the FX will not be to everybody's liking, I am a blues/rock and originals player. I am a Fender devotee and therefore many of the amp models and effects will never be required in my sound. The beauty of this unit is that it has something for every occasion.

The POD X3live is a very tempting idea, however I will wait for a while and see how the reviews rate it against the XTLive before I make a purchase.

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.