Guitarist opinion wanted (Pod Pro Rack)

[MaxSynths]

Hello there. First of all I have to say I'm a beginner in the guitar world, so be patient please

[CURRENT SITUATION]I've started to "study" electric guitar from 6 months. I don't want to be a virtuso, I'm mainly a keyboard player but I want to be able to play some chords and riffs on guitar too. I have not big expectations both in terms of playing tecniques and sound.[/CURRENT SITUATION]

Until today I've used the free stuff available on the net, now I'm considering to spend some money to have a better sound. What I'm looking for is the best solution for few moneys...

I've found a Line6 Pod Pro rack for 100 euro (not the XT version, see pic below). My question is very simple: considering my needs is it better to buy a software like Amplitube/Guitar Rig or this rack unit? What I'm looking for is a good, ready to use system to have a decent guitar sound in a few steps.

I've tried to google around for audio/video demos but I have not time now to squeeze my brain to evaluate what sounds or perform better I need an opinion about this rack unit as soon as possible, please, the guy which is solding the unit can't wait very longer


Thank you,
Max

[monsterbeetle]

it really depends on the kind of usage you intend, for recording I'd say go for a software solution which will offer you better sound quality and more effects, if it is for live/rehearsal use I'd say the rack is better, because you just turn it on an play. keep in mind that you'll need an audio interface, a pc and a monitoring system if you decide to go the software way, and that you'll need a poweramp/monitoring system if you go for the pod.

personally I have both VST and podXT live units, and I use the podXT quite often, but I always record using soft amp sims.

peace

[susiwong]

If you can live with slightly above average sound for now I'd say go for it.
It's easy to use and can give you all the most popular sounds quickly.
A better sounding alternative would be a VOX Tonelab (any version) which can be had for a similar price s/h.
PC ampsims can sound better than the Pod, have more variety and, very important, can be dialed in after recording the part - on the downside the complexity is higher, you have to consider latency and you'll probably want a dedicated Hi-Z guitar interface, adding to the cost.
Tube recording preamps sound considerably better but typically have no FX and cost more.
Ymmv,
susiwong

[Dean Aka Nekro]

I'd go for the Vox ToneLab as suggested by susiwong, it comes closer than anything in the same price bracket to real valve amp feel plus you could bypass the cab section and use some decent IRs in BoogieX or LeCab. The Vox range also takes well to single pedals before it i find which some of the other modelling stuff does not which is worth bearing in mind if you are going to upgrade things eventually, basically the ToneLab still will fit-in *Just my Opinion on the Modelling Pedals in the same bracket*

To save yourself alot of money you could look for the most recent version that is rack mounted by Behringer called 'Vamp' - cheap as chips but compares well to my POD X3 FWIW, Not as versatile or esoteric as the X3 but raw amp sounds work well (never tried the FX) and its built more like the POD X3 Pro Rack-Unit input/outpu wise which makes it great for all round use for stereo signals

Dean > Embrace the 'B' word

[glokraw]

Hi, I use a rack similar in scope, and love both the instant gratification, and
depth of options. You also can send a clean signal to ampsims later, to get
a certain sound, or meld the best parts of processed rack sounds to the software ampsim strengths.

A nice ampsim freeware softrack I use as a Reaper project is
Freeamp3, 2 CM Fuzz, CM Sanford phaser, Tal Reverb, and
CM Kjaerhaus Classic Chorus and Delay. Just switching the i/o
routes among these is very handy, and Freeamp has a sound
that nicely energizes the fx further down the chain.

Cheers

[guitarzan]

I had one of those POD Pro 1.0 units and I liked a few things about it - but you know, that is pretty dated technology by now....it is basically a POD 2.0 with a few pro features, so it's like circa 1999 or 2000 or so - several generations back in amp sim development.

[MaxSynths]

Hello guys, I thank you all for the suggestions
Sorry for the delay, I've been very busy. So busy that I've used my cellphone to read your replies and to make my final decision.

keep in mind that you'll need an audio interface, a pc and a monitoring system if you decide to go the software way, and that you'll need a poweramp/monitoring system if you go for the pod.

Thank you monsterbetle, I already have all those things from about 18 years or so . The only thing I was looking for was a guitar device like the pod or v-amp (or anything else).

if it is for live/rehearsal use I'd say the rack is better

Yep, I think I'm going to use it mainly as a "ready to go" solution!

PC ampsims can sound better than the Pod, have more variety and, very important, can be dialed in after recording the part - on the downside the complexity is higher, you have to consider latency and you'll probably want a dedicated Hi-Z guitar interface, adding to the cost.

Complexity is something I would like to avoid now, the same is true for latency. I play guitar like a stupid monkey so It's not the case to record anything for now

[About Hi-Z inputs... I think they are some kind of preamplified inputs specifically designed for guitars, can somebody explain why they are so important? Until today I've connected my guitar straight to my Layla input with a +26dB gain on the Layla mixer and the sound, processed through various free amps, was ok IMHO. I'm missing some important detail? Maybe the Hi-Z is only to avoid to tweak the gain in the software mixer? A ready to go plug for guitar?]

..thank you glokraw for the free suggestions. I've used Freeamp until today and I really like his sound... I think I'll continue to use it in the software realm until I will be ready for a more complex solution like guitar rig or amplitube

The Vox ToneLab has been mentioned a couple of times... but currently my budget is really low, so I've tried to find the best solution without spending too much so, in the end, after evaluating the Pod and the V-Amp suggested by NEKRO (watching some videos on YT), I've choose a 2nd hand V-Amp Pro (bought while I was on a train browsing the net like a maniac with my cell ). Just found one for 70 euro (I think the price is ok for a 2nd hand unit) and It will be in his new home tomorrow

Well It's my my first guitar rack box, it seems to have a good sound, I've been lucky enough to find one of these for a cheap price at the right moment... considering all that has been said I think I will have some fun for a while

Thank you all again for your opinions (thank you Nekro for the V-Amp suggestion... I forget there was something called like this on this planet )

Cheers,
Max

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Now problems Max man, glad to be of help mate

Peace Out And All the best

Nekro/Dean

[Elantric]

Its true the V-Amp Pro has a wide palette of sounds - but it does suffer from a slow patch change, with a significant "muted gap / no sounds" approx 150ms in length anytime you change presets.

That 1999 era POD Pro may have been a better choice. - or a Vox Tonelab( completely agree with all above posters)

But I understand a limited budget, and you can make do with the gear you have until your economic situation changes for the better.

.

[monsterbeetle]

actually my first ampsim was a v-amp 2 (the guitar shaped blue box) and I used it for a couple of years with great satisfaction. I really liked the JCM800 sim and the tweed combo sim. Nice stuff for the price! for 70 euros you can't go wrong.

[tapper mike]

Go with the pod. Although I'd personally go for a floor unit rather then a rack.

[MaxSynths]

Its true the V-Amp Pro has a wide palette of sounds - but it does suffer from a slow patch change, with a significant "muted gap / no sounds" approx 150ms in length anytime you change presets.

Yes I've read this in some reviews, some people say the gap is noticeable with patches wich uses different amp types (if I remember right)... some kind of "dirty" workaround would be to use similar amp setups (please note: I don't know exactly what I'm talking about ).

Anyway for my current needs is not a problem at all (in fact I'm not sure I can play and change patches at the same time... ).

[MaxSynths]

Now problems Max man, glad to be of help mate

[Elantric]

Indeed - my workaround for the slow patch change up on the Vamp/Vamp Pro is to create a set of patches that use common Amp and Cab Sim. I had luck using a Fender Amp sim and a 4 x 12 cab - then built a set of patches based on those - but each had a different stompbox kicked in or out. I had a set of 4 User patches: Clean / crunch / overdrive / overdrive with echo - and this worked well at live gigs.

Don't be afraid of using a normal stomp box in between the Guitar and the Vamp Pro input. I like to use a Barber Tone Press Compressor there - always available on any patch

[MaxSynths]

Thank you Elantric for the tips!