First impressions
The HD300 has a solid feel to it thanks to the all metal chassis, switches and pedal. The knobs, switches, pedal and even the toe switch under the pedal all have a solid feel and firm action. The metal “roll bar” between the footswitches and knobs also inspires confidence as a road-ready piece of gear.
My usual gripe with multi-fx floorboards is the “wall-wart” power supplies that most use, which is usually the single biggest source of problems with these units. The HD300 does use a wall-wart, which is understandable as an entry-level model (although the bigger models also have this problem and can’t claim the same excuse). It is however, a better than usual supply, with thicker power cable and a range of clip-on adaptors for different territories (sadly, no round 3-pin adaptor though).
The HD300 also lacks a power switch, which is inconvenient in a home or studio setup where you often want to be able to turn off without unplugging.
Controls
The onboard controls are the bare minimum for amp and effect control, which makes them quite easy to use live although they do not offer quick access to deep editing. The pedalboard is well thought out to make use of the six switches: a tap/tuner button; a switch to toggle between the three modes for the last four switches; and the last four switches which can be toggled between calling up four patches in a bank, a manual mode which allows you to turn effects on and off and a mode to control the looper functions. The pedal has a toe switch to turn the wah effect on and off.
Connection
The HD300 has more connections than you would expect from an entry level unit, including both unbalanced ¼” jack and balanced XLR outputs as well as a ¼” headphone socket. It also has a USB port for connecting directly to a computer, allowing direct recording and playback as well as letting you edit and save patches via an easy to use and comprehensive patch editor/ librarian.
Alongside the expected ¼” guitar input, there is a 3.5mm input socket which allows you to connect a CD or MP3 player for jamming with pre-recorded music or backing tracks. The rear panel also sports an extra XLR connector labelled “L6 Link” which lets you connect to Line 6’s DT50 amp and integrate control and patches together. What is notable is more what the HD300 doesn’t have – an effects loop.
So aside from putting a few effects between guitar and the HD300, there is no way to expand on the effects capabilities. It also means that it is not possible to use the common “four cable method” with an amplifier.
Amp Models
While 16 amp models may seem minimal compared to some other modellers (including older PODs), Line 6 stress that the emphasis is on quality rather than quantity and the models are all new, higher resolution models with improved feel and tone over the older PODs.
Amongst the 16 models, most of the expected classic amps are covered alongside a few boutique models and they do cover a comprehensive range of musical styles – just about everything you could reasonably expect to need. Also, as with all of the newer PODs, the HD300 can be updated via USB and it is expected that Line 6 will expand and add to these models with future updates (and possible dedicated expansion packs too).
Effects
Effects are a comprehensive set of 80 models which are generally very high quality and most are very usable and musical.
The effects are divided between six effects location slots: three with user selected effects; one fixed reverb only slot; a fixed noise gate slot; and a volume/wah slot. There is, however, one major bugbear – each selectable slot can only hold just one effect at a time and each effect is limited to a specific slot.
This means that there are many effects which cannot be used simultaneously – for instance, the first slot has all the distortion, compression, pitch and envelope effects, so if you want to use overdrive you cannot use a compressor, harmoniser or autowah at the same time. This is very limiting and probably means that most users will resort to using at least a separate pedal compressor and overdrive before the HD300.
Sound
The good news is that the new amp models are great – they all have a noticeable tonal edge over the last generation PODs and more importantly, they respond much more convincingly to playing dynamics and guitar volume control changes.
I was especially impressed when I took the Twin amp model and paired it with a blue speaker and compared it to my Fender Twin kitted out with Weber Blue Dog speakers – bar a few small differences, it nailed the tone and feel convincingly.
In conclusion
The HD300 sounds great, is easy to use, is compact and solid enough for travel and makes a great headphone practice tool. The limitations in effect placement and the lack of effects loop will force many to use it with other pedals or to upgrade to the HD400 or probably the HD500 though.
Main features
- 16 HD amp models
- 16 Speaker cabinet models
- 80 effect models
- Up to 6 simultaneous effects
- 128 user presets
- 24-second on-board looper with dedicated controls
- 1/4″ Main, 1/4″ headphone and XLR outputs
- MP3/CD input
- Expression pedal
- Comprehensive software editor/librarian
- Metal chassis, pedal and footswitches
Supplied by: Active Music Distribution
Tel : 011 466-9510
Email : info@activemusicdistribution.com
Suggested Retail Prices:
HD300 – R 5,595.00
HD500 – R 8,995.00
Written By : Alan Ratcliffe
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