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Line 6 POD XT
Variax 700
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By Andy Z - November 2004
Chorus can very easily be your friend as well as our enemy. Used wrong, this subtle effect can make a tone seem out of place or even worse, sound as dated as your parents' music! Used right, it can make your sound thick and lush, and give it momentum. This time around I'm going to focus on the Chorus effect that will give the tone more of a thickness and depth, rather than use it as an effect in itself. Some of the Chorus effects will require the FX Model Pack for your PODxt.
For the purposes of these examples, I'll be using a PODxt (with the free Version 2 firmware installed). I'm showing the settings using the latest Line 6 Edit software (version 2.02). All of the examples will be using the same Amp Model, the Double Verb, with the 2x12 Black Face cab model. I've also included MP3's, so you can hear the references below. The audio samples were played on Line 6 Variax 500 using the Strat in middle pickup position. All of the patches for this article are posted at the end of it.
Each sound sample has three parts. The first part has the tone with no Chorus. The second part has the Chorus on in PRE mode. The third part has the Chorus on in POST mode. This will give you a clear idea of what the sound is like based on positioning of the effect. The differences are subtle, but can easily have a distinct effect where used.
The screenshot of Line 6 Edit below will show you all of the other settings used for this article. Remember that when running Line 6 Edit you can click on the small arrow next to the MOD icon to set it to PRE or POST mode. Speed, Depth, Mix: In general terms, the speed will determine how fast the chorusing effect will cycle, the depth will determine how drastic or subtle the chorusing effect will be, and the mix will determine how much of the chorus effect you already set will be run into the signal path. These are the main tricks of the trade to keep in mind when setting the Chorus tone.
PODxt Version 2 Double Verb Model Setting...
In this first example, I'm using the Analog Chorus. I like using this one when I don't want too much of a chorus effect, but want to make a tone thicker and have some movement. The second pass is in PRE mode and has more of a swirl effect, while the third pass is in POST mode which yields a more subtle swirl, but makes tone sound fuller. Keeping the Depth and Mix levels lower makes the Chorus sound less noticeable.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Analog Chorus MP3 sample
PODxt Version 2 Analog Chorus Setting...
In this example, I'm using the Square Chorus which is part of the FX Junkie Model Pack. This one has a nice rich texture to it without being overbearing as an effect. The second pass is in PRE mode and has the more subtle chorusing effect, while the third pass is in POST mode gives the richer tone. Both give the tone a fuller feel, but depending on how much of the choursing effect you want, set it in PRE or POST mode. This Chorus also has Pre and Feedback, instead of Bass and Treble. This allows you to delay time before the effect kicks in and to allow a percentage of the feedback signal generated from the square wave back into the tone.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Square Chorus MP3 sample
PODxt Version 2 Square Chorus Setting...
On this example, I'm using the Sine Chorus. This one is your most typical Chorus sound, being very rich and lush. The second pass is in PRE mode and has the more swirling effect, while the third pass is in POST mode gives more of the chorusing almost doubling type of effect. This particular chorus can easily be very overbearing and standout where it shouldn't if overused by adding too much depth or mix level.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Sine Chorus MP3 sample
PODxt Version 2 Sine Chorus Setting...
On this example, I'm using the Expo Chorus which is part of the FX Junkie Model Pack. This one starts to get into the area of being more of an effect than one to richen the tone. The second pass is in PRE mode and has the more chorus-doubling effect, while the third pass is in POST mode gives a more subtle approach to this tone,but still retaining richness. Again, this model uses the Pre and Feedback effect to further vary this effect.
Click here for the PODxt 2.0 Expo Chorus MP3 sample
PODxt Version 2 Expo Chorus Setting...
In this last example, I'm using the Rotary Drum+Horn. Most people associate this one with more of the Leslie type of effect, but as you'll hear it can get a very nice chorus effect in a different way. If you want to have less high end try using the Rotary Drum (without Horn). There is very little difference between PRE and POST mode on this one. You may get a bit more swirl effect in PRE mode if you so desire it.
Click here for the PODxt Version 2 Rotary Drum+Horn MP3 sample
PODxt Version 2 Rotary Drum+Horn Setting...
Even if your not into Chorus type effects, it's worth giving it a try. It might give you an enahncement to your existing tone without sounding like an effect. It definitely adds quite a bit of definition to a single guitar part if your recording. If your into more drastic effects, with just the slightest tweak to the depth, speed and mix controls, the tone changes dramatically. So jump in and join the Chorus!
The patches for the sound bites and graphics in this article are below. The PODxt Version 2 can be loaded into the Line 6 Edit software.
Go to the Line 6 CustomTone page.
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