19 ....4X12 GREEN 20'S...........'67 MARSHALL BASKETWEAVE
20 ....4X12 GREEN 25'S...........'68 MARSHALL BASKETWEAVE
21 ....4X15 BIG BOY.................MARSHALL MAJOR
22 ....8X10 CLASSIC.................AMPEG SVT
EFFECT MODELS
STOMPSMODEL BASED ON
BASS OVERDRIVE ................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SCREAMER .........................IBANEZ TS 808
CLASSIC DIST......................PRO CO RAT
FACIAL FUZZ .......................ARBITER FUZZ FACE
FUZZ PI ..............................BIG MUFF PI
OCTAVE FUZZ......................TYCOBRAH OCTAVIA
BRONZE MASTER.................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
BLUE COMP ........................BOSS CS-1
RED COMP..........................MXR DYNA COMP
VETTA COMP .......................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
AUTO WAH..........................MUTRON III
DINGO-TRON.......................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
BUZZ WAVE........................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SEISMIK SYNTH ..................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
REZ SYNTH.........................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SATURN 5 RING MOD...........LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SYNTH ANALOG...................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SYNTH FX ..........................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SYNTH HARMONY................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SYNTH LEAD .......................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SYNTH STRING....................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
SUB OCTAVES.....................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
All amp, cab and effect product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These product names and descriptions are provided for the
sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Line 6’s sound model development.
MODULATIONSMODEL BASED ON
DELUXE CHORUS.................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
ANALOG CHORUS.................BOSS CE-1 CHORUS
DELUXE FLANGER.................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
JET FLANGER.......................ADA FLANGER
PHASER..............................MXR PHASE 90
U-VIBE................................UNI VIBE
OPTO TREM.........................FENDER OPTO
BIAS TREM..........................VOX BIAS
ROTARY DRUM ....................FENDER VIBRATONE
HI-TALK ..............................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
LINE 6 ROTOR.....................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
RANDOM S H......................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
TAPE EATER.........................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
LUX SPRING
STD SPRING
KING SPRING
SMALL ROOM
TILED ROOM
BRITE ROOM
REVERBS
DARK HALL
MEDIUM HALL
LARGE HALL
DELAYSMODEL BASED ON
ANALOG DELAY....................BOSS DM-2
ANALOG W/ MOD................EH MEMORYMAN
TUBE ECHO.........................EP-1 ECHOPLEX
MULTI-HEAD........................ROLAND SPACE ECHO
SWEEP ECHO ......................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
DIGITAL DELAY .....................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
REVERSE ............................LINE 6 ORIGINAL
RICH CHAMBER
CHAMBER
CAVERNOUS
SLAP PLATE
VINTAGE PLATE
LARGE PLATE
FBV SERIES REFERENCE
13
3
1
FX LOOP
4
STOMPMODULATION
CHANNEL BCHANNEL ACHANNEL DCHANNEL C
2
3
FX LOOPSTOMP BOX 1STOMP BOX 2STOMP BOX 3
4
5
6
FBV SHORTBOARD
8
9
DELAY
7
4
REVERB
TAP
HOLD FOR TUNER
10
CUSTOM FOOT CONTROLLER
11
VOLUMEWAH
12
11
WAHPEDAL 1PEDAL 2VOLUME
FACTORY/USER
1
7
8
9
DELAYMODULATIONTREMOLOREVERBTAP TEMPOAMP 2AMP 1
10
12
HOLD FOR TUNER
CHANNEL ACHANNEL BCHANNEL CCHANNEL DFAVORITE CHANNELBANK DOWNBANK UP
2
SIGNAL FLOW & EFFECTS ROUTING OPTIONS
USB SEND/RETURN: Unprocessed Bass can be sent to/from Computer via USB
Mod and Delay/Verb X-OVER:
Hi Pass filters available in wet paths of these FX
Wah & Volume can be
controlled by FBV or MIDI
MODEL
to prevent muddy tone
LIVE
MODE
CAB MODEL
GATE
WAH
STOMPVOLUME
D.I.
EQ
VOLUME
COMPDELAY/VERB
MOD
DI>MDL: mixes D.I. signal into Model out
DI DLY: delays D.I. signal, throwing it out of
phase versus the Model signal, for tone variation
when the two signals are mixed together.
BI-AMP: When Bi-Amp Mode is activated on the "Bi-Amp Setup"
TUNER/SYSTEM page , the 1/4-inch outs are both sent a
frequency-split version of the Model signal. The effect loop is also
fed the frequency-split signal in the Bass PODxt, so you can effect
each frequency range separately. The XLR outs take their signal
just after the DI>MDL mix, before the frequency-split and loop
send, so their signal is normal (no frequency spilt, Model and D.I.
signals are both available at their jacks as usual), except that the
effect loop is not applied to the XLR outs in this mode.
AMP
STUDIO
MODE
MOD
DELAY/VERB
CAB MODEL + A.I.R. II VIRTUAL MIC/ROOM
EQ
PRE/POST: Volume, EQ, Mod and Delay/Verb can run Pre or Post
USB SEND: Model & D.I signals can both be sent to the computer together.
USB RETURN: Sound from the computer can be heard.
XT
PRO
BI-AMP
MODE
AUTO
MERGE
BASS POD
LOOP
SEND
LOOP
RETURN
A.I.R.
LIVE MODE
VIRTUAL ROOM
In Live Mode, virtual
room is added to
Model signal for XLR
& Digital outputs,
while D.I. outputs and
1/4-inch outputs to
onstage poweramp
are sent without
virtual room.
LIVE MODE 1/4-INCH OUTPUTS
(Effects Return is summed in analog domain)
STUDIO MODE 1/4-INCH OUTPUTS,
STUDIO/LIVE DIGITAL OUTPUTS,
STUDIO/LIVE XLR OUTPUTS
(Effects Return is summed in digital domain)
AUTO-MERGE: When headphones or USB are connected, only the Model
signal path is output, sent to both Model & D.I. output jacks as well the headphone
jack and both effects send jacks. When a cable is connected to one 1/4-inch
output (Model or D.I.) of the Bass PODxt Pro and not the other, both effect send
outputs will be sent the signal for the connected jack.
LIVE & STUDIO MODES: Select your mode on "What are you
connecting to?" TUNER/SYSTEM page. Studio Direct mode has virtual
mic appropriate for recording. Live mode is appropriate for feeding
onstage amp/speaker setup. Bass PODxt Pro XLR Model output has
virtual room in Live Mode for feeding house sound system.
The serial number is on the underside of your Bass PODXT, or back panel of your Bass POD
Pro. It’s the number that begins with “(21)”. Please note it here for future reference:
SERIAL NO:
XT
WARNING:
electric shock, do not expose this appliance to
rain or moisture.
CAUTION:
pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Before using your Bass PODXT, carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and safety
suggestions:
1.Obey all warnings on the Bass PODXT and in this Pilot’s Handbook.
2.Do not place near heat sources, such as radiators, heat registers, or appliances which produce heat.
3.Guard against objects or liquids entering the enclosure.
4a. Bass PODXT: Connect only to AC power outlets rated 100-120V or 230V 47-63Hz (depending on the voltage
4b. Bass PODXT Pro: Connect only to AC power outlets rated 100-120V or 220-240V 47-63Hz (depending on
5.Do not step on power cords. Do not place items on top of power cords so that they are pinched or leaned on.
6.Unplug your Bass PODXT when not in use for extended periods of time.
7.Do not perform service operations beyond those described in the Bass PODXT Pilot’s Handbook. In the
8.Prolonged listening at high volume levels may cause irreparable hearing loss and/or damage. Always be sure
To reduce the risk of fire or
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device
The lightning symbol within a triangle means
“electrical caution!” It indicates the presence
of information about operating voltage and
potential risks of electrical shock.
YOU
SHOULD READ THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
K
EEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN A SAFE PLACE
range of the included power supply).
the voltage range of the unit).
Pay particular attention to the cord at the plug end and the point where it connects to the Bass PODXT.
following circumstances, repairs should be performed only by qualified service personnel:
• liquid is spilled into the unit
• an object falls into the unit
• the unit does not operate normally or changes in performance in a significant way
• the unit is dropped or the enclosure is damaged
to practice “safe listening.”
CAUTION:
do not remove screws. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel.
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,
The exclamation point within a
triangle means “caution!” Please
read the information next to all
caution signs.
Line 6, Vetta, Amp Farm, POD, Bass POD, PODxt, Bass
PODxt, PODxt Pro and Bass PODxt Pro are trademarks
of Line 6, Inc. All other product names, trademarks,
and artists’ names are the property of their respective
owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated
with Line 6. Product names, images, and artists’ names
are used solely to identify the products whose tones
and sounds were studied during Line 6’s sound model
development for this product. The use of these
products, trademarks, images, and artists’ names does
not imply any cooperation or endorsement.
Register Now .......................................................................................................................................1•2
Get On-Line...........................................................................................................................................1•2
Line 6 Tone Transfer and Discussion Forums .............................................................1•2
– Playing Live............................................................................................................3•5
Mount Up............................................................................................................................................3•5
Keeping Your Options Open..................................................................................................3•5
What are you connecting to? .................................................................................................3•5
Getting The Right Tone With An Amp............................................................................3•6
Pro – Configurations & Connections.......................................................3•9
Selecting An Input..........................................................................................................................3•9
Input & digital Out Options......................................................................................................3•10
FORMAT: Sample rate, word length (bit depth), and clock source.................3•10
MODE: Normal or Dry Guitar...............................................................................................3•11
GAIN: Extra gain on the digital outs....................................................................................3•11
What are you connecting to?..................................................................................................3•12
continued on next page
Getting Set Up
continued
FX Loop...............................................................................................................................................3•13
AES/EBU or S/PDIF Data Format?............................................................................................3•14
Putting Your Feet to Work ................................................................8•1
Meet the FBV Shortboard ............................................................................................................8•1
Hooking up the Shortboard.....................................................................................................8•1
Pushing Your Buttons........................................................................................................................8•1
Saving and Naming with the FBV Shortboard....................................................................8•3
Using an EX-1........................................................................................................................................8•4
Line 6 Contact ......................................................................................................................................A•10
Bass PODxt Pro owners, if you’re going to use anything beyond the standard bass input
and analog outputs, we can’t cover all your options on this brief page. See Chapter 2 to
learn about controls, and then get deep with the inputs and outputs in the
Pro — Configurations & Connections
1.
Turn the
2.
Connect
plug the
headphones to the
3.
Connect the included power pack or power cable to your Bass PODxt,
and plug the other end into a power jack.
4.
Connect a bass to Bass PODxt’s
5.
Flip the
6.
Bass PODxt comes ready to rock for direct connection to your recording
setup.
PODxt know so it gives you the best tone.
YSTEM
S
button below
to tell your Bass PODxt what type of amp you’re connecting to. Bass
PODxt will automatically override this setting when you plug in
headphones, so great headphone sound is automatic.
7.Select an Amp Model using the A
to max and the DRIVE, BASS, LO MID, HI MID and TREBLE to your
heart’s desire. OUTPUT sets the, uh, output level.
8.Turn the E
C
OMPRESS and EFFECT TWEAK knobs so you’re happy with the sound.
The TAPtempo button can set the speed for Delay or Mod effects.
9.Browse pre-programmed tones using the S
of the four buttons below the display. You can press any one of those
buttons twice for a “Manual Override” that gives you where-the-knobsare-is-how-it-sounds operation.
10.Now before you run off, please give the page a quick flip and....
DON’T NEED NO STINKING MANUAL
? I
Bass PODxt
section that starts on page
O
UTPUT
D.I.
ODEL
M
OWER
P
If you’re connecting to a bass amp, it’s essential to let your Bass
, then turning the
FFECTS knob to load an Effects Setup, then twist the
L
control all the way down to zero.
EVEL
ODEL
and
M
output into your bass amp’s input. Or connect
P
switch to fire up.
EST
D
outputs to your recorder or mixer’s inputs, or
HONES
(Destination), then turn the
jack for silent jamming.
I
(Bass PODxt’s Pro
NPUT
Do this by pressing
ELECT
S
knob one step clockwise. Press the
MP MODEL knob. Set the CHAN VOL
ELECT knob or by pressing any
FFECT
E
T
3•9
B
ASS IN
UNE
T
WEAKknob
!”
.
).
/
QUICK START GUIDE • Register now!
1 • 2
Register now!
Included in this manual is a handy, postage-paid card for you to send back to us to
register your purchase. It’s
right now and drop it in the mail or jump on the Internet and register at the Line 6
Support Center — www.line6.com. Registering insures that you’re dialed in for
warranty service (warranty info is at the end of this manual) and insures we can
contact you if new software versions or other cool enhancements are offered —
cutting edge technology and such.
very important that you fill that registration card out
Get on-line and get good free stuff!
Here at Line 6, our mission is to help you be more creative by bringing you powerful
new technologies. As part of that mission, we focus great effort on making the
Internet a valuable resource for every one of our customers. The Line 6 web site is one
of the most effective ways for us to deliver you what you need to make you and your
Bass PODxt ever more powerful.
Connect to www.line6.com and download free USB driver software free for your
Bass PODxt. Learn tips & tricks, trade advice, generally hang out and get POD-alicious in our online forums. Use FAQTRAQ to contact our product support experts
and get answers to your technical questions. Or grab electronic versions of this book
and other documentation, learn what your favorite artists are doing with Line 6 gear,
and see the latest products we’re introducing for you.
Not on the Internet yet? It may be time to make the big jump, and thereby ensure
that you will get all the great resources we can offer for you and your Bass PODxt.
QUICK START GUIDE • Introduction
Introduction
Welcome To Bass PODxt...
Thank you for inviting Bass PODxt into your life. Whether you use your Bass PODxt as
a direct recording miracle, a powerhouse preamp, a practice partner, or as a creative
digital signal processing tool (and heck, why should it be just one of these?) — we think
you’ll agree that Bass PODxt is about the most amazing thing to happen to the bass
guitar since, well, since the bass amplifier itself! Bass PODxt delivers the incredible
tones of the acclaimed Line 6 Point-to-Point Interactive modeling technology and
fuses it with the wonderfully portable and easy to use POD’s, which has been the
recording and live sound choice for savvy guitarists and bassists for years. So you’ve got
the tonal heritage of the past century of bass amplifier and stomp box design, plus nocompromise recording and direct sound excellence — all ready to roll when you are.
Who is Line 6?
As you may know, Line 6 first came on the scene several years back with a new kind of
guitar amplifier — the first to put digital software modeling technology to work in a
combo amp for guitarists. We also knew then that guitarists (and bassists) need great
amp tone when recording, but generally don’t have the room to crank up that classic
stack, or the money to hire a team of ace engineers to get it to tape. So we squished our
patented modeling technology down into a small, kidney-bean-shaped wonder called
POD, and forever changed the world of guitar recording. And then we introduced Bass
POD, to bring the bassists in on the benefits of all this goodness.
Once we’d gotten this whole modeling amp and POD thing started, it was time to see
what we could do if we really cranked up the horsepower and took our modeling to the
next level. I mean, once you’ve climbed to the top of the mountain, it’s on to the next
mountain, right? So, eyes glowing like power tubes, we stocked up on the Pepsi,
gathered our genius engineers into a secret lab, fired up our extensive collection of
amplifiers and stomp boxes... and spirited their treasured tones into a newlysupercharged modeling technology we dubbed Point-to-Point modeling. It first hit the
streets in the award-winning Vetta amp, whose superb tone and unparalleled selection
of dream amps, cabinets and effects make it a pretty good contender for the world
heavyweight amp title. After that, we poured the same magic elixir into the classic
PODs and—ta-dah!—PODxt and Bass PODxt were born.
1 • 3
How does Bass PODxt help you create a bass tone that is out of this world, and then get
that tone wherever you need it? Easy! It’s…
QUICK START GUIDE • Introduction
1 • 4
Modeling
Modeling: just what is it, and why is it so important?
Well, my friend, Line 6’s team of crack engineer-musicians has spent years
understanding pretty much everything there is to know about guitar, bass, recording
and amplification gear, including exactly how different types of tubes and other
electronics respond under various conditions typical of guitar and bass amplifier and
effect design. How signals are colored and shaped, at what point they begin to distort
or get otherwise altered, the quality and characteristic of the distortion, what happens
when the signal gets to other parts of the system — complicated stuff, but all
analyzable as electronic data. A guitar or bass pickup output, after all, is an electronic
signal, and tubes and all the rest are really just a complex form of signal processing.
Having sussed it all out, the Line 6 engineers translated all this arcane knowledge
into software that simulates the signal processing of amps’ tubes and other electronics,
entirely within the digital domain. Cool, huh? The Line 6 crew also directed their
caffeine-enhanced modeling attention to a study of speaker cabinets and the
important part they play in communicating great tone. And the great variety of
stomp box and rack effects that guitarists and bassists use to juice things up. They
translated it all into yet more powerful software, and it’s this revolutionary DSP
(Digital Signal Processing) software-based modeling technology that gives Line 6 the
power to create super silicon-based life forms like Bass PODxt.
Amp, Cab and Effect Models
The tone and technology know-how of Line 6 thus comes to you as Amp, Cab and
Effect Models based on a collection of gear recognized by guitarists and bassists the
world over as true “tone classics.” These models were tweaked through careful,
scientific A/B comparisons to the gear that inspired them, with an ear open for the
effects of different volume levels and settings of the originals’ tone and gain controls.
The gain and equalization characteristics of the modeled gear were carefully measured
so that changes to knobs on the models would mirror the effects of these changes on
the originals as closely as possible. We’re talkin’ major attention to detail here. Tone
control center frequencies, slopes, and cut/boost range were painstakingly analyzed,
in addition to a whole host of factors unique to each piece of gear. Not only that, but
since many classic amps and effects have highly interactive circuits, we paid careful
attention to the way that the setting of one knob changes the way that another knob
may behave. All in an effort to make our Models as much like the amps, cabs and
effects in our collection as possible. The resulting Amp, Cab and Effect Models are
the foundation of Bass PODxt.
QUICK START GUIDE • Introduction
Now, then — here are a couple of things we want to be completely crystal clear on:
1. The Line 6 modeling process is a patented, 100% digital software-
based technology exclusive to Line 6.
2. Line 6 Modeling is not sampling, nor is it solid state; no special
bass, pickup, or cabling is needed.
There’s Magic in the A.I.R.
Bass PODxt delivers its modeling tones through another innovation: Line 6’s
A.I.R. direct recording output. The A.I.R. (acoustically integrated recording)
technology is the result of intensive research and careful study of the tonal
characteristics produced by the interaction of amplifiers, cabinets, speakers,
microphones and the recording room during the recording process.
The direct output of many preamps, amplifiers and direct box-style amp
replacements available today offer some limited form of cabinet simulation or
speaker emulation. Those that happen to be more than simple high end roll-offs
have little or no control options. Generic cabinet simulations cannot reproduce the
markedly different tones resulting from the choice of speakers, wood, and other
details of a great real-life speaker cabinet. Other equipment also fails to reproduce
the significant tonal contribution of microphone selection and placement, and do
nothing to reproduce the subtle ambience of the recording space.
Bass PODxt’s combination of Amp Models and A.I.R. technology provides superior
direct tones by recreating all the elements contributing to a great recorded bass
sound, and giving you that tone with the same feel as playing through a real amp
and speaker cabinet:
1 • 5
•The effect of the bass amplifier circuit is emulated by the Amp Model you
choose. Each model was developed from extensive study of a classic amplifier
treasured as a tone classic, or is a Line 6 original inspired our knowledge of these
classics.
•In a bass amp, once the bass signal passes through the electronics, it is output to
one or more speakers in a speaker cabinet. The specific design of the speakers,
how many there are, and how they are arranged contributes significantly to your
bass tone, as does the construction and resulting tone of the wood box itself. An
QUICK START GUIDE • Introduction
1 • 6
Eden head driving a pair of 10-inch speakers in an open-back cabinet, for instance,
will sound dramatically different from the same head driving a 4x10 closed-back
cabinet with a horn. Line 6 has carefully constructed virtual software speaker
cabinets that emulate the contribution made by real speaker cabinets to get great
bass sound.
•Once the sound makes it out of the speaker cabinet, the next important link in the
recording system is the microphone that receives that sound. Bass recordists select
different microphones, and arrange them in different placements, to get particular
sounds. A microphone pointing directly into the cone of a speaker will hear
something different than one positioned off-axis. Line 6 carefully analyzed the
coloring that various microphones add to the bass sound, as well as the effects of
different mic placement techniques, and gave you control of these details in your
Bass PODxt.
•The bass amp, cabinet, and microphone don’t just sit in empty space. The room
that they are in contributes importantly to the bass sound you will record. Reverb
can be used to capture the basic character of the space, simulating the effect of the
sound reflecting off the room’s walls, floors and ceiling. But there are other subtle
details that have more to do with the “spread” of the sound as it passes through the
air between the speaker and microphone. This final component is the key to the
sense that the listener is in one position in the room, and the bass sound is in
another position, and that the two are separated by a mass of air that sound spreads
through to reach the listener.
All of these important sound-shaping components are accounted for in your Bass
PODxt. Turn the Amp Model knob to call up the amplifier emulation you want. Bass
PODxt automatically matches that amplifier with an appropriate cabinet and
microphone setup, and gives you the sound of that setup coming through the air of a
recording space so you can start recording incredible mic’d up sound. Press a button
and twiddle a knob or two, and you can switch cabinets, change out mics and their
placement, and adjust the “spread” of the sound in your virtual room as well.
The A.I.R. direct recording output is exclusive to Line 6. In combination with the
Line 6 Amp, Cab and Effect Models, it is the key to Bass PODxt’s phenomenally
satisfying direct recording sound.
QUICK START GUIDE • And Away We Go....
D.I.
Of course, we also realize that many great recorded bass tracks and live bass sounds
are achieved by going direct with a D.I., or using a blend of amped and D.I.
together. And that’s why your Bass PODxt includes, along with its Model output, a
D.I. output that gives you an unprocessed direct bass signal line level output that is
exactly time- and phase-aligned with the amp-cab-mic-and-effects sound pumping
out the Model output.
And Away We Go....
So, now that you know what’s in store, it’s time to experience Bass PODxt for
yourself. Grab your favorite axe, plug in, and flip back to the handy Quick Start Guide on the first page of this chapter if you haven’t already been through that.
Then fold out the back cover and follow me, my friend, for the Bass PODxt Grand
Tour....
1 • 7
Controls & Connections
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS
Now would be a good time to turn to the nifty back cover of this manual and notice
that it folds out. Ooh, pretty pictures! The idea is to have this essential pictorial
reference always opened out while you’re thumbing through the manual. It’s also got all
the essential details for quickly getting around on your Bass PODxt. The boxed
numbers that pop up throughout this manual correspond to the numbers on the
foldout’s illustrations. The back side of the cover’s got handy pictures for the FBV and
FBV Shortboard foot controllers, plus signal flow and connection guides.
1
Power Switch - Flip this to bring your Bass PODxt to life. Bass PODxt Pro
includes a standard IEC grounded power cable. For Bass PODxt, use only the
included PX-2 power pack.
2
Input/Bass In - Plug your bass in here. (You techies will want to know this is
a mono, un-balanced connection).
Phones - Plug your headphones in here for silent concertos. The volume is set
3
by the O
not set for ridiculous volume before your slap them on your ears. Try an O
setting of about 10 o’clock when first putting the headphones on, them turn up from
there if you need more volume.
UTPUT knob. Any time you use headphones, it important to be sure they’re
UTPUT knob
2• 1
So that you hear appropriate sound through the headphones, Bass PODxt
automatically switches to Studio Mode whenever headphones are connected (for more
on Studio Mode, see “What are you connecting to?” on page 3•2).
Controls & Connections
4
Output - This controls the overall output level of Bass PODxt and also sets the
headphone level. Changing the O
get the tone you want at any volume level. This setting is not saved when you store
2• 2
settings into one of the Bass PODxt’s memory locations.
Bass PODxt Pro users, note that this does not affect the level of the XLR Outputs in Live
Mode (for more on Live Mode, see “What are you connecting to?” on page 3•5).
Bass PODxt will give the best signal-to-noise performance when you have the
O
UTPUT control at max. With the OUTPUT control turned down low, you may get
extra hiss—which obviously ain’t what you want—if you turn up your mixer or
recorder’s output to compensate. In order to allow you to set the O
possible when connecting to recording, mixing, and other studio gear, be sure you are plugging Bass PODxt’s outputs into line level, not microphone or
instrument level inputs. Line level inputs should allow you to turn Bass PODxt’s
O
UTPUT up all the way (or close to it) and thereby get the best sound possible. If your
gear has inputs that function as mic/line level inputs, try to set the trim for those inputs
to the minimum level, and Bass PODxt’s O
5
D.I. & Model Output - (See numbers 33 and 34 for Bass PODxt Pro’s
outputs.) These balanced 1/4-inch TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) connectors are ready to rock
with pro +4dBu balanced equipment. They will also work happily with unbalanced –
10dBV equipment and standard bass cables.
UTPUT level does not change your tone, so you can
UTPUT as high as
UTPUT to maximum, when setting levels.
6
Pedal - Looks like a telephone connector on steroids. Connect optional Line 6
FBV, FBV Shortboard or FBV4 foot controller here. Bass PODxt’s do not work with the
Line 6 Floor Board and FB4.
7
USB - Bass PODxt’s USB jack lets you connect it directly to most computers,
and record your Bass PODxt directly to a wide variety of popular recording software.
We’ve included a USB cable for use with Bass PODxt driver software. That software—
along with directions for using it—is free for you to download at www.line6.com.
Controls & Connections
8
MIDI In & Out - Connect Bass PODxt to your MIDI equipment to select
Channel Memories (via Program Change messages), or automate Bass PODxt settings
(via controllers and/or SySex). You can also back up Bass PODxt’s memory to your
computer by using free software—check www.line6.com for details. The Bass PODxt
MIDI OUT connects to another device’s MIDI IN; its MIDI IN goes to another
device’s MIDI OUT. Please also see Chapter 7, Deep Editing and MIDI Control,
to setup your MIDI gear with Bass PODxt and find out what MIDI can do for Bass
PODxt and you.
Drive - This knob controls how hard you’re driving the input of the chosen
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Amp Model. Like the input volume control on a non-master volume bass amp, higher
settings give you more “dirt.”
Tone Controls - BASS, LO MID, HI MID, TREBLE. Just like any bass amp,
10
only when you change Amp Models, the response and interactivity of the controls
changes, too — so they act like the tone controls of the original amp that inspired the
Amp Model you’ve selected.
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Chan Vol - This knob controls the relative volume level of the “channel” you
are playing through — thus, C
the sounds you store in two different Bass PODxt Channel Memories (say between your
clean and distorted tones). In general, you want to set the C
possible to get the best signal-to-noise ratio performance — but back off on this control
if you’re seeing CLIP in Bass PODxt’s display. Here’s an important tip:
HANNEL VOLUME. Use this to balance levels between
HAN VOL as high as
2• 3
TIP: You probably want to have all of your favorite sounds as loud as
possible, while also having the right difference in volume between your
standard and lead sounds, clean and dirty sounds, etc. Right? OK, then, to
get this happy balance, start with your favorite ‘clean’ sounds. Turn up
their Chan Vol as high as you can without getting the CLIP indicator in
Bass PODxt’s display when you play hard and save them that way. Then
switch amongst them to see if some are too loud, and turn them down a
bit to match well with the others. Next, its time to move on to select your
‘dirtier’ distorted and lead tones, comparing them to the clean sounds
and saving them with lower Chan Vol settings to match well with those
clean sounds. Now, each time you use your Bass PODxt, you just have to
Controls & Connections
set an Output volume level you like, and you can switch amongst your
various sounds without unhappy volume differences.
2• 4
12
Compress - Bass PODxt’s include a model based on of the LA-2A classic
tube studio compressor. Turn this knob to get more or less compression. Higher settings
will smooth out the volume differences between notes that you play harder and ones
that you play more lightly. Lower settings will leave your playing dynamics unaltered.
Compressors work by reducing the volume of the louder notes feeding into them, so
that those sounds are at a level closer to the quieter notes. Bringing down the loud
notes this way would tend to give you a lower overall volume if it weren’t for the
automatic gain compensation that’s also built into Bass PODxt’s compressor. Thanks to
this feature, your overall average output volume will actually remain consistent as you
dial in more compression.
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Effects - This knob selects from Bass PODxt’s Effect Setups — which set up a
combination of effects for you (all the details on effects are in Chapter 6, Stompboxes
& Effects). Think of each Effect Setup as a virtual pedal board or outboard gear rack that you can match with any Amp Model. When you turn the E
FFECTS knob, Bass
PODxt shows the name of the Effect Setup that is loaded and you’ll hear the effects
change instantly. The effect buttons light to show which effects are on. There are 64 of
these effect “rigs” pre-programmed and ready for you to use.
Effect Tweak - This knob varies some aspect of the effect you’ve chosen.
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Turn it up and the effect will generally go deeper, louder, faster, longer or just plain
more. You’ll know what you’re tweakin’ because a window will pop up on Bass PODxt’s
display to show you. The T
including how you can customize the E& Storing Sounds. If the effect that E
surprise, E
button is lit, the E
FFECT TWEAK won’t change anything. While the EDIT or TUNE/SYSTEM
AP button usually sets Delay time. For the inside scoop,
FFECT TWEAK knob, see Chapter 4, Creating
FFECT TWEAK is “targeting” is off, then, big
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Amp Models - When you spin this knob, it’s essentially like changing what
electronic “circuitry” is running inside Bass PODxt to make your amp sound. (See the
groovy details in Chapter 5, Modeled Amps and Cabs.) You’ll see the Amp Model
names change in Bass PODxt’s display. When you choose an Amp Model, Cabinet and
Controls & Connections
Microphone Models are also loaded automatically. For instance, when you choose the
Tweed B-Man model an appropriate Cabinet Model will be loaded with it. You can also
choose a different cabinet/mic setup by pressing the CAB/A.I.R. button (below).
In fact, Amp Models automatically load with all the amp-related settings pre-set for a
ready to go tone. Drive, Bass, Lo Mid, Hi Mid, Treble, Cab/A.I.R., etc. will all be
determined by the Amp Model you choose — giving you a ready-to-rock sound with
the turn of just this one knob. Once you get familiar with Bass PODxt, you can change
these amp-associated defaults to customize the settings of each of the Amp Models to fit
your tastes. Note that when you’re in Manual Mode, Drive, Bass, Lo Mid, Mi Mid, Treble,
Channel Volume and Compress are set by the physical knob positions instead of being
automatically set with the amp selection. Complete details are in Chapter 5.
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Select - The Bass PODxt has 64 Channel Memories that store a huge variety
of complete amp-and-effect selections pre-programmed by the tone mavens at Line 6.
They are arranged in 16 banks of four channels each. (The four are called A, B, C, and
D.) You can think of each bank as a sort of virtual four-channel bass amp — and you’ll
find that the same layout is used on the optional Line 6 foot controllers for Bass PODxt
(the FBV and FBV Shortboard) which are discussed later in Chapter 8.
You load Bass PODxt channels by turning the S
ELECT knob. You can press one of the
four “soft buttons” under the display to load one of the other channels of the current
bank. When recalling a channel, you may have left the physical B
ASS knob at
minimum, whereas the just-recalled channel has this control set to max. To change
B
ASS (or anything else), just grab the knob you want and tweak. To leave the Channel
Memory world and enter Manual operation, press any of the buttons under Bass
PODxt’s display twice. The display will read Manual Mode to let you know you’ve got
WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) operation, and all the physical knob
positions are being used to determine your sound. More on all this later.
2• 5
When the E
the available display pages. When you press E
parameters; when you press T
system-wide settings; when S
DIT, SAVE or TUNE/SYSTEM button is lit, the SELECT knob selects from
DIT, it selects pages of effect and channel
UNE/SYSTEM, it takes you through all of the Tuner and
AVE is lit, you’ll find amp and effect customization
features as well as MIDI dump operations. The vertical “scroll bar” on the left side of
each display page shows you where you are in that group of pages.
Controls & Connections
17
Display - Bass PODxt’s LCD (liquid crystal display) is your window into every
parameter and setting available. Here’s how to get around:
2• 6
1. When the S
AVE, EDIT or TUNE/SYSTEM button is lit, a scroll bar on the left side
of Bass PODxt’s display shows you where you are in the available display “pages.”
Press one of these buttons to see the scroll bar now . For those that really need to get
all the nerdy details, each dot in that bar represents a page. As you turn the
S
ELECT knob, you move through the pages and so does the little square. When
you’re on the first page, the little square is at the top. When you get to the last
page, the square’s at the bottom. Square goes up, square goes down. Square goes up,
square goes down. Fun for the whole family!
2. Each page typically has words that appear in the bottom of the display . These words
label things you can adjust. Press the button below the thing you want to adjust,
then turn the E
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Soft Buttons - These four buttons operate differently depending on what
FFECT TWEAK knob to do your adjusting.
you’re doing. Generally, these allow you to instantly load one of 4 channels in a bank,
or get you in and out of Manual mode when you double-press (see S
the E
DIT, SAVE, or TUNE/SYSTEM button is lit, you can press a Soft Button to select
the item displayed above it so it can be adjusted with the E
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Effect On/Off Buttons - These four buttons allow you to quickly turn
FFECT TWEAKknob.
ELECT above). If
any of the four effects on or off (the effects are on when the buttons are lit).
•TheEQ button turns on/off the 6-Band Semi-Parametric EQ
•TheS
•TheM
•TheD
TOMP button turns on/off the loaded Stomp-Box effect
OD button turns on/off the loaded Modulation effect
ELAY/VERB button turns on/off the loaded Delay or Reverb effect.
Double-press one of these buttons to adjust the loaded effect or load a different one. For
example, just press the EQ button two times quickly and you’re instantly taken to the
EQ E
DIT page. Double-pressing the STOMP button will quickly take you to the first
Stomp Box E
DIT page. Double-press the same button again (or press the EDIT button)
to leave Edit Mode.
Controls & Connections
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CAB/A.I.R. - Press the CAB/A.I.R. button once to pick a Cab Model to pair
with your amplifier, select the microphone used on the cabinet and even set the
amount of “room” that the mic captures. Unlike the E
FFECT ON/OFF buttons, this
button is not an on/off type control. A single press of this button simply lets you change
cabs and mics quickly. When the Cabinets are off, this button’s light will be off as well.
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Save - When you want to store your own tweaked-up sounds in your Bass
PODxt, this button is the key. Exactly how it works is detailed in Chapter 4, Creating
& Storing Sounds. But you’re probably impatient, so here are the basics:
When using a pre-programmed sound, Bass PODxt will display the bank number,
channel letter and channel name at the top of the display. If you turn one of the knobs
or change a parameter in the E
DIT mode pages, you’ll notice an asterisk appears to the
left of the bank number. This is a reminder to you that you have tweaked the
memorized channel, and that you should save it if you want your Bass PODxt to
remember the tweak.
2• 7
To save the changes you’ve made to a Channel Memory, press the S
button will start to flash. Just press S
AVE again if you want to overwrite the currently
AVE button. The
loaded Channel, using the same name. Or, if you’d like to change the name first, use
the middle two Soft Buttons to select a character, then press the right soft button and
turn the E
DEST, turn the EFFECT TWEAK knob, and you will see that you are switching
FFECT TWEAKknob to change the character. Press the soft button under
through memory locations A, B, C, and D in each of the sixteen numbered banks.
Pick one to store your sound in, and press that S
AVE button a second time. The
button’s light will stop flashing, a progress bar will shown on the display, and the
sound is stored at the location you chose, replacing the sound that was there before.
After the sound is stored, you can bring it back any old time by simply turning the
S
ELECT knob to call up the location where you stored it. (See Chapter 8 to learn
how to do all this with your feet on the optional foot controllers).
If you aren’t using one of the Bass PODxt Channel Memories — you’re in Manual
mode, and you’re just getting the sound of where the knobs are set — you can store that
state into a memory location the same way. Press S
T
WEAK to choose a place to save to, and press SAVE again.
AVE, then DEST, then use EFFECT
Controls & Connections
If you decide you don’t want to store the sound after you’ve started saving, press any
other button to cancel the save. (The save will also be canceled if you don’t touch
anything for 15 seconds after pressing S
2• 8
sound you liked, the S
version of a Channel Memory any time. See Chapter 4 for details on this feature.
The S
AVE button also lets you customize any of the Amp Models and Effect Setups to
your own taste, so your favorite version of the amp or effect comes up instantly when
you turn A
22
While E
MP MODELS or EFFECTS. See Chapter 4 for the details on that.
Edit - A deep-dive into tone central is available at the press of the EDIT button.
DIT is lit, the SELECT knob selects pages of everything that makes up a
Channel Memory. From here, you set all the effect parameters, select cabinets and
microphones, and assign a parameter to the E
about deep editing, please see Chapter 4.
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Tune/System - Press that puppy and — shazam! Instant digital chromatic
tuner. All Amp Model and effects processing are bypassed so you can hear those
questionably-tuned strings clearly, should you choose to do so.
Play a note on your bass and Bass PODxt will show you what it is on that handy display;
all notes are displayed as flats, so you’ll see A instead of G . Play that string you’re
trying to tune again, spin its tuning key so it goes sharp and flat, and the little ball will
move to the right if it’s sharp and back down to the left when the note’s flat. The little
ball will sit right in the middle when you’ve got it just right. Give Bass PODxt’s T
S
YSTEM button a push and the tuner disappears just as swiftly as it came, taking you
right back to normal operation.
AVE.) If you accidentally save over a factory
AVE button’s additional pages let you recall the factory preset
FFECT TWEAK knob. To learn more
UNE/
Tuner Bypass/Volume - Normally, the audio will be muted while you’re tuning, but if you prefer to hear yourself tune, press the button labeled Mute, and turn E
T
WEAK counter-clockwise to select Bypass.
FFECT
Tuner Reference - Want a different reference than A=440Hz? When you’re in the tuner mode, press the button labeled 440 Hz and turn the E
FFECT TWEAK knob on
Bass PODxt while watching the display. This control lets you set the reference
frequency anywhere from 430-450 Hz. This setting is stored so you don’t have to reset
Controls & Connections
it every time you turn on Bass PODxt if you decide you want to be different (or if that
piano in your rehearsal room has decided to be different).
24
Tap - Bass PODxt allows you to control the time and speed of your Mod and
Delay effects by simply tapping on this button. To use the T
AP control, just tap the
button at the tempo you want and the effects that are set to “lock” to that tempo will
change to match what you tapped. There’s also a Tempo parameter near the end of the
E
DIT pages, so you’ll see exactly what Tempo you’ve Tapped. This is especially useful if
you are trying to nudge your T
AP setting to just the right value. See Chapter 4 to
learn how to set up effects to follow the tempo that you’ve tapped.
2• 9
Controls & Connections Bass PODxt Pro
26
Bass PODxt Pro
The following controls and connections are found on the Bass PODxt Pro only.
2• 10
25
Input Level - The NORMAL setting of this switch is appropriate for most
basses with non-active pickups. If you see the CLIP light coming on, that means
you’re overloading Bass PODxt Pro’s input. If that happens frequently, try the PA D
setting here. This switches in input circuitry that’s appropriate for hotter signals output
by some basses with active pickups, or from keyboards and other sources. For those nonbass sources you may also want to try the rear panel Line Level Input , which is a
balanced TRS connection. A separate CLIP indicator shows in the display if you are
clipping in the internal DSP.
26
I/O & Dig Select - Press this to tell your Bass PODxt Pro what it’s
connected to so it gives the best sound, and to choose digital audio and other options.
•Press it once to select where you’re going to connect your input source to the Bass
PODxt Pro, and exactly what you want to come out of the digital outputs.
•Press it a second time to tell Bass PODxt Pro whether you’re using it in the studio
or live, how you have connected your effects loop and what kind of digital gear you
have connected to Bass PODxt Pro.
28
29
•Press it a third time to access the options for Bass PODxt Pro’s Bi-Amp mode.
•A fourth press will dismiss the pages and take you back to whatever was in the
display before you pressed the button.
27
Signal Light - This lights to say, “Yep, I’m hearing some input.” If you’ve got
something feeding audio to your Bass PODxt Pro but you can’t hear it and don’t see it
here, press the I/O & DIG SELECT button and be sure you’ve got the right input
selected. (This light doesn’t show input from USB, by the way.)
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