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Line 6 Pocket POD £81
Line 6’s iconic POD has gone all Nano on us
The MusicRadar Team, Tue 23 Oct 2007, 12:12 pm UTC
We'll admit to being disappointed that 2007 didn't prove to be the year of the Digital Modelling Brain Implant after all. Still, you have to admit that the Pocket POD is an interesting development in the miniaturisation of guitar technology.
Of course, there's nothing new about the concept of the pocket-sized effects unit. Back in the 1970s, Dan Armstrong produced a range of (now reissued) tiny effects units that attached directly to your guitar's jack socket, and the digital technology of the nineties saw Zoom's strap-mounted 9002 followed by Korg's Pandora range.
What's different about the Pocket POD, though, is that it's not a pioneering stab in the dark: it's another clever twist on an already well-proven and best-selling recipe. The POD range already covers a wide spread of musical needs and budgets, and the Pocket POD applies the same tried-and-tested approach to a new format.
Right out of the box, one of the main differences between Pocket POD and previous pocket-sized processors is immediately apparent. Where other products have been quite fiddly to use (especially in a pressurised stage, rehearsal or studio situation) all of Pocket POD's controls are large enough to grab easily and there are no superfluous knobs or buttons.
Patch navigation involves a four-way button, like you'd see on a mobile phone, next to the LCD display. The navigation system is different from other PODs with the facility to browse patches by style or band as well as by bank.
The style method is useful, splitting the patches into such categories as 'clean', 'crunch' and 'heavy'. Intriguingly, there's also a style subsection called 'song', where the patches are named after specific songs.
Plenty of effects units have sported thinly disguised references to songs and artists in their patch names for years, but there are no riddles here. This doesn't seem out of place, though, considering the way Pocket POD is being marketed as a fun practice tool: "Pocket POD lets you sound like a rock star wherever you go." But it's not just marketing-speak.
In the 'by band' section, over 100 presets have been created by the artists themselves, including Bumblefoot, Ash, Hoobastank and Killswitch Engage. All in all, there are over 300 presets, of which 124 are user-tweakable.
For instant gratification, all you have to do is insert four AAA batteries and plug in. The Pocket POD can also be powered via a 9V DC adaptor, but this would restrict the portability; you could always use rechargeable batteries for extra flexibility.
To help save battery power, the unit only works when a guitar lead is plugged into the input jack. In standard operation, the four easily grabbable controls cover drive, effect level, delay level and channel volume.
The gain staging is like all the other PODs, with the channel volume controlling the overall level for the patch selected. We found the default volume level a bit high for headphone use, but rather than having to adjust the level for each patch, you can adjust the master level by holding down the save and tap buttons while pressing the four-way controller up or down.
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User comments (5)
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Had one of these for a few months now and it is a fantastic bit of equipment ! I use it mostly for Silent Practise and use it with an MP3 player loaded with backing tracks plugged in. The only small downside to it is the downloading of extra tones and setting etc. is a little complecated but then speaking as a late 40 something I'm not as 'techy' minded as I used to be and I want everything nice and and simple with instant plug and play. But a great great product that will keep the Mirs's happy while she's trying to watch 'Corrie'.
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Bought one of these a few weeks ago, and it's a total beast for its size and price.
Sounds great when played through a cheap 10w amp, lots of great presets built in and some great amp models.
Only problem i had was getting the software from the line6 website to run under windows vista, but once pluged into my laptop it works perfectly.
I would highly recomend this bit of kit, if you have the spare money go and buy one. -
Bought one of these a few weeks ago, and it's a total beast for its size and price.
Sounds great when played through a cheap 10w amp, lots of great presets built in and some great amp models.
Only problem i had was getting the software from the line6 website to run under windows vista, but once pluged into my laptop it works perfectly.
I would highly recomend this bit of kit, if you have the spare money go and buy one. -
this is as mentioned a great bit of kit - want to sound like slash - flick a switch, Peter Green - flick a switch, its really that easy. With a newborn in the house this is perfect to plug in stick the headphones in and play to my hearts content (with one eye on the baby monitor!).
The online stuff is great create or alter tones, or download even more from an extensive database, but heres the only downside to it all, its a bit of a pain then transferring them back to the pod, could be so much easier with better file management on the computer, drag and drop should be used nere, thisi s my only misgiving and the reason Ive only given it 4 stars.... -
Had a Pocket POD for xmas and this is my review.
Use : - Use it for home studio, and as a home studio tool it is fantastic, absolutely superb.
Used with : Gibson Les Paul, Fender Mexican strat and an old eight track digital recorder. - Superb sounds.
Caution : Hard to get sounds with the buttons on the device, but used with a PC or MAC the sound editor (download from line6.com), is absolutely first class and allows the user to edit and expand upon the basic editing facilities used on the device itself. With the editor combined the ease of use is simplistic and the device is easily comparable with top of the range PODs (Honest). Back-up of sounds and storing of sounds is very easy and makes the device a must-have.
I am : A 40something musician who has used many effects throughout the years (both live and home studio based).
Recommends ? - Oh yes - go get one !
Rating : ***** - Yes - 5 star - honestly.
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MusicRadar rating
Pros
A flexible, portable practice tool at a fantastic price.
Cons
Given the price, there’s really nothing to complain about.
Verdict
With the lack of MIDI or foot control, Pocket POD alone might not be suitable for pro or semi-pro players, but for practising, jamming or just having fun, it's a total no-brainer.
Review Policy
All MusicRadar’s reviews are by independent product specialists, who are not aligned to any gear manufacturer or retailer. Our experts also write for renowned magazines such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm. All are part of Future PLC, the biggest publisher of music making magazines in the world.
User rating
Specification Show
Pocket POD
- Price:
- £81
- Amp Connections:
- Headphone Output/External Speaker, Line/Cd Input
- Available Inputs:
- Guitar Input
- Available Outputs:
- 6.4mm Stereo Headphone Jack, Amp Out
- Compatible Systems:
- Mac, PC
- Connections:
- USB
- Country of Origin:
- USA
- Effect Types:
- Chorus, Compression, Delay, Flange, Noise Gate, Reverb, Tremolo
- Manufacturer's Description:
- Pocket POD® exhibits all the celebrated features and pro tone that makes POD a standard in recording studios everywhere. Don't be fooled by the smaller package, Pocket POD is packed with over 300 custom presets dialed in by some of today's hottest rock stars like Maroon 5, P.O.D., 311, Hoobastank and many more.
- No of Amp Models:
- 32
- No of Cab Models:
- 16
- No of Effects:
- 16
- Patches:
- 300+
- Type of Modelling:
- Amp Modelling, Cabinet Modelling, Multi Effects Processor
- Unit Power Source:
- 4 x AAA Batteries, AC Adaptor
- Weight (g) (g):
- 170
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Midnightminstrel
Sat 15 Mar 2008, 12:22 am UTC
User rating 4 of 5