John Hendow

I admit that I’m one of those users who modifies gear and is always wishing there was just one more feature aboard… and as such I provide feedback to most of my gear manufacturers. One of the mainstays on my pedalboard is the Line6 POD XTLive, which I’ve had for a number of years and like reasonably well. I haven’t upgraded to the X3Live because it didn’t seem like a justifiable expense for the feature set.

But if Line6 were to build a new POD to my specs, I’d be the first guy to buy it. Here is the list of features it should have in my shiny imagination:

• Make this unit physically smaller. It’s too large and heavy considering what it does. I’d like to see the unit scaled down by at least 1/3. Make it the same size as the M9, but keep the expression pedal. Put the switches a little closer together. If this beastie occupied less space on my pedalboard I’d be much happier.
• Get rid of the plastic stomp switches and replace them with standard metal switches. These should be lit when active.
• The small LCD is fine for displaying multiple lines of text. I’d like to see an additional readout that is visible from eye level on stage. It should be capable of displaying at least 8 characters of text at 1″ tall.
• Get rid of the external transformer and put this inside the unit. I know this seems counter to my first request of making it smaller. It should be possible put the transformer inside the unit and having a standard IEC power cord.
• Make the pertinent button labels backlit from inside the unit. If this is impractical (uh, how much can an LED cost?), how about allowing the USB connector on the back of the unit to power a laptop LED gooseneck light? That way we can see our pedalboards on dark stages. Another benefit of having a powered USB port: you could plug in your iPhone charger right into your pedalboard. I frequently charge my phone between soundcheck and the gig, and this would be a simple way to do it.
• Get rid of MIDI on this unit. In fact, let’s get rid of MIDI entirely on everything. USB  for the win! It’s bidirectional, faster, and more reliable / stable. MIDI is akin to the telegraph. It served its purpose when the buffalo still roamed. But it’s the year 2010, and while we didn’t get those cool jetpacks as promised (dammit!) we can at least embrace USB and allow our music toys to gracefully daisy-chain.
• Include a physical docking space where the Line6 wireless receiver can be integrated right into the unit and powered interally. Or just build this in. The Line6 wireless systems are great. I love mine. Build it right into the unit please.
• Wanna get REAL crazy? Let’s put Bluetooth capabilities into this system and build a small Bluetooth retrofit for guitars. I’d love to control patch changes wirelessly by turning a knob or pressing a button on my guitar. Or put the transmitter on my guitar strap, right on the wireless unit I’m already using!

Hey Line6, if you use my ideas you owe me a beer. And one of these new units. And a pony.