Line 6 has introduced a replacement to their popular POD HD Pro guitar multi-effects processor and studio interface. The new POD HD Pro X (like the recently released POD HD500X) features more DSP processing power than previous incarnations of the interface, allowing musicians greater flexibility for creating complex signal paths and “unique, intricate” tones.
Line 6 notes that the POD Pro X is designed especially for tone exploration. Dynamic DSP gives guitarists a greater element of freedom to decide which effects to use, and where to place those effects in the signal chain. Musicians can now add even more effects than before, opening up “all-new tonal possibilities.”
POD HD Pro X Features Include:
- Extensive collection of award-winning HD amps for authentic tone and feel
- 100+ studio and stomp effects–use up to eight simultaneously
- Selectable speaker cabinets and mics
- Unparalleled flexibility to craft your tones:
Dual signal paths
Multiple routing options
Dynamic DSP with more power for amps and effects
Stereo FX loop can be inserted anywhere in the signal chain - Comprehensive I/O includes USB 2.0, MIDI, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, balanced XLR outputs, 1/4″ dry out, integrated mic preamp and more
- Guitar input with variable impedance
- L6 LINK connection for integrating and controlling DT-series amplifiers and StageSource-series loudspeakers
- VDI connection for integrating and controlling James Tyler Variax guitars
- 8 set lists containing 64 presets
- 512 user-writable preset locations
- Integrated 48-second looper
- Built-in chromatic tuner
- Professional-grade construction
- Downloadable POD HD Pro X software editor/patch librarian
Pricing and Availability. POD HD Pro X is now available with a list price of $979 (but we saw it online this morning at Sweetwater.com for $699). For more information consult the Line6 website.
Over the years, Pods have gotten pretty harsh criticism from folks with lots of experience with guitar tones.
I don’t have that kind of experience, but I do like playing through Fender tube amps, and tube amps generally. Roland’s amp simulations (at least those from about 5 or 10 years ago) were pretty unusable. I thought the pods were better. Still I could understand that there was something a bit messy and unpleasant about the distorted tone, and it wasn’t just hyped EQ. It wasn’t as terrible as some of the critics made it sound, it just wasn’t 100% beautiful the way a tube amp is.
I don’t know if Line 6 has given details as to how their model process has evolved with each new series of Pods. For example, does the model take into account all frequencies, all amplitudes, all transient possibilities, and perhaps how combinations of frequencies interact?
Does anyone here know if the new Pod’s have reduced or eliminated the problems that were bothersome to guitar tone experts? Or is this a case where, like our analog synth purist friends here, if it doesn’t have a real tube it is not worth the time of day to them?
There is nothing like the real thing, no matter what they try to sell you. They do get closer and better every year, and for some that’s enough, especially with hi gain amps and metal guitar types.
I have both the Pod hd and some of the analog and digital pedals it emulates.
IMO the pod hd does a pretty good job emulating effects, as long as they are static.
It can’t reproduce the dynamic behaviour when knobs are turned on pedals. I love those quirky sounds I can get from a Boss DD-2 when it goes crazy with feedback, or that pitch shifting effect when the delay time is changed while it’s processing sound. The Line 6 can’t do any of those in-between noises. I guess it depends on the playing style.
If you’re a presets/programming person, it does fine, you get virtual stomp boxes, amps, which sound really close to the real thing, but with no noise floor.
if you like to get hands on and experimental with effect chains, tweaking parameters in real time, it disappoints.
Personally I use stomp boxes for effects and Line 6 for distortion and amp sim/recording.
I do appreciate the more burly build quality, and inclusion of MIDI i/o. I don’t know if they still require you to buy their footpedal for realtime control or if this allows MIDI to mod param’s. But as Marc says, realtime control probably won’t yield any fun surprises.