This might interest some members in getting a decent gtr tone going DI.

Hi everyone,
 
I'd like to share a video that I've just finished uploading to demo the Line 6 POD HD500X modeller. I've had the unit now for about a month and have a bit of time to spend to get the best out of it.
 
I put together this video of 6 of the amps from the POD, recorded directly into the desk to try and give an idea of what it sounds like. It was taken straight out of the POD via XLR into my mixing desk (no eq) into my Delta1010 soundcard , into SONAR X3.
 
I didn't use any eqs, etc in SONAR as I wanted to give the listener an accurate impression of what the POD can achieve on it's own.
 
The link is:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWrRLPRh1A0&list=UUd3a6AaFNSa9j3XgbMBB6Mg
 
Cheers,
 
Peter.

fireberd
I record my Pedal Steel direct through a POD X3.  I have one preamp program that I developed (a clean program - no overdrive) for recording. 
 
Live I use my POD X3, but for effects only, no amp sims.  (e.g. my main is digital delay and spring reverb).

I would imagine that overdrive would be a no no for pedal steel recording. I take it then for live you are going DI into the PA?

I being using Flying Haggis for a few years now whenever going direct to the computer.
http://www.db-audioware.com/flying-haggis
It's a rather decent amp simulator and comes with standalone and VST.
Decent price as well.

Distortion has been used on Pedal Steel, Christine's Tune ( Devil in Disguise) the Byrds and Sneeky Pete K.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BITiY8M_oDo
He played most of the song clean but used overdrive ( Fuzztone? ) on the solos. 
 
I have played with a few amp sims including a Line 6 Amp a friend has. I agree the tone just ain't there if your used to using a real tube amp. I think what is missing is the way a tube amps pre amp is actually involved with your guitars PU's. There's voltage!  this organic feedback loop or some sort of voodoo. My acid test is to play some chunky power chords with palm muting. A tube amp it will be very percussive. With some stomp boxes, Solid State amps or digital sims distortion it will be wet noodle.  It's not a bad thing if that's the sound your after, but it's just once you've found that tube overdrive tone, nothing else seems correct. 
 

i use a Palmer PDI-09 right off the speaker out of a Mesa Boogie MarkIIb.
 
i also have a WEBER Mass Lite attenuator at my disposal,
so if i want to record quietly,
i can simply put the weber AFTER the palmer, 
the palmer sees the full output of the amp,
the speaker cab sees the attenuated level from the WEBER,
and i have total control of volume, tone, and character of drive from the tube amp.
 
 
after trying many systems (but not the kemper!), this has been the easiest and best sounding set up for me,
to date.
 
you can hear this setup in action,
over in the songs forum,
"Walked Away".