N. Wrong Output Mode

As I mention in the output modes section, the output mode determines what the cab/mic block does. In Studio/Direct output mode, it uses true cab/mic simulation. This is ideal when using headphones, when hooked up to a PA system, a mixing board, a home stereo, or a DAW, as long as you are not using an external IR to simulate a guitar cabinet. Otherwise, you are probably running the signal into full-range speakers, which will not attenuate the ice pick highs like (a) guitar cab/speakers do(es). The tone will sound like a swarm of bees - buzzy, fizzy, thin, and plastic.

Conversely, if you do use Studio/Direct output mode into a real guitar amp and cab, you are effectively running a simulation of a cabinet through a real cabinet, getting 2x the attenuation of the highs, plus various phase inaccuracies. The low-end you get will sound "teh brootz" - plenty of chuggage; however, the tone itself will sound like it has some kind of comb filtering going on, and the highs will be washed out. Sometimes running this way is acceptable depending on the real amp and cab you're using, but the tone will generally have more clarity using the correct output mode. If you want the brutal bass, try dialing it in a different way. If you don't like the high-end "fizz", roll it off using a Mid-Focus EQ.

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O. Gain Staging

Be very aware of how much gain you feed each block in your signal chain, as well as real effects or amps outside of the Pod. This will often change the tone you get from them.

Slight volume increases across a number of effects can amount to one giant volume increase that results in clipping. Particularly watch out for clipping EQ effects behind the amp model or mixer. Or setting a Compressor output too high running into a Distortion effect may cause it to add more distortion into the tone than you want, especially if you're using it as a filter/boost/overdrive, where you're setting its Drive parameter very low. Similarly, the usual practice of using a filter/boost/overdrive is to set the output level to max. This may cause you to want to set the Drive of the amp lower to compensate if you don't want it to distort very much. But setting Drive down low on certain amps (particularly Marshalls) can hurt the tone.

Also, watch the amp/line switch and the MASTER knob settings. Setting line and full MASTER knob can often cause external gear to clip. Similarly, watch the send/receive levels on the FX Loop.

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P. Outside vs. Inside Mix

Don't expect to get a tone that sounds like you're in a full mix when you're not, especially for metal. A guitar tone sounds a lot beefier when a kick (bass) drum and bass guitar line is underneath it. And it sounds thicker and smoother in the top end when it is double-tracked. Next time you are listening to your favorite metal albums, see if you can find a spot where the guitar is playing by itself. It'll probably sound shockingly whimpy/muffled/etc.

Don't try to be something you can't be. Piling on the gain or cranking the bass won't make you sound like you're a full mix. Accept the somewhat gritty top-end and learn to love it. If you don't feel comfortable with your tone, record it double tracked with the parts panned hard left and right. If you can record bass and program drums, even better. Try to get as good of an idea as possible what it WILL sound like in a full mix.

There's a common trick on the Pod to set a delay effect with the delay time set as low as possible. I don't like this. It sounds like you're playing inside a McDonald's play place or in front of a giant wall or something. Yeah, it thickens the tone up a little. So does cranking the gain. I recommend doing neither. If you want to sound heavier, play in a full mix or just use your imagination. I know Petrucci sometimes uses the delay trick - well curse the gods - Petrucci is an idiot.

I break this rule myself way too often, and it always comes back to haunt me later on when I go to jam with someone or record a song. Funny thing is that once you are forced to make your tone slightly less heavy, I really like it. I guess it wears off over time.

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