MusicRadar

The controls will be familiar to existing POD users

1 of 4 » View in gallery

• Review
• Manufacturer's Description

The main control panel will be familiar if you've ever used a POD before. The two-digit LED display is at the centre, surrounded by a crescent of controls.

At the far left, in true POD style, is the amp model selector, although the Floor POD only has a rudimentary selection of six amp models (Clean, Class A, Classic, Hi Gain, Treadplate and Insane) offering a good overview of the most popular guitar sounds.

As you turn the amp model selector, it passes through two basic settings for each amp type, one with higher gain than the other (indicated by red and green LEDs).

There are only three controls for the amp models (drive, bass, treble) although these have dual functions. The save button works like a 'shift' key, providing access to the compression, mid-range and presence parameters.

Similarly, the channel volume knob is also used to adjust the sensitivity of the noise gate. Saving valuable space once again, there's only a single control each for the modulation and delay/reverb effects modules.

However, each knob covers three effects, with a third of the control's sweep given to each effect. It's quite a fiddly system, but visual feedback is provided by three red LEDs so you know instantly when you've gone from maximum phaser to minimum tremolo, for example.

Sounds

The Floor POD's user interface is clear and logical, and thanks to the predominance of big amp-style knobs (rather than pushbuttons) Floor POD has the same tactile feel of its siblings.

That said, the expression pedal feels quite small and flimsy - possibly because of its plastic construction, possibly because it's quite short and has a relatively small sweep. That's only a minor issue though - the wah and volume controls work perfectly well.

The sounds, both amp models and effects, all have quite a familiar sound, which isn't surprising. Although Line 6 seems to be aiming for the same classic amp-plus-stompbox vibe of the original POD, it's nice to see the addition of the Sweep Echo effect, which first appeared on the DM4 and Echo Pro effects units.

Some of the compression settings on the factory presets seemed a little high, resulting in quite a 'spongy' feel, but overall, there's a good selection of amp models here.