A. Understanding Output Modes

I. Simple Guide for Settings

Line 6 isn't filled with evil jokesters who are trying to confuse you. How you physically connect your rig 95% of the time describes which output mode you should use. If you're going direct to the PA or your computer, use Studio/Direct mode. If you are running into the effects loop return of an amp or into a standalone power amp, use stack/combo power amp. If you are running into the front of an amp, use stack/combo front. Choose stack if you have a half or full stack, combo if you don't. Unconventional settings are described in the next section.

Top of Pod Setup

II. Where Confusion Sets In

The confusing part is that most people don't immediately understand that these choices are available. They figure if they select a cab and mic in the signal path, they are getting cab/mic simulation. However, what the cab/mic portions of the amp block do depends on the output mode selected. In Studio/Direct mode, it is indeed true cab/mic simulation by means of IR's. In the other modes, the microphone selection has no impact on the tone, and the cab selection applies a "live-voiced cab" which is a mild EQ effect, not true speaker simulation. On top of this, the Combo/Stack Front modes apply an EQ to the Pod's output, and the default selections can sound a little extreme, especially if it isn't connected to the real amp's guitar input. My wishlist solution is to ditch output modes altogether and have these distinct alterations to the tone show up in the signal path.

So what is actually going on? The Pod has basically four distinct components that are enabled/disabled depending on your output mode selection, which I cover below:

Top of Pod Setup

III. Global eq

The combo and stack front modes use a global EQ at the end of your signal chain to EQ the sound going into your real amp. This was designed to neutralize the coloration that a real amp's pre-amp will have on the tone coming from the Pod; however it can also be used as a general Global EQ if you like.

Note two things here. First, the EQ options here are helpful, yet insufficient to completely neutralize the EQ shift. Second, a pre-amp will do more than simply shift the EQ, compressing the tone (not equally at all frequencies) and maybe even distorting it. Bottom line - bypassing a real amp's pre-amp completely is the only method to guarantee it is not coloring your tone.

That said, you may have success using these controls regardless of how you actually connect the Pod to your amp (or if you are using external speaker simulation/IR's). There has been an expressed desire for a global EQ, so that the Pod's tone can be adjusted to a room once, and all the patches are dialed in. I believe these controls are too limited to perform the fine-tuning necessary for that application, but you may find that it works. Unfortunately, they are not available if you plan to use the Pod's onboard cab/mic simulation in Studio/Direct mode.

Top of Pod Setup

IV. Live-Voiced Cabs

The cab selections in non-Studio/Direct modes use "live-voiced" cabs which are a mild EQ effect designed to make whatever real cabinet you are using sound more like the cab model selected in the cab. Note: although you can change the selected microphone and there is a gap in audio as you change selections, it has no effect on the tone. These are disabled by selecting "no cab".

These have also been called cab simulation without mic simulation. "Cab simulation" is the wrong name. By itself, it does not come close to the frequency response changes made by real guitar speakers - it is designed to supplement, not replace, a real guitar cabinet (or speaker simulator/IR). Without such, "cab simulation" will sound nothing like a real guitar cabinet, mic'ed or not. It will be very harsh.

Note: simply because some speakers/cabs are marketed towards guitarists or look like a traditional guitar speaker cabinet does not mean their speakers have the frequency response of traditional guitar speakers. They may use full-range speakers, and the tone you get from your Pod through them will likely be harsh if you use a non-"Studio/Direct" output mode, unless you use some strong EQ'ing to roll off the high end frequencies.

I don't like using "live-voiced cabs" even with a real amp and guitar speaker. It seems to drop out some of the high end, leaving the Pod sounding a bit muffled. If I want to do this at all, I'd prefer to do it in an EQ effect where I have more control. Still, you might as well give it a shot to see if you prefer the tone. And don't just try the few cabs you want to sound like. The 1x12 and 2x12 models might give you a thicker tone than the 4x12's - they're not going to magically make your half stack sound like an open back 1x12.

Top of Pod Setup