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1064 Views 18 Replies Latest reply: May 19, 2012 12:57 PM by litesnsirens RSS
stratchamp Just Startin'
stratchamp
43 posts since
May 10, 2012
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May 13, 2012 3:15 PM

HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

Is the tone quality the same between the HD300 and the HD500?  In other words, would I be able to get the same quality of amp tones out of the 300 as I would with the 500?

  • jstock Just Startin'
    jstock
    60 posts since
    Jul 28, 2009
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    May 13, 2012 3:55 PM (in response to stratchamp)
    Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

    I own a HD500 and a HD300. The answer is yes the amp modelling is the same.

     

    Obviously the HD300 has less features than the HD500. For instnace the HD500 provides dual amp modelling and lets you place FX anywhere in the signal chain where as the HD300 only provides a single amp and the signal chain is in a fixed position. So from that point of view IMHO you can get a better range of sounds out the HD500.

     

    However don't let me put you off the HD300, if you are strapped for cash the HD300 is an excellent unit at that price point.

  • berkleegrad Just Startin'
    berkleegrad
    27 posts since
    May 12, 2007
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    May 13, 2012 4:38 PM (in response to stratchamp)
    Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

    Hey Stratchamp,

     

    I too own both a HD300 & HD500 and jstock is 'spot on' with his advice. 

     

    Also, I think the simpler output routing options on the HD300 make it easier to get it gig ready more quickly. Especially if sending the same signal to both an  amp (or floor wedge) AND to the FOH is important.

    While the the FX on the HD300 are in static locations - it does make it easier to program and you don't get into DSP limitaion issues... Plus the HD300 can be easily packed in your luggage and  is small enough to fit in carry on for air travel...

     

    Lastly, the sound tech loves the sound from either of these units ...

     

    good luck,

    Rick

    • stratchamp Just Startin'
      stratchamp
      43 posts since
      May 10, 2012
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      May 13, 2012 5:22 PM (in response to berkleegrad)
      Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

      Good to know.

       

      Also, I heard that if you pan the mixer on the 500 to the center that it will sound better.  Can this be done on the 300?

      • stratchamp Just Startin'
        stratchamp
        43 posts since
        May 10, 2012
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        May 13, 2012 6:15 PM (in response to stratchamp)
        Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

        Also, I plan on buying the hd300/500 used.  How well do the footswitches hold up over time? I heard from many places that they aren't built very well. 

        • phil_m Expert Line 6 User
          phil_m
          4,243 posts since
          Jan 25, 2007
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          May 13, 2012 7:35 PM (in response to stratchamp)
          Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

          I'd be interested to know where you're hearing that from, because other than a few scattered reports, I haven't really seen very many complaints at all about the footswtiches on the HD line. There were more issues with the footswitches on the X3L, but Line 6 has since changed the design to be more robust. Actually, pretty much all of the Line 6 products that are floor based are using the same footswitch design now. I've had my M13 for almost four years now, and it's been fine.

          • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo
            litesnsirens
            649 posts since
            Mar 20, 2010
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            May 13, 2012 8:07 PM (in response to phil_m)
            Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

            I have to agree, the footswitches seem solid enough to me. If you are really just looking for simple good amp sounds with a few effects here and there I think the 300 should do you fine. Lot's of guys love to do the dual amp thing but quite frankly, while I have messed around with it, I have yet to like any dual amp patches enough to include them for live playing.  I obviously have the 500.  The reason I wanted it was because I wanted full flexibility, and it was a good choice, I'm coming to think I will never exhaust all the tonal possibilities this thing has to offer.  But as others have pointed out, effects and routing aside, amp model to amp model they should match up exactly.

            • stratchamp Just Startin'
              stratchamp
              43 posts since
              May 10, 2012
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              May 13, 2012 8:15 PM (in response to litesnsirens)
              Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

              I downloaded the hd300 editor and it seems that you can't adjust the wah mix.  I know you can on the 500 though.  Is there a way to adjust it on the 300?

               

              Thanks for all the help so far, I really appreciate it.

              • jstock Just Startin'
                jstock
                60 posts since
                Jul 28, 2009
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                May 14, 2012 5:18 AM (in response to stratchamp)
                Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

                Don't think you can I'm afraid - not in front of the unit currently though - anyone?

                 

                These tweaks and nice to have's are the sort of thing you that you pay extra for on the 500. For instance a couple of neat tricks can be had with the Vol/ Wah pedal assignment. You can assign it to control for instance the amount of drive on a stomp or maybe length of delay. Toe down more, heel down less. I hear a number of people use it to control the volume on the amp, hence freeing up a block for another FX. I think you get where people are coming from when they talk flexibility is what the 500 is about.

              • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
                silverhead
                9,592 posts since
                Apr 1, 2009
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                May 14, 2012 6:25 AM (in response to stratchamp)
                Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

                stratchamp wrote:

                 

                I downloaded the hd300 editor and it seems that you can't adjust the wah mix.  I know you can on the 500 though.  Is there a way to adjust it on the 300?....

                No, it can't be adjusted on the HD300/400. Here's a statement from the manual:

                 

                There are no additional Edit Mode parameters for the Wahs other than Model Select

    • jstock Just Startin'
      jstock
      60 posts since
      Jul 28, 2009
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      May 14, 2012 5:04 AM (in response to berkleegrad)
      Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

      I have to agree the HD300 is a much easier interface.

       

      I bought the 500 first and then later bought the 300 as a backup. I always practice with the band with the 300 and have been able to do a pretty good job replicating all my main patches from the 500 onto the 300.

      • stratchamp Just Startin'
        stratchamp
        43 posts since
        May 10, 2012
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        May 14, 2012 5:33 PM (in response to jstock)
        Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

        One more thing: how well does the hd take pedals?  I have an rp355 and I was planning on using the drives and comps from it in conjunction with the 300 so I could have room on the 300 to add an eq or a pitch effect.

        • berkleegrad Just Startin'
          berkleegrad
          27 posts since
          May 12, 2007
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          May 15, 2012 7:24 AM (in response to stratchamp)
          Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

          strachamp,

           

          FYI there is NO effects loop on the HD300 though I suppose you could put your drives/compress before the HD300; but, after auditioning the existing overdrives and comps you may not feel the need for such...

           

          also wanted to mention that while there is no MIXER block to route your signal in the HD300 there are some hardwired 'output mode' switches for 3 distinct performing situations which are unavilalbe on the HD500 - these are live mode, studio mode and dual mode (where the left output is live sounds for your rig and the right output is full cab mode for FOH or recording console....

           

          On other minor thing the rail to protect the knobs on the HD300 is larger and I often use it for a handle - I wish the this rail on the HD500 was as big

           

          hope this helps,   ~Rick

      • berkleegrad Just Startin'
        berkleegrad
        27 posts since
        May 12, 2007
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        May 15, 2012 7:16 AM (in response to jstock)
        Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

        jstock,

         

        that's interesting, acquiring the HD300 after your HD500 purchase.

         

        I went the other direction - got the HD300 first as an effects unit (rather than the M9/13); but, when I played with it at my home church - (where no amps are allowed) the tech crew just loved the patches... About a year later I decided to get the HD500 - and have been tweaking that for the last month... Was originally thinking I would sell the HD300 after acquiring the HD500; but, now I'm am thinking of keep it for a back up - PLUS the HD300 is much easier as carry on than the 500....

         

        Stratchamp - 'riffing on' the bottons issue, I find the HD hardware to be very sturdy and I like the button much more on the HD series than on my old Line6 Floorboard. I even lost the unit for a few days flying back in through San Jaun and I would image that the crew there jammed for a few days before sending it back on it's way ... Since then I've been more inclinded to carry it on in my 'briefcase'

        • jstock Just Startin'
          jstock
          60 posts since
          Jul 28, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          May 15, 2012 7:56 AM (in response to berkleegrad)
          Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

          Can't gig without a backup

           

          Thing was when I had the X3 I had just that 2 POD X3's. My primary never went wrong, the secondary X3 was brand new when I sold it. So when I bought the HD I decided it was a waste of money to own two HD500s. I figured that if necessary I could get away with the lesser features of the 300 for the rest of the show and subsequent gigs while my 500 was being repaired. I did originally use one of my X3s as a backup but decided later I needed a consistent sound - the sounds from the X3 were good but not on the same plane as the HD Series.

           

          First time I picked up the 300 I was kinda cursing because i realised for my basic gig set up I could have probably have got away with the 300 instead of a 500 - doh! But I must admit that I enjoy the interface and flexibility of the 500 more.

           

          Totally with you on the handle thing  I find the 500 to be a little awkward in comparison.

  • stratchamp Just Startin'
    stratchamp
    43 posts since
    May 10, 2012
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    May 19, 2012 9:52 AM (in response to stratchamp)
    Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

    How do these units sounds through headphones?  I have some shure srh440's.  How would those sound with the pod?

    • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo
      litesnsirens
      649 posts since
      Mar 20, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 19, 2012 12:57 PM (in response to stratchamp)
      Re: HD300's sound quality vs HD500's sound quality?

      What will you be playing the unit through?  If you are setting up your patches to play through an FRFR system and using studio direct then your patches will translate pretty well through the headphones.  If you are setting up your patches to play through an amp, you may have to make some headphone friendly versions of your patches.

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