So I tried a Line 6 POD X3 Live

[sideshowlinc]

I've made a few threads about these over the last few weeks, asking questions and whatnot, and I finally got a chance to spend some time with one over the last few days. A mate has been trying to sell his (after upgrading to an Axe-FX) and he let me borrow it to see if I like it and would want to buy it from him.

Its good. No doubt about it. Better than good in fact. The only other multifx unit I've tried in the past is a Boss GT-6 and the X3 is lightyears ahead of that thing.

It takes a lot of patience, and I've recently discovered that when it comes to musical equipment, I'm not really the most patient guy in the world. I dunno, maybe its a flaw I have, but if I wanna play guitar, I don't wanna sit for hours scrolling through amp cabs and delay presets and all that, especially when none of its actually real. I know that thats what the X3 is for, a shitload of options, but I think its just too many for me. If I make it in the music world one day (hey, I might as well dream ) and I get roadies and guitar techs and fuck knows what else, maybe I'll use it then, and some other poor bastard can tweak with it for hours to get the sounds I want, then I can just use it on stage.

But until then, I think I'm just a plug and play kinda guy. The presets started pissing me off, cos you've got this whole Dual Tone thing, which is awesome (that is exactly what it sounds like - 2 different tones at the same time) but I kept having problems where the 2nd tone in the preset would keep showing up in every other preset I tried to use, which isnt what its meant to do. I suppose I should have sat down and figured out what was going wrong but after about 5 minutes of fighting with it I thought fuck this and picked up the acoustic instead.

So in summary, if you love tweaking, fiddling, learning, reading manuals and having a motherload of options at your fingertips, then this thing is fantastic. I got some great sounds out of it, but I think I could do just as well with a good amp and some pedals, personally. If you play covers AND love tweaking, then stop reading and buy this thing, cos the range of sounds you can find is just amazing. A very good quality item, just not for me. Line 6 has done fucking well, for an awesome price too. They're probably due for a new one sometime soon so I'll be keeping a look out for it, you should too

Hope this helped

Oh btw, the modeller of the EHX DMM was fucking awesome, I finally have some understanding why you guys fap over that pedal so much, I'll have to try one out one day

Peace

[mcmurray]

I kept having problems where the 2nd tone in the preset would keep showing up in every other preset I tried to use, which isnt what its meant to do.

Me too. It turned out that tone 2 was locked. Look on the LCD display for a picture of a padlock, then toggle it so it's unlocked.

[germs]

Well it's good you understand your place in the world then.

But for those of us who require a multitude of tones - like, more than a single band's worth - the modelers will continue to be the way to go.

But c'mon! It's worth the price of admission! As in, the price of a couple of nice pedals and I've got all the working tones I need to get out and earn. And it's not about "making it" in music. I understand your frustrations with tweaking - it's not for everyone - but it's something you have to MAKE work for you. As in, sit down and learn how to do it, and how effects work together, and how to make them work together for you.

I'm going totally ampless in a genre that THRIVES on slinging big iron around onstage. It's totally worth it to watch the other guys in bands just stand around dumbstruck when I get up onstage with a powered 15" and the POD...

No, I understand it doesn't sound EXACTLY like a tube amp cranked up, but when all the audience hears is what's coming out of the PA anyway, what's it matter if that's what I hear too? To me, it makes sense to work on getting an end-product that's as pleasing to listen to as the input stage. That's where a POD helps me...anyhow, YMMV obviously.

BUT that being said, I've heard that the X3 series had it's flaws, namely the tricky GUI. Perhaps they'll get that ironed out for the next generation.

Typically, when I purchase these, I'll buy every other one that comes out. So I've got the XT, skip the X3, and purchase the ?? when it comes out. Bummer that it didn't work for you though. I enjoy mine.

[sideshowlinc]

Well it's good you understand your place in the world then.

But for those of us who require a multitude of tones - like, more than a single band's worth - the modelers will continue to be the way to go.

But c'mon! It's worth the price of admission! As in, the price of a couple of nice pedals and I've got all the working tones I need to get out and earn. And it's not about "making it" in music. I understand your frustrations with tweaking - it's not for everyone - but it's something you have to MAKE work for you. As in, sit down and learn how to do it, and how effects work together, and how to make them work together for you.

I'm going totally ampless in a genre that THRIVES on slinging big iron around onstage. It's totally worth it to watch the other guys in bands just stand around dumbstruck when I get up onstage with a powered 15" and the POD...

No, I understand it doesn't sound EXACTLY like a tube amp cranked up, but when all the audience hears is what's coming out of the PA anyway, what's it matter if that's what I hear too? To me, it makes sense to work on getting an end-product that's as pleasing to listen to as the input stage. That's where a POD helps me...anyhow, YMMV obviously.

BUT that being said, I've heard that the X3 series had it's flaws, namely the tricky GUI. Perhaps they'll get that ironed out for the next generation.

Typically, when I purchase these, I'll buy every other one that comes out. So I've got the XT, skip the X3, and purchase the ?? when it comes out. Bummer that it didn't work for you though. I enjoy mine.

Yeah I get what you're saying, and I have nothing against the product, I will actually recommend it to anyone that asks what I think, I'm just obviously too lazy for it, so its not for me :lol:

[jds22]

I bought and gigged with the original Line 6 AxSys when it first came out. It was perfect for me at the time as I was playing in a cover band.

Now that I just play at home at low volume, I'm starting to think the X3 might be a good choice. I currently have a Vypyr 75, not overly pleased with it.

The main thing holding me back is that I'm like the OP, I'm really not a tweaker. I rarely play clean and I don't use a lot of effects. A little reverb, a little delay, maybe some phase or flange if I'm playing VH, but thats about it. So most of what the X3 can do will go to waste. But then again, spending as much or more on a tube amp to play at low volumes is a bit of a waste too.

I'm leaning towards the X3 due to the volume req's that I have.

[Undertaker4]

JDS,

You may be interested in Line 6's Customtone site for your requirements, which is a patch sharing site that allows you to get some decent tones really quickly via the editing software. The real tweaking for the Pod stuff IMO is in the software instead of on the board itself. I used an EVH Patch to quickly record this a few years ago:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=758588&songID=5957739

I used a patch from there and it took me only couple of minutes to plug it into an XT Live and go. This isn't my genre of music typically and I'm not a great recorder but it may be of some interest.

[jds22]

JDS,

You may be interested in Line 6's Customtone site for your requirements, which is a patch sharing site that allows you to get some decent tones really quickly via the editing software. The real tweaking for the Pod stuff IMO is in the software instead of on the board itself. I used an EVH Patch to quickly record this a few years ago:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=758588&songID=5957739

I used a patch from there and it took me only couple of minutes to plug it into an XT Live and go. This isn't my genre of music typically and I'm not a great recorder but it may be of some interest.

That's what I'm looking for. VH at low volumes or even thru headphones. :thu:

I'm leaning even more towards an X3 now.

Thanks

[Undertaker4]

Yeah, the X3 probably has some better features than the XT Live also, like being able to run 2 different signal paths out.

The editing software is pretty fun, actually. I hate tweaking but the software makes it like a game.

[sabrecat]

That's what I'm looking for. VH at low volumes or even thru headphones. :thu:

I'm leaning even more towards an X3 now.

Thanks

I have an X3 Live and I really do like it. It took me quite a while to figure out the ropes but once I did I loved the results I was getting.

A word of advice, if your just going to noodle around with it at home ( what I do ) I would highly reccommend a good set of PC speakers to plug into the headphone out. Sounds unbleiveably good and can be whisper quiet. I use a set of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122 or when I have to go mobile I have a Tech 21 60 watt power amp 1x12 that really mates up well with the X3 Live.

[jds22]

I have an X3 Live and I really do like it. It took me quite a while to figure out the ropes but once I did I loved the results I was getting.

A word of advice, if your just going to noodle around with it at home ( what I do ) I would highly reccommend a good set of PC speakers to plug into the headphone out. Sounds unbleiveably good and can be whisper quiet. I use a set of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122 or when I have to go mobile I have a Tech 21 60 watt power amp 1x12 that really mates up well with the X3 Live.

I was wondering about that as I didn't really want to buy a keyboard amp so this may be a better solution.

[MusicalSchizo]

That's what I'm looking for. VH at low volumes or even thru headphones. :thu:
You can totally get that with the X3. It even has a model of a Variac Marshall in there that if you crank it gets you halfway there. Add in some Phase 90 and plate reverb and you're playing Eruption in no time.

I HATED the user interface when I first got the X3, but now that I understand it and am used to how it works, it's a piece of cake.

I highly recommend using something full-range to amplify the X3. A Tech 21 Power Engine is fine, but it's not really full-range. Your best bet is a powered/active monitor system (either studio monitors or PA speaker) or a keyboard amp. That will more faithfully amplify what you've tweaked.

If you need the "guitar speaker mojo" that many guys do, well, then the Power Engine might be better for you. I don't care for the sound of the X3 (or any POD, really) through guitar speakers.

The X3 also sounds great through headphones, especially good ones.

And the best part is using it in conjunction with the computer - tweaking then becomes MUCH more visual and more like putting an actual rig together. Either with GearBox or POD Farm software (the POD farm is snazzier, but GearBox is the standard for the X3).

Good luck - and sorry to the OP that he didn't like tweaking it so much. I completely understand where he's coming from, though. Sometimes it's hard to get past the bells and whistles and just tweak the amps, but that's how I use it. I almost never use effects, except the occasional stomp box model for a little more grit and reverb and sometimes a little delay (but not often).

Brian V.

[MetalJon]

I got the X3 Pro and have also been quite pleased with it. With a little bit of work I was able to dial in a very close analog to the tone I used to get from my Single Recto, which was the best rhythm tone I was ever able to get. I've also been able to get some awesome lead tones out of it. Overall, it's super versatile and a great value--perfect for at home recording.

[Electrikon]

I couldn't get great amp sim's out of my GT-10 or X3L. I was trying to find a good live setup to run into wireless in-ear monitors and also direct to the house PA, no amp onstage.

I find the GT-10 amps sound dated, and the X3L sounds stiff and bright, especially for higher gain Rock/Metal tonz.

I am currently using a DigiTech RP500 into the return of my Marshall DSL 100, outputting to a 2x12 cab. The RP sounds excellent and has a much simpler interface. I set the RP500's output type to "Amp" and set the cabinet type to "Direct" (off - no cabinet simulation). This sounds excellent, and sounds even better when I do the same thing using the return of a Dual Rectifier.

So my quest is to find a way to get these exact tonz going through IEM's and direct to PA to allow for a silent stage.

[Valtyr]

I have a Pod XTL and I understand the complaint. I'd rather plug and play than tweak dozens of settings too so I learned to build and save my own patches. I quit tweaking once I had the basic tones covered.

Despite the apparent complexity, I find the Pod is very easy to record with and I can generally dial in just about any sound I want. For me, that makes it well worth keeping around.

[chroma]

for the dual tone thing popping in and out - each patch can either be a dual tone patch (in which both tones 1 and 2 both appear), or a single tone patch (and then you can swap between them). So that could just be the patches that were in the unit.

[jds22]

Ok, Pod X3 Live is on the way, along with 2 small powered monitors. I bought an XT Live when it first came out and also tried one of the Vox pedal boards, can't think of the name at the moment. Anyways I wasn't overly pleased with either but I was trying to run them into a guitar amp.

I'll give this a try. If I don't like the setup, I can always send it back.

[liamtarpey]

i tried it a few weeks back and also a pocket pod express (very small and simple and very cheap) and much prefered the sound of the pocketpod. it has 5 amp sims and a few simple effects. if you just need something to model an amp try this.

[Undertaker4]

Ok, Pod X3 Live is on the way, along with 2 small powered monitors. I bought an XT Live when it first came out and also tried one of the Vox pedal boards, can't think of the name at the moment. Anyways I wasn't overly pleased with either but I was trying to run them into a guitar amp.

I'll give this a try. If I don't like the setup, I can always send it back.

Make sure to give the software a good run-through, it's really where the power is IMO.

[jds22]

Make sure to give the software a good run-through, it's really where the power is IMO.

What software? :confused:

[Undertaker4]

Line 6 Monkey, which will give you access to LineEdit software.

[jds22]

Line 6 Monkey, which will give you access to LineEdit software.

Ah, got it, thanks. It should be here tomorrow. :thu:

[eyetoons]

line 6 makes some good stuff. i had a flex III that sounded great.

looking forward to their future endeavors.

[thirsty one]

It happens!

[jds22]

I'm sending my X3 Live back. Great tones and tons of features, but I'm more of an amp guy. Give me 2 channels, 2-3 pedals, and I'm good to go. With the X3, I've also had an XL Live and the Vox Tonelab, I spend most of the time tweaking knobs instead of playing.

If I was gigging again, an X3 Live would be the way to go, but for me at this point simpler is better.

:cool:

[mygolfcart123]

I don't understand some people wanting to only use the X3 live just as a direct tool.

Sure it will do that, but you can also use your favorite tube amp, take out the modeling and just use the effects. That is what I do with my Pod X3 live hooked into a Mesa Boogie Lonestar on the clean channel. Then I use a shure SM 57 mic out to the PA for the miced sound.

That rig gets some of the best sounds I have had in ages!

[hahavishnu]

fucking awesome

[rlavergne09]

I love my X3 Live. One suggestion though is to use it either with studio monitors or a nice pair of headphones with a flat frequency response. Some decent computer speakers may get the job done, but having actual studio monitors lets you hear things in your tone that you've never heard before. Computer speakers come with a huge scoop in the mids, and some extra dB's on the low end to make whatever music you're listening to "sound good". With monitors you can crank them without any break up from the speakers, and the flat frequency response will let you hear things you've never heard in your tone before

[NewTruth]

I have an X3 Live and I really do like it. It took me quite a while to figure out the ropes but once I did I loved the results I was getting.

A word of advice, if your just going to noodle around with it at home ( what I do ) I would highly reccommend a good set of PC speakers to plug into the headphone out. Sounds unbleiveably good and can be whisper quiet. I use a set of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122 or when I have to go mobile I have a Tech 21 60 watt power amp 1x12 that really mates up well with the X3 Live.

I run my X3 Live either through a Traynor K4 and Fender Acoustisonic Junior (which is my main rig) or through two Tech 21 Power Engine 60s.

Occasionally if I don't want to lug a bunch of amps I'll use my Groove Tubes Space Station II which projects a stereo imagine from one amp. It's main drawback is that it's got two 8" speakers and so it's super trebley with no tone controls to tame the high end.

[NewTruth]

Ah, got it, thanks. It should be here tomorrow. :thu:

No, you want Gearbox, not Line 6 Edit. Edit won't work with X3 Live. Monkey is only used to update the internal software and to back up your patches.

You can't edit anything with Monkey. That's what Gearbox is for.