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2384 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Mar 19, 2012 3:02 PM by teqguy RSS
bigden25 Just Startin'
bigden25
20 posts since
Oct 28, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 25, 2011 7:02 AM

HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

Is there an benefit in using the four cable method when connecting the HD500 to the DT50?

  • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
    Rowbi
    7,745 posts since
    Nov 25, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2011 7:49 AM (in response to bigden25)
    Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

    no.

     

    you would loose all the cool functionality and integration between the 2.

     

    the best way is using the line 6 link... that's why it's there.

    • markcockerill Just Startin'
      markcockerill
      246 posts since
      Dec 7, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 25, 2011 8:24 AM (in response to Rowbi)
      Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

      Sorry but I have to disagree with the generalised statement of "no".

       

      The DT50 in my short term ownership of the head reveals to me much more than just a back end for the HD500. The amp actually sounds awesome on it's own and some users will undoubtedly want to use stomp type distortions blasting the front end of this terrific amp and maybe slap a delay in the effects loop. I have already done this with my M13 and achieved sounds not available by bypassing the pre amp in the amp like the HD does. Don't get me wrong, if modelling accuracy is your ultimate aim then I would wholeheartedly agree with you but what we have here is the ultimate in flexibilty.

       

      Personally I truly believe in the old adage of less is more, plug your guitar directly into the amp via maybe a wah and a tube driver and this amp delivers in bucket loads, I also think some of the feel is removed by the HD500 but some may disagree.

       

      Upshot is, experiment, use your ears at all times and play your guitar how you intend and feel your way through the soundscapes that are available with every conceived idea you have. Nothing can be considered wrong.

       

      Line6 link only saves your back from bending down but you will still have to do that to store any modified presets. Plus the master volume far from ideal to get right being so loud with little movement of the knob from the off position so you are not pushing the output valves at all. Having to tame the brute by pulling out the switch is plain madness if you get a more processed sound instead of tubes.

       

      Use it how you like dude

      • bigden25 Just Startin'
        bigden25
        20 posts since
        Oct 28, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 25, 2011 5:31 PM (in response to markcockerill)
        Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

        Thanks for the advice.  I'm bouncing back between using the amp stand alone and using it behind the HD500.   I just feel sometimes with I put the amp behind the HD500, I lose something - But I gain other things, like controls.  I don't know, I guess I'll just have to keep playing with it and find my own sweet spot.

        • roaster Just Startin'
          roaster
          24 posts since
          Aug 6, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 27, 2011 4:05 AM (in response to bigden25)
          Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

          Hi guys

           

          I am seriopusly tempted by the HDxxx DT50 combination but many on here say the amps sounds fantastic on its own, many sing the praises of the combination with the HD but I dont want to spend oodles on both if I dont need them both.

           

          Is it possible to Run the HD with the DT50 having you guitar say through a AB/Y switch so you leave your pod connected via L6 link, and have to guitar outputs, one to DT50 and one to HD pod?

           

          Would it work?

           

          Thanks

  • Crusty_Old_Rocker Expert Line 6 User
    Crusty_Old_Rocker
    3,096 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 27, 2011 9:57 PM (in response to bigden25)
    Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

    The DT50 contains 4 of the 16 HD amp models.  So, whenever anyone says that it sounds great on its own, what they're really saying is that it sounds great when using the 4 PRE models selected from the HD500.

     

    So, it comes down to whether you want lots of wires to achieve the same thing as using the L6LINK because you'll be placing your effects pre or post the PRE modelling either way and then going to the poweramp in the DT50.

     

    One advantage would be if you are using just the 4 designated amp models and the 4 cable method would be that you could switch off the PRE modelling in the HD500 which will free up a bit of DSP (not much though because the full models and reverbs are what chews up the DSP).  A handy tip is if you want to use reverb, use the reverb in the DT50 rather than burn up DSP on the HD500 reverb.

     

    Cheers,

     

    Crusty

  • bigden25 Just Startin'
    bigden25
    20 posts since
    Oct 28, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 2, 2011 4:56 PM (in response to bigden25)
    Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

    A few days ago I had a buddy of mine over to play some music, but after about a 45M of fooling around with the HD500, I just unplugged it and went straight into the amp.  Things went from bad to good in 1/2 a second.  I truly believe it my lack skills with setting up the HD500 to get a good tone (although it really should not this hard), so I'll spend a few hours this weekend setting up a good patch for next weeks jam session. 

     

    All I'm trying to do dial in a good classic rock sound.  If I go direct to amp, no HD500, it's easy.  As soon as add the HD500, it sounds just a little off and end up spending the next hour missing with it and not playing.  Oh well, guess I'll head back out to the practice room and start working my tone.

     

    Feel free to pass any tips you may have my direction.  I really want to like my HD500!

    • gtrman100 Iknowathingortwo
      gtrman100
      479 posts since
      Jan 24, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 2, 2011 8:10 PM (in response to bigden25)
      Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

      Check out any of the multiple threads in the DT50 Support forum, and you'll find the key to matching the HD500's tone to the DT50's tone. There are so many options with the HD, it's easy to get lost.

    • roaster Just Startin'
      roaster
      24 posts since
      Aug 6, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 4, 2011 1:28 AM (in response to bigden25)
      Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

      Hi Bigden / All

       

      I too have just got the HD500 and the DT50 2x12 arrives next week.

       

      First thing out of the box I hooked it up to my PC where I normally get great tones from my old Boss GT6, but I was in truth a bit underwhelmed with the "out of the box" sounds with the 500 but I know I need to tweak and tweak.

       

      I have tried to read up as much as I can to sort of "Hit the ground running" but I know now it may take some time to dial in some tones. I have tried the HD500 into the poweramp of my Marshall JVM410C, JCM800 pre is sounding pretty good but I need to really spend some time and dont wont to get tied up with getting a tone out of the Marshall when I will probably be using the DT50 most of the time. I play in a busy covers band and need to get this working for me pretty quickly, I have done a lot of deliberating about this purchase and now I have took the plunge I need it to work. I have seen load of videos on youtube etc but I havent reallly yet seen a HD500 and a DT50 in a "Live" Stage environment most of what I have been able to see is (really good) demos in peoples houses, on there PC etc, if anyone has any live footage that would be great

       

      I would be glad to share experiences with you (and anyone else who is interested) and how I get on with my low (Ish) level of HD500 knowledge as I get into it. I did have a vetta 2 head so the line 6 interface, routing etc is not new to me.

       

      Quick Question, should I be able to play and hear the HD500 through my PC JUST via USB or do I also need to connect the left/right outs to my soundcard? (M-AUDIO audiophile delta)

       

      Thanks all

       

      Great forum

      • jlyman68 Just Startin'
        jlyman68
        5 posts since
        Sep 13, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 4, 2011 11:34 AM (in response to roaster)
        Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

        H!

         

        Since there was already a thread about HD500 / DT50 4 cable method, I opted to post here and not start a new thread. 

         

        The 4 cable method is used for looping in effects into an amp and using an FX loop block in your HD500.  Without the FX loop block, all effects go directly to the amp guitar input with nothing looped into the FX send/return.

         

        When using the Line 6 link, is the 4 cable method still required to loop in effects from the HD500 into the HD500 effects send/return?  Or does the Line 6 Link handle that 100 % when using the FX loop block in your HD500?

         

        Thanks!

        • JB1973 Just Startin'
          JB1973
          604 posts since
          Apr 19, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          Nov 16, 2011 6:11 PM (in response to jlyman68)
          Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

          someone correct me if i am wrong but the l6 link handles the fx loopage. no need to concern about that unless you want to add single pedals besides your hd. but at the same time realize that the hd is not true bypass if you decide not to use the modeling.

           

          cheers

      • guitarguy87 Just Startin'
        guitarguy87
        6 posts since
        Mar 9, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 14, 2011 3:39 PM (in response to roaster)
        Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

        Hey Roaster,

         

        Not exactly sure what your asking with USB question. I use mine as an interface and just go monitors direct out of the pedal, then all the other tracks come through it out of the PC. Whether that would work as in/out in conjuction with your audiophile I'm not sure. I usually get errors with ASIO when trying to run multiple I/O's.

         

        As for setting up your pedal, the best resource I could find was the customtone.com site. I'd check out the top rated patches, then search some specifics (e.g. frampton/clapton/dimebag) to see how some of the experenced guys route their effects. Seeing how they have tweaked everything for DI or for running into various amps gives a great outline on the general way to go about getting some classic tones. There's some great work on the site.

         

        Can't wait to pick up a DT50, but there's other stuff I need in the studio first.... damn.

         

        Cheers,

        Josh

      • teqguy Just Startin'
        teqguy
        13 posts since
        Oct 22, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 19, 2012 3:02 PM (in response to roaster)
        Re: HD500 and DT50 four cable method?

        Roaster, You can choose to use the balanced outputs of your HD to your monitors from your PC while simultaniously outputting guitar to your DT at the same time without crosstalk.

         

        Advice to you:

        Download "starter tones" from here: http://line6.com/customtone/browse/podhd500/

         

        Then change the amp to a "Pre" version. This will help you to get some tones right away. Also pay close attention to your effects to the relation of your signal path in your tone models.

         

        I play live weekly and this rig cannot be beat.. It's insane what you can do.. Just keep plugging away.

         

        Chris

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