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My 500mA 9V negative center power supply does not operate this pedal. OK.. batteries. It shuts down after 5 min or so of playing, whether I have fresh batteries or not (Duracell Coppertop, three sets!).

There are so many features behind the Pod Express that I will not cover how to access, save presets, etc., since the manual and instructional videos are available. However, I will begin with the sound quality, since that is paramount. The seven amp and seven cab models are of high-quality, since they come from Line 6’s Helix family. They sound raw, meaty and natural. To my ears, they are superior to similar Fractal Audio models, and perhaps not as organic or full sounding as some other tech that boasts amps and cabs in a pedal format (I’m also referring to far more expensive products). Having said that, it is difficult to make such comparisons, since they are different flavors of a similar beast. I will say that I prefer recording with the Pod Express over some of my other gear, and would not hesitate to gig with it – it sounds darn good! https://rumble.com/v4msiii-line-6-pod-express-guitar.html The seven amp models range from very clean, to slightly dirty and into high-gain territory. The names include Clean, Special, Chime, Dynamic, Crunch, Heavy, and Lead. Something for everyone. These amps are modeled after industry standards, from Fender, Matchless, Friedman, Peavey, and some Line 6 exclusives that stand very well on their own. You can adjust the bass, midrange, and treble, as one would expect, but you also can adjust the amp’s gain and presence. Fortunately, unlike some other multi-effects/amps units, these tones are pretty much ready from the start, with only a touch of tweaking to best match pickups and the cab selection. Now, you can bypass the amp if you wish, and use the Pod Express for the effects, but you also can do two things with the cabs. First, you can bypass the cabs, to use your own external IR or if going into a cabinet, but also match up any of the cabs with any of the amps, thus providing a wide tonal palette. The speaker types include Fender, Bogner, Marshall, MESA/Boogie, ENGL and Matchless. These are quality IRs and I suspect you will not require external cabs, unless there is a particular tone/sound response you’re after. There are several effects on board, with four each in the categories of dirt, modulation, delay and reverb. The drives include Boost (Klon Centaur), Overdrive (Ibanez TS808), Distortion (BOSS DS-1), and Fuzz (Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi). The latter two are pretty intense, and work best with a clean amp. Modulation includes Chorus (Arion SCH-Z), Flanger (MXR 117), Phaser (MXR Phase 90), and Tremolo (Fender Optical circuit). Delays include Analog (BOSS DM-2), Digital (Line 6 original), Tape (Maestro Echoplex EP-2), and Ping-Pong (Line 6 original). The reverbs include Spring, Hall, Plate, and Space, all Line 6 originals. I have no issues with the quality of these effects, and they are easy to dial into: Select what effect you want in each category, then use the color-coordinated main control to adjust the mix (e.g., Delay is green, which means seeing a green LED range finder). You cannot alter effect parameters, but you can the mix, which sounds perfectly fine to my ears; I’m uncertain how much I would fiddle with parameters, even if available – I want to plug ‘n play more so than tweak. Pod Express provides room for 21 presets (3 banks of 7), accessible by pressing both the On & Tap Tempo switches simultaneously, then scrolling up/down using those two footswitches. Line 6 included seven presets in the first bank and in each category (Clean, Special, etc.), which you can over-write. The Tap Tempo switch also doubles as a Tuner (one longer press), with an LED wheel for easy viewing on any stage. There’s a lot going on with the Pod Express, but it also has a Headphone Jack (with the pedal and headphone jack’s volume control next to the input), stereo out, the ability to connect an expression pedal (to act as a volume pedal), and/or two assignable footswitches. It can be used as a computer interface (via USB, which also is used for firmware updates), for DI recording and re-amping, and you can assign global settings. Next is the price for what you get. At $179 USD, the Pod Express is worth it just for the effects. However, some people are comparing this pedal to a few multi-effects units at around the same cost, and suggesting the other tech offers more (more bells and whistles, amps, cabs, etc.). There are a number of considerations with the Pod Express. First, the sound quality is very, very good, whereas most budget modelers do require quality cab IRs to sound decent. Second, the Pod Express is fantastic for those who dislike spending hours dialing in, scrolling through touch screens, etc. This is a no-brainer type pedal that fits in the palm of your hand and takes 5-10 minutes to navigate and become accustomed to. In other words, a practical fly-rig, perfect for home practice and recording, travel, and certainly ideal for those not wanting to lug large, expensive gear to a practice or gig where damage or theft may occur. And the fact that the Pod Express operates on three AA batteries (or 9v 500mA power) is a bonus. I played around with the Pod Express for a few hours, then did a composition, the demo video, knob turning, etc., over the course two days, and the batteries are still holding. How long batteries last will depend on the quality of the battery, with no further details provided. Would I compare the high-gain models on the Pod Express to my Purple Nightmare Preamp by Driftwood Amps? Likely not in isolation, but the latter is about $700 USD (without any effects, cabs, etc.), and if playing live I suspect most people wouldn’t even know the difference. The Clean amp is pretty decent (great pedal platform), whereas the Special, the Line 6 Litigator, sparkles and shines exceptionally well. A few reviewers were concerned about the chassis being made of plastic. Bear in mind that this is not cheap plastic… there is some heft to this pedal, although the housing weighs less than aluminum and likely costs less to produce, which keeps pricing down for the consumer. Regardless, you would have to be very abusive to crack or damage it. I may sound biased, and certainly we all are when it comes to gear we like, but the Pod Express is fantastic for the price, can hold its own with more expensive competitors, and has brought affordable, flexible gear to beginners and experienced alike. I would have flipped when I was younger and if this were available, and as an older dude who still plays mediocre guitar, the Pod Express is not leaving my home studio, unless it comes traveling.

As with the Looper... you can have a tone with delay, but once you turn it to the Looper, you lose the delay. The only way to use the Looper and delay is if you have a preset with that delay setting.

Step by step: There is a saved preset... I cannot alter any elements of something saved, the resave it, correct? Now sure how that doesn't make sense. It's like taking a preset from a Helix or other such platform... making changes to that preset, then saving it.

I would like to confirm a few things. 1. Once a preset is saved, it cannot be edited. I have one saved, but adjust any parameter does nothing. I then presume you have to put in what you want and that's it. Or save a new one in that slot. 2. Using the looper, I presume you cannot alter the Dist or Mod, since the looper is after these in the chain. I can hear Reverb changes, but that's it (it must be after the looper). And no Delay is possible, since it's disengaged the looper.

I did a search, but not sure if it's there. I updated a G10 and G10S (I presume just the latest 2022 firmware is sufficient). I was able to update one G10 transmitter, but not the other... I keep getting an error message... to unplug and try again. It only shows the receivers as being able to be updated... not that one transmitter.

A short demo... this can power a Line 6 HX Stomp or Boss GT-1000! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Duh7Z98h-0

A video demo that covers sounds, but also features:

This problem is not causing any noise issues, but it's annoying, since everything was fine until now. With the interface not even connected and with nothing plugged in (I only had the USB and line out to a mixer with the same issue) my meter levels show maximum output. With things plugged in, they are merely maximized... but with things unplugged, the meters are maximized AND the 'clip' lights are flashing back and forth.

I should add the following... I'm using ASIO for All driver... does that mean I can use the UX8 without having to use the POD software... so that I can plug in my guitar (with any of my effects) and record direct to my DAW without any added software? Thanks.

With it no longer being made, and it came out during Windows XP, is this hardware worth buying anymore and with current computer software? I know someone selling it for $300 Canadian (likely about $225 US). I really don't need 8 channels or anything, but the rackmount design interests me and my current interface is mono and I would prefer something stereo.

I do gear reviews and may doing some on amp heads.

I would hate to spend the money, but I presume something like this is better: https://www.long-mcquade.com/72643/Guitars/Guitar_Amps/Rivera_Amplification/Mini_Rockcrusher_Recording_Load_Box.htm

I was thinking of doing this on the cheap, with the Bugera load box. That's all that is required? See item below. https://www.long-mcquade.com/104494/Guitars/Guitar-Amps/Bugera/PS1-Passive-100W-Power-Attenuator.htm#Reviews-tab

To hook up a regular amp head to the Powercab, is a Load Box all that is required?

I had these issues... flashing red, not charging, etc. I posted something to that effect weeks ago and before the firmware update released. I was told to send the base in for repairs, which I did. It was not suggested that the new firmware would fix things. No idea when it will return, due to the world-wide shutdown.

Are you pressing the SAVE button twice, and after all the editing is done? Once to engage the 'save' process... then another to the preset number to make it official.

Live Ready Sound has very good IRs. Here is a demo I did, which I also posted as its thread:

I've been using my Powercab with analog gear for the most part. Here is a short demo with the three V4 Preamps by Victory (Sheriff, Countess and Kraken).

Neither charging now. It must be the charging dock.

I have two G10 s... one is OK, whereas the other is not charging. The G10S charging station shows the green lights sifting up (as though it's charging), but you can keep it there for hours and nothing happens (when you plug in the guitar it shows very little charge left). The light on the G10 battery slowly flashes green when in the charger... as if to suggest it is charging. Any input? The unit is less than a year old.

From my perspective... if there is a distortion that you like (for example) that is not covered with the Spider, then you buy the distortion. Same with any modulation, delay, etc. I have an Ocean Machine Reverb + Delay + Delay. It can do things the Spider never could... but do you want or NEED what the Ocean Machine does? If so, then buy, if not, then don't.

I enjoy doing reviews and demos, and so I reached out to some companies that I like (I have their gear) to ask for some prize donations for a mystery pedal contest. I do provide clues throughout, besides plenty of sound clips. Contest open from Sept 1-30, 2019. One guess per entrant. Email your answer to CoolGuitarGear@mail.com (include name, mailing address and phone number). Answer and winner will be posted early October, 2019.

SOUND The Spider V MkII is the latest in the Spider line of amps and with a big difference. First, you can select a more produced sound for any of the presets, which is how the original Spider V sounded, but you also can select the Classic mode, which is more of a raw amp tone that emanates from its 10-inch loudspeaker (and without the tweeter). The Produced sound is ideal when running the Spider direct to DAW, for example, but also when using an acoustic guitar (since this mode uses both the loudspeaker and the tweeter for a more rounded and accurate tone). There are different presets for an acoustic guitar, but suffice to say (as you hear in the demo) an acoustic sounds great coming through this amp. The Classic mode has you playing through the Spider V as you would any other amp/cabinet, which sounds more traditional – and this feature is really turning heads with Spider users. There are various presets on the Spider, any of which you can edit and save, ranging from super clean to crunch to hi-gain. I was impressed with both crunch and hi-gain as they sound punchy, heavy and thick to varying degrees, but many of the clean sounds (particularly the artist presets) are mesmerizing. And that is the other improved feature with the MkII, in that there are a lot of great sounding artist presets from the likes of Devin Townsend, Ola Englund, etc., but also classic songs that emulate compositions from Led Zeppelin, Metallica, The Beatles and everything between. Although the Spider V MkII is a solid state amplifier, it does have a host of very usable sounds that sit well with both home recording and live gig playing. And when you consider how many different effects accompany all the different amps and cabinets with this amp, you get just about any perceivable sound possible. FEATURES & SOUND There are two new features with the Spider V MkII. The first is a new Classic Speaker mode that produces a more organic sound and feel, just like a regular amp. What I mean is, if you were to plug into a typical amp/cab combo you get that true-to-life amp sound and that’s just what this amp offers. Conversely, you can select a ‘produced’ sound, which is ideal when running the Spider direct to DAW, for example, but also when using an acoustic guitar (since this mode uses both the loudspeaker and the tweeter for a more rounded and accurate tone). There are different presets for an acoustic guitar, but suffice to say (as you hear in the demo) an acoustic sounds great coming through this amp. The other new feature with the MkII is the Artist, Iconic Song and Classic Amp presets. At your fingertips are straight-forward clean, crunch and lead tones (that you can customize), but also several Iconic Song presets, like Whole Lotta Love and Enter Sandman, as well as artist presets from the likes of Jeff Loomis, Bill Kelliher, Vernon Reid and others. Those two features not only are new with the MkII (previous Spider V owners can download the new MkII firmware for free!), and definite game changers, but there also several great features built into this amp. These include being wireless ready (with a Line 6 G10 transmitter), a built-in metronome, drum tracks and a preset sampler function (pick a preset and hear it in different genres, such as Blues or Classic Rock). There are 78 amps and 24 cabs that range among Clean, American, British and Hi-Gain (from classic Fenders and Marshalls to Diezel and Friedman). And there are several stomp boxes in the categories of drive/distortion (10), delay (14), reverb (13), modulation (24), wahs (8), filters/synths (15), dynamics (8, including compressor) and EQ (1). And you do get a free license to Cubase LE for recording and mixing purposes, but I recorded my tracks in Cakewalk Sonar X3 with the Classic mode via a Shure SM57 mic… and with very decent results. The various presets on the Spider can be edited and saved, and they range from super clean to crunch to hi-gain. I was impressed with both crunch and hi-gain as they sound punchy, heavy and thick to varying degrees, but many of the clean sounds (particularly the artist presets) are mesmerizing. Although the Spider V MkII is a solid state amplifier, it does have a host of very usable sounds that sit well with both home recording and live gig playing. And when you consider how many different effects accompany all the different amps and cabinets with this amp, you get just about any perceivable sound possible. All elements can be tweaked via USB and the free downloadable Spider software, but also with the hard controls on the front of the Spider V. The Amp and FX buttons switch between the two, so that in Amp mode you can adjust the EQ, volume and drive of the amp, whereas in FX mode you adjust the compressor, amount of fuzz, depth of reverb, tempo of delay, etc. (each color coded, e.g., blue LED around a knob indicates ‘delay’). Speaking of tempo, you can adjust this manually if desired by tapping the Tempo button, or if hold down the button you access the Tuner. This amp also includes a 60-second Looper, a headphones jack and an AUX input to jam to your favorite music. Some optional add-ons (not included with the amp) include an Expression Pedal, ideal when using the internal wahs, filters, etc., a foot controller, and a USB cable (to connect to a computer for editing, recording and firmware updating). OVERALL IMPRESSION Designed to be a one-stop type amp for practice and recording, particularly for the budget-minded individual, the Spider V MkII offers and exceeds anything a person could want in an all-inclusive package. From small practice to higher wattage workhorses for gigging musicians, the latest Spider V MkII series’ sound quality, diverseness and total options surpasses anything else on the market in its category. If you’re tired of lugging amp heads, speaker cabinets and a pedalboard, then you may want to look into this amp line. The model being reviewed is the 60-watt version, which is loud enough for small bands (although it depends if your drummer is a fan of John Bonham’s heavy pounding), and certainly complex enough to serve the needs of any home practice, playing and recording musician. With over 200 amps/cabs and effects, 128 presets (including classic to modern sounds, with iconic songs and signature tones), the Spider V MkII offers a lot. But with editing software, easy-to-navigate hardware (via the LED menu), built-in wireless receiver, a 60-second looper, headphone jack, and all the other options combined, the price ($429 Canadian) of the Spider V MkII makes it a serious contender for Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). There’s also several other features for the modern musician, including being able to sync up with an iPhone, iPad, Android device or computer (for recording or editing), adding an expression pedal or foot controller, receiving free Cubase LE software upon registration, and being able to choose between Classic (traditional speaker sound) and Full-Range (produced sound) modes. The overall engineering of the Spider V, along with its improved MkII sound and features has brought all-inclusive amp packaging to a new level.