voxman55

Hi guys - there is a new firmware update v1.05 for the G10 Relay. I'm unclear as to what this update does - is there any benefit for the G10 Relay with the Mk1 original G10T and if so what?

Its a separate update to the G10TII transmitter

I don't know if this might help, but there is one amp model that comes to mind that has two drive settings (Drive 1 & Drive 2), allowing you to switch between a clean and higher gain sound. The model that comes to mind is the Cartographer. I haven't tried it from the perspective of whether the drive settings are akin to what you'd expect from a 2 channel amp but it might give you some additional flexibility/possibilities. I don't think there are any other models with a similar option AFAIK, but very happy to be corrected here. Also, some models have 2 versions eg Placater Clean and Placater Dirty, and the Soldano model comes in Clean, Crunch and Lead Modes. Would not switching between eg Soldano Clean and Soldano Lead be similar to switching channels? You could set these up with the exact same cab & FX/settings or (something that's more awkward to do in the real world) set a different cab/mic and different fx and/or settings in each patch. I appreciate that when patch changing you might experience a slight lag (far less so if your cab/mic/FX & FX settings are the same), but in the real world with some amps you'd tend to get some lag when switching channels anyway.

The Ventoux is a line 6 original - the designer wanted to create something that didn't exist in the real world, combining Orange and Fender Tweed amps. As per the release notes: "The amp model name is Ventoux, which is a mountain in the south of France that is a legendary cycling climb. I did it in 2018 and it was awesome and very hard. This model comes from a physical amp idea I had a while back. I was going to build it as a tube amp first. There are only so many hours in a day, though. The idea was to create a “coveted boutique amp” that had a different origin story. Most coveted boutique amps come from modified black panel Fenders or modified Marshall circuits. I wanted to do the same thing, but base it on the early 70s Orange circuits and the mid-wattage Fender Tweed circuits. Ventoux has a unique topology. In an indirect way, every knob is kind of a gain/drive control. The tone controls adjust the character and/or amount of the overdrive in those frequencies. This might be seen as complicated by some, but I find it exciting and full of possibilities." —Ben Adrian, Sound Design Manager

I agree that bugs need to be fixed, obviously, and that's accepted. I was referring only to new models and features being added. I'm not particularly keen to see ever more amp and fx models as I said. There's so much in there already and so much sounds quite samey. I have only 16 amp models in my Vox Tonelab SE and LE, and I probably only regulay use a half dozen of those.

Ah, then it won't solve the impedance issue. The pedal has to be buffered. Pretty much any Boss or Behringer stomp pedal will do the job, or a buffered wireless unit like the Line 6 G10 Relay.

If you connect a buffered pedal to Pod Go, it needs to be powered either by a battery or PSU, but the pedal does not need to be stomped 'on' to act as a buffer.

I think thats a little ungracious and unappreciative to say the least! Pod Go updates broadly follow Helix updates, and the v3.15 Helix content has been around for many months, so we knew what to expect. Sadly, the Heliosphere didn't 'fit' in Pod Go due to DSP and memory requirements. Manufacturers are under no requirement to provide firmware updates and a lot of time and effort goes into these. Its not a 'right'. Whilst I too am critical of Line 6's stance not to add 2 user blocks and release the amp and cab models from their semifixed status, which is an ideological issue for them, I'm still appreciative of all the work they do to enhance Pod Go for their customers. You should only ever buy an MFX based on what it provides, and not what you hope might be added In the future. Line 6 played it with a straight bat and made the limitations of Pod Go abundantly clear from outset. If it didn't suit your needs, then I'm afraid thats down to you. Have you actually tried the new models? There's some good things in there.

I agree that Pod Go has more than enough amp and fx models, but there are always users that will ever want more toys to play with. Prior to buying Pod Go a little over 2 yrs ago, I was gigging with my Vox Tonelab SE and LE units, from 2004 and 2007 respectively. Way less amp, cab and fx models, and built in restrictions meant you can only have 1 each of amp, cab, delay, reverb, modulation, and one selection from the pedal section. No IRs, no snap shots...although the TLSE does have AB switching per patch that lets you set up two different amp/ cab models in the same patch. I'm more of a classic rock and blues player, but also play some jazz, country, funk etc. The limitations force you to be more creative, and I've always been able to get the tones I wanted. I gig with these because they still sound great, and real knobs and rotary selectors make them really easy to use on stage. Tonally they can still hold their own against modern MFX because they have a 12AX7 valve, effectively used as a power tube, which tonally and feel wise helps make them sound and feel reasonably close to a valve amp. The Pod Go has a ton of stuff packed in it, and in my view it really doesn't need more. V1.30 added footswitch and snapshot naming and colour coding, which was very welcome and badly needed from a gigging perspective. Certain other flexibilities were added e.g. FS7/8 can now be set to scroll through patches ...very helpful in 6 stomp mode. From a utility perspective many users including myself want to see 2 additional user blocks and the ability to turn off the amp and cab models, to make Pod Go more flexible. Unfortunately this goes against Line 6's 'vision' for Pod Go and it is most unlikely that customers will get this. Line 6 is also very anti providing DSP info, so unlike Zoom and Mooer units, Pod Go users have to rely on a third party chart created by Ben Vesco to help users understand the DSP cost of their selections.

Prior to v1.40 that came out on Tuesday, within the Filter effects category you already had: Octi Synth Synth O matic Attack Synth Synth string The latest v1.40 Pod Go firmware includes a new Line 6 original amp, 9 new effects, 18 additional Legacy effects, and bug fixes. The legacy effects include legacy synth effects as below (again, all in the Filter fx category) Pitch/Synth > Buzz Wave, Line 6 Original. These are cool combinations of saw and square waves with fast vibrato. The 8 different Wave parameters offer different vibrato speeds and different pitches Pitch/Synth > Rez Synth, Line 6 Original. These are all sweeping low pass filter effects with the resonance set high. Resonance is a peak at the frequency of the low pass filter Pitch/Synth > Seismik Synth, Line 6 Original. This effect has an oscillator that tracks the pitch of your guitar. You can choose between 8 different wave shapes which give you different “flavors”—all of them one or two octaves down from the original pitch Pitch/Synth > Analog Synth, Line 6 Original. These are great for funky synth guitar (or bass) lines. These sounds were made popular by Moog and ARP Pitch/Synth > Synth Lead, Line 6 Original. These are styled after popular analog monophonic synth lead sounds from Moog, ARP and Sequential Circuits Pitch/Synth > String Theory, Line 6 Original. This emulates classic synth string sounds like those found in the ARP Solina String Ensemble and the Elka® Synthex. The harder you pick, the brighter the sound. We somehow had two separate effects called "Synth String"—one from POD Farm 2.5 and the other from FM4, which was already added to POD Go. Renamed the POD Farm version "String Theory" to avoid confusion Pitch/Synth > Synth FX, Line 6 Original. These sounds aren’t really designed to be musical. These are more “special effects” sounds. You’ll hear a lot of these kinds of sounds in movie soundtracks Pitch/Synth > Saturn 5 Ring Mod, Line 6 Original. Ring modulators take two signals (one supplied by your guitar, the other supplied by the effect) then adds and subtracts similar frequencies. Electro-Harmonix® makes a ring modulator pedal called the Frequency Analyzer that is a popular guitar effect. The only limiting factor is that the pitch of the signal provided by the effect is constant. Meaning you have to play only in the key of that pitch to be musical Pitch/Synth > Synth Harmony, Line 6 Original. If you loved those big synth leads from 70’s era prog bands then you’ll love this effect. There are two synth waves at work here. Your first two parameters allow you to choose a pitch interval of your original note played. The Wave parameter works differently from what you’d expect with the other synth models; here it controls the gain of the saw wave, while the square wave gain remains constant Pitch/Synth > Double Bass, Line 6 Original. This effect has two oscillators that track the pitch of your guitar—one square wave tuned one octave down, and one saw tooth wave two octaves down

Check that you have each snapshot saved with the looper switched on.

Line 6 Customer Support or (if still under warranty) the retailer, may have to arrange and authorise the repair first.... but perhaps different procedures operate in different locales?

Not so - if Pod Go didn't sound really good, I'd have returned it within 30 days - Pod Go's tone and amp/cab/fx options were never a problem. The best update from my perspective was v1.30 which added snapshot & footswitch naming, and colour coding which really enhanced it, from a 'gigability' perspective. I'd simply like it to have enhanced versatility re 'blocks' to make the most of its DSP, but sadly that is unlikely to happen. I certainly won't be looking to change my Pod Go anytime soon for something else - it's still an excellent piece of kit. Aside from tone, which it has in spades, the only reason that I'd ever 'dump' my Pod Go is if it ever became unreliable for gigging. For me, reliability is absolutely crucial - I can work around the 'shortfalls' of any piece of gear (and every piece of gear has its USP's, it's pros and its cons) but I can't work around reliability issues! But so far, and touch wood (notwithstanding the early bugs/glitches which had to be fixed via v1.1 and v1.2) having had my Pod Go for a little over 2 years now, I'm pleased to say it's behaved flawlessly. My only criticism of Pod Go from a gigging perspective is it's horrid flimsy wall-wort PSU with its worryingly thin and ridiculously short cable - so I have a spare just in case. To be fair to Line 6, they too are not exactly enamoured by it themselves, but it was the best solution they could find balancing Pod Go power requirements and cost factors.

Although some sources have suggested this is not quite 'right' either, I'm afraid I have insufficient information or personal experience to comment here as I've never had the need to use the fx loop...I don't use 4 cable method and have not placed any external fx in the loop. I'm afraid I therefore don't know whether these are connected or separate issues and whether the fix referred to addresses any fx loop issue too.

Evidential responses from multiple forums, groups and FB pages. I stand by my views. I really like Pod Go, which is why I bought it, but I'd suggest the term 'simplicity' is only relative to Helix. It is still a sophisticated bit of kit that for most new users will still require a fairly steep learning curve. If you and Phil are correct that there is nothing new planned within say a 12 month period, then if Line 6 wants to encourage more new customers in my view it should modify it's original premise for Pod Go. Over 2 yrs ago, I can understand it's fixed block approach, but the market and customer dynamics have changed. Adding 2 additional blocks and release the amp and cab blocks to non fixed status will make Pod Go more attractive to new customers and help encourage existing customers to retain their Pod Go's for longer and not go to other non Line 6 products. This would be particularly advantageous for those wanting to use Pod Go with a guitar amp and as a conventional pedal board. It will also give greater choice and flexibility to existing customers. In my view, the above would really help to extend the shelf life of Pod Go, that has been a victim of its own success.

In my view Phil, Line 6 can't afford not to. Of all the new MFX currently out there, I'd suggest the Boss GX100 is arguably the biggest MFX threat not only to Pod Go sales, but also Helix floor, Helix LT and Helix Stomp XL sales. The biggest reasons that folk have upgraded to e.g. Helix LT from Pod Go or have chosen one of these instead of Pod Go were processing power, no fixed blocks, dual routing, customisable control switches, and polyphonic fx. The GX100 now offers a solution at the sub £500 price point. Of course, there are other advantages of a Helix LT...but it's not going to be as attractive a proposition as it was, unless there is a serious price repositioning. Out of interest Phil, do you work for Line 6?

Just to clarify originally Pod Go had the same modelling quality as Helix. However since Helix v3.10 that is no longer true because Helix now has over sampling. Reports suggest the difference isnt huge, and is akin to e.g. a 4k TV vs perhaps a 4.5k tv.

I'm not so sure about that Phil. When Pod Go was launched, it was ahead of the pack at that price point and there really was very little to compete with it. However, Pod Go has been a victim of its own success and has spawned a whole host of new competitor units including the Zoom G6, Valeton GP200, Headrush MX5, Boss GX100 and even reduced pricing of the Mooer GE300. The problem for Pod Go is that it is prematurely now showing it's age. It's lack of DSP, fixed block design, lack of true XLR, and Helix modelling technology that is now 7yrs old, and the input impedance debacle means that it is no longer as attractive a proposition as it once was. PGW always was in my view an odd proposition due to its wireless limitations. Line 6 are used to leading this market. Fewer customers will now be in the market for big, heavy units like Helix floor and LT, and there is a move now to more compact, lighter but more full featured units...the Boss GX100 is a case in point - sub £500, dual routing, polyphonic fx, up to 15 non fixed fx blocks, XLRs, all metal construction, touch screen etc. Line 6 has squeezed everything it could from Helix, but I think it's a safe bet that Line 6 has a whole new approach and new range already in development.

People certainly do buy Pod Go to gig. In fact, even a lot of Helix users have bought Pod Go as a simpler, lighter rig to travel with or when they don't need the sophistication of Helix. Re units like MX5, Ampero, Mooer GE200 etc, yes of course you can gig these but it depends on your needs. If you are in a covers or wedding band and need to change tones quickly, particularly mid song, you might struggle with MFX that have less footswitch control as it may require a bit more tap dancing. I'm not sure I'd gig Pod Go though. It's biggest problem is patch change latency. For gigging I still currently use my Vox Tonelab SE and LE, which has seamless patch switching, and is so easy to use and tweak live with real knobs. It also still sounds and feels really good and valve like thanks to the 12AX7 valve that is effectively used like a power tube. And although it doesnt have the sophistication or IR capability of modern units, there are no DSP limits to worry about. It's still the best MFX for my needs that I've found. Going to an audition for a wedding band next week, and because I can't easily drive there and will use public transport I'll take my Pod Go, G10 Relay, and my cheap Harley Benton TE52NA 'Tele' in a gig bag to keep everything light.

Headrush mx5 and Ampero are not comparable units to Pod Go; fine for home but insufficient footswitch control for gigging. Ditto with the Mooer GE150/200/250 units, and the NUX Mg300.

The Zoom.g5n is old. Zoom G6 is the Pod Go equivalent now.

Exactly this. Pod Go needs 2 additional blocks and the ability to remove amp and cab models. Pod Go is still good, but it is now behind the curve.

The Pod Go expression pedal can easily be used the same way, and as @silverheadsaid, it's easy to set the parameters how you want them. Alternatively you can also use a footswitch to kick in e.g. a 3db clean main output boost. You can reassign e.g. the fx loop footswitch to do this and position it where you like it in any of the 6 stomp positions, but this means you have to be in stomp mode. I have 2 momentary switches for FS7 and FS8 and I'll typically set FS7 as a clean boost, and FS8 as a distortion boost (either upping amp distortion, upping or kicking in a distortion pedal, or a mix of the two). The advantage is that I can kick in FS7/8 in any mode and release the expression pedal for other things. For example, varying amp gain to clean up tone whilst keeping volume constant or varying delay mix. Using the expression pedal to clean up amp distortion is akin to volume roll off on your guitar, but without tone loss. Just some practical ideas to think about.

I agree 're complexity. The Boss GX100 doesnt have anything like the number of amp models, but in addition to some 'conventional' amp models, Boss has gone down the route of what it calls AIRD (Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics) that offers some core amp tones and combines them with IRs, so it's much easier and quicker to get a great amp tone. Combined with greater processing power, touch screen, fully assignable control foot switches and up to 15 non fixed blocks with dual routing and polyphonic pitch shift, with full XLRs, the GX100 is imho the new MFX to beat. It's underlying UI is still a little quirky, and although it doesn't have snapshots per se, it's assignable footswitches and 'instant' patch changes with no noticeable lag means its actually more useable from a gigging perspective. What it doesn't offer is global switching between wah and volume, but afaik no other MFX offers this, which is a Line 6 USP. Size wise it's longer and thinner than the Pod Go, but around a similar weight albeit a little heavier, with all metal chassis. Subject to Line 6 or others bringing out a new range of MFX, if I was going to buy a new MFX in the sub £500 bracket, currently the GX100 is the one I'd go for.

Hi all, very latest from Digital Igloo, who replied to my post on the Gear Page today: " POD Go and POD Go Wireless had a couple critical bugs that were really squirrely and took forever to track down and squash. 1.40 is currently in beta. Should be very soon. Again, no points for guessing what's in it."