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Line 6 POD XT
Variax 700
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By Andy Z - August 2004
By now everyone is buzzing about the new PODxt 2.0 update and all the model packs available for it. Even the Vetta II users get a little bonus out of it, by getting all those XT patches becoming available now. The Line 6 Edit software will bring it pretty much over with little change. But now after some time has passed with the Flextone III 1.1 update, it leaves a bit of a gap now with patches not as seamlessly porting over to it.
Hopefully this will help in adjusting things on the Flextone III that don't exist currently. Distortion stomps, Post-EQ, effects that act as Pre-EQ. Some of the examples below are slight and some require a bit more dial twisting.
For the purposes of these examples, I'll be using a PODxt 2.0 and a Flextone III 1x12 displaying the settings using the latest Line 6 Edit software (version 2.02). I've also included MP3's, so you can hear the PODxt 2.0 references below. The audio samples were played on a Line 6 Variax 500 guitar. Due to recording limitations at the time of this article, I was not able to record the Flextone III samples. But by providing the PODxt audio samples, you'll have a tonal guide to help adjust your Flextone.
In this sample, I'm using the Variax Spank (Stratocaster) model on pickup position 3 (middle pickup). The amp model is the Double Verb (Fender Twin) model using the 2x12 blackface cabinet. The only real obstacle to overcome here is the Post EQ, which is set to give a boost to the mid and high EQ areas. In porting it, I have rolled the bass off about 15%, the mid by 3% and treble by 2%. Since the Flextone does not allow you to set the A.I.R., I choose the off axis mic setting to give it an edgy and opened up sound.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Clean Twin MP3 sample
PODxt 2.0 Clean Twin Setting...
Flextone III 1.1 Clean Twin Setting...
In this sample, I'm using the Variax Lester (Les Paul) model on the pickup position 5 (bridge pickup). The amp model is the Tweed B-Man model using the 4x12 Green 25's cabinet. This patch has a bit more to compensate for. On the PODxt we have the Classic Distortion stomp and the Post EQ accentuating the upper mids. So on the Flextone, we need to max out the Drive at 100%. If the PODxt had any more gain set on it, we'd have no way to match the gain level, without using an real distortion pedal before the Flextone. First, I changed the cabinet on the Flextone to the 4x12 Treadplate. This cab has some of gritty tone of the distortion stomp that wasn't there in the 4x12 Green 25 cab. It's almost acting as an EQ filter in this case. Now I rolled off the bass 16%, the mid was rolled back 24%, the treble pushed 26% and the presence pushed 16%. Finally. I used a thicker sounding mic, the 421 off axis, to get more of the edgier sound of of the distortion stomp.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Bassman Crunch MP3 sample
PODxt 2.0 Bassman Crunch Setting...
Flextone III 1.1 Bassman Crunch Setting...
In this last example, I'm using the Variax Lester (Les Paul) model on the pickup position 5 (bridge pickup). The amp model is the Brit Silver based on the Marshall Jubilee using the 4x12 Green 25's cabinet. This time the Post EQ is set giving a slight boost to the upper mids. I pushed the drive 8% to accomodate any sound getting absorbed from the actual speaker. This time the bass is pushed 7%, the mid is rolled back 21%, the treble is rolled back 12%, and the precense is rolled back about 6%. The mic is set to the 421 off axis to give it more of an edgy tone.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Jubilee Lead MP3 sample
PODxt 2.0 Jubilee Lead Setting...
Flextone III 1.1 Jubilee Lead Setting...
So far I have not seen any steadfast rules in applying patches from the PODxt 2.0 to the Flextone III yet. But it seems that for clean to crunch tones, bass and mid roll off seems to be the case. While lead and high gain settings may need a bit of a push to the low end a bit and back the mids off to alleviate getting a boxy type of sound. The biggest limitation will be when attempting to use the same amp model on each product, but the PODxt has the distortion set to it. There just may not be enough gain available, without resorting to using a similar type amp model that has more gain modelled into it.
The patches for the soundbytes and graphics in this article are below. The PODxt files can be loaded into the Guitarport editor or the Line 6 Edit software, while the Flextone III files can only be opened up in the Line 6 Edit software.
Go to the Line 6 CustomTone page.
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