SiCantwell

These are all good points. I made the switch when my beloved HD500X became unreliable and I had some gigs coming up. I love the Pod Go. It seems simpler to program and edit. The Snapshots give you a flexibility within patches, setting up a clean rhythm and a dirty, louder lead without a pause, instantly switching effects or maybe increasing the amount of delay. Or all of the above. Now we can name and color-code the Snapshots, which is nice. Some people are impatient with the number of effect blocks in the Go, but I've never found that limitation to be a problem. I use relatively simple patches for blues or classic rock sounds, so maybe that's why. Plus the Go is smaller, useful when playing on small stages. And lighter, easier to pack in my gig bag. On the other hand, if you're happier with your 500X, you can keep the money. You can probably rig up your own patches to mimic the sounds your instructor is getting.

But you can change amp settings like drive. It's easy to find amps that sound good clean and dirty. Play around with channel volume vs. master volume.

I play into a Fender amp, clean. I use Main out, just because to my ears it sounds better. I mainly use the Pod Go amps for distortions, because I think they sound better than the distortion effects. I mainly use the Go in place of my old elaborate pedal board of effects. It's not what most people do, but I like it and find the Pod Go reliable for gigging and rehearsals.

The answer is, whatever you think sounds the best. I play the Go into a Fender tube amp, using it in place of the elaborate pedalboard I used to lug around. I use the Main out because it's cleaner for me, and I plug directly into the amp (a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue). I use some Go amp sims for their distortion since I keep the amp clean, but I generally don't use the cabs. But you can if you think they sound better. Forget "the rules." Try it different ways and do what sounds best to your ears.

I've thought about that. I wish Line 6 would do it in the next update.

Is the HD500X still supported? Mine got wonky and I replaced it with the smaller, easier Pod Go. They haven't updated the 500 in ages. I like having the onboard expression pedal.

When I switch to a preset using the volume pedal, I briefly press it to max and then back off to min. It seems to "reset" the pedal. Also important when I use the pedal as a Whammy-style pitch shifter. Otherwise it sometimes sounds out of tune.

This is all good advice, Flipper124. Just read the manuals all the way through, both the owners manual and the edit guide, which is about the computer-based editing software. https://line6.com/support/manuals/podgo/ I create all my own presets and keep them simple. I do all my editing on the computer because it's easier. Stick with it! The fact that you have so many options is what makes the Pod Go fun to work with once you're familiar with it.

To change Snapshot names in Pod Go Edit (on the computer), click on the snapshot and then the little three dots, and you can assign a color and rename it. How can I change MULTIPLE (2) name to something more usable in Pod Go Edit? I've got several I want to do and it would be much easier on a computer keyboard than on the floor device.

It's here now!!

I use amp simulators for just about all of my distortions. I'm mostly looking for classic rock sounds and bluesy crunch, and I find the amp models work best for me. Of course, everyone is different and I'm not playing heavy metal.

Thank you, that is so helpful! I remembered reading about the four-button option, then couldn't find it in the manual later. I've changed my global setting, and now I'm going through the presets rejiggering the assignments. Much easier operation with the bank buttons always activated.

Played my first gig with my new Pod Go. Went great, various sounds were good, and I loved how Snapshots work. But one question: How do you get out of Snapshot mode and change to a different preset? I wound up unplugging it to get back.

Thanks, great news. One for the gig bag, one for practice at home.