Line 6 POD HD500 HIGH SOCIETY
Choose the right POD HD for you... There are three models of the new POD HD aimed at guitarists whose needs range from the fairly straightforward – yet still generously spec’d –HD300 to the FX loop-equipped HD400 and the all singing-all-dancing HD500. The HD500 features the most options with regard to connectivity; neither the HD300 nor HD400 share the HD500s USB or S/PDIF compatibility, but the HD300 and HD400 do both feature the same core 16 amp models as the HD500. The HD300 and HD400 both offer 256 presets compared to the HD500’s 512 programmable presets, but 256 different sounds still seems like plenty enough for the average punter! Compared to the HD500s eight simultaneous effects, the HD300 and HD400 can run up to a maximum of four effects simultaneously, which nevertheless feels like a realistic reflection of how most guitarists tend to combine their standard stomp boxes. The HD500 also offers a maximum 48 seconds looping time compared to its siblings 24 seconds. The HD500 represents the peak of the new HD series processing power but the lower priced HD300 and HD400 both still offer a phenomenal amount of bang for buck. You decide which one suits you best.
are using the HD500 purely as an effects board you can add extra effects into the signal path. The plethora of connections laid
out across the rear panel includes an FX loop send and returns and an external expression pedal socket
is the inclusion of Variax and L6 Link sockets that synchronise the HD500 with a Line 6 Variax guitar and a Line 6 DT50 amplifier. Imagine being able to use the HD500 to run your entire rig; it may seem a bit like taking things to the ‘nth’
tweaking tools on hand to keep the most demanding tone-hound happily engaged for millennia, those that like to delve deep will also love it. Looking at the effects first, this is an area where Line 6 has traditionally excelled and the HD500 has the power to inspire. One or two of the more adventurous sounding patches found us coming up with throbbing dance/rock-hybrid grooves within a few seconds. If you are into wacky sound effects you are in luck; Line 6 seems to have cornered the market in combining generally mundane effects like tremolo and reverb with futuristic sounding pitch-shifting, reverse delays and other more unusual sounds to create some stunningly beautiful sounding patches that wouldn’t sound out of place on the soundtrack to an episode of Dr Who. If, however, your tastes run to the more conventional then the amp models present a generous amount of standard overdriven and clean tones. The digital models of familiar amplifiers like the Marshall JCM800 and various ancient Fenders not only sound very realistic but they also respond to adjustments in EQ, gain and volume settings in the same way as the original target amplifiers,
which makes editing patches feel more natural, faster and easier than you might otherwise think. The HD500 is a convincing argument in favour of the swiftness and versatility of the digital medium but it also shows that this device is also capable of simple, rugged generic clean and overdriven sounds that can be enhanced with any of the effects from the HD500’s formidable arsenal. Indeed, preset sounds are actually grouped in Set Lists, which also makes it easier for the user to visualise where they want to store specific sounds in the memory banks. Presets can be arranged in any order – a bit like virtual fridge magnets – so you can place presets in any order to match your band’s set list in real time or just keep a handy track of your favourite settings for studio work, for example. The onboard looper feels similarly intuitive; we developed some cool-sounding loops with absolutely zero reference to the manual but with no on board drum machine to automatically synchronise the looping process it can be a bit tricky to tempo-match one or two different layers ,particularly if they already feature preset delay effects. PM
Socket to me: The HD500 offers versatile connectivity…
for extra hands free control over various parameters when maybe you need to use the built-in pedal as a conventional wah wah or volume. There are stereo XLR outs and an S/PDIF digital output, plus a low-Z microphone input whose signal can be routed through the DSP for adding a bit of extra sparkle to a vocal if required. The HD500 is more than capable of operating as a conventional multi-effects board but in true Line 6 style, the HD500 is also equally at home plugged into a computer via the USB connection, whereby the pedalboard can interface with the Line 6 Monkey application for free software upgrades and access the editing/librarian software to create and store your favourite custom patches. Another interesting feature
degree but if the player is so inclined, the prospect of having everything there at your feet – right down to changing virtual guitars in your Variax to suit any given song at the click of a footswitch - is very exciting!
Sounds It’s very easy to get a bit overawed by the HD500; its imposing physical dimensions are easily matched by the vast choice of sounds contained within its sturdy chassis. However, as with all Line 6 products the balance between high-tech wizardry and user-friendly simplicity leans strongly in favour of the user who wants to plug in and get going more or less immediately. Indeed Line 6 confirms that for all its sophistication the HD500 is designed with fun in mind but with more than enough tone
SHOULD I BUY ONE?
If you’ve used any Line 6 products the microscopic attention to detail that is poured into each and every aspect of the sounds needs little introduction. The HD500 retains the plush organic feel and easily programmability of its siblings in the POD family, but there is also a reassuring chunkiness and familiarity conveyed by the pedalboard format. So, with all this in mind, does High Definition modelling make any discernable difference to the overall sound quality? Without an older Line 6 processor to compare with the HD500 in a back-to-back test, we cannot absolutely vouch 100% that High Definition modelling sounds significantly different to previous generations of Line 6 amp modellers but with so much power under the hood the HD500 is still a truly formidable tool with amazing potential. We can state beyond any doubt that the HD500 leaves nothing to chance when it comes to helping you sound exactly as you want to sound, with virtually no limits. This, and the very agreeable price, makes this device very tempting indeed.
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