sjturbo Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 New to the forum and new to multi effects in general. Have a few guitars, pedals, and some amps. Don't play out anymore but enjoy making noise in my music room. I have recently decided to pick up a multi fx unit and have narrowed it down to Line 6 or Boss GT. I cannot justify the big buck units such as the Helix or Boss GT100 but would like to stay in the HD 500 range or since I like George Marinelli maybe the Boss GT8. I am a huge Larry Carlton fan and love the dumble/.glassworks/ect tones. Which brings me to a question regarding the Pod/HD series. I have recently heard some youtube clips of the Helix and a Litigator amp model and they are awesome. That is the sound I would like to get. Question is, Is it possible to create a patch on any of the lesser expensive Line 6 units such as the HD500? I have not been able to find any youtube that would be similar. Thanks in advance for your repsonses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Saxman Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 As a long term HD500 user, I'd say: don't buy an HD if you really want a Helix. I have enjoyed the HD, but lately, after trying the Helix Native (15 days free trial) I've put my HD500 on sale (just to buy the LT) Wait for the Winter NAMM, to see if something new is coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Saxman Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line-6-releasing-something-new-at-namm.1900513/page-12#post-25604287 The main differences I've noticed was not in the tones (that certainly exist), but in the dynamics. Something hard to feel hearing clips or a video, but very noticeable when you're actually playing. The Helix is way easier to use, and to dial good tones, as well. The HD can be a tweak-a-lot nightmare. By the way, Hurghanico is a great player (and a better person), he would probably sound good with any device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line-6-releasing-something-new-at-namm.1900513/page-12#post-25604287 The main differences I've noticed was not in the tones (that certainly exist), but in the dynamics. Something hard to feel hearing clips or a video, but very noticeable when you're actually playing. I second this... My 500X served me well for almost 5 years, and remains my backup, but it was Helix's dynamics that stood out the most when I tried Native...that and how much easier it was to get a useable tone quickly. The POD was a struggle at first, and took quite a while for me to get it to bend to my will, as it were. If you ride the volume knob a lot, Helix models really clean up nicely without becoming anemic. The POD couldn't do that very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianoguyy Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 And on the opposite side of the equation stands me... Because I have a fully function unit that does everything I need it to do, I haven't even bothered trying other gear. Chasing technology is a race you cannot win. Sure, I have 7 of them stashed in various parts of the country so that I don't need to travel with them to my regular locations. But, technologically speaking, they are the same unit. You can absolutely make fantastic tone with the HD500 (and the 3 sibling units). The question then becomes: 1. How lazy are you? because all of these units require work. The old ones, such as the HD500, require more work than the newer ones. That is simply how technology works. 2. what kind of tone do you want? The HD500 is limited to 8 effects and 2 amps. It is also limited in the fact that you can only run 2 signal chains (which does not equal 16 effects and 4 amps). If you need more, you cannot make the tone you need with it. If you are sitting there thinking "who needs 8 effects", then you do not need the newer units that allow for 100. 3. Can you really not justify buying the "big buck units"? If you absolutely had your heart set on it, you would find a way. Mentally, and financially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjturbo Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thanks for the responses. chasing tone is a journey I enjoy. I have included a clip that I am sure some of you have heard. It has three distinct amp variations so please listen to the full clip. If not please listen at about 3:10 and tell me if this modeling is possible on anything but the Helix. That unit is currently out of reach. Thanks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCTymuNeHM4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjturbo Posted January 14, 2018 Author Share Posted January 14, 2018 Very nice hurghanico! Sounds very close to what I hear. I also listened to some of your other soundcloud clips. Some Barney, Round Midnight, and Blu, sounded very good! Nice to hear something other than high gain modeling. You certainly "know where to put your hands"! BTW is the Whylitigate HD model your creation? Very nice, is it available? Thanks again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianoguyy Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Using a car analogy... If all you are doing is driving from the garage to the end of the driveway to pick up your mail and then pulling back up into the garage - do you need a shiny italian sports car? Using a computer story... How fast does your internet need to be if you intend on checking your email? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjturbo Posted January 14, 2018 Author Share Posted January 14, 2018 Thanks. I would say that the Whylitigate patch does indeed exist !! At this point I don't even own a multi effects pedal. But if I did/do I will send you the euro's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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