haller88

I understand that USB ports are not really design to be plugged and unplugged multiple time but I was quite careful and surely the Line 6 engineers know that users will plug and unplug the device maybe 20 or 30 times a year so a flimsy USB seems unreasonable for the use case. Line 6 did correct the issue with the HD500X - it has a very solid USB port instead of 4 flimsy wires. Microsoft did the same things with their Zunes - the connection port was a row of wires that you needed to be careful of - my wife and daughter weren't super careful and they shorted the devices out (Microsoft had already dropped the Zune). I got the last model of Zune and they had a solid connector piece that was very robust. I would guess Line 6 probably saved 30 or 40 cents on the USB port but caused a number of issues. I think I could fix the USB port (it appears to be working better now - in fact I adjusted the wires slightly and it doesn't appear to be a finicky to maintain a connection) - the main issue is that in the process of downloading the new USB driver - the installation has been compromised or corrupted and there is nothing to allow Windows to properly recognize the port. If I had another way to push the firmware for the USB port to the unit (like through the MIDI port or use another program that the repair centers have - like a test fixture or diagnostic app) - I could probably get things working again. More than likely I will have to send to a repair center for a large fee. I work for an electronic manufacturer and we are looking at the same issues so I know where Line 6 is coming from but it still bums me out that I am a bit of victim on this one...

I fear you might be correct about the USB port being loose causing the issue. The download of the USB firmware seemed to be going well until it came up to the point where I was asked to disconnect the power to the HD500. I knew that moving the power cord could also move the USB connector on the board and it appeared to cause it to loose connection at a critical time. Or the loose USB port cause the firmware to be corrupted on the transfer from the computer to the HD500 which would cause the issue. The one good thing is that I have a HD500X for my main rig with all of my latest patches which I can use to restore this unit (my backup) when I get it repaired. Thanks - I was afraid it might be a combination of the USB port poor design and pushing the firmware. I am interested to see if Line 6 will stand behind their product whatsoever since this appears to be a design flaw in the unit...

I might be up a creek this time with my POD HD500. I have had the HD500 for 3 years and never had any issues except for a loose USB connection. It always works but I have had to reconnect it sometimes because it stops working. Well tonight it was working fine with the computer and I decided to update to the latest firmware. I launched Monkey and updated to the latest Monkey program - that went fine except I did get a Norton warning while it was firing up after the new installation - I clicked on ignore on the Norton utility which was strange - I never had it interfere with any Line 6 programs before. I went to run the update for the USB 1.04 driver - the driver install seemed to go well - the firmware seemed to push over to the HD500 and the program instructed me to unplug the HD500. I unplugged the HD500 and the unit didn't reconnect via the USB. I rebooted the HD500 and the computer multiple times. I tried three different USB cables and two different computers and multiple port with no avail. I did the very stupid procedure to reset the unit (pressing left on selection button upon power up. Never should of done that - I lost all of my patches! No USB. I reinstalled Monkey and the drivers - no USB. I checked the Hold for System I/O without the computer hooked in - USB Driver reads 0.00. I tried the "safemode" power up (hold the selector right and power up) and went to the Firmware selection (I did nothing but selected it which highlighted Firmware). I booted up Monkey and it didn't recognize the unit. I am pretty much at wits end. The computer recognizes something is hooked to the USB port every time but comes up with an error message "USB Device Note Recognized" It looks like I am at the end of the line - I could send into Line 6 who I am sure will charge over $100 to fix plus shipping - I know the USB port is not in good shape due to a design flaw but I am pretty sure something went wrong during the USB firmware flash. Any ideas of something else to try (especially since I tried all of the easy things)?

Thanks for the responses. Up until last year - I was planning to buy a Kemper but luck changed and finances dried up so I am focused on making the most of my HD500. I am primarily buying a 500X to take over as my main rig because the 500 is about 6 years old and showing a bit of signs of middle age (I use it practically every day and for occasional gigging). The 500X seems a bit more road worthy and at least it seems that Line 6 will support it for a while. It would be nice for Line 6 to put a bit of effort into a $500 unit to fix some of the nagging things that have been out there since the intro of the 500. I would love to see an Orange amp simulation and a nice jazz amp but that appears to not be in the cards. I will probably pick one up becasue I don't have 4x to spend on a Kemper or AxeFX. It is what it is (and it is pretty good but could always be a bit better!)....

That is an excellent suggestion on waiting for NAMM - I wondering what will be coming out especially in the price point of the 500X. My main issue is that there have been a couple of things missing on the 500 (I have owned it for 3 years now) and I think the community has been vocal on this and it doesn't appear that Line 6 will provide any additional features. I almost wonder if Line 6 will introduce the next series and move on from the 300/400/500 series...

I own a HD500 already and really like it - except that there hasn't been any meaningful updates in around a year. I am contemplating buying a HD500X so my HD500 can be placed in backup mode (I want to have a newer model for gigging). I am on the fence about buying one since Line 6 doesn't appear to be supporting it too much in terms of meaningful updates etc. I have been looking for any updates utilizing the capabilities of the 500X or adding amps and there is none in the last year or two (even if there was a charge - I would be happy to pay for some amps or signs of support). Anyone have a clue whether they are actively supporting the HD500X or should I look to buy a different board from a different company?

I am having a number of volume related issues with the V 2.0 patch. I am running with the VDI cable into an HD500. With V 1.9 - I spent about an afternoon adjusting the volume levels to eliminate high input levels (mainly an issue with the acoustics and Lester) and bring up other volume levels. I really didn't have any issues with the individual string volumes with any versions 1.9 or lower. I upgrade to 2.0 and all of the guitars are different volumes (again - you would expect that because it wipes out the presets) and a portion of the guitars give high input level anomalies (a popping like sound you get when the input level is too high). I also notice that the string levels are now unbalanced - with the low strings on some guitars being quite loud and some of the upper strings being very soft. Help??? Should I re-install the patch? Should I spend an afternoon rebalancing the volumes and now rebalancing the string levels?

Love to get an Orange amp and a Roland Jazz Chorus amp. I have to agree on the chorus pedals - I am finding myself putting stuff into the FX loop and using the amp, reverbs and delays on HD500. I think people would be willing to shell out a couple of bucks to get an amp pack or an effects pack -> could be a way to extend the HD500 profit stream and keep us away from the Kempers and AxeFX.