It has never happened in my studio. Classic amps, classic mics, great mic pres, and super comps. Is there any other way?

One guy brought in a POD in the early POD days, but we tried it and never used it.

Ampeg B-15, 1962 Fender Bassman, Deluxe Reverb. Super Reverb, 1947 Gibson & a small Marshall. Old Sennheiser 421s, Shure SM57s. Hot rod LA 4s, 1176. Get the picture?

Don't learn this lesson the hard way like your Mackie disaster.

That is not a lesson I need to lern my friend.

I have been recording for 22 years now and I am quite aware of the classic amp sounds.

My 1980 Fender Twin has been my little buddy all of these years. I use great amps in the studio myself , I was raising the qestion for thoses who might have had good examples of the POD being a sucsess in the studio.

I see no reason for makeing a remark to me as if your elbowing me saying "Look kid , dont fool your self with the glowing lights , do your self a favor and buy the real deal!"

I have never really recorded sucsessfully with the PODs and I never thought they sounded real.

Anybody else?

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

I recorded a band who brought one in, but after he recorded one track with it, and then ABing it with my marshall jcm2000 he quickly made up his mind. We ended up using it on guitar once, just for a lo fi effect, but it rocked on drums, and doing weird stuff to vox and bass. I'm going to pick one up, but wont be using it for what its meant for.

I find them just about bearable..

There seems to be a 'sweet spot' on the outputs of them, (is it 'never over 7' - I dunno....)

I admit to a keen iterest in the next line 6 range the Vetta series...! I have had my eye on a head for a while..

:)

So we agree they are not good enough for real tones in real recording situations.

I feel the process effect is still not organic enough , but hell what do you expect from this sort of technology?

It is what it is.

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

Well I have the Flextone Combo(pod with speakers), and it does not beat my Soldano, or Marshall. Although it has some usefull sounds that they both cannot do. I find that recording with the speakers makes a difference.

With Ampfarm in TDM I find the pre used to record the guitar has an greater effect on the sound then a clean input.

Although I use my Bass Pod all the time since the day I got it, I get great Bass sounds from it. Well better then a stock bass amp. If some one has a nice SWR or mesa I will still mic it. Although it is better then a di or a peavey/trace type amp.

I've used it for crazy vocal stuff a lot.

I did do a almost freebe demo for a band where we used it for all the guitars. All the drums were a D4 and the bass was just DI. It came out to be a very clean demo that setup in about 5 min. And has worked very good for the bands booking agent. Everybody says it sounds great.

I haven't listened to it since we did it.

Mmhh, I guess it all depends on what music you are going to record. I have gotten really good results with the POD for heavy, downtuned rythm guitars, but then I tweaked it alot (Sounddiver, EQing) - it worked very well. But you must really take your time with this thing...it's not good for clean guitars though - very noisy and spitty, but great for layers of heavy rythm guitars.
On the other hand, I am really a fan of this line 6 stuff...I also have a Flextone XL in the studio and in my opinion this thing sounds awesome and blows any Marshall (hate em!) away....but, YMMV, as always and I know a lot will disagree.

Best,

Markus

Does anyone else think that the Pod is surprisingly noisy? Even though not everyone is fanatical about noise, so much seems unnecessary considering how quiet (& better sounding) the Roland VG-8 is. btw, did anyone get to hear the bass version of the VG-8 at NAMM?

The Behringer Pod-alike is supposed to have 26db better snr with the free ver. 2.0 upgrade, too bad it's so damn ugly. ;)

Excuse me for trying to steer you in the right direction. I don't see anything patronizing or condescending in my post.

It's ok Jeff , sorry , I took your comment the wrong way!

I agree about useing the Bass POD!

It seems to work well to tape and is not as confussing , or time consumming as the 2.0!

I am still trying to find the right set up for the guitar POD.

The main ins of a Roland JC 120 works the best so far. I have tried tube amps (both in the effects return and in the Preamp section of the amps) and they seem to not work at all well woth the PODs.

Non tube amps are part of the key , but you would be hard pressed to truly get organic sounding tones with out the help of certain distortions.

Like it has already been stated , the clear tones on the guitar PODs are really not that good , at least for me , but I do keep trying.

Every day is the first day! :D ;) :confused:

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

Don't discount the POD until you've spent some "quality" time with her!

If you plug your POD in direct and compare it to a miked Marshall into a good pre, you're likely to say "what the fuck was that"...like I did.

If you use SoundDiver, and run your POD into an API / Neve & FATSO chain, you'll likely to say "Marshall who"...like I did.

Extra Bonus Tip: Stick a 57/Api in front of your monitor, crank it up, and record your POD track to another track...now do your comparison!

:cool:

I use a POD all the time (reluctantly at first) but now love it. We have an older Fender Twin Reverb, Fender Vibralux, and a Peavey Classic 50, as well as some other Fender etc amps, and I still use the POD often. Especially for light or heavy distorted guitar, always with my favorite distortion pedal before it (Tube Screamer, Rat, XXL) and a quality mic pre and or compressor after it. Sounds good to me.

Hi Coldsnow ,

I have a Peavey Classic 50 watt head too!

Are you saying you use the POD thru that sometimes?

When you use the Pre/Comp is that micking tech or direct?

I originaly tried useing the POD into a Manley pre and it quikly took me off that route.

Finding the right personel techniques for micking the amp with the POD is something I still desire greatly!

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

I've gotten great results with the POD. Using many of the above mentioned techniques. Nothing wrong with the POD. I love tools.
I prefer the real thing though. Always.

Extra Bonus Tip: Stick a 57/Api in front of your monitor, crank it up, and record your POD track to another track...now do your comparison!

bassmac

Have you tried this with a vocal track?
Either re-tracking an existing one or have the vocalist put on the phones and sing in front of the monitors. Once you get the distance right it's pretty useful. I did a voice over this way once. Worked great.

Dan-O

Like always, horses for causes, sometimes PODs work well (especially the bass one), the guitar one works well as an alternative sometimes.

We have access to muuch vintage gear, from brown Vox' to Orange to Marshalls etc. but, all seems to be gathering dust once we got our hands on a UniValve, which everyone now seems to prefer over anything else - period. It got so bad that people refuse to leave without one, so we now always have one in stock to sell on :)

Nope Dan-O, haven't tried it yet...but I will.

BTW: I checked [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.mesaboog…"]this[/]="http://www.mesaboog…"]this[/] new "Recording" Rectifier out at NAMM and it sounded killer.

bassmac

Looks very cool! Could be the total winner for many a project. Was it flexible in the tone department or just slight variations of a one trick pony? As usual for Boogie it looks solid for battle.
I did have had a chance to hear the Mesa Formula pre (some time ago)which was sort of marketed as a direct recording unit. It was just OK. Nothing to right home about IMHO.

BTW, I found this today floating through the net. I love this kind of stuff. All point to point, only 33watts, only 1 lbs. and a foot switch. Really cool. If it sounds good I might want one.

http://www.musictoyz.com/palm.htm

Dan-O
Also, anyone out there using a Lovetone "Brown Source"?

Also, Also, I had a opportunity to give a listen to the newest "Stereophonics" release in Tower Records the other day. The first tune (don't remember what it's called) has a fantastic brown buttery guitar tone on it that I would love for a tune or two I'm working on. Any clues on set-up, signal path, etc? Maybe someone read something or worked on it. Thanks.

Are you referring to:

"Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited"?

That is some wild music and James Bond style guitar! I found out about this a few days ago and have yet to check out this 3 Volume release.

Personaly , I would stay away from the Boogies for direct recoring , already got in trouble in that department with them in the early 90s with their Preamp Twin that was designed for recording.

Pure crap and nobody seemed to like them , oh well.

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

I myself prefer the real thing...what can I say. I like mic's and the infinite possibillities afforded by their use.
That said. I also like the POD. The presets are only a starting place...it ALWAYS needs to be tweeked, per the tarck & part. I've had to use them for alot of tracks on the last several records I've done. What they bring in speed and creativity (especially on a budget) is immeasurable.

My choice: I use the Pod if I have to for the bulk of the tracks, and try to get one or two of the MAin tracks with a rwal amplifier, thereby hiding the POD tracks (as it were) behind a unique Hi Fi sound.

Also the POD pro on an external Clock is a differrnt animal as far as noise, Bottom end tightness, image and mid-range clarity

I have a mesa boogie-fender hotrod and a pod, I can use any one at anytime and get the sound. But the pod is quicker,and for most music these days I'll go for the pod. You have to tweak it..it has so many alternative sounds..don't even bother with the efx.And no compressor more than the first or second step.

Sometimes I'll use a preamp-comp sometime just a comp. If I'm using a preamp I usually use a pro co direct that translates the signal to mic level and run it through a Neve usually. I use a Purple MC76 after the pod for leads usually and sometime I'll run rythem g through an LA2a type comp (sometimes with the threshold off) for a warm fuzzy sound. Also, you may think I'm nuts for bringing this up, but a Joe Meek SC2.2 also sounds really good after a pod, I think the lower fi makes it sound more real sometimes.

Are you referring to:
"Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited"?

No I'm quite sure it was The Stereophonics, but that does sound intriguing.

Also, I thought I'd share this with you.

Being a guitar player I collect like most do. I have an OK collection of guitars and amps. Ebay can be kind and not so kind in that department, but today a little gem arrived. After spending the last 2 1/2 hours putting it through the tests I thought I'd share.
Why? I don't know. Maybe just as contrast to modeling set ups. Which I enjoy. Remember I love tools.

Is it versatile? Yes!(as versatile as the POD? Well no...and yes just the same) Large sounding? YES! Clean and crisp? Not fender clean and crisp but soft with a little chime. Modeled by the Line6 POD? No. Cheap? $100.00 usa.
What is it?

1953 Magnatone Starlet. Mother of toilet seat pine case. 21 blazing watts. 1 knob. 8" speaker.

They were marketed along with lap steel guitars in the 50's(Funny, I have yet to try it with my 61 gibson lap).

It's not loud. It's not powerful. It sounds HUGE recorded. I mean Dam it sounds HUGE. Could be easily be tucked away to comply with neighbors.(to hell with mine their scared of me anyway).

There out there and they rock.

Small amps rule! (definitely not always)

Didn't mean to gloat or anything. Just pleased.
Thanks

Dan-O

I use the pod with a mesa/boogie st. simul class 295 and a mesa/boogie cabinet , then I mic it really hot with a 57 and a 421 , feeding the signal to a Vox Box or 737 , the result is pretty good , and I can switch thru different amps in a second .
Anyway the original amps sound more organic to me

There is only one way to use the POD 2.0 to get the sound to kick butt. Most people do not know that it has trs outputs. By using a male trs to male xlr, you plug into the mixer in the studio or the mixing board of your PA and utilize the mic preamp of the mixer. Suddenly the output is powerful and cutting. The EQ is no longer and issue. It is no longer weak and lost in the mix. When I play out with my EON system by JBL, people are ususally amazed that there is no large amp on the stage.

Dr Gadget

You guys do not care about the Johnson J-Station??? I love it and I am about to buy one,I have a ADA MP-2 (nice clean sounds,terrible overdrives...)and hope to use the J-Station for "mild" overdriven sound.

I've owned the JStation and really didn't like it that well. It's nice for the money and bass amps are not bad but it doesn't react like a real amp to me like a POD does.

Dr. Gadget ,

That is an interesting point that you raise on the 2.0 POD using a TRS out to board or a clean preamp.

However , when you have a Mackie , those pres will not help the POD sound , but rather degrade it!

I did try useing a TRS connection , useing a direct box , first to the board , then straight to tape. Never found the right sound. :mad:

The POD has more musicians trying different methods to make the modeling sound as real as possible. The ideal hookup should be straight to source with out the need to "liven" the sound up.

I spent a year on and off with the POD and I still do not have a system down yet. It seems to change all the time. That is not to say that I have not gotten any decent sounds on the POD , I have , it's just a very confussing tool to say the least. There is no science to it Doctor! :eek:

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

I've used the Pod in numerous recordings and I feel that it is a useful tool but it is not capable of replicating the tones of a real vintage amp. Could we really expect it too? It does make excellent amp like tones when used correctly. If I had $320 (the price of a new Pod)to spend on a guitar recording rig I'd buy a used Sans amp GT2 ($60) and a Silverface Fender Vibrochamp ($250). With that little rig you'd be amazed at the amount of tones you can capture.

Originally posted by John Thomas Milhorat:
The ideal hookup should be straight to source with out the need to "liven" the sound up.

I run my POD thru the API and EL7 more to fatten it up and take off some of the up-front edge you get from direct recording...works pretty good. I figure if it sounds good, and fits the song, then it doesn't really matter if it's a real amp or not. I like the control and ease of use too...sorta like ProTools vs. Tape I guess.

One thing I might be over looking is the fact that everyone is comparing apples to oranges or am I? I have the Pod Pro and it has been a fav of mine since day one. I think it definetly depends on the style of music and tone your shooting for in a song. I'm into the hard stuff and as far as I have heard nothing can compare to the Pod when it comes to hard driven sound.

I also think the clean emulation sounds great too. Notice the word emulation

I'm also comparing solid state to the Pod not Tube.

I have a v-twin rack and a POD 1.0...
The v-twin works good for organic guitar sounds if there is a good power amp and a cabinet after it... no line out recording... but the POD is killer for heavy distorted guitars... if you have a active one... it's even better... crunchy sound... but needs to be tweaked...

Howdy

I think my use of the POD increased as soon as I stopped looking at it as an "amp modeller" and started looking at it as "guitar effects". Sometimes its terribly useful, sometimes its terrible. Just like paprika. Great in Goulash or Pad Thai, not so great in cheesecake.

I use my Pod 1.0 all the time.... for most of the work I do (television commercials and production music for film and television), it works fine direct. When I'm doing a record project or feel that I need to get that extra 10 percent that the direct POD lacks, I run a line out to the studio, plug the POD output into my 66 Princeton or Marshall combo, and mic it with a 57. I'm still able to stay in the control room and tweak the different models and tone, which is a real time saver.

Hey Jim ,

When you go from your POD direct to your amps are you sending them front end in or are you useing the effects return.

I have always heard that running a POD into a tube amp (or Preamp) was not the best thing.

I have not tried putting my POD thru the Fender Twin because I never thought it would work!

I supose I should try it.

Cheers,

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!"
Edgar Varese - 1921

Originally posted by John Thomas Milhorat:
I have always heard that running a POD into a tube amp (or Preamp) was not the best thing.

Why not?

Umm...yeah, why not? :)

Dan-O

Dr. Gadget ,
That is an interesting point that you raise on the 2.0 POD using a TRS out to board or a clean preamp.

However , when you have a Mackie , those pres will not help the POD sound , but rather degrade it!

I did try useing a TRS connection , useing a direct box , first to the board , then straight to tape. Never found the right sound.

John,

You went from trs to a direct box. Why don't you try what I said? Try using a TRS male to XLR male cable. Plug directly into the XLR input on your board (no direct box), thereby using the preamp on the mixer. If you use the line in, it will bypass the mic-pre of the board. BTW, I don't agree about the Mackie pre's. They can sound quite nice if you spend a little time tweaking the trim.

Dr Gadget
Vision Recordings
Middle Granville, NY

Dr,

I am giveing your method full atention on my next recording. I assume all trims are keeped down.

The reason it seemed to me that a tube amp might not work well with the POD is because of the nature of the modeling device. For instance real tubes can not offer ( I do not think anyway) sonic warmth to the POD, because it is not a real sound!

I have used (or tried rather) the POD in my Twin , as I mentioned earlier , but found that the POD worked much better in my solied state Roland JC-120!

I have also tried Tube preamps , but I always felt that it sounded best on its own.

I am excited about the XLR to the board , I will certainly let you know how it works out for me.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Mad John
Zythum Studios

"The present day Composer refuses to die!" - Edgar Varese - 1921

Dr.Gadget,
Do you know if the POD 1 hardware has the trs outs? I have a POD v 1 that I upgraded with the 2.0 chip. I had thought that the only physical difference was the graphics screened on the unit for speaker models, but I could very well be mistaken. Thanks for any help.