Anyone had experience with the Line 6 Pod HD & X3?

[eighteen-0-nine]

That's a very good point. I guess the POD HD will bring the best of both worlds together :)

[Kenose]

I have to disagree though the POD HD is a whole level above the free vst amps that are available. I've tried the majority of them. the LePou ones especially as I head a lot of good things but they sounded worse than the podxt imho.

I can't even put this one down to opinions. You're doing it wrong. You only have to spend 5 minutes youtubing, nevermind the experience of both I've had myself, to know this is wrong.

Oh, and you'll definitely want to use cab impulses if you get the POD, because their stock ones SUCK.

[eighteen-0-nine]

I have to disagree though the POD HD is a whole level above the free vst amps that are available. I've tried the majority of them. the LePou ones especially as I head a lot of good things but they sounded worse than the podxt imho.

I can't even put this one down to opinions. You're doing it wrong. You only have to spend 5 minutes youtubing, nevermind the experience of both I've had myself, to know this is wrong.

Oh, and you'll definitely want to use cab impulses if you get the POD, because their stock ones SUCK.

Well sounds are just one aspect. I also want to know how they feel, which is a hard thing to judge unless off youtube. And I always hear about impulses, but what actually are they?

[Kenose]

What do you mean by feel? Dynamics or what?

Impulses are .wav files that are used as a virtual representation of the cab. They essentially cover a large chunk of the recording phase, so a good impulse will be much superior to the stock cabs you get with POD, amplitube etc.

[eighteen-0-nine]

What do you mean by feel? Dynamics or what?

Impulses are .wav files that are used as a virtual representation of the cab. They essentially cover a large chunk of the recording phase, so a good impulse will be much superior to the stock cabs you get with POD, amplitube etc.

I mean how the amp responds to your touch. Kind of like the difference between a touch sensitive keyboard and a cheap Argos one lol.

I'll definitely check out the impulses though. Sounds interesting.

[Kenose]

Well, they're both digital and there's no 'amp' involved, so you're barking up the wrong tree if you're expecting lots of dynamics and bass 'sag' etc that you'd get from a real combo. Let's be realistic; although impulses have really helped, you won't just be able to dial a great tone in straight away. It will teach you a lot about eq, though. Hell, for anyone to get a decent tone from a POD they're doing well in that area!

[eighteen-0-nine]

Well, they're both digital and there's no 'amp' involved, so you're barking up the wrong tree if you're expecting lots of dynamics and bass 'sag' etc that you'd get from a real combo. Let's be realistic; although impulses have really helped, you won't just be able to dial a great tone in straight away. It will teach you a lot about eq, though. Hell, for anyone to get a decent tone from a POD they're doing well in that area!

I used to own a POD XT, so I know exactly how much tweaking will be required. I love my valve amps, just money's an issue atm. Just after something to home record with. Obviously not expecting the real deal. Just some cool gadgets :)

[Kenose]

You'll like impulses, they're so much better than stock cab sims.

[hamfist]

I have just bought the HD500. And to put it into context, I have owned the original POD bean, a PodXT, a VOX Tonelab, a Zoom G9 and a Digitech GSP1101 in the past, as well as owning and building a variety of classic tube amps and clones, including AC30, JTM45, Marshall 1987, Marshall 2204, etc. So, anyway I think I have a half decent ear.

I'll say that the HD500 is quite easily the best modeller I've owned. Especially for all those slightly breaking up and lower gain tones, which are absolutely cracking.
   The cab sims are much better than the XT's and in fact all the other modellers I've tried. Still not awesome, but pretty good, and really very varied. If you can't find a cab sim to work on the HD then you're not trying. Ultimately I'd rather mic a cab, but for silent recording I'm still impressed.
  The stomp box models are also a huge improvement on any of the other units I have owned.

I have never played an AxeFX or an eleven rack.

I will also say that, when paired up with the Line6 DT25, the HD500 is utterly, utterly phenominal.
So completely believable in it's dynamics and everything. I played it side by side with a new Vox Ac15C1 the other day and the Line6 absolutely nailed the same tone.

[Toe-Knee]

I have to disagree though the POD HD is a whole level above the free vst amps that are available. I've tried the majority of them. the LePou ones especially as I head a lot of good things but they sounded worse than the podxt imho.

I can't even put this one down to opinions. You're doing it wrong. You only have to spend 5 minutes youtubing, nevermind the experience of both I've had myself, to know this is wrong.

Oh, and you'll definitely want to use cab impulses if you get the POD, because their stock ones SUCK.

I know people can get good sounds. They just don't work for me. They're far too grainy. But in general modellers and simulations even the axe fx left me completely unimpressed.

They just don't do it for me. I'm strictly an amp man. I can dial in and record a far better tone in less than a minute including micing up than I can in hours messing with vsts.

[Toe-Knee]

I have just bought the HD500. And to put it into context, I have owned the original POD bean, a PodXT, a VOX Tonelab, a Zoom G9 and a Digitech GSP1101 in the past, as well as owning and building a variety of classic tube amps and clones, including AC30, JTM45, Marshall 1987, Marshall 2204, etc. So, anyway I think I have a half decent ear.

I'll say that the HD500 is quite easily the best modeller I've owned. Especially for all those slightly breaking up and lower gain tones, which are absolutely cracking.
   The cab sims are much better than the XT's and in fact all the other modellers I've tried. Still not awesome, but pretty good, and really very varied. If you can't find a cab sim to work on the HD then you're not trying. Ultimately I'd rather mic a cab, but for silent recording I'm still impressed.
  The stomp box models are also a huge improvement on any of the other units I have owned.

I have never played an AxeFX or an eleven rack.

I will also say that, when paired up with the Line6 DT25, the HD500 is utterly, utterly phenominal.
So completely believable in it's dynamics and everything. I played it side by side with a new Vox Ac15C1 the other day and the Line6 absolutely nailed the same tone.

Glad you're liking it and you have found something that works for your current situation.