IV. Pod Setup

• A. Understanding Output Modes

  • I. Simple Guide for Settings

  • II. Where Confusion Sets In

  • III. Global eq

  • iv. Live-Voiced Cabs

  • v. Cab/Mic Simulation

  • vi. Bass-Boost

  • vii. Output Mode Feature Chart

• B. Internal Signal Routing

• C. Running "direct" (PA/board/computer or DAW/monitors/headphones)

  • i. Simple method (no real amp)

  • ii. Using a real amp as a pre-amp

• D. Running to an amp ("live")

  • i. Amp without effects loop

  • ii. Pod as Effects Only after pre-amp

  • iii. Simple setup for amp with effects loop

  • iv. 4 Cable Method

• E. I Tried This and It Doesn't Sound Good

• F. Dual Outputs

• G. Wet/Dry/Wet Output

• H. Using Multiple Instruments

• I. Input Settings

• J. The FX Loop

• K. The Mixer Block

• L. Effects Order/Position

• M. Gain Staging

  • i. Principle

  • ii. Practice

This page covers how to physically connect the Pod to your gear and how to setup common settings as well as understand how they work. There are basically two operating modes for the Pod: "direct" or "live". "Direct" means you're connecting to a DAW, PA/mixing board, home stereo, or headphones, and you want the Pod to simulate a mic'ed guitar cabinet. "Live" means you intend to use an actual guitar cabinet/speaker. Note, if you are connecting to a DAW and using an external IR to simulate a mic'ed guitar cabinet, I treat that as a "live" setup, although all the physical connections are the same as a "direct" setup.

Unlike full-range speakers, guitar speakers are designed to generally have a unique (not flat) response that rolls off the low-end and high-end frequencies, typically around 120 HZ and 5 kHZ. See this graph of a typical Celestion speaker designed for guitar cabinets:

Additionally, they have certain features such as phase inaccuracy that contribute to a unique tone. They are often driven to distortion as well. Guitar cabinets are often driven to the point where the reverberations inside the cabinet and degree of air compression change the way the speaker(s) behave(s).

In contrast, most PA systems, headphones, monitors, home stereo speakers, etc. are designed to produce a relatively flat response with little distortion. Sending a guitar amp (or model) signal directly into such speakers is going to sound very harsh and buzzy. Even if you apply extreme EQ to roll-off the highs and lows, as well as accent the presence like a guitar speaker, you don't get a guitar speaker or cabinet's unique nuances.

Unfortunately, this breakdown isn't so simple. There are a wide range of products out there, from speakers to amps that enter a middle-ground - many look like traditional amps but are designed for use with modelers. This can introduce further confusion as to how to hook up your Pod. Depending on the product, you should follow its instructions as to how it should be treated. If it doesn't specify, you likely want to set it up as "direct", same as running to a PA or monitors; but I'd try it both ways and see which way you prefer. The Pod HD can also get kind of confusing as far as output modes, which I touch upon below.