well right now i'm between amps so i'm forced to use a pod and a tech 21 power engine. i have a mxr eq between the pod and the amp. running it like this is basically the same thing as putting it in a loop of a real amp i'm guessing? it's between the pre amp and power amp so it should work the same. basically i just want to know how to get the best sound out of this thing untill my amp gets here. so any suggestions would be awesome. would running the eq in front of everything be better? i know when you're using an eq you should set the pre amps eq section flat. how do i do that? all mids?

Since you're using a POD and a Tech 21 Power Engine, try POD -> Tech 21 and use the POD's Post-EQ if you want. The POD was designed to be played through the flattest-response method possible, because the tone is being 100% realized before it hits the speaker. Since you are running a POD through the TECH 21 Power Engine, which was designed to provide a flat response for such devices as the POD, that would be the optimal way to use your temporary setup. Just make sure your POD is set to recognize the way you're using it. I don't know what model your POD is, but if it's the good 'ol "red bean" POD, dial it into "Mode B". This will tell your POD that it is feeding a flat power amp (here being the power amp of your Tech 21) and that your speakers are an open back combo amp.

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yeah, syncophant is right. Run it like that, and if it doesnt exactly hit your taste, try different settings on the pod... if that doesnt hit the spot, throw the EQ in between the pod and the poweramp which will treat it like its in a series loop. That can be used to add or take out what you want.

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One question guys, do you still have to turn cabinet modeling off when running it into a transparent device like a PA system or transparent poweramp like the powerengine? I figure that is so as cab modeling is only really meant for direct recording, just wanted to know if it can be used for playing through a PA or transparent poweramp.

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Different digital modelers have different methods of turning off the "cab modeling". For Line 6 stuff, for any output setting that is not "studio direct", the cab modeling is automatically turned off. There are special modes for poweramp + stack and playing through a combo, and the POD will tailor it's tone through these settings to help you sound your best through your current setup. You are still able to change the type of cab/speakers on these non-studio direct modes (for matching your own setup or for getting different tones), BUT the A.I.R. acoustic modeling is disabled so the entire mic placement/room size parameters to adjust are gone and the tone is totally different. Sure, you could run a POD on "studio-direct" mode through a power amp and cab, but chances are it will sound like utter shit. However if you're stuck with a POD and a tiny entry level 12 or 15 inch practice amp, running the POD in "studio-direct" mode and into the clean channel with all the EQ levels flat (lows at 12 o'clock, dimed mids and highs at 12 o'clock I believe) is the best way to go.

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this thing definitely sucks. it's the oldest model pod i think. when it's set to direct it's insanely muddy and on amp mode it's a hissing beast. i'm glad i only payed $80 for it.