KVR Audio

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Fri May 11, 2012 9:59 pm

Just got a POD HD500 to match up with my DT25 Amp and I'm lovin it so far!!

Very clean and highly defined tone. I don't hear about it much on KVR so, I'm wondering....anyone else dig this unit?

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:13 am

There is more buzz here for software solutions, but if something sounds
good, is easy to use, affordable, and doesn't require a dongle, whats not to love?

Until something comes along that's obviously better, it's the best.

If it's bundled with PodFarm software, comparisons to X, Y, and Z, are probably readily available. I love the podfarm reverbs, and Spider amps, but have never heard
a pod in person. I may mount a pocket pod and pickup in a broken accoustic
I was given, since I have the back off anyway.
Cheers

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:03 am

I can't speak to current Line6 offerings, but I think the issue was they more or less invented amp modeling and then let everyone else surpass them. When I was using a hardware modeler I looked at the best POD offering at the time and I was unimpressed. The Vox Tonelab was significantly better IMO.

Now they're using the word "HD" to describe how much more awesome their products are, but I went on the site and listened to their demos.. and they don't sound that great. I guess if you were using it as digital effects for a real tube amp like the DT25 you'd get the best of both worlds, but that's a pretty expensive proposition.

dsynth27 · Post by **dsynth27** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:28 am

I use it too...I like the sound more than amplitube, guitar rig, ect.

Great piece of kit IMO

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:53 am

glokraw wrote:Until something comes along that's obviously better, it's the best.

Kemper.

That said, the DT25 + Pod HD 500 combo has its own major strengths and is nothing less than groundbreaking in function. I can't imagine there's a better solution for someone who wants an insane amount of control and flexibility.

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Sat May 12, 2012 3:14 am

zerocrossing wrote:I went on the site and listened to their demos.. and they don't sound that great. I guess if you were using it as digital effects for a real tube amp like the DT25 you'd get the best of both worlds, but that's a pretty expensive proposition.

With various sales and deals, the whole setup (new) with amp, cables (AES and S/PDIF) and HD500 set me back $1325

(not cheap but man, I'm LOVIN' this rig dude!!!). I'm using my 2x12 Vox cabinet with Celestion Neo-Dogs 80-watt speakers.

Line 6 has a special gift for creating really bad sound clips and even worse presets. I don't know how they do it, but they manage to show the unit at its worst

Also, the HD units DO NOT sound great, or even particularly good, right out of the box. I was ready to return it all a couple of times already, due to the high learning curve and ease at which you can make these sound horrible.. They are fussy systems which require some time investment; no plug and play here

BUT, the payoff IS there if you put in the time and take it on like a proper project

The HD has effects and setup chains you simply won't find elsewhere and these effects are VERY good (for me, they are worth the price alone)

Taken from the so-called "M-class" effects we see on so many stages used for filters and delay units (of the 4-button form factor variety). Also, the Divided by 13, Dr. Z and Gibson amp models are not found elsewhere and they rock....IF you are willing to dial them in right. There's a lot of character to these models and they certainly don't sound good in every situation but that's true to life I guess. Line 6 gear makes you work for the sounds and isn't afraid to let you sound horrible if you are not willing to customize but I sort of like that. It's a fun problem to have

You won't find many good video demos from what I've seen but this guy is really good and seems to "get it" in terms of how to "dial in the tones" for these. They should have hired him sooner

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Sat May 12, 2012 3:41 am

Here's another that's worth a watch and listen for those who are interested...

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat May 12, 2012 5:14 am

blueman wrote:Line 6 has a special gift for creating really bad sound clips and even worse presets. I don't know how they do it, but they manage to show the unit at its worst Also, the HD units DO NOT sound great, or even particularly good, right out of the box.

Good to know! I'll admit that I haven't gotten past the presets.

You won't find many good video demos from what I've seen but this guy is really good and seems to "get it" in terms of how to "dial in the tones" for these.

Not bad! The cleans are stiff but still much better than anything I've ever heard from it.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat May 12, 2012 5:15 am

blueman wrote:Here's another that's worth a watch and listen for those who are interested...

When did Line 6 hire Conan O'Brian?

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:24 am

Uncle E wrote:
glokraw wrote:Until something comes along that's obviously better, it's the best.
Kemper.

My shrink said I'm too old to go running around robbing banks

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:35 am

blueman wrote:Here's another that's worth a watch and listen for those who are interested...

Nice demo, but they should have let Conan pee, first

SLiC · Post by **SLiC** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:42 am

I also have HD500 (and DT25 and JTV69 - the dream rig!) I have one as an 'amp' solution (it is perfect and amazing with the DT25, and truly mind-blowing with the JTV digital guitars, especially since the updates)

Simply put the HD500 is an extremely well priced external DSP effects, nothing can touch it IMHO as an external effects for the money...obviously it is has a bias towards guitar (and now bass and vocal also) but really it is an all round effects rack.

The editing software and computer integration (like midi over USB) sucks, but then it is really geared for plug and play and live; there are probably easier solutions if you always sit in front of a PC (like guitar rig which I also use, but it eats CPU and HD500 doesn't, I can also play HD500 without a PC and it has a full rack of controls and is an audio I/O, so again, pond for pound I would rate the HD better value than guitar rig/amplitude etc…)

If they had a decent computer front end, VSTi like control, midi clock over USB etc, it would probably get more of a shout at KVR, but currently its pretty much hardware with a computer editor, no real integration.

SLiC · Post by **SLiC** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:44 am

Uncle E wrote:
glokraw wrote:Until something comes along that's obviously better, it's the best.
Kemper.

That said, the DT25 + Pod HD 500 combo has its own major strengths and is nothing less than groundbreaking in function. I can't imagine there's a better solution for someone who wants an insane amount of control and flexibility.

Better Solution ~1

the DT25 + Pod HD 500 + JTV69

My Rig

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:33 am

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=102

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:43 pm

You're right, this one belongs in the hardware section, aisle 5.

Moderator, please move this topic to "Hardware (Instruments and Effects)"

Any love for POD HD500?