The Line 6 POD HD500X is a floor-based guitar multi-effects processor introduced in 2013 as an enhanced and refined version of the POD HD500, which MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen described as Line 6's flagship unit thanks to its High Definition modeling technology12. It packs amp modeling together with more than 100 different types of effects, covering distortion, compression, flangers, chorus, wahs, EQs, delay, reverb, synths and ring modulators, into a robust bent-metal chassis built for performance use23.
The HD500X is no longer made: Line 6 lists it among its legacy products4.
The POD HD500X is a discontinued legacy product. Line 6's current floor multi-effects line includes the POD Go and the Helix family.
The controls and footswitch modes
Foot control comes from a treadle and 12 footswitches arranged in two tiers of six, a layout carried over from the original HD5006. On the HD500X the footswitches are professional-grade and backlit, with bright LED rings that Guitar Interactive Magazine's launch coverage said are highly visible in any environment2.
The 12 footswitches serve two different modes, and which one suits you depends on how you work live61:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preset mode | Instant switching between presets, with four footswitches still available to turn individual effects on and off within the preset1 |
| Pedalboard mode | Sets the unit up like a conventional pedalboard, with instant access and switching to all eight effects; presets are still reachable with a couple of footswitch pushes1 |
In preset mode, the middle four footswitches on the lower tier select each of the four presets in the bank6. Editing can also be done swiftly from the front panel, where a set of knobs allows instant tweaking of amp sounds1.
The built-in die-cast expression pedal is a full-sized foot treadle for controlling volume, wah effects and assignable parameters, or for morphing between multiple amp and effect parameters23.
Inputs, outputs and connections
The back panel carries a wide set of connections for stage and studio use37:
- 1/4-inch mono guitar input3
- XLR mic input7
- CD/MP3 and aux inputs3
- Input for Line 6 Variax guitars3
- Stereo FX send and return7
- Stereo and individual mono output jacks3
- Balanced XLR stereo outputs3
- Headphone jack3
- S/PDIF digital output37
- MIDI in and out/thru7
- USB connection1
The HD500X also appears in Molten Voltage's October 2014 index of devices that can sync to MIDI Clock, so tempo-based effects can follow an external clock over MIDI8.
What the POD HD500X added over the HD500
The original POD HD500 launched in 2010 with the same 12-footswitch, two-tier layout and treadle, and the same back-panel connection set including the XLR mic input, stereo FX send and return, MIDI in and out/thru, and S/PDIF67. The HD500X kept that foundation and added more processing power, which Line 6 said enables musicians to create more intricate sounds and signal chains than ever2. The footswitches were upgraded to the professional-grade, backlit type with LED rings2.
Both units are now legacy products on Line 6's website49.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen reviewed the HD500X and was positive about the modeling:
"The modelling is excellent throughout, with authentic-sounding amps and quality effects."
His summary of reasons to buy was that the unit is powerful and practical, with a broad range of excellent tones and a USB connection; under reasons to avoid, he wrote simply "Not much."1 His overall verdict called it "a do-it-all effects solution for onstage use that's also a great recording and practice tool," and he noted that it "offers a very practical way to organise and access effects on stage and could take care of all your recording needs too"1.
He did flag two drawbacks worth weighing if you are comparing a multi-effects unit against individual pedals: the initial cost is greater than starting with one pedal and building up, and you are stuck with Line 6's effects rather than mixing makers1.
Where it sits in the Line 6 line
The HD500X arrived in 2013 alongside the rack-mounted POD HD Pro X510. Line 6's later floor units, the POD Go and the Helix family, carry the same idea of a single floor unit covering amp modeling, effects and switching forward into the current lineup.
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Questions
Is the Line 6 POD HD500X still made?
No. Line 6 lists the POD HD500X among its legacy products and states plainly that it is no longer made. It was introduced in 2013 as an updated version of the POD HD500, and both units now sit in the legacy section of the Line 6 website.
What is the difference between the POD HD500 and HD500X?
The HD500X is an enhanced and refined version of the original POD HD500, Line 6's flagship unit built around its High Definition modelling technology. The HD500X added more processing power for more intricate sounds and signal chains, plus professional-grade backlit footswitches with bright LED rings.
How many presets does the POD HD500X hold?
The POD HD500X has 512 user-writable preset locations. Presets are organised in banks of four, and in preset mode the middle four footswitches on the lower tier select each of the four presets in the current bank.
Does the POD HD500X sync to MIDI clock?
Yes. The POD HD500X appears in Molten Voltage's October 2014 index of devices that can sync to MIDI Clock, alongside its MIDI in and out/thru connections on the back panel.
Can I record with the POD HD500X over USB?
MusicRadar's reviewer highlighted the USB connection as a reason to buy and concluded that the HD500X could take care of all your recording needs, as well as serving as a practice tool and an onstage effects solution.
Sources (10)
- Line 6 POD HD500X review, MusicRadar, 2013-10-16
- Line 6 Updates Best-Selling POD HD500 Multi-Effects Processor with New POD HD500X, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-07-12
- Review: Line 6 POD HD500X Multi-Effect Processor, Guitar World, 2014-05-27
- Line 6 | Legacy Products, Line 6
- Line 6 POD Go review, Guitar World, 2020-06-30
- Line 6 POD HD500 review, MusicRadar, 2010-12-21
- Line 6 Launches POD HD Pedals with HD Amp Modeling, Premier Guitar, 2010-09-30
- MIDI PedalBoard Devices: Guitar Effect Pedals that Sync to MIDI Clock, Molten Voltage (blog.moltenvoltage.com), 2014-10-07
- Line 6 | Legacy Products, Line 6
- Line 6 Announces POD HD Pro X, Premier Guitar, 2013-09-24
