Product Description

The POD HD500X is the ultimate tone palette, whether you want to re-create classics or go somewhere new with the ability to recall up to 512 totally different rigs-with changes to preamp type, power amp configuration, guitar type, polyphonic alt-tuning, effects chain and more. And thanks to HD technology, POD HD500X provides the depth, character and touch nuance to inspire your creativity in the studio or on stage. So if you've never experienced the flagship of the POD family, now's the time to check out POD HD500X.

World-Class HD Amps
From vintage classics to modern powerhouses, each HD amp delivers incredible sonic depth, character and touch nuance to inspire your playing-and that's just the beginning. Customize the tone and dynamic response of each HD amp with an extensive set of deep parameters including Sag, Bias, Bias Excursion, Hum and more.

100+ Studio and Stomp Effects
POD HD500X gives you over 100 studio and boutique stomp effects, so you can take your sound in any direction. Emulate classic signal chains with distortions, delays, mods, filters, reverbs and more, or discover entirely new sounds by mixing and matching up to eight simultaneous effects. You also get pro-grade, assignable footswitches and a built-in, die-cast expression pedal to control your effects in real time.

More Processing Power, More Creativity
With unparalleled flexibility and more processing power than anything in its class, POD HD500X is built for tone creation. To start, POD features dynamic DSP, so you have the freedom to stack the effects you want wherever you want them. Compared to its predecessor, POD HD500X lets you add even more effects to your signal chain. You can also mix and match HD amps, cabinets, mics and effects in virtually endless combinations. With 512 presets, you've got plenty of options for recalling your tones.

Sculpt Sounds with Dual Signal Paths
Legendary guitar tones are often created with more than one signal path. POD HD500X lets you create these complex, rich tones without the setup headaches of traditional dual-amp rigs. You can route your guitar through two completely independent paths-each with its own HD amp and effects chain, of course-or process two signals at once using the 1/4" guitar, 1/4" auxiliary or XLR mic inputs. So whether you want to configure elaborate signal chains for more traditional stereo amp setups, or create unique soundscapes, you've picked the right tool.

Assignable Footswitches and Rugged Construction
With POD HD500X, you get professional-grade footswitches with bright LED rings for at-a-glance operation. You can use them to enable or bypass amps and effects, or to select presets directly. If you want to get more creative, you can assign multiple amp and effects parameters to the expression pedal and morph between sounds-controlling up to 52 parameters in real time. The footswitches also control the built-in 48-second looper-an instrument unto itself. The bent-metal chassis and rugged construction make POD HD500X ideal for any stage.

Flexible I/O for Recording with Any DAW
POD HD500X provides all the connections you need for studio, stage and anywhere in between. You can plug in a mic to record vocals or acoustic instruments, track with your favorite HD amps, use the stereo FX loop to connect stompboxes and outboard effects, and much more. Connect to your computer via USB for multi-channel, studio-quality recording with your favorite DAW software-or tap into POD HD Edit, the free editor/librarian software that makes it easy to tweak and organize all your tones.

Command Center for Your Guitar Experience
It doesn't matter if you use a guitar amp, go straight to the PA or take advantage of a next-gen full-range guitar rig-POD HD500X is the ideal command center for any guitar setup. It's a fully assignable MIDI controller, so you can use the footswitches and expression pedal to control all kinds of external hardware and software-and it gets even better when you use POD HD500X with other Line 6 gear.

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 optionso Dynamic DSP with more power for amps and effects and stereo FX loop can be inserted anywhere in the signal chain Professional-grade footswitches with bright LED rings for at-a-glance operation Comprehensive I/O includes USB 2.0, MIDI, S/PDIF, balanced XLR outputs, integrated mic preamp and more Guitar input with variable impedance Fully assignable MIDI controller”control external hardware and software via footswitches and expression pedal L6 LINK connection for integration and control of DT-series amplifiers and StageSource series loudspeakers VDI connection for integration and control of James Tyler Variax guitars 8 set lists containing 64 presets 512 user-writable preset locations Assignable expression pedal controls amp and effect parameters Integrated 48-second looper with dedicated footswitch Built-in chromatic tuner Tap-tempo footswitch Professional-grade construction with bent metal chassis, chrome roll bar and die-cast expression pedal

The possibilities are endless when you order today!

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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I'm an ammeter who's been playing 35 years. I bought this for home use. I wanted to upgrade my sound by running a high quality pedal board into studio monitors -- get something really versatile.

After doing a lot of online research, I bought a POD HD500X, expecting to be amazed. Sadly, I wasn't.

I didn't find the sound of this pedal board to be very good... at least not for the tones I love: warm classic rock, 70's rock, 70's hard rock, classic heavy metal.

The POD HD's amp models sound dull and sterile. I didn't find the effects to be anything to write home about, either. (Note: I was mindful of using the correct power amp verses guitar amp output modes, and tried the unit out in both configurations.) On paper, and in theory, everything about this unit sounds great. I'm sure the guys at Line 6 put a lot of effort into developing it. But after a couple of weeks of unsuccessfully trying to dial in a good tone (I did use the computer based companion software), I threw in the towel and returned it.

(BTW, if you do get this board, I found an excellent website that meticulously describes how to get the best tones out of this unit: http[colon][slash][slash]foobazaar[dot]com[slash]podhd. But interestingly, if you listen to the audio samples posted on that site, they don't actually sound all that terrific.)

Eventually I ended up buying a Digitech RP1000 and discovered EXACTLY what it was I was looking for: inspiring tones that make it very hard for me to stop playing and get to bed when I should. I haven't come close to exploring all of the Digitech's possibilities, but it has a "brown sound" amp model, that when combined with my EP Booster on the front end, mimics Eddie Van Halen's early guitar tone to the tee. It's quite the rush!

To my ears, the difference between the POD HD and the Digitech RP1000 is like the difference between low and high definition audio. The specs say both are 24 bit, but the POD sounds like 16 to me. The Digitech sounds very analog, with rich harmonic content, whereas the POD sounds very, very digital.

This isn't what I read in other reviews, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. So I thought I should weigh in with my experience. If you're in the market, I'd recommend you test drive, or listen to samples of both products before making a purchase.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.I have a x3 live and love it so I was excited about the hd500x. When I got I hooked it up to my tube amp threw the front ,the effects loop,and the pa and no matter how I set it up it sounded very bad. There is a lot of artifact in the drives and distotions,they sounded very faked not natural at all. I've been playing for 27 years and I'm a professional musician and there is no way I could perform with this unit I sent it back.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.I come to use the HD500x after owning an AxeFX Ultra for three years. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but I don't think the Axe unit sounds much better in a live situation and the pod is definitely more user friendly. I use mine through a full range powered monitor or a Marshall jubilee 50w half stack. The patches are drastically different for each application. People that say it sounds bad have probably not spent enough time tweaking the sounds. This unit with a JT Variax is all the rig any weekend warrior will need. Most people will never play through a PA good enough to appreciate any sound quality differences between this and the high end processors.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.After using single pedals and several multi effects pedals over the years I have to say this is a great pedal. For me, almost all of the presets need tweaking but I have never owned any pedal that didn't. If you can't create a tone you like then keep experimenting. I like to tell people to use tiny adjustments when creating sounds. Great tones can be passed over by a fraction of a tweak on any effects pedal. It took me a few days just to get the feel of this pedal.The display does take time to get use to. I recommend using the computer editing program to set up all of your sounds. It is very easy to use and much nicer to look at. Set your presets to the footswitch you want and your ready to go.
If you're tired of the same old brands that haven't changed much, then give this pedal a try.
Everyone has different taste. As for myself I will say this pedal is definitely worth checking out.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.The sound quality and effects of this box is what drew me to it. After much research I decided to purchase becuase of the budget I am on and the need for versatility with the cover band I am in.

The default patches do show some of the possibilites this thing can do but overall are rather unispiring and I almost returned mine at first.

After spending a weekend learning the interface, it payed off and now I am very happy. I will say need to have a good ear and some basic understanding of effects in order to make some killer setups on your own. I think my backround in mixing and recording def helped me. For someone who has never owned a DAW or is new to guitar it is probably not the best first pedal choice.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.This pedal RocKs!
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
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the program monkey will not work with Osx Yosemite and tech support knows it. It will work so far with windows environment. I put mine in the closet after working with Tech Support and posting in the community for a number of months with no solution
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.If you are on a semi-budget and are looking for something to give you what you need for guitar effects then this is IT. Easy to use and very versatile. The computer editing software is superb. You could spend months or years tinkering with the different variables. If you are an amateur recording artist at home THIS IS THE UNIT. It sounds amazing. Some of the weird FX are unnecessary in my view, but I suppose if you came up with some off the wall music then some of it could be useful. The Preset effects are pretty bland. The magic comes from creating your own tones/effects. This unit is an ALL in one unit. I sold all of my other gear because this unit had everything I needed in one nice sleek looking floor unit. I was going to buy this one or the Boss GT-100. I chose the line 6 because I have been using line 6 gear for a long time. I am used to their tones. However the GT-100 is a very competitive pedal. It is all in taste. The only thing I know of that is better than this pedal is the AxeFx II. But I don't have 2,000$ to spend. This is the next best thing.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.Great little unit. Much better tone quality than my POD XT Pro. The Amps modelers dont really sound like the real Amps, but i was able to get some great tones after tweaking. I would have given it a 5 Star if it were able to load custom IRs and flexibility similar to that of the Axe Fx units. Hopefully someday Line 6 will listen.
That being said, it's still a very powerful unit and easy use.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
.I realize this isn't the saint grial for guitarrists, but for someone who can't afford expensive gear and plays different genders of music, this unit gets the job done with amazing results. Yes it will never compare with the real thing, but it does a good job simulating, and at the end of the day, the non-musician will never tell the difference (most musicians wont tell either).

I have already come up with some tones that i like and use all the time at church, where I mostly play. But this unit has tons of options and possibilities that I still spend a lot of time playing and tweaking, and I'm always new tones tht I know I will use in the near future.

I totaly recommend this unit.
Line 6 POD HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Processor
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