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I've been looking at geting a new floor unit and have been looking at these two units but I get such conflicting views on the Internet so I guess I have to ask this in the Guitar Forum.

Which one is best for live band work - the Pod XT Live or X3 Live? And what is the big difference? ???

    I had a XT Live a while ago. They're very good. The cab emulations are excellent and the distortions and delays are great too. Could be better on the EQ side, never could make it sound good with my DSL100 though. ☹ Maybe the X3 has been improved?

    oohwweee!
      My PodXT Live is cooking! No need to spend the extra money on an X3.

      The XT Live foot switches are way stronger and easier to kick on and off.
        Benefits of the X3 Live over the XT:

        - BALANCED OUTS!!! (SO useful - you won't need a DI box for long cable runs or to go into the mixer)
        - Better, more powerful processor so it handles effects slightly differently. I find the reverbs to have a definite increase in quality.
        - The models have been tweaked a bit, now that the processor can handle more things. I think they do have a slightly better feel to them now.

        I suppose the key question is: what do you want to use the unit primarily as?

        If the answer is only effects then you might be better off looking at the GT8 or GT10.
        That being said, I've always preferred the delays on Line 6 gear and, since that's pretty much the only effect I use, it was an easy decision for me to make.

        cortking was right though... PLEASE don't try plug it into your amp. You might get away with plugging it into the effects loop so that you are bypassing the preamp on your amp and just using the power section (and even then you have to just double check that you're not using a parallel effects loop). Also, it will obviously help if the power section is tube-based.
        I find the best results are in studio, when I'm going in directly. So that's what I do when I play live. I go direct into the Front of House via the balanced out, and then I use the other output (an unbalanced one) to go directly to a small powered monitor, just to hear what I'm doing on stage.
          Thanks mattyd That's what someone has warned me about. These multi-effects units don't sound good when plugged directly into the main input of guitar amps!

          So the question is - which unit does sound good plugged into the front of a DSL or a Fender Deluxe? ???

            dan77 wrote: So the question is - which unit does sound good plugged into the front of a DSL or a Fender Deluxe? ???
            None of the modellers like the XTs will do a stellar job into the front of an amp IMO that's not the purpose for which they are designed. Probably the best for that would be the Boss units, which still need a ton of tweaking.

            If you're really serious about quality effects for plugging into the front of an amp, look at the TC Electronic stuff. The Nova system is probably your best bet.
              Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
              dan77 wrote: If you're really serious about quality effects for plugging into the front of an amp, look at the TC Electronic stuff. The Nova system is probably your best bet.
              I use a Hot Rod Deluxe and I recently sold my multi-effects unit (Boss) and started getting stomp boxes. To me, the individual boxes has a much better tone. But to each his/her own.
              +1 for Alan on the TC Electronics stuff, it's awesome. If I ever go back to Multi I'll go for a Nova system.
              ?
                Thanks for the advice guys. I have Boss pedals and they've worked just fine for me up to now. It's just that I'd like to have a nice complete unit on the floor, I mean it IS 2010 now, and like I've said before I've tried most of the Boss and Digitech units available locally through my amp and they all sound shite, never mind how I've tweaked them.

                Thanks Alan for the suggestion of the TC Electronics Nova - Hell, that think looks awesome! ? Do you know whether it's available locally? Cost?
                  mattyd wrote: Benefits of the X3 Live over the XT:

                  - BALANCED OUTS!!! (SO useful - you won't need a DI box for long cable runs or to go into the mixer)
                  - Better, more powerful processor so it handles effects slightly differently. I find the reverbs to have a definite increase in quality.
                  - The models have been tweaked a bit, now that the processor can handle more things. I think they do have a slightly better feel to them now.

                  I suppose the key question is: what do you want to use the unit primarily as?

                  If the answer is only effects then you might be better off looking at the GT8 or GT10.
                  That being said, I've always preferred the delays on Line 6 gear and, since that's pretty much the only effect I use, it was an easy decision for me to make.

                  cortking was right though... PLEASE don't try plug it into your amp. You might get away with plugging it into the effects loop so that you are bypassing the preamp on your amp and just using the power section (and even then you have to just double check that you're not using a parallel effects loop). Also, it will obviously help if the power section is tube-based.
                  I find the best results are in studio, when I'm going in directly. So that's what I do when I play live. I go direct into the Front of House via the balanced out, and then I use the other output (an unbalanced one) to go directly to a small powered monitor, just to hear what I'm doing on stage.
                  x2 MATTYD knows these pedals better than anyone i know, and he gets the BEST possible tone out of them in my oipinion. Definately listen to his advise... 8)
                    dan77 wrote: I've tried most of the Boss and Digitech units available locally through my amp and they all sound shite, never mind how I've tweaked them.
                    If you're talking about the Boss GTs, then they are modellers, primarily designed to replace an amp, rather than be used with one. Different applications. Did you try the "four cable method" of setup with these units? That usually gets the best results.
                    Thanks Alan for the suggestion of the TC Electronics Nova - Hell, that think looks awesome! ? Do you know whether it's available locally? Cost?
                    They are available locally - Prosound are the distributors. Forum member MoJo JoJoe (tonehound of legend) uses a Nova System and I use two of the Nova stompboxes myself. They are expensive, with a local retail of R11K (quality never comes cheap), but you can usually wrangle a much better price out of a retailer.
                      Thanks Alan,

                      I think the Nova will be great. I've watched the review on the TC Electronics website and it does indeed look awesome. I'm just wondering whether one is able to go "up" and "down" between your preset banks? There appears to be no such buttons - which worries me!

                      Definitely the MOST important aspect for me is to be able to plug the unit into the front of the amp just like a guitar into the input. I don't want to have to sukkel with effects loops and stuff. Just plug in and awesome sound - into any amp.
                        dan77 wrote: I'm just wondering whether one is able to go "up" and "down" between your preset banks? There appears to be no such buttons - which worries me!
                        The pedalboard has two modes - either pedal or patch mode (60 user patches, divided into 20 banks of three). The pedal mode lets you operate the effects as if they were stomp boxes and the patch mode lets you move through the patches. In patch mode the banks are scrolled up and down via the Mod and Pitch buttons and patches via the Reverb, comp and Drive pedals (see the red lettering next to the pedals).
                          Once again - Thanks Alan for the research!

                          I guess then it's a matter of testing one with my amp. If I were to get one I will use patch mode and have like 4 banks of three patches each.

                          11K ? And will it sound good plugged into the input of an amp ???
                            I think the next logical question would be:

                            Does anyone own a TC Electronics Nova? If there is, do you mind posting a review here? If you're a retailer and see this (and have one) - would you give me a quote for a cash sale please!
                              dan77 wrote: I think the next logical question would be:

                              Does anyone own a TC Electronics Nova? If there is, do you mind posting a review here? If you're a retailer and see this (and have one) - would you give me a quote for a cash sale please!
                              Hey Dan,

                              As Alan shared, Prosound are the TC agents, they have a showroom/office in CPT, in Buitengracht St, just up from Marshall Music. Here are Izan's details:
                              Izan Greyling
                              Prosound Cape Town
                              208 Buitengracht Street, Bo-Kaap
                              PO Box 15172, Vlaeberg, 8018
                              Tel: 021 424 8402
                              Fax: 086 607 3507
                              Cell: 083 270 6761
                              Give him a call, he will sort you out.

                              Cheers

                              Matt
                                I've had the Nova System for about 8 months now, but I haven't spent much time with it due to me moving out of my house while repairs were taking place. It's a very good system as you'd expect from TC Electronic (no "s" on the end of the name).

                                If you're able to track one down, I'd also recommend a Vox Tonelab SE. I've had mine for about 3 years now and love it. I run it into the front of my amps, and have no complaints. (unlike the Boss units which sounded bad into the front-end) I will say, though, that if you want high-gain the Tonelab isn't for you. In the time I've had the Tonelab, I've switched to stomps ... the sound WAS better, but I switched back because I didn't like having to do the tap-dance (I play covers) ... bought the Nova System with the intention of using it along with some of my drive pedals hoping to get the best of both worlds (fewer tap-dances and the better tone of stomps) but haven't had the time to get all my patches set up. Meantime I use the Tonelab (into a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue) and I don't feel like it's THAT urgent for me to get the pedalboard with Nova System going. I'll do it when time permits, but meantime I'm quite a happy camper.

                                Blouberg eh? ... PM me your phone number and let's see if we can hook up and you can try out my Nova System or anything else that takes your fancy.
                                  Thanks for the info and links guys (Matta). I've checked with the people in Cape Town and the unit is 10K before VAT. This is a bit out of my range at this time.

                                  Then I checked the link from CDee and it's only $499, which is a lot cheaper. ?

                                  Then I did some more research and look what I've found - http://cgi.ebay.com/TC-Electronic-Nova-System-FACTORY-WARRANTY_W0QQitemZ110486650718QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b9847f5e

                                  and then also this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/T-C-TC-Electronic-NOVA-System-Guitar-Effects-Pedal_W0QQitemZ370326498049QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56392deb01

                                  Naturally there will be like $100 for shipping but it's still way cheaper. ?
                                    I've been watching this thread with interest and Alan is now officially responsible for putting ideas into my head with this Nova business! ?

                                    Maybe MoJo JoJoe can invite me over to check out his unit once Dan77 has left. ? I'm in Edgemead.

                                      I just called Andre (what a cool dude!). Looks like my Nova System is going to have a sleepover at his house sometime so he can try it out on his own gear. Hopefully I'll get it back with some nice new patches on it. So: anyone wanting a tone report from a SERIOUS musician who really knows his stuff can ask Andre afterwards for his opinion.