Line 6 announces the arrival of the new POD HD500X, featuring improved processing power and backlit footswitches.
This unit replaces their top selling floor-based multi-effects and amp modeling processor – the POD HD500.
The new POD HD500X features the same collection of HD amps as the previous version. It covers everything from vintage classics to modern high-gain amplifiers, and it retains the same character, sonic depth and sensitive tonality that made the POD HD500 very popular. The package will not be complete without effects, of which the POD HD500X offers more than 100 stompbox and rackmount effect emulations.
While it has the same software as the previous generation POD HD500, this unit breaks free from the old DSP limitations with improved hardware. It gives you more processing power for adding more HD amps and effects to your virtual rigs. This means that you have more customization options, giving you the freedom to better emulate classic rigs or to craft your own complicated signal chains from scratch. This improved amp and effects handling is really what the HD500X is all about.
Another new feature of the POD HD500X is the addition of LED rings to their improved footswitches. These LED rings are bright so they can be easily seen from anywhere on stage. Everything great about the POD HD500 is retained in this new unit, including the tank tough bent-metal chassis and die-cast expression pedal.
Max Gutnik, Line 6 VP of Products, had this to say: “POD HD500X is the ultimate tool for the creative guitarist. HD500X has a world-class collection of amps and effects that enable guitar players to get the tone they’re after, both in the studio and on the stage. And with more DSP power, tour-grade footswitches and a higher contrast display, HD500X is the best POD yet.”
Being a user of the POD HD system, and having seen many of my favorite artists using them at concerts and in the studio, this new POD HD500X will be an exciting and convenient upgrade for many, especially since it has the same price tag as the previous model. The unit’s improved DSP (digital sound processing) makes it capable of handling more complicated and processor heavy sound manipulation, so we can expect to see new and more organic-sounding amp models in future firmware upgrades.
The Line 6 POD HD500X is currently retailing for $499.99. You can visit Line 6 for more information.
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