If I bought an Axe FX and it sounded like a HD it would go straight back

[Axe-Man]

I now own a HD POD.

No it's not the 500 but a 300 and am I glad I bought the cheaper unit.

I got it as a backup for my 11R and for taking with me when I go away as it's got CD in and a looper and has plenty of kit included.

I didn't think the HD500 lived up to the hype but I found it sounded good and it was better then the X3 series.

I couldn't personally justify going to the 500 as the 11R covers similar bases and I focused on the fact that the 300 had all the features I needed for a backup unit and it has exactly the same sounds and amps as it's big brother.

Even L6 used the 400 as a demo unit before the launch which is basically the 300 with a loop and a few more FX. I felt this was promising anyway.

Straight up, I wasn't all that impressed in the first 10 minutes so I went immediately to customizing tones. About 2 hours later things were definitely looking up and I feel the unit will fulfill it's reason for purchase.

So after reading the title of this post, I imagine you know how I feel about all the ridiculous posts about it being as good as an Axe or even more insane actually beating the Axe.

If I personally bought an Axe and it sounded like the HD I would honestly weep.

So after I had a few patches dialed in and I thought things are sounding pretty decent I dialed up a patch on the 11R and IT WAS CLEAR AND BRIGHT.

This was instantly apparent as the HD is really dark and gloomy sounding!! What was L6 thinking??

The apparently realistic dynamics also do not sound as good as the 11R as you really need to dig right into the strings to get good dynamics. The 11R is much more nuanced and tactile.

The HD also seems to SURPRISINGLY lack gain. High gain is a major struggle as I posted the other day. You NEED stomps for the uber, fireball etc. Shouldn't these amps be high gain monsters and not need pedals to juice them up? I only use stomps on the 11 rack to EQ/boost the high gainers. One of my gainier 11R plexi patches had as much gain as the fireball with the distortion maxed and a dist pedal. I will experiment further with this.

I downloaded the Aussie guys patches that everyone refers to when high gain is talked about (Fearedse) and even his patches weren't so hot. He used an external IR anyway to get the better quality tones and has also already sold his HD.

Yes I wasn't using actives or a shred-o-matic guitar but again I can get crazy high gain sounds from my 11R even with my Strat's JB jnr...any of my guitars in fact.

So whilst I think it's a great value bit of kit and I've got 85% of the value of the 500 at a dirt cheap price it's not setting the world on fire like L6 claim.

L6 talked a lot of crap IMO.

The 11R sounds clearer, more dynamic and 'better' to me personally and the HD's high gain seems worse than the X3 series from what I've found so far. I've still got a UX2 so I'll compare my old X3 patches soon.

Cleans sound really nice (though more compressed and lacking the dynamics of the 11R) and the mid gain is pretty good.. I like the air option for the mics as it helps get a more authentic ACDC type tone from BiB.

I'm happy enough that I'm keeping it but I wouldn't have been happy if I got the 500 as the extra money would not have bought me much in the way of tonal differences and it was nearly 70% more than the price of the 300!

It's simple to work out and tweak...anything is easy after the X3 but the 11R kills it for ease of use.

I am eager to listen to it into my power amps and do like that every amp has a preamp mode...though they often seem quite low gain.

I'll post more info when I've played around a but more with it and done some power amp tests in the next day or two.

I do think the 300 is a great unit for the money and feel that it will continue to improve sound wise over the next few weeks as I tweak it more and more. I read something a while ago where someone commented that even after months of tweaking a POD will still sound like the first day you got it...now I don't necessarily agree with this sweeping generalization, though it's not total BS or without some merit. The core tones are going to be the same, the dark tones aren't going to change and the high gain issues are likely to be still haunting me but it's not a deal breaker.

The cd/mp3 in and looper will be handy for jamming, the clean/mid gain tones are improved over the X3 and are quite workable now and as a backup it's an easily portable size.

It's just IMHO not a creditable AXE FX competitor.

[Axe]

I've owned both the HD500 and the AxeFx..




I still own the AxeFx.. No comparison imo:hide2

[mtmartin71]

Interesting review...to the OP, do you own the AxeFX or just the 11R? I'm just wondering why you didn't focus your review title on the POD HD vs. the 11R instead of the AxeFX. I guess because most of the posts around here are AxeFX vs. POD HD. But, it just seems odd to throw that in if you haven't compared the two directly. I own an AxeFX Ultra and have considered getting a POD HD as a backup/alternative. Never tried the POD HD though. I did own a RP1000 and that did not compare. I think the weak point of the RP1000 ended up being the cab sims. I wonder if that's the POD HD's weakness as well. Maybe the cab sims are dialed in too dark

[guitarnet70]

I know it is out of Topic, but I cannot stop myself....

mtmartin71 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/member.php?u=18375)
Huge Member....LOL! :rotflmao

You would be MAD if you'ld know how that translates in to Italian.. :bonk

[tatkovladko]

With all due respect,

I remember reading some quite obnoxious and arrogant posts by Cliff of FAS in response to our friend "bmi" which were something like:

'The tools are there, use them and quit whining'

BUT

Since I don't want to be as rude I say:

IMHO the POD HD (just as most other contemporary modellers) has plenty of absolutely credible and usable musical tones. We could measure percentages all day and night, trashtalk about IRs, juggle with modelled capacitor values and all that yada-yada, but in the meantime people like Franzel (and many others) come around and post music, which was made with the same thing. And sounds fantastic!

I don't think technological progress is driven by our complaints either.

Very humbly presenting my 2 cents, all due respect

[mouzer]

With all due respect,


With all due respect, this is a forum for Digital/Modeling gear, what else do you expect to be discussed on here?

I agree with everything OP posted, and I appreciate that he posted it. Why would you want to stifle on-topic conversation?

[jrockbridge]

If I bought a BMW and it performed like a VW, I'd bring it back. Who wouldn't?! Sorry, I just couldn't resist another car analogy. :hide2

[Elric]

I now own a HD POD.

No it's not the 500 but a 300 and am I glad I bought the cheaper unit.

I got it as a backup for my 11R and for taking with me when I go away as it's got CD in and a looper and has plenty of kit included.

I didn't think the HD500 lived up to the hype but I found it sounded good and it was better then the X3 series.

I couldn't personally justify going to the 500 as the 11R covers similar bases and I focused on the fact that the 300 had all the features I needed for a backup unit and it has exactly the same sounds and amps as it's big brother.

Even L6 used the 400 as a demo unit before the launch which is basically the 300 with a loop and a few more FX. I felt this was promising anyway.

Straight up, I wasn't all that impressed in the first 10 minutes so I went immediately to customizing tones. About 2 hours later things were definitely looking up and I feel the unit will fulfill it's reason for purchase.

So after reading the title of this post, I imagine you know how I feel about all the ridiculous posts about it being as good as an Axe or even more insane actually beating the Axe.

If I personally bought an Axe and it sounded like the HD I would honestly weep.

So after I had a few patches dialed in and I thought things are sounding pretty decent I dialed up a patch on the 11R and IT WAS CLEAR AND BRIGHT.

This was instantly apparent as the HD is really dark and gloomy sounding!! What was L6 thinking??

The apparently realistic dynamics also do not sound as good as the 11R as you really need to dig right into the strings to get good dynamics. The 11R is much more nuanced and tactile.

The HD also seems to SURPRISINGLY lack gain. High gain is a major struggle as I posted the other day. You NEED stomps for the uber, fireball etc. Shouldn't these amps be high gain monsters and not need pedals to juice them up? I only use stomps on the 11 rack to EQ/boost the high gainers. One of my gainier 11R plexi patches had as much gain as the fireball with the distortion maxed and a dist pedal. I will experiment further with this.

I downloaded the Aussie guys patches that everyone refers to when high gain is talked about (Fearedse) and even his patches weren't so hot. He used an external IR anyway to get the better quality tones and has also already sold his HD.

Yes I wasn't using actives or a shred-o-matic guitar but again I can get crazy high gain sounds from my 11R even with my Strat's JB jnr...any of my guitars in fact.

So whilst I think it's a great value bit of kit and I've got 85% of the value of the 500 at a dirt cheap price it's not setting the world on fire like L6 claim.

L6 talked a lot of crap IMO.

The 11R sounds clearer, more dynamic and 'better' to me personally and the HD's high gain seems worse than the X3 series from what I've found so far. I've still got a UX2 so I'll compare my old X3 patches soon.

Cleans sound really nice (though more compressed and lacking the dynamics of the 11R) and the mid gain is pretty good.. I like the air option for the mics as it helps get a more authentic ACDC type tone from BiB.

I'm happy enough that I'm keeping it but I wouldn't have been happy if I got the 500 as the extra money would not have bought me much in the way of tonal differences and it was nearly 70% more than the price of the 300!

It's simple to work out and tweak...anything is easy after the X3 but the 11R kills it for ease of use.

I am eager to listen to it into my power amps and do like that every amp has a preamp mode...though they often seem quite low gain.

I'll post more info when I've played around a but more with it and done some power amp tests in the next day or two.

I do think the 300 is a great unit for the money and feel that it will continue to improve sound wise over the next few weeks as I tweak it more and more. I read something a while ago where someone commented that even after months of tweaking a POD will still sound like the first day you got it...now I don't necessarily agree with this sweeping generalization, though it's not total BS or without some merit. The core tones are going to be the same, the dark tones aren't going to change and the high gain issues are likely to be still haunting me but it's not a deal breaker.

The cd/mp3 in and looper will be handy for jamming, the clean/mid gain tones are improved over the X3 and are quite workable now and as a backup it's an easily portable size.

It's just IMHO not a creditable AXE FX competitor.

Cool story, bro.

[GuitarTone]

IMHO the POD HD (just as most other contemporary modellers) has plenty of absolutely credible and usable musical tones. We could measure percentages all day and night, trashtalk about IRs, juggle with modelled capacitor values and all that yada-yada, but in the meantime people like Franzel (and many others) come around and post music, which was made with the same thing. And sounds fantastic!


^Truth.

[tatkovladko]

Why would you want to stifle on-topic conversation?
My intention was not to derail. I just read the OPs opinion and thought 'the POD is crap' then remembered the multitude of recordings and thought 'oh, snap'.
Sorry for the intrusion.

I agree it's a digital and modelling forum but maybe if we focused on topics discussing how to use the tools rather than complaining/praising them, what happens then?

[Faraldi]

Can't speak to the 11r, but I can to the HD500.

I do think it's a very solid unit. However, I feel that the DSP limitation is a major letdown. Here I am tweaking through the cool screen and suddenly the system tells me that I can't do what I wanted to do. The honeymoon ended quite abruptly when that happened.

Kind of like hiring a professional electrician who completes the job and as he's walking out the door with your money, he tells you not to use the microwave and the dishwasher at the same time or you'll blow a fuse.

Everything has it's limitations. For me, the jury is still out on this one.

[mouzer]

My intention was not to derail. I just read the OPs opinion and thought 'the POD is crap' then remembered the multitude of recordings and thought 'oh, snap'.
Sorry for the intrusion.

No need to apologize man, but we all know the rhetoric about how it's all about the music, and that tone is in the fingers, etc. We all know that great sounding records can be (and have been) made with various tools, be it a Pod HD, or a Pod 2.0, or a Rockman, or what have you.

I don't think anyone is unnecessarily "complaining" or "praising" in this thread. This is one user's opinion regarding a comparison he's done personally. I find that useful for someone who is seeking those opinions. There are constantly people on here posting tips or different methods on using these devices. This thread happens to be one about opinion and personal experience as opposed to 'making something work.'

Edit: In addition, I'm one of those guys who posted clips of the modelers in question, just as Franzel did. But the clips only show you half of the picture. Sure, the end result is what matters to the listener in the end, but the process through which the creator goes through in order to get to that end result is extremely important. If you are fighting your gear to get to something which you only consider "passable" or "good enough" then it affects the creative process negatively, and you end up twiddling knobs for longer than you'd like, and spend less time playing/recording.

[GuitarTone]

Kind of like hiring a professional electrician who completes the job and as he's walking out the door with your money, he tells you not to use the microwave and the dishwasher at the same time or you'll blow a fuse.



More like he tells you not to use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time, and you reply, why would I do that? :)

[Faraldi]

More like he tells you not to use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time, and you reply, why would I do that? :)


Well done. Very well done.

...and my answer, quoting the great Cal Naughton, Jr.:

"Because I like to party."

;)

[mwc2112]

I've owned both the HD500 and the AxeFx..




I still own the AxeFx.. No comparison imo:hide2

That was my assessment as well (and I wanted the HD500 to be a huge win for me). But, I will say that for sub-$500 it really does deliver a lot of good stuff and quite a few very usable tones. I will say, though, that I never even came close to getting mine to sound as good as some of the recordings here, so I will concede that I might not have given it enough time (although 3 solid weeks should have been enough, but I wanted to make sure I got it back in the return period).

[tatkovladko]

If you are fighting your gear to get to something which you only consider "passable" or "good enough" then it affects the creative process negatively, and you end up twiddling knobs for longer than you'd like, and spend less time playing/recording.
Hm, pointed out rather well. Good food for thought indeed. I'm currently having a sudden honeymoon and a burst of inspiration but I remember very well when I felt just like you described.

More like he tells you not to use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time, and you reply, why would I do that? :)
I laughed so hard, well played:rotflmao

[bsic]

It's just IMHO not a creditable AXE FX competitor.

Its 1/4 the cost. The fact that you consider it even worth comparing says volumes about how good the HD is. Thanks for the review. Its the equivalent of a page of review of how an Indy race car compares to a Kia.

For me, the HD covers amazing ground and sounds fantastic. Good enough for my needs - a good gigging solution with enough to cover the music my band performs with no issue!

[jrockbridge]

..............

Edit: In addition, I'm one of those guys who posted clips of the modelers in question, just as Franzel did. But the clips only show you half of the picture. Sure, the end result is what matters to the listener in the end, but the process through which the creator goes through in order to get to that end result is extremely important. If you are fighting your gear to get to something which you only consider "passable" or "good enough" then it affects the creative process negatively, and you end up twiddling knobs for longer than you'd like, and spend less time playing/recording.

This sums things up beautifully for me! :aok I have not even owned my POD HD500 for a week. I know it has some great sounding sweet spots. I feel like I've found some good sounds. I wrote a few patches last night that still sound good to my ears. Yet, I'm NOT enjoying the process of tweaking and playing through this modeler! :bonk

I DO understand why people are excited about it. In many ways, it's a cool piece of gear. I can hear the potential. Still, it just isn't the right fit for me.

So, I bought a POD HD. It sounds and feels the way it does. I'm sending it back! :hide2

[ford]

And if it isn't working for you the way you want it to.. then sending it back is the correct thing to do!

[forum_crawler]

If I bought a BMW and it performed like a VW, I'd bring it back. Who wouldn't?! Sorry, I just couldn't resist another car analogy. :hide2

Interesting analogy, especially since neither manufacturer is known for stellar reliability. Either way, you would be well advised to get yourself something like a Nintendo DSi so that you have something to do while you wait at the shop for your car to be repaired... :Devil

[GuitarTone]

If I bought a BMW and it performed like a VW, I'd bring it back. Who wouldn't?! Sorry, I just couldn't resist another car analogy. :hide2

If I owned a BMW and it performed like a Toyota, I'd be thrilled. :)

My sister just bought herself the new Mercedes B200 Turbo, she sold me her 2001 Toyota RAV4...she's jealous. :rotflmao

[jrockbridge]

Interesting analogy, especially since neither manufacturer is known for stellar reliability. Either way, you would be well advised to get yourself something like a Nintendo DSi so that you have something to do while you wait at the shop for your car to be repaired... :Devil

I know what you mean about reliability and German cars. I owned an Audi and it was the same way. It had great precision and performance on the road. It was always a pleasure to drive. But, my A4 spent lots of time in the dealership repair bay! And, that's why I now own a Nissan Altima! :D

But, notice my little joke was about performance, not reliability. Anyway, I think there are worse cars for reliability than the German brands. Have you ever known anybody who owned a Saab?! :crazyguy

:Devil

[Cornholio]

I agree with many points made on the 11R vs the HD500. The clean models on the HD lack the realism and clarity of the 11R.

Of course I am talking about recording direct into a DAW. As far as FRFR, I have no idea how they compare.

[PinkPanther]

I hope you don't mind me asking if you've played an AXE FX or your basing that on clips you've heard.

I now own a HD POD.

---
It's just IMHO not a creditable AXE FX competitor.

[jrjones]

not to be a trouble maker, but why even make a thread based on a "if I bought ___" because until you do it really doesn't matter...just sayin...not that I disagree with your sentiment, but the idea seems kinda pointless...

[bsic]

not to be a trouble maker, but why even make a thread based on a "if I bought ___" because until you do it really doesn't matter...just sayin...not that I disagree with your sentiment, but the idea seems kinda pointless...

Hes done the same in other threads. Just yesterday he claimed he didn't have an Hd, so apparently be got one today and knows enough for a detailed review. Just look at his user id and that explains it :)

I think he's used to owning the fanciest toy and now that the HD is getting so much attention, he wants to remind people he still has the nicest toy.

[GuitarTone]

I agree with many points made on the 11R vs the HD500. The clean models on the HD lack the realism and clarity of the 11R.

Of course I am talking about recording direct into a DAW. As far as FRFR, I have no idea how they compare.

Have you played both through studio monitors?

I have some clean Strat HD patches that are so pristine clear and glassy sounding through my studio monitors that I can't imagine having/wanting more clarity...but I confess I'm not talking about how they record, I'm talking about how they sound in my room...I keep looking at my studio monitors and find it hard to believe the tone that's coming out of them...it's pretty amazing.
However, I'm only about 80% happy with the Univibe, my Fulltone Mini Deja-Vibe spoilt my ears, the HD is falling short, and I've tweaked my ass off without success.

Having owned a 66 Vibrolux Reverb for a few years, then a Rivera Fandango, my ears are pretty accustomed to great clean tones, and the HD is delivering the goods.

[bmi]

If you buy an Axe-Fx and it sounds like a pod HD, keep your Axe and buy yourself a new brain.:D

[Danny W.]

More like he tells you not to use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time, and you reply, why would I do that? :)

While this sounds clever, it's actually far off the mark. I ran into DSP warnings with some fairly basic, single amp patches that had no duplication, and that's without having all the slots filled. Use two amps and it's much worse. My basic "Surf Music" patch is a BF Double and 'Lux (one one, one off), '63 Spring, Tape Echo & Bias Trem. That's trouble right there. Normally I would add a comp, wah and drive to that. Note that none of this is particularly exotic--it's pretty much the same as the non-modeled rig I used since the '60's

Even taking your post literally, I would like to be able to program a BF Double, Tube Echo and '63 Spring Reverb and use the footswitches to select one of several different mods within the same patch, or to have two different rate trems that I can select with a single stomp. It's not that I would have four of the same effect on at a time, but that I would like to be able to select one out of several.

The DSP limits were one of the reasons I returned mine.

Danny W.

[PinkPanther]

Really!! I tried to reach the dsp limit in the POD 500 and I had a patch without using dual tone, with one amp I managed to get:
2 delays, 2 reverbs, 2 modulations, a distortion and noize gate and I thought that would be more than adequate for most guitar players.


Just curious what did you try specifically that you couldn't do for your purpose as far as DSP limiting that caused you to decide that it was unworkable to warrant returning because, I hear also that the AXE FX also can run out of DSP if you use speicific combinations.

.....
The DSP limits were one of the reasons I returned mine.

Danny W.

[PinkPanther]

I think the words you're looking for are "buy yourself a new a pair of Ears". So that indicates that you could benifit from buying a new brain:D

If you buy an Axe-Fx and it sounds like a pod HD, keep your Axe and buy yourself a new brain.:D

[toasterdude]

More like he tells you not to use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time, and you reply, why would I do that? :)


Then I would reply. . .because the last time I bought electrician services from you. . .I could use 4 microwaves and 5 dishwashers at the same time and maybe you should have used a bigger DSP. . . .uhm m m mm electrical service. . . . ;-)

[PinkPanther]

On another thread you posted the quote below. I got this from post #3 here
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=804797
So you clearly never heard the AXE in person and didn't play it in person! Which is fine, you can certainly base your opinions based on clips only but in that situation, I think it would be nice if you share the links to the clips of both that made you favor one over the other to have a real serious discussion.

I've heard from people who returned their AXE FX that the reason they returned it was that "it sounded synthetic and not authentic with artificially over exaggerated highs". I, on the other hand, tried the AXE and I think the amp models sound great and I think that the POD HD models are of similar quality, Some POD hd models such as the JTM 45 and Hiwat in the POD HD sound on par if not better than AXE FX by those who own both. Again clips are OK to base an opinion on , but from all the clips out there that compare the AXE and POD HD, the ones i watched and heard, both units sound good. If you would provide links to those clips that made you decide that the POD is not worthy, it would only be the right thing to do as these clips are the main foundation that you based your decision on.

But if you have a POD HD make sure you try the HIWAT for clean and also put a FUZ PI (BiG Muff simulation) followed by a rotary in front of the HIWAT and if you don't hear GILMOUR "The WAll" tone, I honestly would recommend testing your equipment because there could be something wrong there or user error anywhere in the signal including the POD HD.


I myself rank the progression: Axe>11R>HD>GSP/RP>Tonelab though I've never personally heard the Axe in real life. Clips of it are great though.

[Axe-Man]

Hes done the same in other threads. Just yesterday he claimed he didn't have an Hd, so apparently be got one today and knows enough for a detailed review. Just look at his user id and that explains it

I think he's used to owning the fanciest toy and now that the HD is getting so much attention, he wants to remind people he still has the nicest toy.

What are you going on about?

So all the HD fan boys can post comparo's about this topic when they clearly don't own both but I can't??? Hmm reeks just a little of hypocrisy don't you think?

I have been straight up about my feelings and these are my personal experiences. I just bought a HD yesterday (demo'd one last week) and I have owned: POD 1.0, VAMP Pro, X3 Live, UX2, 11R and now HD. I think I know a little about modelers dude.

Fanciest toy...please.

I bought nearly all my gear second hand mate and I saved a bundle. I don't claim to be anything I'm not and try to be balanced in how to talk about gear.

Feel free to look up my post history. I talk levelly about gear and I am no fan boy unlike yourself.

I have an opinion and I like tube rigs for power stages. Whilst I've tried FRFR and I like to tell people about my personal experience going to tubes I don't attempt to push it down people’s throats. I use modelers as advanced preamps in fact or use them via headphones.

I have heard clips of every modeler floating around and made the phone call a few weeks ago to buy an Axe Std (but I didn't wish to wait 6+ months to get one here in Aus).

Most clips of the Axe where someone can dial the thing in sounds good IMO. If the user knows what they are going it sounds fantastic. The POD, not so much and the person needs to be a tweaker with a good ear.

I am myself, personally kinda sick of all the HD vs Axe posts and the angst bubbling up around here lately as the HD IMO does not warrant the press IMO.

IMO it should be HD vs 11R and I personally still think the 11R sounds better.

I straight up feel the 11R is better than the HD and I believe that the Axe is better than the 11R. You do the math.

This is my personal opinion and I make it clear that it is. It's not the word of God bro.

I think the HD is a good unit but good is not top of the tree.

I was tired when I made the post and I'd spent a number of hours with the unit. I should have known that I'd cop heaps of flak about it but there you go. No surprises here.

Come to think of it, a quote about a rats arse and not truely caring comes to mind...

[rezidentura]

When fractal puts out a floor based preamp for 500 than we can compare but right now it's all a wash. I love the hd500 and I look forward to it's continual updates. As for the tones, well I doubt that I could tweak the real amps any better than I can this unit.

The axe must be a top notch product but for my money I need it to go further line 6 let's me do this.

[bsic]

I am myself, personally kinda sick of all the HD vs Axe posts and the angst bubbling up around here lately as the HD IMO does not warrant the press IMO.
[/COLOR]


LOL sick of the posts eh? Then why did you start this one specifically on the topic your are sick of? You wrote a mini-essay after one day with the POD. And yesterday you told me "my needs were basic" if the POD worked for me- and you didnt even own one.

"It does not warrant the press" .. aha, so you are all bunged up about the press its getting over your toy. It doesnt warrant the press? you figured this out after less than one full day owning one? That kind of impulsive review doesnt impress people usually. Just looks like you are out to state your expensive toy is better than the latest low priced one that most working musicians can afford. If im wrong, sorry- but this is how it looks by repeated posts stating how Axe is better, axe is better, oh its still better, no prices arent going down, its still better... yawn.

Honestly, you opened this thread up, and the angst aint coming from me. Im happy my $500 unit is being compared to a $2000 unit. And the fact that some including your self are going on posting about how two differently priced, differently targetted, and differently equipped peices of gear compare... "if i bought an Axe and it sounded like the pod, id return it"... seriously...

[jrockbridge]

Have you played both through studio monitors?

I have some clean Strat HD patches that are so pristine clear and glassy sounding through my studio monitors that I can't imagine having/wanting more clarity...but I confess I'm not talking about how they record, I'm talking about how they sound in my room...I keep looking at my studio monitors and find it hard to believe the tone that's coming out of them...it's pretty amazing.
However, I'm only about 80% happy with the Univibe, my Fulltone Mini Deja-Vibe spoilt my ears, the HD is falling short, and I've tweaked my ass off without success.

Having owned a 66 Vibrolux Reverb for a few years, then a Rivera Fandango, my ears are pretty accustomed to great clean tones, and the HD is delivering the goods.

Have you loaded those patches to custom tone? I'd like to try them out. I want to be convinced that the POD HD is worth keeping. If I'm sure there's a few really great sounds in there that I can enjoy, I'll keep it. I don't even care that some models sound like they have a blanket over them. As long as there are at least 4-6 unique and clear sounds I can play and enjoy, I'll want to keep it.

[jdolll]

I'm not a pod owner and I won't be buying one but i've heard at least that many clips that would make it worth keeping if I was shopping for a modeler in it's price range. The pod is worth the money. From the mouth of an axe fx user.

[jrockbridge]

While this sounds clever, it's actually far off the mark. I ran into DSP warnings with some fairly basic, single amp patches that had no duplication, and that's without having all the slots filled. Use two amps and it's much worse. My basic "Surf Music" patch is a BF Double and 'Lux (one one, one off), '63 Spring, Tape Echo & Bias Trem. That's trouble right there. Normally I would add a comp, wah and drive to that. Note that none of this is particularly exotic--it's pretty much the same as the non-modeled rig I used since the '60's

Even taking your post literally, I would like to be able to program a BF Double, Tube Echo and '63 Spring Reverb and use the footswitches to select one of several different mods within the same patch, or to have two different rate trems that I can select with a single stomp. It's not that I would have four of the same effect on at a time, but that I would like to be able to select one out of several.

The DSP limits were one of the reasons I returned mine.

Danny W.

There seems to be a bug that occurs telling you that you've run out of DSP power. This happened to me several times using HD Edit when I had effects turned off. So, you have to eliminate the effects until they disappear and add them back in again later. It's stupid, but I'm sure it will get fixed soon enough. There's a lot of bugs in the software at the moment.

I thought the HD500 would have all the DSP I would need, but I was wrong. Unfortunately, many of the amp models require a pedal for any gain. Also, I find a tube compressor near the end of the signal to be essential for getting a punchy lead tone. So, if I was making a dual amp patch, I was lucky to be able to do: noise gate > tube driver > amp 1 > amp 2 > cab+mic 1 > cab+mic 2 > reverb > tube compressor > eq.

I may return mine. But, I'm going to give it some more time. I still think it's a decent piece of gear. I think it can sound really great in some recorded clips. And, something tells me that if it sounds great in a recording, it should be able to sound great in person.

[Danny W.]

There seems to be a bug that occurs telling you that you've run out of DSP power. This happened to me several times using HD Edit when I had effects turned off. So, you have to eliminate the effects until they disappear and add them back in again later. It's stupid, but I'm sure it will get fixed soon enough. There's a lot of bugs in the software at the moment.


I tried that trick a number of times, but it still gave me the warning and removed the last effect I attempted to add. This was right on the box, not through HD Edit.

Danny W.

[jrockbridge]

I tried that trick a number of times, but it still gave me the warning and removed the last effect I attempted to add. This was right on the box, not through HD Edit.

Danny W.

I updated my firmware and used HD Edit. I still ran into problems, but was able to get around them most of the time. Oh well. Some amps take up more processor power than others and some effects eat DSP. Either way, you and I are in agreement....There's not enough processor power in the HD500.

I don't typically use a lot of effects simultaneously, but, I found some elements essential to getting a decent sound with the HD. Many of my patches used the same effects just to try to shape the sound into something usable...For example, noise gate, tube driver, compressor, eq and reverb are on most of my patches.

[PinkPanther]

....
There seems to be a bug that occurs telling you that you've run out of DSP power. This happened to me several times using HD Edit when I had effects turned off. .
Based on my understanding on how the DSP works in POD HD 500, if you add an effect, tuning it off doesn't free up any DSP. Once you add an effect the DSP is allocated until you completely remove it and not only turn it off. It makes sense from a hardware modeler stand point and it's not like a PC or Mac Plugin software. The modelor is presuming that when you have have an effect turned off, you might want to link it to a button and might want to turn it on or off so the DSP power is allocated..which is different than when you have a plugin turned off in your daw and free up some CPU...

[forum_crawler]

What are you going on about?

So all the HD fan boys can post comparo's about this topic when they clearly don't own both but I can't??? Hmm reeks just a little of hypocrisy don't you think?

I have been straight up about my feelings and these are my personal experiences. I just bought a HD yesterday (demo'd one last week) and I have owned: POD 1.0, VAMP Pro, X3 Live, UX2, 11R and now HD. I think I know a little about modelers dude.

Fanciest toy...please.

I bought nearly all my gear second hand mate and I saved a bundle. I don't claim to be anything I'm not and try to be balanced in how to talk about gear.

Feel free to look up my post history. I talk levelly about gear and I am no fan boy unlike yourself.

I have an opinion and I like tube rigs for power stages. Whilst I've tried FRFR and I like to tell people about my personal experience going to tubes I don't attempt to push it down people’s throats. I use modelers as advanced preamps in fact or use them via headphones.

I have heard clips of every modeler floating around and made the phone call a few weeks ago to buy an Axe Std (but I didn't wish to wait 6+ months to get one here in Aus).

Most clips of the Axe where someone can dial the thing in sounds good IMO. If the user knows what they are going it sounds fantastic. The POD, not so much and the person needs to be a tweaker with a good ear.

I am myself, personally kinda sick of all the HD vs Axe posts and the angst bubbling up around here lately as the HD IMO does not warrant the press IMO.

IMO it should be HD vs 11R and I personally still think the 11R sounds better.

I straight up feel the 11R is better than the HD and I believe that the Axe is better than the 11R. You do the math.

This is my personal opinion and I make it clear that it is. It's not the word of God bro.

I think the HD is a good unit but good is not top of the tree.

I was tired when I made the post and I'd spent a number of hours with the unit. I should have known that I'd cop heaps of flak about it but there you go. No surprises here.

Come to think of it, a quote about a rats arse and not truely caring comes to mind...

I am still wondering how you can be so sure the 11R>HD>GSP/RP without having owned either the RP or the GSP1101.

I haven't owned either the HD nor the 11R but have yet to hear a sample demo that I like more than my GSP. Does that mean the GSP>HD/11R?

[PinkPanther]

"Careful with That Axe, Eugene"
The word AXE is a cool word. I can see how the word "AXE" can influence some to believe that's it's the best even when other modelors' clips are just as good or better.

[RayRay]

The moral of the story is that if you buy an HD and return it.... Don't post about it here or you'll get gang b@nged!

What's with the defensiveness and aggression? It's just gear people! This is the second time recently that someone posted a "why I'm returning" thread and gets smacked. Here's a suggestion.... If you're going to get all nutty, don't click on the thread. That applies to me too. :) I click on these threads hoping to learn. Sometimes I need my own noise filter ;)

I'm glad the HD is "good enough" for folks. I don't own one, don't want one, but... It seems like a good value for the money. But it's certainly not living up to the "revolutionary" hype.

[jrockbridge]

Based on my understanding on how the DSP works in POD HD 500, if you add an effect, tuning it off doesn't free up any DSP. Once you add an effect the DSP is allocated until you completely remove it and not only turn it off. It makes sense from a hardware modeler stand point and it's not like a PC or Mac Plugin software. The modelor is presuming that when you have have an effect turned off, you might want to link it to a button and might want to turn it on or off so the DSP power is allocated..which is different than when you have a plugin turned off in your daw and free up some CPU...

That's exactly how it worked for me, so I assume you're right. But, I ran into an error where my POD HD500 said it was out of DSP when switching amps. I went back to the original amp block and continued to get the DSP error which I knew was false because I had the same patch already saved. To get around it, I had to remove effects, add in the amp block and add back in the effects.

[PinkPanther]

Yeah...that sounds like a bug that's why sometimes I hate to be on the cutting edge and like to wait but I'm getting my Hd this week. I've tried it and loved it but I figured I can wait a few months but I don't see anypoint in waiting anymore because I don't think this is gonna be like moving from POD 1 to POD 2.0.
I'm sure I can count on Line 6 for a free upgrade with few more amps and after that if model packs come out, I'll be buying them too. I hope Line 6 won't disappoint in that regard.

That's exactly how it worked for me, so I assume you're right. But, I ran into an error where my POD HD500 said it was out of DSP when switching amps. I went back to the original amp block and continued to get the DSP error which I knew was false because I had the same patch already saved. To get around it, I had to remove effects, add in the amp block and add back in the effects.

[tatkovladko]

The moral of the story is that if you buy an HD and return it.... Don't post about it here or you'll get gang b@nged!
Had a good LOL, cheers :beer:

[paulmapp8306]

On another thread you posted the quote below. I got this from post #3 here
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=804797
So you clearly never heard the AXE in person and didn't play it in person! Which is fine, you can certainly base your opinions based on clips only but in that situation, I think it would be nice if you share the links to the clips of both that made you favor one over the other to have a real serious discussion.

I've heard from people who returned their AXE FX that the reason they returned it was that "it sounded synthetic and not authentic with artificially over exaggerated highs". I, on the other hand, tried the AXE and I think the amp models sound great and I think that the POD HD models are of similar quality, Some POD hd models such as the JTM 45 and Hiwat in the POD HD sound on par if not better than AXE FX by those who own both. Again clips are OK to base an opinion on , but from all the clips out there that compare the AXE and POD HD, the ones i watched and heard, both units sound good. If you would provide links to those clips that made you decide that the POD is not worthy, it would only be the right thing to do as these clips are the main foundation that you based your decision on.

But if you have a POD HD make sure you try the HIWAT for clean and also put a FUZ PI (BiG Muff simulation) followed by a rotary in front of the HIWAT and if you don't hear GILMOUR "The WAll" tone, I honestly would recommend testing your equipment because there could be something wrong there or user error anywhere in the signal including the POD HD.

That made me chuckle a little.

I have the Axe - Standard, and bought a HD 500 as a backup. To my ears they sounded close enough to use when recorded be that into a Daw, or via a camera then posted inline. I believe thats due in the first case to being in a mix, and inthe latter due to the compression on the amera and the upload process.

In the room, there is no comparrison. the HD is nowhere near the Axe - which is why I sold it. It was no good as a backup really because I just didnt like how it sounded and responded when in its presence.

Maybe Ive been spoilt by the Axe, and if your on a budget, or if your lookng to record then the HD is pretty good given its cost, but live - yuk, and so no use as a backup. I got hold of a Egnator Tweeker used for the same price as I sold the HD. OK, no FX but as a backup its much much better. Personally I prefered a dry good amp tome to a mediocre amp tonw with FX (as a backup obviously).

Its all context, experience and expectation I believe.

[bsic]

The moral of the story is that if you buy an HD and return it.... Don't post about it here or you'll get gang b@nged!

What's with the defensiveness and aggression? It's just gear people! This is the second time recently that someone posted a "why I'm returning" thread and gets smacked. Here's a suggestion.... If you're going to get all nutty, don't click on the thread. That applies to me too. :) I click on these threads hoping to learn. Sometimes I need my own noise filter ;)

I'm glad the HD is "good enough" for folks. I don't own one, don't want one, but... It seems like a good value for the money. But it's certainly not living up to the "revolutionary" hype.



If you don't own one, how can you state with such authority that it doesn't live up to the hype?

I don't think it's general "smack everyone that returns an HD". It's irritation that a guy posts thead after thread bashing it when he doesn't own one, feels the need to at the same time compare to his gear which is for a completely different price point, says "I hate these threads" while starting one of his own.. Just look at the thread title.

A post or two saying you dont like it I could see- hidden agendas are something different. This guy is obviously on a mission to ensure the product he owns stays in the limelight, while degrading the pod which he didnt even own (but reviewed after less than a day with it).

[GuitarTone]

But it's certainly not living up to the "revolutionary" hype.

The DT50s shipped yesterday...save your energy for those threads.

[PinkPanther]

I agreee, I'm mainly concerned with the recorded sound like many who buy Modelers. To me it's a bonus if the modelor sounds just as good live. And yes people can be "spoiled" by their own gear because you get used to the specific frequencies and form an attachment after prolonged consistant use of the same gear, that sometimes it's hard to accept change even if it sounds better or equal. Isn't that why we have a variety of gear that users stick to no matter what's out there, les pauls, strats, tube amps, modelors, stomp boxs, etc.

For live use there are tons and tons of options to get a great live guitar sound without spending 2k for the axe (excluding the cost of the controller and the FRFR amp which can set you back another 2k). I've heard guys play live with Digitech GSP1101 into power amp and 4X12 with simply amazing results, same for POD x3... so it's very telling that when you, who tried both, admit that the AXE FX and POD HD sound close when recorded...


That made me chuckle a little.

I have the Axe - Standard, and bought a HD 500 as a backup. To my ears they sounded close enough to use when recorded be that into a Daw, or via a camera then posted inline. I believe thats due in the first case to being in a mix, and inthe latter due to the compression on the amera and the upload process.

In the room, there is no comparrison. the HD is nowhere near the Axe - which is why I sold it. It was no good as a backup really because I just didnt like how it sounded and responded when in its presence.

Maybe Ive been spoilt by the Axe, and if your on a budget, or if your lookng to record then the HD is pretty good given its cost, but live - yuk, and so no use as a backup. I got hold of a Egnator Tweeker used for the same price as I sold the HD. OK, no FX but as a backup its much much better. Personally I prefered a dry good amp tome to a mediocre amp tonw with FX (as a backup obviously).

Its all context, experience and expectation I believe.

[jhall]

Fair enough. Nut When I plug my HD 500 into the Return of my Twaeker with a Rebel-30 cab I'm quite satisfied with it. Hell I still love 2.0 tones too. My rp1000? Love THAT too!! Hated it at first. THen I "figured it out" and find it to be one of the more usefull piecies of gear available to the sub-pro musician out there. HD will prove to be the same use wise too I'd presume.
Axe? I've never seen or tried one. I'd love to have the pleasure and am sure I'd REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy the heck out of it. But I'm a casual guitarist and it would be very unfair to my wife and child to blow that kind of money on a hobby.
(one that I'm not even very good at:bonk)
Line6 and Digi is where it's at for us basement stars who aren't rich.

[Axe-Man]

If you don't own one, how can you state with such authority that it doesn't live up to the hype?

I don't think it's general "smack everyone that returns an HD". It's irritation that a guy posts thead after thread bashing it when he doesn't own one, feels the need to at the same time compare to his gear which is for a completely different price point, says "I hate these threads" while starting one of his own.. Just look at the thread title.

A post or two saying you dont like it I could see- hidden agendas are something different. This guy is obviously on a mission to ensure the product he owns stays in the limelight, while degrading the pod which he didnt even own (but reviewed after less than a day with it).

Bro, if I didn’t' know you better I'd swear you were a fanboi. Lucky I know different hey! ;)

Conspiracy theories, hidden agendas and attacks; me 'apparently' posting thread after thread of trash talk on the POD...I love a good faux moon landing story the same as anyone...you’ve made my thread so exciting!

Hey, hold on one second...don’t I own a HD? I’d swear I said I thought it would do what I wanted of it and that it fulfils my requirements for a backup unit so far. Does that mean I actually like it? Oh crap, does that now make me a fanboi too...woo...dude...I’m like so confused now.

To aid us in getting to the bottom of this ‘you can’t say anything about the HD’ thing, I broach that what I've in fact posted previously is called 'my opinion' and whilst I also believe I'm sort of entitled to it, you don't seem to feel that other people (like me) should have one. I know, I know, it's irritation...cute as a button you are...and all those angst ridden descriptors you are fond of using to make your case are expressive. You personally don't seem backward at coming forward and expressing your opinion. Pot, kettle...?

Hierocracy even? Good god, please don’t tell me there are different standards for others and bsic?!

I'm also champing at the bit regarding what this mystery 'product' I'm attempting to keep in the limelight is, as I just love surprises?

You've also talked a lot about my expensive toys. I love toys. Tell me more about them.

Stroke my hair as you read to me though :love:

Anyway, using the skills honed after hour upon hour of careful transcendental meditative states I derived from my trusty Jedi Force Trainer (my last toy purchase - my wife, she's a doll), I ascertain you to be an angry 13 year old pre pubescent (fan)boi from the planet thouartateen.

Am I right or am I right? Bonuses for the prepubescent part!

Of course if I'm wrong, I do hereby solemnly swear to take that Force Trainer back first thing tomorrow! Darn thing, it seems to only be able to pick out 13 year olds on the net and nothing else!

...
Anyway, now it's back to our regular primetime viewing and it's the OMG, LOOK HE'S GONE COMPELETELY INSANE AND SAID SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE POD HD review.
...

So, I spent the whole evening with the HD tinkering around and IMHO the high gain is awful and for me personally it is verging on unusable via headphones. I actually can't get it actually produce any high gain as I know it anyway. Definitely not even the X3 kind which was actually pretty impressive IMHO. Kinda confirms what I heard last week anyway.

The cleans are very nice, the bluesy break up stuff is also very nice, the ACDC type Plexi tones are actually very good and the JCM 800 (full) is just plain bad. But the 800 sounds pretty good in preamp mode when clean(ish) and pushed.

Using the HD into my power amp this afternoon I managed to get some pretty cool sounds.

It still does not have the touch response and dynamics of the 11R (much to the constant, nagging, gnawing frustration of poor bsic) but the work L6 did with the HD and DT seem to help it excel in this realm.

I imagine the 'issues' some people are having with the dark cabs and flubby bottom end would be alleviated with using power amps a la the DT50.

Again...just my humble opinion and testing continues.

...over and out ;)

[GuitarTone]

So, I spent the whole evening with the HD tinkering around and IMHO the high gain is awful and for me personally it is verging on unusable via headphones.

With respect (apparently a term we shouldn't use here at TGP), high gain guitar tones through headphones?
Come on, bro, what did you expect...do we want engineers to design/programme their modellers to sound good through headphones at the expense of sounding good through studio monitors, PA systems and FR monitors?
I agree, the HD high gain tones through headphones are unusable, as they should be.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan of the HD high gain tones, I prefer a Soldano high gain tone to Mesa's and Engels, etc...I'm hoping for a future Soldano amp sim...but through studio monitors the high gain tones sound very 'usable' to me.

[whiteop]

With all due respect, this is a forum for Digital/Modeling gear, what else do you expect to be discussed on here?

I agree with everything OP posted, and I appreciate that he posted it. Why would you want to stifle on-topic conversation?


Actually with a user name of Axe-Man how could you expect anything but praise for the AxeFX :bonk . I mean c'mon we all know the AxeFx is a better machine. It better be; it costs 4 times as much. There's a lot of things I learned about the HD500 after I got it that made it sound like a completely different creature. If you listen to the presets I would have had the same opinion too. They are actually some of the worst presets I've ever heard on a modeler ever period. I don't know what they were thinking. You can set up much better sounding patches with just a little tweaking.

One of the things that totally changed the quality of the tone for me was changing the different mode settings on the top of the HD500 near the foot pedal. This takes the harshness and sterile sounding away and makes it sound warm and punchy. I'd say spend a little more time with the unit and you'll find that there are some very good and useable tones in it.

[whiteop]

I agree with many points made on the 11R vs the HD500. The clean models on the HD lack the realism and clarity of the 11R.

Of course I am talking about recording direct into a DAW. As far as FRFR, I have no idea how they compare.

The Blackface Lux is an awesome sounding clean model. Having owned several Fender amps in my time it sounds just about the same. I don't see how you could get more realistic than that.

[whiteop]

With respect (apparently a term we shouldn't use here at TGP), high gain guitar tones through headphones?
Come on, bro, what did you expect...do we want engineers to design/programme their modellers to sound good through headphones at the expense of sounding good through studio monitors, PA systems and FR monitors?
I agree, the HD high gain tones through headphones are unusable, as they should be.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan of the HD high gain tones, I prefer a Soldano high gain tone to Mesa's and Engels, etc...I'm hoping for a future Soldano amp sim...but through studio monitors the high gain tones sound very 'usable' to me.

I've owned many modelers. I've never heard any high gain patches that sounded very good through headphones.

[Gasp100]

What are you going on about?

So all the HD fan boys can post comparo's about this topic when they clearly don't own both but I can't??? Hmm reeks just a little of hypocrisy don't you think?

I have been straight up about my feelings and these are my personal experiences. I just bought a HD yesterday (demo'd one last week) and I have owned: POD 1.0, VAMP Pro, X3 Live, UX2, 11R and now HD. I think I know a little about modelers dude.

Fanciest toy...please.

I bought nearly all my gear second hand mate and I saved a bundle. I don't claim to be anything I'm not and try to be balanced in how to talk about gear.

Feel free to look up my post history. I talk levelly about gear and I am no fan boy unlike yourself.

I have an opinion and I like tube rigs for power stages. Whilst I've tried FRFR and I like to tell people about my personal experience going to tubes I don't attempt to push it down people’s throats. I use modelers as advanced preamps in fact or use them via headphones.

I have heard clips of every modeler floating around and made the phone call a few weeks ago to buy an Axe Std (but I didn't wish to wait 6+ months to get one here in Aus).

Most clips of the Axe where someone can dial the thing in sounds good IMO. If the user knows what they are going it sounds fantastic. The POD, not so much and the person needs to be a tweaker with a good ear.

I am myself, personally kinda sick of all the HD vs Axe posts and the angst bubbling up around here lately as the HD IMO does not warrant the press IMO.

IMO it should be HD vs 11R and I personally still think the 11R sounds better.

I straight up feel the 11R is better than the HD and I believe that the Axe is better than the 11R. You do the math.

This is my personal opinion and I make it clear that it is. It's not the word of God bro.

I think the HD is a good unit but good is not top of the tree.

I was tired when I made the post and I'd spent a number of hours with the unit. I should have known that I'd cop heaps of flak about it but there you go. No surprises here.

Come to think of it, a quote about a rats arse and not truely caring comes to mind...

I agree with all of the above. Axe-Man's moniker clearly does not reflect his use with the AxeFX because he uses an 11 Rack. He's been open, honest and HELPFUL with his posts on and experiences and techniques with both the 11 Rack AND using tube power stages + traditional cabs vs. FRFR.
I read ALL of the vs. threads because there is always some good tidbits that you can pick up that might help you tweak your gear more. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys on here that are willing to spend time and energy posting ideas, patches, clips, and yes, even adding to healthy debates in vs. threads. There are also a ton of guys that primarily post negative comments and completely irrelevant gibberish. But, it's all good.
I stand by my comments I made some time ago after owning the POD HD500 (and prepping to send it back). If you can't make good music and create good tones with the POD HD, 11 Rack or AxeFX modeling is not for you... BUT, everyone has their preference in "tools" as Scott mentioned as well.
To the OP, one reason why I personally may have tried shooting for the HD500 vs. HD300 would be to incorporate the HD500 as a midi-switching floorboard with the 11 Rack. I'm not sure if anyone has tried that setup.
Of course, if you add up the price of a new HD500 ($500) and a used 11 Rack (~$700) you have a chunk of change that could get pretty close to used AxeFX Standard territory... but without audio interface capability and without floorboard capability. Everything is relative, all price points are

[RayRay]

If you don't own one, how can you state with such authority that it doesn't live up to the hype?

I don't think it's general "smack everyone that returns an HD". It's irritation that a guy posts thead after thread bashing it when he doesn't own one, feels the need to at the same time compare to his gear which is for a completely different price point, says "I hate these threads" while starting one of his own.. Just look at the thread title.

A post or two saying you dont like it I could see- hidden agendas are something different. This guy is obviously on a mission to ensure the product he owns stays in the limelight, while degrading the pod which he didnt even own (but reviewed after less than a day with it).

Exactly. Because I don't own it. I haven't seen or read or heard anything that makes me even want to buy it to see if it'll replace my current solution. And apparently it's the precedent on this board that very substantiative claims can be made based on clips and reviews of gear. So yeah... the fact that I don't own one, the fact that everyone hasn't ditched AxeFx, 11R, X3, Digi, etc. is proof that it isn't the most revolutionary piece of modeling equipment. I'm not saying it isn't good... I'm saying it's not the revolutionary piece of gear it was hyped to be.

This unit was hyped for quite a long time on this board prior to release. No question. IMO, it was a mistake on Line6's part to feed that beast because products can rarely live up to that level of hype. Then throw in word like "revolutionary" and it raises the stakes even more.

Personally, I think the product is more "evolutionary" ... it's a step above the X3 stuff. And that's cool. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a solution for $500.

It's just not for me for many reasons.

As far as writing a review based on length of time....there was a thread on this a while back. There's nothing wrong with returning something within a day. Some people don't need long to make up their mind. For example, with my old X3 Pro, I wasn't satisfied from the moment I plugged in. Sounded awesome in headphones, and sounded like @$$ in the DAW. I *wish* I returned it the first day... it would have saved me a ton of time trying to make it work! LOL.

My current solution had me sold within 45 minutes of plugging it in. Went through a quarter of the presets and knew it wasn't going anywhere. My fingers hurt the first night of playing, and I was playing stuff I never thought was in me. The sound quality was unreal (or, very real! ha! rimshot) and the flexibility endless. That's revolutionary, IMO.

For some reason on this board... lots of folks have hidden agendas. Some agendas are not so hidden. Not sure why. There isn't nearly this much drama on the Small Builders section, and it seems like people would be more drawn to their actual guitars than their modeling gear!

[marshall2553]

I've owned many modelers. I've never heard any high gain patches that sounded very good through headphones.

The Axe-Fx sounds pretty darned good through headphones. :hide2

My POD XT, not so much.

[Lution]

Actually with a user name of Axe-Man how could you expect anything but praise for the AxeFX :bonk . I mean c'mon we all know the AxeFx is a better machine. It better be; it costs 4 times as much. There's a lot of things I learned about the HD500 after I got it that made it sound like a completely different creature. If you listen to the presets I would have had the same opinion too. They are actually some of the worst presets I've ever heard on a modeler ever period. I don't know what they were thinking. You can set up much better sounding patches with just a little tweaking.

One of the things that totally changed the quality of the tone for me was changing the different mode settings on the top of the HD500 near the foot pedal. This takes the harshness and sterile sounding away and makes it sound warm and punchy. I'd say spend a little more time with the unit and you'll find that there are some very good and useable tones in it.

Which switches are these? On my HD500, I see a Normal/Pad switch, Mic/Line Switch, and a Ground/Lift Switch.

[SolsticeGXP]

First post so take it for what it is worth. I am your average guitar hobbyist who recently got into home recording. I have owed a few modelers over the years. I started looked for good tone at low volume stating with the rockman in the 80‘s. I tried the HD500 for a couple of weeks. Its not a bad unit for the price and if I had not recently purchased a G-DEC I would have kept it. The Hi gain amps were descent but the cleans were a bit shallow. I had not heard about the Axe Fx till I found this forum. I ordered an Ultra and received it last Friday. I told myself I was just evaluating and if not 100% satisfied it was going back .
After about 30 minutes of use I knew I was keeping it. It is what I have been looking for. I have only used the presets but did get the Ax Edit working last night so I will be trying that out this weekend.

[jrockbridge]

That made me chuckle a little.

I have the Axe - Standard, and bought a HD 500 as a backup. To my ears they sounded close enough to use when recorded be that into a Daw, or via a camera then posted inline. I believe thats due in the first case to being in a mix, and inthe latter due to the compression on the amera and the upload process.

In the room, there is no comparrison. the HD is nowhere near the Axe - which is why I sold it. It was no good as a backup really because I just didnt like how it sounded and responded when in its presence.

Maybe Ive been spoilt by the Axe, and if your on a budget, or if your lookng to record then the HD is pretty good given its cost, but live - yuk, and so no use as a backup. I got hold of a Egnator Tweeker used for the same price as I sold the HD. OK, no FX but as a backup its much much better. Personally I prefered a dry good amp tome to a mediocre amp tonw with FX (as a backup obviously).

Its all context, experience and expectation I believe.

I appreciate this info from somebody who doesn't seem agenda driven and has compared them side by side. I purchased a POD HD hoping to use it for recording. I'm still on the fence about whether I'll keep it because it can sometimes sound harsh and brittle even in a recording. But, I do notice some people have a talent for dialing it in to sound warmer.

I've heard more recordings of the Axe-FX than any other modeler. It sounds excellent in recordings. I do notice a few areas where I wish it was better like cabinet simulation and subtle midrange detail. The ability to load outside IR's into the box is brilliant. It seems to consistently have the more believable clean amp tones. The FX are high quality.

The POD HD reverbs and delays sound great, but the rest of the M Series effects, like modulation for example, fall far short for me. So, far the most impressive amp model to me is the JTM45. The Hiwatt is decent, but very bright and brittle compared to the real thing and needs pedal models placed in the chain to add warmth and tame the harshness.