The J-Station is similar to the POD. Both are direct recording tools that offer a variety of amplifier simulations and effects. You can use headphones or feed the output to a guitar amplifier, PA or computer recording system. However, both the POD and J-Station are not really designed for live performance without some sort of foot controller. The foot controllers from Johnson and Line 6 are expensive, but you can use a Midi controller, which is less expensinve. I use a Yamaha DG-Stomp, which can be used for direct recording and has foot switches for live performance. The J-Station received a good review in the September 2000 Guitar Player. I've just received an email notice that Johnson has bundled the J-Station with an editor/librarian and Cakewalk Guitar Tracks and lowered the price so that you can buy for about $150 US - check out guitartrader.com. Since I've been thinking about buying Guitar Tracks anyway, I've about decided to buy the J-Station bundle even though I have a DG-Stomp.