GENUINELY ANNOYING FROM LINE 6
By Graeme Hague
26 September 2013
Line 6 is promoting the new POD HD Pro X as a guitar multi-effects processor and studio interface – and fair enough, it does offer an XLR microphone input for plugging in anything other than a guitar. Given the impressive DSP available it will no doubt do a more than reasonable job of vocals and the like. However, HD Pro X is really all about giving you just about any genuine guitar sound, rig or effect you might need, including classic, vintage or radically new patches. There are thirty HD amplifier models, over 100 stomp and studio effects, plus a wide range of signal routing options. In the pursuit of authenticity the HD amp models offer deep parameters such as Sag, Bias and Hum – all those annoying noises you were hoping to avoid by using guitar amp modeling hardware – but okay, for the purists… The POD HD Pro X is a 2RU device with USB 2.0, MIDI, AES/EBU and SPDIF connections, XLR outputs and an effects loop for plugging in “real” pedals (though, why would you?). Being Line 6, proprietary Variax and Line 6 Link connectors are there. The 512 factory presets can get you started and it has a Set List feature for live work – for which you’d probably want the accompanying FBV Shortboard MKII foot controller. A full rundown of all the specs is at www.line6.com or you can have a listen for yourself – the POD HD Pro X is available on the streets right now with a RRP of AUS$899.
Australian Distributor: Australis Music Group www.australismusic.com.au
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