Thank You Hd500 Product Testers!

[Line_6_Al]

Line 6 would like to thank all of you for paying to be product testers for our HD500 series.      

 

We know it hasn't been an easy road.  

 

However, it is because of you that we have upgraded the DSP, included foot-switches that will last and signal routing, that untill now you could only achieve with the HD400 series.

 

It is YOU that have developed the HD500X!!

 

THANK YOU!!!!

 

Here is a link so that you can purchase the new and improved HD500X:

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/line-6-pod-hd500x-guitar-multi-effects-processor 

[Astaroth_CY]

Did your testers ever mention anything about displaying frequency instead of percentage in EQs? Honest question. Also, will firmware updates to the HD500X also apply to the HD500?

 

 

Edit: I'm leaving my original post up, but I just realized the OP sounds a lot like a joke post... If it's a joke, you got me. If not, wow. Poe's law, I guess.

[TheRealZap]

yup... you been had.

 

 If it's a joke, you got me. If not, wow. Poe's law, I guess.

[Astaroth_CY]

Well played. That'll teach me to fire off a reply after speed-reading a post.

[bjnette]

Whats this signal routing advance?

[Inerzia]

Line 6 would like to thank all of you for paying to be product testers for our HD500 series.

That's exactly how I feel, like a beta tester who paid, instead of being paid.

[Line_6_Al]

Whats this signal routing advance?

 

ooops...my mistake...signal routing remains the same...jumped the gun on that one... :wacko:

[bjnette]

I don't think there is any need to feel down about having a POD HD 500.

It has been out since 2011. It is now 2013 and the Amp and FX are still the same. Just our three year old technology 

didn't get the HD500X' Processor. And three years is an "age" in computing hardware terms.

No real need to be disguntled.

What would be really cool is if the guts of the HD500 can accept the processor/memory as an upgrade. Now that would be real cool.

Imagine being able to get an upgrade kit from Line 6 and an easy swap out that you could do it yourself. Now that would be cool!

It would be so cool I'd get the DT25 and then a Variax with support like that.

[Astaroth_CY]

I hope someone does a HD500X teardown...

[phil_m]

It has been out since 2011.

 

Actually, it's been out since 2010. It was announced in September 2010, and was available for purchase almost right away. I got mine in October 2010. So it's been almost three years, which if you consider the typical life-cycle of electronics, that's getting up there.

 

I actually think that the HD stuff has probably been a pretty solid release for Line 6. It has been nearly bug-free from the start. There have been a few minor things, butt overall, it seems like a stable platform for them. I think the release of the HD500X actually probably points to that. I do hope that with the additional horsepower available now that they use that as a launching pad for some new software changes.

[bjnette]

Yeah I think I'll hold out a while until their next closer to the ideal SUPER POD HD PRO.

But if you like making new sounds and that is the modern trend the 500X would be a must have.

[Buckethead85]

I don't think there is any need to feel down about having a POD HD 500.

It has been out since 2011. It is now 2013 and the Amp and FX are still the same. Just our three year old technology 

didn't get the HD500X' Processor. And three years is an "age" in computing hardware terms.

No real need to be disguntled.

 

Sorry but i have to disagree with you. Now my pod 500 has no market value, i paid 500 euro for the pod and after all the things that disappoint me like eq freq in PERCENTAGE!?! (and no documentation that helps for this, we are not mad thanks to people like Meambobbo and Jim Reynolds that we can still make it) and DSP limit reached with double amp...why allowing double amps if you cannot add more than a fx and you get DSP limit!?

You launch a new product that is exactly the same with a hardware upgrade. I think all the pod hd500 owner feel like they were robbed, i feel a bit like that. I hope will come out a new firmware that fix some of the issues of the pod because i don't think it was not a good market strategy to launch the podhd500x.

[TheRealZap]

there was no marketing strategy at all for current hd500 owners... this was never a product designed to get current owners to buy....

 

please send me your no value hd500... because i know i can get 350-400$ for it all day long....

(which then makes an upgrade if you HAVE to have it only 100-150$)

 

Sorry but i have to disagree with you. Now my pod 500 has no market value, i paid 500 euro for the pod and after all the things that disappoint me like eq freq in PERCENTAGE!?! (and no documentation that helps for this, we are not mad thanks to people like Meambobbo and Jim Reynolds that we can still make it) and DSP limit reached with double amp...why allowing double amps if you cannot add more than a fx and you get DSP limit!?

You launch a new product that is exactly the same with a hardware upgrade. I think all the pod hd500 owner feel like they were robbed, i feel a bit like that. I hope will come out a new firmware that fix some of the issues of the pod because i don't think it was not a good market strategy to launch the podhd500x.

[guilhordas]

after 2 years using the pod hd direct in mixer, gigs, 4 per week, I concluded that the only amp with drive, which I can be satisfied is the lead plexi 100, this is the only one who can sound organic, the others all seem artificial, the cleans convince me more

[smrybacki]

That's exactly how I feel, like a beta tester who paid, instead of being paid.

+1

[bluediamond]

after 2 years using the pod hd direct in mixer, gigs, 4 per week, I concluded that the only amp with drive, which I can be satisfied is the lead plexi 100, this is the only one who can sound organic, the others all seem artificial, the cleans convince me more

Totally agree with this. I just can't dial "organic" tone with any of the distortion amps (uber, dual recto, slo). All have this fizziness/harshness. It's the same problem since the old POD XT.

On the other hand, the patch I design with plexi lead and dual screamer is amazing.

[guilhordas]

Totally agree with this. I just can't dial "organic" tone with any of the distortion amps (uber, dual recto, slo). All have this fizziness/harshness. It's the same problem since the old POD XT.

On the other hand, the patch I design with plexi lead and dual screamer is amazing.

 

exact, because one thing is to make recordings at home via usb, so the sound drives well and is much more easy to drive with the amps sound good, but something else is playing live and getting each day depending on a pa different, and so the one who convinces me is the plexi with tube screamer

[Texxxxx]

Actually, it's been out since 2010. It was announced in September 2010, and was available for purchase almost right away. I got mine in October 2010. So it's been almost three years, which if you consider the typical life-cycle of electronics, that's getting up there.

 

I actually think that the HD stuff has probably been a pretty solid release for Line 6. It has been nearly bug-free from the start.

Nearly bug-free, but those few bugs hounded me.

 

I, too, bought my HD500 in Oct 2010. It had the volume start up problem. I started a support ticket, but returned it while I could. I bought a HD400 to replace it. I liked the HD500 better, so I bet that L6 would probably fix it, at some point. I traded up to the HD500, again, and with the new unit and new firmware, the low volume start up problem was gone.

 

It was OK...I figured I would get a handle on the fizziness/harshness because so many others seemed to be having no problem.

 

I had always wanted a rack-mount and when that was available I sold the HD500 on eBay and bought the HD PRO. The Pro had the volume-dropping problem, which is different from the volume start-up problem. I started a Support Ticket and L6 was very helpful. Their support team worked with me for months and eventually sent me three units before I received one that worked properly. My experience with L6 support is that they are excellent and thorough. It did take a long time to get there, as they had me try a lot of things along the way.

 

I ended up selling the HD PRO a few months ago. I just couldn't achieve, live, what so many of you seem to do. No matter how many times I read meambobbo's excellent guide, or how many threads I read, I couldn't get rid of the fizziness/harshness. I heard it in the cleans and I could never get the high-gain amps to 'cut through the mix'. Even though I read meambobbo's guide many times, I couldn't bring myself to have mulitple EQ's running to reduce fizz and/or boost different mids to cut through. I tried...too much effort and not worth it to me.

 

I never found the presence and ambiance in the HD's that I get with my vintage Fenders and pedalboard.

 

I just gave up and went the simpler route.

 

ps...I still own lots of L6 gear and continue to be a fanboi. Four Flextone III+'s with two extension cabs and three FBV Shortboards. They sound great to me for recording, theater orchestra pits and my bedroom...lol...don't really cut through in a high-volume 'live' situation, however, but talk about a great saturated OD at low volume...wow! I own two G50 and one G90 wireless, also that are great. I look forward to future L6 releases!

[AlphaScorpious]

Sorry but i have to disagree with you. Now my pod 500 has no market value, i paid 500 euro for the pod and after all the things that disappoint me like eq freq in PERCENTAGE!?! (and no documentation that helps for this, we are not mad thanks to people like Meambobbo and Jim Reynolds that we can still make it) and DSP limit reached with double amp...why allowing double amps if you cannot add more than a fx and you get DSP limit!?

You launch a new product that is exactly the same with a hardware upgrade. I think all the pod hd500 owner feel like they were robbed, i feel a bit like that. I hope will come out a new firmware that fix some of the issues of the pod because i don't think it was not a good market strategy to launch the podhd500x.

 

research

re·search

[ri-surch, ree-surch]

noun

1. diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.

 

I wasn't robbed - I got what I paid for because I took the time to make sure I was getting what I wanted. If I want a piece of software, I research it, try the demo and if I don't like it, I tell the company why I'm not buying their product.

 

By some of the reactions to the HD500X I gather that when I go to the supermarket and see products I have used for years that are now "New and Improved" or "Super" or "Ultra" that I should feel like a pissed off beta tester who got robbed of taste, or functionality, or scent, or cleaning power, etc.

 

Your HD500 probably has more market value than you think. I'm pretty sure that even in a limited market I could find someone who has done the research on both the HD500 and HD500X and would buy mine for $400 to save $100 for a fractional loss of DSP that most users don't use anyway.

 

Since Line 6 has created a site for suggesting product ideas, instead of whining maybe you should suggest something. For example, if you really believe that the HD500X is exactly the same except for hardware, then might it not be possible for Line 6 to redesign the HD series into something like a computer that allows for hardware upgrades? Maybe they could sell a standard unit with X amount of memory and 1 DSP but have expansion slots for adding more memory and DSPs. Maybe they could program the HD Edit software with preferences for user-configurable unit displays.

 

[stumblinman]

research

re·search

[ri-surch, ree-surch]

noun

1. diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.

 

I wasn't robbed - I got what I paid for because I took the time to make sure I was getting what I wanted. If I want a piece of software, I research it, try the demo and if I don't like it, I tell the company why I'm not buying their product.

 

By some of the reactions to the HD500X I gather that when I go to the supermarket and see products I have used for years that are now "New and Improved" or "Super" or "Ultra" that I should feel like a pissed off beta tester who got robbed of taste, or functionality, or scent, or cleaning power, etc.

 

Your HD500 probably has more market value than you think. I'm pretty sure that even in a limited market I could find someone who has done the research on both the HD500 and HD500X and would buy mine for $400 to save $100 for a fractional loss of DSP that most users don't use anyway.

 

Since Line 6 has created a site for suggesting product ideas, instead of whining maybe you should suggest something. For example, if you really believe that the HD500X is exactly the same except for hardware, then might it not be possible for Line 6 to redesign the HD series into something like a computer that allows for hardware upgrades? Maybe they could sell a standard unit with X amount of memory and 1 DSP but have expansion slots for adding more memory and DSPs. Maybe they could program the HD Edit software with preferences for user-configurable unit displays.

 

+1

 

I bought mine knowing full well the limitations and benefits.  For $500 nothing could touch the HD500 in terms of practicality AND tone.  It's a sturdy (generally speaking, power plug and USB excluded), feature-filled tone box with a ton of flexibility.  I'm not butthurt that they came out with an updated (slightly) version for the same coin.  If I had bought it a month ago I'd be bummed, but I'd talk to my music retailer to return it.  If you've had yours for years, you have no reason to gripe.  I don't hear iPhone users complaining when a new one comes out.  Either they keep what they have, or they shut up and buy the newest toy if it matters that much.  Get over it.

[DeanDinosaur]

  For $500 nothing could touch the HD500 in terms of practicality AND tone. ...

That was the case before Eleven Rack came down in price to around 350 at ebay. In terms of practicality it depends on what you do. For live the POD is the winner but for recording and tone the Eleven is in a completely higer league in modeling and even though it doesn't have as many effects as the POD, but the effects are much better quality specially the reverbs, EQ, Rotary and the rest of modulations. you can also easily do Re-amping from the software and once you playing the models in Eleven Rack it's very hard to go back to play the models of the POD.

 

Ever since I got the Eleven, My HD500 sits as a controller for the ELeven Rack  and that's all it does. . I thought  line 6 was going to update or refine the modelings, but I'll give it till the end of the summer and if EQ and amp models aren't refined, I'll get rid of my HD500. I'm not looking for more amps, just better quality. Still I have much more amps in the Eleven because in many of the amps two channels are modeled and counted as one amp not the way line 6 count amps. 

[phil_m]

For live the POD is the winner but for recording and tone the Eleven is in a completely higer league in modeling

 

[stumblinman]

Everything you say is correct Dean.  I am a gigging musician that needs a ton of sounds that I can integrate with other pedals I own without needing to spend extra for a MIDI pedal to make it work.  I looked at the Eleven Rack and still continue to do so, but I'm not a computer rock star.  I play live, though amps and mic'ed through PA, so for MY needs, my HD500 and DT25 fit the bill perfectly. 

 

That was the case before Eleven Rack came down in price to around 350 at ebay. In terms of practicality it depends on what you do. For live the POD is the winner but for recording and tone the Eleven is in a completely higer league in modeling and even though it doesn't have as many effects as the POD, but the effects are much better quality specially the reverbs, EQ, Rotary and the rest of modulations. you can also easily do Re-amping from the software and once you playing the models in Eleven Rack it's very hard to go back to play the models of the POD.

 

Ever since I got the Eleven, My HD500 sits as a controller for the ELeven Rack  and that's all it does. . I thought  line 6 was going to update or refine the modelings, but I'll give it till the end of the summer and if EQ and amp models aren't refined, I'll get rid of my HD500. I'm not looking for more amps, just better quality. Still I have much more amps in the Eleven because in many of the amps two channels are modeled and counted as one amp not the way line 6 count amps. 

[stumblinman]

That was the case before Eleven Rack came down in price to around 350 at ebay. In terms of practicality it depends on what you do. For live the POD is the winner but for recording and tone the Eleven is in a completely higer league in modeling and even though it doesn't have as many effects as the POD, but the effects are much better quality specially the reverbs, EQ, Rotary and the rest of modulations. you can also easily do Re-amping from the software and once you playing the models in Eleven Rack it's very hard to go back to play the models of the POD.

 

Ever since I got the Eleven, My HD500 sits as a controller for the ELeven Rack and that's all it does. . I thought line 6 was going to update or refine the modelings, but I'll give it till the end of the summer and if EQ and amp models aren't refined, I'll get rid of my HD500. I'm not looking for more amps, just better quality. Still I have much more amps in the Eleven because in many of the amps two channels are modeled and counted as one amp not the way line 6 count amps.

If you decide to sell it, hit me up. I'd like a backup to leave at our practice space.

[scottyo78]

I'd bet the level of one's hurt, resentment, and/or treason :ph34r: is directly proportional to how recent our purchase was of the HD500.

 

I had the money in August 2012 but it took me just over a month of comparison and investigation via this forum, music stores and youtube video's to make my purchase in October. So with not even having it a full year and paying full price, I'd say my level of 'hurt' is about "3" (1 = slightly hurt; 10 = extremely hurt). I also realized the HD500 had been out for over a year (although not since 2010 <_< ) when I bought it. My last Line 6 purchase was the PODXT-Live in about 2006 :unsure: .

 

Some here in this forum may never buy another Line 6 product again but it's still (mostly) a free market and Line 6 will either survive their product line strategy or not. When it comes time for me to buy another piece of guitar gear, I'll still include Line 6 in my comparison research. ^_^

 

P.S. Yep the EQ's are just silly/stupid. I don't use them! Thankfully I get enough EQ within the Amp model and my amplifier or when going direct, I'll have the sound guy boost or cut the 2K-3K range just a bit.

[TheRealZap]

here's a review from December 2010 (date in the URL) http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Dec/Line_6_POD_HD500_Review.aspx

 

it was most certainly released before the review!

that and some of us, had the beta before that...

 

also the first public firmware release.

Flash Memory       Version 1.10.00
Released 9/30/10

 

 I also realized the HD500 had been out for over a year (although not since 2010 <_< )

[smrybacki]

there was no marketing strategy at all for current hd500 owners... this was never a product designed to get current owners to buy....

 

please send me your no value hd500... because i know i can get 350-400$ for it all day long....

(which then makes an upgrade if you HAVE to have it only 100-150$)

This ebay search of completed Pod HD500 sales would indicate otherwise my friend:

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=4&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=pod+hd500&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc

 

Edited to add that this does not include eBays gouging scheme where they drain your profit.....and then there's shipping and the hassle involved.

 

Second Edit: And when wide spread word of HD500x hits the not so up to the minute consumer, the HD500 will be worth even less.

[smrybacki]

I'd bet the level of one's hurt, resentment, and/or treason :ph34r: is directly proportional to how recent our purchase was of the HD500.

 

Bingo....

[TheRealZap]

well i see them on the local craigslist for 350-400$ all the time... no fees, and they never last long...

but yeah, i use the ebay sold listings to find prices all the time... great resource... the price will always go down though...

especially when people are currently able to find new hd500's at @400$ closed out....

once the new store stock is gone the price should bump back up a hair.

This ebay search of completed Pod HD500 sales would indicate otherwise my friend:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=4&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=pod+hd500&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc

 

Edited to add that this does not include eBays gouging scheme where they drain your profit.....and then there's shipping and the hassle involved.

 

Second Edit: And when wide spread word of HD500x hits the not so up to the minute consumer, the HD500 will be worth even less.

[smrybacki]

well i see them on the local craigslist for 350-400$ all the time... no fees, and they never last long...

but yeah, i use the ebay sold listings to find prices all the time... great resource... the price will always go down though...

especially when people are currently able to find new hd500's at @400$ closed out....

once the new store stock is gone the price should bump back up a hair.

 

I've sold lots of stuff on Craigslist, and sometimes it was even for what I was asking for it (wink wink) lol

 

Seriously though, I was just pointing out that I believe you numbers for used POD HD 500s are a tad optimistic....

 

As for the pricing outlook?  Well, yeah if it were me and I was just looking right now, I'd be searching out a discounted HD500 because the small bump in performance isn't worth the extra quid to me anyway. But when there was no HD500x, the difference between the $500 HD500 and the $400 HD400 was enough to get me in the flagship model lol...

 

As an aside, last night I plugged my very first Fender Strat with CS69 pickups into my mostly Fulltone pedalboard with a new Ditto looper and straight into my DRRI and I found a little bit o' nirvana there....

[TheRealZap]

you gotta be optimistic! :)

but seriously though... even @300$ which is on the low side, that takes a big chunk out of the upgrade cost... if you HAVE to have it.

for myself, the modest upgrades on the X doesn't have me scrambling.

 

I've sold lots of stuff on Craigslist, and sometimes it was even for what I was asking for it (wink wink) lol

Seriously though, I was just point out that I believe you numbers for used POD HD 500s are a tad optimistic....

[smrybacki]

you gotta be optimistic! :)

but seriously though... even @300$ which is on the low side, that takes a big chunk out of the upgrade cost... if you HAVE to have it.

for myself, the modest upgrades on the X doesn't have me scrambling.

 

I am totally about optimistic brother...

 

You are correct in that if you act quickly, and sell the HD500 for as much as it'll go for, you can get the HD500x at a bit of a discount.  Trouble there is I need a new roof, and my motorcycle can always use a few doo dads so I might as well keep the HD500 and go for a ride!....

[TheRealZap]

Sounds like a plan! :D

I think that waiting a little will bring the value up a bit...

they may get slightly more common used, but there is unlikely to be many used 500X's or any discounts on the 500X's.new.

between the rush to upgrade, and the discounted 500's new.. it's probably the worst time to sell.

I am totally about optimistic brother...

You are correct in that if you act quickly, and sell the HD500 for as much as it'll go for, you can get the HD500x at a bit of a discount.  Trouble there is I need a new roof, and my motorcycle can always use a few doo dads so I might as well keep the HD500 and go for a ride!....

[smrybacki]

Sounds like a plan! :D

I think that waiting a little will bring the value up a bit...

they may get slightly more common used, but there is unlikely to be many used 500X's or any discounts on the 500X's.new.

between the rush to upgrade, and the discounted 500's new.. it's probably the worst time to sell.

 

 

Agreed...don't look now but I just changed your rating to hold three sequential sixes...

[DeanDinosaur]

I'd bet the level of one's hurt, resentment, and/or treason :ph34r: is directly proportional to how recent our purchase was of the HD500...

There might be some of that but but there are also those who were early adopters who left several feedback and requests only to be completely ignored by the company. I know a few on this forum who couldn't deal with the EQ situation and abandoned ship.

 

For me personally I try not to get emotionally attached to my gear, if I hear something that sounds better, I will choose it. In general most of us are like that, if line 6 didn't make good sounding gear, no one will be here. But when for the same price you can get better sounding gear, are you going to feel that it's "treason" to buy an Eleven Rack?  ;)  :o  .  Even if line 6 was more responsive with feedback and bonded with their customers, sound is ultimately what guitar players are looking for. I hope line 6 will improve the modeling because  the HD PRO is inferior to Eleven. This will be serious competition considering that Eleven is half the price! :ph34r:

[MartinDorr]

Look at it this way ... you can double your DSP power with $300.- pretty soon (and you get twice the foot switches ;-)

[spikey]

"I bought mine knowing full well the limitations and benefits."

 

I doubt that you knew all its limitations or benefits before you bought it,  unless you beta tested it before hand (product tester) or you have powers we normal humans don't. ; )

You however may have been able to figure things out faster than I did...The concept of how it worked (for me) is my main gripe, because it took me about 2 full years too get my

head around some of it. So yes, Ive had mine for years and I do have reason to gripe. Even if I am getting decent tones out now, the alien in it still rears its head at times

and yells I AM NOT ADJUSTED LIKE A REAL AMP SO DONT EVEN GO THERE! Im not butt hurt about it as you stated some may be, but it was a learning curve and still is at times.

Getting over it isn't the point. Dealing with it was, and still is at times..... As always YMMV...

[DeanDinosaur]

Look at it this way ... you can double your DSP power with $300.- pretty soon (and you get twice the foot switches ;-)

You got that Right, I'm definitely considering getting a second Eleven Rack for $300. But at three hundred dollars the HD500 is a huge value considering it can be a controller and effect processor also, but for modeling...Meh