Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in POD HD
196 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Mar 8, 2012 1:45 AM by jimsreynolds RSS
slothrop Just Startin'
slothrop
29 posts since
Feb 27, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 2, 2012 7:32 PM

4CM question, using my own preamp

I have the HD500 hooked up via the 4 cable method to a Peavey 6505+ combo using Nick's instructions here:  http://line6.com/support/thread/55328

 

The HD500 amps and effects sound great but when I want to hear my amp only  it sounds very thin.

 

I have a preset with no effects except the FX loop set to 100 out and 100 mix.  Other settings:

 

output set to Combo power amp

guitar in = normal

1/4" out = Amp

switch on the back set to Line(I tried stomp and it didn't sound any better, just different)

 

Did I miss something obvious?

  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 3, 2012 1:38 AM (in response to slothrop)
    Re: 4CM question, using my own preamp

    First thing to check is that you have your HD  FX Loop turned on.

     

    Generally the big trick with getting 4CM to sound good is to get the levels right.   If they are not set well then yes your amp sound will probably sound weak.I have a document here that discusses this in detail along with getting a good 4CM out of the HD500 --> http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2522

     

    The doc gives a very specific setup that I know works for me and several other people have reported works well for them also. One point for you:  I strongly recommend that you turn the FX Level switch back to Stomp or you will overload the amp output and cause hiss.

     

    I expect your tone will firm up when you

     

    • Put a boost before the FX Loop
    • Move the mixer to the end of the chain and set channel A level to around -1.5dB, Channel B turned all the way off, Pan centred on both
    • Make sure that the amp model is turned off and the FX Loop turned on

     

    JIM

    • slothrop Just Startin'
      slothrop
      29 posts since
      Feb 27, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 4, 2012 8:33 PM (in response to jimsreynolds)
      Re: 4CM question, using my own preamp

      Thanks for the response, tried setting FX switch back to stomp but that doesn't sound at all like my amp, it goes from high-gain to crunch(when set to stomp).

       

      After reading this(below) from your document I turned my amp volume up to about 5-6 and that seemed to get me closer, I also added a TS which helps but I like this amp because it doesn't necessarily need a tube screamer imo.  Why would I need a boost if the amp by itself sounds good, is some of the tone lost in all of this?  Should I be using the POD master volume or my amps volume?

       

      Note: on many amps, the Master control is implemented after the effects loop - as

      per the diagram. On some other amplifiers the master control is implemented before

      the effects loop. In this case the output volume on your effects unit becomes the

      master control for the amp and you will need to turn the you may need to turn the

      master control on your amp way high to provide a signal into the effects loop

       

      Edit:  I think this may be all in my head and overthinking the the whole thing.  Once I stop fussing with L6 Edit and actually sit down and play it sounds damn good and that's all that matters.

      • jimsreynolds Power User
        jimsreynolds
        2,227 posts since
        Jun 27, 43450
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 5, 2012 1:51 AM (in response to slothrop)
        Re: 4CM question, using my own preamp

        slothrop wrote:

         

        Thanks for the response, tried setting FX switch back to stomp but that doesn't sound at all like my amp, it goes from high-gain to crunch(when set to stomp).

         

         

        When you use the FX Loop, there is a significant volume drop between the Pod Input and the FX Loop send.   This is why you are moving from high gain to crunch when you have the switch set to 'Stomp'.

         

        The problem with setting the switch to 'Line' is that it introduces a lot off hiss also.   The best way to deal with the volume drop is to have a Studio EQ configured, just in front of the loop, with a boost of around 6dB (possibly more if you have Firmware 1.40 or higher).   Then turn the switch back to 'Stomp'.  This gets you the volume boost without the Hiss.

         

        On the master volume thing:  The easiest way to test whether it is positioned after the loop (as normal) is to

         

        1. Turn off the FX loop on the HD and turn the master down to 50%
        2. twiddle the master knob on your amp.

         

        If the master control on your amp now actually does anything then it has been implemented after the FX Loop.    In this case, my recommendation would be to turn the Master Volume on the HD to 100% and leave it there.  The Amp Master now becomes the overall master control.  The levels of 4CM patches (using a real pre-amp) can then be controled with the Mixer and/or channel volume control on the amp.   Patches using a modelled pre-amp can be controlled with the Mixer and Volume Knob on the POD.

        • slothrop Just Startin'
          slothrop
          29 posts since
          Feb 27, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 7, 2012 8:31 PM (in response to jimsreynolds)
          Re: 4CM question, using my own preamp

          Thanks Jim, changed to 'stomp' and added a Studio EQ boost followed by a TS just before the loop, sounds more like I would expect now(with the TS off)! 

           

          However, it looks like my amp master volume is NOT after the effects loop, meaning I turned off the FX loop and my amp master volume does nothing.  I'm not sure if that changes your volume recommendation.

          • jimsreynolds Power User
            jimsreynolds
            2,227 posts since
            Jun 27, 43450
            Currently Being Moderated
            Mar 8, 2012 1:45 AM (in response to slothrop)
            Re: 4CM question, using my own preamp

            If your master volume is implemented before the loop then this affects the level of signal being passed out to effects after the 'FX Loop' block in your patch.

             

            Personally, I haven't worked with an amp that does this, though my JVM has channel volumes which effectively do something similar.

             

            Can I suggest you try

             

            -  turning the master volume on your amp up all the way to 100%

            -  using the master volume on your HD as the overall master voluime while you are doing 4CM.

             

            Just beware when setting up you cabling as the noise level could get pretty high when things get plugged/unplugged/cabled wrong.  Turn down your amp master when you first hook up/power up until you are happy that things are connected up correctly.

             

            You should also make sure that effects after the lloop do not clip.  Try this and also try some effects after the FX Loop on your amp (e.g. delay, chorus) listen to them on a clean channel and make sure that you cannot hear any nasty clipping.

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (1)