PODXT Live or BOSS GT8??

HaGa11aZ · #1 04-25-2006, 08:09 PM

I'm debating on which one i should get. I'd like a nice balance between live and recording features.

I assume that tone and effects are emphasized more on the PODxt Live, considering that's what they boast most about, is cab emulation. I like how it has a Variex port. I think that the POD might have superior sound.

The Boss GT8 catches my eye with all its features. S/PDIF out, WAY more I/O than the POD, and its got this really cool feature where u can split the guitar signal out into into 2 unique effects going to seperate amps (i don't know if the POD can do this though). I think that the GT8 has superior recording capability.

I have an awesome M-Audio PCI D.A.C. (Digital Audio Converter) called the Audiophile 192. This baby samples at 24bits/192kHs. However you know what they say... You can't polish sh!t. In other words, the sampling rate from my DAC won't make any signal of lesser quality any better. So I found insufficient information in regards to the sampling rates of the two boards, as this is a big deal as well.

What would you all recommend, and why?

Thanx!

bpd111 · #2 04-25-2006, 09:46 PM

FWIW, I am going to pull the trigger on the GT8 here soon, and I'll tell you why. I tried the Pod, Boss, and Tonelab SE, and believe it or not, the one I found easiest to work with was the Boss. This is from the point of view of just sitting down with it and playing with little forehand knowledge.

The Boss seems more flexible, as I can use it for just FX, or employ it as a preamp or an all in one unit direct to PA. I also like the sounds I've heard from it more than the Pod. It sounds best in the samples I've heard.

I think the Boss probably has the steepest learning curve, though.

There's lots of people who like the Pod. I suggest getting to a store and trying them out first.

JESTER700 · #3 04-25-2006, 10:19 PM

Don't sweat specs - they're ALL good enough for electric guitar, which has nothing of note above 15k. The V-Amp 2/Pro samples at 32k, and it can get plenty bright and has many fans who think it's still among the best modelers.

For sound, it's all about the programming - the algorithms. And that's a taste call - even in the digital modeler world what's "best" isn't agreed on. So you need to go play & listen for yourself.

bpd111 · #4 04-26-2006, 04:58 AM

Forgot to share this link: http://www.thestompbox.net/ViewArtic...x?ArticleID=21

brothersnowgone · #5 04-28-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JESTER700

And that's a taste call - even in the digital modeler world what's "best" isn't agreed on. So you need to go play & listen for yourself.

+1 everyone has thier own views multi-fx units. It's all about what kinda taste you have and how each multi-fx fits that taste.

ibanez2005 · #6 04-28-2006, 06:06 PM

IMO they may be easy to use and convenient but when using them live they disapoint. I used a Boss ME50 live and it was unplayable, week sound, lots of noise and just sh1t basically. In a studio/ recording situation this maybe different but wouldnt recomend anyone buying one.

toneboy · #7 04-29-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaGa11aZ

The Boss GT8...its got this really cool feature where u can split the guitar signal out into into 2 unique effects going to seperate amps (i don't know if the POD can do this though).

I'm sorry to inform you that the GT-8 cannot do that. It does have the ability to use 2 amp and cab sims at the same time (dual mono, stereo, real time blending through control pedals and/or picking dynamics). Regardless, both amps go in to the same effects chain. Simply put, the GT-8 is series processing, not parallel.

Quote:

So I found insufficient information in regards to the sampling rates of the two boards, as this is a big deal as well.

The GT-8's sampling rate is fixed at 44 kHz which is more than adequete for electri guitar IMHO.

Quote:

What would you all recommend, and why?

To be blunt, I never even bothered with the Pod stuff because I've owned Roland COSM gear before (the original VG-

and various other Boss/Roland rack and pedal effects. I've always like the sound of their gears and its features.

JESTER700 · #8 04-29-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez2005

IMO they may be easy to use and convenient but when using them live they disapoint. I used a Boss ME50 live and it was unplayable, week sound, lots of noise and just sh1t basically. In a studio/ recording situation this maybe different but wouldnt recomend anyone buying one.

Is that the extent of your experience? Because there's a BIG leap between "I used a *Boss ME50* live and it was unplayable" and "when using *them* live they disapoint...wouldnt recomend anyone buying one".

ibanezcollector · #9 04-29-2006, 10:45 PM

I have PodXT I like it, its a challange.. It takes ALOT of tweaking. So if you dont have time to sit down and really really dig into it. PASS

klp2332 · #10 04-30-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanezcollector

I have PodXT I like it, its a challange.. It takes ALOT of tweaking. So if you dont have time to sit down and really really dig into it. PASS

+1
alot of tweaking = true

Demogorgos · #11 04-30-2006, 12:21 AM

I've had a GT-5 for 7 or 8 years now. I had a GT-8 too, but would never use the blending and picking-trigger features of it. So I got rid of it, and stayed with the GT5. It's a tank compared to the GT8, and had beer falling over it and things like that during gigs. It never failed me. I can hardly imagine that a GT8 would survive such (or any) abuse.

Regards,

D.

ibanez2005 · #12 04-30-2006, 10:04 AM

JESTER700 what does it matter what extent i used. Fact is it was sh1t, if something is sh1t then you dont use it, or am i just different from everyone else.

toneboy · #13 04-30-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanez2005

JESTER700 what does it matter what extent i used. Fact is it was sh1t, if something is sh1t then you dont use it, or am i just different from everyone else.

The point is that with some gear, some people can just plug in and be happy with very little if any tweaking. It's like a match made in heaven. This is often the case with simpler, less complicated gear (e.g. straight up amps). Conversely, some gear, especially multi FX, take some tweaking and time to get the sounds your're looking for. Some folks have neither the time nor the patience for that.

toneboy · #14 04-30-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibanezcollector

I have PodXT I like it, its a challange.. It takes ALOT of tweaking. So if you dont have time to sit down and really really dig into it. PASS

The GT8 is no different in this regard.

toneboy · #15 04-30-2006, 11:22 AM

BTW, with the GT8 you can map your picking dynamics to control ANY effect parameter. As a matter of fact your control up to 8 parameters are once. You can get some very strange Vai-esque sound as well as the everyday amps sounds.