Line6 Pocket Pod

Very limited funtions without usb, flimsy build quality.

I used to own a full sized POD back when they were a new thing. It was amazing for it's time but I've since moved on to proper tube amps and never looked back.

Until now...

For various reasons I can't make as much noise at home as I used to so I needed something for silent practising/noodling. I went for the PocketPOD, expecting to get a sort of mini-version of the POD I used to own back in the day. I was wrong.

The Pocket POD is missing most of the hands on functionality of the original full size PODs. Of course there will be limitations with this small pocket size but I'm still a bit disappointed. Lots of functions (like changing cab models) aren't available except via usb and editing software so not very "pocket" at all.

I'm also disappointed with the layout for changing amp models. This requires digging into menus using a fiddly control panel. Selecting presets are actually far easier than selecting an amp model to dial in your own sound. Or to put it another way: I was expecting to get a nice variety of "amps in a box" but what I got was a bunch of "presets in a box". It doesn't exactly help that most of the presets are severely overcooked, like drenched i chorus, etc.

Of course it's possible to start with a basic amp model and go from there but the whole layout is based on presets. Using the Pocket POD the way you would use an actual amp (turning knobs) isn't really possible without digging into menus and doing the whole "hold this button and turn that knob" routine. In some ways it feels more like an 80s Japanese drum machine than a guitar amp. And THAT's the big difference to the older full size PODs: The old ones were a lot more "hands on" and the layout/functionality felt a lot more like an actual amp.

The sound quality is ok though. Not great but ok. I was expecting more to be honest but I guess amp modelling at this price still doesn't sound or feel even remotely like the real thing.

It's more than good enough for home practicing but I wish it was more user friendly for those of us who like to dial in their own sounds rather than selecting from a variety of ping-pong-delay presets.

The built quality can be summed up it two words: Flimsy plastic.

This thing isn't built to last. It's built to be cheap and it shows.

I wish I had gotten a small modelling amp with a headphone out instead.

A good option for mobility

While it's a bit outdated, it's still a good tool for those who need something light that they can take with them. It would be the perfect companion for a eletric travel guitar.

You have many sound options, and while the sound quality is not the best, it's usable for practice.

Great device for practice, holidays or travel

Obviously not comparable with the latest generations of modelers, but if you need something really portable with more than acceptable sounds look no further. Great for guitarists when travelling and I would even consider doing gigs with it unless you need to change sounds a lot. Do buy an adapter because otherwise you'll get very poor by having to buy new batteries very often. Recommended !!!

The Best Tone for the on-the-go Guitarist

I bought this as a gift for a friend after owning the POD X3 bean for many, many years. After testing it out in-store I thought it would best fit his purposes.

If you're looking for a portable unit with a ton of tone options and reasonable sound quality, then you'll be very happy with this thing. My one HUGE complaint about other effects preamps in this price range is that they never have any sort of quality speaker/amp modeling. The Pocket Pod has just enough power in it to keep most people satisfied, and it can even sound decent in a home studio setting if you want a lot of tone flexibility in a small package.

The size and portability comes at the price of usability, though. Unlike larger models like the X3, the user interface isn't as clear-cut as it could be.

Pros:

- Great for practicing, jamming, and writing

- Wide variety of tones in a portable package

- Speaker modeling

Cons:

- Maybe not "stage ready" for most

- User interface can be clunky at times

- Build quality could feel cheap to some

All in all a wonderful little gadget to have in your arsenal.

Good for the price

It gives what line 6 promise, with this price its difficult to have all the features separetly, im happy wih this gadget

Fun good looking gadget

I have bought this because at the time I had no laptop to use guitar software and cannot have an amp not to disturb any neighbours. It is a good gadget to walk around the house does have decent presets and sounds but the batteries get consumed pretty quickly so you I advise to get really good ones.

You can have a lot of fun with it so go for it!

A wonderful practice tool.

I use this to practice with at home with headphones plugged in and it sounds just great you can plug it into speakers to and get great sound.. ive tried it with the amp out cable into a Fender mustang and wasn't really pleased with it.. however I have plugged it straight into a PA via the headphone out jack and it sounded amazing..

Loads of great sounds and amp models just like the POD2.0

It does sound really good..

Now the cons..

It's not well built.. feels fairly flimsy plastic and one of the knobs on mine has got really stiff and hard to turn.. it's awkward to get at the different settings.. you need two hands usually to adjust.. and when you've got a guitar around your neck.. also it's very light and moves around when your playing..

All in all it sounds great.. brilliant to practice with.. or to take travelling.. just a little worried about how long it will last

If you want to practice with headphones and searching something which is easy to carry this is the tool. Sometimes I used it with the batteries. It doesn't consume too much.

Great Product For The Mobile Guitarist !!

Highly recommend this product to any mobile guitarist as it is great sounding, definitely recommend purchasing a more expensive unit if you have the budget. this unit can be plugged into a home stereo using a 3.5mm jack and sounds great, it features a great tuner as well as many other effects including delay, chorus and so on. I would recommend purchasing a good power supply as the four AAA batteries last the unit a maximum of four hours, as well as the unit sounding a lot better with the power supply it will save you money on batteries over the long-term. There is a software that you can download off the Line 6 website witch allows you to connect your Pocket Pod to your PC or Laptop, making the product a lot easier to use, all tho it is hard to source the soft wear links can be found on YouTube.

Nice sounds as it goes

gets some good sounds/tones and is convenient for taking around with you in your guitar bag.

Burns through batteries like nobodies business though. I would advise using a mains adapter if at all possible. If you're in a pinch though batteries will last a decent amount of time so as long as they're fairly fresh you shouldn't get let down by an unexpected switch off.

Can be used with headphones so that you can plug in and hear yourself with effects with no amplifier. I used to use it while in guitar lectures where no one was plugged in except the teacher so it was hard to hear myself without this.