Using Amp Modelers Live - You're Doing It Wrong! | GEAR GODS 

What kind of setup are you using with your modeler when you play live?

1. 3:37 Direct Only 2. 5:53 Modeler Preamp Direct into tube power amp 3. 9:45 Modeler Preamp, Power Amp, and effects into flat power amp and cab 4. 11:28 Direct and into flat power amp and cab 5. 13:42 Direct and into tube power amp and cab 6. 15:47 Four Cable Method 7. 21:01 Modeler Preamp and effects into front of tube amp and modeler 8. 25:35 Modeler to FRFR powered speaker

I have to say: there are 1 million videos covering this subject. None of them did the job the way this one did. Kudos and thank you.

Why did it take so long for a video like this to come out super informative

I used to gig with a BOSS ME-80 going into the effects loop of a pawn shop no brand solid state 120watt head and 4x12. I never wanted for anything else live. It worked. I could kick the whole set up down a couple stairs and not have to worry. It sounded great from clean sound scaping to my octave breakdown setting in a live show where most of the room couldn't care what brand anything was.

Outstanding. This should be mandatory viewing for everyone using modelers live. My setup sounds like it should now.

Moving to the Pod Go from my old Floor Pod Plus this video covered routing clearly and completely. I have an Evil Twin that I was thinking of using as a powered cab when I don't go FOH and you just answered all my questions. Thank you very much for the tutorial. All the best from the Bay Area. MK

Outstanding! Bought the POD Go last week and was a bit mystified on all the different ways to connect and wasn't sure which worked for me. Great work!

The direct and into flat power amp and cab section answered so many questions an hour of googling could not, this was super helpful thank you.

I've just bought a Pod Go Wireless and am considering an FRFR speaker so this video has been hugely helpful. Many thanks!

I have been messing this up all my life and wondered why am I getting this weird sound on stage!!!! tnx. You changed my life!!!!I used all on my modeler and straight in to the front cabinet input and it felt like a blanket on me! Now am free!!!!!🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

Great video man, modeller integration is not discussed widely enough. I integrated a GT-1000 Core into my old amp with great success to get the best of both worlds in my home playing setup. I had my trusty old VS100R 112 Combo atop it's matching VS112 extension cab. Instead of buying a new amp I built a new pedalboard around the GT-1000 Core which is 4CM into the VS100R. I left the guitar speaker in the VS110R combo and put a Celestion F12-X200 modelling speaker into the 112 cab. I then put an A/B switch on top of the amp to control which speaker is on. The F12-X200 works really well with the GT-1000 amps and IR's.

Great video! As a sound engineer i will send this one to everyone i find struggling with understanding those concepts.

Trey, this is EXACTLY the type of video I wanted to see. Thanks!

Thanks for the extremely detailed and comprehensive run-down of the various options with the Pod Go. I'm a bassist and I've been using a DarkGlass Alpha-Omega head into a 1x12 PA cab, which has suited me just fine. Love the preamp tone on the DG but I've been looking into adding more effects pre and post amp and the Pod Go seems to fit the bill. I think the video has answered a lot of questions I had about effects order and in particular using the four-cable method. Thanks!

Thank you so much. I've been trying to learn a little bit more about modelers lately and haven't been able to find anything as informative as this one. Awesome!

Man you are an absolute LIFESAVER!! I have always ran these units straight into the front of my amp or used the 4 cable method and then used my units for modeler, preamp, cab sim, and the entire works and I never could figure out why it sounded so muddy and unimpressive. I have sold countless units like this for this exact reason. I plugged in my new Pod Go using the Flat Power Amp And Cab method and it instantly sounded so much better! My gain wasn't muddy, my effects didn't sound all jumbled up and off-putting from hitting the front of the amp. I never would have thought in a million years about running an effects unit straight into my power amp in. And the cool thing is I can still use my JHS Little Black Amp box between the modeler and the power amp in to tame the awful volume taper on my Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue. You got a sub from me bro, you are an absolute champ for taking the time to explain this to everyone! Now I can finally stop being opposed to the age of digital processing and I can enjoy my Pod Go for the amazing unit that it is while still getting the clarity and warmth of my favorite amp. Thank you so freaking much dude!!! Now I just have to figure out how to implement my physical drive pedals into this equation 🤣

Superb video, absolutely common sense when you see it explained. MUST SEE for anyone with a modelling effects unit that also plays live and wants to get the best guitar sounds.

Simply perfect bro. I don't think there can be a better guide than this.

PS. Your article really nails the issues of routing. Best I’ve seen anywhere

This is definetely a MUST WATCH for all modeler users. Great job!

This has successfully talked me off of the ledge and restored my faith in my HX Stomp lol. Can't thank you enough 🙏

WOW Man, amazing video! This, along side a "difference between a distortion and preamp pedal" are the two most important videos for guitar players in my opinion!

Great information mate thank god for people like you who explain this stuff a lot of the time i scramble my own brains with it and have a massive mental block have to walk away for a cup of coffee and come back later to try and decode it absolute life saver what a time we live in where we can retrieve this info great content right here and a massive help thank you so much

Dude super badass video. Extremely informative. Boss GT1000 to the FRFR is my setup. This helped tremendously on ALL fronts! Great job. 🎸

What an awesome video! Thanks for the concise, easy to understand instruction! I have a Helix LT and EVH amp/cab so this was a great tutorial for me as I want to use all the gear. I also have a bunch of pedals to work into the mix. I’m not a pro but I have fun screwing around in the room above my garage!

Thanks so much Trey! Excellent job of showing all of these options in a manner that is easy to understand!

Excellent explanation for someone new to amp modelers like me, thanks a lot!

Thank you for this truly outstanding primer. I'm going to test the waters and try my Quad live. Still deciding whether first try will be with a Duncan through a guitar cab which sounds like what i'm used to or the FRFR. This is a really great resource. Thank you again!

Man, this video is just AWESOME. Really easy to understand. Thank you so much for that, I just learned how to extract way more from my actual gear (specially my tube amp!). THANK YOU!

OMG! I was waaaay off! Thank you for this! Mine XT model has been sitting in the case for years. I bought all new pedals because I was so frustrated by my inability to get any kind of power or semblance of any usable setting at all. Right off the bat, you fixed two big, basic mistakes I was making.

I currently use #8 - Helix LT into Mission Gemini and then also to FOH = the Helix LT has XLR out and TRS out so you can send both same time and I have it set up to send the same thing to both. As you said, very simple and consistent! There is also a cool knob on the back of my Gemini that lets me switch the way the Geminia "sounds" or behaves -- switching between "Flat" and "Cab" -- i keep it set ion Cab when I play live so that its replicating the tones I built in the Helix but some day i will mess with using it as a cab and see how that sounds. Thanks - your always a wealth of knowledge and fun to watch -- keep up the great work!

Very informative video. Explained several things I just wasn't understanding about my Pod. Thanks.

I wish i had this two or three years ago, I had to learn the hard way by lots of trial and error. Thank you for the great video!

Awesome and informative. Helix floor XLR stereo out to FOH for me! Simple and it works. Some of the tones are pretty stinking close to the real thing and the convenience of not lugging amps around is well worth it for me.

Really a great review and very detailed. Thankful for this one 😉

#1 is all I needed. But I’ve looked everywhere. Thanks for all this information 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks a lot for the clear explanation. My Marshal tube amp now sounds brilliant via my PodGo. :-) Just reconfigured all my presets and move my cab and changed to preamp. :-) Wonderful.

Spot on. Have to look at it like you aren’t hearing the amp in the room with you but the amp, cab, and microphone in another room in the studio through monitors.

This is an AWESOME video. I pair my Pod Go with the same Power Stage used in this video. I rarely play live, and have never even gotten to use the Pod live yet, but this was great info to have, as I was curious how to run to FoH *with* my cab as well in case it's volume alone didn't cut it. Tl;dr much appreciated!

Hi, I have never heard anyone explain this as well as you are Great job Thanks so much Michael

Damn, as soon as I heard 'blanket over your gear' I knew this video would rectify my problems. Nice one Trey!

Thanks mate, I’ve been looking for a video like this the whole week🎉

EXCELLENT VIDEO! I'm currently using the Headrush MX5 (fits in a carry-on for flying gigs fantastically) I use your #1 setup... I request an FRFR , However most venues can give me a monitor wedge exclusively for my guitar mix...I guess I'm like an old trained dog...40 years of playing with an amp nearby! Works great keeps my vocal monitor less "cluttered"!

Hey thanks for this post - I have been searching for this very subject.

I have wathched this video multiple times troughtout the years and I always learn new things out of it XD

Very interesting! I used to leave the cab sim "on" on my Valvestate 800 cab when I used the "Line 6 X3 Live" back in the days: interesting sound.

Excellent video! Exactly what I was looking for! I would just add that on the #8 FRFR Speaker method it would be best to connect the Line out of the Speaker to FoH instead of using the microphone. Using the microphone you are kinda doubling the mic signal (mic sim from the modeler + the real mic on the FRFR Cab).

Definitely agree with all principles here...and certainly demonstrable with latest modelling technology...not always as linearly transferable to older modellers to achieve most musical results!...a little trial and error turning something on and off in the chain certainly worth experimenting with on older stuff-POD HD units tend to like knowing in advance what sort of cab/speakers you are going to physically use after it!!...

Omg the right video for my questions about using the multi effects on live scenario

The best video in RU-vid on this matter! Thank you

great video so helpful! if you love your amp and just want some nice effects and some drive to go with it, the 4 cable methode is by far the best way to go! cheers!

Great video, I'm making the switch from all analog to a digital setup. Appreciate the good info!

Thank you sir! I have been looking for a video just like this.

Very comprehensive and helpful video, thanks a lot man!

Hey! Great Video 👍 Thank you sooo much ❤ I made exactly those mistakes. Now i get great tones out of my NUX MG 300 in combination with my H&K ATS 120 🎉😁🎉 !!! You made my day.

SUCH A GREAT VID!!!! I'm subscribing just for the level of awesomeness this video has. Super informative 👍👍

Thanks indeed. A wealth of solid info right here. Well spoken.

Thanks for making this and providing a thorough explanation

Hi Trey. Very good and helpful video, thanks. :) How would you say the "responsiveness" of the Pod is, compared to an amp and three-four pedals? Years ago, I tried different multi-boards, and they actually sounded just fine. But it was like there was a certain "lag" between my fingers and the sound from the speakers. For instance, it was much harder to get the guitar to go into feedback (the good kind) than with an amp-pedal setup. But that was perhaps4-5 years ago. Would you say the multiboards are past that now?

Thanks for this! The 4 cable method works best for my setup 🤘🏻

Great content and clear presentation! Thanks a lot!

yeah! i've been waiting for this video!

4CM is absolutely amazing with a nicely kitted valve amp with a clean sound. You can actually switch your amps preamp on and off w the FX loop, letting your power amp give EMULATED PREAMPS a realistic flavor to it when your actual preamp is not in use. Absolutely loving being able to do aggressive grind tones, and switch to Western tone in a flick of a switch. -10db in Main out and Return in modeler, OR if your amp has that switch, even better. The pnemonic Stevie Ray IS Lecturing Riffs helps me set up real fast

Excellent overview! Very helpful.

Very good info!! Great stuff, job well done! Cheers from Portugal!! 🤘🤘🤘

Amazing! Thank you so much. Regards from Spain

Really informative and great presentation as well. Good stuff.

Excellent content mate.

Great explanation. I learned a lot from this video. Thanks a bunch!

Nice job. I use my HX Stomp direct to FOH and monitors are either IEMs or floor wedges.

Good Video, maybe next time you can expand on this by going over how to EQ properly for some of the most common scenarios. For example, at home your scooped tone may be the best ever, but in different rooms + other instruments you are in for a disaster of a surprise. Also, High pass/Low pass for going direct, since these frequencies will be massively amplified via the PA, if the sound guy does not cut them from the board.

what a beautiful guitar. Great video! thanks!!

This is exactly the video I needed today.

thank you, you've answered all of my questions in the vid!. I'm making the switch from a tri rec, to a lunch box amp and a modeler. I just need to check out your POD Go vs HX stomp.

Wow. Excellent Resource!!! You Sir, Rock!! Best Wishes and Best Regards!!!

This was about the best video I've seen describing POD go features, thanks and I'll be a subscriber keep up the excellent work. Although one question got an old pod 2..0 and looking to upgrade, what do you think of the new x30 or 300 thanks.

Hi thanks for your time and effort gone into making this vid, very informative, I've a question about line 6 pod go 4 cable method into line 6 catalyst 100watt modelling amp combo, it has on the return of the fx loop a switch for either power amp in or fx loop, would this mean on the pod go you can keep on everything (catalyst amp model mode) but the cab IR's, amp but can keep power amp on in signal chain on pod go? I'm not sure if this switch on the catalyst only bypasses the power amp, or both, I've seen diagrams for the 4 cable method specifically for pod go into catalyst amp that the pod go fx loop footswitch can be merged to function in multi purpose mode when you switch pod go fx loop on, you can press hold fx loop footswitch, assign the amp and cab to switch off via one footswitch 3 functions for the pod go fx loop footswitch, pod footswitch on= fx loop on+ Amp off+ Cab off. I've tried this exactly and when fx loop is on (amp and cab off) all volume gain, eq boost is functional on the catalyst, Fx loop off(pod go amp and cab on, ir bypas cab) the catalyst controls mentioned are no longer functional only pod go amp controls and cab so that with the power amp in- switch on on catalyst. So does this allow best of both worlds with a simple pod go fx footswitch merge to control 3 functions of the pod go? And leads me to will it make a difference in a way that'll wreck my amp if I leave the pod go patches(with fx footswitch setup as so) amps on while fx loop is off and not have to set up pre amp on pod go, essentially leaving it on the pod go patch's amp and the catalyst will by pass the modelled amps on board?

Personally I love my helix through the powerstage 170 and my Mesa 4x12. Played first live show with this rig recently and I could not be happier

Amazing video. This is gold dude. Thank you

Planning on getting a pod go to use with my Orange Pedal baby amp, doesn't have a FX loop, but is super clean

What a great explanation. Im Gona watch this once until I understand everything 100% Wish he was using the Axe fx cause I struggle with this issue

Wow this was such a great video! Thanks for the advice!

I'd like to add 2 things, the first of which is super important and no one ever talks about. 1. I found INSTRUMENT LEVEL far better than Line Level setting even into a really good FRFR with DSP that can be configured for either instrument level or line level inputs. Yes, I always had them matched correctly, line into line and instument into instument settings. The line level setup just sounds muddy and lifeless. This was true with both Quad Cortex and Pod Go. I pulled my hair out with this for like 2 months because all the units including the FRFR came set to line level from the factory so I assumed that was the best way to go. NOPE! 🤦🏻‍♂️ 2. I returned the FRFR after figuring out the Instrument Level setting sounded best. For my purposes at home to setup patches, the POWER AMP IN jack on my Katana 100 MK2 sounded just as good, cost $1500 less and I didn't have to store 2 10" PA speakers anymore. The main reason I bought the PA speakers was to figure out why everything sounded terrible, figuring it had to be that.

I use both a amp and cab sim on going into my amp and it sounds great!

Already know the info but it was accumulated knowledge. Good write up and should help alot of ppl out. As this topic is absurd to explain to the unknowing should reduce heartache.

5:25 Turn off the cab sound = TR00 KVLT recorded in grandmas attic

Really excellent video which sadly I found after a lot of trial and error to figure out the best solution myself. I am using POD GO exclusively to play in a praise band with a pretty sophisticated FOH and monitor setup and then a club band that uses tracks into a ui24 digital mixer. There are no amps onstage in either situation and I have found that the single cable out to the FOH works perfectly in each situation. Thanks for offering such clarity of why it works so well.

I love modelers but there's nothing like the sound of a cooking tube amplifier pushing some greenbacks with all the real dynamics in natural compression God it's beautiful ! Ain't nothing like the real thing baby

Great video ! I’m looking into using the 4 cable method using a GT 1000 core . How would I do this while including pedals I already have on my board ?

Awesome demonstration!!

Thank you brother for this video. This is very educated video for me.

These are great videos. Thank you. Connecting the dots, with detailed diagrams, often overlooked in reviews I find elsewhere. How would one use this with an attenuator, like a PS-100 Fryette?

This is very helpful. Thank you so much.

Best video on this subject still in 2023 has helped me a couple times lol

Thanks for the great video. So I have an FRfR112 and a fender champion 100. If I over ride the preamp on 100 do I leave all amp can and sims on? I owned a bearish before and that’s how I used to run it and it sounded pretty good. Is the pod go the same?

Nice thank you for this explanation. What is the best way to go for a live gig? I own a Line 6 Helix LT and a Vox AD100VTH (Head and 4x12 Cab). When I want to use my "original" Line 6 sound and only want to get this sound amplified by the head + cabinet of my Vox amp, so the original sound will be falsified by the head as less as possible? I guess choosing only preamps (emulated by the line 6), bypassing the Vox modelling sound (by going into return loop) would be best, right? I also care about the falsified signal chain in such a connection: The delays and reverbs after my actual emulated cabs will be in front of the physical cab in this case, right? So it will definitely falsify the sound, or are there any solutions for that? 😀 I would be happy about you guys helping me out with that.

@Trey Xavier, thank you for this super informative video that I only found out 2 years later 😂. If I’m using the Pod Go in the Power amp IN of a Boss Katana, do I need to use the full amp or pre amp on the Pod Go?

Thank you! This video helps immensely.

20:53 I had the exact laugh at that time along with him and I actually had to rewind to hear his laugh and confirm! 😄 Yeah it is quite a work but totally worth the effort!