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Hi - I currently use a M13 using the 4 cable method with my Blackstar amp and it sounds good - for the most part I use modulation & delays on the M13. I'm thinking of replacing it with a HD500x to get additional features for recording. My primary question is can the HD500x function as a pedalboard, in the same way as the M13 does? (No amp modeling, just effect chains). Anyone here compared them? Thanks, John

I would like lock controls on JTV for modeled guitar, but keep them for "normal" guitar sound. If I set lock volume+tone+control in my HD500X, I can control tone of normal guitar but volume is locked. Can anyone verify if this is common for all JTVs or if there is some glitch in my guitar?

I'm using HD500X with Line6 EX-1 pedal and I have this problem. Internal pedal of HD500X works without any problem, but external EX-1 pedal doesn't have that perfect "tracking" and I get 100% value when I'm let's say in 85% if compared to internal pedal and I get 0% value when I'm in 10% if compared to internal pedal. (I hope I explain it so it's possible to understand, I'm not native speaker). I don't see way how to calibrate external pedal in same way as internal pedal. Can anyone confirm this behaviour of EX-1 pedal so I know there isn't any problem with my HD500X or EX-1?

I had a POD X3 Live and I used this feature (from the manual): "Set up one sound on Tone 1, and a different sound on Tone 2, and switch between them instantly, with seamless transitions including delay and reverb trails. We like to refer to this as “Alternating†tones." How do you do the same in HD500X? Thanks!

I am using hd500x plugged in directly via USB to a Macbook pro. I get the sounds. Both the guitar and the computer playback sound fine. However, volume controls on the mac does not seem to work. I tried the slider under the sys preferences > sound (hd500x selected as output device), but that does not change the output level either - mac's volume change effect plays each time I play with the slider, but its volume is always the same.. Volume knobs on the pedal are set to reasonable levels. master volume knob just turns up everything (computer + guitar), while amp knob adjusts the guitar. Even when I max the amp volume out, guitar output is much quieter than the computer, which means I need to turn the computer down, which I cannot do. Does anyone have this problem?

I'm having issues with volume from different sources back to the headphones out on my hd500x. I would like to simultaneously output to headphones attached to the hd500x: Guitar (guitar in on hd500x) Mic (mic xlr in on hd500x) Mac Mini (via USB to hd500x) including iTunes, drum machine software, recording software Occasionally, iPad drum machine (via CD/MP3 In) The problem is all volume levels coming from my Mac are unbearably loud. I've tried dropping my Mac volume controls as low as possible but it takes away all balancing control. My volume and master volume and guitar volumes are all set at near max volume. I have looked for input volume options on both the hd500x and my mac to no avail. Any help is appreciated. My only thought at this point is to get a second mixer to run the Mac and HD500x through and then plug the headphones or monitors into that. Thanks, Scott

Hey all- Curious if you can have one signal path be a vocoder with the carrier signal being a synth plugged in via aux in rather than a guitar. So the programmed synth parts would control the pitch and sound rather than the guitar. Essentially I want my guitar to be one signal path with it's own effects and then the 2nd signal path be the vocoder filter + synth via aux in. My setup right now is that I use an EHX V256. Plug my mic in and plug an outside synth in via 1/4". Sounds great, but I get some ducking and squashing since I have no compression or gate on the vocoder. Rather than buy more pedals or a compressor, I'm considering the HD500 which would allow me to put these effects on the vocal path. Thanks!

Has anyone else noticed that when editing patches in the HD500X Edit software (and probably the HD500 Edit) and trying to set the BPM value, it doesn't "stick"? For example, let's say I have a patch for a particular song and want to set the BPM to 75. I select the BPM field, type in 75 and and then save that selected preset. Then, I double click some other preset to change to that one and then double click back on the preset I set to 75. I look at the BPM value and it's not 75. It goes back to whatever it was previous to setting it, say the default of 120. The workaround I have is to just hold the view button on the unit and go down to the 6th menu screen and manually set the BPM there for the patch, but that seems kind of dumb that I need to do that. What's the point of an editable BPM field in the software if it doesn't really work? Maybe I'm doing something wrong in terms of how to get it to apply? Not sure. Any thoughts on this?

Hi Guys I'm a first time poster here, but have used Line 6 products for countless years. I've always found them to be great products and a great company. I first started off with a Flextone III, then progressed to the POD XT, Pod XT Pro, Variax 600, Pod HD500, Pod HD500X and most recently the James Tyler Variax. When I purchased my Pod HD500, I found that after a little while the switches started to become a little unresponsive. I was gigging this unit week in week out, and so when the HD500X came along I jumped ship knowing that it featured better switches. The HD500X had been solid until a couple of weeks ago where the tap tempo would randomly flash (without me touching it) then rapidly flash before kicking into tuner mode. This was incredibly frustrating, especially when performing or recording..... I called Line 6 and said that since I'm in Nuneaton, could I drop it off to their place in Rugby (20 mins away at most). I was told that it had to go back to the place of purchase (in Derby). I said that I needed it looking at as I have a ton of gigs and it provides my main income. I was happy to pay whatever it costed to get it fixed there and then, but they told me that they couldn't do this. I spoke to the shop where I purchased it, and they contacted Line 6 on the 22nd May to organise a return. They said as long as I had a returns number I could drop it over to save me a trip to Derby. I'm still waiting for a returns number...... I appreciate Line 6 are a busy company, but to put this in perspective, the drummer from my band cracked a Sabian cymbal on Monday nights gig. He called up Westside Distribution on Tuesday morning and had a replacement arrive the following day at the venue we were playing at. I realise I'm not a famous guitarist, and certainly don't deserve priority, but I use the pod 6 times a week in a professional capacity. I have over 250 gigs this year and use it at least twice a week for recording sessions for various clients and companies. I'm really happy with the tones I can get from a POD, I just wish the customer service could be a little better. Rant over Cheers Paul

HD500 vs HD500x So what's the major difference between the two- other than the hardware aesthetics? I have the HD500... just bought it in April... is the HD500x really that much better?

Hi all, I just made the switch from the TC G System to the HD500X. I'm busily downloading tones and trying to come up with some good tones that I can use in a worship setting. I play in a church that seats about 1,100. My plan is to run my Les Paul studio deluxe into the POD then direct out mono to the board. (Until I maybe get a James Tyler Variax....) My question: I am experimenting with using a pedal plugged into the "pedal 2" jack. I'm using the same pedal that I used with the G System, a Boss FV-500H, which seems to work great. The G System allowed me to turn on effects simply by using the pedal. For example, if I have the pedal assigned to a wah, I can just start sweeping the pedal and the wah would activate. If I stopped moving it for an assignable amount of time (1 sec, 2 sec immediately, etc) the wah would turn off. If I have to assign the wah to a switch then go over to pedal 2, then I will probably just use the pedal on the board with the toe switch. Where this really becomes a problem is when I'm using #2 to change delay feedback or verb decay, then use the toe switch to go back to the volume, my effect will stay at its highest point. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks Dave

I recently purchased an HD POD 500x and have been trying to download patches from customtone.com there are plenty of patches that id love to hear but all i can download are those with the h5e extension i believe anything else for example, l6t, or h3e are all errors. I use the drag and drop method but like mentioned above it only works for the h5e extention. help please? what can I do to download those patches? Or am I limited to h5e patches?

I've installed drivers for my POD HD500X without any errors on my PC with Windows 7. But when I try to connect my POD to PC - it can't find drivers and wrote, than device is not connected. When I run Line 6 Monkey it displays that I don't have installed drivers. WTF?

All, I'm very keen to get the HD500x, but I currently don't have the cash to do the whole dream rig thing (using the DT50 or L2M). I currently have my Vetta II.. and I'm looking for advice for the best way to interface the two. In particular, the best was to use the HD500X to do all the tones/FX, and the Vetta II to basically just act as a "powered speaker." My first thought would be to use the "FX Loop" block at the end of the signal chain on the HD500X, and and use the FX Send (100% Mix) FROM the HD500X TO the FX Receive on the Vetta II - more or less bypassing the amp tones and stomp FX on the Vetta II. I figured I would also have to make a patch on the Vetta II that has all the post-FX turned off to do this right. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

I'm using OSX and an HD500X upgraded to the latest firmware. When using garageband with the HD500X connected via USB, the sound quality is terrible. It is distorted badly compared to plugging headphones directly into the HD500X. I've lowered the OS X input level in system utilities to make sure I'm not clipping. I'm using garageband for monitoring and master and track levels are correct. I've also made sure I'm using a "real instrument" and not adding anything to the audio. So checked all the obvious stuff. I owned an HD500 before the 500X and there was a known issue with audio via USB where it was unusable because of noise on the input. Something about a chipset conflict or incompatibility. I ended up having to use analog out from the HD500. So I'm wondering if this is the same issue with the HD500X that is still unresolved? Anyone else having this same issue or have any insights to share? Thanks, Mark.

Hi, I am new in the pod world and just receive my HD500X. I would like to know if somebody has a list with the factory presets with some music, style reference or the main effects and amps of each preset. Thank you all,

Sorry I'm not patient enough to go through all these threads or to pay the toll on a customer service call, but I'm merely wondering if any of the POD pedals have the ability to control pedal bending or have a pedal bend patch. I'm particularly hoping to invest in the HD500x. Many thanks!

I tried to do this last night and it sounded really bad. I switched the XLR to the balanced mono on the Pro and the input on the L2M and it sounded a little better. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to turn off the cab sims? Do I put the DSP on the L2M to Line or Electric Guitar? Help!!!!

I know this has been addressed in the forums before but after searching a couple different wordings I was not able to fnd anything. Anyways the problem I am having is a I am getting a noise spike when I engage a specific patch that has a very heavy chorus and delays. This spike not only appears when switching to this patch but when I reengage the patch also. If anyone could point me to the original threads or give me some insight on how get rid of the spike I would appreciate any insight.

I had the strangest thing happening to me today. I went to my band rehearsal and after playing for about 30 minutes the display screen kept jumping from the signal chain to the knob display as if I was a adjust a knob on the HD500X. I'm connected to my DT25 via the L6 link and my JTV via the VDI cable. I had previously been using this set up with my HD500 for at least a year and had no issue. I even used this same setup and cords 3 weeks ago without issue. If I disconnect the L6 link it's fine (of course I have no sound though.) When I the screen changes it actually shows that he Mid has been turned all the way up. I can move it back and then when the screen flashes it has moved back to 99%. This happens across the board on the patches. I even swapped out cords and same thing. Now the venue makes me a a custom snake that has my power supply extened, 1/4" and L6 cable loomed to together as one cord. I'm 99% sure it's a regular XLR they used. But I've gotten by for 2 years with it and one show with the HD500X. I have an AES/EBU cable somewhere so I'm going to try that and hope it works. If anyone has had anything simlar and has fixed it with some sort of hard boot or firmware upgrade/reload please let me know. I have 3 gigs this weekend and I need to come up with a plan B if swapping the cord for AES/EBU doesn't solve it. I practiced all day today with just the HD hooked up to my PC so I definitely know it has something to do with the Link. And yes I tried numerous times of turning both the amp and pod off and on again. Thank you, Dave

Guys I need your help D: I got my HD500X yesterday, and so far I'm hating the pitch glide When I set it +1 octave up single notes sound great, but when I try to play songs like My iron lung or subterranean homesick alien, the sound is horrible, I've seen in the forum that the pitch glide is not polyphonic, but I've heard that some people were able to fix this, and I dont want to buy a Digitech Whammy just for multiple notes. Is there a way to fix this? I play a lot of radiohead, muse and U2 covers in my band, so...+1 octave up is a crucial effect :) Thanks in advance.

I posted this in the old forum months ago, since many peole found it useful I thought I could re-post it here: ___ I really think these are important things not stated (or in some cases not clearly stated) in the manual, that you need to know to start seriously programming your POD HD I ran some serious tests on my Pod HD 500 and here is what I found out (I made my tests on a POD HD500 but this is valid for HD500X and HD Pro and is very similar for the "bean" version too), I'll try to be as synthetic (but complete and clear) as possible, but this is going to be a long reading so sit down and take your time or just go surfing somewhere else §§§ In short: the "famous" [input-1: guitar / input-2: variax] setting gives you different levels of signal depending on the position of the first *mono* effect block you use (amplifiers included), in particular you LOSE 6dB in the "pre" path in comparison to the path A/B or post path (note that this is not the same as saying that you gain 6dB with input-2 to "same", read on). [ if you don't know what I'm talking about just go and read this thread: http://line6.com/support/thread/74045?start=0&tstart=0 then come back here to hear a different opinion on the matter] first of all, try it out: - connect a guitar to the guitar input and the Left output to a full-range linear amp (or use your headphones) - recall a "new tone" default blank patch - set input-1 to Guitar and input-2 to Variax - set mixer channel A fader to unity (0.0dB) and pan to center - set mixer channel B fader to mute - setup a noise gate* with the threshold set to 0% in "pre" position (with this setting this IS a unity gain mono fx block) - play thru it - now if you bypass it, you'll hear that it looses 6dB of level when it's active (I initially thought this was noise gate's fault, but it's NOT) - now re-activate the noise gate and move it in A or "post" path - now if you try to bypass it you'll hear that it does NOT loose any dB - try moving the block back and forth between pre and A or post paths and you'll hear more level in path A or post than in pre this was already found out at least by hurghanico here: http://line6.com/support/message/403287#403287 but it's so important that needs a dedicated and more detailed thread. [* you can repeat the experiment with other mono effects instead of a noise gate but keep in mind that, if you want to clearly hear a level difference, you need a mono unity gain (www.music-dictionary.org/unity_gain) effect, for example: - a tube comp with thresh 100% & level 2% settings will work just as the noise gate above - an fx loop block with a mono cable connected between send and return will work just the same (but also read point 2 below) - do it with an amp with medium-low gain and, moving it between pre and A or post paths, you'll hear a significant difference in gain/ovedrive/distortion, not only level difference] §§§ OK now that you heard it, let's see it in detail; these are the REAL schemes of the pod and fx blocks routing, yes it's done by hand and I love it ;-) As you can see the pre path is a "dual-path" while A, B and post are all stereo paths; at the splitting point, where the path A and B are born, the signal coming from input-1 is splittted to the Left and Right channels of the path A and the signal coming from input-2 is splittted to the Left and Right channels of the path B; furthermore all fx blocks have TWO inputs and two outputs and the mono blocks do attenuate by 6dB and sum their inputs, then process the result and then split their mono output to both outputs of the block; for those who don't know, notice that: - "splitting" means duplicating one mono signal to two "routes" - and summing those two identical signals means doubling the level of the original signal (which equals to 6dB more) [and some side-notes: - the "stereo dry & mono wet" effects are for example the pitch effects and the "dry" type delays, I'm not considering this type of effects in this post, but they work as expected from the scheme you see above; - you can find a list of all the fx blocks divided by type here: http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/pod/pod-hd/stereomono-fx-list-for-pod-hd-r567 where "stereo dry & mono wet" blocks are called "Stereo Thru/Mono Effect" which I personally find less clear - the mixer control named as "pan" is actually a "balance" control because if you move it to one side (e.g.: left) it acts on the stereo or dual mono signal by doing NOTHING on that side (left) and ATTENUATING the opposite side (right)] §§§ So, summarizing, if you only activate input-1, in the pre path, the first mono effect is attenuating the input 1 and 2 and summing them, but, since input-2 is actually silence, you loose 6dB; in A, B and post paths the effects are receiving a doubled signal on L/R, so the mono blocks, attenuating and summing the two signals, receive the right signal level to process so using "same" or "guitar" for input-2 does not mean to gain anything, but having a constant doubled signal wich is compensated by a 6dB attenuation in each mono summing it encounters in his flow please note that I am NOT saying that using only input-1 is wrong, you just need to know that this can give you different gain results depending on the position of the first mono effect with only input-1 active (Guitar/Variax) and the same parameter values, this: is giving you more distortion than that: now, if you use those two setups with "Input-1: Guitar / Input-2: Same", you get EXACTLY the same sound with both and this is something that can not be ignored ...don't know how to be more clear than that

I am trying to map program changes sent to the Timeline. Currently the Timeline sees 1-to-1 from the Pod, meaning as I step through my Pod presets the Timeline will follow sequentially. I don't want to have to match the position of the Timeline's presets to that of any given Pod Playlist that I'll be using for live performance - I'd like to map each Pod preset to a Timeline preset by sending a simple program change. I have followed the POD Advanced User Guide to the letter, but it persists in sending program changes to the Timeline sequentially. Anyone else have this problem? Thanks in advance for any help!

"Paul Hindmarsh from Line 6 shows us how the Line6 L2t Loudspeakers can be used alongside the POD HD500 to create an amazingly versatile setup that can be used in variety of scenarios" This Video was the Reason I upgraded my setup to include a L2t, I wanted to be able to get the amazing electric guitar sounds from my HD500X and the Amazing Variax Acoustic sounds in one single setup, I do own a DT25 Which I love but I have never figured out how to get a decent Variax acoustic sound to the FOH Mixer. Now that I have this setup, I have issues and questions to make it sound right. My main concern here is to find an answer or best advise on how to send a signal to the FOH Mixer for both the Electric Guitar Sounds and the Variax Acoustic Sounds. In a real life situation ( Live Setting ) When I connect the HD500X to the L2t via L6 Link, the default behavior HD500 to "Combo" and L2t to "Electric Guitar". - I am sure this is for a Reason. On that Video, Paul talks about programing both units for the desired sound behavior, for example: - He was using the L2t as an Electric Guitar mode and when changing to acoustic the L2t would reconfigure to Acoustic Guitar Mode. - I wonder what would be the ideal Output mode on the HD500 for this.. One thing that confuses me the most, he was MIKING the L2t!!.. So, This is telling me that there is not an easy way to get the best of both signals ( Electric & Variax Acoustic ) from the XLR outs of the HD500.. My questions is How can I Realisticaly use this setup in a Live situation and get the best of both worlds? I know I have already posted about this topic but I must be persistent and be able to figure something out based on the opinions and advise of what I think are some of the finest knowledgeable users and experts. Please Help.