Alternatives to PODs?

[Centropolis]

I bought a POD 2.0 long time ago and didn’t really learned how to use it properly before giving it to my brother for his recordings. I remember finding it hard to use. Now I know that it can be used pretty easily if I stick with the presets. But I just didn’t find in intuitive for me.

I am thinking of getting a POD-like product. But I am looking for something that may or may not exist. Here is a list of what I wish to it can do:

- cheaper than PODs but still well-respected in the home recording community

- can be used for both live and in the studio out of the box (I guess it means atleast one foot switch included would be nice)

- Useable for both electric and acoustic-electrics (obviously I can plug my acoustic into a DS-1 too but what I mean is some EQing capability that can change the tone of my cheap acoustic)

- the effects has to be atleast better than my built-in Fostex MR-8 MKii's, if there are worse or equal quality.....there is no point.

At the end of the day, if PODs are the only thing, that’s fine but I don’t think it is very useful for acoustic-electrics.

[Uome]

I use a Toneport with good results, only I use the UX-2 and before they turned black. I don't know what the difference is besides the fact that they're cheaper now than when I bought mine. If you're not satifsied with the inbuilt effects and you have a mic you can just mic up your amp.

http://www.feedback.nl/computer-audi...od-studio-ux-1

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Uome

I use a Toneport with good results, only I use the UX-2 and before they turned black. I don't know what the difference is besides the fact that they're cheaper now than when I bought mine. If you're not satifsied with the inbuilt effects and you have a mic you can just mic up your amp.

http://www.feedback.nl/computer-audi...od-studio-ux-1

I think Toneport products are using as a USB interface right? I am not using a computer at all. I am using a Fostex MR-8 MKii.

[Doctor J]

A couple of years ago, I bought a Digitech RP-250. Lots of tweakability, lots of good sounds. The direct sounds (for recording) are really good, too. And they're only like $150 or so.

[Uome]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

I think Toneport products are using as a USB interface right? I am not using a computer at all. I am using a Fostex MR-8 MKii.

Yeah, sorry they are USB interfaced. You can download a program like Reaper for recording if your computer is fast enough. The thing you mentioned looks scary....

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Uome

Yeah, sorry they are USB interfaced. You can download a program like Reaper for recording if your computer is fast enough. The thing you mentioned looks scary....

Nah, I love the old-school all-in-one box solution!

I did try a Tascam US-122L with Cubase LE (not LE4) but couldn't set it up correctly. And I didn't want to use a 6 year old version of a software.

I've heard about Reaper but it only works for 30 days until I have to pay $200 or something.

[thesteve]

From what I've seen, the POD XT and X3 work well with acoustics. I think the X3 may even have some acoustic specific effects with it.

[fat-robot]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

I've heard about Reaper but it only works for 30 days until I have to pay $200 or something.

Reaper will run indefinitely unless they've changed it in, oh, the last week or so. Also, it only costs $60 unless you're a pro studio. For multi-track recording there's probably not much that's better (though plenty that's comparable).

[wren]

Zoom G2/G2.1u.

[MassacredHatred]

Do you plan to use amp models, or just effects? For effects, the Boss GT pedals are actually pretty damn decent, and a GT-6 or GT-8 can be had at pretty reasonable prices these days. I don't really like their COSM amp modeling, though. They sound all right if you're just going for something like a basic clean Fender or JC-120 sound, but as soon as you add any kind of grit to it, it sounds pretty awful.

If you can find a Digitech GSP2101 or GSP1101 in your price range, they're really great units. They don't get much press, but they really seem to be some of the best sub-$1000 modeling/effects units out there, and for the record, I really dislike the modeling in Digitech's POD Live type processors. They're rack units, though, so you'll need a MIDI controller if you want to switch patches live.

[jayjay]

Vox Tonelabs are pretty good in my opinion. As are more recent Boss multi-effects

[Klanh]

Not sure if you're interested, but the Behringer V-AMP product line is like a POD clone. Behringer may not be as well respected, but it's cheaper.