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Amped / Guitars

Amped Review: Line 6 Pod HD

Desktop Amp and Effect modelling 05-Jul-11
Amped Pod HD review 9:52 mins
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We’ve seen the HD500 - it features the new Line 6 HD amp models and was - as far as we could tell, pretty darned good. As is the way of most things - this tech has now trickled further down the product line and found itself in the latest Pod offering from Line 6 - the Pod HD.

 
Brain Strain
 Inside, we basically have the exact same tech - same amp models, same stomps (100+ M class effects) and editing system - as the HD500. Note there’s six new HD amp models since the new 1.3 firmware update, bringing the total number of amp models to 22. In addition you get the same dual path routing - with a second input on XLR - primarilly for a mic for vocals, though you can stick a guitar in if you have a jack to XLR adapter - so the same dual channel processing power too.

Quick Spec
8 simultaneous effects, 22 amp models, 22 preamp models, 16 cabinet models, 8 mic models, 512 presets

Of course there are limitations - you only get a single pair of analog ouputs and no external effects loop, but you do get stereo analog, S/P-DIF and direct USB soundcard connection - meaning you can record directly from the Pod to your DAW.

Form
Somehow in use the POD HD is more accessible for editing than the HD500  - with it being desktop mounted and all the knobs surrounding the main display, its a more hands-on experience rather than feet-on. Though you can hook up an FBV Shortboard MKII foot controller to get your feet involved if you want to take it on the road - you can also get special Pod stand to keep it off the floor. Although it feels right at home on the desktop integrated into your recording system.


Sounds
What can we say - you get the same high quality range of sounds as you do in the more expensive HD 500 - the range is simply stunning - classic tones, dreamy ambient, rock, metal, lead, synth and so many more. The new HD amp models are (still) really pretty good and the effects are up to the usual Line 6 quality.

We found the desktop format to be particularly good for getting hands on and sculpting and tweaking the sound - the addition of the assignable Tweak knob also helps for realtime control of any amp or effect parameter.


Finally
 Line 6 have not let the side down with this new model, the price is pretty close to the others in the HD range, but the form factor and DAW integration does make it ideal for the studio. You could equally use it live in combination with the FBV, but the single unit of the HD300 or HD500 might appeal more if you want to keep it simple.

Recommended.

Available now £349/€429/$399.99


 


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39 comments | Watch Video on Youtube |

kreschdruppreschd 15-May-12 01:48 PM

If you like synths, try out Roland GR-55, that is very cool, but POD HD, too. I've both.

mrgibson 14-May-12 05:49 PM

but you can tell by the way it sounds he's using the neck pickup.

Lolface996 14-May-12 12:31 PM

He is using the bridge, on the eclipse i tested i had the pickup selector turned up to get the bridge pickup

LittleDemon0 13-May-12 07:50 AM

I see. It's also possible to record with this line 6 pedal in the video?

XChanges2 13-May-12 06:48 AM

yes, you can plug in a really big pedal from Line6. and yes, you can record songs, because in this case the pod IS the soundcard. Just plug it in via USB.

LittleDemon0 22-Apr-12 02:03 PM

I'm thinking in buying this. but can someone please clear me a doubt i have? it is possible to use the bean for playing live, trough some pedal control? and it can be used to record songs, although my computer doesn't have the best sound card?

PS3GuitarMan 21-Apr-12 10:38 PM

True, spider jam still sounds decent enough to write songs on

VegasPoker 14-Apr-12 10:39 PM

yea i agree the cleans sounded amazing but he def should have switched to the bridge pickup for the low distortion riffs.

themodernguitarist 13-Apr-12 01:40 PM

But the POD HD actually sounds good while doing it. :D

justicevoicevn 03-Apr-12 09:24 PM

Can I plug Mp3 player to play backingtrack via XLR connector on Line 6 HD? I found that it is impossible to convert XLR connector to 3/5 connector

RockBandFanatic125 20-Feb-12 10:37 PM

you spelled desktop wrong

PS3GuitarMan 02-Feb-12 11:30 PM

Spider jam does similar stuff :)

mrgibson 28-Dec-11 02:54 PM

actually a great review, but why do you only use the neck pickup? especially when you played the rythm parts with the distortion...

spiderbabybill 27-Dec-11 10:56 AM

Great review and showcase. I got one of these last month on sale and it's the best present I've bought for myself in a while. Now all I need are new fingers.

InfectiousGamerTech 25-Dec-11 10:20 PM

What Kind of Power Amp and studio monitors are you using? I was thinking of getting this Pod HD, and hooking it up to other equipment like you have it... I was thinkin of a Behringer iNuke 1000 or higher, with a pair of behringer Truth Studio monitors(im not sure which model tho...).

Any ideas? Thx! Your review pretty much got me sold on this product =D

TechnoRoach 24-Dec-11 02:16 PM

It does have an XLR input for mics, but it is geared toward guitarists, you may find it useful, but you might not use more than half of its capability.

FrontlineGuitar 16-Dec-11 02:01 PM

it's awesome for recording :) if you're gonna be straight up recording full stop then you might wanna get the x3 live, it has more recording options than the hd500, but after a bit of tweaking, the hd500 does sound quite a bit better, especially the clean and crunch tones. Also if you don't really want a seperate floor pedal as well, DEFINITELY look at the pod hd500. AWESOME bit of kit. Same thing, but in live format with a looper :)

Marcel3540 28-Nov-11 02:47 PM

i need this !

TherapyHiccup 23-Nov-11 10:58 PM

i don't play or have a guitar. i am looking for a multi effect unit. i would use my synths/voice with this. any point in getting it?

Niallphillips 20-Nov-11 06:48 PM

A fucking organ synth!? hahaha brilliant

saintofbladez 13-Nov-11 05:49 PM

How easy is this to record with, just in a bedroom setting, i'm a bit skeptical about paying that amount out, and then still needing a floor pedal too :S Nice video by the way :)

socialgrudge 12-Nov-11 03:12 PM

Yeah..LOL.. If I could only afford the Axe-FX Ultra......

FreemanBoscha 11-Nov-11 10:54 PM

i used to used line 6 products, have had line 6 products in the past, they are good for the money, and i agree about technology it is coming on leaps and bounds, but line 6 i feel is slipping compared to the likes of eleven rack and axe-fx units, line 6 needs to step up its game.

socialgrudge 11-Nov-11 10:19 PM

Line 6 products ARE used in PROFESSIONAL situations, and used by PRO Musicians. I do agree with you about the digital sound, but when dialed in correctly, and with a good engineer in the studio, you cant tell the difference. I was using my HD400 at a show, and another muscian from the headlining act, asked my where my amp was, and what I used. He was blown away when I told him I was running straight into the PA from my POD. I know people love Tube amps, but technology is catchinup

godlikecharacta 17-Oct-11 02:47 PM

ducks try to fly, and quack

TheFlaArtist 11-Oct-11 09:18 PM

Does any other of the Line POD's have the Strings/orchestra type of effects? hate to buy this thing just to get those individual effects

7StringSeven 08-Oct-11 09:28 AM

Hey man, i have one too.... Actually, when you crank the volume and mess around with the tones a bit... It has a lot of power. It sounds pretty bloody amazing... The higher the volume is (normally i have the pod set to like, 2/10 and make my amp do most of the work) the better it sounds... :P

giwrgos1349 08-Oct-11 12:10 AM

hey i wanted to ask if the pod hd have ready presets like toneport ux2

pupack 07-Oct-11 08:49 PM

it is preamp, you will need power amp infront of cab

ACDCwarmachine 06-Oct-11 01:36 PM

can you just run this direct into a cab? or do you have to have a power amp?

FreemanBoscha 04-Sep-11 01:37 PM

sounds really digital, good for practice and gettings ideas down but would never use one live or for any real music production.

nicolasrivera 02-Aug-11 01:42 PM

WOW, THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO, REALLY MAKES ME WANT TO BUY OINE

THEREALMOSH2 30-Jul-11 02:52 AM

You CAN get good distorted tones, you just have to spend hours on end messing with it. Or take someone else's patch and modify it.

xguitar123 26-Jul-11 12:39 AM

LIKE YOUR DEMO. LINE6 MAKES GREAT PRODUCTS. KEEP ON MAKING VIDEOS. MARK FROM LAS VEGAS NEVADA

Nitrotigerz 26-Jul-11 12:09 AM

Quality video, great cleans, but like most processors besides Axe-FX, lame distorted tones.

UltimateVenom 25-Jul-11 11:23 PM

durutti column

dexterfritz 06-Jul-11 02:37 AM

Nice demo. Great guitar playing.

chessdude67 05-Jul-11 05:46 PM

Excellent demo. Thank you!

peace,

Tim

12x 05-Jul-11 03:44 PM

good video, dislike the product.

 

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