Hello there,

I've been thinking about going through some gear upgrade, and came across the POD X3 Pro, I wonder if you may have tried using it for both the melody and the bass side. It says that this thing has two routing capabilities, and you could either use one instrument through two processing paths and two outputs, or two instruments to.... I wonder if... two processing paths and then to two outputs. I have been hearing some of the samples in their website and they sound "guitary and bassy" enough. I wonder about this independent channel feature, which would be quite good for an stereo instrument such as the Stick.

Has anyone tried this as the single preamp/multi-effects units to run both sides of the instrument through?

Thank you!

Sure you can. I tried one a few monthes ago. You can have some interesting useable sounds, but you've to like tweaking a bit (not too much for me, I didn't purchase it)

I've been using the Line 6 X3 Pro Live for a little while now and love it. You can process the bass and melody sides independently, which is great. I use some of the preamp models, and the reverb for a great sounding natural stick sound. Of course the thing is packed with amp models and effects, etc.. you can tweak to your heart's delight. One thing which is nice is the way the pedal is laid out, you can switch on/off different effects for each preset, for each channel. For instance, if I set up a preset I can turn the delay on or off on the melody side during a tune, or add distortion, there are many possibilities.
I mainly use the unit to blend the two sides of the stick with minimal effects. It also has a built in tuner, most gigs I just bring the X3 and an amp, or use it through the house system, I've been very pleased with it.

I've been using the x3 live which is the pedal board modal.Love it but there's deffinately alot of tweeking.Hooked up to the computer makes it a breeze.

I've run the POD X3 Pro as you've described with my Warr Artist 10 and am pleased with the results. I've also run a single input through two separate signal paths, for example, combining overdriven and clean amp models. For a bonus, you can use your POD as a dongle via USB and run the POD Farm plugin in your DAW, as well.

I use an FBV Express as a foot controller. For my work the POD X3 Pro is a great sounding tool for live performance and the studio.

I also use the X3 Live. My understanding is that the Pro version is a rack unit rather than a floor pedal and has more extensive ins and outs (including phantom power and two mic preamps). Here is my list of Pros and Cons:

Pros:

Two independent effect chains
Great amp and preamp sims - huge variety
4 mic sims and room effect
Excellent effects
Flexible ins and outs (two 1/4 instrument inputs, mic input, MIDI in/out, XLR ins and outs, 1/4 outs, SPDF, USB)
Great Software (Gear Box, POD Farm)
Variax input lets me set up Variax Guitar and Stick in the same unit for performance.
USB Audio interface and ability to assign outputs let's me process Mainstage/Reason keys, guitar, and stick in the same unit.
Flexible pedal assignments
Does not have the latency problems of software based sims

Cons:

Only one amp at a time for each chain - can't put a preamp in front of the amp
Generally not as flexible as purely software based sims like Guitar Rig, Amp Designer, etc.

For an all-in-one box, I think it is one of the best. For my purposes (running keys off a MacBook, processing Stick and Guitar) and providing MIDI control, I am not aware of any other product that covers all the bases. Here is song I did using the X3 Live for the Stick (also for the acoustic guitar and guitar solo at the end): http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/2016467 (One Second After - first song). Sound on Sound gave the X3 Pro a favorable review last month. Note that the audio interface is USB and not Firewire.

Jeremy

I much appreciate the feedback and suggestions.... THank you all very much!!!