Line 6 Pod Go Review - Is it still good in 2023?
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In this week's video, I take a look at the Line 6 Pod Go. I know this isn't a new product and amplifier modelers have been around for a long time but I haven't had the Pod Go for long. I talk about how it's different to the Helix range of products and what's similar about them
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I used the red POD 2.0 kidney bean with a Tube Screamer for live gigs for 8 years and it worked just fine!
I have the X3 live and it has dual rigs and a metal housing and mic outs........
@@jesterraj i have the pod x3 live aswell and it does its job but i noticed the entire thing just sounds outdated and cheap. works for practice though
To get an acoustic guitar to sound good you need to load an acoustic IR in the place of the cab. Worship tutorials have some free ones that are quite good
I second that . I use the pod go mainly as IR loader for my acoustic and my nylon strings, if you find a good IR the sound is incredible
Thanks. I am 68 and started learning to play electric guitar April 25, 2023. Up to now it has been Me working the Gain and Volume against one another. I like the effect when you know,! It gets the added harmonic I am a quick study and encourage you to view the oldest beginner rock guitarist.NOW I am amazed at the amount of knowledge you have about voicings. Will check out some of your other videos and see what else I can learn from Any advice?
My full rig is at my practice space and I got this yesterday. Had a Squire practice amp laying around and decided to see what's up. Its a head turner, it actually competed with my Laney Ironheart w EVH cab. I'm excited to plug it into that soon!
Wow, that sounds epic. Be sure to keep me posted about how it goes!
Same approach. Full board at practise place and this at home. Have had mine around year now and really enjoy the flexibility! I use headphones so I dont bother my spouse or neighbors. One tip for creating presets is to max out channel volume on amps. It will give you more natural feel when playing imho.
Thank you Lee. I was an original kidney bean owner years ago. I bought the first podgo when they came out and loved the clean tones and effects but crunch and rock tones just flat out suck,. I dumped it and went back to amps until I found Michael Britt online. so I bought a podgo wireless a few months ago and purchased Michael Britt podgo preset pack for $15 bucks. I personally dont know Michael and he uses custom IRs on it and he says thats why his tones are money and line6 stock tones are crappy. Well, I am super happy with the podgo wireless and love Michael Britt crunch and rock tones. I dumped my amps and bought a back pack and high end cables and carry my pod to all rehearsals and live gigs and run direct. I am a happy camper. I run a Les Paul through it and it sounds great. The Podgo is better for me bucease I dont have the bandwidth nor brains to play engineer with the Helix. goooooo Line6!
@matthewb,751 i always assume when i get any modeler im going to have to put some work in to get the patches dialed in .
Yep! It's always gonna be that way.
Acoustic Guitar with Pod Go for live gig: I deactivate the amp an cab, put a compressor first, after that an EQ in the pod go signal chain with a bit reverb….
Yeah, I've tried deactivating the amp and cab but it still doesn't sound right. I'll try adding compression but that's not really what I'm going for. Thanks for your tips, will give it another go
Love my Pod Go. Lee, there's a hack to free the fixed blocks and have more pedals, it's a game changer! Let me know if you want them. Subscribed
What is it??
I believe it’s called jailbreak mode. I’ve seen a video on TH-cam about it.
@@g-man7687 I have a bunch of them, if you want.
Valuable to note that you can't switch quickly between presets, because the new one take a second to load. So, you can't have one preset for rhythm and another one for leads. Not clear if this capability is possible with snapshots.
I mean, you COULD use separate presets. The dropout of sound is not so bad (like it was on the original Pod), but it is there. With snapshots, you're stuck with the same amp across all the snapshots within a preset, so you'd have to find one which suits both sounds.
It is a bit of a drawback, but that's why it's so much cheaper than the big boy Helix stuff!
@@leetownsend I don’t mind using the same amp for rhythm/lead. I just need access to different pedal settings. Other reviewers indicate that the issue exists with the Helix, as well.
Then it will work fine for you. You can change any parameters within each block with snapshots, including switching blocks on and off.
The issue does still exist with Helix, but you can have multiple amp blocks in one preset, so you could have amp 1 active for snapshot 1 and amp 2 active for snapshot 2, for example.
@@leetownsend Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. This is very valuable information.
Lee, well done I love the way you demonstrated the podgo. I wish you all success with your band. Keep up the good work. Well-done mate.
Thanks Terry!
At 11:17 you said that the volumen and Wah cannot be changed, but this is false, you can assign any parameter in any amp, cabinet or. Effect to use the expression pedal. I hace a preset where i use the volume block as a mix/wet parameter of my delay
What I meant was the block in the software can't be changed to a different type of effect. The expression pedal can be assigned to different parameters, yes, but the block in the chain is always fixed.
I have a Helix LT that I have used for years, and I just recently picked up one of these b/c it was on sale for like $150 off the normal price.
Is it going to make me get rid of my LT, NOPE. But it is just another tool in the box. Honestly, the "lack" of flexibility is kind of a potential plus IMO, b/c knowing that there are only 4 blocks that I have free reign over means I will have to be a little bit more creative building patches.
I haven't tried an acoustic patch, but I did make a clean patch and it took a while to dial in something good. Had to crank some knobs like presence pretty high. I have a Sustainiac in the neck of my main guitar that sounds like a single coil. I think I'm using the Mark V clean channel emulation.
I only have a combo but really want this. Does anyone have success running through a combo on clean and it sounding good. I don’t gig so don’t necessarily want to buy a PA setup.
Do the 4 cable method of hooking up and you should be good to go as long as you have an effects loop on the amp
Is it possible to put the volume and expression pedal blocks at different places in the signal chain?
Yes, you can move the blocks around freely
I'd love to try it.
So I don't see much difference between this and the Valeton GP200, apart from the you can have more than one effect per patch but the blocks are limited.
I have tried both.
And there’s quite a bit of difference In the how good the interface works.
In my opinion the Pod Go is better and more user friendly compared to the Valeton.
I am thought i would be more happy with the possibilty to XLR to FOH, but it don’t outweigh the Cons In the interface.
I don’t Thing it’s a hard choice.
Especially if You need to swap between acoustoc og electric when gigging.
However next time i will buy the wired version of Pod Go, as the Wireless version didn’t work for me.
@@minimossemay you explain more on the wireless issue ?
Hi Lee. I have been watching your videos for some time now and I'm really, enjoy your presentation. Could you tell me, if you're already own the hx effects why did you buy the pod?
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your comment and I'm glad to hear you follow my videos. The HX Effects doesn't have any of the amp models, only the stompbox stuff. I wanted to be able to go ampless with one of my bands.
In hindsight, the HX Stomp XL would have done the job for both of my situations.
How can i play a backing track on this thing from a mobile device? Anyone got an easy solution that allows volume control of the audio going in and is in stereo via headphones?
This was the most useful video out of all the one I have watched so far thank you so much for making it.
I just got the pod go and am looking forward to using it.
Try to load Acoustic IRs for your acoustic sounds.
How do you make it sound loud when recording? I’m recording and when I render the track is not that high! Did you add eq? Or mastered it?
Excellent video! Really helpful!
I have a standard post that I do and I'll post it here as well: "There is no greater impact on tone than practice". That said...
I started with the Line6 GuitarPort, plus the pocket-pod-express (no tone control) and I used the pod-xt-live for 15 years, balking at the price tag of things like AxeFX and Helix and Kemper and QuadQartex...
Then the pod-go showed up. I purchased the pod go vice other competitors because the fx-loop is stereo. For that, I plug in the Zoom MS-70 CDR, which adds 6 more blocks. I find that the MS_70 CDR is best right after the AMP/CAB and before a few more blocks on the pod-go, to include the EQ.
I never understood the multiple amp/cab thing anyway, but the pod-go with the MS-70 CDR gives you 10 blocks, plus amp/cab, EQ, VOL/WAH.
I just wish the pod-go EXP2 was really an EXP3, but a stereo FX loop is quite worthy.
I'm doing acoustic on the pod-go with the "woody" amp/cab (not to hawk my channel, but just sayin').
Hi Lee! Enjoyed the video and thinking of buying one myself, are there any Polyphonic pitch shifters?
Hi Joe,
Yes, there is a selection of pitch effects which can be activated by assigning them to a footswitch with a predetermined pitch (for example, a full octave up or the 5th over the note you're playing) or it can be mapped to the expression pedal like a Digitech Whammy or similar. The programming possibilities really are endless. You could spend weeks tweaking and setting the thing up to your preferred specs. The only thing I would say is if you intend to use it with a guitar amp, get the HX Effects and an expression pedal instead.
There are only monophonic pitch shifters because polyphonic ones use a lot of DSP that Pod Go doesn't have.
Pitch Wham, Simple Pitch and other pitch effects will not track notes well if you are going to play chords.
For polyphonic pitch shifters check out Helix LT and Floor models as well as HX Stomp and HX Stomp XL.
Might look at the ToneX before you guy a pod go.
I don't like the expression pedal because the heel position is too extreme of an angle and the toe switch is too easy to click. There is also pedal lag, at least with the Whammy pitch effect
You probably know that you can remove the pedals and fxloop by editing an external patch json file - the patch hack - and that will give you 3 extra blocks when loaded back in.
I have read about this but, while I'm not a total noob when it comes to tech and doing things with computers, I'm not confident enough that I wouldn't screw something up. I prefer to leave the software alone.
I'm using this as a tool to do my day job, and if it dies on stage, I'm in trouble!
is it like changing a line in an .ini file for a game?
yes@@TheIrishMugFug
Very thorough birds eye walkthrough. Youre very knowledgeable and well spoked. Thanks for this!
Useful vid mate, thank you 😊
Need a little more bass and mids at 20:03 imo....Excellent video!!
Plug it into the fx loop and try an acoustic thru it that way.. I don't if that's gonna work I haven't tried it myself but seems like if u bypass the preamp of the amp it might make an acoustic sound better.. lemme know if it works out if u try it
That is actually an amazing idea. I will try that, thanks!
I have a PRS Hollowbody II Piezo. Could I plug the Piezo though the fx loop and the main guitar output though the normal input channel for the effects and amps. I am looking at this as a home user/beginner.
Can I plug the pod 6 directly into a 2x12 cabinet instead of needing a head?
Hi Ethan,
You would have to use a powered cabinet as the Pod Go doesn't feature an amplifier. A standard guitar cab needs a power amp as the cabinet itself is passive. You could use something like the Line 6 Powercab or any FRFR cabinet.
Is a noise gate always on or do you have to use one of the effect blocks for that?
You can switch it on or off. No, it doesn't take up a block
Can anyone tell me how to get the screen on the presets to stop flashing?
Can you get some kind of video of the issue and share it with me? Maybe jump in the Discord and ask me there
What's the better buy, this or the Zoom G6?
Honestly, I've never used the Zoom, so I wouldn't know.
Good video, thanks!
Try an acoustic IR works great
Any that you recommend?
@@leetownsend Worship Tutorials have a free pack for Helix that sound great 👍🏼
Lots of humble flex’s lol
Hi, do you disable the cab in your patches, when running it through your combo when playing Live, or do you just run it straight through the PA ??
Cheers 🍻
Hey! I've never run it through my combo. To me, this defeats the object completely as the Pod Go is trying to emulate a real amp. If you're gonna take a real amp with you to the gig and set it up, use the real amp.
It should be noted that I also own the HX Effects, also by Line 6. This unit models the stompbox effects and handles switching between the 2 channels on my amp but doesn't include the amp or cab blocks. I would recommend the HX Effects if you plan to use your combo anyway.
@leetownsend Hi Lee, thanks for the reply, that makes sense.
I'm just looking at a Pod go for some of the smaller venues my band play in, I would probably look at getting one of the small monitors for it or just run it through the PA 👍.
Played over the weekend and it was a tight squeeze with my usual Amp and Cab etc....... 👍
No problem.
I'd say it depends on what kind of thing you play. I play in a 4 piece band with guitar, keys, bass and drums and the Pod Go is great. Most of my tones are pretty clean, apart from the occasional OD sound for a solo.
My 3 piece rock/pop/punk band, however, needs a real amp.
I think if it's just you and a rhythm section, you really need to know how to dial the tones in. Also, monitoring is EVERYTHING with this unit
There is the AMP OUT. You can set this to use with a physical amp.
This thing is awesome
It is an amazing piece of kit. I still haven't nailed the setup for live use though
@@leetownsend What's your issue with the setup for live ? Great video, thanks
I think I'm just so used to the simplicity of getting an acceptable sound from a good valve amp. I haven't tweaked nearly enough to get a sound I'm happy with live. In my rehearsal space, it sounds amazing but put it in the mix of a band and it just doesn't cut through. It could also be that I'm not used to not hearing any backline. I'm not saying that Pod Go isn't capable of what I want to achieve because it absolutely is. The issue is definitely my abilities 😂
@@leetownsend I recommend looking into the main eq in the menus. You can adjust it and it will cover all presets. Tip for setting amps is to max out channel volume. You get more natural feel imho.
Will check that out. Thanks for the tips
I currently use and hd500x for worship. Decided to try the pod go. The sound were very good, but my biggest gripe was the cpu limits. I like to use a fair amount of fx and the unit just couldn't handle it. Too many compromises. I went back to my hd for now. Was thinking about a helix or something else in the future.
Hi Tim,
Yeah I know the worship guys use a lot of reverb and delay effects so I can imagine you do max out the capabilities of the Pod Go pretty quickly. For the longest time, I was a valve amp with 2 channels and no effects kind of player, so I don't have any problems with limitations (yet). I had considered the HX stomp and setting a rig up using midi so I'm not limited to the lack of footswitches but I've found I just don't need that much processing power.
For the price, I think the Pod Go is a wonderful piece of gear.
You can do the jailbreak, hack, and run one or two more effects if you wish
M5 in the effects loop.
Just buy a used ms70cdr and put it in the loop. You'll have more dsp than You'll ever need
Great review.
Your place looks like a open plan kitchen/living room.
I have the line 6 pod go too and only just getting used to it because when l was gigging I used the X3 live line 6 and was pretty good back then. So I am hoping that this pod go for home use recordings that l prefer doing, because the gig scene is one big con these days, annoying landlords think they are Simon cowel types lol and pubs just don’t pay enough for 2 hour set lists anymore hence why I got bored of the drama and singers or drummers not having kit lol. So for me home recordings with this bit of kit l hope will be worth the money l paid. Interesting review here too👍
It certainly is an open-plan kitchen and living room. Hoping to move into my new space by May.
I hear you with everything you say about venues. There's one near me where the owner is constantly badgering me for dates, and when I show up with my band, he tells me to keep the noise levels down before we've even taken a cable out of a peli case. To add insult to injury, he underpaid us by €60 last time because it was a "quiet night".
I love working on music, but I'm not interested in dealing with these people any more. I'm about to get VERY selective about where I play. Great for you guys, as I'll have more time to work on TH-cam content!
Join my Discord if you haven't already! I'd love to chat more discord.com/invite/n89bRSBHMk
@@leetownsend
I did think so as I’m a tradesman so I see these designs a lot. Hope your move goes well soon.
Yes that’s another thing annoying pub gigs and they will change because landlords stuck up their own backsides and pay peanuts to the band and use any excuse to pay small amount for a set list. I agree try and avoid those places not worth the rubbish attitude and pay🙏
I will check out that link mate 👍
I use tube amps live but now I record 90% with sims. I have to disagree about the original pod. I still have the old bean ad I still use it constantly. I always get shit for it and I always send folks this video. 20 years after and it still smokes higher priced gear and doesn’t sound much different than the top of the line stuff most of the time. Like anything else, you have to get familia with it and know how to tweak those knobs.
th-cam.com/video/wsocXab3fKI/w-d-xo.html
I always thought the original beam was seriously lacking in high end. It was a world changing headphone and dem amp sim but was seriously lacking in fidelity vs real amps. at least from the 1/4 jacks.
Guitar pod go sound is too loud compared to your speaking voice.
smal gigs I'm using the cheapest amp simulator and for the big stages/gigs i use the pod go. because nobody can hear live what kind of quality you are playing . and breaking or being stolen is no problem with the cheap simulator. never the less do you really think your mum can tell the difference? if you r playing smal gigs sound is horrible anyway so don't go to far with it nobody will notice promise.
Can you tell, though? You could argue this for any piece of guitar gear. If you can tell the difference, it's worth it.
How any snap shots can you have at one time ? Can you go from clean to crunch to lead ?
You can have up to 4. Yes, you can have clean, crunch and lead but there is a huge limitation. The Pod Go can only have one amp block per preset so all 4 snapshots have to use the same amp. You'd have to add more gain using stompbox modellers for your lead (and possibly crunch) sound.
It's worth noting that you can adjust all the parameters on your amp of choice for each snapshot so your "drive" could be set to 2 for your clean snapshot and 7.3 for your crunch snapshot whilst also adding a Tube Screamer