Don_Kobber Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Hi, For about 10 years ago I burried my band, my guitar and my playing, but now I have a burning desire getting back in the game, and some of my old bandmates are also up for it. But damn... a lot of things has happened in those 10 years. I've been using so much time this last week, looking for the right new gear to buy, and I just can't decide. I really hope that some of you, can point me in the right direction. For now, I'm looking for some gear that I can use at home - for practice, and especially for recording. I play metal, so the primary target is to find some Line 6 solution, that offers great metal-sounds. At first I was really hooked on the AMPLIFi-series, but though I've done some research, I can't seem to find out, how the AMPLIFi-series compares to POD HD-series. Is it better, are the features and sounds the same, is it worse - what is it? I can see the smart thing in the AMPLIFi-series where you can record directly through a USB cable, but if the AMPLIFi-thing is the soundcard, how do I connect some studio monitors for mixing? The Line 6 POD HD500X looks great, but damn it's expensive - does it really deliver so much more than the AMPLIFi FX100? Are the effects not the same quality or what? I hope you can help me out... thanx in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 you didn't really say but from the last part of your post it appears you already have an amp/cab? and want to add a multi-effects board? If that is the case then either the HD500 or FX100 will work. However, there is a big leap between the two. The FX100 is less flexible and is based on older modeling technology. The tones are OK and many are fine with it. The HD500 has the latest modeling and offers a deeper level of adjustment and better effects. It is more flexible for the performing musician, has more in/out options, but requires more effort to learn and adjust. Either one can go straight to the board or mixer if you don't need to bring or use an amp. Now the AMPLIFi series can all record to USB just like the PODs. I haven't tried a FX100 but I have had my HD500 for a while now and I love it. I don't think I would want to trade it for the FX100 especially for live work. As for the price, the HD500X is on sale for about $360 at a few places which makes it a bargain over the FX100 at $250 in my eyes. Good luck choosing and stick around if you need help getting back into it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Kobber Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Thanks for your replies! You're right - I forgot to tell you, that this solution is only for digital use. There will be no amps or cab's - just directly into a sound card and out through my studio monitors. Me and the band members are busy people, so we might not ever play live again - we just like to create music once in a while. So for that use - would the choice still be the HD500X? Here where I live it's 2,5 times bigger price tag compared to the TT... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Sounds like the FX100 will work just fine then... have fun with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palico Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Would I choose the HD500x for just recording? Maybe. Over the FX100 for sure. The FX100 is not a bad unit for the price. It's just more targeted toward the practicing musician. It would do what you want thought. To be brutialy honest, I don't think I would necassarly choose either. You could get a USB interface pretty cheap these days and then there is a ton of different software options as far as modelling the guitar amp and effects from within your DAW of choice. You never need to play live with it, so you don't need the hardware at all, just a interface and a DAW for the recording. Now if your not really wanting to record, just be heard for jam session, want a good tone but don't care if it's "perfect" or not, then I might check out a FX100 for that just because it already has speakers and I would likely just use the USB for setting up tones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palico Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Assuming you are recording, how you plan to bring drums, vox, etc... into the DAW? That can help drive which interface you want to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Kobber Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 Thanks again for your help. Today I found out that one of my friends actually own a Amplifi 100FX, so I went there and tried it. I don't need that much to be satisfied - I need a metal rhytm sound, a solo sound nd a couple of "clean" sounds and that's it. The 100FX delivers really really good metal sounds, and I was sold instantly. I don't want to constantly tweak and adjust, so the 100FX offers plenty for me, and I really liked the iPhone/iPad features - it works very well. So thanks again. If I had plenty cash, I maybe would have chosen differently, but the 100FX is perfect for my needs - for now :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianoguyy Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 If you are just going to do some online gaming computer recording, then I agree with the guy that says to get a guitar cord that is 1/4" to usb, and then let the studio programs do the rest. In fact, you could maybe even buy a midi guitar? HOWEVER The HD500 (HD500x if you want to buy it new at a store) will give you everything in one box. Live. Studio. Band practice. Home practice. Literally, you take the same single pedalboard with you. None of this crap where you have the live rig and the live rig for big shows, and a studio rig, and a rig for practice, and a rig for at home. One box, all applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinistralx Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Have you considered something like the UX2 and pod farm? if your studio monitors are decent i would say that would be best bang for the buck... if you are on a budget correct me if i am wrong but Pod Farm 2.0 has the same 'X3' sound engine as the Amplifi range. I use the Amplifi75 at home for jamming and its sounds great and is fun as all hell to mess around on... i would really bother with the USB recording on it. I ave the HD500x for live use and recording and for that respect the HD models win hands down. If i am travelling I use the Sonic Port VX with iPad which is handy, there are plenty of software amp sims for mobile to choose from plus the Sonic Port works well as a audio interface (the mobile pod app uses the pod 2.0 models but still sound great) I am still not sure why it doesn't come with Pod Farm considering its costs more than the UX2...anyways.... it really depends on your application, budget. all the gear is flexible enough although pianoguy said, the hd500 does it all...... you can get good deals on them (not the 500x) if you look around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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