Community: Message List - POD HD500 Patches with DT25

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:06:31 GMT

Thanks, I will definitely try that out.

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:08:26 GMT

RE: DT25 .... I like the Vox AC30 a lot and am currently using it as my main model. I use a "Clean Version" on CH A and a "Crunch version" on CH B.

On the Clean Version I have the Master Volume up FULL, the CH Volume up FULL and I dial in the overall volume that I need with the Drive. This keeps the Channel relatively clean for this model. The lower Drive level the cleaner the tone.

On the Crunch Version the Master Volume remains the same (up FULL) , the Drive is somewhere between 1 o'clock to FULL depending on the "crunch factor" I want, and the Channel Volume is backed down to equate to the volume from Channel A. Somewhere around 11 o'clock ish I find.

So in essence, Channel A defines the over all Volume I need, and Channel B matches Channel A (or maybe slightly louder) using the Channel B Channel Volume. The footstwitch switches easily between the two. I really like this (and I am using a POD HD500 btw).

NOTE: This is based on the guitar being FULL UP since reducing guitar level will reduce any crunch on the front end.

I sometimes find that Channel B with the guitar backed down, provides a nice "clean but slightly more crunched than Channel A" Tone that I use sometimes rather than switching over to Chanel A.

I mentioned that I have a POD500. I am using it at this point totally as a stomp pedal and using the DT25's onboard preamps as described above. With a DT Footswitch you can use either Channel A or B with the POD500 even if there is no active amp model on the POD. The POD will default to Channel B with no active amp model but the footswitch (or manual hand switch) can override and will put you back to Channel A with the POD still active as a pedal board. A little trick I discovered.

I do use the POD with active amp models sometimes, but lately I have been trying it this way (as described above) with success.

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 18:11:01 GMT

Ok. I had a chance to use the POD and DT25 in rehersal a few times and one time live. I had to turn down the Master Volume to about 12 o'clock due to volume (I will try to get this up around 2 or 3 o'clock). It still sounded good. I was primarily running VOX AC 30 model. It seemed that the master volume on the DT25 didn't color sound much - the drive really colored the sound. It seems to me that is a bit different that what i was thinking. I was thinking the DT25 master volume would drive the tubes more than the Drive (I assume the drive is preamp stage). Does this change with other models? It seems to me that it does. Not sure why. Do different models behave differently in regards to how Master Volume, Drive and Channel Volume color the sound?? I know I should let my ear be the judge but a little direction would greatly be appreciated.

Ok. Here is my main question. I bought a Dr. Z's airbrake so I can have my amp on stage and use it as a monitor. It is a sweet setup. It does color the sound a little bit (makes it a bit deaper/less high end - very slight). To be simple I use the XLR out of the head to the PA. I'm confused on the cab sims - If I use the XLR out then do the cab and mic sims matter in the house mix?? I would like to stay away from putting a mic on the amp cab due to volume coming out of the cabinet isn't very loud. It it true that the cab and mic sims are turned off when running through the DT25 cab - correct?? What about the XLR out??

Lastly, I am working on a Treadplate patch. It is very very loud!! I can help adjust with channel volume and mixer and maybe yet a eq. I have a question in regards to Triode mode. I was playing around moving it to Triode. In theory does the Triode mode color the sound?? And/or does Triode mode change the power amps (cut from 25 to 10 on the DT25)?? It does lower the volume. I wonder if Triode mode would help drive tubes at lower volumes?? I'm I totally wrong on this?? I wonder if this is a possible solution. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:27:10 GMT

Per HD documentation (HD500 Advanced Guide, v2.10, revA, pg 2-8, 2nd bullet on Combo and Stack Setting: ...) the output signal does not include Mic Model or "AIR" convolution. I guess the ER setting would relate to the latter. My take on that statement is that Mic and ER settings do not affect the tone when connecting an HD500 to a DT via Line 6 Link and using the usual default "Combo and Stack" setting in the HD's "Page 4, Setup: Output Options" setting.

The new DT FW update provides Mic simulation for the XLR output of the DT amp itself (see DT Series Amplifiers - MIDI implementation Guide, v2.0, revA, pg 2-1, 3rd Global Parameters table entry). There is counter part of the HD's ER setting in the DT. Mic selection has no affect on the DT's speaker output. per documentation, it only impacts DT XLR output. Have not checked anything myself.

If anyone has other information (measurements of the HD behavior seem possible because different Mics have different gain effect when in Studio/Direct output mode), please comment.

Regards,

Martin

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 03:36:25 GMT

STPL,

Your configuration is pretty much what I have been using in a church setting now for several months (a DT25 head, two cabinets and the POD HD500.)

No question at all, the DT25 is about the sweetest thing you could hope for; small, light and sounds great. (My intent was to buy my brother a white EVH III 5150 Mini for his birthday, but availability was lacking, and when I went to the music shop and played with and tested the DT25, I was sold. In fact, I couldn't leave the store without ordering one for myself as well! When we took delivery, we spent the first week dialing in the settings to emulate the EVH 5150 III. In this way, I felt that not only had I gotten my brother a "5150" as originally intended, but also an amp with a lot more versatility.)

Anyway back on topic... I set all my patches to use the "pre" models, and definitely turn the cabinet emulation off. The only reason I use a double stack, is because it puts the speaker up off the ground. Only I can hear the sound from the DT25, as it acts more like a stage monitor (ala Lincoln Brewster). And yes, I use it in normal mode, not the "reduced volume" setting. And what I hear from the DT25 is almost exactly what I hear in the house system, although I had the sound engineer give me a very slight treble boost in the house mix due to some loss of clarity due to dispersion through the venue.

I also put a volume module in every patch assigned to the pedal, so that I can slap the pedal to the heel and cut the sound before switching amp topologies that cause a loud pop. And as you know, in church it doesn't take much at all for a sound to be considered a "loud pop." And feed the house from the XLR out on the DT25 not your POD HD500.

I have my Outputs set to Combo Front, but I believe it should be set to Studio/Direct. But when I change it to Studio/Direct it really sounds awful, and the Combo Front setting makes the house system sound much more like what I hear out of the DT25. (I have a question regarding this in to Line 6 for a recommended setting, but no response yet.) On that same page it says my Focus = 570 Hz, Lows = -50 and Highs -75. I have no idea how these settings got set, as I didn't set them that way. I assume they were defaulted to those vaules.

As mentioned above, for the last two years I was using an EVH 5150 III at church (yes, no kidding, but obviously "Hot For Teacher" is not on the worship song list) and it sounds sweet as well, maybe just a hair sweeter to my tonal preference. I ran an M9 Stompbox in the effects loop to gain access to nice effects, tuning and a master volume (notoriously missing from an EVH).

Admittedly, I prefer the tone from the EVH 5150 III, but to get 95% "there" with a DT25 for so much less money! Something to be said for that. And now my EVH 5150 III is not parked (well, yeah, it's heavy!) at church, so I have access to it for the non-church endeavors.

The DT25 is a home run for sure! The POD HD500... well, pretty good but has some issues. But the DT25... home run, for me.

Enjoy,

John

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:36:22 GMT

on some amp models I do not use a cab the park75 to me with cab enabled sounds too bass heavy through the DT. I suppose when you think about it the DT has a cab all ready so has its own tone and we can turn cabs on or off to add a bit of sonic spice. Sometimes I use an other cab than the preset to get my sound and other times if I can not get the sound I want then I turn the cab off.

Cheers

Bob

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:21:52 GMT

Thanks. I guess the cab question really is best answered by what sounds good. I appreciate all the thoughts and feedback. I love this amp. I am very impressed by how warm and versatile it is. I'm just scratching the surface and already seeing and hearing the potential of this setup (for my purposes - weekend warrior).

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:05:40 GMT

I think by "Pres" you mean Presence. It's like another EQ control on a lot of amps that kind of helps the over all top end (there is not absolute definition in this case). Many of the original amps have them and many don't (so setting at 50% should be nuetral). E.R. is the space between the microphone and the speaker. The default is 12% (I think) which is an equivalent of a few inches. The farther away the mic is the more "roomy" it should sound. I always stick with the default. yes, you can continue to use the reverb in the POD and turn down the reverb on the amp. You don't need to upgrade the firmware but it's fun to play around. A Midi Uno cable is pretty cheap at most stores. You can't upgrade through the POD.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-USB-Uno-1X1-MIDI-Interface-101962629-i1154079.gc

Your second paragraph cannot be answered with any certainty because there is no documentation or explanation from Line 6 regarding what the cab sims or mic sims in the DT are and how they interact with the POD. I would like to speculate but I might take a couple more paragraphs....... sorry. You will have to go with what sounds right and maybe have to mic the cab.

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:57:58 GMT

Thanks. I really appreciate it. I'm going to be able to play it at rehearsal or "band" level tomorrow. A few quick questions. What does Pres and ER do?? Also, I do have patches that I have used live that have Plate or Hall reverb in the PODHD500. I would go directly to the PA before I bought the amp. I will be able to still use those from the pedal (just turn off or all the way down the Reverb on the amp) - correct?? I don't have a midi controls set up for the amp yet - I haven't and don't plan to put the new firmware on the amp (I'll use the pedal preamps). Is there a need for me to put the new firmware on?? I don't have the equipment (midi controls, etc.) for that now. I do have the AES XLR cable I use to connect the L6Link but I don't think that counts.

I was talking about the setlist factory presets on the PODHD500 pedal labeled - L6Link <-> DT. On my machine most of the factory presets do not have a cab simulation. Ok this may be a completely dumb question. If I plan to use this in a church setting and will most likely put the cabinet offstage (stage volume can't be too loud and I want the master volume on the amp set at 2 or 3 o'clock - which is 75% or so) - wouldn't it be beneficial (in general) to have a cab simulation?? I would use the XLR out on the back of the head and not mic the DT25 cabinet.

I really appreciate the insights. Again, I am trying to understand the rationale behind good tones in order to reduce the learning curve. At my age and schedule it is difficult to spend hours learning and experimenting. This really helps me focus in on the main things. Thanks guys.

Re: POD HD500 Patches with DT25

support@line6.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:54:33 GMT

I will do my best to answer for you. It might be easier to have a flowing chat, so let me know.

In general... yes. It all depends on what kind of sound you are going for, cleaner sounds will have higher channel volume. The most saturated/distorted sounds should be around 50% volume. You will also find that the amp models differ (sometimes widely) in how loud they get. The Bogner Uber Pre is one example, it is very quiet compared to the other high gain models . The channel volume will not effect the tone.

I wouldn't use studio EQ to adjust voume, only the mixer. Using the studio EQ just wastes DSP. To get the most out of the power amp tubes, you seem to be on the right track. You can't really push the tubes unless it's pretty loud.

I don't like the reverb on the amp. I just don't enjoy spring reverb. But you can change the reverb in the amp using midi now so you can put in there whatever you want. You seem to OK with it, so don't change it.

If there is no cab selected, then the Pres and ER do nothing. Even if the cab is on, since the POD goes into "Combo PWR Amp" mode or whatever, that might turn those functions off.

In my research with the DT-50, the factory presets all had a cab simulation but would then have an output mode selected per the amp. I can't know if the same is true for the DT-25. Here's my logic: If you have real speakers and a real cabinet, why use speaker simulation? The only reason is because you want a different sound. If you have an open back combo it's never going to sound like a closed 4x12 cab. That's what the simulation is for. When I was using a 4x12 cab and most of the sims would have been for 4x12 cabs, I turned off cab simulation. If I wanted that 4x12 to sound like a fender then I just leave on the cab sims.

Hope this helps.