Hm. Maybe I was just looking at the wrong model then. I don't see what reason there should ever be for a multi-effect/amp modeling pedal to not support an external effects loop. Sure, it does everything, but does it do it the way I want it done? That and there is the issue of tweakability, signal fidelity issues inherent in digital equipment, and a lack of external variables that, to me, make musicmaking the well of limitless curiosity that it is to me.
Now, to expound that last sentence, for the sake of debate re: Pod vs. amp and pedals. Go ahead and tell me all about that hella sweet tone you found with your Pod. That's pretty interesting, sure!
Then I'll show you a tone setting that I found with my amp and my pedals, and then I'll show you what happens when I move the mic even an inch from where it had previously been. And then I'll show you what happens when I use a different mic. Then I'll move the amp and my pedals into a different room. Then I'll use two mics, a dedicated amp mic and a mic to pick up the sound of the walls resonating with the sound of my amp.
I mean, if you're just going for consistency, well, alright, all yours dude. But the only application I can think of that would really merit something like that would be in live performance situations. You can sound exactly like you did on your first album and then switch it up to the sound you had on your third, and you don't have to have a bunch of amps or pedals! If you're touring, more power to you!
But if you're recording, I really don't see why you would use a Pod for innovation. There is so much to take advantage of when you decline to use modeling technology, so much to experiment with, and so many variables that will alter the sound you produce which might ultimately inspire you to put that specific sound to another use. Hell, even the phase and location of the moon affects how your amp tubes (if applicable to your rig) process sound.
