Comparing POD X3 and POD HD

New soundclips

With a little available time, I've tested the HD trying some small challenges:

1) The JCM800 Model - Comparing with the X3's amps, this was the only one that gave me a bad first impression. Anyway, I've changed the cab to the Green25, tweaked a little bit and had this nice result. I start with the amp and than turn the screammer.


1) DSP, dual amps and heavy verbs - The DSP limit in the unit is a important issue. In fact, it's more like an tough challenge. Well, I've picked two AC30's (mic 57 on axis and 421), a great stereo delay and the octo reverb. Oh, It also gave room to add a screammer. At the sample's end a play with the built in looper.


1) Pitch Glide - A great, "Giga" nice surprise. A lot better than X3's, and it's real polyphonic. So, in this sample, I try to drop the tunning one step. Great Result. Of course you can hear some small noises, but very close (perhaps better) than what you hear in that config with the GT


Cheers,
Alex

Amp tests

The "Pre" issue

This is a important issue to me. Testing the HD I thought I had a bad unit. Some amps were incredible low volume sounding, so what was happening?

Although L6 presets the unit with 16 amps, it has a variation for each amp, called "Pre". In that case, the poweramp section was not modeled, so you could plug it in your preferred real poweramp.

So, don't worry with low volumes to the "pre" amps. If running directly, just pick a "standard" amp e be happy!

Finally got my HD500!!!

It's a saturday but the mail man came and gave the good news! As long I unpacked The HD, I've plugged it into my sound console. Tried any preset, turned off all the unwanted effects and voilá: Great sound out of the box!

I've learned quickly that the 16 preamps are available in two versions: Plain and pre. The second one has very noticeable volume differences and until I realize that I thought my unit had a problem. Definitely not! Picked the "plain" and that's was ok!

As I've got my good old friend X3 Live around, I decided to try some tests. The sample list is right below. First you hear the X3, than, the HD.