“How do I adjust my amp to work best with POD?”
The POD presents many output options to the user, whether you’re utilizing the POD as a direct recording device or as a preamp to an amplifier. Much of your POD output setup will depend upon personal taste in sound reproduction. The following will get you started, but experimentation is always the best rule of thumb in these situations!
Direct:
To use your POD connected directly to a mixer or recording device you should have your POD set to direct mode. This will activate the direct AIR speaker, cabinet, microphone simulation DSP within POD.
With An Amp:
To use your POD with an amplifier you actually have several different options.
1. When you switch your POD on in “amp mode” you will find yourself in a default setting that is best used when POD is used in front of a combo amp. You will want to make the combo amplifier’s EQ as “flat” as possible. You should also set POD’s output to 9 or 10 o’clock to avoid overdriving the guitar input of the amplifier.
2. If you start your POD 2.0 while holding down the “Save” button you will see the POD run through its diagnostic tests and then you should see the “A”,”B”,”C”, or “D” preset LED’s light up on POD. If “C” is lit up you have selected the default mode for POD as described in option #1 above. To change the POD cabinet tuning mode you can scroll through the preset letters by using the up and down arrow keys; make your selection, and save it by pressing the save button. The next time you start your POD up it will remember the changes you have made.
a. Mode “A” assumes that POD is feeding a flat power amp and that your speaker(s) are a closed back 4x 12 cabinet.
b. Mode “B” assumes that POD is feeding a flat power amp and that your speaker(s) are an open back combo amp (1×12 or 2×12).
c. Mode “C” is the default mode that assumes POD is in front of the Combo/head and your speaker(s) are an open back combo amp.
d. Mode “D” assumes that POD is feeding into the front of a Head and your speaker(s) are a 4×12 closed back cabinet.
3. POD can also be used in an insert or return of an amplifier. The POD output settings should be set to 10 o’clock, and your amp knobs should be set so they are clean and flat, and your reverb or effects turned off.