POD X3 Tips and Tricks: FBV floorboards

Line 6 have finally released a document detailing the function of their FBV series pedals with POD X3. Following are highlights of the capabilities of FBV, FBV Shortboard and FBV Express with POD X3 along with a short assessment of each unit.

FBV Floorboard with POD X3

Line 6 FBV Foot Controller price check Recommendation: Only if you already have one.

The FBV is a bit of overkill for use with POD X3. For the additional size and increased price it only does two things the Shortboard (see below) does not do. One is the second built in foot pedal (but you can use an add on second pedal with Shortboard). The second is a dedicated amp toggle. This only allows you to turn the current amp on/off (Shortboard has a button you can configure to do this). Considering both these additional features are available on Shortboard and the fact a longboard FBV costs practically as much as POD X3, I don’t really recommend it unless you’ve already got one around for your Vetta.

The full FBV can control presets in folders other than the user folder if that preset is selected from the X3 unit directly. This can give you on-stage control of the on/off status of effects on non-user presets. Pressing one of the A/B/C/D channel buttons will always return you to the user folder.

Bank Up/Down	select user bank
A/B/C/D	select user channel
Amp 1	toggles amp/cab
Amp 2	no function
Delay	toggles delay
Favorite Channel	no function
FX Loop	toggles comp or amp/cab
Modulation	toggles mod
Pedal 1/2	assignable to either/both amps
Reverb	toggles reverb
Stomp 1/2/3	toggles stomp
Tap	tap tempo/hold for tuner
Tremolo	no function

Calibrate the expression pedals
• Connect the FBV to your POD X3 and turn on the X3
• Set the left pedal to half way between toe and heel
• Hold AMP1 + AMP2 + TREMOLO for three seconds to activate calibration mode (there will be no visual indication of entering calibration mode, so just hold for a good three seconds)
• Hold AMP1 + AMP2 + DELAY for three seconds to begin calibrating the left pedal
• Move the left pedal all the way down and activate the toe switch
• Move the left pedal to the full toe up position
• Hold AMP1 + AMP2 + MODULATION for three seconds to begin calibrating the right pedal
• Move the right pedal all the way down and activate the toe switch
• Move the right pedal to the full toe up position
• Turn off the X3 (this completes the pedal calibration)

FBV Shortboard with POD X3

Line 6 FBV Shortboard price check Recommendation: Full featured, good choice for POD X3.

If you are looking for fairly full feature functionality in a foot controller for you POD X3 then Shortboard should be your top choice. It offers all the same functionality available in the longboard FBV and is typically about two thirds the street price. This is my top choice and was used in my home studio until I sold all my POD beans and got POD X3 Live.

The FBV Shortboard can control presets in folders other than the user folder if that preset is selected from the X3 unit directly. This can give you on-stage control of the on/off status of effects on non-user presets. Pressing one of the A/B/C/D channel buttons will always return you to the user folder.

Bank Up/Down	select user bank
A/B/C/D	select user channel
Delay	toggles delay
FX Loop	toggles comp or amp/cab
Modulation	toggles mod
Pedal	assignable to either/both amps
Reverb	toggles reverb
Stomp	toggles stomp
Tap	tap tempo/hold for tuner

Calibrate the expression pedal
• Connect the FBV Shortboard to your POD X3 and turn on the X3
• Set the pedal to half way between toe and heel
• Hold STOMP + DELAY + REVERB for three seconds to activate calibration mode
• Move the pedal all the way down and activate the toe switch
• Move the pedal to the full toe up position
• Turn off the X3 (this completes the pedal calibration)

FBV Express with POD X3

Line 6 FBV Express price check Recommendation: If you’re on a budget or aren’t an effects player.

This compact pedal is a great choice if you are looking for basic patch change capability. POD X3 already gives you the ability to save as many patches as you need with your desired effects configuration. Instead of paying a premium for that delay toggle switch you can use this pedal to toggle between two identical patches where one has the delay on and the other has the delay off. If you are on a budget, need to save space on your pedalboard, or just aren’t that into playing with effects then this is the foot controller for you.

The FBV Express has no method of controlling presets from any folder other than the user folder.

A/B/C/D	select user channel
current A/B/C/D	tap tempo/hold for tuner
Pedal	assignable to either/both amps

Calibrate the expression pedal
• Connect the FBV Express to your POD X3 and turn on the X3
• Set the pedal to half way between toe and heel
• Hold channel buttons A + D for six seconds to activate calibration mode
• Move the pedal to the full toe up position
• Move the pedal all the way down and activate the toe switch
• Turn off the X3 (this completes the pedal calibration)