Jan 10, 2012 5:32 AM
POD HD500 connection to Marshall VS100
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Hi, I have a Marshall Valvestate VS100 and recently bought a POD HD500. The thing is that I just can obtain a decent sound when I connect the POD in the front of the amp. I connect the guitar to the POD's Guitar in input, than I connect one of the Unbalanced Outputs of the POD to the amp. When I connect in the back of the amp, in the FX Loop return, the sound is horrible, "closed". In the front I have a better sound, but it´s not the pure POD HD500 sound. Can anyone help me on this issue? THANKS!!
How do you have the output mode configured in the system setup?
If running to the front of your amp you should probably use one of the options labeled "front".
If running inot the amp's effects return then you should probably use one of the options labeled "power amp".
For each of these there are two choices. If you're using an open back cabinet then you should probably choose "combo". If you're using a closed-back cabinet then you should probably choose "stack".
Thanks gregr!
I'll try your advices later and will let you know if it works good, ok?
Best regards,
Alex
gregr,
The only thing that worked for me was to change output to "combo front" and connect the cable in "guitar in" amp input. The way I wanted to run(combo pwr amp and connection to FX Loop return in the back of the amp) is not possible since I just obtain a terrible sound...is there any thing that I still can do?
Thanks,
Are you trying to use the POD for amp modelling or effects only? I will assume amp modelling.
gregr has given you the correct setting if you are to plug into the FX Loop and I agree with him that you should get the best sound like that. If it still sounding poor then I think you need to start looking at the patches that you are using.
- When you say 'terrible', what do you mean? Distorted? Just sounds wrong? Can you be more specific
Hi jimsreynolds,
Thanks for trying to help me. I will try to explain better what I mean...
I want to use the amp modelling!
I was trying to use the POD connected in the FX Loop return(in the back of my VS100) but I didn't realized that I needed to change the Output setup to Combo pwr amp, since it was set to Studio/direct.The sound was "closed", too high bass, with no clear definition as I could expect when I saw the POD HD500 videos.
Then, with gregr advices I changed the Output to Combo Pwr Amp, but the improvement was minimum. You must know that I connected the cable at one of the Unbalanced Outputs.
I also tried some configuration as described by nick in this discussion(http://line6.com/support/message/217590#217590), but the sound is still poor, for ALL THE PATCHES.
The only good sound I obtained, really close to what I expected, was obtained changing Output to Combo front, and connecting the cable in Guitar in input, in the front of the amp. But I think it's not ideal, because I believe the tone suffers influence of VS100 stack.
Can you help me? Anyone?
Alex
Try running a preamp-only model (has the word PRE at the end) with No Cab selected for the cabinet model first, then try full amp model (no PRE at the end). I personally don't like running cabinet models when playing through a real guitar amp, but this is just me. Do what sounds good to you as there is no "wrong" way. If this means running into the front of your amp, then so be it.
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Looking at the manual here --> http://www.marshallamps.com/handbooks/pdf/vs100.pdf it looks like the FX loop on your VS100 has some settings that affects how the loop works
Try the first three above first before 4 and 5.
HTH
JIM
Sorry guys,
It's really frustrating but I couldn't make it work even with all the tips! Any other advices?
Hi,
I contacted Marshall here in Brazil and they sent me this manual link wich is more complete and in page 7 they highlighted to me this...
Generally it is advisable to connect time based effects such as Chorus or Delay through the loop only and any external distortion type effects directly between the guitar and the combo.
http://marshallamps.com/downloads/files/VS2%20Multi%20Hbk%20English.pdf
In other words, it looks like that I can't fully use my POD HD500 connecting in the FX Loop return. The only way for me is conecting in Guitar in input in the front of the amp, and leave it in the clear channels with the amp knobs in 50%, right?
aabicudo escribió:
Hi,
I contacted Marshall here in Brazil and they sent me this manual link wich is more complete and in page 7 they highlighted to me this...
Generally it is advisable to connect time based
effects such as Chorus or Delay through the loop
only and any external distortion type effects directly
between the guitar and the combo.
http://marshallamps.com/downloads/files/VS2%20Multi%20Hbk%20English.pdf
In other words, it looks like that I can't fully use my POD HD500 connecting in the FX Loop return. The only way for me is conecting in Guitar in input in the front of the amp, and leave it in the clear channels with the amp knobs in 50%, right?
That is the reason of using the Four cable method (4CM), e. g., to place distortion type effects before your real amp and time based effects after your real amp. Please, have a look at this http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2112
Best Regards,
Daf
And what about amp modelling? I just forget about this?
The Marshall advice applies only if you are using the 'real' preamp. If you use Amp Modelling on the POD only then you do not need to worry about 4CM. 4CM is used to when you use your amp's 'real' preamp rather than the POD's modelled pre-amp.
If you want to use both your real preamp and modelled pre-amps then 4CM will also allow you to run both. If you want to use your modelled pre-amps only then don't bother.
More details on what 4CM is and what it can do for you here --> http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2523
jimsreynolds,
So what I need to do if I want to use just my modelled pre-amps? I tried your advices and some of the others, but the sound is still poor...I just have good sounds when connected in the front of the amp. What is still missing so I can get a good sound from the modelled pre-amps?
Thanks,
Alex
To be honest Alex, I am short on ideas at the moment. If you have followed all the advice above then I can not think of any good, clear reason why things are not sounding good.
o you have access to another amp so you can try plugging into the loop of that? If nothing else it may help show if there is some kind of problem with the loop on your VS100.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Hi aabicudo,
I am not very sure, but I think that VS100 has like a "tube power amp emulation switch", hasn't it? If so, do you get any difference by switching it to off (or viceversa)? Try this while plug in your POD to the amp's FX loop return jack.
Best Regards,
Daf
Hello Aabicudo,
I have the same problem. When I connect the POD in my AMP the real sound of my Amp changes. I tried a lot but could not find the right configuration. Do you have the solution yet?
Best regards, Willy from Holland
Hi,
I didn't tested yet but I will try the advices of gregr(writen above) and nick in this discussion (http://line6.com/support/message/217590#217590) and let you know later if it works fine.
Best regards, Alex from Brazil
(P.S. I lived for a month in Eindhoven this year! :-))
I agree with the suggestions that the community provided to you. Aside from what they have suggested to you, there is not much else you can do. There are only so many ways to connect it to your amp, and only so man models or output modes to try. In the end there really is no wrong or right way to use it, other than what your ears tell you sounds good to you. If none of the suggestions pan out, go with what sounds best with what you have.
Let us know your results.
Hi All,
I hope I found solution how to connect VS100 via return input. Simply - all what you have to do is connect your POD to the return on the back of your amplifier, but in the same time you have to plug jack into the input on the front of your amplifier - it can be jack without the cable.
It is funny stuff and I found this solution by the accident.
It's working great!
BR
Piotr
That is an interesting discovery Piotr and will surely be helpful to someone. Thanks for sharing ![]()
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