Pros VS Cons of using POD HD as my live rig

[J.custom]

Hey guys, as some of you might know, I've recently acquired a POD HD300 and I'm seriously blown away by it. I've spent more time playing with it than with my live rig (amp and pedalboard) and I was wondering what's the Pros VS Cons of using the HD300 as my live rig instead? Tempted to just use the HD300 and sell my rig away, but then again, I also don't want to regret in the end!

 

[lemonade93]

Well, i personally don't like the HD500, so i guess the HD300 should be almost the same. I mean, if you're playing out of the pedal itself, using the amp modeller I feel it sounds really sterile and sharp, you don't get that warm organic sound of the amp lah, i dont think i'll ever change from analog pedals to a amp modelling mfx, although having the HD300 is super convenient lah, less things to carry and transport haha

 

[J.custom]

hah, how long did you spend tweaking it? Must have the patience to tweak every single parameter, and you'll get the best results. I went from multi fx, to analogue, now contemplating of going back, but not sure yet

 

[tyzjames]

Haha.. just keep your analog pedals. Else you will find yourself going back and forth when you get bored of either.. Ive heard some recordings of the HD series on youtube and I must say its pretty impressive. Not too sure about the live sound tho.

 

[J.custom]

OH yeah shoots, still have your looper. Or should I just sell the M9 and try to integrate dirt pedals+HD300 into my live rig? Since I can turn the amp modelling on and off whenever I need to. So tempting.

 

[tyzjames]

Haha I had a M9 and M13 but I sold both to go back to analog pedals. Now I'm planning to get a M9 again for modulation and reverb with analog dirtboxes. Keep those analog boxes that you like, you most prob will use them again.

 

[J.custom]

I only have a Wampler TW and Rockett Flex drive and a George Dennis phaser, those are all keepers. Idk, now it's like having 2 m9s at home, one regular one, one with amp modelling+audio interface!!!

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

the main con bout going ampless and DI is that a lot of sound techs ears spoil / know nuts about the mixers infront of them, so they usually tend to screw your sound over, though you most probably spent hours programming your best sounds.

but if you're playing higher level gigs with reputable sound guys, they should be happy as hell that you're going DI, but it might take up more channels on their mixer on top of the mic'ed up amps, which they might not have.

the strongest aspect of the pod hd is its amp modelling, the weakest is the cab modelling, so if you can program your patches to use only their preamps with no cab simulation, and instead use the effects loop or main input of amps on stage, it should sound better.

 

[Godspeed64]

If you can go DI for your performances, and even more importantly with GOOD monitors that you can hear yourself from (and the band can hear YOU from), by all means go the HD route.

It's a tough route simply because a lot of knowledge is required in fine-tuning your ideal sound.

 

[J.custom]

I was thinking thru it and I guess it can replace my M9, so if there's a gig where I have to plug in my rig thru an amp, it could still serve as a 'M9' to me, which I use mainly for delays, verbs, and some modulation, while I use my analogue drives to fuel my distorted sound. Btw, just wondering, because I've never DI-ed before, do I need some sort of special cable aside from the regular instrument cable to DI? eg. XLR to 1/4"? or XLR cable?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

No special cable is needed to connect the geetar/pedals to di box. Just connect the usual instrument cable to the di box input and the output of the di box will then be xlr to the mixing console.

if you play gig where di box are being used, the di box and the xlr connection will be prepared by the organiser side. If not, hehe, the organiser cannot make it.

 

[J.custom]

I see. So cannot connect the HD300 direct to console? btw, any studio monitors to recommend? budget's about 300 ish, don't mind first or 2nd hand.

 

[carboxymoron]

Assuming the typical console will be at the back and you bring a ridiculously long cable, can try to connect direct.

Just kidding, they will have their own DI box setup, you should not have to worry about that side. You just go standard 1/4" out to the DI box.

Alternatively, since POD HDs have XLR out, can use whatever spare XLR lines they have laid out for mics, if the soundman is agreeable of course.