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5062 Views 35 Replies Latest reply: May 4, 2011 3:21 PM by gunpointmetal RSS
arcticman Just Startin' 114 posts since
Feb 6, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 14, 2011 12:54 AM

HD500 Frequency % and Q %

Hello All,

 

In HD500 Edit... several of the FX models and EQ models represent the "frequency" and "Q" parameters in percent.

 

The HD500 Advanced Manual defines these common parameters as:

 

Frequency:

Selects the center frequency used by the effect.

 

 

Q:

Adjusts the frequency width of the filter in use.

 

Can someone explain how this actually relates to selecting a specific frequency or frequency width as a percent?

 

Thanks

      • Lution777 Just Startin' 62 posts since
        May 24, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 15, 2011 10:39 PM (in response to arcticman)
        Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

        This is a question I'd like to know the answer to as well.

        • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
          Dec 13, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 16, 2011 12:01 AM (in response to Lution777)
          Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

          There's several threads about this but no good answer.  I tried to do a frequency analysis with a plugin to figure it out, but those sliders jump all over the place and I couldn't get a good reading.  Sorry.  Line 6 should realize that % is not an acceptable unit of measure for many things - you don't have the delay time in %, but miliseconds.  hopefully they remedy this in an update.

  • chimp_spanner Just Startin' 336 posts since
    Nov 7, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 16, 2011 5:05 AM (in response to arcticman)
    Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

    Agreed - percent is not acceptable in this context. The only workaround is to edit using the HD's physical interface, as I believe that all of the EQ effects work in hz there. Or at least some of them, right?

    • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
      Dec 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 16, 2011 10:36 AM (in response to chimp_spanner)
      Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

      I think they're the same in edit as they are on the unit.  i almost always edit on the unit itself.

       

      the graphic eq you have to turn your head sideways to "see" the EQ curve like a graphic eq is designed to do, but it at least tells you the frequencies (they're fixed though).  of course I feel it should be at least a 5 band.

       

      the parametric is complete guesswork at this point.  all line 6 has to do is put out a spec sheet on this effect.  of course, it'd be better if you could actually adjust in HZ/KHZ

      • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
        Dec 13, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 21, 2011 8:38 AM (in response to arcticman)
        Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

        articman, you were a little late on that last post, eh?   maybe you're in a different time zone - i'll allow it!

         

        I have some updates.  Nothing firm but it seems ~15% is the boomy section of the EQ, I'm guessing around 120-240 HZ.  This is a good place to cut on the Recto.  Also, ~85% is pure djent.  I dial this up on my Recto patches.  I'm guessing it's around 2.4 - 2.8 KHZ.

    • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
      Dec 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 21, 2011 10:02 AM (in response to tubealot)
      Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

      thanks tubealot, i'll try those out.  the two i've tried out so far weren't helpful at all.  I set the Q quite high and slowly panned through all the frequencies, while the looper played back some ringing chords, and I definitely didn't see a corresponding moving spike in the analyzer - it seems to more or less always show the same frequency curve - it only got louder as I went through the midrange frequencies.  The effect on the sound, however, was quite blatant.  Maybe I'm not using these correctly?

       

      as of now my plan is to run an X3 in the FX loop and get the EQ's on both units to produce the same sound, then record the frequency from the X3.  I want to create a mapping for every 5%'s on the HD.

      • tubealot Just Startin' 80 posts since
        Jun 19, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 21, 2011 10:52 AM (in response to meambobbo)
        Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

        meambobbo, not saying these are the best tools for the job, the internet is full of free alternatives. My idea was whacking some white noise through the POD while riding the EQ faders, this should clearly reveal the frequencies on the analyzer.

         

        I cannot try myself because I am waiting for my third POD, hoping for an unborked unit slipping through L6's QA (Quality Avoidance dept.?) in my direction. Trying hard to believe this is just a Murphy'esque fluke.

        • Lution777 Just Startin' 62 posts since
          May 24, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 21, 2011 11:04 AM (in response to tubealot)
          Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

          Suggesting things that you haven't personally tried yourself?

           

          lol gotta luv teh intranets!

          • tubealot Just Startin' 80 posts since
            Jun 19, 2008
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jan 21, 2011 6:05 PM (in response to Lution777)
            Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

            Let me rephrase: I cannot try to make a diagram of frequency as a function of displayed percent by using this proven method without the actual POD at hand.

            I chose to pitch the mentioned software because it offers the trivial stuff needed for the task, comes from reputable sources, and is free of bloat and spam.

            Feel free to ridicule my english, but know you are walking on thin ice when challenging the electronics degree I made back when you were probably not even planned.

             

            Peace,

            Jaime

             

            I think I had too much coffee today.

            • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
              Dec 13, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Jan 21, 2011 6:28 PM (in response to tubealot)
              Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

              if that's directed at me, i definitely wasn't trying to be a jerk - i completely understand what you are saying and I'm sorry to hear of your bad units.  i definitely appreciate your suggestions and will get around to mapping the frequencies.

              • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
                Dec 13, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                Jan 21, 2011 8:03 PM (in response to meambobbo)
                Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

                Here are the preliminary results of my test for the parametric eq - things might be one off, but it seems to make sense:

                 

                00: ?

                05: 60 HZ

                10: 90 HZ

                15: 120 HZ

                20:160 HZ

                25: 200 HZ

                30: 260 HZ

                35: 330 HZ

                40: 400 HZ

                45: 600 HZ

                50: 750 HZ

                55: 900 HZ

                60: 1.2 KHZ

                65: 1.5 KHZ

                70: 1.8 KHZ

                75: 2.2 KHZ

                80: 2.6 KHZ

                85: 3.0 KHZ

                95: 4.0 KHZ

                100: 5.0 KHZ

              • tubealot Just Startin' 80 posts since
                Jun 19, 2008
                Currently Being Moderated
                Jan 22, 2011 9:17 AM (in response to meambobbo)
                Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

                Sorry for the misunderstanding meambobbo, I was referring to lution whose pointless lolling caught me on the wrong foot.

                Congrats to your unveiling of the sacred secret frequencies!

                • Lution777 Just Startin' 62 posts since
                  May 24, 2007
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  Jan 22, 2011 10:48 AM (in response to tubealot)
                  Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

                  Hey Tubealot. Sorry bout that, didn't mean to offend you. Not sure why you would end up as upset as you are, but everyone has their personal sensitivity thresholds. I must have gone past yours with my "lol". It just sort of struck me funny that you presented, in your initial posting, nothing but some links to some software that you later admitted you haven't even used. I was sort of poking fun at that. You clearly were not amused.

                   

                  But, it turns out that you actually know a lot about sound. Presenting that fact along with your links in your initial post would have been more valuable to the discussion, established your expertise in the subject, and prevented my electronic bellylaugh from offending you. But thank you for the links and sharing your knowledge. Sorry I hurt your feelings.

        • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
          Dec 13, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 21, 2011 11:38 AM (in response to tubealot)
          Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

          yeah, i think what was throwing me off was that I wasn't using noise - i was using clean guitar - the attack was definitely hurting my ability to get a good reading. 

           

          and 3rd time is the charm, right?

  • alpernar Just Startin' 2 posts since
    Apr 10, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 3, 2011 2:54 PM (in response to arcticman)
    Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

    Hey guys here are my test results for "parametric eq frequency values"

    i've sent pink noise to pod hd and noted the changes on a spectrum analyzer

     

    %0   45hz

    %5   75hz

    %10  105hz

    %15  135hz

    %20  175hz

    %25  220hz

    %30  315hz

    %35  395hz

    %40  540hz

    %45  700hz

    %50  880hz

    %55  1150hz

    %60  1400hz

    %65  1670hz

    %70  2000hz

    %75  2300hz

    %80  2750hz

    %85  3150hz

    %90  3600hz

    %95  4000hz

    %100 4500hz

     

    i also checked the 'lows' and 'highs' knobs

    'lows'  cuts/boosts all frequencies below 200 hz

    'highs' cuts/boosts above 1500hz

    and both works like a shelf eq

    • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
      Dec 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 3, 2011 6:12 PM (in response to alpernar)
      Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

      nice research - i trust your analysis over my own.

       

      it's complete garbage the thing maxes out at 4.5 khz.  the uber amp seems to have a fizzy spot above 8 khz, but it sounds crappy to use the studio eq and cut all the 8 khz + freqs.

  • Line6Don Line 6 Support 5,275 posts since
    Mar 14, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 4, 2011 9:24 AM (in response to arcticman)
    RE: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

    Hey arcticman,

       

      Unfortunately we do not have any further documentation on the specifications of the EQ parameters on the POD HD500.

       

      I have made a request to our development team to include this information in further releases.

       

      In the mean time, we appreciate all the great effort put fourth by the members of the community to put some numbers to the percentages.

       

      Keep in mind, especially with guitar, it is best to use your ears when to make the decision of what sounds best. Possibly the percentages were implemented to focus your attention at getting a good sound, instead of dialing in frequencies. Please keep in mind that not all users are that experienced to understand EQ frequencies.

       

      I hope this helps, and we will leave this thread open for further contributions from the community.

       

    • ozbadman Gear Head 1,474 posts since
      Apr 17, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 4, 2011 9:58 AM (in response to Line6Don)
      Re: RE: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

      Hey Don,

       

      I have to agree with people who are requesting frquencies here. Beginner users theoretically may not understand, but they should also start to think this way as it is the way it is normally done. Experienced users simply can't use the tool because they know what they're trying to do and the tool makes it difficult. Percent is a relative, not absolute measure. 50% of what? It is confusing at best, unusable at worst. Even beginner users understand higher frequencies and lower frequencies so I must confess, I don't understand how % could have ever been considered for these parameters. Hopefully this will be addressed in an update.

       

      Cheers,

       

      David.

    • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo 1,702 posts since
      Dec 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 4, 2011 10:31 AM (in response to Line6Don)
      Re: RE: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

      "Keep in mind, especially with guitar, it is best to use your ears when to make the decision of what sounds best. Possibly the percentages were implemented to focus your attention at getting a good sound, instead of dialing in frequencies."

       

      LOL.  Too bad 99% of manufacturers don't know this and include the actual frequency.  It's so hard to dial in good tones! </sarcasm>

       

      Let's be real - there was no intention to use an arbitrary unit.  It came to be from developer LAZINESS or RUSHING A PRODUCT TO MARKET.  There's no excuse for this.  It certainly was not purposefully designed to improve user experience.

       

      FIX IT.

  • Deny777 Just Startin' 67 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 4, 2011 11:48 AM (in response to arcticman)
    Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

    The percentages are of "Linesixons", a much more accurate measurement unit than Hertz and such. In fact all the modeled EQs were originally designed with Linesixons in mind so the HD500 has the best EQs available through current technology.

     

    You're welcome

  • gunpointmetal Just Startin' 171 posts since
    Dec 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    May 4, 2011 3:21 PM (in response to arcticman)
    Re: HD500 Frequency % and Q %

    I can't say I have had much of an issue with this, but I do think it is rather backwards to set something up so people who "don't know how" to use/read a real EQ can use it easier...shouldn't those people learn how an EQ works so maybe they don't have to go to a manufacturer help forum everytime they need to know what is what?

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