[Nik]

Hey guys,

I've been having a blast with PodXTlive for the last couple of days, and I've managed to get some sick rhythm tones, but getting a creamy, Petrucci-esque lead sound has remained elusive. I know it can be done because I've heard others doing it, but need a bit of help.

Any tips for what amps/cabs/mics/eq settings/stomp boxes to use would greatly be appreciated. The amount of customization in this pedal is nice, but overwhelming and I really don't know where to begin. Thanks!

[Drew]

Some sort of a Mark-series Mesa is a good starting point... If they've got a MK-IIC+ model, so much the better. For G3 era, scoop the low mids, boost the high mids, add a bit of verb and maybe a LIGHT delay, and don't go absurd on the gain and you should be close.

[jacksonplayer]

Don't use the Mk-IIC+ model in the PODxt to try and get a Petrucci tone. They modeled the 'cleaner' channel, basically, and it's meant more for getting a Larry Carlton tone than something Petrucci would use. To me, the Spinal Puppet amp model is going to get you closest into Petrucci territory. I agree with Drew's EQ settings, and would only add that you need to use the "Screamer" stomp box within the XT if you want to get any good lead tones at all, and that includes a Petrucci-style tone. I can't remember which is which, but you set the first setting on the Screamer down almost all the way (it's either "drive" or "gain), and set the second about 50%. The third control on the Screamer is the tone, and I leave that in the middle, generally. One thing to consider is that the Screamer takes a lot of the low end out of your sound, and you may have to boost the lows a bit on the front page settings to compensate.

[Drew]

The IIC+ HAS a cleaner channel? Scary.

Thanks dude, having never played one I didn't know that.

[Nik]

Cool, thanks a lot guys!

BTW I have the "Metal Shop" pack, which features some more Mesas, etc., so if you guys have any suggestions using those extra amps, that'd be cool too.

Anyway, here's a VERY sloppy and very rough recording me and my bassist made yesterday (it's basically a layered jam--everything you hear is improvoised, except the drum machine, basically...):

http://www.myspace.com/renegadenuns

I like my lead tone, but there's waaaaay too much feedback when I'm not playing. The tone I'm using is basically the tone that pops up if you search "Andy Timmons" on the on-line library, with the gain turned down from 100% to about 70%.

Also, when I do tapping, all this dirt comes into the tone from nowhere--it's not a gain issue, though, because I took the standard model and actually turned the gain waay down... ?

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Drew

The IIC+ HAS a cleaner channel? Scary.

Thanks dude, having never played one I didn't know that.

Well, you're ahead of me--I've never even seen a real one that I know of. I'm just going by what I recall the manual for the PODxt saying--that they modeled the low-gain channel. I could even be wrong about that.

Whatever the case, I know for a fact that you aren't going to get within shouting distance of Petrucci on whatever the hell it is that Line6 modeled for its IIC+ amp model! That was the first thing I tried out when I got my PODxt.

[Drew]

Nah, I've never seen one either. I's and IV's, and once a III, but never the elusive II, to say nothing of a C+.

Kinda a bummer, but then again, the IIC+ model on my J Station had me convinced it was a I until I pulled out the instruction manual while trying to dial up a bass tone recently (it'd been gathering dust, my nomad rendered it obsolete). It sounded WAY more like Smooth than Master of Puppets.

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Nik

BTW I have the "Metal Shop" pack, which features some more Mesas, etc., so if you guys have any suggestions using those extra amps, that'd be cool too.

If you have Metal Shop pack, head straight for the "Criminal" amp model--it's based off of the Peavey 5150 and is hands down the best high-gain model on the PODxt, at least for tighter, technical-type playing. It doesn't sound particularly Petrucci-like, but it just flat-out sounds good. For some reason, all of the Mesa stuff in the XT kinda sucks, and I'm not sure why.

I don't have any particular hints for using the Criminal model, other that using the Screamer stomp with it to get a good lead sound. As for getting a good rhythm sound on the XT, well I've just about given up on that.

Originally Posted by Drew

Kinda a bummer, but then again, the IIC+ model on my J Station had me convinced it was a I until I pulled out the instruction manual while trying to dial up a bass tone recently (it'd been gathering dust, my nomad rendered it obsolete). It sounded WAY more like Smooth than Master of Puppets.

That's true of the PODxt "IIC+", also--total Santana if you set it right, but not metal at all. I've played through the I, IIC, and IV, and if I were going to buy a Mesa, I would love to get a Mk IV. That is hands-down the best sounding amp I've ever tried for what I do. Only problem with the Mesas is that they are so freakin' loud, and you really have to crank the old ones to get to the sweet sounds, from my limited experience.

But since I just sit in our spare bedroom writing and recording guitar direct into the board--no Mesas for me anytime soon!

[Drew]

Oh, ok. So it's the same as a J-station...

...which makes NO sense, since the MKIIC+'s are, as I understand, so sought-after largely because of Metallica. Well, largely because they kick ass, but partly because Metallica recorded some awesome tones with them and convinced everyone that they kicked ass. Either way though, while the smoother "vintage-y" lead channel is incredible, I'd have thought the MKIIC+ sound that everyone would want would be Metallica's.

This is what I don't like about modeling... I mean, some of us like the Recto's clean channel too, you know?


EDIT - I will say that, whatever it is, the J-Station "Hot Rod" MKIIC+ model is a NICE lead tone. Most of my cleaner, less heavy stuff on that old mp3.com album was cut with it. It's incredibly liquid.

[Nik]

Thanks!!!