Line 6 POD HD400

This is a digital amp modeler. I don't think that it can be edited through a Mac or a PC. It's also not MIDI-controllable. The knobs are all on top. It's a completely digital technology. there are basic 1/4" connections.


UTILIZATION

These digital amp modelers have gotten easier and easier to use over the years, and this one isn't really an exception. It's pretty easy to find the tone you're looking for, as they are all pretty easily labeled. Even if you're not a hundred percent sure, it's easy to surf through all of the tones pretty quickly. Using the effects isn't too hard either, it seems like there is an intimidating number of knobs but closer inspection reveals that they are all pretty basic. The manual will explain everything to anyone who doesn't fully grasp what the modeler is capable of doing.


SOUND QUALITY

I have a bit of a problem with these types of machines, but I'm not sure that my views are shared. I'd heard that this was a good amp modeler for clean tones. When I tried it, I hated it. I realized that most people who say that are probably looking for a supremely clean sound, and not a hint of dirt or overdrive. I like to get at least a little bit of those things from my clean tones, as I play R&B and blues. I was disappointed with this modeler for that reason, there wasn't an acceptable compromise for the clean tones. They all ended up being either too clean or too dirty.


OVERALL OPINION

I certainly can't crank up my amp and let it rip. Therefore, I must say that if you're in my situation and you aren't a complete tone freak like me, you might be happy with this. Realize, though, that you'll be more than likely to get frustrated with it. These things don't necessarily improve with age. In fact, they're constantly being updated. So be cautious when purchasing.

The HD400 is the middle of the line of the POD HD line. You can tell it is right in the middle of the line feature wise. It has a small screen like the 300 but more buttons like the 500. It is slightly more useable but with the same small screen it is still hard to make your own patches on the unit. The HD line is Line 6's new version of amp modeling. Instead of putting 80 or so models on an amp they have cut it back to 16 and modeled them in much greater detail. If you connect the unit to the internet you can get a few more amp models in updates. With the HD line compared to the X3 line its quality vs quantity. You can make an X3 sound really good but it will require a lot more tweaking. Many of the amp models in the HD units sound good straight out of the box

UTILIZATION

The usability of this board is slightly better than that of the 300. The added buttons on the 400 are for the effects loop and up and down on the preset patch bay. Even with these added controls the screen is still small and it is hard to edit patches on the unit. This unit compared to the 300 is slightly easier to use in a live setting because of the up and down preset button. Apart from that the unit is pretty much the same. There is a 3 way mode switch which is unlabled. It switches between amp mode, looper mode, and preset mode. The unit has all the outputs you could want on the back with headphone jacks unequal outs stereo outs and what not.

SOUND QUALITY

Sound wise all these models sound pretty much the same in theory. With the 400 and 300 you may not be able to get as good a sound just because it is harder to make patches. With the difficulty in making patches you may not want to take the time to optimize your patches. All the amp models sound as good as the amp they are modeling. These models are the most popular models in the Line 6 lineup and they are modeled in super detail. I mostly use the high gain models and I am pretty disappointed that there are not many of them. If you are a blues or country player or someone who uses a lot of clean tones this amp is the perfect modeler for you. I think these kinds of amps were easier for them to model in HD so they included more of them. These sound good as well but im sure to the tone knobs they all sound like garbage.

OVERALL OPINION

This unit is the middle unit of the HD line. It has some of the features of the 500 but is mostly like the 300. If you are just going to do home studio stuff I would suggest getting the 300 and using the PC patch editor at all times. If you are looking for a unit to play live with but cant afford a 500 this is much better than the 300 in live situations. It is much easier to switch between patches with the 400 than the 500 but you still have difficulty editing patches on the unit due to its small screen.

Everything has already been written.

Little explanatory purchase patterns for me:
I had a Pod HD 300 which I was pretty happy, but also with an AMT SS-11, I also wanted to use me as POD multi effect only in 4 connection cables, the POD HD 300 not allowed not.

UTILIZATION

When not used the "line6 state of mind", it can be complex, but the sound editing software is to simplify! For a good start, download the advanced guide is also highly recommended, but it is very well made and available in French.

After that the possibilities are many, we arrive fast enough to navigate and edit directly on the camera with a little practice.

On the gear itself, for me it is identical to its little brother, except I have no problems footswitch on it (although they are the same), but still some reservations about the strength of the pedal ...

SOUND QUALITY

As preamp:
Used with
> Gibson SG Faded
> Fender Jazzmaster classic player

Output is in line headphones (marshall major) or Mac (iMac), or amp on a EHX 44 magnum + orange ppc 112 cab.

> In line mode, I am very satisfied. While it will never be worth a great tube amp, but it was still something very convincing. Again, things are not immediate. I found quite quickly cleans and crunch that suited me completely. for distortion sounds, it was longer. I understand that some say simus hi-gain oriented are bad ... However I would say just the job they claim to sound a musical way (gain settings / volume, equalization, the simus HP and microphone are to handle sparingly ... interactions are sometimes bizarre).

> In amp mode is less simple and immediate but it does pretty well. I have long used the method "preamp" for my sims to minimize, because they can not disengage completely, the simus HP. Since then, with the last update that enables this release, I passed in "full" by choosing not to simulation of HP, and it's more natural. After the limits in this mode probably take at least POD itself to the full of power and speaker on which the brought out: that is, if it sounds rotten, do not forget to ask for First, the quality of your gear downstream Pod ....

As multi-effects:
This is where it bug for my taste ... The effects themselves are rather than quality or high quality, but PROVIDED THEY TREAT THE SIGNAL pod and not necessarily something else ... For example simus modulation and time are objectively super beautiful ... except when dealing analog signal coming from outside ... then it becomes ... toc.
In addition, the FX loop is not transparent for two sub: my AMT sound to fall, but four cables connecting all fishing, dynamics, musicality signal collapse ... So well I have a pedal board full analog with the AMT (electric mistress, carbon copy etc ...) that is hyper music on one side, and the other Pod ...

OVERALL OPINION

To conclude, with the goals I had, I just drew a blank through the Pod HD 300 to 400 ...
However, having paid 400 at the price I sold her little brother, I do not insomnia.
It's my favorite "b-rig", which allows me to both bosser guitar quietly at home, but also to replace my analog rig in case of failure or maintenance of it ...

Morality (for me): the good stuff, but not necessarily responded to my initial expectations ...

Will not go back on the characteristics (known and overcrowded ...).

Note the design strength (I was expecting something more lightweight)

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is fairly simple as long as one passes by HD-Edit, where everything is clear and super vision.
We see the effects chain and how to apply the simulation parameters (amps, speakers, microphone and positioning of the latter).

on the other hand, direct editing of the beast is more difficult and requires a two-line LCD screen a bit tight.

The manual is clear and comprehensive, but again, with HD-Edit you can easily do without.

SOUND QUALITY

I would on this point the same remark as some I've discovered with disappointment that the reverb effect accounted for a ... mandatory. So it does really only 3 different effects combined.

The looper seems small at first (24 seconds), but in the end, that's enough when you want to loop a little riff to embroider over.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of models (I had heard the worst of this kind of tool). This is frankly realistic, especially on clean tones or with a little crunch.
The number of simulations is more than enough to me.

The factory presets are not used much, except to make a comprehensive demo of the possibilities of the beast.
Even if carricaturaux, some effects are fun.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for nine months, especially for playing guitar with headphones and import it into my DAW.

I am super happy and I would do 10 times that choice.

The value for money looks good to me, but I have not found its strength in a live environment (which is still its primary function ...).

Quibble (in form) to the tuner that is not really accurate, not very useful.