G'day all
I've been coming to the forum for a while, just hanging about and not posting anything up. To change that I have decided to get myself some more recording gear. I have an Edirol UA-25 that does an okay job but I have been so thoroughly impressed with everyone's experiences with the Line6 stuff.

So I'm wondering. Of the Line6 gear, what's the best to go for at the moment if you're on a budget? I am guessing I can spare $300 - $500 australian. Not enough for a Pod X3 (but I understand some of them have teething problems atm?) so what are my options?

I don't really understand the Pod pecking order, as it were. I wont be using it for performing or anything just recording at home, at least I'm pretty sure of that. I have a Boss ME-30 that does fairly well at gigs. Aside from which, I'm not gigging at the moment, just want to record some stuff I've written over my lifetime thus far :)

Or is there some other gear I should look at getting that would be beneficial?

I have a Shure SM-58 for a mic that works nicely and my computer is pretty reasonable (core2duo 6600, 8800gts grfx, 2gb memory, dvdrw, though just onboard sound for most stuff unless I'm using the Edirol).

Well the Pod X3/X3L is the new kid on the block, and holding is price for the moment, and probably for some time, im on the X3L, which is great (and the second unit still works a week later lol), but with the above budget, you might want to look at the Pod XT, as its the previous version of the X3, its not that far behind it in sound quality, its a cracking bit of kit no matter what you use, and i used one for a about a year with great results with both guitars, acoustics and vocals, so you should definately look at those, and you might even be able to track down some going abit cheaper now the X3 is out and about.
If you really want to save some cash, you could do alot worse then the V-Amp 2 or V-Amp Pro, i used a V-Amp 2 for quite a while, its not as good as the Pod XT (can't comment on the V-Amp Pro personally), but for around £50 UK, its a steal, and far better then pretty much any small practice amp imo, i also own a Marshall MG30, and the V-Amp 2 put that into retirement.
There are quite a few ppl who use the V-Amp Pro too and get some very nice results too, im not too sure on the price of those, but definately worth a look too.
For me though, with your budget, i'd hunt down a Pod XT, they really are cracking, hope this helps mate :)

I use a a PODxt AND an Edirol UA-25 so here's my suggestion. If I were to upgrade now I wouldn't go for a stand alone guitar unit like the XT or X3. I would look at the all-in-one soundcard/module unit on the Line6 site called a Toneport. These are a soundcard with guitar and bass models as well as a line-in for a vocal mic. They come with Ambleton sequencing software and would save you a packet if you're not happy with the Edirol. I find the only problem with the Edirol and the XT is that they both conflict and fight to be the soundcard! Then when I turn up my guitar, all the other stuff such as backer turns up as well.

Check out the units here:


http://uk.line6.com/toneportux2/

There's a great video tutorial showing you how it sounds.

Go grab an XTL, I´m sure the prices have gone down as the newer 3 is out. Shit load of amp emulating plus the effect model pack comes free installed in it. Bare in mind it´s just for electric guitars/ pick ups. There is no phantom powered mic in like in the newer version, plus it´s usb 1.1( I think, but doesn´t really matter), but one helluva fun toy for sure. The expression pedal it has is great fun for whatever wah-volume stuff.

Now that the X3 is out, like Ukelele says, the XT price's are gonna drop. I have an XT but I've wasted money on pedals for it. If I had got the XTLive then I'd have saved a packet.

Well, it's just me doing the recording, maybe one other person if I have a mate over to do some backing, so the edirol is kewl for a 2 input thing, but I just figured the Line6 would be fun for the guitar for it's effects and stuff. A bit more versatile than the Boss ME-30.

The toneport is certainly at a good price point. I was really hoping for usb 2.0 though as I am always worried about latency. I am still trying to get the hang of the whole 'how it sets up and works' side of things.

Wahwah, any tricks I need to know with the Edirol? What programs are you using to do your recording and stuff, how are you doing your drums? Drums are my biggest worry atm because I want realistic sounding stuff, but I have no idea how to program.. I suck at it.

Both Wah and i use EZ drummer. It's a VST that needs a Host like Fruity Loops or Cubase. Very realistic sounding drums. Check out some of the posts in MP3 Covers.

Wahwah, any tricks I need to know with the Edirol? What programs are you using to do your recording and stuff, how are you doing your drums? Drums are my biggest worry atm because I want realistic sounding stuff, but I have no idea how to program.. I suck at it.

Hi mate. I'm pretty old school with the recording process. EZ Drummer is excellent...real drums played by real drummers that you just patch together and it's seamless. Besides that I'm using Cakewalk 9.0 which is very old and probably gonna fall off the map soon as it's not Vista compatable (what is?!?!). So I'll probably use something like Sonar in the near future but I don't like lots of bells and whistles. I just want to plug in and play.

The Edirol doesn't really do much except transfer quality audio in and out of your pc. The drivers are pretty shabby for something released by Roland but it's still going strong after two years so I won't tempt providence. Definitely will be replaced by a Toneport tho.

Cool, I'll try track down Ez Drummer and give it a run. I also have an old copy of Cakewalk somewhere, will have to dust it off. Usually to try do drums I've been using Fruityloops, but I really don't know how to run it properly and I don't have the patience to program drums... I guess I'm too used to having a real drummer. Home recording sure changes the whole ball game and how you go about playing.

I might have to pester you for a quick ez drummer tutorial as soon as I get my gear setup, hopefully by tomorrow.

I promised Johnny I'd do an EZD tutorial a while back, and have still not done it. I am not sure my way is the best way. I am a drummer by trade, more than a guitarist and find it very easy to program what I want. I dont use any of the preset fills that come with EZ Drummer. I'm gonna check me out a screen recorder.

I'm starting to think seriously about a Pod X3. Might take me a bit longer to save up for it, but in the meantime I can at least try and get into recording with the Edirol and get the basics down fairly well before I get the Pod.

Changed my mind a bit because well.. the X3 sounds like a hot bit of gear and funnily enough, I can get it for cheaper than a XT Live which seems to be the other main recommendation. The Toneport is still in the running because well, I can probably get one for cheaper than the X3. I guess for now I'll keep saving my cents and decide once I have more cash saved and some more recording experience under my belt.

Thankyou for all the advice people. Now prepare to be inundated by my 'help I suck at recording' posts. ROFL.

Thankyou for all the advice people. Now prepare to be inundated by my 'help I suck at recording' posts. ROFL.

Been there, done that :lol: And can tel you from experience that you are in the right place to get the help and advice to get you up and running :thumb:

It sure sounds like I'm in the right place. The mp3 covers and originals always blow me away in their variety and brilliance. Most importantly it provides me with inspiration.

I moved to where I am now (Warrnambool) about 7 years ago and I never really plugged into the music community. I have been in some really great bands since I started performing when I was 13 and I don't think I'll ever stop playing guitar, but since I came to Warrnambool and don't have a car and my health sort of collapsed on me I had to drop the whole gigging thing.

Now though, my health is on the way up (I hope this continues) and I have a few mates now who I get the odd jam with, plus this place to inspire and motivate me. It makes a huge difference :)

So to everyone, thankyou in advance for being part of my experience.

being the owner of a toneport i suggest that you don't get one. for starters the usb is only for editing. you don't use the usb for recording. it has output jacks and you plug into your soundcard. toneports are just ok and if you want the "good sounds" you have to buy expansion packs ($200) so it becomes expensive in the long run and it isn't portable. you might as well get a pod xt. another thing is that the vocals should be recorded completely dry. you can't gamble on singing the track of your life and then find that you had the wrong echo or too much reverb etc so vocal patches don't make any sense to me. the presets that come with the toneport are completely useless and how do you sing and tweek at the same time? you can't so editing the worthless patches is impossible..if i was to go line 6 i would suggest the pod x3. for guitar. i also suggest a v-amp2 at $99 . and for vocals get a good mike and a good vocal preamp or a small mixer. i guess i am against vocal modeling aren't i. modeling works great for guitar and i absolutely love them but not for vocals.

Well, as far as vocals go I'm covered... the Edirol UA-25 does a stellar job. It has reproduces my voice wonderfully and is mega-clean. Same with guitar, whether I plug in direct or record with a mic. I am really impressed with it. But I'd love something with effects that wont have latency issues. I could use software effects with the guitar but the Edirol is usb 1.1 so doing live effects can sometime have latency issues.

As I said, the Pod X3 is looking better all the time. Especially as it's cheaper than the XT Live but newer tech, and I'll basically be using it at home. Anything I do live I doubt I'll need it for.

Although.. that does bring up a question. Can the Pod X3 be used live? I assume you could take it to gigs, whack a pedalboard into it and get some control? Has anyone done this? How's it go?

Not sure if this is the best place for this but I need help. I just bought an older version of the Pod 2.0 and found out the only footswitches I can use are either the floorboard, which isn't made anymore or the fb4. I'm kinda p'off that line 6 doesn't make a fix or patch or something so people can use the newer fbv gear they make which have cheaper versions, depending on what you buy and want. I've looked on ebay, no luck yet, but was wondering if some guitar guru on here either had the same problem and found a fix, or did is this something I just bought and until I find the older hardware am stuck with. Or does someone have a floorboard for sale :D Thanks a ton in advance all.

Although.. that does bring up a question. Can the Pod X3 be used live? I assume you could take it to gigs, whack a pedalboard into it and get some control? Has anyone done this? How's it go?

Not with a pedalboard or an X3. (Well bugger off then, Mondy, cuz your reply holds no merit of relevance :D ). I've played live a couple of times with my Podxt alongside my brother's band.

First time I had a JCM 900 setting that I had dialled in, and we just blended that into the P.A. system with the actual JCM 900 that my brother had. Sounded great. I only played one track, Rock n Roll, by Led Zeppelin, but the sound became so much fuller when I joined for the song.

The second time I had lost the dialled in tone, but I had my own amp to go through. Another JCM 900. Just dialled in the Eruption setting and took off the phaser and played 3 songs. Ice Cream Man, and two more I don't remember now. I thought it sounded shite, but I was way too drunk to remember anything, and was annoyed because the end of my guitar cable broke off in my Kramer meaning I couldn't play the guitar as it messed the electrics, and I was looking forward to playing it. On hearing sound samples, it sounded great though.

So, to answer your question, yes it should be able to be used live and it should sound great. Getting too pissed to remember it isn't advisable though...

:D

Ok bad sentance structure there sorry bout that last bit it should read:

or is this something I just bought, and until I either find the older hardware or a fix it's something I have to sell or be stuck with. Anyone have a floorboard for sale Thanks a ton in advance all.

Sorry again, and proof read before posting self. :wtf:

Ok bad sentance structure there sorry bout that last bit it should read:

or is this something I just bought, and until I either find the older hardware or a fix it's something I have to sell or be stuck with. Anyone have a floorboard for sale Thanks a ton in advance all.

Sorry again, and proof read before posting self. :wtf:

Does your 'old' pod have midi I/O? If so, then surely you could use virtually any midi floorboard? (e.g. like my Behringer FCB1010 with two, yeah TWO assignable expression pedals).

Yes it will thanks very very much Cap` you just saved me a bunch of hassle and money. ::D The behringer sells for half online what the line6 does and i've seen a few on ebay already. Cheers Mate.

Also, check out the ART X-15 Ultrafoot. Many early Pod users opted for that or the Behringer FCB1010. Both of these work great with the pod and are alot cheaper:thumb:

Great to know I have options. I like the pod and wanted one for a while, I just hope I sound good through it lol. Thanks PG and Cap` again for the help.

:yourock:

Great to know I have options. I like the pod and wanted one for a while, I just hope I sound good through it lol. Thanks PG and Cap` again for the help.

:yourock:

Only thing with the FCB1010 is that it's great for switching between patches and you can use each switch within it's assigned patch to 'toggle' between two number values for one assignable function (e.g. amp volume for solo boost, or delay on/off, etc), but unless someone knows better, I don't think you can assign switches to turn multiple fx on and off within any given patch like stomp boxes ... as I think the line 6 floorboards can ....

Also (at least with a V-amp, not sure how it would be with a pod), you can assign one of the pedals to the wah function and trigger the wah by simply stepping on the pedal ... but you can't turn the wah OFF with the pedal ... instead, you have to re-select the original patch with the correct footswich.

Just a couple of snippets of info I've picked up/learned.

eh up Cap'n ;)

You think its annoying not being able to get the floorboard? Think how annoying it was to find out I had to buy a new one when I upgraded to the XT - barstewards... I can't imagine that theres any difference between the original and the newer ones except for how its wired, nice for them to make a bit more cash out of mugs like me I guess ;)

I've had Pods since v2 but have always found them lacking in real life situations - but I don't need a trillion different guitar sounds I guess. I still love the Marshall/Gibson combination even if nowadays its Laney/Gibson, but I 'd much rather feel my trouser legs flapping in the 1960a quad breeze than feeling it in my face from a monitor :lol:

Go with the Behringer, I'm pretty sure it was a cheaper and better option than the floorboard anyway?