POD x3 Live

Te eF Kay · 08-12-2008, 09:36 PM

So i've been looking at getting one of these for a while now and I was just wondering if anybody here has used on before.
I'm just wondering how good the sound, reliability, etc. all is.

Any pointers?

tht00 · 08-12-2008, 10:20 PM

I have the XT Live (the X3 Live's predecessor). If you'd like to save some money, it might be worth looking into buying a used XTL. I got mine several months ago on eBay for ~$215.

The differences from the XT to X3 aren't huge. You get voice effects, another signal chain (to run dual guitars or guitar/voice), extra model packs (bass, vintage, metal) are included, and I think it has a different layout. Other than that, they are basically the same unit, repackaged.

If you're set on getting the X3, it should do pretty well for you. I've been happy with the PodXTL. I've never questioned its reliability, and I get tons of usable sounds out of it -- anything in particular that you're looking for sound-wise?

Demon_Hunter · 08-12-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Te eF Kay

So i've been looking at getting one of these for a while now and I was just wondering if anybody here has used on before.
I'm just wondering how good the sound, reliability, etc. all is.

Any pointers?

Pointers?

If you get one, you will be needing to set aside alot of time to go through all the factory presets to find the ones you really like. And then more time to go through and start making your own.

Im using one now. I really like it.

Im pretty abusive to my gear. Its not normal that by now (almost 2 weeks) a peice of my gear doesnt have any issues, but this one so far is perfect still. Im really happy with it in that regard.

The sound quality is awesome. To be perfectly honest, out of all the amp/cab combo's available on this thing, in real life I have only spent time with about 3 of them. 2 personal experience, and 1 having heard it in several concert situations. Those 3 I know for sure are pretty much exactly what I remember the original amps sounding like when I used them, or heard them live. So, im pretty impressed with that. The rest of the amp models are awesome. And accurate aswell, Im guessing. Doesnt make sense that only the 3 ive used would be right, and the rest would be wrong, lol.

Im not big into effects, but the ones I have been using are awesome. Im not really that experienced with effects, so, the stuff Im trying to do with them just sounds wrong, lol. If you are really crazy into effects, then the effects modelers will work for you. I only need delay, reverb, wah and OD. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Ive had a chance to use it live recently. It pwns through a sound system.

tht00 · 08-13-2008, 10:06 AM

Also, do you know how you'll use this? You can use it for effects only and run it into an existing amp, or you can use amp modeling and run it into a clean amp or PA. If you use amp modeling (and especially if you run into a PA), use the speaker/cab modeling. Even through my amp, it generally sounds better with the speaker modeling.

As Demon_Hunter_Astley said, the amp modeling is pretty close -- they did a good job capturing the essence of the amps. I don't generally look at accuracy, but usability, and there are tons of usable sounds on the stock XTL (and more with the X3 (or XTL + model packs)).

**Rainer.** · 08-13-2008, 12:48 PM

If you're just going to go Guitar>POD>Amp/PA, then the PODxt Live is definitely the way to go.

If you want to use your own effects in an effects loop for recording direct, need XLR inputs, need to run multiple instruments simultaneously, or just need a lot more routing flexibility in terms of ins and outs, then the X3 is something to consider.

The PODxt will take care of most of your needs, if you want to save $100 or so. The xt and x3 basically use the same processing engine.

PianoMan · 08-13-2008, 03:29 PM

I would also recommend the XTL for now. It is cheaper, has everything you really should need (at least for starters), and it isn't plagued by the quality control issues that the X3L has been having even to this day following its release. The main reason I haven't gotten one by now is the fact that there are still so many serious issues with them that Line 6 just isn't addressing.

Te eF Kay · 08-19-2008, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tht00

The differences from the XT to X3 aren't huge. You get voice effects, another signal chain (to run dual guitars or guitar/voice), extra model packs (bass, vintage, metal) are included, and I think it has a different layout. Other than that, they are basically the same unit, repackaged.

If you're set on getting the X3, it should do pretty well for you. I've been happy with the PodXTL. I've never questioned its reliability, and I get tons of usable sounds out of it -- anything in particular that you're looking for sound-wise?

Yeah, I know the difference between the xt and the x3 aren't HUGE but neither is the price so I though I would get the x3 just for that little bit extra it has to offer.
The extra $100 or however much doesn't bother me too much.

Well, I already have a Digitech RP200A and soundwise I like to use the amp moduler for Mesa's Marshall and Vox sounds.
The specs. for the x3 shows a lot more amps than my current pedal has though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

Pointers?

If you get one, you will be needing to set aside alot of time to go through all the factory presets to find the ones you really like. And then more time to go through and start making your own.

Im using one now. I really like it.

Im pretty abusive to my gear. Its not normal that by now (almost 2 weeks) a peice of my gear doesnt have any issues, but this one so far is perfect still. Im really happy with it in that regard.

The sound quality is awesome. To be perfectly honest, out of all the amp/cab combo's available on this thing, in real life I have only spent time with about 3 of them. 2 personal experience, and 1 having heard it in several concert situations. Those 3 I know for sure are pretty much exactly what I remember the original amps sounding like when I used them, or heard them live. So, im pretty impressed with that. The rest of the amp models are awesome. And accurate aswell, Im guessing. Doesnt make sense that only the 3 ive used would be right, and the rest would be wrong, lol.

Im not big into effects, but the ones I have been using are awesome. Im not really that experienced with effects, so, the stuff Im trying to do with them just sounds wrong, lol. If you are really crazy into effects, then the effects modelers will work for you. I only need delay, reverb, wah and OD. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Ive had a chance to use it live recently. It pwns through a sound system.

Thanks for that little review.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tht00

Also, do you know how you'll use this? You can use it for effects only and run it into an existing amp, or you can use amp modeling and run it into a clean amp or PA. If you use amp modeling (and especially if you run into a PA), use the speaker/cab modeling. Even through my amp, it generally sounds better with the speaker modeling.

As Demon_Hunter_Astley said, the amp modeling is pretty close -- they did a good job capturing the essence of the amps. I don't generally look at accuracy, but usability, and there are tons of usable sounds on the stock XTL (and more with the X3 (or XTL + model packs)).

I'm not sure I'm up to date with everything it can do.
Would you mind giving me a quick run-through please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

If you're just going to go Guitar>POD>Amp/PA, then the PODxt Live is definitely the way to go.

If you want to use your own effects in an effects loop for recording direct, need XLR inputs, need to run multiple instruments simultaneously, or just need a lot more routing flexibility in terms of ins and outs, then the X3 is something to consider.

The PODxt will take care of most of your needs, if you want to save $100 or so. The xt and x3 basically use the same processing engine.

So you can play several instruments through it simultaneously?

**Rainer.** · 08-19-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Te eF Kay

So you can play several instruments through it simultaneously?

Two.

If you really don't mind the premium, then sure, go ahead and get the X3. I might wait a while until they really hit the used market in force, but you may be able to score a decent deal.

Te eF Kay · 08-19-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Two.

If you really don't mind the premium, then sure, go ahead and get the X3. I might wait a while until they really hit the used market in force, but you may be able to score a decent deal.

I see.

And what about recording, how does that work?

**Rainer.** · 08-20-2008, 12:01 AM

Plug it into your computer via USB, and most recording software will recognize it as an input/output device.

Te eF Kay · 08-22-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PianoMan

I would also recommend the XTL for now. It is cheaper, has everything you really should need (at least for starters), and it isn't plagued by the quality control issues that the X3L has been having even to this day following its release. The main reason I haven't gotten one by now is the fact that there are still so many serious issues with them that Line 6 just isn't addressing.

Sorry, I didn't reply to your post before.

What sort of problems would those be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

Plug it into your computer via USB, and most recording software will recognize it as an input/output device.

It comes with a recording software doesn't it?