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rockerdad « Great all around tone/effects machine »
Publié le 15/05/11 à 17:04
(contenu en anglais)
What are the effects, or types of effects available?
You name it, the X3 Live has it. From reverbs to chorus to flange and even tremelos, the Pod X3 live is a shmorgasboard of effects.
What technology is used? (analog, digital, tube...)
This board is all digital but don't let that deter you from at least trying it out. The sounds are pretty good for what they're modelled after.
Can they be edited? through a Mac/PC editor utility program?
Editing can be done through your PC with the free Line 6 monkey software as well as Gear Box. It takes a little time to get used to using it this way if you've never done any kind of editing on the PC before but once you get a handle on things, it's a piece of cake (assuming you are comfortable on a computer in the first place!)
What connection types are there? (Audio/MIDI)
Here is what you get:
-1/4-inch Instrument Input (w/ Normal/Pad switch)
-XLR Microphone Input (w/ Trim Adjust)
-USB 2.0 for computer recording
-S/PDIF Stereo Digital Audio output
-Stereo 1/4-inch Line outputs (with Amp/Line Pad switch)
-Stereo XLR Balanced Line outputs
-1/4-inch stereo effect loop
-Variax Digital Connector
-1/4-inch Expression Pedal input
-Midi In & Out/Thru
-1/4-inch stereo headphones out
-Pedal 2 input for optional second Expression Pedal Controller
-1/8-inch Stereo (CD/MP3) Jam Along input
Is it rackable?
Being that it's a floorboard, no it is not rackable.
UTILIZATION
Is the sound or effects editing easy?
I find the editing to be super simple but I've had a lot of experience with Line 6 products and know my way around them. For new customers, it may take a couple of weeks to get used to.
Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
I've always found the Line 6 manuals to be lacking. I generally get my answers at the Line 6 forums or other guitar related board forums online like Rig Talk.
Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Yes, the setup and configuration is laid out for you nicely until you want to get into deeper sound editing. That's when it may get a little tricky if you're not familiar with the menus.
SOUND QUALITY
With what instruments do you use them?
I've only used a strat and a Line 6 Variax guitar with this. The Variax was basically built to be used with the pod series and can provide a wide array of usable tones. I'd recommend that setup for guitarists in cover bands that need a different sound for every song.
Which are your favorites and/or the ones you hate?
The cleans are generally good...some some nice and fat while others were a little thin. The mid gain tones were just ok...nothing beats a tube amp in that regard. The high gain tones, if dialed in right, can be good. There's always going to be that artificial sound that sits on top of the tone that is caused by a digital device. If you can live with that, then you should be happy.
Is the sound of your instruments or your microphones faithfully reproduced? Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
I've tried other guitars with this board but each guitar pretty much sounded the same through it. You can hear subtle differences but the audience is not going to pick up on it or care. The Variax can sound like a ton of different guitars. Whether or not you think they sound authentic is up to your ears.
OVERALL OPINION
What thing do you like most/least about it?
The best part of Line 6 gear is the way it makes your gigs and recordings so much easier. Want a simple live setup? Bring the X3 Live, your guitar and some cables to a gig, connect to the PA, get sound in your monitor or in-ears and you're good to go. No lugging around a bunch of gear. For recording, just plug in, get your sound and go.
Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I've used the other XT Live in the past. The X3 sounds about 75% better and has many more options.
What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The product is priced correctly in my opinion. You get an awful lot for the $300 or so you can buy these for. As I said earlier, this is a great solution for a top 40 cover band guitarist.
Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
I would probably upgrade to the newer Line 6 Pod HD500 series if I was looking to buy again as it's had a major overhaul. If that wasn't available, I would buy this again if I needed it.
Precision and quality of the sound?
Sound quality is as good as your ears can judge. Don't let others tell you otherwise. If you like it, then use it. It provides a good reproduction of some pretty famous amps and effects.
You name it, the X3 Live has it. From reverbs to chorus to flange and even tremelos, the Pod X3 live is a shmorgasboard of effects.
What technology is used? (analog, digital, tube...)
This board is all digital but don't let that deter you from at least trying it out. The sounds are pretty good for what they're modelled after.
Can they be edited? through a Mac/PC editor utility program?
Editing can be done through your PC with the free Line 6 monkey software as well as Gear Box. It takes a little time to get used to using it this way if you've never done any kind of editing on the PC before but once you get a handle on things, it's a piece of cake (assuming you are comfortable on a computer in the first place!)
What connection types are there? (Audio/MIDI)
Here is what you get:
-1/4-inch Instrument Input (w/ Normal/Pad switch)
-XLR Microphone Input (w/ Trim Adjust)
-USB 2.0 for computer recording
-S/PDIF Stereo Digital Audio output
-Stereo 1/4-inch Line outputs (with Amp/Line Pad switch)
-Stereo XLR Balanced Line outputs
-1/4-inch stereo effect loop
-Variax Digital Connector
-1/4-inch Expression Pedal input
-Midi In & Out/Thru
-1/4-inch stereo headphones out
-Pedal 2 input for optional second Expression Pedal Controller
-1/8-inch Stereo (CD/MP3) Jam Along input
Is it rackable?
Being that it's a floorboard, no it is not rackable.
UTILIZATION
Is the sound or effects editing easy?
I find the editing to be super simple but I've had a lot of experience with Line 6 products and know my way around them. For new customers, it may take a couple of weeks to get used to.
Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
I've always found the Line 6 manuals to be lacking. I generally get my answers at the Line 6 forums or other guitar related board forums online like Rig Talk.
Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Yes, the setup and configuration is laid out for you nicely until you want to get into deeper sound editing. That's when it may get a little tricky if you're not familiar with the menus.
SOUND QUALITY
With what instruments do you use them?
I've only used a strat and a Line 6 Variax guitar with this. The Variax was basically built to be used with the pod series and can provide a wide array of usable tones. I'd recommend that setup for guitarists in cover bands that need a different sound for every song.
Which are your favorites and/or the ones you hate?
The cleans are generally good...some some nice and fat while others were a little thin. The mid gain tones were just ok...nothing beats a tube amp in that regard. The high gain tones, if dialed in right, can be good. There's always going to be that artificial sound that sits on top of the tone that is caused by a digital device. If you can live with that, then you should be happy.
Is the sound of your instruments or your microphones faithfully reproduced? Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?
I've tried other guitars with this board but each guitar pretty much sounded the same through it. You can hear subtle differences but the audience is not going to pick up on it or care. The Variax can sound like a ton of different guitars. Whether or not you think they sound authentic is up to your ears.
OVERALL OPINION
What thing do you like most/least about it?
The best part of Line 6 gear is the way it makes your gigs and recordings so much easier. Want a simple live setup? Bring the X3 Live, your guitar and some cables to a gig, connect to the PA, get sound in your monitor or in-ears and you're good to go. No lugging around a bunch of gear. For recording, just plug in, get your sound and go.
Did you try many other models before getting this one?
I've used the other XT Live in the past. The X3 sounds about 75% better and has many more options.
What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The product is priced correctly in my opinion. You get an awful lot for the $300 or so you can buy these for. As I said earlier, this is a great solution for a top 40 cover band guitarist.
Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
I would probably upgrade to the newer Line 6 Pod HD500 series if I was looking to buy again as it's had a major overhaul. If that wasn't available, I would buy this again if I needed it.
Precision and quality of the sound?
Sound quality is as good as your ears can judge. Don't let others tell you otherwise. If you like it, then use it. It provides a good reproduction of some pretty famous amps and effects.