If you had to pick between these two rigs...? Need help!

[Mawnsterr]

Hey guys!

I need to make a quick decision between two rigs. I currently play a Schecter Blackjack SLS with passive pickups and mainly play in my room, just for fun. I mainly play death/black metal, but like to play some clean stuff too. I would potentially want to record down the road, but not now.

Rig 1: Pod HD500 with Powered speakers or even Studio monitors (what brand/ model though???)
Rig 2: Blackstar HT20 Studio (head) with a 2x12 cab of some sort.

I already own the Pod HD500 so im wondering if I should just buy the active speakers/studio monitors (once again, if so, what brand/model) or if I should sell my Pod HD500 and buy the other rig entirely. Obviously, buying rig #2 would be much more expensive, but could potentially be worth it.


Please let me know what rig you would choose and if you choose rig 1, what powered speaker/studio monitor to go with it.

Thanks!

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

My suggestion depends on if you're a tinkerer or not and what your budget is.

If it were me, I would get the Montiors and which one depends on your budget and how you want to future proof it.

For playing in the bedroom, plans to record and if you like tons of different options my end goal would be a Kemper so I'd keep the HD500 and get the nicest monitor you can get right now. If you can't get a really nice monitor now ($700-$1,000+) than I would get a cheap used Rokit pair of Montiors and start saving up until I could get what I wanted.

If you don't want to spend big or plan for the future and just want 1 solid tone to rock out then get the Blackstar.

 

[Science_Penguin]

I suggest keeping the POD- that's what I use. Do enough tweaking and you can probably get a Blackstar-type sound on it... Hell, I'm sure someone out there's made a preset you can download too.

Direct outs, effects, amp/cab/mic sims, you pretty much got it all right there, and it's got an FX loop too. You're good to go. You can record with it with no trouble, and if you ever play live, literally all you have to do is plug it directly into the board- no mics needed. No need to carry a cab or speaker of any kind with you, meaning you can leave the powered speaker and studio monitors at home (unless the venue doesn't have its own sound board...) Blackstar's got a direct out too, yes, but you still have to lug a cab around with you.

I play through an EV (I believe it's the ZLX15P) when practising, but I've never once had to bring it to a gig. Doesn't sound nearly as good as it does at shows, but it gets the job done.

Studio monitors... I dunno. I did record once at a friend's house with it, sounded pretty good, but I don't know what kind of monitors he was using.

 

[Pav]

This really sounds like a situation in which we can't (or shouldn't) decide for you. I would get the Blackstar but I'm a tube amp guy to begin with. Either route sounds perfectly viable.

 

[Promit]

Mmmm. Real pros and cons to either choice... but I've gotta lean Blackstar. IMO everyone should have one tube amp they play through regularly. You forget how a real amp responds when you spend all your time on the digital stuff, especially the low end equipment. Interacting with a real amp is worthwhile.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

Rig 1: Pod HD500 with Powered speakers or even Studio monitors (what brand/ model though???)
Rig 2: Blackstar HT20 Studio (head) with a 2x12 cab of some sort.

I gave up amps a few years ago. My current rig is just an HD500X straight into the mixing desk, then into the PA. All gigs with my hard rock band are being this way: we play in small clubs, and my tone is highly regarded by all guitarists around, who always come after the gig to as "where is your amp".

I made this decision, basically, because I'm lazy and I hate to carry a big amp around ... in your case, it depends if this rig can fulfill your needs, and you are competent to program your POD... if so, just go for it, simplicity will save you lots of headaches.

 

[luislais]

Go for the blackstar, at least is a real valve amp!!!

 

[jsmalleus]

Given your requirements, I'd say stick with the POD HD and get some studio monitors. Tube amps are great, but if you're wanting to record later, you're going to need some studio monitors anyways unless you want to be playing and mixing everything through headphones.

You'll have a lot more sounds to muck around with on the POD and it can serve as your audio interface for recording, so all your needs will be met & you can always grab a tube amp later.

I'd probably grab something like the rokits, m-audio bx, or monoprice studio monitors & try to either go at least 6" on em or get a sub too so you know what's going on in the low end on your patches and in your mixes. They're plenty for jamming the HD and doing some recording and a little mixing. If your budget is larger you can always get some nicer monitors or save the extra $ to put towards the tube amp after.

 

[Mawnsterr]

Given your requirements, I'd say stick with the POD HD and get some studio monitors. Tube amps are great, but if you're wanting to record later, you're going to need some studio monitors anyways unless you want to be playing and mixing everything through headphones.

You'll have a lot more sounds to muck around with on the POD and it can serve as your audio interface for recording, so all your needs will be met & you can always grab a tube amp later.

I'd probably grab something like the rokits, m-audio bx, or monoprice studio monitors & try to either go at least 6" on em or get a sub too so you know what's going on in the low end on your patches and in your mixes. They're plenty for jamming the HD and doing some recording and a little mixing. If your budget is larger you can always get some nicer monitors or save the extra $ to put towards the tube amp after.

Hey thanks for your suggestion; I think I will get studio monitors.

But don't I need an audio interface for all that (like a UR22 or Focusrite)?
guitar --> pod h500 --> audio interface and then connect it to my computer and use my line outs on the interface for my studio monitors6

Sorry I'm a complete newb for connecting gear ahahah!

Thanks for your help!

 

[jsmalleus]

You should be able to hook your POD HD up via usb and have it serve as an audio interface to record guitars directly to your DAW. You can also plug your powered studio monitors directly into it.

The only thing I'm not exactly sure of is whether you can also use it to monitor the output from the DAW simultaneously along with your guitar going thru the HD500. There's probably a combo of settings within the POD and your DAW that will get it done, but I'd have to look into it a bit more to be sure. A separate audio interface would do the trick, but might not be necessary.

 

[SubConArtist]

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Line 6 Pod HD500X Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal

$759.98

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4 payments of $190.00 (plus a $5.95 processing fee)

and

Electro-Harmonix 44 Magnum 44 Watt Power Amp Pedal for $151.50

Great "LOUD" package if you ask me.

 

[cwhitey2]

Rig 1 imo.

 

[CaptainD00M]

This really sounds like a situation in which we can't (or shouldn't) decide for you. I would get the Blackstar but I'm a tube amp guy to begin with. Either route sounds perfectly viable.

This.

Go back to basics - are you a guy whose happy to settle i.e. you have your basic sound and other than mixing up effects pedals you're mostly good - rig two.

You are still changing things up or want to every 3-6 months, rig 1.

I'm a tube amp guy too and everything for me revolves around Oranges that sound like Oranges.