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Guitar Fridays: I am a POD Person

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by M A N @roquesdoodle

What looks like a Hill Giant's kidney and can sound like everything from whispering crystals to Zeus in an alcohol-induced rage? That would be this thing. The POD from Line 6.

To call this thing a simple effects unit would be a gross understatement (I believe they prefer the term 'amp modeler' anyway). Yes, it has some pretty stellar effects, from classic reverbs and modular effects to spot-on replications of vintage pedals. But what the POD is really known for is its amplifier simulation. Wish you were playing through a Marshall JCM-800? Done. How about an old '65 Fender Bassman? Easy peasey. Or what if you want to hear what a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier would sound like running into a single 8 inch Fender Tweed cabinet mic'ed with an off-axis Shure SM57 placed a foot away? Seriously.

Seriously.

The POD has dozens of amp models to choose from, a host of cabinets, and a healthy dose of effects thrown into the mix (and you can choose how to mic the cabinet!). They even offer a wide variety of DLC if the stock options aren't enough to sate your sound palette. If you're looking for more esoteric effects or some additional boutique amps, you can download their extra packages right to the POD and you're ready to go. Plus, Line 6 has a thriving online community where you can share and trade your own custom sound creations. There are thousands of user-generated tones to choose from, all ready to be downloaded directly to your POD through a simple USB interface. No crazy midi set-ups. Just point and click.

What I like most about the POD is that you can not only run it in front of your favorite amp, but that it's designed to be plugged directly into the sound system. No more lugging around a heavy amp or two, or making your roadies hump your full stack from gig to gig (or, even worse, doing it yourself). With the POD, you'll be ready for sound check in less time than it takes to make toast.

Now, many will say that there's nothing that can compare to the real thing. No matter how far along amp modeling has come, a simulated Fender Twin is never going to sound like a REAL Fender Twin. I agree. There's something about the sound of a tube amp pushing air that even a tech marvel like the POD can't quite duplicate exactly. That being said, it's damn close. Close enough that even sound engineers with golden ears may not be able to tell the difference in a side-by-side comparison.

And the POD is just one in a wide range of modeling products from Line 6. The POD itself comes in several flavors, with rack mounted and on-the-floor options, and there are several amp variations to choose from if you prefer. And that's not even getting into their line of pedals or their amazing Variax guitars (the Variax deserves a post of its own).

So if you're a purist who doesn't care about pissing off the neighbors or the back problems you'll have from hauling your favorite Peavey half-stack around, this might not be for you. But if you're looking for a unit that can provide just about any sound under the sun at a reasonable price in a spine-saving package, this is a must-have.

Now, it must be said that I'm endorsing the POD and Line 6 because I truly love their products, not because I have an endorsement deal with them (but if they want to give me one, I'm really easy to find). I really like what this unit can do. I run my guitar into a Damage Control Womanizer pedal for a little oomph, into my POD, into the PA/computer/recording device,etc. I've recorded with this set-up and used it live and it always sounds great. And the price compared to that of an amp makes it a no-brainer. I've been playing with a POD for ten years now and it still makes me happy.

LEVERAGE #213 "The Future Job" Post-Game

#213 is one of the few episodes where I can give almost no background. I was off writing the finale, bombing into the room occasionally to look at the cards. This one was a Dean request: psychics get right in under his skin. We'd played around with psychics quite a bit in development -- after all, we use the same techniques in our cons -- but never landed on a good twist.

It was one of those eps we were overthinking. We were so familiar with all the tricks, it never occurred to us to just do a straight expose. We just never assumed people wouldn't know what we knew.

The only insight I can offer was a bit of drunken writing. I'd staggered into the room while they were breaking the villain plot for their complication -- the Recently Converted Felon. Glass in hand, I asked "What, we're just going to have this guy announce his problem ..." and then spun into a long, unnecessarily baroque bit of exposition in the thug's voice. When I finished, the room looked at me and nodded. "Yes, yes that's it exactly." That is almost word for word what Wade Williams says in the warehouse, with Luke Perry trembling in a chair before him.

Luke Perry was amazing. Not just a great performance, but during the week we spent with him he revealed a ridiculous knowledge of television production and history. This is a guy who's starred in, produced and directed more hours of television than most people accumulate in three careers run together. I will go on record -- Luke Perry Has Game.

Also, the partial revelation about Parker's brother was a last minute addition. Dean felt strongly we had to have a real connection to the victim, and also needed to show how even people we consider smart can be duped by these sorts of performers. I am not too proud to admit that I fought him on it, and was ultimately proven wrong not once, but twice. a.) when you see Parker tearing up in the HQ, you absolutely want to murder this guy. b.) Her reaction to the brother's hug -- and what the "missing brother" says about her dynamic with the rest of the team -- added even more dimension to the character Beth's built over the last two years.

Also led to one of my favorite Eliot moments. Parker blurting "I want this guy dead. Can we make that happen?" led to that great read Kane gave on Eliot raising his hand -- like "I know I'm not supposed to do this, but ..."

Jeri's great in this, of course, doing a much softer look than she normally gets to do on television. She just booked a pilot, and I hope they realize that she has the funny in her toolbox.

Oh, and big kudos to both Marc Roskin, our director who's shot some of our best episodes, but also the Portland crew for pulling off that stunning Matrix-style speed-track from Perry at the cafe to the crew at the van. During the freeze, we had to lock up four blocks of traffic to control the sightlines. If you watch it again, btw, you'll see a CGI pigeon in mid-flight, to help sell the bit.

And, of course, this episode was Amy Berg's swan song on Leverage. She's gone on to help run the new season of Eureka. She was there at the birth of the show, wrote some of the defining episodes, and we couldn't have launched the joint without her. She's already missed.

Right, questions. Only 165, this one's not bad:

@OhShinyTomato (and others) : 1.) Okay, number one: OH MY GOD PARKER HAD A BROTHER?! Can I ask, younger or older? I know you won't give a name, so that's my question lol. Also, it must of been when she was really young cause all the flashbacks of her never included a brother. Makes me wonder if he was even in foster care with her or was only around when she was with her real parents, whoever they may be... 2.) Second, did Parker give her own money to that guy? It was a bit confusing at the end. If she did, MAJOR points to her.

To paraphrase Terry Pratchett's comment about why there's no map of Discworld -- you can't map an imagination ... and you can't put a timeline to it either. The characters' backstories are amorphous grey fogs of coolness.

The money MAY have been the missing money from the bank heist. Depends on whether you think Hardison and Parker were yanking Eliot's chain or not.

@Zenkitty-714: Loved the episode! Just have to know: would Eliot really have killed the guy if Nate had said go? 'Cause I kinda think he would.

I think eventually cooler heads would have prevailed. But it was a serious offer.

@SueN: Nate actually seemed in control in this ep. Was that because he wanted to do this right for Parker's sake, or just because he didn't really have a chance to fall apart? Or did getting Rand suitably exorcise his demons for now?

His rage kept him focused.

@Brooke: Question: Was Jeri reluctant to appear un-glamorous as Bethany? I mean, she looked gorgeous but she was doing a plainer look.

She loved doing it, and I think kind of looked even hotter -- if that's possible -- in the Bethany look. I can say she looked hot because she doesn;t work for me anymore, and it's not technically harassment.

@Brooke: Please tell me that Tara & Eliot are not fucking

No. Not anymore, anyway.

@Anonymous: Completely unrelated to this episode, but what would happen to the team if they were forced to do the con in a loud workspace so the ear buds or microphones didn't work?

We have had interference issues with the buds before. However, please note that in the pilot they were tagged as bone-conducting technology. Loud noises would have much less of an effect.

@ Greer: So, a question: Eliot's bitchfit at the end of the episode: what was that about? I couldn't tell whether it was because Hardison and Parker were sharing something without him, that they pulled a con without letting the rest of the group know, or whether it was something else.

He was ticked that they were holding out on him, whether they found the bank money or not. It annoys and worries Eliot when Hardison has any aid in his campaign to, well, annoy and worry Eliot.

@ Rebecca: After all the times we've seen Eliot take down big ass thugs, how could those two idiots manage to escape from Eliot and Tara *together*?

Eliot had dual priorities. Protecting Tara was his main goal, and he accomplished it.

@Coren: Yknow, I think this is the first Sophieless episode - right? Did she have a scene that just got cut, or was it getting too close to her due date, or..?

We were also Sophie-less in "The Bottle Job". And no, Gina's pregnancy did not interfere with her duties. As you've now all seen, she returned for the finale and was, well, magnificently preggers when we shot that. She just didn't fit in to this ep.

@Amanda: Anyways, just wondering if we'll ever get to see what the Leverage team does on the days in between clients? Keep up the wonderful work!

We're working on just that episode now for S3. Not sure if we'll do it, but yes. You can probably glean a fair bit from teh S1-S2 eps anyway.

@Red: 1.) The Leverage team isn't a family, but people have been commenting about the Nate and Sophie being the parents and Parker, Eliot, and Hardison as being the kids. I don't really agree but have noticed that at the end of the episodes, it's generally P, E, and H together and N and S/T together. Why? 2.) Nate and Sophie generally meet with the clients and then take the case to the others. Parker and Eliot (if I remember correctly) have also sat in on these initial meetings, and now Tara but not Hardison. Why not?

1.) You're usually tying up subplots at that point, and those pairings are how we tend to write those emotional arcs. It began naturally, as Sophie and Nate had the most backstory, and it made the most sense for them to discuss their issues.

2.) Parker's only tried to sub in once, and that didn't go well. Hardison's more a behind the scenes guy, but actually starts coming to the intake meetings in S3. For a very specific purpose.

@Livlife: My question is this: in Nigerian we learned that they made oodles of money. It's never specified but my brain is leaping to bajillions. Yet, in this season...post blowing up the offices, it seems the gang is touchy about money. Is there something I'm missing here? They should have enough money ten times over for anything they need. Paying Tara should be no sweat. Giving money to a pregnant woman...why would that be an issue? Couldn't they have just given her money? Did it have to be that they stole it or found the loot? Or was that set up that way for a reason?

If it were just giving out money, the team would have no purpose. No, the Leverage team is there to break the bad guys. Revenge, not restitution. Not only will they right that wrong, they will make sure the bad guy can never sin again.

That is precisely as evil and fucked up as it sounds. End of day, our people are protagonists, not necessarily heroes.

@ChelseaNH: Oh, yeah, what was the smell in the van?

As Hardison stated: "That's the smell of hard work." As you've seen, the van hints paid off in the finale.

@CandyMaize: Tara's scar on her head. Team didn't seem to know about it .. so will we find out more about that scar before end of season?

Nope. Although she once told Sophie that story, when they were both drunk.

@SueN: During the flashback sequence detailing how the team fulfilled Tara's "predictions" for Rand, we see Hardison working with … something … while studying a picture and profile of the officer who goes to see Rand. The stuff looks like latex or some such. I just know I missed something terribly obvious there, but what?

Huh, I went back and looked, and I have no idea what he's doing other than calling up the profile. But yeah, something's going on with his hands. Weird.

@Dylan: my question is.. if Hardison's fave snacks are his gummy bears and the orange soda, what are Eliot's and Parker's?

Parker's favorite snack is, of course, cereal. Eliot's is ... justice.

@Anna: What was the original con meant to be though? If Kusen hadn't butted in?

A variation of revealing his chicanery, but just in front of the audience and network human. If not for the convict, this would have been a light one for the team.

@Barbara: I haven't read every question/answer ever posted, so this may be a repeat, but how do "clients" find the team???

We discussed this back in S1. Hardison's put a bunch of proxy links out on legal aid websites, and also has newscrawlers trawling for possible victims. It's not so much the vics find Leverage, as Leverage finds the vics. Just like they might find you, the day you really need them.

@Jimbo: Was Christopher Brookmyre's book "Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks" an influence on this episode? Both feature a semi-famous "psychic" being exposed as a fraud, and I noted a similarity in lines. It could just be me wanting to find connections though!

Never read it, but I'm looking for it now. Thanks for the recommend.

@Anonymous: When Eliot planed the camera in the control room, he said sth like...that is this wizard... was that meant like..yk..an abracadabra wizard, or a reference to those guys who work at the airports and watch for suspect activitys. I know they are called wizards and they are trained in 'cold reading'....

The Wizard of Oz, who hides in his booth and secretly runs the show.

@Lostnthought: Did you know that Parker had lost a brother back in season one or was something that the writers as a group decided on when they were breaking the episoide or something Amy Berg (and Chris Downey) added?

Answered above. It was Dean, actually.

@Snowyowl: And in a not-episode related question: On the season one DVDs there are minor cuts made. Noticeably in Homecoming Job where the scene with Hardison and the sports channels and Eliot's "Hockey" is missing. Any idea why? Or who I can poke for that? :-)

It turns out we had the rights to the sampled sports footage for broadcast episode, but not for the DVD.

@Zenkitty: Thank you for mentioning this! I thought I was making scenes up in my head. I think there was a little cut in the first episode too, after the explosion Nate opens his eyes and all three are standing over him looking at him.

Nope, that scene is only in the short broadcast version of the pilot, where we had to cut the hospital sequence for air time with commercials. It is a bastard episode, that cut, and we will never speak of it again. Oh, and I think I got most of your other questions in the above section, Zen.

@Emily2214: Obviously you don't need any help with your guest-casting, having found Saul Rubinek, Mark Sheppard, Wil Wheaton, and Kari Matchett. But could I please request Ed Quinn, lately of "Eureka" fame? He'd make an excellent villain. And I need him back on my television.

Ed Quinn is also a ridiculously funny guy. I'd love to have him on. We'll see what we can do.

@Michael: just one quick question before I head into a meeting: the "et tu brute"-quote the victim brings up as something her husband used to say to their dog: Is that just a quote that Americans would know and/or understand, or were you implying a higher than average level of education on the part of the victim, which would make the falling-for-the-psychic kinda even better. Because, lets face it intelligent people fall for cons all the time.

It's one of the few Shakespeare quotes most Americans would know. However, IQ and education seem to have very little effect on those who fall for psychics.

@Jenny: Two questions - 1) Did Nate bring Parker to the psychic's show as bait? He brings the most socially twitchy member of the crew to the show and then catches the psychic's attention by heckling. Then he sits back and observes what happens when the bad guy goes to work on Parker. 2) Who is Nate's AA sponsor? We know he went to the meetings regularly for a while. Some poor sap has a thankless job.

1.) Not bait, but he let his distaste of the mark get away from him there. 2.) Matthew Scudder.

Okay, finale two-fer, #214/#215 next. As always, thanks for tuning in and paying attention.

Google Earth Data Flight Sim

Courtesy some research on Kickstarter, I found this interesting program that pairs the publicly available data on Google Earth with a flight sim.

Practice your drone flying now. Again, this is commercially available. For fun.