All user reviews for the Line 6 POD 2

One of the best products that Line 6 has ever produced. These little units sound amazing and have a great array of variance of possible operations. You can run amp models and cab models as well as an assortment of modulations, delays, and others effects.

One very cool features is the ability to run 9 effects at the same time. This gives the user basically and endless supply of possible tonal variations.

Features:

32 Amp Models
15 Cabinet models
16 Digital Effects
36 Factory/ User Presets
1/4 inch TRS Headphone and Direct Out
ToneTransfer compatible for seamless transfer of sound with any other Flextone II, POD, or POD Pro, or with Line 6's on-line library of sounds
Headphone out
MIDI I/O plus free software editor/librarian
Chromatic tuner
Floorboard and FB4 compatible
Power supply included

UTILIZATION

Detail
A/D Res. 24 bit
Analog Inputs 1/4in TS
Analog Outputs 1/4in TRS L&R, headphones
D/A Res. 24 bit
Max. Delay 1000 ms
MIDI I/O In/Out
Simultaneous Effects 9

SOUND QUALITY

This little box is great for recording but live play is is another story. If you simply use the effects for live use ten it is a decent tone, but j=using the amp models in a real amp situation is pretty pointless to me.

When recording this little thing is a great tool. Will it sound exactly like a real tube amp pushing a speaker cabinet...no but it will get pretty close to the original sound.

Doesn't really matter what guitar you use with this product because it will sound decent. You will not get that feel of the notes and the dynamics of really playing a tube amp because this is just simply simulating what you would play not wise. There is no feeling at all in the notes.

OVERALL OPINION

I think Line 6 is one of the best if not the best companies out there who provide solid effect units for the all-in-one consumer who wants to keep things simple and clean. I would play this unit any day of the week. I don't use too much effects so something like this is perfect for me and it is perfect for home use!

At new you can pick these units up for aright around 4200. Not a bad price for this compact processor. I like the idea of using this silently for playing at home or in an office where noise may be an issue.

This was an upgrade to the original guitar amplifier synthesizing pre-amp. If memory serves me correctly, it has 32 amplifiers it modeled (16 on the front, but by holding Tap while moving the amp knob other amps can be selected), cabinet simulation, and a number of onboard effects. In addition to 1/4" inputs and outputs, which are mono or stereo it can send and accept MIDI in order to save data or remotely change the synthesizer's settings. Unlike the later POD XT, there is no setting to change the type of microphone being emulated, nor the room characteristics of that mic emulation.

That being said, there is one major feature that the original POD can perform that is not found on the XT: On the XT, if you are using a patch with a delay and you switch to another patch (say, one without the delay), even if you already struck the note and the delay is expected it will not play. There is no way to enable the delay to play until it naturally decays on the XT. The original POD (and 2.0) POD, switching patches will still allow for a delay of up to two seconds, again if memory serves me correctly.

UTILIZATION

Getting this thing to sound great is easy - you either set it up for connecting directly to a recorder or to an amplifier. How you set it changes the type of cabinet simulation that is used, in order to make it sound more accurate for the circumstances at hand. The manual is very easy to follow, but the POD is so intuitive that anybody can dial up some great tones just by fooling around with it. Even by breaking the rules by using the wrong output setting can get some interesting results.

SOUND QUALITY

Although this is now the outdated POD, some of the tones are still emulated on the later POD's with little to no change. In the hands of a gifted user, some excellent sounding tones can be dialed up, and the nice thing about this POD, when compared with the XT and later models, is that fewer options means fewer, more simple to make choices.

OVERALL OPINION

This was my first serious piece of guitar gear, as I bought it when I still only had a practice amp. I think it's great for what it is, but looking back, and knowing what I do now, I wish I had instead taken the money and purchased a solid, used tube amp.

I haven't had my POD 2.0 for years, but I do have a POD XT Live (and formerly had a POD XT). The only feature I really miss from the 2.0 is the delay I was talking about in the very top section.

In my opinion, the POD 2.0 is nearly useless live, unless you separately purchase the floorboard. At the same time, I'm not really an advocate of using any POD in a recording studio, unless the recordist has volume restrictions and can't use a real guitar amplifier. The real deal, especially under the microscope of the studio, always sounds so much better, so unless you don't have access to a real guitar amplifier (including solid state) or are lazy, I wouldn't advocate for its use in the studio.

Multiple effects and amp models ...
Digital Technology
Editable via software (mac / pc) with a MIDI
Non-Rackable

UTILIZATION

Ultra-config simplissime
Nice big knobs with small dots of 1 to 10 or with the name of the effect associated
Presets and tuner (to agree, very convenient and super easy too)
Full manual

SOUND QUALITY

The effects are very good, except for the noise gate which is not adjustable, but is still welcome!
I use a guitar with bad qualitée, bein the lil thingy makes me forget the brand ... I tested several times with a Dean Razorback associated with Randall RG100H ... a real bomb!

OVERALL OPINION

AC has been nearly 1 year that I buy 80th on the net, a great bargain
I always delusion as to switch between sound and sound bluesy metal!
I REFERRED that choice even more euros if required.

well everyone knows: modeling amps, multi-effects, preamp, tagada tsoin tsoin ...
rack and not too bad, because as "bean" bof!
connected properly, lack a USB of course, also bad.
entry stomp RJ45 is a bit sucks, all that stuff for us to crank refourguer their nuts ...

UTILIZATION

use simple? not really, but I fear none of these gears is really easy to master. indispensable handbook, besides I've always handy, just in case ...

SOUND QUALITY

I use it exclusively with home-studio:
gibson marauder
ibanez as83
Ibanez s570b
I always found with or without the help of my little Pedalboard THE sound I wanted. seen what I did, it suits me very well.

OVERALL OPINION

bought used a friend in 2006 or 2007, remember. not leave me since I had a zoom GM200 ago that proved to be an infamous dung near the pod, should make mistakes from time to time to separate the wheat from the chaff. So value for money more than correct, I probably would replace a day and by forcing sth more evolved and rack, but also much more expensive ...

Everything has been said

UTILIZATION

Everything has been said.
In my case, I find it relatively simple to use.

SOUND QUALITY

Okay, so let's get down to business ^ ^.

Before purchasing the pod, I knew some of the simulations Line 6 because I used (and I still use) a Toneport UX1 I like very much.
I also knew the simulations Vox (to have had several amps in the Valvetronix range), and I always preferred the Line 6 (although some say that Line 6 sound cold and digital, everything is a matter of taste, but I think if you know the deal, it will sound.)

Regarding the effects, nothing to say ... ample quantity levels, and rather good quality level.

In terms of amp simulations, I only uses 4 different (BRIT CLASSIC (simulation of a Vox AC30), BRIT HI GAIN (simulation of a Marshall JCM 800), Treadplate (Mesa Boogie) and MODERN HI GAIN (soldano) ...
For me, these 4 there are EXCELLENT!
I think the rest is more mixed, but honestly it does not matter, because I do not need that + the ones I just mentioned. They let me play whatever I want.

I use my Pod with a Slash Signature Epiphone Les Paul, a Fender Telecaster John 5, and a Baja Telecaster.
I think the pod transcribes well the character of each guitar (but perhaps not as much as a real amp).

When I bought it, I played only with headphones because the record on my amp not suit me ... (A Blackstar HT5). Lights colored the sound, the result was really yucky (sorry the word).
However, the headphones the sound was beautiful .. So I sold my amp to buy a power amp designed specifically for that = the Tech 21 Power Engine 60.
It allows fully exploiting the potential of the Pod (since he is deemed to be neutral, and return the simulation of the pod without coloring the sound).

Since then, I can appreciate the qualities of the pod, the sound is just huge!


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about 1 month ... and I've never had a sound like home (before I went through the Vox Valvetronix, Blackstar HT5 ...); and I know that my sound has never been as good as now.

Like the pod 2.0 because it is simple to use, intuitive, without being limited in terms of sound.
In my opinion there is plenty of simulations and opportunities in this pod, and that's why I preferred it to the pod xt or x3.

I would do without hesitation that choice! especially since we find less expensive

Originally written by laulalau on Audiofanzine FR.

Everything has been said already!

UTILIZATION

Everything has been said already!
In my opinion, it's rather easy to use.


SOUND QUALITY

Now, let's talk seriously ^^.

I already knew Line6 simulations before buying the Pod because I used (and I still use) a Toneport UX1 that I like a lot.
I also knew Vox simulations (I owned several amps from the Valvetronix range). I always preferred the Line 6 sound (although some users say it's cold and digital, but it's all a matter of settings).

Enough quality effects.

I use only four amp simulations: BRIT CLASSIC (Vox AC30), BRIT HI GAIN (Marshall JCM 800), TREADPLATE (Mesa Boogie Rectifier) and MODERN HI GAIN (Soldano).
I find these four simulations are AMAZING!!!
Other simulations are not so good but it's no big deal because I need only these four simulations. They allow me to play anything I want.

I use the Pod with an Epiphone Les paul Slash Signature, a Fender Telecaster John 5 and a Telecaster Baja.
The Pod faithfully reproduces the sound personality of each guitar (but not as good as a real amp).

When I bought it, I used to play with a pair of headphones because I didn't like the sound with my amp (Blackstar HT5). The tubes colored the sound and the result was really awful.
But with headphones, the sound was wonderful... So I sold my amp and bought a power amp conceived for what I do (Tech 21 Power Engine 60).
It allows me to get the best out of the Pod (this amp is linear and faithfully reproduces the simulations without coloring the sound).

With this amp, I can enjoy the sound quality of the Pod: the sound is just amazing!


OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for about one month... I never had such a sound at home and I know that my sound never was as good as it is now.

I like the Pod 2.0 because it's easy to use, intuitive and provides almost endless sound possibilities.
In my opinion, the Pod offers enough simulations and possibilities. That's the reason why I prefer it to the Pod XT or X3.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again! Especially considering that it's always cheaper

This is an amp modeler. It is primarily designed for studio use, as it's interface is definitely designed for maximum tweaking and not ease of use. It can be used live, though, with MIDI. It's also a direct-in, which means that running it through an amp is actually a bad idea. There are two 1/4" stereo outputs, as well as a headphones output. There is a switch which will allow you to use an amp if you so desire, as well. There is also a MIDI in and out, for programming automation. This is entirely a digital technology. There are no computer connection capabilities as far as I know with the POD 2, though later models do introduce such things.

UTILIZATION

Utilizing this piece of gear is definitely pretty easy at least to get a tone. Eventually though, it gets more complicated. The only issue comes if you want to change tones mid-song. If using this in the studio, you could just change tones. But if you wanted to use it live, it would require MIDI programming. For some this won't be an issue, as they are familiar and used to MIDI programming. Many of us, though, would rather be able to have more flexibility.

SOUND QUALITY

I have tried this amp modeler out with a Tele, a Strat, and a Les Paul. I have found that, overall, the tone between guitars doesn't change. This is digital, and digital doesn't exactly leave a lot of wiggle room in terms of tone. This piece of gear is great if you have nothing in the way of good amps. Basically, it doesn't hold a candle to a great amp. You can get far better tones in any decent tube amp (or solid-state if that's what you prefer). The effects get pretty whacky, and there are a ton of possibilities there, but I don't know if they can compare to a great pedal in any respect. The distortions are great digital distortions, so fans of Industrial music or techno-rock or whatever will dig it, but don't expect to play classic rock, or even alternative stuff. This is another case of quantity over quality.

OVERALL OPINION

I definitely would recommend the POD to a studio owner, simply because there are going to be people who want these types of tones. However, I don't recommend that most people use them as they don't respond very well to individual taste, players' touch, guitars, etc. They also tend to get pretty generic. It's decently priced, but this is mainly because it's been updated a lot. I've played a few of these and I like the newer models better, they've at least come closer to getting real tones. I would not make the same choice again, I'd go for the update. I believe the newer ones can even be updated online, which makes them far superior.

There is just about every effect you can think of for a guitarist on this unit including delay, compression, phase, vibrato, chorus, many kinds of distortion, etc...... This model cannot be edited by a computer, at least not traditionally. I think MidiQuest XL and other programs like that could do it via the midi inputs. No, it is not designed to be racked. This is completely digital. There is only 1/4" mono in and out and Midi in and out.

UTILIZATION

The effects editing is fairly easy via a couple of knobs and buttons on the front of the unit. The general configuration is fairly simple and everything is written out on the unit for you to find and edit fairly quickly. I wouldn't recommend trying to edit live though unless you have enough light to read it. The manual is clear enough and should be able to answer all of the questions you need to know.

SOUND QUALITY

I use this mainly for guitar and occasionally I would run a synth through it. In my opinion, I didn't like the Pod very much as I felt it sucked the tone out of my Parker Fly guitar. All the effects were fairly tinny sounding and once I started using true analog effects, I sold this unit immediately. There were some pretty cool distortions on this thing but for the most part, I didn't like most of the effects.

OVERALL OPINION

Besides the poor sound quality, one of the things I really didn't like about this unit is when you tried to do some editing in a live situation, you ran the risk of selecting a distortion that was preset so hot, you would feedback and/or blow out your ears (and the audiences' ears too) if you weren't careful. In the end, the only thing I liked about this unit was using it for headphone practice, or just laying an idea out on my recording unit without needed to set up all my gear and a mic for the amp. I paid $100 used for this which was not too much money but it never really impressed me. I was able to break even on it when I sold it so that was good. I give it a 6 out of 10 for sound quality. Pretty tinny and no one could be fooled into thinking it was analog technology. I bought the Boss ME 50 shortly after and it was much much better. No, I would pass on this unit in a heart beat.

This has reverb, chorus, delay, compressor, flange, phaser, rotary, tremolo and some combinations.

It's all digital.

You can edit with the numerous knobs, very easily. Tap tempo is very handy!
I believe there is a PC edition mode but never bothered with it.

Big jacks in & out (stereo out), midi.

Not rackable, but that seems pointless.

UTILIZATION

Very simple to use.

Editing is very easy, yes.

Can't remember needing the manual that much but it was clear too.

SOUND QUALITY

The effects are usable...depending on how hard you mix them in maybe, but yeah, it's usable.
Now, if you have a TC Electronic sitting by then maybe you won't bother using these, but i have a G-Force and i have used the tremolo on this, and the reverb isn't bad either actually. Sounds more like an amp reverb than dedicated reverb units do.

Used this on electric & acoustic...worked very well.

I don't like most of the distortions in this...actually the Line 6 amps sound best to me...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had it about 4 years or so, i think.

I like that it's small...complete...and lets you play at any time of day or night...in pretty much any style...and you can record it & it sounds fine...if you get your settings good.

You must remember this unit is old, and pretty much the first...so i tried no other, it was totally the best at the time and was a gift actually...very expensive one at the time, i was amazed! ;-p
I think that for the current price it's a bargain!

I'd probably go for a pro rack if i were to buy one now cos i want digital out, but i'd try out the competition....and maybe go for one of those floor thingies that let you install VST plugins on them...now THAT sounds unbeatable!