[skeeballcore]

Allright, so I picked up an XT on ebay from a local guy and I've been messing with it, tweaking it to death and trying to find a good metal tone.

I can't find it.

It seems that all the sounds I get are fizzy or boxy, or are really unresponsive.

I'm not able to get the metal shop pack until I upgrade the USB firmware (this one is still stuck on 1.01, and I've got a USB-Midi adaptor ordered and on the way to fix that).

Here're my questions:

1. Is the metal pack going to be worth it?

and if so,

2. In the meantime, can someone recommend any settings for a good metal sound for recording direct?

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by skeeballcore

Allright, so I picked up an XT on ebay from a local guy and I've been messing with it, tweaking it to death and trying to find a good metal tone.

I can't find it.

It seems that all the sounds I get are fizzy or boxy, or are really unresponsive.

Yep, that's pretty much what they sound like. I had one too and all the tweaking in the world couldn't result in a usable sound. Some people can get half-decent tones in the mix of a band after lots of post-processing, but just naturally? Nah.

If I were you I'd just sell it and pick up something else, preferably not a Line 6.

In terms of direct recording, in my experience there is no substitute for micing an amp. I've never heard a direct tone that I thought sounded good alone. Sometimes in the mix it can sound alright, but it will never compare to a legit amp being mic'd. Even tube amps that have direct outs sound awful too, so it's got nothing to do with being a tube snob. Even just micing a real amp at low volumes can yield good results.

[ZeroSignal]

The tones I get from my xt Live are amazing. I love the Deizel and Big Bottom amps (there on the Metal shop). Try putting the tube screamer stomp on as that usually makes all distorted patches sound 100% better. The clean tones never fail to amaze me.

If you don't like the Metal Shop pack you can always return it.

[skeeballcore]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

The tones I get from my xt Live are amazing. I love the Deizel and Big Bottom amps (there on the Metal shop). Try putting the tube screamer stomp on as that usually makes all distorted patches sound 100% better. The clean tones never fail to amaze me.

If you don't like the Metal Shop pack you can always return it.

Yea I did think that the return policy was pretty nice. Really I guess I was just wondering if a good high-gain tone could be achieved sans-Metal Shop. I had planned on buying it and trying it out, but it just seems dissappointing that a good tone wouldn't be doable without the add-ons.

[ZeroSignal]

Originally Posted by skeeballcore

Yea I did think that the return policy was pretty nice. Really I guess I was just wondering if a good high-gain tone could be achieved sans-Metal Shop. I had planned on buying it and trying it out, but it just seems dissappointing that a good tone wouldn't be doable without the add-ons.

Not really to be honest. The Metal shop is spectacular simply for the Big Bottom amp (check out ANYTHING by Bulb if you don't believe me). Try adding the tube screamer and fiddle with the cab and mic settings. The standard rectifier amps are pretty uninspiring I agree.

[skeeballcore]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

Not really to be honest. The Metal shop is spectacular simply for the Big Bottom amp (check out ANYTHING by Bulb if you don't believe me). Try adding the tube screamer and fiddle with the cab and mic settings. The standard rectifier amps are pretty uninspiring I agree.

Yea I'm not sure what rectifier amp they modeled, but they need to take that crap back...it's busted.

[ZeroSignal]

Originally Posted by skeeballcore

Yea I'm not sure what rectifier amp they modeled, but they need to take that crap back...it's busted.

To assuage any fears you may have of the Metal Shop pack: SoundClick artist: Bulb - Metal, or what i call metal rather. I write music so i can listen to it. There are not many bands

[skeeballcore]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

To assuage any fears you may have of the Metal Shop pack: SoundClick artist: Bulb - Metal, or what i call metal rather. I write music so i can listen to it. There are not many bands

Yea I'm aware of Bulb's usage of the XT which was my initial attraction to it...well that and that Meshuggah used it on some of their work.

Is there a lot of outboard gear required beyond the XT to get the sound that Bulb is rockin'?

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

To assuage any fears you may have of the Metal Shop pack: SoundClick artist: Bulb - Metal, or what i call metal rather. I write music so i can listen to it. There are not many bands

Dude that's not how his tone sounds naturally, that's in the mix with bass, drums, etc and after loads of post-eq, layering, signal processing, mastering, etc.

You guys really need to stop pointing to Bulb every time you want point out how great PODs sound. Anything can be made to sound good in the hands of a skilled mixer/engineer. Let's hear clips with just the Pod direct thru a speaker with no outboard processing or no computer wizardy going on. I could point to many albums that were recorded with Kranks that sound awesome, but we all know how that goes. Mixing is a science, an instrument all to itself.

I'm not trying to sound like a dick but it's just bugging me. You can take any amp and make it sound awesome in a recording environment if the person is skilled at mixing and recording. Look at Carcass' "Heartwork" album. That was recorded with an amp that absolutely no one on this forum would want. It's all how its recorded and mixed, and how the other instruments in the mix help mask the tones deficiencies.

If this guy thinks the tone sounds like shit, and you refer to Bulb, that doesn't mean his amp is ever going to sound like that. It's misleading.

Originally Posted by skeeballcore

Yea I'm aware of Bulb's usage of the XT which was my initial attraction to it...well that and that Meshuggah used it on some of their work.

Is there a lot of outboard gear required beyond the XT to get the sound that Bulb is rockin'?

Absolutely categorically YES. The POD can not sound like that alone, period.

[ZeroSignal]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

If this guy thinks the tone sounds like shit, and you refer to Bulb, that doesn't mean his amp is ever going to sound like that. It's misleading.

I'm sure he does use "loads" of post processing and stuff but I can get pretty damn close to Bulbs tone using my PODxt.