[Nutty]

How does this work (set up)? Does it just play in the background? I'm hoping one day to get something like the Line 6 pod, but this might tide me over until I can afford it.

Fleet Pro Sound & Lighting

Thanks.

Nutty

[allthumbs]

Approach with caution. Low end Zoom products are not known for their quality. Try before you buy.

[Nutty]

Thanks for the tip allthumbs. I'll definitely stay away from Zoom products.

I'm curious how this is set up. Does it plug in the computer...you pick your affects...and it plays in the background (because it is for acoustic guitar)? With the guitar effects for electric guitars, the guitar is plugged in the unit I think.

What brands should I look at? Line 6, Boss?

Thanks.

Nutty

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by Nutty

...I'm curious how this is set up. Does it plug in the computer...you pick your affects...and it plays in the background (because it is for acoustic guitar)? With the guitar effects for electric guitars, the guitar is plugged in the unit I think....

You plug your guitar into the unit via the input jack, then plug the unit into your amp or recording interface (computer, mixer, etc.) via the output jack. The effects ('verb, chorus, etc.) will affect the sound of your guitar as it is played. If you use the drum machine, the pre-programmed beat will play from the unit through your amp/recording interface. It will be audible so you can play along with / record over it.

I've never seen a Line6 POD tailored for acoustic guitar - not sure if they even make such a thing. For an acoustic guitar I'd be more inclined to buy a dedicated acoustic amp with built-in effects, such as the Roland AC60. As far as effects go on acoustics, you pretty much only use chorus and reverb, or maybe a little phaser and/or delay - and you don't often have the need to turn them on/off in the middle of a song like you do on an electric guitar. All the OD/distortions, flangers, vibes, wahs, amp/cab models, etc. in something like a POD would be way over the top for an acoustic.

[Nutty]

Thanks Strat. So this unit must be for an electric/acoustic then.

Nutty

[Stratrat]

Correct. Sorry, I assumed (and you know what they say about that!) that you were talking about an acoustic-electric. Pretty much the only way you're going to be able to get effects on a straight acoustic guitar (aside from installing a pickup on it, which would make it an acoustic-electric anyways) would be to mic it and apply the effects to the mic'ed sound. Certainly not an optimal way to go about it.

If you just want to use it for the drum/rhythm sounds to play/record over, I'm sure it could be used that way - just plug it into your amp or recording interface, set the drum rhythm you want and play away!

[Nutty]

My daughter now wants a guitar with a whammy bar. Could she get the same or similar results if we had something like the Line 6 pod? There are probably about 1 or 2 songs that she would use it for. We would get much more use out of an effects processor I think.

Thanks.

Nutty

[Stratrat]

I'm not that familiar with Line6's stuff, but if its one of the POD models that has an "expression pedal" (rocker pedal), it's probably possible. There are several manufacturers who make the multi-fx units with that type of pedal (Digitech is the first one that comes to my mind). I have an RP-80 (old model) which has the expression pedal, and you can assign it as a volume pedal, wah, "whammy" pedal, octave up/down pedal, etc.

You'd definitely get much more use out of a multi-fx and you also wouldn't have to deal with the tuning headaches from the trem bar on her guitar. It will take some practice for her to get convincing 'whammy' sounds using the pedal, though.

[krissovo]

Zoom A2 is a great little acoustic unit, I use mine to jam with friends and play the odd gig with. The reverbs are very good and the A2.1 has a semi decent USB interface to record through and expression pedal.

Pod's are mostly for electrics but the new X3's have Bass, vocals and acoustic settings. As for whammy my latest recording uses the pedal of the pod to create a vibrato/tremolo effect, it sounds ok and its easier to use than the whammy on the guitar. There are other rotary, dual tones setting you can do.

Hear for yourself.

Rooster Rules The Roost

[Nutty]

Thanks strat and kriss.

How do you like the DigiTech strat? I was at the local music store this afternoon and he only carries the RP-90. He said it basically does the same sounds/effects as the bigger boards like the pod, but not as many pedals. So, it's not as convenient for live performances, but would suffice to play around with at home.

Thanks.

Nutty

[Stratrat]

The RP-90 looks to be the updated version of the one I have (the RP-80). I think the guy at your guitar store summed it up well - it's fine for noodling around with at home, but wouldn't cut it for live performing. The drum patterns are fun to play along with (and help you work on your rhythm/timing), the tuner is useful, and the expression pedal works fine. A lot of the patch settings from the factory are pretty "over the top", but you can fix that by twiddling around with the settings.

The downside is that if you get too obsessive about tweaking the patches, you can end up spending more time messing with the unit than you do actually playing your guitar. As long as you can avoid that "trap", it's a lot of fun and a great practice aid.

[Nutty]

Thanks Strat. I'm not sure I need anymore distractions Sounds like it might be fun though and a good place to start. The only thing that I liked with the Line 6 pod (and probably others have something similar) was the gearbox which is great for learning songs. I heard there was a guitar port as well that is similar. I think I would have to go up signficantly in price to get that. I'm not sure though, as this is all new to me.

Thanks again.

Nutty