Best LESS EXPENSIVE Floor modeler

[charley]

Currently have an 11R and a TC GMajor and love them. But, I would like to try some other flavors, especially ones that are floorboard type units because of their portability. I hear people raving about products from Zoom, Digitech, Line6, and Boss, TC Nova series but don't have a chance to try these out. Which have the best effects for someone like me who would pretty much only use a Fender amp sim or no amps sim at all? Price point is key. , <$500ish. I am looking for a portable solution to pair with a ZT Club.

[Lele]

Digitech RP1000. Great effects (even if not very flexible because you can have just one modulation effects and just one od, and you can't move for example the compressor after the overdrive or the eq before the amp and so on), good models if required, and 4cm connection for your ZT Club. It's a very reliable unit so that you can find a second hand device. I love my RP500 that is smaller than RP1000 and with just a little fewer models, but it doesn't have the 4CM connection.

Or the POD HD500: very good models, a lot of flexibility for the effects chain. But I'm less sure about hardware reliability. And it's more expensive.

If the amp sims are not important, then Boss GT10 (or GT8 or even ME70) can be great. They have very good effects, and the hardware reliability is very good (that means good chances to find a nice second hand unit at a very low price).

I don't know the current Zoom devices (G3 and G5) so no comment about them from me, even if from the manuals I see that the flexibility and the choice of effects is more limited.

[Will Chen]

IMHO with the 1.4 update the Line 6 POD HD has taken the lead when it comes to Fender tones over Digitech. It comes down to the way Line 6 handles highs, they have a snap and presence which sounds very nice and realistic. Though the way some of the amps clean up when you roll back the volume on the RP/GSP is a bit nicer in general than the HD. Should have the Boss GT-100 in the next week or so to able to compare it. From an effects quality standpoint, I prefer more the Digitech and Boss flavors. The latest Zoom G series is a nice option as well but doesn't do the clean side of things quite as well.

[Pietro]

I love the HD 500 (especially for its INSANE flexibility), but the RP 1000 is excellent, too, and is easily available in a lot of places for a slammin' price (do the kids even say "slammin'" anymore?).

I'd look at those two first under 500.

[birdie_in_texas]

Honestly, IMHO, there should be another category here..

The G3, and the Fender Floor, the G5..all under $300..

What should we call that "class"..The "Cheap and Awesomely worth it's"? hahahaha

[mmcm4]

Please stay away from the GT-10. I had one and really didn't like it. Poor amp tones and mediocre effects.

[ltkojak]

Please stay away from the GT-10. I had one and really didn't like it. Poor amp tones and mediocre effects.

I think you're being unfair here.

I can partially agree that the modeling is not the best ever, even though I've gotten pretty good results, but the effects are excellent, to say the least.

The Boss User Interface is not what I'd call "intuitive", but using the free editor opened up a whole new world of possibilities, the most important (to me at least) being programming a patch didn't feel like a nuisance anymore.

YMMV.

[charley]

At this point I am leaning towards the Pod HD 500. It seems to offer everything the m13 does and more for the same price. It seems like next step up from that for effects would be the G System, then the axe fx, both out of my price range for now.

Also, I am curious what other people are running their hd500 through?

[hanales]

At this point I am leaning towards the Pod HD 500. It seems to offer everything the m13 does and more for the same price. It seems like next step up from that for effects would be the G System, then the axe fx, both out of my price range for now.

Also, I am curious what other people are running their hd500 through?

Hello music is selling them for 375, they have a coupon that gets you one for 350. I think that's a no brainer.

I run mine through a DT-50 but previously I ran mine into the front end of my single 12 fender clone, it sounded amazing slamming that front end, but I tweaked my patches to work in that context.

[Pietro]

I use it through an FRFR monitor (using modeling) and love the sound.

I have run it, using only FX, into DRRI, SuperSonic, and Dr. Z Maz 38 Sr. Worked just peachy with all of them...

[charley]

Interesting. I will be running it through a Boogie Mark 1, a ZT Club, and am thinking of getting either a QSC k8 or Verve 8ma for increased flexibility. It seems like FRFR is a very nice option with these.

Here's my question: Living in NYC, portability is key. Can I use the ZT as a monitor, and still go direct to FOH like on the 11R? How would that affect use of amp sims using both a combo and FOH direct?

[Will Chen]

Interesting. I will be running it through a Boogie Mark 1, a ZT Club, and am thinking of getting either a QSC k8 or Verve 8ma for increased flexibility. It seems like FRFR is a very nice option with these.

Here's my question: Living in NYC, portability is key. Can I use the ZT as a monitor, and still go direct to FOH like on the 11R? How would that affect use of amp sims using both a combo and FOH direct?

You can not run different output modes on the different outputs of the HD500. One of the weaknesses of the device (the HD400 and HD300 accommodate this though, so maybe they'll offerit on the HD500 at some point). However, I had a ZT Club and the HD500 pairs very nicely as a substitute pedalboard into the front of it. The darker nature of the club helps offset a bit of the inherent brightness of many of the HD500 dirtboxes, sweetening them. Allows you to dial in a nice warm clean tone on the Club and still get plenty of bite when the drives are kicked in.

[charley]

You can not run different output modes on the different outputs of the HD500. One of the weaknesses of the device (the HD400 and HD300 accommodate this though, so maybe they'll offerit on the HD500 at some point). However, I had a ZT Club and the HD500 pairs very nicely as a substitute pedalboard into the front of it. The darker nature of the club helps offset a bit of the inherent brightness of many of the HD500 dirtboxes, sweetening them. Allows you to dial in a nice warm clean tone on the Club and still get plenty of bite when the drives are kicked in.

Did you use any of the amp sims into the loop of the ZT? Curious how that sounded?

[Will Chen]

Did you use any of the amp sims into the loop of the ZT? Curious how that sounded?

Unfortunately I did only as an audition between it and my TM60 for which I greatly preferred the TM60. I did run an RP355 into the return and liked it a bunch (though its not as loud run in this configuration as running into the front), but the general voicing of Digitech and Line 6 devices are very different. As a compact platform for pedals (real or modeled) especially when your base clean tone goal is a a warmer, jazzier thing, I really liked the ZT Club.

[MKB]

Musicians Friend has Line 6 HD-300 factory refurbs for $249 each. I just recommended to our church that they buy one of these. I'd prefer they buy a HD-500 (that's what I've been using), but the programming is just too complicated for those not used to a modeler. I won't be the only one using it.

[charley]

Anyone know any links to some great HD500 videos? Looking for ones with really good sound quality, nothing from a handheld camera or smartphone. So far, the best I've seen is the Doug Doppler HD500/PE60 video, but that seems more about the PE60.

[Will Chen]

Anyone know any links to some great HD500 videos? Looking for ones with really good sound quality, nothing from a handheld camera or smartphone. So far, the best I've seen is the Doug Doppler HD500/PE60 video, but that seems more about the PE60.

Here's some audio of the HD500's Deluxe And Bassman amps using an Epiphone ES-339 recorded direct. In the last part of the audio beginning around 1:36 you can hear how the Bassman Bright model responds to picking dynamics as I start out with a softer touch in the first half but then dig in for some more serious crunch.

http://soundcloud.com/willchen28/hd500-w-es-339

[MKB]

If you are into clean jazz tones, please search out Jim Soloway's HD-500 examples in this forum. The tone quality is absolutely outstanding.

[Will Chen]

And there's this one if you like metal stuff:

VmCl71e-wCY

And this is a pretty good all around vid:

8eQxT-shyww

[charley]

I'm mostly a roots rock guy, but that sure is a nice "metal" demo. My main amp tone is big clean fender twin reverb style. I do use OD, but more in the slightly overdriven category, tubescreamers etc for real smooth od.

[0u812]

Please stay away from the GT-10. I had one and really didn't like it. Poor amp tones and mediocre effects.

Dude imo you are dead on with this comment this unit is horrible just plain bad bad bad .............

[Will Chen]

Dude imo you are dead on with this comment this unit is horrible just plain bad bad bad .............

:crazy

Anyone interested in how the GT-10 sounds should go check out Glenn's demo clips and programming tips found here: http://www.glenndelaune.com/Patch%20Download%20Area.htm Prior to the HD series, it was the most complex unit on the market to program and gave one plenty of rope to hang themself. No excuse for the "cocked wah" tone on a couple of the highest gain patches, but possible to work around, just like the excessive low end and complex gain staging of the HD series...

[weshunter]

i have a G3 and the amp tones are really great on there. pair that up with an M13 and you've got great tones combined with an easy (and fun) to use interface.

I was thinking of switching to an HD500 myself, but since I often use my M13 in 4cm with an amp and since there is definite tone suck in the HD500 if used w/amp models bypassed in 4cm, it didn't make sense.

Here's a little two rock noodle i did. Straight Gibson SG > G3 > Logic

http://soundcloud.com/wes-hunter/c-jam

[drewl]

I'm very impressed with HD pro clips there.

[Cheap Trick]

Zoom G3

[burningyen]

Go to Sam Ash and try 'em all.

[charley]

Go to Sam Ash and try 'em all.

Yes.

[charley]

How are the od tones on the pod? Are there usable options for smoother od's? My experience with the line6 od/distortion has never been womderful. I am mainly a 1 od guy, and have used a fulldrive 2 for the last 8 years as my only drive pedal.


At this point the od is the make or break for me. Good reviews = purchase hd500
My only other option is the m9+fulldrive+tech 21 blonde pedal
The hd500 seems more cost effective at rhis point, but I don't want to sacrifice any tone.

[Rock Johnson]

RP1000 vote here....

[voorhiessa]

Get yourself a RP1000 for $250 and use the rest for some pedals. Or, if you're like me, and neglect the important stuff--stings, cables, etc.

[charley]

How does the effects secrion of the hd500 compare to the nova system and the m9?

[forum_crawler]

Please stay away from the GT-10. I had one and really didn't like it. Poor amp tones and mediocre effects.

Sorry but this comment is hard to take seriously.

Boss effects may not be the best, but they are excellent.

I think DC made the best digital effects in pedal form.

[charley]

Well I went to Sam Ash today and tried the HD500 for the first time. I was not at all blown away. In fact, i thought that while it offered some cool tones and noise makers that it was pretty dull. And almost impossible to figure out. Not at all intuitive. Granted sam ash is not the ideal environment. I am still considering purchasing one because it really is a very portable one stop shop. Maybe after a few days with it at home I can get the tones I want. The thing really has endless possibilites.

I also got to try a ZT for the first time ever. I am glad I did because that thing just sucked. Not as loud as everyone made it out to be, and just super boxy. Maybe the ZT Club is better. I was all set to buy one but am now reconsidering the Tech 21 Trademark 30 or 60.

Which leads me to believe that the sansamp tones in the tech 21 might be all I need and can get a nova system or m9 for effects, simplifying things for me, a simple minded guy.

I'm gonna have to sleep on it.

[burningyen]

Did you try any of the Zoom, Vox or DigiTech stuff?

[Will Chen]

Well I went to Sam Ash today and tried the HD500 for the first time. I was not at all blown away. In fact, i thought that while it offered some cool tones and noise makers that it was pretty dull. And almost impossible to figure out. Not at all intuitive. Granted sam ash is not the ideal environment. I am still considering purchasing one because it really is a very portable one stop shop. Maybe after a few days with it at home I can get the tones I want. The thing really has endless possibilites.

I also got to try a ZT for the first time ever. I am glad I did because that thing just sucked. Not as loud as everyone made it out to be, and just super boxy. Maybe the ZT Club is better. I was all set to buy one but am now reconsidering the Tech 21 Trademark 30 or 60.

Which leads me to believe that the sansamp tones in the tech 21 might be all I need and can get a nova system or m9 for effects, simplifying things for me, a simple minded guy.

I'm gonna have to sleep on it.

Unless you've had a bunch of experience with MFX units, a quick in store audition doesn't allow you to hear what a unit is capable of, they're simply too complex.

I thought you already had a ZT Club? The club is a completely different beast than the Lunchbox. I think either can sound pretty darn good. But I much, much prefer my Trademark 60.

[rsm]

If you are considering MFX for effects only (no amp / cab / mic modeling), I've owned the M9 (9 months, now sold) and Nova System (twice, still have it...and also have a G-System).

The M9 has greater variety and flexibilty on effect order / placement compared to the Nova System. I found the number of effects and the tweaking for the M9 to be a distraction compared to the Nova System. I found the Nova System tweaking more intuitive and sound quality to be better to me. YMMV

[charley]

I found the Nova System tweaking more intuitive and sound quality to be better to me. YMMV[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your opinion. I have always thought the TC effects sounded better than Line 6. If I don't need the amp sims, this is the way I am leaning towards going.