Wildwind
10-12-2007, 05:48 PM
Greetings fellow worship guitarists!
As some of you are aware, I am relegated to using modelers in church as we run everything direct. I’ve used many through the years. For the last five years, I’ve used the PODxt, an upgrade from my Boss GT-6.
This week I traded in both of my old PODs for the new POD X3. Given my extreme dependence on these units, this was a step of faith. The existing computer interface to convert xt patches to X3 is not yet available (but due soon, maybe today). I had the usual three Sunday services plus a three-day revival to play, all with the X3. As it turned out, it didn’t really require much faith anyway.
The X3 is most impressive. Line6 was holding out on us. For those following the story, it was known the X3 was adding dual amp capability and including ALL the model packs (giving you 78 amps, 98 FX, and two or three dozen cabinets – plus all the bass and vocal stuff). We know it would have a mic input (also usable as a separate hi-z input with a DI) with a second potential processing chain that could run alongside the guitar processing. These things alone would justify the new model.
This is what they let us find out for ourselves. The X3 sounds better. Depending on which amp, it sounds way better. With several times the processing power of the older unit, they were apparently able to do a lot more with the modeling technology and you can hear the difference. There is no latency (they killed off most of it with the xt – now I can’t hear it at all). It sounds transparent and amazingly real through my Mackie SRM350 and in the headphones. Some of the amp models were re-done with stunning results. The Twin and Plexi models were early discoveries – both are astonishing.
Note to Lincoln lovers – rumor has it that Linc uses the POD’s Plexi 45 model for his signature tone. I’ll say this – the X3 nails that tone without half trying. But while you could get that tone in the older POD, it didn’t sound this good! Now I swear it sounds just like the CDs – lots of attitude!
The FX are also better. I haven’t tried them all, but everything just sounds better. The chorus and UniVibe models were fine before – now they’re better.
And it’s easy to use even without the computer interface. I haven’t figured it all out yet, like the dual amp thing. But the single amps sound so good I can’t stop myself from goofing around with just those. But I’ll get to it this weekend…
For my money, the PODxt was the best sounding modeler on the market. Its computer interface and Line6’s amazing support (who else continued to upgrade their equipment long after it was released?) sweetened the deal. The X3 is even better.
I took it to practice last night. My WL didn’t know I had the new unit, since from a distance it looks the same (though it’s a somewhat different shade of burgundy – very cool looking with the chrome knobs). He heard me play some stuff and came over. He said “I’ll get one of those for the church” (to replace the xt that they already own, one identical to my main one). So he was hearing something. When a drummer (his main instrument) can hear the difference and likes it immediately – and comments throughout practice – I’d have to say it passes all tests.
Sorry this is so long – believe me, I’m holding back. I’ll be pleased to answer questions and will certainly have some patch sets available to any who ask once the software is released.
Greg
As some of you are aware, I am relegated to using modelers in church as we run everything direct. I’ve used many through the years. For the last five years, I’ve used the PODxt, an upgrade from my Boss GT-6.
This week I traded in both of my old PODs for the new POD X3. Given my extreme dependence on these units, this was a step of faith. The existing computer interface to convert xt patches to X3 is not yet available (but due soon, maybe today). I had the usual three Sunday services plus a three-day revival to play, all with the X3. As it turned out, it didn’t really require much faith anyway.
The X3 is most impressive. Line6 was holding out on us. For those following the story, it was known the X3 was adding dual amp capability and including ALL the model packs (giving you 78 amps, 98 FX, and two or three dozen cabinets – plus all the bass and vocal stuff). We know it would have a mic input (also usable as a separate hi-z input with a DI) with a second potential processing chain that could run alongside the guitar processing. These things alone would justify the new model.
This is what they let us find out for ourselves. The X3 sounds better. Depending on which amp, it sounds way better. With several times the processing power of the older unit, they were apparently able to do a lot more with the modeling technology and you can hear the difference. There is no latency (they killed off most of it with the xt – now I can’t hear it at all). It sounds transparent and amazingly real through my Mackie SRM350 and in the headphones. Some of the amp models were re-done with stunning results. The Twin and Plexi models were early discoveries – both are astonishing.
Note to Lincoln lovers – rumor has it that Linc uses the POD’s Plexi 45 model for his signature tone. I’ll say this – the X3 nails that tone without half trying. But while you could get that tone in the older POD, it didn’t sound this good! Now I swear it sounds just like the CDs – lots of attitude!
The FX are also better. I haven’t tried them all, but everything just sounds better. The chorus and UniVibe models were fine before – now they’re better.
And it’s easy to use even without the computer interface. I haven’t figured it all out yet, like the dual amp thing. But the single amps sound so good I can’t stop myself from goofing around with just those. But I’ll get to it this weekend…
For my money, the PODxt was the best sounding modeler on the market. Its computer interface and Line6’s amazing support (who else continued to upgrade their equipment long after it was released?) sweetened the deal. The X3 is even better.
I took it to practice last night. My WL didn’t know I had the new unit, since from a distance it looks the same (though it’s a somewhat different shade of burgundy – very cool looking with the chrome knobs). He heard me play some stuff and came over. He said “I’ll get one of those for the church” (to replace the xt that they already own, one identical to my main one). So he was hearing something. When a drummer (his main instrument) can hear the difference and likes it immediately – and comments throughout practice – I’d have to say it passes all tests.
Sorry this is so long – believe me, I’m holding back. I’ll be pleased to answer questions and will certainly have some patch sets available to any who ask once the software is released.
Greg