Line 6 Pocket POD

changes the amp model and left/right
changes the effect model.
All in all, there’s a surprising range of
control available on the Pocket POD,
belying the simple appearance and low
price. For example, we get an
adjustable noise gate, a fl exible tuner
and four cabinet tuning options. For
maximum control, you can connect the
Pocket POD to your PC or Mac, via the
supplied USB cable, and access all
parameters with the Vyzex editor/
librarian software (a free download).
SOUNDS: The amp, cabinet and
effects models in Pocket POD will be
familiar to users of other POD models,
and the unit has an obvious ‘Line 6
sound’. Everyone has their own taste in
digital models, and the Line 6 products
have their style, easily distinguished
from those of BOSS or DigiTech units.
Listening through headphones, the
Pocket POD sounds big and powerful.
Some of the more overdriven patches
have a bit too much bass for our liking,
but that’s easily adjusted.
Having spent some hours jamming
with Pocket POD, we thought it
worked better when attached to your
belt with the clip. On a table or the top
of an amp, the unit is a little too light to
be properly stable. The guitar input
jack is on the far edge, so it’s easy to
accidentally pull the POD off the table
if you move suddenly – even the weight
of a guitar lead would pull it off
sometimes. Maybe if the guitar input
was on the front edge, it might not be
such a problem. Still, it makes sense to
hook it on your belt whenever you can.
Verdict
Although the technology inside Pocket
POD has been around for a while now,
we’ve given it our top rating because
it’s such an inspired use of that
technology. Miniaturisation has its
risks, and it’s important for designers
to strike a balance between portability
and ergonomics. In the case of this tiny
POD, the most important controls are
within easy reach and are adjusted by
comfortably large and tactile knobs.
While we noticed one slight design
issue, relating to the weight of a guitar
lead being able to pull the Pocket POD
off a desk, this isn’t a major problem
and can easily be avoided by using the
built-in belt clip, or with judicious use
of Velcro! And while there’s clearly less
scope for instant tweaking than on a
PODxt, for example, you can’t really
complain when the Pocket POD costs
less than a lot of basic stompboxes, and
less even than some electronic tuners.
With the lack of MIDI or foot control,
Pocket POD alone might not be
suitable for pro or semi-pro players,
but for practising, jamming or just
having fun, it’s a total no-brainer.
SUMMER 2007 123
LINE 6 POCKET POD
£81
EFFECTS CD TRACKS 6 & 7
Although the technology inside Pocket POD has been around
for a while now, we’ve given it our top rating because it’s
such an inspired use of that technology
Korg Pandora PX4D £119
DigiTech RP50 £59
Yamaha Magicstomp
£169
Unless you can fi nd
a second-hand Zoom
9002, the Korg Pandora
is really the only direct
rival to the Pocket
POD. Its effects are
a lot more ambitious
and quirky than those
on the POD, which
has a more traditional
set of sounds. If you
have large pockets and
need foot control, the
next level in portability
features such units
as the RP50 and the
amazingly versatile
Yamaha Magicstomp,
along with the Zoom G1
and G2.
The rivals
LINE 6 POCKET POD TEST RESULTS
Build quality
Features
Sound
Value for money
■ WE LIKED A fl exible, portable practice
tool at a fantastic price
■ WE DISLIKED Given the price, there’s
really nothing to complain about
Line 6 Pocket POD
RATING
Above: edit your sounds with free Vyzex editor software
All inputs and
outputs are around
the back, including
one for CD/mp3
The USB port allows you
to link Pocket POD with
your computer for extra
fl exibility
GIT293.rev_pod 123 16/7/07 11:53:08