Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor 

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

So far, I have been very please with my Pod HD400. I'm an experienced musician just beginning to delve into the world of electric guitar (been playing bass and acoustic guitar for 10+ years). The Pod is very versatile and gives me any sound that I want.

So far, everything is working great. The only complaint that I have about this device is the organization of the sound catalog. It is very easy to go from sound to sound, but with 32 banks of 4 sounds each, it can be daunting to remember which sounds work well together. Line6 has an accompanying software program that can be downloaded for free at their website to go along with the Pod HD400, but it doesn't help much. The software lets you create new sounds to take the place of current ones, but there is no (to my knowledge) way to move around existing sounds.

On the plus side, it is very easy to modify the existing sounds. Once you get close to a sound you like, it's easy to tweak that and save it, overwriting the original settings for that channel.

Overall, great sound versatility. I'm playing it through an Ibanez TBX150 and have been very pleased. To those who say the best effects come from a tube amp, I won't contest your statements, having not tried it myself. But for what I paid, the Pod HD400 is doing everything i want it to, and then some.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

A fellow musician turned me onto to the new line of Pod HD Products. I play a myriad of different styles as well as teach. I found that the HD400 is definitely designed to be a rocking beast with my Les Paul, but even sounds great with my jazz boxes. Obviously, it will never take the place of a good tube amp - but the technology gap is closing and I find myself just going direct into the PA, rather then lugging my amp around.

I really enjoy all the extra room I have onstage these days!

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

Other than the mode button's placement, this rig is almost perfect for someone like me, who needs quality amps and effects which are easily switchable, with plenty of connection options.
This unit does exactly what I want a multi-fx unit to do, but it does have a HUGE learning curve. It doesn't come with a traditional owner's manual, but instead you can download it, along with some KILLER editing and calibrating software. Be sure when you get yours that you download the newest software version and any other stuff. The one problem I do have, (and this is because I've got big feet), is that when I'm playing live sometimes I'll accidentally hit the "mode" switch instead of channel A, and suddenly I'm in looper land, in the middle of a song! I wish there were a way to disable the mode switch. Perhaps make it an option when creating patches, like choosing an amp or effect. Trust me, if this happens to you while playing live it's a NIGHTMARE! Other than that one thing the features are great. Plenty of GREAT sounding amps, effects, ins & outs and options at your disposal. You'll need to take your time learning it though. Once you invest some quality time with the HD400, you'll be pretty happy with it.
This thing is made of ALL METAL! The only plastic are the knobs, which are out of foot reach thanks to the metal handlebar above the footswitches. The footswitches are also metal, each with a lovely LED indicator, letting you know at a glance which patch, (A, B, C, or D), you're on. There are 3 modes. Channel, looper, and amp/effects. The channels are great. You get I think 32 banks of 4 channels each, (128 possible patches), customizeable to whatever you like. The looper is self-explanatory, and I don't use it. The amp/effect mode is cool if while in a patch you want to engage or disengage effects like distortion, chorus, or delay. You can also run up to 3 fx at once, PLUS reverb, noise gate, and wah, if you like. The expression pedal works quite well as a wah controller, volume, and effect morph pedal. Almost anything is possible here. The amp models are pretty darn convincing, as are the plethora of available effects. TONS of different distortions, compressors, modulation, delay, reberb, and wahs are available, plus noise gates and suppressors. Not to mention the choice of speaker cabs, microphones and mic placement options. Basically, if you can't find a tone you love on this rig, you're just not trying! You can plug this into a combo amp or a stack, or choose to run stereo direct to a live mixer or recording console, or to your computer via USB. You can even add your own stomp box and extra expression pedal if you like. All high quality connections, and all sound fantastic!
For the price, this is a LOT of quality sounding amps and effects, connectible to anything you want, and all at your feet.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

I have used the HD400 in lower volume jams with electronic drums, etc... It has good reverb, delay, wah isn't bad, but I agree that there is still a gap between real tube amp overdriven tone and this modeling..

But you can't expect a 400 dollar pedal that has EVERYTHING packed in to replace your 2000 dollar Mesa Boogie Dual rectifier tone.. It's not there yet.. Closer than most others, but still not going to replace that. That being said, for a musician who just wants decent (not outstanding) tone and, this is important, the simplicity and ease to have everything just one foot click away, this is a good unit. Like I said, at lower volumes, you can achieve a nice mix with your band, but I played it once at a bar gig and quickly realized that like all multi-effects units, you cant' achieve the overdriven tube sound you "THINK" is there with your amp at 10 o'clock, but when you crank your amp up to, say 3 o'clock, you feel cheated by the "Thiness" of the tone...

But I do like the processed sound at lower volumes....just not going to get you from basment to stage easily..

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

After playing with the HD400 for a few weeks, (and a couple of live shows so far), I have come to LOVE this rig! The amp tones, (and isn't that what we really care about most?), are SPOT ON! The effects are serious as well, and best of all, they sound warm and alive. There is a bit of a learning curve here, but you have to expect that with any multi-effect unit. Once you learn the ins & outs you realize that this was VERY cleverly thought out and designed. It is solidly built of metal, including the switches, and I expect it to last many years, as my old POD 2.0 did. THAT unit, plus the old FB-4 footswitch was my rig for a solid 9 YEARS! I still have it too. But the HD400 is a quantum leap forward in amp modeling, and I could not be happier with the tones. Even my band mates - and people in the audience have told me that they loved my sound before, but now it's a whole other world! Get it. Learn it. Love it! I sure do!
This rig is chock full of cool, useable features. Very realistic amp tones, great sounding stompbox style effects, a looper, and you can connect it to almost anything. Everything is right at your toes, and with some time becomes easy to run. My only gripe, (and this is just for someone like me), is that I wish you could somehow disengage the "Mode" footswitch. If you accidentally hit this while playing live you go into looper mode, and that can be troublesome. Other than that, this little unit is just dandy!
So far I am very impressed with this well thought-out design. The housing and switches are ALL metal, though has plastic knobs. the readout is legible and easy to see, as are the LED's above the footswitches. It even has a handle on top, cleverly placed in front of the amp control knobs so your foot can't accidentally nudge the knobs while playing. The amp models sound VERY realistic, as do the effects. The distortion models are dead on, and even the choruses and flangers have a warmth that my old Boss pedals had. Line 6 really upped their game here!
This kind of rig is meant for a guitarist who needs several different tones for playing live, as well as the connectivity for going to amps, mixers, and computers. The editing software is VERY cool and useful. For the price paid, I'm getting first class tones in a user-friendly, customizeable unit which is built like a tank. I expect many years of service with this rig. Not too shabby for the price.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

I would not buy it again. I think I'm done with Line for good. Analog effects are costly, but way better. The only digital effects I would consider would be something like the Line 6 m13 or a zoom G3, where the effects could go before a good tube amp instead of modeling an amp or trying to get quality tone trough a solid state. It doesn't work. I'll be returning this item.
This part is good. Lots of stuff to play with and many practical tools.
This is where my problem is. This simply cannot produce the harmonics than come from a good tube amp. Tones that attempt to use overdrive sound incredibly fake and tend to fade into the mix with a full band. Some of the lighter tones work ok for things like jazz, but it's close to impossible to produce a quality digital overdrive.
This is not awful. The buyer gets a lot of things for the money spent, the quality is just poor.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

I love this product! I was in the market for a multi-effects pedal and this one stood out. It does have a learning curve. The free downloadable software is great! Works great live, I plug directly into the system from the POD and it is outstanding! Incredible Amp Modeling. Looper is good too. Highly Recommend This Product to Anyone! If you have the money, get this over the 300, it is more user friendly.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

I'm a guitarist/vocalist and split my time between solo gigs and as an on-call guitarist for a few different groups. I found a need for some new tones and features and I needed the ability to to get realistic amp tones as I often play without an amplifier. Secondly, I needed to be able to easily shut down the amp modeling when performing acoustically. I've done a few shows now with it and it works quite well. I did have a problem loading the computer software but the Line 6 tech support folks were great; knowledgable, pleasant and complete. I'm happy with this purchase.

Comments about Line 6 POD HD400 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor:

well i was having to look for a multi-effects pedal and i had to get one fast. i had some friends mention this one and i had yet to play it. a buddy of mine got one and i loved it so i got mine and it is now my best friend. it takes getting use to and it takes time to figure out but it is still awesome to have. practice or play!