Line 6 POD Express: Versatile, HX-fueled Tones Meet Pedalboard Convenience

For many, the term “POD” in association with Line 6 and guitar tones conjures an image of a burgundy, kidney bean–shaped amp modeler whose sounds were deployed throughout the late-1990s and early aughts, with metal acts like Fear Factory and Godflesh being among the earliest pro-tier adopters. In the three decades following the POD’s debut, an explosive growth in technological advancement has made tone crafting, amp simulation, and numerous forms of emulation more realistic and malleable than ever, going head-to-head with countless analog amps. Now, the POD Express has emerged in a bid to take up the mantle of the guitar — and bass — world’s go-to, pedalboard-friendly amp pedal and effects processor. Sweetwater 6-string scion Nick Bowcott tests the mettle of the Line 6 POD Express to determine whether this voltaic stompbox has inherited the firepower of its innovative predecessor. Tune in to find out!

00:00 — Play-in & Intro
03:16 — Control Knob Tour & Demo
10:10 — Saving a Preset
13:17 — Recalling a Preset
14:52 — Built-in Looper Demo
16:03 — Built-in Tuner Demo
16:35 — Inputs & Outputs
17:21 — Main Volume Control & Headphone Jack
17:57 — Conclusion & Play-out

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[DaveMcCall]

It seems like we're in a golden age of affordable guitar gear that sounds great.

[bikergeekgd]

Thanks for confirming that POD Express is compatible for both right and left hand players. 😀

[GreatPlanet-co]

This is as much modeling as is needed for most players.

It's a simple but versatile design. The sounds are totally professional level.

Moving towards simpler gear and less gear is good because you'll have to play more.

[RubyRoks]

Finally, a POD that's actually controlled like a POD. It's been 20 years since there was a POD this simple.

[bluecollarguitarist]

The value of this is insane. Line 6 does it again 👍

[jjgson]

I have and still use both the POD 2.0 as well as the Bass Pod and Floorboard controller. Only use em in my home for recording, never used em live. This new one has my interest peaked.

[schippendale]

Based on the limited information so far available on these, you CAN disable the cab emulation and use them with an amp, and you can plug in a footswitch or expression pedal for additional control. Having watched a few demos, I'm now most interested to see/hear more about those features.
I came very close to buying an old POD second-hand a few months ago. I'm glad I held out.
EDIT. I found the manual online:
* "If connecting to an amp (or to a powered speaker that offers speaker cab simulation) you may want to set your POD Express’ Cab to “Off”—press and hold the ALT buttons and the TAP switch while turning the AMP encoder to ."
* Enter the “Global Settings” and choose the corresponding “Assign” parameter for the ON (FS1), TAP (FS2), FS3, or FS4 footswitches to independently select the desired function.
• Set any footswitch to switch the assigned parameter as On/Off.
• A footswitch connected as FS3 or FS4 can also be assigned to control TAP Tempo or function as a Next or Previous Preset switch.

[SoMyungJung]

This will be the equivalent of Focusrite Scarlett of guitar effects... you'll see 'em everywhere.
I would get one just to have fun and for backup purposes.
I/O options and features are awesome too.
Well done, Line 6.

[joenymus]

I just bought one, awesome.. i have no other words for this little gem..

[ale_etcetera]

I was impressed with how simple yet complex the UI is

[ardiris]

Nick's playing always puts me in the mood for Def Leppard concert videos. (:

[jeffwilliams]

Love the Dimebag decal on the lefty Strat.

[liontone]

This is a great idea, and a throwback to the original units. This will end up on a lot of recordings.

[LizardsLairDJ]

This was a great demo. I had the original Pod back in ~2000 when I bought my first electric. It was so much fun to have all those sounds to play around with while learning. This little box is amazing, thanks for the thorough review and demo of all the sounds and features. I've moved on to playing bass more exclusively and am very interested in the Bass version ... it's hard not to impluse buy for < $200!

[imwoody]

Just got mine today from Sweetwater! Thanks Clint! Hope you’re feeling better.
Oh, this pedal is so much fun and easy to use. Get yourself one.

[javierf]

In the end, this is more than anyone needs at home plugged to a small 10 watt amp as a Spider.

[davidneily]

I love that preset you made...very 80's crunch sounding. I want it.

[etherlords]

It’s so full of features that I literally need to have the booklet on my side all the time! Zoom MS50G+ vs POD express and POD is a clear winner!

[jerryhorton]

I was an early adopter of the old kidney bean. It was a terrific piece of gear (still have but the power supply croaked). Still use an HX Stomp for worship music and a Catalyst 60 is my backup amp.
I’m kind of jazzed about this thing

[calman]

SweetWater, Nice one mate, welcome to the Southern Hemisphere of Auckland New Zealand. Yes I have the Grandma of this little beauty, had it for about 20 years, great sounds. I also had the small pocket one, but moved in on as it seemed to be a bit complicated. But the Little "Top Ten" Beauty is a stunner, great sounds, easy to use. But I doubt whether these little Beauty's will be Travelling this far to little old NZ. But you can let me know. (Oh yes, I'm 86, But still have a few years playing in me) "I Hope"