The Line 6 Floor POD Plus is a floorboard multi-effects unit from Line 6 that puts amp modeling and effects under your feet. It carries 32 amp models, familiar to anyone who has used the POD 2.0, plus 16 effect models covering the standard stompbox types found on the original POD along with some more unusual sounds1. MusicRadar described it as a product that fills a gap in the Line 6 range, offering more sonic versatility than the standard Floor POD but without the complexity of the PODxt Live1.
The Floor POD Plus is no longer made; Line 6 lists it among its legacy products2.
What it does: 32 amp models and effects on the floor
The Floor POD Plus is an amp modeler with effects in pedalboard form. The 32 amp models are the same set players know from the POD 2.0, and the 16 effect models cover the standard stompbox categories plus some less common sounds1. Delay comes in six types, selected by a rotary switch: tape, multi-tap, digital, reverse, sweep echo and analog1.
Reverb and delay sit independent of the main group of effects, each with a small level control above the main three selector switches. The reverb type is governed by the amp model: as a general rule, if the real amp would have had spring reverb, that is what you get, otherwise it is room reverb1.
MusicRadar found the unit easy to use, with a feature range reminiscent of the original POD1:
"Just like every other member of the POD family, the Floor POD Plus is very clearly laid out1."
MusicRadar1
The reviewer judged it unlikely you would need to refer to the manual, with the full range of functions usable within minutes1.
The controls
The control panel is arranged around a top row of knobs covering standard amp-type controls: drive, bass, mid, treble and channel volume1. Immediately above the four main footswitches are three rotary switches used to select the amp model, the effect and the delay type1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Top row of knobs | Drive, bass, mid, treble and channel volume1 |
| Amp model rotary switch | Selects the amp model; press down and turn to select a different cabinet model from the default for each amp1 |
| Effect rotary switch | Selects the effect model1 |
| Delay rotary switch | Selects one of six delay types: tape, multi-tap, digital, reverse, sweep echo, analog1 |
| Effect tweak knob | Modifies a selected parameter of whichever effect is selected1 |
| Reverb and delay level controls | Small level knobs above the main three selector switches, independent of the main effects group1 |
| Five main footswitches | Select presets; in on/off mode the first four act as stompboxes controlling amp model, solo boost, FX and delay1 |
| Fifth footswitch | Taps in delay times; hold for two seconds to access the built-in tuner1 |
| Bank footswitches | A pair just behind the main row, for scrolling up and down through the 31 banks1 |
| Expression pedal | Volume by default; click the footswitch under the toe end for wah1 |
The unit operates in two modes. In channel memory mode the footswitches select presets; in on/off mode the first four footswitches function as a row of traditional stompboxes, controlling amp model, solo boost, FX and delay1.
Presets are selected from the 124 available, 120 of which are initially filled with factory sounds and can be overwritten1. In use, MusicRadar found the only obvious weakness to be the lack of an alphanumeric patch display: patches are identified solely by number, which makes it easy to lose track while browsing1.
Power and connections
The back panel carries a control for the main output volume, left and right outputs (using the L output alone gives mono operation), MIDI connections, a headphone output and an aux input1.
How it differs from the original Floor POD
The original Floor POD was a compact floor unit, which MusicRadar described as "a stripped-down POD in pedalboard form"3. It had three footswitches, three controls for the amp models (drive, bass, treble) with dual functions, and single knobs for the modulation and delay/reverb modules, where each knob covered three effects with a third of the sweep given to each, indicated by three red LEDs3. Its amp model selector passed through two basic settings per amp type, one with higher gain than the other, shown by red and green LEDs, and a two-digit LED display sat at the center of the control panel3.
The Plus version moves away from the familiar "kidney bean" design and looks like a typical floor effects unit with conventional dimensions1. Where the Floor POD had three footswitches, the Plus has five, along with the expression pedal1, and it adds the fuller control set described above.
MusicRadar's verdict on the original Floor POD was that while it did not have the sonic flexibility of the original POD, it had enough features to appeal to a wide range of users, suiting players who need several sounds per gig but find most multi-effects units baffling3. On the Plus, the reviewer's overall view was:
"This pimped-up version of the Floor POD fills an important gap in the Line 6 range, providing a product with more sonic versatility than the standard Floor POD, but without the complexity of the PODxt Live1."
MusicRadar1
Both the Floor POD and the Floor POD Plus are no longer made, and both are listed among Line 6's legacy products24.
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Questions
How many presets does the Floor POD Plus have?
It has 124 available presets, of which 120 are initially filled with factory sounds and can be overwritten. Presets are organized into 31 banks, scrolled with a pair of dedicated footswitches, and selected with the five main footswitches. Patches are identified by number only, with no alphanumeric patch names.
Does the Floor POD Plus have a tuner?
Yes. Holding down the fifth footswitch, the tap tempo switch, for two seconds accesses the built-in tuner. The same footswitch is used for tapping in delay times during normal operation.
Can the Floor POD Plus expression pedal be used as a wah?
Yes. The built-in expression pedal defaults to a volume pedal, and clicking the footswitch concealed under the toe end switches it to wah. MusicRadar noted this is not as sophisticated as the assignable pedals on many rivals, but is a well-designed solution for players who only need wah and volume.
Does the Floor POD Plus have stereo outputs?
Yes. The back panel carries left and right outputs, and using the L output alone gives mono operation. The same panel also has MIDI connections, a headphone output, an aux input and a control for the main output volume.
Sources (4)
- Line 6 Floor POD Plus review, MusicRadar, 2008-01-03
- Line 6 | Legacy Products, Line 6
- Line 6 Floor POD review, MusicRadar, 2008-01-03
- Line 6 | Legacy Products, Line 6
