What is the best way to amplify a POD XT/X3 Live?

[LjR91]

Hi guys,

I've been doing loads of research on this topic and all the answers seem to vary, coming from all directions!

What is the best way to amplify a POD XTL/X3L??

Some say that using a good PA such as the yamaha MSR 400 would give you the cleanest and best tone, others say the Atomic give the most authentic sounds for a tube amplifier without much tone colouration, others suggest the solid state tech 21 Power engine while its argued that keyboard amplifiers are better...

So far, the best reviews came down to the Atomic Reactors but i feel that its a little hard to get.. considering the shipping costs etc etc...

I'm really confused and i need help on this topic! haha... I really appreciate some advise and opinions on which you guys think would be a better option. I want the clearest and most authentic sound possible from the amp that i'll get and it has to be reliable live and for home / studio practice!

Cheers and have a Happy New Year!

 

[taytehni]

get a cable and then plug it into that input hole? then switch on the amp and crank up the volume and u r good to go hahas. ok that was just crapping hahas, happy new year

 

[kook]

Hey man, got the same headache you have. Tried running it through a few different amps, all slightly different For home was recommended to get a decent pair of monitor speakers. Anyone experienced here care to comment?

 

[smurfpiss]

If you're out playing a gig, I don't think you'd want to lug around an Atomic amp. So the PA seems to be the most viable but, sometimes an inexperienced sound guy might not feed you any of your guitar signal to the floor wedges. You might not even have floor wedges on small scale gigs leaving you with no proper monitoring of your guitar.

So a little well known trick is to plug the the X3/XTL into the FX Return of the amp, what this does is bypass the pre amp section and go straight to the power amp. What you will get is little to no colouration and you'll be able to monitor your guitar! I've tried XTL to PA's before and I was pretty happy with the sound. I've also tried an Atomic type amp, well to me you get the best fidelity with it.

You could also get a generic power amp, and a matching cab to amplify your X3/XTL with little colouration as well.

 

[hardtimes]

The best way to amplfy the X3 Live

I am not sure of The XT live but I am using the X3 live. I am playing in a club and so far the best sound I can get is to line my X3 live to my Yamaha Stage Pas 300.I get real amp simulation sounds and the stereo is amazing. Sometimes I just plug into my tube amp but lose out on the stereo and the amp simulation but it's ok.
I suggest you use a normal amp will do unless you have the opportunity to perform in a club. If you want to hear how the XT/X3 live sound when link to the mixer you can either come to the club I am playing or attend one of the services at FCBC( Faith Community Baptist Church). There are two very impressive guitarists there.Good luck

 

[LjR91]

smurfpiss: What was the atomic type amp you tried and where did you get it from?

hardtimes: Thanks for the advice! So what you're saying is that plugging it into a PA is much better than plugging it into any amp?

 

[redname]

use the effects loop on the amp if u have 1 or DI straight into the mixer.

reason being tht if u plug into the amp's input jack, the sound coming out will be XT live + the characteristic of the amp. effects loop will make the amp be jus like a speaker, thus wat u hear is just the XT live's sound. since xt live have amp modelling all these etc.. u wldn't wanted to waste it and plug into the amp's input jack and get the amp's sound instead

 

[kook]

bah, my amp doesnt have an effects loop. boohoo

 

[redname]

bah, my amp doesnt have an effects loop. boohoo

are u using monitor spkrs at home as you've mentioned previously? they can work too.

at home u can try computer speakers too, powered ones of cus, another wld be jus use headphones.

i'm not sure whether xt live has this issue or not as i dnt own one but might need to select the line out type

 

[loldude333]

I'd suggest PA system direct. Works for me in church, zero colouration, although it does help that the soundman is God-lyke.............haha.

 

[LjR91]

Hmmm... So what PAs do you guys suggest? With a budget of 1k - 1.2k?

 

[Santa]

Use the house PAs, free.

 

[LjR91]

hmmm... but just for interest's sake.. haha. What would be a good one?