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326 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Dec 16, 2011 9:05 PM by birro RSS
birro Iknowathingortwo
birro
172 posts since
Jun 27, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Dec 16, 2011 6:16 PM

HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

Hey guys,

Just got my HD 500 last week in order to retire my X3 Live. In fact I was VERY satisfied with my X3 Live but all the videos I've seen comparing both units and after reading lots of posts I've decided to go for the HD 500.

 

As far as I've been playing Rush songs on my band, my playing style is kinda Zakk Wylde's... lots of pinch harmonics all the time.

The sound I used to have on my X3L gave me incredible harmonics, that used to get fat and brilliant (not crispy) depending on my vibrato. I used to get excited with my harmonics and people used to like it when hearing. They really sounded great!!

But... testing the HD 500... starting to tweak the sounds... where are the harmonics??? They sound so artificial and with no feeling at all. It seems that as far as I turn the drive all the way up (and I didn't used to need that) they just sound like... plastic sound. So artificial, with no feeling. Seems like a kid who just started playing and just learned how to pinch harmonics.

 

Any tips? Is it my unit, me (who hasn't got really into how to tweak it) or are the HD series with lacks of harmonics? Seriously... it's my playing style... I like them even with a weak drive... but the way they sound... no way I'll keep playing with it.

Give me a hand guys... I've tested all the factory presets, some tones from custom tone... I'm just so disappointed...

 

PS: Since Line6 changed the forum, I just can't use the "search" engine to find what I want. If there's a discussion about this, please link it to me

 

Cheers!

Tags: x3, live, hd, x3l, harmonics, 500, harmonic, hd500, pinch
  • mr_slugworth Just Startin'
    mr_slugworth
    429 posts since
    Oct 12, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 16, 2011 6:50 PM (in response to birro)
    Re: HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

    Thanks for your PM.  I haven't been very active on these boards lately, but just like you quoted me, pinch harmonics is one of my favorite subjects!  Try this man... tweak to taste and to suit your gear... this is my basic high gain rip sh!t up insanity patch, based on one originally shared by everyone's friend Mr. Karl Houseknecht... If you need to dial anything back, start with the left amp presence, treble, and drive...

     

    Pre1 - Screamer - 20D/60B/70To/55Tr/55O

    Pre2 - Noise Gate as needed

     

    Left amp - Treadplate, 412 V30, 57 off axis, Drive 12:30, Bass 9:30, Mid 4:00, Treb 2:30, Pres1:00, Vol 2:30, DEPs default, pan 70% left

     

    Right amp - J800, 412 T75, 87cond, Drive 2:00, Bass 1:30, Mid 4:00, Treb 12:00, Pres 9:30, Vol 4:00, DEPs default, pan 70% right

     

    Right side post - Digital Delay/20ms/7F/50B/80Tr/100M

     

    Post1 - Ping Pong Delay/Time dotted quarter/50F/50O/100S/40M


    Just FWIW, I play mostly Dimarzio humbuckers, and this patch rips and screams with pickups of all output levels, from PAF all the way up to D-Activators.  As I said, it originated from Karl Houseknecht who I believe mostly plays Duncans.  If you want to try his original version, you might be able to find it if you search around for "Stereo Mayhem".
    • birro Iknowathingortwo
      birro
      172 posts since
      Jun 27, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 16, 2011 6:52 PM (in response to mr_slugworth)
      Re: HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

      Insane quick reply! Thanks man!

      I used to use some patches from Karl Houseknecht too and just tweaked them according to my guitars.

       

      On my original post I was searching for the word "squeal" (I'm brazilian I just forgot this word in english). This thing here just don't give me the squeals I used to get! I'm completely frustated!


      As far as I'm still not used to the POD HD 500 edit (yeah... I still miss Gearbox) would it be an abuse asking you for this patch or something like it? (otherwise... gimme about 1-2 hours to try your suggestion).

       

      I'll return with the results. Pls link me your patch if you don't mind sharing it.

      Thanks!!

      • birro Iknowathingortwo
        birro
        172 posts since
        Jun 27, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 16, 2011 7:16 PM (in response to birro)
        Re: HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

        Alright... HD500 edit's not that hard. Just... different.

        Man... got all your sets... NOW it's squealling . Nice settings... close to the sound I like!!

         

        Results:

        It's alive!!! Now and I can really "feel" the harmonics.

        However I still think something's wrong. It looks like I'm missing output from my pickup. There's no sustain and... ok... it can squeal but the sustain doesn't sound good. I can still hear the notes on my guitar and the sound from the amp just lost it. And I really don't want to add a compressor (I like to hear the way I play. No compressor just my right hand and the way/punch I play the notes).

        Any tips on the output loss?

         

        Have you got a X3 Live so I could post a tone with the sound I used to get? If you do, maybe if you play my tone you'll understand what I got on the X3L...

         

        Way to go!!!

        • spaceatl Expert Line 6 User
          spaceatl
          4,456 posts since
          Jan 24, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Dec 16, 2011 8:53 PM (in response to birro)
          Re: HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

          Maybe the thresh of a noise gate is too high?...that is, if you have one in the chain try lowing it some...

          • birro Iknowathingortwo
            birro
            172 posts since
            Jun 27, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Dec 16, 2011 9:05 PM (in response to spaceatl)
            Re: HD 500 x X3 Live - Harmonics

            Hmm... nope. I'm using the chain suggested by mr_slugworth. No noise gate.

            Definitely I'm losing signal from my pickups. I tried the Guitar In changing from Normal to PAD and got worse. Using it as Normal again.

             

            The strange thing is that I hold a note using the vibrato... I still can hear it at the guitar... and it loses signal at the HD500 as if the guitar had no sustain.

            Tried using Red Comp and got a strange result. Holding notes with vibrato (normal or harmonic note), after a while the sound lost it's strenght. BUT... still holding the note... I get feedback harmonics.

             

            So for me it seems there's some sort of filter at the signal or the input. It didn't happened with the X3L using the same gear (Gibson Les Paul 490R/498T or Ibanez with DiMarzio Evo2 at the bridge).

            My HD500 is with the latest firmware version. I read that Line6 changed something at the input signal. As far as I didn't test it with the previous firmware, did someone noticed any changed about the input signal from the guitar?

            And... plugging your guitar directly in front of the amp, and testing plugging into the POD without a compressor or noise gate, do you guys notice a loss at the signal?

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