[wintersun]

... And it fcking ROCKS!

I'm really amazed by such a great sound, from such not-so-expensive amp. I must say I'm impressed.

Btw this is my first decent amp, after my old Ibanez GX100 died. I only miss the parametric EQ it had.

RG75 sounds very dark, and very massive. There's plenty of distortion, and for the first time ever I REALLY don't need to crank it up all the way up It really feels great to have some extra drive left in reserve, just in case.

Clean is also wonderful. But I'd rather stick to distortion ahahahaha

All in all, I'm more than happy now. I was like GASing for a POD, but fuck that, now I'm sure it can't give this feeling the REAL thing can. I mean, lol, this thing hits you deep somehow hehe.

I was kinda disappointed with POD XT live I borrowed for a few weeks... Just couldn't find the right sound, I dunno. I like lots of distortion, but after I tried all the factory presets, there was ONLY ONE I found kinda ok (I think it was the one with the screamer stomp, mixed with a marshall - I don't remember). It sounded almost the same as the last Gamma Ray album, and I don't like the Gamma ray sound, but at least it sounded convincing enough.

Anyways, this amp impressed me 100 000 times more, and I'm very happy now. Too bad I can't record my stuff with ease like when you have a POD. But what the heck.

Now bring it on, you POD lovers muahahaha

[D-EJ915]

cool stuff man, they're good amps for the price for sure

[Spinedriver]

Originally Posted by wintersun

I was kinda disappointed with POD XT live I borrowed for a few weeks... Just couldn't find the right sound, I dunno. I like lots of distortion, but after I tried all the factory presets, there was ONLY ONE I found kinda ok (I think it was the one with the screamer stomp, mixed with a marshall - I don't remember). It sounded almost the same as the last Gamma Ray album, and I don't like the Gamma ray sound, but at least it sounded convincing enough.

It is true that you can get some decent sounds out of relatively inexpensive gear (used Marshall 8100's, Peavey XXL, etc..). Depending on your situation, you're probably better off with the Randall because with the XT, you'd also need to get a power amp and speaker cabinet (unless you already had something to run it through).

One mistake you did make however, is that you based your opinion on the presets. I have YET to find any kind of mfx pedal (GNX 3k, Pod, Zoom, etc... ) that had really good preset patches. Also with the Pod, if you want good heavy distortion, the best models are in the Metal Shop expansion pack and it doesn't come with the XT. I've had mine for over going on 2 years now and when I go back and try some of the patches I made when I first got it, I wonder what the hell I was thinking because some of them are HORRIBLE...

Right now I use a Pod XTL w/ a power amp and it sounds absolutely great. It might not measure up to an Engl or Mesa, but then again it costs about 1/4 as much.

So yeah, I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the Randall but I think you might have dismissed the Pod a little too quickly because they take a lot of patience and work to get the best out of them.

[wintersun]

I thought there's a trick to it. Well, I was plugging it into the computer, so I could hear it through my speakers. Wasn't that suppose to give you the same effect?

Another thing, I didn't know about this Metal Shop pack. Where and how do I get it?

I didn't totally dismissed POD. I just got a very good and cheap chance of getting this amp (400 usd). So I might get that POD somewhere in the near future. But I need to know how to make it sound the way I want it.

So. the Metal Shop. I'm all ears

[Spinedriver]

Here's a link to the Metal Shop pack. Essentially it's most of the models that come in the HD147 head. There's Diezel, Engl, Bogner, Mesa, Marshall, etc.. and a few Line 6 'originals'.

Line 6 - Model Packs

It's more than worth the money to get it. If you click on the link in my sig to my band's website/myspace you can hear stuff that was recorded direct with some of the Metal Shop models.

Honestly, I can't see it replacing a real tube amp head but if you don't have the money or place to use one, the Pod is pretty much the next best thing.

[Apophis]

Congrats

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by Spinedriver

Here's a link to the Metal Shop pack. Essentially it's most of the models that come in the HD147 head. There's Diezel, Engl, Bogner, Mesa, Marshall, etc.. and a few Line 6 'originals'.

Line 6 - Model Packs

It's more than worth the money to get it. If you click on the link in my sig to my band's website/myspace you can hear stuff that was recorded direct with some of the Metal Shop models.

Honestly, I can't see it replacing a real tube amp head but if you don't have the money or place to use one, the Pod is pretty much the next best thing.

Well, I must say this sounds much better, dough still not as good as I expected. However, your tone, as well as your band, sounds pretty good

So I guess it takes some tweaking to achieve the right tone. I might still go for a POD, after all Thanks for showing me this!

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by wintersun

Well, I must say this sounds much better, dough still not as good as I expected. However, your tone, as well as your band, sounds pretty good

So I guess it takes some tweaking to achieve the right tone. I might still go for a POD, after all Thanks for showing me this!

yeha, i'm the one that recorded those tracks. the trick to the pod.... patience. it takes a really long time to learn the little things that take it from a decent tone to a really good one. lots of experimenting.

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by thedownside

yeha, i'm the one that recorded those tracks. the trick to the pod.... patience. it takes a really long time to learn the little things that take it from a decent tone to a really good one. lots of experimenting.

Yeah but thats kinda dumb, can't they just make some decent presets, when those factory ones literally suck. Oh well, at least there are lots of people who broke the ice and have lots of experience with getting the right tone out of it.

Thanks for the tip man

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by wintersun

Yeah but thats kinda dumb, can't they just make some decent presets, when those factory ones literally suck. Oh well, at least there are lots of people who broke the ice and have lots of experience with getting the right tone out of it.

Thanks for the tip man

not really. allot of the presets are actually really good, just not the high gain ones. you really need the metal pack to even do the best high gain tones, and and really, presets are just to show things off in a store. units like these are made to be tweaked.

and this forum has a wealth of knowledge on how to get the most out of a pod!

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by thedownside

not really. allot of the presets are actually really good, just not the high gain ones. you really need the metal pack to even do the best high gain tones, and and really, presets are just to show things off in a store. units like these are made to be tweaked.

and this forum has a wealth of knowledge on how to get the most out of a pod!

Yeah, actually you're right, non high gain ones were pretty good. It's just that I was recording something with lots of gain with my friend, so we had lots of troubles with getting the right tone

So now I know it, the metal pack is what I have to use next time And some SS.org experience of course

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by wintersun

Yeah, actually you're right, non high gain ones were pretty good. It's just that I was recording something with lots of gain with my friend, so we had lots of troubles with getting the right tone

So now I know it, the metal pack is what I have to use next time And some SS.org experience of course

and allot of trial and error, hehe.

quick tips, watch the gain knob, no higher than about 65% usually, but clean boost with a stomp, tubescreamer or compressor usually works well. and mess with the post eq. for a bit of thickness, add a very very mild chorus.

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by thedownside

and allot of trial and error, hehe.

quick tips, watch the gain knob, no higher than about 65% usually, but clean boost with a stomp, tubescreamer or compressor usually works well. and mess with the post eq. for a bit of thickness, add a very very mild chorus.

Thats exactly what I did! I mixed the tubescreamer and the amp gain, about 50% and then fixed it up with EQ. But still, in reality, would anyone really mix the stomp and the amp distortion? Thats what confused me. I wasn't sure if that's the right thing to do, Like, maybe it sounds "right" but in reality maybe it's too much unnatural.

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by wintersun

Thats exactly what I did! I mixed the tubescreamer and the amp gain, about 50% and then fixed it up with EQ. But still, in reality, would anyone really mix the stomp and the amp distortion? Thats what confused me. I wasn't sure if that's the right thing to do, Like, maybe it sounds "right" but in reality maybe it's too much unnatural.

thats how most of us do it, both with a pod and with a real amp. but you're thinking about it a bit wrong. amp gain yes, but stomp distortion no. the stomp you are actually using as a clean boost to push the amp a bit harder.

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by thedownside

thats how most of us do it, both with a pod and with a real amp. but you're thinking about it a bit wrong. amp gain yes, but stomp distortion no. the stomp you are actually using as a clean boost to push the amp a bit harder.

Ahaaaaa... so thats what it is!

Thanks man, you really enlightened me Next time I burrow this POD I'll ask you for some more tips also, what do you think, is it worth to go for a POD X3, or is POD XT good enough?

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by wintersun

Ahaaaaa... so thats what it is!

Thanks man, you really enlightened me Next time I burrow this POD I'll ask you for some more tips also, what do you think, is it worth to go for a POD X3, or is POD XT good enough?

yeah, turn the gain way down and the level up, tweak the tone to taste.

i havent used the x3, but i've read enough about it. i personally wont both with one. the only extra's you're really getting are the 2 amps at once, and i havent heard it used very well in any high gain stuff at this point.

[wintersun]

Originally Posted by thedownside

yeah, turn the gain way down and the level up, tweak the tone to taste.

i havent used the x3, but i've read enough about it. i personally wont both with one. the only extra's you're really getting are the 2 amps at once, and i havent heard it used very well in any high gain stuff at this point.

I'll probably stick to XT then Thanks!

[JJ Rodriguez]

The thing I hate about Line 6 Pod's (with the exclusion of the X3 of course) is that you spend all this money on hardware, THEN you have to dish out $50 more just to get usable metal sounds.

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

The thing I hate about Line 6 Pod's (with the exclusion of the X3 of course) is that you spend all this money on hardware, THEN you have to dish out $50 more just to get usable metal sounds.

yeah, always bothered me as well. and when i got my first one, i had no cc either, so i couldnt even get the metal pack for awhile. luckily now they include it with the x3. i kinda understood why they didnt it, so you didnt end up paying for stuff you wouldnt use if you didnt want the high gain tones/those amp models, but lets face it, i think the majority or buyers want it all

[JJ Rodriguez]

Well, if you're going to take it that far, why not customize your multi fx totally? I don't want some of the really crappy effects on a lot of processors, and don't know anyone else who likes them, but the companies won't take them out. It's just a cash grab. I know companies are in it for the money, but it's still a piss off to get something, then have to go spend even MORE money. The only consolation is that it's software you download, so you don't have to get something shipped to you, wait the time, and pay duty and tax and all that shit.

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

Well, if you're going to take it that far, why not customize your multi fx totally? I don't want some of the really crappy effects on a lot of processors, and don't know anyone else who likes them, but the companies won't take them out. It's just a cash grab. I know companies are in it for the money, but it's still a piss off to get something, then have to go spend even MORE money. The only consolation is that it's software you download, so you don't have to get something shipped to you, wait the time, and pay duty and tax and all that shit.

oh i hear ya brother! atleast they seem to have it somewhat right now

[JJ Rodriguez]

Yeah, the X3 is the only one I would consider buying, although I'm going with the GT-Pro once my G-Major sells just because I'm familiar with the GT-6 and I like the tones I can get out of it since I'm only using it as effects.

[thedownside]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

Yeah, the X3 is the only one I would consider buying, although I'm going with the GT-Pro once my G-Major sells just because I'm familiar with the GT-6 and I like the tones I can get out of it since I'm only using it as effects.

i'm just going to be sticking with my podxt bean, but just for home use and recording. but i got my dual recto now for live. for effects, well i just dont use many effects down the road i'll likely just grab a chorus and delay to fire in the loop, done

[Spinedriver]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

Well, if you're going to take it that far, why not customize your multi fx totally? I don't want some of the really crappy effects on a lot of processors, and don't know anyone else who likes them, but the companies won't take them out. It's just a cash grab. I know companies are in it for the money, but it's still a piss off to get something, then have to go spend even MORE money. The only consolation is that it's software you download, so you don't have to get something shipped to you, wait the time, and pay duty and tax and all that shit.

Totally.....

I don't use 80% of those 'effects' (FX Junkie pack,synth, etc...) that they included on the Pod XTL but if they didn't put them in, others that DO want them would gripe and complain. As far as downloading what effects you want, for example, you buy the unit and then hook it up online and you can download any 15 effects from a list, then you'd still get gripes that some want them all..

I suppose there's always the Floor Pod series that doesn't have as many useless effects on it but there's half as many amp models available.

There's just no winnin' JJ..