Community: Message List - Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 23:06:18 GMT

Actually no longer sure I'm right here. I've been using FULL patches much more often- direct to headphones from the HD300 with dt25 switched off. This is mainly due to neighbours complaining about the amps volume! I'm getting some really phenomenal tones now from the HD unit itself, takes a bit of tweaking and the factory presets arent great but the fender amps in particular are awesome with some excellent blues rock sounds (will post to custom tone soon).

I'm actually finding that playing through the amp via line 6 with the amp in full power mode, the patches sound better in FULL rather than preamp mode! I guess it's because I can't crank the amp loud enough to get enough power amp tube distortion (I guess I'd need the amp volume to match the FULL patch which is usually too loud). Plus I'm probably getting too used to the fully modelled tones through headphones.

I'd previously been using PRE patches in LVM but I assume that my newer, better attempts at FULL patches will now also sound better in LVM. So I stand corrected!

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 19:51:53 GMT

I have to disagree.

I think that there must be an element of poweramp modelling from the DT in LVM even with a pod HD unit connected via L6 Link. My PRE patches (HD300) all sound much better in LVM than they do if I retain the same settings but switch the patch to FULL on pod. Really, when I switch the patches to FULL they sound awful, completely unusable- thin, buzzy and electronic.

Clearly there is a tonal difference in LVM with or without the pod HD connected. If there wasn't there would be no point in paying extra for a tube amp like the DT25, we'd all be better off hooking a pod directly to some speakers. Some of the tonal difference we hear will be related to a difference in volume alone. Plus, the bonus is that I only require one set of (PRE) patches and don't have to maintain a FULL set as well.

I've heard some experts in other discussions say that the DT "powers down" to 12 watts in LVM but still uses the poweramp tubes to drive the speaker. This would go along with my assertion that my patches still sound better in PRE mode. However the tubes are bypassed completely if using the XLR external out with the amp in standby- this would affect your tone for recording by that method.

Certainly, at present, I'm happy to use the tone I acheive in LVM rather than opt for an expensive attenuator.

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:58:49 GMT

Don't hold your breath. There have been things, too numerous to mention that Line 6 has not responded to in any way and we are left to assume.

I am extremely happy with how my POD HD 500 and DT-50 HD sound, don't get me wrong. But it would really be nice to get answers to our questions.

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:34:29 GMT

I'm still hoping that someone from Line 6 can comment on the assumptions that we have made.........

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:50:53 GMT

The last paragraph you quoted I think it to do with channel switching, in that if you switch between 1 of those amps and one of the others the difference in settings can cause an audible pop.

Your theory on the LVM poweramp issue is interesting, but if Line 6 went to the trouble of creating an analogue poweramp with multiple configurations that would in many cases be used with a pod HD it would be sensible to assume that they would enable similar multiple configuration poweramp modelling in LVM mode. Indeed the following paragraph from section 4.3 of the Coonectivity guide even suggests it:

Pull the Master Volume knob on DT50, or use the switch on the back of DT25 to toggle the Low Volume Mode (LVM) “On.” The LVM functions independently of POD HD and significantly lowers the overall DT amplifier’s volume level, which can be very handy for recording or “bedroom” playing! When LVM is active, the DT amplifier utilizes internal power amp modeling to simulate the tonality and distortion which is otherwise only achievable at loud volumes.

To be honest we have a lot of what ifs, and no current answers from Line 6. I'm hoping they can give us an answer before I turn blue from holding my breath

Lewis

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:26:29 GMT

Lewis

I thought I'd come back to this thread as it's most relevant!

As regards whether or not the DT amp has more than 4 power amp models (for LVM); I did think that was the case, but I'm beginning to think that the DT (in LVM) just contains and uses (in standalone mode) the same 4 full amp models as the POD HD (ie AC30TB, Tread etc) and so the reason it doesn't use them with POD/L6 link is that it's best to use whichever full amp is on the POD, rather than POD pre into one of 4 'generic' DT power amps (which may or may not exist). (It may also be to do with the position of POD fx etc after the pre, but maybe L6 link can do that anyway).

This makes me also query how the DT configures itself in full power mode. Does it simply select voicing/class/pentode or triode or are there other configurations relating to the POD HD models? This quote from the L6 link conectivity guide makes me think the DT configures other stuff behind the scenes:

"The Super O, Twed B-man, A-15 and Brit Plexi J-45 share an aspect (their analog B+ voltage) that differs from the other POD HD Amp Models, which can also be a source of disruption. To minimize this disruption, limit the cases where you switch between one of these Amp Models and one of the other POD Amp models."

It would be nice if Line 6 would make things a bit clearer here.

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:51:21 GMT

Bump!

for someone from Line 6 to comment

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:21:44 GMT

I think we have hit on what is actually happening, but I am not sure if it specifically makes sense in terms of the advertising blurb from Line 6.

Effectively when the pod hd is used with the dt25 in normal mode it uses the hd preamp and leaves the power amp to the dt25. So we all have assumed that when using LVM the same situation wold apply - hd does the preamp and leaves the power amp to the dt25, which is operating in LVM..... Except it isn't!

To be honest I don't mind too much. Yes it is a hassle in that you have to maintain two sets of patches if you want to use both modes, but it would be useful to be told by line 6 that we are not going mad. At least that way any new users can go straight to creating good sounds and not have to go through a period of guesswork, which in some cases may lead to dissatisfaction and them selling the amp / pedal or both!

Lewis

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:09:04 GMT

So here's what I have gathered. When using LMV on the DT you are only changing the pre-amps internal to the DT to a full or pre-amp model.

Choosing LVM when the L6 link and a POD HD does not activate any kind of power amp simulation in the DT since you are bypassing the amp simulation in the DT.

If you think about how it works it really makes sense. I have no documentation to prove it, but since Line 6 seems to recommend using full amp models on the POD HD when in LVM it does make sense. The POD HDs don't offer any kind of separate power amp modelling. It's much easier for the DT to have the full and pre versions of the models.

Here is the only deffinition I could find for what they call "Low Power Mode":

What’s low-power mode?

Perfect for recording or quieter gigs, low-power mode lets the HD modeling technology provide both preamp and power amp tones. You can perform with all the grit and gain you need without the volume that normally comes with it.

It does seem that with the DT-25 you are not using tubes in LVM since you can use the direct out and not have a speaker connected but there is never any indication that there is a separate solid state power amp that takes over in LVM.

Hope this helps clear some things up for people.

Re: Confused - DT25 and Pod HD 500 patches

support@line6.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:18:05 GMT

Hi Thomas

it is default Line 6 link settings so:

1) cab sim yes, mic sim no (mic sim does nothing when plugged in by line 6 link as it defaults to combo power amp)

2) Combo poweramp as above.

Regards

Lewis