Hd500 Vs. Hd500x Comparison Video!

[NetworkRockstar]

So there is not really any difference in the two. I would like the newer footswitches as that alone is a BIG FIX from previous models but not enough to get me to shell out another $500. There is no better value than a L6 HD500 on the market, and anyone who owns one will tell you that, but there should be an upgrade or trade-in plan for those who just bought the previous version if there is not that much difference in the two.

 

I will say if you don't own one or the other or are new to L6 the tone flexability of having some of the best effects, mods, amp packs etc, your missing out. I fought going digital for years always carying around a huge wooden pedal board with 2-3K of effects on it, with sounds dialed in and having a pain in the lollipop to setup "Stereo Effects". When the HD500 came out I would go jam with people carying sometimes 2 different AMP Heads, and this huge pedal board and spend 30-45min minimum setting it up, and friends would come in with an HD and be playing in 2min sounding damn near as good, and be able to expand well beyond my capabilites as they had 20+ different AMP and cabinet combo's.

 

The real power of these things is PC integration and edit's of stack's and setlist, which is really awesome and where I think L6 has helped revolutionize guitar sounds. They also make it possible to share sounds with other L6 users at customtone.com, which I just actually learned about, lol!

 

They really make all the work and effort I used to put in to finding a "perfect sound" seem archaic, when I should have been practicing on technique or learning new styles to bring to the music I create.

 

Sound is such a funny animal, and what you can produce on one PA, may sound nothing like another PA etc, so it's funny we all spend so much time on it.

 

** Sorry for the rant, I guess I didnt want to attack L6 for not relasing more in their update without also giving them the props they deserve as a company. In reality these things are a bargin at double the price.

 

One question I must ask though is, if I get a 500X, just want to be sure a 500+ or 600Z doesn't come out this XMAS without an upgrade plan, lol

[pianoguyy]

Correct. 

If you own a 500, there is no reason to upgrade to the 500x. It was never marketed to 500 users. It was never marketed as an upgrade. 

 

The short version is = 

the manufacturer quit making the chip that was used in the 500. So, L6 needed to use a new chip. The new chip allowed for more DSP. I don't know how much more. And I don't know why they changed the foot switches.  But that is it. Because there was a new component (the chip), they made the X.

Which, if you think about it, is fairly common place. It is still the 500, but with a slight tweak to the build. Add the letter at the end to know which version you have.

 

 

Will a 600 come out?

My guess (because I don't have inside information), is that there will not be a 600. But rather, a complete redesign of the product. Which would be called a 305/405/505. And yes, maybe they make a 605? But not a 600. 

Actually, I wonder if they will even bother with a 305. 

 

 

 

**** and to the 'upgrade' issue. 

The 500X has been out for almost 2 years. If you just bought a 500, then you bought someone's left over stock. 

[pianoguyy]

I fought going digital for years always carying around a huge wooden pedal board with 2-3K of effects on it, with sounds dialed in and having a pain in the lollipop to setup "Stereo Effects". 

 

 

I didn't fight going digital. In fact, I try to embrace technology. Which is why I make the joke about my website, "If you like having true audio (mp3/wave vs midi/beeps) on your phones, you should really kiss the ground I walk on in thanks."  

My thing was - I had gear. It worked. I didn't need to buy more/new. Embracing technology is not the same as wasting money chasing technology. In other words, just because it came out, does not mean that I need to buy it.  

 

My last piece of gear was bought in the mid-90's. 

I was set for everything I needed. If there was something specific that I needed that I did not own, the studio or promoter provided it. 

 

But that was then, this is now. I don't do the same stuff I did then. My 500 replaced every single piece of gear that goes between my guitar and the pa. 

The only thing I am missing is my talkbox, but I gained a vocoder. 

[terrywp]

Not to derail the thread, but I just wanted to point out that Android phones have performed voice recognition and audible feedback since the first Android phone.  The iPhone was not the first, not even close.