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835 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: Apr 22, 2011 11:54 AM by tim1953 RSS
willmarple Just Startin'
willmarple
1 posts since
Apr 18, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 22, 2011 6:27 AM

A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

Hello,

 

I'm hoping to glean some useful knowledge from some of the more experienced HD 500 users on this forum.  I have two questions:

 

  1. I used to use a floor POD in combination with a route66 overdrive/comp, a full drive 2 overdrive, and a tube pre.  I had achieved a pretty warm tone through this method and was fairly happy with it so when I got the HD500 I was expecting the tone to be improved.  I know that there have been a lot of people complaining about poor tone with these pedals but my question is that if they're capable of better tone, can someone with more experience give me some settings that will accomplish this?  I've played around with the pedal quite a bit, but everything sounds solid state and "cold."  I'm looking for warm AC30 tone!

 

   2.  I use an electric and accoustic guitar.  I currently have a setting on 16D for the electric and 16C for the accoustic.  However, both guitars are live on both settings.  I want to set it so that only one guitar is live on it's respective setting.  For example, on 16C I want the aux input to be live but I want to turn off the guitar in input where the electric is plugged in.  How can this be accomplished?

 

I am willing to accept the possibility that my current frustration is due to a lack of experience with this pedal so I'm giving it a chance.  However, I'm seriously considering returning it, spending the extra $100 on a vox ac15 and being done with it.  Please help!

  • TheRealZap Expert Line 6 User
    TheRealZap
    11,829 posts since
    Dec 22, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 22, 2011 6:32 AM (in response to willmarple)
    Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

    have you tried auditioning tones on http://customtone.com ?

    look through those find one that sounds good... and then study how they did it...

    you also have to consider that they are all made with different, amps and guitars... not to mention with different ears...

    so if it sounds "close" tweak it to your ears.

  • talbotpat Just Startin'
    talbotpat
    124 posts since
    Aug 31, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 22, 2011 6:51 AM (in response to willmarple)
    Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

    For the second part of your post, i.e., having only one input active at a time, this can be achieved and is pretty simple.  Set your 16C input1 to 'AUX' and set the input2 to 'SAME.'  On the 16D, you would input1 to 'GUITAR' and input2 to 'SAME.'  That will allow both instruments to be plugged in at the same time, but only one active depending on the selected patch.

     

    Pat

  • jasonbogen Just Startin'
    jasonbogen
    357 posts since
    Sep 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 22, 2011 8:01 AM (in response to willmarple)
    Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

    All you have to do is check out some of the samples up on YouTube to hear that you can definitely get great tone from the HD500.  There are some simple things like making sure you have the output setting matched to what you are running the HD500 into.  This is huge.  If you have it set for Combo, but you are running directly into a PA system for example you will NOT get anything close to good tone.  Beyond the simple things, there are some tricks many users on the forum have come up with to improve your tone: 

     

    This thread is an absolute must for an HD500 noob.

     

    http://line6.com/community/thread/55340

  • mtreehugger Just Startin'
    mtreehugger
    195 posts since
    Mar 15, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 22, 2011 9:41 AM (in response to willmarple)
    Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

    Should you follow talbotpat's advice, you'd be routing a doubled signal through the input side of your hd.  Some prefer this, but others have had issues with clipping etc.  To get a true mono signal, set input 1 to aux or guitar, and set input 2 to something that would effectively equate to an "off" position, which for many users is "variax."

    • talbotpat Just Startin'
      talbotpat
      124 posts since
      Aug 31, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 22, 2011 11:46 AM (in response to mtreehugger)
      Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

      +1 on the comment about setting the 'other' input for your patch to Variax...if you aren't using dual tones.  I use a lot of dual tones and use SAME for my Input1 and Input2 for my '78 Telecaster Thinline, my 2006 Mayer Strat, and my 2001 ES-335.  Haven't had any issues so far (knock on wood) with clipping or having to use the PAD for the guitar.

       

      Pat

  • tim1953 Just Startin'
    tim1953
    112 posts since
    Mar 20, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 22, 2011 11:54 AM (in response to willmarple)
    Re: A frustrated HD500 Newb needs a little guidance

    Hello,

    I'm hoping to glean some useful knowledge from some of the more experienced HD 500 users on this forum.  I have two questions:

    1. I used to use a floor POD in combination with a route66 overdrive/comp, a full drive 2 overdrive, and a tube pre.  I had achieved a pretty warm tone through this method and was fairly happy with it so when I got the HD500 I was expecting the tone to be improved.  I know that there have been a lot of people complaining about poor tone with these pedals but my question is that if they're capable of better tone, can someone with more experience give me some settings that will accomplish this?  I've played around with the pedal quite a bit, but everything sounds solid state and "cold."  I'm looking for warm AC30 tone!

       2.  I use an electric and accoustic guitar.  I currently have a setting on 16D for the electric and 16C for the accoustic.  However, both guitars are live on both settings.  I want to set it so that only one guitar is live on it's respective setting.  For example, on 16C I want the aux input to be live but I want to turn off the guitar in input where the electric is plugged in.  How can this be accomplished?

    I am willing to accept the possibility that my current frustration is due to a lack of experience with this pedal so I'm giving it a chance.  However, I'm seriously considering returning it, spending the extra $100 on a vox ac15 and being done with it.  Please help!

     

     

    Just thought I'd lend a little bit different opinion.

    I've owned the HD 500 for about a month.

    I've been able to get some pretty nice tones out of it.

    I've had other problems that are being addressed by Line 6.

    What I'd really like to say is that I own a lot of the real amps that are modelled in the HD 500.

    While Line 6 has gotten pretty close in capturing the sound my real amps absolutlely sound better - fuller & fatter.

    I bought the HD 500 so I could do smaller gigs without having to drag out all those amps (I used a AC 15, Deluxe & Marshall 800 on a lot of gigs) & effects.

    What you need to ask yourself is "Am I okay with buying real amps & hauling out all that stuff or can I get close enough to the sound I want with the HD 500?"

    If I were you I'd do some serious tweeking for a few weeks - only use the presets and downloadable user tones as a starting point.

    Chances are you'll need to create your own sounds from scratch that suits your playing technique & your guitars.

    Bottom line is only you can make that final decision.

    Good Luck!

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