Line 6 launches POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass pedals
March 6, 2024 · 2 sources
Line 6 announced the POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass on March 6, 2024, two compact amp modeling and multi-effects pedals in its POD lineup12. Both units are available now for $1792.
Each pedal has a central amp-selecting knob lit by a ring LED and four flanking effect parameter knobs, with two footswitches serving bypass, tap tempo, tuner and looper functions2. Alt buttons access secondary functions; holding the Alt button assigns the knobs to Gain, Mid, Bass and Treble2. Both models include seven amps, seven cabs and 17 effects, which Guitar World reports are drawn from the HX processor family12. A tuner, tap tempo, noise gate, headphone output and USB-C for recording are also included, along with stereo outputs1. Guitar World lists 21 preset slots per pedal and side-mounted USB-C ports that allow use as an audio interface with re-amping2. Both run on 9-volt power or three AAA batteries, which are included1.
The guitar version offers Chime, Dynamic, Crunch, Heavy, Lead, Clean and Special amp models2. Its Delay section offers Analog, Digital, Tape and Pong, its Reverb section Spring, Hall, Plate and Space, its Modulation section Chorus, Flanger, Phaser and Tremolo, and its Distortion section Boost, Overdrive, Distortion and Fuzz1. MusicRadar notes the guitar model has no compression section, so Reverb and Delay get their own dedicated knobs with more models1.
The bass version's amp models are Grit, Vintage, Punch, Modern, Round, Deep and Studio1. Its Distortion section includes Boost, Overdrive, Distortion and Fuzz, and its Synth section Octave, Growl, String and Mutant1. Compression options are Optical, LA, Deluxe and Limiter, and Modulation and Delay share a rotary selector with Chorus, Flanger, Phaser and tape Delay1. All five knobs pull double duty, with the amp selector also altering channel volume and the other four managing Gain, Bass, Mid and Treble1.
MusicRadar reported a price of $179 at Sweetwater and Thomann1; Guitar World gave the US price as $1792.
"POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass offer a curated collection of models derived from our award-winning HX sound engine, making them great options for beginners or any player who wants a simple modeling device at a competitive price."