EOengineer

I see that the iPhone 5s is not explicitly shown as supported with the SonicPort and I am hoping I can get some feedback from users about their experiences with using this configuration. Im not really looking to use the MobilePod software, I will be using Bias (positive grid) instead, so it is ok if MobilePod is broken. I go way back with L6 gear, but got burned bad on the way they implemented their PodFarm licensing, and swore them off after losing $300 in software purchases...so I am a bit hesitant to support them right now. As a software engineer, I have a gut feeling that they are struggling with either getting money to fund software development, or they have just made some bad choices as to how to ensure an acceptable level of forward expansion. What is your read on whats happening with L6 software offerings right now?

Allow me to clarify. I believe stated this originally, but perhaps not. I had 2 XT devices. One was sold. The 2nd one, containing the licenses, I owned until it died : )

This. I understand software licensing, as I stated in the topic starter, I'm a software engineer. I paid for all the model packs, I paid the $100 for the PodFarm 1.1, and maybe $50 for 2.0? I forget the upgrade cost. All of that I'm fine with. Here is the flaw in the "license belonged to the hardware" model that is being thrown around...if the licenses hadn't been disassociated from the hardware prior to the hardware dying, it's all gone. All of it. Support was unwilling to help. Nothing was offered. I was simply given the answer that nothing could be done. Where would iLok be if you lost all your licenses every time their hardware failed or someone lost the USB key? That's all I have to say about it anymore really. Nearly $300 invested in software that disappeared due to poorly manufactured hardware.

I will start by saying that I have been a strong supporter of Line 6 from the beginning, and have enjoyed many of the products immensely. Some pieces I even consider potential favorites in hindsight. Started with the original red bean, moved on to the XT, and because I was so thrilled with the support and lifecycle of that product, ended up purchasing an XT live, and a Vetta for various gigging/engineering duties. My favorite purchase was PodFarm, which was hugely useful in production work across many sources and settings. I have to say something feels amiss right now. I lost the ability to use Podfarm last year after selling my XTL, which was tied to the software license. My Vetta went on the blink about 18 months after purchasing it, my other XTL started freezing and becoming unresponsive,the USB port bailed and eventually just died. I hung in there and looked past it, because I so appreciated the XT series devices and lifecycle. Being a software developer myself, I know how resource intensive it can be to continually dedicate resources to aging hardware. I really felt like Line 6 went above and beyond to continue to add value to that product. That was enough for me to stay on the Line 6 wagon, even amongst the hardware issues. The combination of loosing my PodFarm capability, and what I personally feel to be a lackluster release and support of the HD500 has finally convinced me to pursue offerings from other companies. The license scheme for that product was a nightmare, and I still read stories of people feeling burned by it. Furthermore, I just dont see any meaningful movement on Line 6 on the software front, as if the software development shut its doors. Instead we have all kinds of full range speakers and new platform releases...I can't help like some of us are being left in the dust here as Line 6 tries to find its identity. Get back to making software guys. Its what you did best, and its what people want from you.

I just made the leap into FRFR and HD500 a few weeks ago. I had many of the same questions as the OP. now about a month in, I can say I am really enjoying the flexibity, and surprisingly authentic tone produced by this set up. I loved all my pods for recording, the HD is the first one that has tempted me to use it instead of my plexi or mesa combo. While the experience and feel is initially different than playing while standing next to your amp, it's REALLY accurate to what that amp sounds like miced up through FOH. I've also noticed as the volume goes up, so does the interaction between the guitar and amp...making it feel even closer to a tube amp. I'd say try it, but be patient. You may initially resist it. I did.

I probably should have mentioned that I'm a POD veteran. I appreciate the suggestions though, those were all things a verified prior to posting. I build all my patches from scratch, and am shocked that I cant get what I'm looking for out of the AC30. So weird. Maybe I should post a sample, though I doubt that's going to help much.

Weirdest thing. The AC30 is one of my favorite models when playing through my headphones (Sony 7506). It's bright, and jangly, with that super snappy midrange vox thing...but I just can't make it happen through my RCF 312A. Just getting dull, spitty raspy crunch with the "on the verge of breakup and slightly past" type tones I usually associate with the AC30. Anyone using it FRFR? My deluges, park75, and rectifier tones sound GREAT. I've rolled the bass back a bit, brought the "cut" up, tried different mic options. I'm a bit confused.

Haha, gotcha. I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic, or not. Even so, my god, my plexi on 8 would level the block. I'm surprised you are getting such little gain through the plexi model with the SG. I'm sure you've already checked the pad switch and all that. Hmm...other than throwing the tube comp in front with a transparent threshold and a couple dB gain boost, I'm out of suggestions.

I'm not terribly interested in recording you a clip at that level, nor are my neighbors and their neighbors. I am familiar with the videos you posted though, and can tell you that for me the podHD plexi gets as much or more gain than is shown in that clip. The plexi is a very sensitive and responsive circuit, and though I don't think the HD is super close accuracy wise, it's apparent gain and crunch does change dramatically between different pickups and guitars, which is true of the real deal. My strat has considerably less crunch through that model than my les Paul...like night and day. That video is a good example of a plexi with PAF humbuckers. If you are playing a set neck humbucker equipped guitar and can't get that much drive, something else is going on.

Well this stayed nicely on topic.

I'm wondering what experience you have with real Marshall plexi amps, because when I compare the POD HD plexi to my own REAL plexi, the POD has significantly more gain and compression. If anything, I would argue that the Line6 high gain models have TOO MUCH gain and compression, even with the master volume parameter backed down. The JCM800 is another great example of an amp that should be bright and crunchy, but is instead very dark and mushy, even with a treble boosted EQ in front of it.