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355 Views 16 Replies Latest reply: Oct 31, 2012 12:43 PM by SatanJunior RSS
SatanJunior Just Startin' 9 posts since
Nov 11, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 29, 2012 11:03 AM

How many recording channels on HD500?

Hi ya'll!

 

Have been trying to find an answer for the question above but to no avail.

 

I'm upgrading from a XT Live and need to decide if I should go for the X3 Live or the HD500.

Since I use the device for a lot of recording I'm in need of maximum flexibility.

I borrowed a X3L from a friend and know that it has 8 channels when recording in Cubase (or any other DAW).

Tone 1 L+R

Tone 2 L+R

Mix L+R

Clean L+R

 

This is an awesome setup imho!

 

So back to the question:

How many channels are ther when recording with the hd500?

Thanks in advance!

  • phil_m Expert Line 6 User 4,243 posts since
    Jan 25, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 29, 2012 11:14 AM (in response to SatanJunior)
    Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

    There's just two channels of USB audio the HD500 - left and right.

      • phil_m Expert Line 6 User 4,243 posts since
        Jan 25, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 29, 2012 11:30 AM (in response to SatanJunior)
        Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

        Essentially, yes, it's main mix. The dual tone architecture is quite different on the HD500 than on the X3L, so you don't have the option to separate each tone out on its own in the same way. There's no dry send either.

          • silverhead Expert Line 6 User 9,592 posts since
            Apr 1, 2009
            Currently Being Moderated
            Oct 29, 2012 11:51 AM (in response to SatanJunior)
            Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

            imho........ the X3 Live is better than the HD500 in the studio IF you plan to use the Pod (either one) as the audio interface device to your DAW. The reasons for this are as you describe - more flexibility in channels and direct compatability with the Pod Farm plugin. The HD500 does have superior tones but it is designed primarily for playing live with an electric guitar.

             

            If, however, you want to use a multi-channel audio interface with an S/PDIF input as the audio device in your DAW, rather than the Pod and its usb connection, you can get a dry signal and re-amping capability using the Pod HD500 or Pod HD Pro. This would give you more recording flexibility as well as the superior tones.

              • silverhead Expert Line 6 User 9,592 posts since
                Apr 1, 2009
                Currently Being Moderated
                Oct 29, 2012 3:09 PM (in response to SatanJunior)
                Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

                Yes - that's what I am saying. The easy part is recording the dry signal from the HD500 via s/pdif through your soundcard to your DAW - any soundcard with an s/pdif input will support this. Your selection of soundcard is critical when it comes to the re-amping part. You need to make sure that your soundcard supports multiple, seperate stereo channels - not just multiple inputs to a single stereo channel. Specifically, when re-amping you need to keep the dry signal being fed from your DAW/soundcard to the HD500 input separate from the processed signal fed back from the HD500 to your soundcard/DAW. If these signals are mixed in your soundcard you will get a feedback loop that defeats the process.

                 

                From a workflow point of view it may be simplest to record the dry signal to your DAW while monitoring (not recording) the wet signal. It's not necessary to record the wet signal simultaneously, especially since the reason you are recording the dry signal is to re-amp later. So, later, you can record the re-amped dry signal as a separate step any number of times, tweaking it from time to time as your song/sound develops.

                 

                By the way, the reason you might want to consider the HD Pro vs. the HD500 is that it supports a dry out analog signal as well as additional i/o ports.

                  • brue58ski Just Startin' 287 posts since
                    Jan 24, 2007
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    Oct 30, 2012 1:35 AM (in response to SatanJunior)
                    Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

                    You will be very happy with the X3.  I haven't touched my X3 since I got the 500 but it's still the new toy!  If I start recording I'll probably dedicate my X3 for recording.  Except maybe for the Fender amps.  They really nailed those in the 500.

                      • johnpicton Gear Head 920 posts since
                        May 14, 2007
                        Currently Being Moderated
                        Oct 30, 2012 10:27 AM (in response to SatanJunior)
                        Re: How many recording channels on HD500?

                        I am sure there was a thread about 4 - 6 weeks ago that said that Line 6 actually had some X3L that they were selling off at a reduced rate.

                         

                        If you buy second had a BIG thing to ask is if it is clear of the USB audio drop out problem, either that it has had the hardware fix or that it falls out of the SN range that suffered from the problem. If you do end up with one with the problem there is a free fix that Line 6 offer but you would be without your X3L while it is being done.

                         

                        I mainly mention it because it would completely scupper your recording if you get one with the problem.

                         

                        Once the fix is applied the X3L is great (well mine is!).

                         

                        To be honest I have both an X3L and and HD500 and I use the X3L as much if not more than the HD500. Yes the HD has better quality amp modeling but I find the truly independent dual channels to be great on the X3L - I sing more than I play and for that it is great.

                         

                        Best of luck!!

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