Who is using Line6 HD Multi Effects?

[wenqing21]

Just want to find out who in this community is using one of these? Have been contemplating to get one during CM's End of year sales.

I know that there are a lot of reviews about this pedals online. However, I would like to hear something about this piece of equipment from out local boys or gers.

Any reviews on this? Can buy or not?

 

[LadyInTears]

can buy! worth the buy! go and try!

 

[cheesedaele]

They can do multi effects but they're designed primarily for amp modeling. Multi effects = m5/9/13.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

it's quite good, i use it primarily with the fx return of my bh half stack now but planning to just get a personal frfr system for self monitoring on stage. not much discussions about it here on soft though. i usually just hang around tgp digital and modeling forum http://www.thegearpage.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=53

 

[carboxymoron]

They can do multi effects but they're designed primarily for amp modeling. Multi effects = m5/9/13.

I use an M9 and find the M-series to be the total opposite of typical multieffects. They've designed it as virtual stompboxes with no fixed slots / patches and no need to dig through menus. In other words, designed for people who normally wouldn't even consider using multieffects.

That said, the POD HD is easily the best and one generation ahead of other consumer-level floor processors, compared to the flagship models from Boss, Zoom, Korg, Vox etc. But you need the HD500 to make full use of the features available, so consider carefully what features you're willing to give up if you go with the HD300 or 400.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

yup, hd300 and hd400 are esentially almost the same in terms of i/o and routing options. the pod hd500 will open up a few more options. if you can afford it, go for the 500

 

[noobkerpal]

how much will CM discount during the end of year sales?

and when will it be held? im contemplating whether to upgrade my guitar or invest in the pod first

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

it should be around $670 during the sale

 

[wenqing21]

Thanks guys. It is good to know that no one is actually complaining that their product sucks. I saw some critics on other websites stating that their presets sucks blah blah...

Anyway, I am actually looking at HD500 if I am getting one of it.

 

[noobkerpal]

the only bad qualities of the PODHD 500 are

DSP LIMIT REACHED
bad cab modules

other than that, it is the most powerful and value for money commercial multi FX unit.
with exception of the axe fx II

 

[wenqing21]

Hi noobkerpal,

Have you actually reached the DSP Limit? I heard that although this is the limitation to the POD HD, there are actually some workarounds to the patches that you are working on. I am not sure how this works as I had not personally tried it and I might be wrong.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

the dsp limit is easily reach if you are doing dual full amps with post amp and cab sim on. this can be a painful limitation for people who're into experimental/ ambience. but for everyone else, hardly an issue.

if you need more effects on the stereo chain in dual amp, you could always get external effect units on the efx loop, or even a m13 / second hd500 as slave unit for extreme cases.

 

[cheesedaele]

I use an M9 and find the M-series to be the total opposite of typical multieffects. They've designed it as virtual stompboxes with no fixed slots / patches and no need to dig through menus. In other words, designed for people who normally wouldn't even consider using multieffects.

I agree. I was advocating the M-series to be really good as a multi-effects unit because of how accessible their interface is. Especially for someone getting their very first one. Explosion of multi-level menus can be the biggest turn-off.

What I was pointing out is that TS seems not to be interested in the amp/cab modelling capabilities. Which would be a waste to get a HD for, imo. And I don't know this for sure, but I'm guessing the HD interface follows in the spirit of the Pod Live / X3, which isn't as flexible or user-friendly as the M-series' one.

 

[wenqing21]

Hi cheesedaele,

Thanks for the comment. What you mentioned is somehow quite right... I think as of now, I am more interested in the effects that a unit can offer. However, when I did a comparison between M-series stompboxes and HD Pods, both offers a wide range of effects. Well... perhaps the Pod HDs does not have the entire range of effects that the M-series can offer. Another reason is the amp/cab modelling that you had mentioned. This is pretty new to me.

So in terms of flexibility and functionality as compared between the 2 products, Pod HD can offer slightly more. Lastly, it is the input interface that Pod HD have. I do need something that can be plug into my PC for recording through DAW. If what I had researched is correct, I need more equipments to have M-series stompboxes to be able to achieve the same outcome.

In the end, I think there are gives and takes to consider which one to get which is something that still have yet to made up my mind.

 

[tacocat]

Hi cheesedaele,

Thanks for the comment. What you mentioned is somehow quite right... I think as of now, I am more interested in the effects that a unit can offer. However, when I did a comparison between M-series stompboxes and HD Pods, both offers a wide range of effects. Well... perhaps the Pod HDs does not have the entire range of effects that the M-series can offer. Another reason is the amp/cab modelling that you had mentioned. This is pretty new to me.

So in terms of flexibility and functionality as compared between the 2 products, Pod HD can offer slightly more. Lastly, it is the input interface that Pod HD have. I do need something that can be plug into my PC for recording through DAW. If what I had researched is correct, I need more equipments to have M-series stompboxes to be able to achieve the same outcome.

In the end, I think there are gives and takes to consider which one to get which is something that still have yet to made up my mind.

ultimately the most important part of the POD HD series is the HD amp modelling , it saves you alot of money , compared to buying a real amp head. if you want a good tone , you need a good preamp , and the pod HD does that at less than $1000. buy your self a good pair of studio monitors and you are good to go!

 

[cheesedaele]

Nice to see how much thought and deliberation you've put in. Can only wish more people would give as much consideration, let alone the effort to do some simple Googling and beyond that, the further reading that you've also done. (People who can't be bothered to even Google, I likewise can't be bothered to help.)

Having heard more of your intentions, in the long run, I do feel the HD will give you better mileage. Like tacocat said, the amp modeling will save you a great deal once you reach the limit of what effects can do, because tone originates from the amps/cabs after all. I've already pointed out that the HD is not as simple to navigate as the M-series, so if you do decide on a pod HD, at least it's a decision made with your eyes open. Besides, the HDs are newer, so if you decide the HD is too troublesome, it's easier to sell off and switch to a M9/13 than it would be the other way round.

Sorry for hopping the fence, but at least it gives a balanced pros/cons: M9/13 saves you a lot of headache and frustration, HD saves you $$ in the long run. Final decision is still yours to make. But do let everyone know how you're going with whichever you choose!

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

haha everybody seems to think that the m13 is way cheaper than the pod hd500. no la, it's only 30 bucks cheaper. although the algorithms and engine of the hd and m13 are not exactly the same, line 6 claims they are of the same quality. so for $30 to get pre post amp / cab modelling and a ton of routing flexibility, i'd say pod h500.

 

[wenqing21]

Thanks everyone for your precious comments.

Basically, from what I can conclude from all the replies, they are Functionality VS Cost Vs Learning Curve. With pod hd500, you have all the functionality that I need, not too costly but learning curve is high. I had not personally tried it yet (planning to do so one of these day). But from the internet, and looking through it's manual, configuring patches is not that straightforward. A lot of trial and errors is needed to achieve the tone that you need

For m-series, learning curve is much simpler. In terms of cost, there might be a need to invest more $$$ to get a better head and cab. But you can only choose one out of so many selections. Seriously... I also do not have so much cash to burn to have my room filled with different types of amps for different purposes, unless of cos, I am a pro Functionality wise, they have all the effects and combinations that one can get out of the box.

Based on all these factors, and also cost effectiveness, I can say perhaps pod hd is the way to go given that the rest of the parameters remain constant.

I shall make another update once I had tried out both units

 

[noobkerpal]

that is where this comes in handy http://line6.com/customtone/browse/podhd500/