Tc Electronics G Major Vs Pod Multi-effects Pedals? Options

[VictorUK]

Hi ive been looking into some tc electronics stuff and just wondering what the difference between the pod stuff and tc electronic rack and floor stuff like the g-system and g-major?

Thanks.
Victor.

[enforcer]

I am a pod user but I am into this enough to know G system really rocks. Just an effector though. But effects are really world class. I didnt try G-major but G-system was outstanding. It is too expensive though.

Cheers

Can

[Muris Varajic]

T.C. is awesome brand but yeah, some units are pretty expensive.
Depends how much money you have and
how good effects you wanna have.

Line6 is also good, no doubt there,
Rocktron as well, you have lot of choices!!

[Ivan Milenkovic]

The difference is in overall device quality and price. TC stuff is of higher quality and the price is of course higher. If you do some comparisons of the pedals, effects or rack systems you will see that TC stuff is generally a lot more expensive. This doesn't mean that POD line is bad, it just means that these devices are for different users. Some will pay low price and be happy with POD, while others will go for a TC and be extra happy.

[enforcer]

The difference is in overall device quality and price. TC stuff is of higher quality and the price is of course higher. If you do some comparisons of the pedals, effects or rack systems you will see that TC stuff is generally a lot more expensive. This doesn't mean that POD line is bad, it just means that these devices are for different users. Some will pay low price and be happy with POD, while others will go for a TC and be extra happy.

TC is far more expensive because you probably fund US army too when you buy TC electronics stuff. Its a brand of US army research believe me or not

[29a]

Are you sure? I doubt the US Army has got Danish companies

And on the topic, TC Electronics effects are world-class. Whereas I'd say the pods are only medium.
But they are doing different stuff, the POD is basically trying to model other effects. On the other hand
the pod provides you with far more different effects, preamp modeling, etc.

- Jonas

This post has been edited by 29a: Jan 15 2009, 02:01 AM

[enforcer]

Are you sure? I doubt the US Army has got Danish companies

And on the topic, TC Electronics effects are world-class. Whereas I'd say the pods are only medium.
But they are doing different stuff, the POD is basically trying to model other effects. On the other hand
the pod provides you with far more different effects, preamp modeling, etc.

- Jonas

T.C is a side company of an enterprise which is supplying communication devices for us army. They are danish yeah but Us army is the biggest share holder. I though it was known by everybody.

It may be a mith though, I dont want to be persistent, as I have no direct knowledge about the subject. I am sorry if I am wrong.

[Ivan Milenkovic]

I can accept that TC is making products for the army, or it is a side company owned by army or something, but their products are hi quality ones no doubt there. Bottom line is that prices on both brands are realistic - You get what you pay for.

[OrganisedConfusi...]

I've had a TC unit for a 6 months now and I haven't used it once.

[fatb0t]

I have a Pod XT, I swear - it's horrible for rehearsing or playing live. It has NO OOOOMF, if you know what I mean. If you put it through a PA it has no balls, if you put it through a Marshall half stack it still has no balls. I dunno what the deal is with them... Pods are amazing for home recording and home practice, I absolutely love the tones and effects. Get the TC stuff if you want to play live, unless you get a Line6 Pod X3 floor board

[enforcer]

I have a Pod XT, I swear - it's horrible for rehearsing or playing live. It has NO OOOOMF, if you know what I mean. If you put it through a PA it has no balls, if you put it through a Marshall half stack it still has no balls. I dunno what the deal is with them... Pods are amazing for home recording and home practice, I absolutely love the tones and effects. Get the TC stuff if you want to play live, unless you get a Line6 Pod X3 floor board

Buddy I am sorry to disagree but I've been using PodXt Pro for live and rehearsing circumstances for about 4 years now, and it is really enough. Yeah it is not heavenly ultimately perfect but I played with it from a little clubs to a stadium concerts and really it was really doing great, if you connect to a power amp and cabins it gets even better. Stock presets are really thin, but you have to try to create your own OMG presets, and with some little time it is possible.

And also TC G-System is a effect only system, not a amp simulation system thats why you will need an amp or podxt pod x3 anyway

Cheers

Can

[fatb0t]

Wouldn't a TC effect system into a POD be kinda redundant? That would sound overly processed I'd imagine. I knew a guy who had his pod into a power amp into a cab and it did sound great, you're right about that.

[VictorUK]

Well thanks for all the repiles! i was just wondering i have a peavey 5150 combo with a pod xt live wich i CANT do the 3/4 (three or four) cable method with so i was just wondering would a TC G-Major be better and can it allow me to do the 3/4 cable method and would the g-major produce better sound through my peavey 5150 combo?

Thanks.
Victor.

[Muris Varajic]

Victor, I read something about 3-4 cable method
but I must say I don't see that as a smart move.
Deal is, people are doing that to hook some units such as processors( with drive and fxs)
with amp (combo or head) using both regular inputs and fx loop.
Inputs are sending signal before preamp section and fx loop is located after,
that way you are sending the same thing in 2 places, no need for that.
I used many processors with combos and heads back in the days
but there was always a problem, you have 2 spots to shape your tone
(in processor and in preamp section of your amp) and you end lost most of the time.
You have 5150 combo which is pretty good amp and has descent drive if I'm right.
If I were you I would connect pod using fx loop only
but turn off drive from it, go for drive from your amp, it's always better way to do it.
And if you miss some drive, you can always add booster or dist pedal
before input on your amp, that is simple and healthy way imo.

[tonymiro]

Some people like the 4 cable method as it lets you have the mfx both pre and post the preamp. AFAIK it really works only with the Roland mfxs (GT6/GT8/GT10) and not with TC or other manufacturers. Also, unless you use balanced cables and spend a lot of time and effort level matching you can end up with a worse result then just linking via the effects loop. The 4 cable method usually produces a lot of hiss and since one of the reasons for getting a pro quality rack like the TC is to reduce noise then it seems retrogressive to me. Like Muris I'd just go with the standard effects loop set-up instead.

BTW - do also consider other pro end multis - Axe-FX, Rocktron, Lexicon...
Also Eventide - you may be able to get a used Eclipse if you can stretch your budget to about 1200-1500 UK pounds.

You may also want to consider something like NI's guitar rig3...

If you're set on the two you mention I'd go with the TC though as you may not need any amp sim with the 5150

Cheers,
Tony

[enforcer]

And also on my podxtpro there is one dry guitar out , I use it to connect to the normal guitar input of an amp that I like the drive, then I return the pre amp out to pod via a line in, and connect the real out to the power amp in of the stack. It really works, I have a FB1010 which can control analog footswitchs too, thus I have control on everything... and even if you have a TC there you can connect it to the send return of podxtpro...


edit: typo

This post has been edited by enforcer: Jan 15 2009, 04:11 PM

[VictorUK]

Victor, I read something about 3-4 cable method
but I must say I don't see that as a smart move.
Deal is, people are doing that to hook some units such as processors( with drive and fxs)
with amp (combo or head) using both regular inputs and fx loop.
Inputs are sending signal before preamp section and fx loop is located after,
that way you are sending the same thing in 2 places, no need for that.
I used many processors with combos and heads back in the days
but there was always a problem, you have 2 spots to shape your tone
(in processor and in preamp section of your amp) and you end lost most of the time.
You have 5150 combo which is pretty good amp and has descent drive if I'm right.
If I were you I would connect pod using fx loop only
but turn off drive from it, go for drive from your amp, it's always better way to do it.
And if you miss some drive, you can always add booster or dist pedal
before input on your amp, that is simple and healthy way imo.

Should i have just one cable running from the pod xt live to the effects send if thats what you mean by fx loop?

Thanks for all the amazing replies BTW.

[Muris Varajic]

Should i have just one cable running from the pod xt live to the effects send if thats what you mean by fx loop?

Thanks for all the amazing replies BTW.

You need 3 cables actually.
One to connect your guitar with amp.
Second one is to connect Pod's output with amp's return.
And third one to connect Pod's input with amp's send.

[VictorUK]

You need 3 cables actually.
One to connect your guitar with amp.
Second one is to connect Pod's output with amp's return.
And third one to connect Pod's input with amp's send.

WOW IT SOUND AMAZING never knew my amp could do such things XD lucky my friend lent me a cable so i have 3.

[Muris Varajic]

WOW IT SOUND AMAZING never knew my amp could do such things XD lucky my friend lent me a cable so i have 3.

If your amp has fx loop( and I think it has) then you're good to go.
Just remember, use only fxs from pod and not drive,
use drive from 5150.