HD500X - No new features...no updates?!

[Digital_Igloo]

Despite this, I'd decided recently to take the plunge and buy an HD500X. That's when I found out that none of my local dealers stock it. Some stock Line 6 products but they only have relatively old ones: M9, M13, HD400, Pocket Pod. I spoke to one of the dealers and they said that they want to stock the HD500X but Line 6 have basically stopped replying to their calls for more stock. Even some of the online retailers that order stock on demand aren't listing it, probably because they're not confident they can get hold of any.

 

If you can, please PM me the dealer's name. I'll make sure our sales guys are taking care of them.

 

POD HD500X and HD Pro X aren't going away anytime soon.

[medbad5150]

Got any evidence of that in regards to the POD HD line..? That's a pretty bold claim.

 

Oh sorry officer, I withdraw the allegation. Must have been one of the thousands of stockists, reviewers or owners who made those claims. I'm sure Line 6 never thought in a million years of telling anyone that they would add additional amps and updates and would never use it in a sales pitch. What were those people thinking? all liars (allegedly). Slapped wrist!

[phil_m]

Not gonna google trawl now but they did, thats why I ditched the GT100

 

Well, I wasn't replying to start a debate. I genuinely don't remember ever seeing them advertise for an unreleased update. The only exception I can think of is that there was a time I believe early on when they released new amp models for the 300 and 400 before they 500, Bean and Pro got them. So they may have said something to the fact they were going to be adding those to the other models as well. I also know they announced the 2.0/HD update for the JTV guitars before releasing it. Typically, though, they don't announce updates before they're ready to go.

[lilguitar]

Yesterday, I was working on a product that may not be released until 2017. The stuff we have coming out next year? Started working on those in 2010.

 

 

 

 

I'd say "floor modelers" generally take top priority in Line 6's development/update pipeline, but we have a lot of other stuff to work on. For example, just getting our huge list of legacy products working properly with OS X Yosemite was a massive undertaking.

 

2015's going to be big for us.

 

Appreciate the response and looking forward to the releases.

[Dshow]

Feel free to copy and paste as necessary:

 

We read every single IdeaScale submission. Personally, I check it twice a day, and on Fridays, my entire department gets an email with all submissions received the previous week. We couldn't avoid it if we tried.

 

Most submissions echo things Line 6 has already discussed, but it's nice to know we're on the right track. Some submissions detail products we've already developed in the past, but for whatever reason, were never able to bring to market. Many submissions detail features we've already been working on for months (or years). Some submissions detail things we're about to release. Some submissions spawn ideas on how to better implement an existing feature for a future product. But mostly, we use IdeaScale for prioritizing.

 

Super-rough guess, so don't quote me—You will see dozens of IdeaScale submissions implemented to various degrees by the end of 2015.

 

Firmware development takes a long time. I suppose if Line 6 were two dudes in a garage making three products with no investors to satisfy, we could crank out new goodies every week. At the other extreme, if Line 6 were Apple or Google, we'd just throw money at it and hire 10,000 new engineers. We're somewhere in the middle—lots of products to support, active development of dozens more, yet subject to the whims of the relatively tiny MI industry.

 

No feature is ever "easy to implement". Extensive testing is required for very minor changes, in case a compiling anomaly breaks something else. Some feature you believe may be bonehead simple may be extremely difficult (or impossible) to implement, due to myriad factors. For example, POD HD's EQs not displaying in dB or Hz deals with the method in which the DSP and MCU communicate. It would require fundamental architectural changes, and preclude fifteen other feature requests.

 

That said, we're not done with POD HD. Please be patient.

 

Thanks for answering here. I feel really reassured hearing you're still working on the POD or a successor. For me what it makes me unsure is, when people places question and wishes and there is no reaction or short answer from Line6 itself. The followup is very unsure and confused customers. Some of them even leaving because of it.

 

So a short CLEAR statement now and then it wouldn't hurt and it causes more trust.

 

Just my 2cents.

I still have my HD500 and I'm still satisfied - even if there are some (even major) things that I like to be done and they are requested since the HD500 came out. But they are all in the list - so there's some hope.

[toasterdude]

Feel free to copy and paste as necessary:

 

We read every single IdeaScale submission. Personally, I check it twice a day, and on Fridays, my entire department gets an email with all submissions received the previous week. We couldn't avoid it if we tried.

 

Most submissions echo things Line 6 has already discussed, but it's nice to know we're on the right track. Some submissions detail products we've already developed in the past, but for whatever reason, were never able to bring to market. Many submissions detail features we've already been working on for months (or years). Some submissions detail things we're about to release. Some submissions spawn ideas on how to better implement an existing feature for a future product. But mostly, we use IdeaScale for prioritizing.

 

Super-rough guess, so don't quote me—You will see dozens of IdeaScale submissions implemented to various degrees by the end of 2015.

 

Firmware development takes a long time. I suppose if Line 6 were two dudes in a garage making three products with no investors to satisfy, we could crank out new goodies every week. At the other extreme, if Line 6 were Apple or Google, we'd just throw money at it and hire 10,000 new engineers. We're somewhere in the middle—lots of products to support, active development of dozens more, yet subject to the whims of the relatively tiny MI industry.

 

No feature is ever "easy to implement". Extensive testing is required for very minor changes, in case a compiling anomaly breaks something else. Some feature you believe may be bonehead simple may be extremely difficult (or impossible) to implement, due to myriad factors. For example, POD HD's EQs not displaying in dB or Hz deals with the method in which the DSP and MCU communicate. It would require fundamental architectural changes, and preclude fifteen other feature requests.

 

That said, we're not done with POD HD. Please be patient.

 

 

Good to hear. Thanks for the info. As long as Wireless VDI is one of the ideascale features implemented I will be happy ;-)

[kylotan]

They are readily available:

 

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-POD-HD500X-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor-109312173-i3193464.gc

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/line-6-pod-hd500x-guitar-multi-effects-processor?rNtt=pod%20hd500x&index=1

 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PODHD500X

 

http://www.amazon.com/Line-HD500X-Guitar-Floor-Multi-Effects/dp/B00DN43PQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414243674&sr=8-1&keywords=pod+hd500x

 

That's missing the point slightly: of course, there are places which have old stock, and especially if you like ordering musical gear online without trying it first. But this thread was talking about ongoing support, right?

 

Actually finding one in a shop near me (not in the USA) is proving impossible - not because they don't want to stock it, but apparently because they can't.

 

 

 

If you can, please PM me the dealer's name. I'll make sure our sales guys are taking care of them.

 

POD HD500X and HD Pro X aren't going away anytime soon.

 

I'm not going to name a specific dealer because our conversation was private. But you might want to look into why none of these dealers in the Midlands in the UK have an HD500X on sale, despite stocking other Line 6 products, because I doubt it's purely through lack of interest:

 

http://www.simmondsmusic.com/category/187/effects-pedals-and-electronics/#.VEzR7MkdiUm

http://www.rattleanddrum.com/guitars/guitar-effects-pedals.html?manufacturer=106

http://www.musicjunkie.co.uk/shop/Guitars/Guitar-Effects/Multi-Effect-Processors/LINE-6

http://www.millennium-music.co.uk/guitars-and-amps/line-6

 

[gtrman100]

I view the complaints about the "lack" of updates as a symptom of today's entitlement society. We are "entitled" to updates because we want them, and sure as hell, don't want to pay for them.. Wahh! I want to download music for free, and don't want to pay for it.(which has ruined the music business) Wahh! I'll pirate movies, because I deserve to watch it without paying for it, screw the people who spent millions to create it. Wahh!

 

I own a business, and you can't believe how many people want stuff for free, just because they feel entitled to it. I have to explain that we can't stay in business, and deliver quality if we give stuff away for free. But they don't care- they just want it.

 

Get a grip, dudes! If the HD500x or other digital device doesn't do the job for you for the price you paid, return it or sell it or do a work-a-round. And stop complaining, make some music...

[joel_brown]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way.  I thought I was turning into the Grumpy Old Man.

 

While were talking about possible updates.  I put this on Ideascale yesterday.  I heard someone talking about this feature in AXE FX.

 

Delay and Detune min and max settings.  Then randomly picks a number between the min and max setting.  This is supposed to give a nice double tracked guitar sound, even live.

[kylotan]

I view the complaints about the "lack" of updates as a symptom of today's entitlement society. We are "entitled" to updates because we want them, and sure as hell, don't want to pay for them.. Wahh! I want to download music for free, and don't want to pay for it.(which has ruined the music business) Wahh! I'll pirate movies, because I deserve to watch it without paying for it, screw the people who spent millions to create it. Wahh!

 

I own a business, and you can't believe how many people want stuff for free, just because they feel entitled to it. I have to explain that we can't stay in business, and deliver quality if we give stuff away for free. But they don't care- they just want it.

 

Get a grip, dudes! If the HD500x or other digital device doesn't do the job for you for the price you paid, return it or sell it or do a work-a-round. And stop complaining, make some music...

 

I see what you're saying, but people bought this with the implication that, like previous Line 6 devices, the number of models would grow. Maybe there wasn't a promise but people would be forgiven for thinking there was at least an implication. Yet the HD500X still has fewer models than the venerable XT did. I was reading a review of the HD500 just yesterday which said, "I do sorely miss the bass amps and vocal preamps but I won’t be surprised when Line 6 announces model pack or free upgrades to include a few of those."

 

Are people demanding that the updates are free? I think people would be happy if they could buy extra amps if the price was reasonable. If I ever do manage to get an HD500X I'd pay a bit extra for a Peavey 5150 or 6505 model.

[BillBee]

I think that statement of "but people bought this with the implication that, like previous Line 6 devices, the number of models would grow" is misleading. I would say that people bought the HD series because its one of the best affordable modeling units out there. Extra models and such are gravey, if it comes "sweet" if not "there are still no short comings model wise"... there is so much that can be dialed in already if the time is put in.

 

Not saying I wouldn't like "more" but I would rather have the L6 efforts spent on firmware and OS support (all IMHO) for now.

 

Now the next gen of Pod that will be another story :)

 

-B

[Akeron]

If I remember correctly, Rich Renken said he didn't exclude the possibility of model packs, but it was like 2 years ago...

[Rewolf48]

 

I'm not going to name a specific dealer because our conversation was private. But you might want to look into why none of these dealers in the Midlands in the UK have an HD500X on sale, despite stocking other Line 6 products, because I doubt it's purely through lack of interest:

 

http://www.simmondsmusic.com/category/187/effects-pedals-and-electronics/#.VEzR7MkdiUm

http://www.rattleanddrum.com/guitars/guitar-effects-pedals.html?manufacturer=106

http://www.musicjunkie.co.uk/shop/Guitars/Guitar-Effects/Multi-Effect-Processors/LINE-6

http://www.millennium-music.co.uk/guitars-and-amps/line-6

 

 

Interesting - I checked a few websites around Birmingham, and while the bigger chains (GuitarGuitar, PMT) claim to have stock (at least in the warehouse for online orders) the Independents have nothing.  

 

For example FairDeal can sell you the M series or even a TC Electronics G System, but have nothing in the HD line at all (http://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/effects/multi-effects/electric-guitar-effects.html).  Likewise ExpressMusic (http://www.expressmusicstore.co.uk/) have nothing HD, but can order you a POD 2.0!

As for the smaller independents as far as they are concerned LIne 6 is a brand that is only found in secondhand stock.

 

I have to agree - Line 6 and HD series in the UK only exist for the "national brand" music stores such as Andertons, PMT, GuitarGuitar, Nevada and GAK.

 

However the state of the independent music stores in the UK has deteriorated over the last few years. I went into our local guitar specialist and he spent 1/2 hour bemoaning the state of supply of musical instruments and how they are making it impossible to stock their products. You can stock Fender guitars if:

1. You dedicate a specific display area to the brand (predominant and large as specified by Fender)
2. Invest your own money in stocking this display area
3. With exactly what Fender tell you should be displayed in exactly which position

In real terms this meant investing a large amount of money that he doesn't have, in taking stock that Fender tells him he has to take, irrespective of whether he has a chance in hell of shifting it. What he cannot do is specify what he would like to stock and take for example just 8 models that he knows he can sell.

 

He specifically went on about Fender, but said the same is true for Gibson, Marshall and all the other big brands.  The suppliers whether deliberately or just incompetently are doing everything they can to kill off the small independents, and are killing off the ability of most people to see their kit hands on.  

 

My local specialist is getting on a bit, has shut down half the store footprint already and just has a minimum stock of no-name guitars that will tide him over until he retires and closes down next year.

 

That is why you only find big name music brands in big name music stores - they are the only ones with the financial resources and floor space to keep up with the supplier's demands.

 

Are you doing this Line 6?

 

Interestingly GAK are selling HD500X for £379.00 with free Carry Bag which is definitely a good deal http://www.gak.co.uk/en/line-6-pod-hd500x/85094

[gunpointmetal]

There's no reason NOT to expect regular updates to digital devices. I think its a pretty far stretch for L6 to think that 2015 is a reasonable time frame for stuff on a product that came out, what, 4-5 years ago? Especially after watching who knows how much time and effort going into a living room rehearsal toy with outdated modeling. 

[Digital_Igloo]

There's no reason NOT to expect regular updates to digital devices.

 

Why? 90% of the digital devices in my studio have never once received a firmware update, much less multiple, regular ones.

 

Especially after watching who knows how much time and effort going into a living room rehearsal toy with outdated modeling. 

 

<_< Without the iPod, Apple couldn't make the Mac Pro. Without Focus and Fusion, Ford couldn't make the GT. Without products like Spider and AMPLIFi, Line 6 couldn't make POD HD500.

 

Maybe try AMPLIFi in your living room. Maybe you'll play more guitar, like the rest of us have been doing all year. The Android app just dropped this morning.

[Digital_Igloo]

And I'd say between 512 and 1024 samples as the limit for IRs would be great, and totally worth the 12.5 to 25% DSP cost :)

 

Unfortunately, 1024 samples is closer to 40% of HD500X, and 50% of HD500. That results in a terrible user experience. If we can't do a new feature right, or it'd feel like we're shoehorning it in, we'd rather punt on it.

 

That's not to say we're giving up on user-loadable IRs—just that they're not likely to see the light of day in POD HD.

[stumblinman]

DI, since you are telling us (inasmuch as you can in corporate-speak) that the HD is not "mothballed" and there is more to (possibly) come, can you tell us if it's "maybe" models, "maybe" new cabs, or "maybe" both?

 

If not, that's cool. You can apologize by sending me a Line 6 knitted cap.

 

All kidding aside, thanks for even involving yourself to let us know you guys are around. There's a lot more interaction with L6 employees in the Relay Wireless forum, but there's also not as many posts to reply to. It's a thankless job setting foot in here, I'm sure.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, 1024 samples is closer to 40% of HD500X, and 50% of HD500. That results in a terrible user experience. If we can't do a new feature right, or it'd feel like we're shoehorning it in, we'd rather punt on it.

 

That's not to say we're giving up on user-loadable IRs—just that they're not likely to see the light of day in POD HD.

[toasterdude]

 

 

 

Why? 90% of the digital devices in my studio have never once received a firmware update, much less multiple, regular ones.

 

 

<_< Without the iPod, Apple couldn't make the Mac Pro. Without Focus and Fusion, Ford couldn't make the GT. Without products like Spider and AMPLIFi, Line 6 couldn't make POD HD500.

 

Maybe try AMPLIFi in your living room. Maybe you'll play more guitar, like the rest of us have been doing all year. The Android app just dropped this morning.

 

 

 

Reality. Maybe a bit harsh reality. I was sort of hoping you were heading to without HD500 we wouldn't do. . . . . . ..

 

Sort of like without POD XT you couldn't have done Vetta. 

 

I don't get the hatred for amplifi. I haven't bought one yet, but realize that my alte ipod boombox doesn't charge the damn ipod while playing music. Blue tooth boombox may be in my future. Blue tooth boombox that can also be a living room practice amp? More interesting. Sexy red and black design that would literally match my current living room perfectly. . . . hmmmmm

[toasterdude]

DI, since you are telling us (inasmuch as you can in corporate-speak) that the HD is not "mothballed" and there is more to (possibly) come, can you tell us if it's "maybe" models, "maybe" new cabs, or "maybe" both?

 

If not, that's cool. You can apologize by sending me a Line 6 knitted cap.

 

All kidding aside, thanks for even involving yourself to let us know you guys are around. There's a lot more interaction with L6 employees in the Relay Wireless forum, but there's also not as many posts to reply to. It's a thankless job setting foot in here, I'm sure.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, 1024 samples is closer to 40% of HD500X, and 50% of HD500. That results in a terrible user experience. If we can't do a new feature right, or it'd feel like we're shoehorning it in, we'd rather punt on it.

 

That's not to say we're giving up on user-loadable IRs—just that they're not likely to see the light of day in POD HD.

Damn, so 512k would be say 20% of HD500x. DSP limit rears its ugly head too quickly now, can't imagine with IRs. I wish I was more up on DSP version of moore's law. Seems much slower than with CPU and GPU. Come to think of it, I wish theer was an APU type deal. If every graphics card or MOBO came with a DSP that did for audio processing what GPU does for 3D and Video. . .would be way cool.

 

I currently don't use much of the POD amp modeling because of DSP limit, so IRs that make that worse, would do zip for me. I will start using HD500x a bit more as portable rig, but may need a torpedo cab or two, big sky or H9 for reverb and maybe echolution 2 for delays to be able to make my whacky patches work with DSP limit. That or I would need like 4 times the amount of presets.

 

Most reports of people using POD with torpedo cab or VST IRs seem to say that it makes a big difference, confirming what many have suspected. Cab sims are the weak link in POD HD.

 

Speaking of DSP limit. It does sort of suck that even though I have a POD HD Pro X with more DSP and don't use any amp modeling, cabs or 63 spring reverbs, I can only have 8 FX blocks. In most of my patches I need two of each effect as I run basically dual mono with one side models and the other magnetic pickups.

 

Oh yeah, I'd love wireless VDI ;-)

[NucleusX]

There is, and has been internal DSP solutions in pc's for the better half of 2 decades now.

 

Example: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/sound-blaster-zxr.aspx

 

Those kind of solutions involving VST technologies are considered to be superior to most, if not all DSP hardware MFX units.

[Akeron]

As far as I know POD HD uses 1 of these

 

http://www.analog.com/en/processors-dsp/sharc/ADSP-21369/products/product.html

 

and the Axe-FX II uses 2 of these

 

http://www.analog.com/en/processors-dsp/tigersharc/adsp-ts201s/products/product.html

 

and these are the prices

 

http://www.analog.com/en/processors-dsp/sharc/products/index.html

http://www.analog.com/en/processors-dsp/tigersharc/products/index.html

 

It's a big difference in price only for the processor...

[joel_brown]

I think this thread can be simplified. 

 

1) This is what you get.

2) You don't like it buy something else because that's either going to cost a LOT more money or not be as good.

3) You got some new amp models since the HD's release.

4) We're lucky to hear that "something is coming".  Most business wouldn't even say that. 

 

I'm happy and don't expect Line6 to treat the PODHD like it's a smartphone or computer OS.  I think I gott'a heck of a deal for $500 bucks.  I've spent more than that on a handful of noisy pedals that don't work anymore.

[jandrio]

...I'm happy and don't expect Line6 to treat the PODHD like it's a smartphone or computer OS...

+1

 

...smart..fons 'n puters do break down frequently...'n it's the os 2 blame 9 out of 10 times...

 

we do not this 2 happen in our music equipment, do we?

[gunpointmetal]

 These products, Amplitude, Revalver, Jam-up, Bias and others push as one of their main features, a marketplace with more stuff added regularly. Then we look at these same folks who purchased the pod and they see.......................................

 

That's the problem and that's why we will always see these threads on this forum and others. For those of you that feel the need to defend the current state of the pod with the redundant: "I don't need a hundred amps, I just need 4", "I don't want to tweak, I just want to play", "Line 6 never said that there would be more amps and effects", "You should buy a device as is and not expect more stuff", and so on. That's not the future, that's the past, the future is content and access. The sooner Line 6 starts going in this direction with hardware and a marketplace that can provide new content, the sooner these threads will disappear, Until then, expect to see more of them.

 

Finally, I am so amused by the: "Line 6 never said that there was going to be updates and new stuff" which a few like to regurgitate. Well, it doesn't matter what Line 6 said or didn't say, it's what the customer wants and the customer is always right.

 

I don't think there's been the realization yet that the HD500 is competing directly with software solutions for portable devices and computers. At least half of the people I know who have owned PODs in various forms have abandoned them for both recording and performing in favor of an iPhone running Bias, or a laptop loaded with free VST amps and a small usb footswitch. Move forward or get left behind.

[BillBee]

I don't think there's been the realization yet that the HD500 is competing directly with software solutions for portable devices and computers. At least half of the people I know who have owned PODs in various forms have abandoned them for both recording and performing in favor of an iPhone running Bias, or a laptop loaded with free VST amps and a small usb footswitch. Move forward or get left behind.

 

You do make a good point and I agree somewhat with Rlblues.

 

But there is still a gathering on masses that want a standalone device for easy travel minimum setup outside of the home. 

 

Should be interesting to see what L6 has up their sleeve.

 

-B

[sidroe]

Maybe a re-working of Pod Farm! LOL!

Pod Farm in a standalone pedal board!

[gunpointmetal]

+1

 

...smart..fons 'n puters do break down frequently...'n it's the os 2 blame 9 out of 10 times...

 

we do not this 2 happen in our music equipment, do we?

This is about as true for these types of devices, and 9/10 times its not the OS, its user error. I've been running cheap PCs and various other OS-based electronics without so much as a crash or BSOD for a loooooong time. The last time a computer crashed on me, it was my fault, not the OS, and that was 2007 or so. I know some people that can't pick up a device without if screwing them over somehow, and I can grab the same piece of equipment and have no issues. Something I've learned from playing with technology dependent bands...don't watch porn on your music computer.

[BillBee]

This is about as true for these types of devices, and 9/10 times its not the OS, its user error. I've been running cheap PCs and various other OS-based electronics without so much as a crash or BSOD for a loooooong time. The last time a computer crashed on me, it was my fault, not the OS, and that was 2007 or so. I know some people that can't pick up a device without if screwing them over somehow, and I can grab the same piece of equipment and have no issues. Something I've learned from playing with technology dependent bands...don't watch porn on your music computer.

 

The ole "id10t" error raises its ugly head (no pun not intended). ;)

[joel_brown]

I haven't tried Bias on an iPhone but I have tried a butt load of free and not free VSTs on my computer.  Haven't found any that sound better than what I get out of the PODHD.  I'm calling bull lollipop...

[phil_m]

just a parallelism

 

I have a few acoustic piano plugins, (one of the instruments most difficult to emulate in the world):

Synthogy Ivory, Native Instruments, they are really beautiful, but require a lot of system resources:

fast and huge mass storage, very fast CPU and lot of RAM ..

 

then you discover that there are other amazing plugins like 4Front TruePianos or Modartt Pianoteq mainly or only based on algorithms, and requiring so few resources that could run also on your grandfather's computer (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating), and play incredibly well..

 

is something that makes you think .. or not?

 

Well, the first group of plug-ins you mentioned are using multi-velocity samples, and that eats up storage space very quickly. The second group is actually modeling the sound of a piano or whatever instrument. It's kind of more analogous to what Line 6 or other companies do with amp modeling.

[joel_brown]

One good thing I checked out because of this thread is Bias from PositiveGrid.  Although the iPhone version is way too limited, the full version is something I'm going to look into.  But $200 for the software, another $100 bucks for a small portable interface, then I'll need a laptop or iPad to run it, plus somehow connect a midi pedal to switch presets.  It won't be cheap to put something together for live use.  A lot more than just $20 for my iPhone and a few bucks for an interface and I'm off gigging.

 

The only thing it had that got my attention was a Tone Match feature. 

 

The bad thing is I just don't see such a fragile configuration holding up very well in a live situation.  It doesn't hurt to look, I'm just not going to hold my breath.

[Digital_Igloo]

This exchange sums up the reason why we see threads like this one, as well as the many others like it, created on this forum and others. There is a disconnect between the company and it's customers over expectations and direction.

 

There's no disconnect. We know exactly what our customers' concerns are.

 

Context is everything:

• If one expects Line 6 to behave like a small software developer with zero hardware development overhead, sorry—that's disingenuous
• If one expects Line 6 to behave like a small hardware developer with huge margins and exactly four (expensive) SKUs—that's disingenuous
• If one expects Line 6 to behave like the second-largest tech company in the world, with cash in the tens of billions—that's disingenuous
• If one expects Line 6 to behave like a medium-sized MI hardware manufacturer that supports many dozens of products and reports to a much larger, publicly-traded MI hardware manufacturer—cool, because that's what we are

[vilo1968]

 

I personally feel that the category "high gain" is not entirely covered by the HD.

 

A couple more hight gain amplifiers (5150, 6505, Diezel) is all that I need to be completely happy.

[brue58ski]

First of all, thanks to Digital Igloo for boldly going where no Line 6 representative has gone in awhile. I do appreciate you doing this.

I am glad to hear that there's still more to come with the HD500. I did purchase the HD500 with the expectation that there would be upgrades, additions and or improvements. That's how it's been at Line 6 for awhile. I also get that they tend to sell a product when it's usable in it's current state, despite any additional things that are being planned. I get that and am fine with it. I'd rather have it now with other things coming instead of waiting until everything is ready.

 

So the X3/XT had many different USB/recording input and output configurations as well as being able to lock either the 1/4" or XLR output at one level and have the Master Level knob control the other. Since the HD500 was supposed to be the next step up, I fully expected it to have all the input output options that the X3/XT had. The same product with better models. Since they weren't in the HD500, I just expected to eventually get them as had happened with the X3/XT. After all it was definitely presented as being part of the "POD" family. Well it hasn't happened and don't know if it will. It's been so long I don't know if it's even possible (like the EQ percentage issue which, as I understand it, won't ever be Hz or dB). So if there are no more improvements that will be a great disappointment. But I don't feel Im owed anything.

None of these things were promised, nor were any upgrades, in any of the official literature that I remember. Now a USB port on a product whose firmware has a version number certainly implies improvements and upgrades are coming. And past history. So you might expect that and you can expect something will happen because of past behavior but it doesn't mean it will happen NOR is there an obligation to make it happen. To me it would be like being upgraded to First class on a plane, several times in a row and then expecting to be upgraded one more time and being denied. "Well you've always upgraded me before!!". So what. If it isn't in writing, it's on you that it's not happening. That's an expectation and expecting something, doesn't mean it should or will happen. It's been mentioned before, and I agree, that it seems to be part of the "I'm entitled to this" mentality that seems to permeate people these days. Yes, it's disappointing. Yes, it feels like I've been led to believe something (due to past behavior). Yes, there may even be some kind of moral, "if you were honorable you would", obligation to "do the right thing"...slightly. But a legal, absolute, black and white obligation. No. That's the way it is. So stomp your feet, post your thread, take your money soemewhere else but to try and argue that getting upgrades is the way it is, is ludicrous. The way it should be? I guess that's what this thread is about. I doubt this will sway very many people but here's one more opinion that no one really needs.

It isn't as if Line 6 hasn't completely dropped the ball at times either. I'm still waiting for the promised Variax bass/workbench compatibility that I based a lot of my Varaix bass purchase on. And they always said they were working on the final Vetta II amp issues that are still present. At least they finally said they were done and to expect them to work on it no more. That's probably one reason why they don't promise any future stuff with products any more.

[Meiannatee]

Hi, I'm new to Line 6. Sorry to crash this thread, but I'm considering purchasing the HD500x.

 

I agree that I have no right to demand for new updates if I already owned a HD500/HD500x and have been using it since its release. However, I'm considering purchasing a product that has been out for some time, and would appreciate an inside opinion on whether I should:

1) go ahead with the purchase because:
   a) the product's performance is not outdated and is competitive with other floor multifx/software solution in the market at that price range

   b) the product will be updated in the future to be competitive

OR

2) I should wait because a successor to the HD500x is around the corner (2015?)?

 

December sale is starting soon, but here in Singapore, the return policy is really bad, only covering manufacturing defects. So any advise I get will be really helpful. Thanks!

 

Background info: I'm currently running a Zoom G3 thru an amp at church (super lightweight for public transport). But because of stage volume, micing difficulties and mic bleed, I'm considering the HD500x to go direct into PA.

[digiprod]

http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2014/jan/02/yamaha-acquires-line-6-inc/

 

Now that Yamaha bought Line 6 I think you will see new hardware in order to recoup their investment quicker instead of any FREE meaningful upgrades happen. That makes sense for them.

 

Axe FX is obviously moving into HD Pod-land with their newly announced product... it will be interesting. 

[NucleusX]

joel_brown

 

"One good thing I checked out because of this thread is Bias from PositiveGrid.  Although the iPhone version is way too limited, the full version is something I'm going to look into.  But $200 for the software, another $100 bucks for a small portable interface, then I'll need a laptop or iPad to run it, plus somehow connect a midi pedal to switch presets.  It won't be cheap to put something together for live use.  A lot more than just $20 for my iPhone and a few bucks for an interface and I'm off gigging."

 

 

2 ways I can see out of this easy enough.

 

1. I can use my Shortboard MKII footcontroller to send midi messeges via USB directly with PC, using the FBV Control to configure

    midi messages to say AmpliTube or Guitar Rig in the VST/DAW environment, without the POD HD Pro connected.

    I imagine if I can do this, the POD HD500/X might be capable of doing it aswell via USB, or using its midi in/out features at least.

 

2. There's a few quality 2 channel interface options, with midi in/out, high sample rates, for a very reasonable price.

    EG: https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/audio_interfaces/ur_serie/modelle/ur22.html

 

I'm sure you'd be set with one, or both solutions. 

[Akeron]

In another thread on another forum I've said that "clean is easy". I was talking about finding a decent clean sound from modelers but that can also be applied to programming the algorithms. A piano doesn't have distortion and valve distortion, with all its intricacies, is way more difficult to model right :)

[phil_m]

In another thread on another forum I've said that "clean is easy". I was talking about finding a decent clean sound from modelers but that can also be applied to programming the algorithms. A piano doesn't have distortion and valve distortion, with all its intricacies, is way more difficult to model right :)

 

Oh, I don't know about that... Have you talked to many piano players? I think they'd beg to differ with you. I've not met many that think think that there are any piano plug-ins that come close to giving the real experience of playing a grand piano. Pianos are kind of like amps in the fact that they each have their own personality, but the difference between pianos is probably even more noticeable to players.

 

I mean, I get what you're saying... I just think that modeling pianos isn't best example. Although, on the other hand, maybe it is a good example. For people who don't play piano or don't play all that much, a plug-in might sound just fine for them. But for the real virtuousos, they'll will definitely know the difference. I actually think that difference is more stark than the difference between a real amp and an amp model.

 

Sorry for the tangent. :)

[Digital_Igloo]

the sound of a piano even if clean, is much more complex than you may think, each note in every register is a world apart with all its dynamic nuances, and then there are all the interactions between the various strings, sympathetic resonances, sustain pedal effect, and whatever, it's a huge thing, believe me ..

 

Indeed. It also has to do with how real acoustic pianos respond with feedback (vibrations) back to your fingers, not to mention the actual reverberation of the room you're in. Very difficult to nail.

 

But the big reason pianos are so hard to get right is that we're all so familiar with them. Everyone at one time or another has played one—even plinking a note or two. People are more forgiving with, say, contrabassoon samples, because contrabassoons aren't sitting in countless living rooms, schools, hotels, and churches.

 

Dig the Modartt stuff. Believe it or not, I generally gravitate toward the Steinway Grand sample built into GarageBand and Logic, because it somehow sits in my (very busy) mixes better.