( 13 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 20 2009
I bought this because I travel a lot, and having to lug a big amp around everywhere I go to get a decent sound isn't the most efficient of situations. Of course, this isn't a replacement for an amp, but you can plug it into anything and it will make a decent sound, depending on the quality of your speakers. There are dozens of settings on it, which allow for a very wide range of usages. Of course, if you do have an amp, it also plugs in to this. I've had it for a year now and I have absolutely no complaints at all.
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Posted: Jun 8 2009
The Pocket Pod does indeed create an incredible variety of tones for the guitar, and it can make even a cheap Danelectro sound like many different (and much more expensive) instruments. While accessing all this power from the Pocket Pod itself is a bit awkward, it can be more easily programmed and experimented with using the downloadable Vyzex software, which displays a virtual control panel with immediate access to most settings. When everything is working, the Pocket Pod is a joy and is downright inspirational to work with. Unfortunately, both the hardware and the software are rather rough around the edges. My first Pocket Pod had a loud 60Hz hum and ate batteries even when it wasn't plugged in, so it was replaced under warranty by Line 6 (it took over two weeks to get the replacement, however). My current unit works better, but every so often the 4-way switch ceases to function. More mystifying are glitches with the Vyzex software. First, very few of the USB ports on my computer will recognize the Pocket Pod, and I'm not sure that even the ones that appear to work really function properly. I found that getting the Pocket Pod and software to function properly often requires several restarts of the Vyzex program with the Pocket Pod attached. Moreover, even when the software appears to be functioning, it will usually start to throw various glitches as the session progresses. For example, the volume level will often change unpredictably in the middle of a run, or the mouse position will become erroneously detected when operating the screen interface, or certain effects unpredictably become unavailable. Thus the software has to be shut down and restarted constantly when using this system. In summary, when it is working the Pocket pod is capable of transforming your guitar sounds into nearly anything one would wish. It is so impressive that it could, in principle, be used for gigs. Unfortunately, the reliability of the hardware and software is very poor and it would almost certainly leave the user stranded at the worst possible moment in a live performance. Line 6 really needs to do some serious QC on this device and its software. Until they do (and until they improve the response time of their warranty service), I'd recommend considering other products.
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Posted: Apr 24 2009
Everything about this little sucker is excellent. But most of all is the tone and size. It is digital as all the other brands are. But after tweeking it a tad and downloading some of the others presets from line 6. You really have to look twice to tell you are using a pod, tone wise. This Pocketpod is about potablity. I have add'd two hours a day to my playing time. In fact I find myself turning on the amp less and less. This does the job. Lets face it. Once you got through the 100's of tones and get crazy over them. It comes to getting 4 or 5 tones you really like in your presets and then forever just rock out. Tweeking it on the fly is very easy. Just add the order of your effects to the presets with a push of the button up or down. Batteries are a drag in a way. But not really for what you are getting out of it. You easily get 2 hours or more playing time on em and use rechargable ones. After two or three hours it is time to take a break anyway. Plus my standard effects ac adapter works fine with it. Also get a good ohm headset.. I just got the Koss PortaPro 60 ohm.. Big diff over the 32 ohm ones on the market. These are feather lite and sound great through the pod or any other multi effects unit. No shrill highs or nasal tone. Very rich tone all the way around. And are feather lite. PocketPod is Excellent, there is really nothen like it on the market for size and tone and price. Its not a Marshall stack. But there are times sitting on the back porch playing with my headset on. I have to snap out of it telling my self so!
