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Introducing the POD HD500X Guitar M

Introducing the POD HD500X Guitar M

Line 6

Description

The POD HD500X is the ultimate tone palette, whether you want to re-create classics or go somewhere new with the ability to recall up to 512 totally different rigs-with changes to preamp type, power amp configuration, guitar type, polyphonic alt-tuning, effects chain and more. And thanks to HD technology, POD HD500X provides the depth, character and touch nuance to inspire your creativity in the studio or on stage. So if you've never experienced the flagship of the POD family, now's the time to check out POD HD500X.

World-Class HD Amps
From vintage classics to modern powerhouses, each HD amp delivers incredible sonic depth, character and touch nuance to inspire your playing-and that's just the beginning. Customize the tone and dynamic response of each HD amp with an extensive set of deep parameters including Sag, Bias, Bias Excursion, Hum and more.

100+ Studio and Stomp Effects
POD HD500X gives you over 100 studio and boutique stomp effects, so you can take your sound in any direction. Emulate classic signal chains with distortions, delays, mods, filters, reverbs and more, or discover entirely new sounds by mixing and matching up to eight simultaneous effects. You also get pro-grade, assignable footswitches and a built-in, die-cast expression pedal to control your effects in real time.

More Processing Power, More Creativity
With unparalleled flexibility and more processing power than anything in its class, POD HD500X is built for tone creation. To start, POD features dynamic DSP, so you have the freedom to stack the effects you want wherever you want them. Compared to its predecessor, POD HD500X lets you add even more effects to your signal chain. You can also mix and match HD amps, cabinets, mics and effects in virtually endless combinations. With 512 presets, you've got plenty of options for recalling your tones.

Sculpt Sounds with Dual Signal Paths
Legendary guitar tones are often created with more than one signal path. POD HD500X lets you create these complex, rich tones without the setup headaches of traditional dual-amp rigs. You can route your guitar through two completely independent paths-each with its own HD amp and effects chain, of course-or process two signals at once using the 1/4" guitar, 1/4" auxiliary or XLR mic inputs. So whether you want to configure elaborate signal chains for more traditional stereo amp setups, or create unique soundscapes, you've picked the right tool.

Assignable Footswitches and Rugged Construction
With POD HD500X, you get professional-grade footswitches with bright LED rings for at-a-glance operation. You can use them to enable or bypass amps and effects, or to select presets directly. If you want to get more creative, you can assign multiple amp and effects parameters to the expression pedal and morph between sounds-controlling up to 52 parameters in real time. The footswitches also control the built-in 48-second looper-an instrument unto itself. The bent-metal chassis and rugged construction make POD HD500X ideal for any stage.

Flexible I/O for Recording with Any DAW
POD HD500X provides all the connections you need for studio, stage and anywhere in between. You can plug in a mic to record vocals or acoustic instruments, track with your favorite HD amps, use the stereo FX loop to connect stompboxes and outboard effects, and much more. Connect to your computer via USB for multi-channel, studio-quality recording with your favorite DAW software-or tap into POD HD Edit, the free editor/librarian software that makes it easy to tweak and organize all your tones.

Command Center for Your Guitar Experience
It doesn't matter if you use a guitar amp, go straight to the PA or take advantage of a next-gen full-range guitar rig-POD HD500X is the ideal command center for any guitar setup. It's a fully assignable MIDI controller, so you can use the footswitches and expression pedal to control all kinds of external hardware and software-and it gets even better when you use POD HD500X with other Line 6 gear.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor

Features

  • Extensive collection of award-winning HD amps for authentic tone and feel
  • 100+ studio and stomp effects”use up to eight simultaneously
  • Selectable speaker cabinets and mics
  • Unparalleled flexibility to craft your tones: Dual signal paths, multiple routing optionso Dynamic DSP with more power for amps and effects and stereo FX loop can be inserted anywhere in the signal chain
  • Professional-grade footswitches with bright LED rings for at-a-glance operation
  • Comprehensive I/O includes USB 2.0, MIDI, S/PDIF, balanced XLR outputs, integrated mic preamp and more
  • Guitar input with variable impedance
  • Fully assignable MIDI controller”control external hardware and software via footswitches and expression pedal
  • L6 LINK connection for integration and control of DT-series amplifiers and StageSource series loudspeakers
  • VDI connection for integration and control of James Tyler Variax guitars
  • 8 set lists containing 64 presets
  • 512 user-writable preset locations
  • Assignable expression pedal controls amp and effect parameters
  • Integrated 48-second looper with dedicated footswitch
  • Built-in chromatic tuner
  • Tap-tempo footswitch
  • Professional-grade construction with bent metal chassis, chrome roll bar and die-cast expression pedal
  • Downloadable POD HD500X software editor/patch librarian

Reviews

4.13

32 Reviews

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

HD500X Replaced my pedal board

I bought my POD HD500X (back in September 2013)because I play contemporary worship music at my church every Sunday and we need to keep the stage volume to a minimum (i.e. no mic'd amps). The HD500X serves this purpose perfectly. I simply plug the L/mono 1/4 output into a direct box and I'm all set. I typically setup presets for each song (about 5-6 for a set) and just click through them as needed. It's very easy to setup presets using the Edit software on my computer and I can dial in the effects I want for each song as well as the tempos for the delays. I love all the options the device has. Plenty of amps and effects to choose from and the sound quality is amazing. It does take some time to go through all the different effects and amps and get a feel for what will work for you. It also takes some time to tweak things to get the tones you want. At this point, I have it somewhat dialed in to what I like, but there is always room for improvement. I used to use my pedalboard and a Vox VT20+ amp so I could use the line out on it to go straight into the PA. It was more cumbersome to carry the pedalboard, plus the amp took up room and cluttered up the stage a bit. With the POD, I use a noise gate and have very little pickup noise to worry about now. With the pedalboard, I used to get a lot of hum because all the pedals and cables (plus single coil pickups). I still have the pedalboard, but I hardly use it now since I got the POD. I also love how portable the POD is. The unit itself is very heavy duty and all metal, so it's very durable, but it's not too big and heavy to carry to and from gigs. I ended up buying a Gator bag for small pedalboards that fits it perfectly. It's so much easier to carry the HD500X than my big and heavy pedalboard. If I have any complaints, I would say that the Looper and Tap Tempo/Tuner buttons could be a little further away from the expression pedal. It would make it easier to use them. Also, I would prefer if Line 6 reversed the setup of the foot switches so that the preset selection switches were on the top row and the assignable footswitches were on the bottom. It can be tricky to hold your foot over the top row to engage an overdrive, or some other effect, during a song and not accidentally hit another switch.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Harsh, SS, XT-like timbre

I've been using Line 6 gear exclusively both live and in the studio since the first Pods came out. My favorite amp models are the Blackface Deluxe, Vox (AC30 and AC15), and on occasion the Marshall JCM800. My tone preference is for just enough saturation to make the notes sing and sustain so I rarely use the high gain models. Back in the day I loved the Pod 2.0 and my Flextone II amps and had no difficulty dialing up any number of great tones on the fly. I could not, however, create a single, listenable patch with Pod XT which I found yielded harsh/sterile/flat/SS sounds regardless of the amp model. I've been using the Floor Pod Plus since 2012 and am very happy with its sound and I had very high expectations for the HD line. In short, this HD500X is like a "Floor Pod Plus XT". I spent well over an hour trying to set up one sweet and simple, plain vanilla tone with the HD500x editor and a pair of Sennheiser HD 545's and failed. The HD's Blackface and Vox models are *very* different than those on the Floor Pod Plus (and not in a good way). Furthermore, I experienced the input clipping phenomenon I later discovered was fairly common among other users. Some of the Plexi models sounded pretty good but I didn't spend a lot of time with the high gain amp models. This HD line may work for a metal but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for other, lower gain styles. And it might sound great with a Variax but I don't think it works well with a regular guitar. Perhaps all the above may have something to do with the recent, substantial mark downs for the HD500x.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Home Studio12
  2. Performances10
  3. Amateur Recording7
  4. Professional Recording7
  5. Outdoor Events / Games5
Cons
  1. Pricey / Poor Value2
  2. Difficult To Use2
  3. Poor Sound Quality1
  4. Not Intuitive1
  5. Difficult to use. Not for beginners.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced10
  2. Novice4
  3. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Versatile12
  2. Compact8
  3. Excellent Sound Quality7
  4. Good Selection Of Effects7
  5. Durable5
  • Yes.

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byLittle Black Sambo

    fromPhoenix, Arizona

    It's got great sound!

  • maybe

    1

    submitted6 years ago

    byjames

    fromportland or

    It came damaged. Probably a floor model. After plugging in the unit would just keep rebooting. I returned it no questions asked. Too bad but I'll wait till they get the podgo in stock.

  • Yes I would definitely buy this product again

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byRody

    fromWahiawa HI

    Is like having a music store in my house. I get to play with different amps and pedals individually or combined. This is awesome.

  • At the moment I'm not happy

    2

    submitted6 years ago

    byMike

    fromCentral NY

    I just use this at home.

  • Product Fine, GC sent used.

    1

    submitted6 years ago

    byMatt T

    fromCoats, NC

    Product is awesome. My issue is with GC. I ordered new, GC sent me a scuffed up floor model. No box, no user manual, no warranty info, and the shipping box was falling apart. There is no indication on this sale that they are sending floor models in place of new. Buyer beware. 4/10/2020

  • Great pedal

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byNile

    fromTulsa ok

    This is the 2nd time purchasing this pedal. This time, it was missing some amp models I remember from the first time I owned it. After researching, I discovered that the pedal had included a bundle of amp patches as a promotional deal. I feel like I'm missing out on half of the sounds and will have to spend more money to get all the effects I thought were included.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byZach

    fromundisclosed

    Do you have all of the original cables and manual for this?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is a new item
  • asked byMembriux

    fromSan Leandro, CA

    Does it come with the USB Cable?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This effects processor does come with a USB cable.
  • asked byChad

    fromOlympia, WA

    Can I use the Line 6 POD HD500X with my Line 6 Spider Jam amp? Also, does this effects processor come with a cable to connect to the amp? Thank you.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes.
  • asked byBud

    fromSt Louis Mo

    How versatile is the loop function on this pedal? Is it comparable to a looper pedal? How many minutes of look time a layers can be stacked?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It's fairly versatile but the length is actually limited. It's only like 45 seconds and 5 layers.
  • asked byFlip

    fromFayetteville, GA

    Does this have the option of switching to a bass amp, so I can use both my bass and guitar with it?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is specifically made for the guitar
  • asked byJoshua

    fromTexas

    can the expression pedal be used as a volume pedal for doing stuff like swells

    Open Reply - Beau
    The expression pedal cannot be used as a volume pedal.