Line 6 POD X3 Pro

(Originally written by selvmord/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- Which effects or effect types are available?

Plenty! Everything (and more!) is provided: multiple delay, reverb, modulations (flanger, chorus, phaser, rotary, octaver and other crazy things!), EQ, effect pedal simulations (distortion, fuzz, compressor, OD, ...), wah (but you'll need a non provided controller).

THE POD X3 PRO BUNDLES ALL AVAILABLE PACKS: POWER PACK, FX JUNKIES, COLLECTOR CLASSICS, METAL, BASS (ALL IN ONE)

- Which technology is used? (analog, digital, tube, ...)

100% digital even for preamp simulation but Line6 is famous for its knowhow (I already owned a Pod 2.0, Guitarport, Toneport UX1, Pod XT Pro).

- Is it possible to edit them? With a Mac/PC editor?

Everything can be edited on a PC, which is a great advantage. Its use is very intuitive, you can see every parameter and you'll get a great sound pretty fast!

- Connections? (Audio/MIDI)

Everything is provided: Midi (I don't use it since I use a FBV as pedal board), SPDIF, AES/EBU, analog XLR and 1/4" outputs, reamping, FX loops (see product rear panel because I don't use them all).

- Is it rack-mountable?

That's easy to see :D

UTILIZATION

- Is it easy to make settings?

Yes but I'm used to such gear. Even without editing, you immediately get better results than with a Boss.

- Is it easy to edit sounds or effects?

- I edit everything on my PC, since I have the possibility. But the user interface of the device is also quite simple.

Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?

I rarely read a user's manual but I needed this one to understand the dual tone architecture. The user's manual is a very easy read. I've never had a problem using Line6 products anyways.

SOUND QUALITY

- Are the effects effective, do they suit your application, do they sound real enough?

The sounds are really great and the dual tone technology offers new possibilities compared to the XT Series. Instead of compensating all frequencies with only one sound, you can do it with two sounds resulting in a more vivid and warmer tone. For recording, it's very easy to separate the voices so you get a much better result than with the XT Series.

The sounds are excellent and authentic and the value for money is incredibly good!

With which instruments do you use them?

I use it with several guitars:

- LTD Ninja 600 Michael Amott signature

- Jackson Randhy Roads RR3

Aria electro-acoustic

- Bass LTD F400

- Micro Studio Project

- Which sounds do you prefer / hate?

It's impossible to say which sound is my favorite. I usually use a couple of preamps like the Mesa Triple Rectifier simulation or the Engl Powerball simulation, but I play all sorts of styles so I need crunch, clean and distortion sounds as well as bass and vocal tools. The plentiful FX allow infinite sound possibilities so I would say it depends on your taste!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using it?

About one month.

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

Pros: the Dual Tone function which is a great addition to the XT Series, and the reliability (the XT Series had some bugs).

Cons: I haven't find one until now!

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

I tried virtually every Line6 model and some other brands but I always heard THE DIFFERENCE between Line6 and the others. Thus I'm very faithful to this manufacturer.

- How would you rate its value for money?

Quite amazing and surprising when you consider that the Pod XT Pro can be more expensive than the X3 in some stores. I thought it was a hoax but it isn't. The Pod X3 Pro contains all available Line6 packs (effects, preamps, cabinets, etc.) created for guitar, bass and vocals. Add the Dual Tone function and I think it's the deal of the century!

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?

For sure: I sold my Pod XT Pro, all packs and the Toneport (which I used only for vocals). I never expected the X3 to provide such an amazing quality. So yes, I would buy it again even if it were more expensive!

All has been said
Full hyper, never seen it at this point

UTILIZATION

super simple

SOUND QUALITY

then, very good surprise really
for personal reasons, I am separated from my fx axis
I possess the standard, ultra and 2
good it is on AC has nothing to do with the x3 and far
but very pleasant surprise level sounds, ca sending good effects more than correct
really very happy to have the time

I put 10 for the price of occas

OVERALL OPINION

So being without gear on the sale of my fx axis
and sad to not be able to play the guitar
I started on guitar rig 5 very disappointed
So without conviction, I bought x3 we'll see
and frankly waiting to take me a axis2 when it will fall to occas
I'm happy with the pod x3

better for me than the eleven rack that I possess it that time
if you have to choose between all tone lab, Digitech, pod xt, eleven rack, vox, zoom
and yes I have all had prenai a pod x3
or maybe a hd I did not test, but it has fewer connections

otherwise it is mandatory or fx axis kemper there is no better
but in 2300 two axis
1000 standard axis occas
1300 axis ultra occas
1300 Kemper occas
ME LESS THAN MOST 400 X3 THE PEDAL LINE 6 FVB MK2
STILL A VERY HAPPY TIMES

A plethora of numerical simulations of everything that constitutes a rig guitarist, bassist and singer from stompboxes to get to the speakers with all that can be between! All in a lightweight rack is ugly (not matter ...) is one does not feel very solid.
I have rarely seen one as complete connectivity on a single machine.

UTILIZATION

Everything depends on the person, but it's a cinch for any musicians who have had any multi-market effect and even more easily via PC.
I like the fact that once we saved presets, you can tweak its sound like any amp with the knobs, convenient to change the gain, the rate eq or reverb on the fly. The FBV is not bad, but can be used safely on the other pedal noon, a behringer or roland work perfectly.

SOUND QUALITY

The sounds of factories are crap of course ... very eye-catching demo and loaded as 99% of products on the market. In any case it is obviously necessary to review at least levels and cuts and you get to have nice things. But I do not care about sound factory. No tags for this.

As is supposed to simulate, I tried to reproduce my favorite sounds or most useful. To do this I mounted in a rack in which I have made every time a preamp, the line 6 was in a power amp input (an engl e850/100), the unit I wanted to emulate in other channel, each with a 4x12 and I hacked up to get the same sound on every channel ... I did that with a JMP1 Marshall, a mesa and peavey TriAxis RockMaster. I also did some research of my marshall jcm 800 and plexi
-Can not have sound mesa with the exception of Hon big slobbering sounds modern 4 / 20
"I fully and quickly managed to get my favorite sounds of saturated RockMaster, also obtained a 5150 report in a little less hairy, not bad at all! 7 / 10
"I virtually cloned, not emulated," cloned "some of my favorite Marshall sound after several days of testing! The prize goes to the jcm 800 yet highly disparaged in what you read here or there, it does for my sound to me. The only difference is that the sound is just right and a bit more aggressive as when I put tubes in China, I got good stuff with plexiglass sounds too! 8 / 10
I'll probably continue to mumuse with an attempt to emulate the pedals as I have and that the machine emulates. For now I find the reverb very successful, but I have not tried the other effects Having focused on the preamp. See you later!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought this thing a year ago, by dint of seeing all the pros who have one somewhere in their gear and due to time I forgot it in a corner with lots of other machines. I fell on it looking for something else a few weeks ago and I decided to have some fun with.
As I have never in 25 years I sold a ton of stuff at home with which to compare.
For the price of some pedals shops, we are left with an incredible opportunity that camera worth spending time on it. I am aware of no use to 10%, but this thing leave me anyway, I will serve as emergency equipment in case of an attack knowing that I more or less my favorite sounds in at any time just by pressing a button or two. What a pleasure as well to avoid this walk 200 kg of gear or do not have to turn it on and connect several devices just to play a shot p'tit quickly.
It's a nice machine, given the price it deserves a 8 / 10

I will not dwell on the subject because like most fans of the brand I think you have read and reread all the features of the beast until its release.
Nevertheless it should be remembered that the Pod X3 Pro is a dual processor configuration the famous dual tone that allows two circuit is used together and each with its own sounds or simultaneously connect two instruments (eg guitar and bass or guitar guitar and vocals or two etc ...) for my part I prefer to link two sets of models together what really lets the sound boust and especially the rich.
Another interresting point, the multitude of analog and digital inputs and many outputs to route signals.
These are all good omens for a rack of your war machine.

UTILIZATION

The long awaited moment is finally here, I'm home with cardboard front and takes a few seconds before unpacking just so much history to believe.
After opening to know so that you will find in the box in addition to the rack, a USB cable, the power cord and the little bag with the Doc. For the latter there is a small booklet with all the modeled amps and effects and the rather thick manual (great) but good in fact multi language translation or thickness, but a priori the need is there.
So I plug the machine and once opened you get the user preset, that of the bank's two display mode, with the small amp and effects routing and large with the name and number of the pacth which is great for live use.
I agree my first plate and the surprise waouwwww ca move but we will see later the sounds, for against this config is at present not too bad the system used remains true to the trademark except that it will have s' used to the dual tone.
I will not deny that it will still be a certain adjustment period for all master and that the manual should remain with you some time.
It also remains true to what the brand can do.

SOUND QUALITY

To know that I did my first test with my IBANEZ JEM 7 WH and with the headphone output of the pod.
After a preset point on the user open office so I decided to take a tour of the various banks categorized:
GAIN LOW, GAIN HI, Song, and many others noted that these banks have a certain number of each patch and you will find in these categories patch for low as well as singing.
At first I was amazed by the quality of modeling and effects, it sounds it's clean grain is finally all for my part I am a fan.
The sounds of plants are also loyal to the brand that is that there are some great and some not great but one thing is for sure the potential is there, there's plenty to do.
Initially with my old POD PRO I did not was totally excited about the factory sounds and yet I managed with time and patience to do wonders, I think we will do better with the POD PRO X3.
One important thing to point out I found my guitar on the pod so the models and the quality of treatment and effects are excellent. It's been fun.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 days now and each time I discover new possibilities, but one thing is certain the dual tone will allow you to make sounds crazy. For homes studioistes this machine will delight you as you end up with three multi-effects in one, for the mad scene also because of its large perspective without having to lug the stuff of tones and one for the purists that this is not a real tube amp because the sound is there is there.
Frankly when I see the price that is mostly lower than the XT, I really think the POD X3 PRO to a bright future ahead of him. A little advice to people not liking too much brand products, seriously try and make you account for yourself.
Oh one last little point even a flat, which has a FBV 2 of the old series will be (like me) disappointed at first saw what is not compatible.
But hey I'm still happy with my purchase and for me the latest products of the brand to date will talk about them.