tonymckenziecom | 1 decade ago

A review of the Line6 POD HD500. I made an unbiased review of the pedal inside and out! Check what I found.

When I bought this unit I had some expectations (probably like you) that this unit was going to rock the world - at least that's what Line 6 said with all their 'took two years to make' and 'HD sounds' hype.

Was I disappointed? You bet I was. And you will be too as well if you believe all the hype around this thing. Oh yes, and I actually took video of all the presets as they come out of the box - now deleted. Too many line6 employees/droolers/retailers/who knows for my liking. Often when there is a truthful review you get the 'forum' boys that 'attack' a review because maybe they feel it shows 'too much' and in this case, 'of a bad thing'. I guess that if you bought one you might not want someone like me telling the world that you maybe made a mistake? Hence their often rude backchat and exactly why I either delete their vulgarity or ban them.

The review on my website http://www.tonymckenzie.com/line6_pod_hd500_review.htm does show it in a little better light... it's more sunset than plain old complete darkness... but would I buy one? Absolutely not.

This video shows an overall view of the Line6 HD500 and just a few sound examples at the end of this section. Other videos I have deleted because I can't stand trolls and fools. So if you are one... simply leave now.

While I only play a few chords or notes for each sound you will get a feel of exactly how bad the unit sounds out of the box. You could spend a week on one tone making it work for you. I prefer not to. Save up and go and buy an AFD100 (or indeed ANY Marshall amp) - that way you will get a great sound and all within 30 seconds of turning it on. And if that's not your bag then get a GT-100 which is far easier to use and has sounds that work right out of the box.

The video sound is direct to a mixing desk and then direct to the video camera so the sounds are EXACTLY representative of what rubbish they programmed in here by default and what you get when you buy this unit. HD my eye.

You will notice that the first audio sound 'Plexi' has noise and hum, (I could have turned on the noise gate - but the default had it turned off?) and the second sound is improved but not by much. Pity you can now only listen to music retailers and others (read forum fanatics) with vested interests in selling or saying they are great for their own reasons which I cannot figure out. Its called chasing the rainbow - you never REALLY find it you just follow what those sellers or fanatics want you to do - buy it... then be just like them...

I do NOT spend hours showing you how to twiddle knobs - and neither does the manual! Watch all the other videos online for that from everyone else or crash and burn with the 'Pilots' manual.

Anyway, here is the Line6 POD HD500 Effects Processor reviewed Tony McKenzie style with a no holds barred approach to this unit. There will be no more. I sold mine about a week after buying it before they fetch $30.00 on eBay by next week.

(c) A B McKenzie 2010-2023. All Rights Reserved.
All Trade Marks Acknowledged.

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