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263 Views 4 Replies Latest reply: Mar 24, 2012 2:35 AM by jimsreynolds RSS
Karma180 Just Startin'
Karma180
22 posts since
Dec 15, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 18, 2012 7:11 AM

How to Set Up Analogue FX pedal board with HD 500 ??

Hi,

 

I'm looking for help in the physical cabling/set up of my gear ...

 

- Korg A3 rack-mount processor

- Pedal board with 14 analogue pedals (some vintage and noisy but I have the Boss noise suppresor pedal in the chain)

- HD 500

- NO AMP ... straight into the FOH

 

I want to maintain the excellent stereo signal and tone of my HD 500 so, what order should my three units go ??

 

- Guitar into A3, out to pedal board, out to HD500, into the board via balanced XLR with mixer channels panned hard left and hard right ??

 

- Do i somehow use the FX RETURN in/out of the HD 500 ... if so, how do I connect to these with the above two units and in what order??

 

Thanx,

 

Karma

Tags: 500, hd500
  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 18, 2012 9:56 AM (in response to Karma180)
    Re: How to Set Up Analogue FX pedal board with HD 500 ??

    It would be usefuil to understand what you use each unit for:

     

    • What is the A3 used for
    • The Analog Stomps
    • The HD500

     

    Effects order is pretty important and also, understanding what you use and when makes it easier to plan out the optimal setup.

     

    In a classic efffects chain

     

    • Distortions, Wahs and compressors go up front before the amp
    • Echo and reverb after the amp (or the amp model in your case)
    • Other modulations can go either side of the amp but often after.

     

    WIthout really knowing what you have and what you do with it I cannot give the best setup but, assuming that your stomps are mainly dirtboxes and compressors I would suggest

     

    Guitar -> Stomp #1 input

    Stomp #n Output -->HD500 input

    HD500 Loop Send --> A3 Input

    A3 Output L --> HD500 Loop Return L

    A3 Output R --> HD500 Loop Return R

    HD500 XLR Left -->  PA

    HD500 XLR Right -->  PA

     

    This is a stereo setup.  You can use the HD500 FX Loop to switch the A3 in and out of the effects chain as you want it.   Set the Loop Level switch on the HD500 to LINE and the level switch on the A3 to +4dB.

     

    It looks like the A3 has MIDI program changing so, with a MIDI cable, you could coordinate patch changes on the A3 with the HD500.

  • Line6david Line 6 Support
    Line6david
    5,196 posts since
    Jan 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 22, 2012 11:10 AM (in response to Karma180)
    Re: How to Set Up Analogue FX pedal board with HD 500 ??

    Hi,

     

    +1 to Jimsreynolds,

     

    Couldn't have given a better explanation if I tried. Marking this answered. Let us know if you need anything else.

     

    Thanks,

    David

    • Karma180 Just Startin'
      Karma180
      22 posts since
      Dec 15, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 23, 2012 9:19 PM (in response to Line6david)
      Re: How to Set Up Analogue FX pedal board with HD 500 ??

      Here's my setup ... and its become very noisy with my HD 500 inserted into the mix ... no amp, everything to FOH and stage monitor (Yorkville NX750s, NX 720s)

       

      Guitar -- > to this pedal board

       

      Pedal Board
      - Planet Waves tuner --> Digitech Death Metal --> Digitech Synth Wah --> ElectroHarmonics Stereo Cathedral Reverb --> Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress --> DigiWhammy --> Cry Baby Wah --> Boss RT -20 Rotary --> Boss GigaDelay DD-20 -->Boss RE-20 Space Echo --> Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor --> DOD Clean Boost --> --> to Guitar in on HD 500 --> HD 500 XLR outs to seperate channels L/R hard panned mixer to FOH and monitor mix

       

      I took the A3 out (although me and Edge luv it) because I couldn't get it to  be quiet in the FX loop Send/Return of the HD 500)

       

      What am I doing wrong???

       

      Thanks,

      Karma

      • jimsreynolds Power User
        jimsreynolds
        2,227 posts since
        Jun 27, 43450
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 24, 2012 2:35 AM (in response to Karma180)
        Re: How to Set Up Analogue FX pedal board with HD 500 ??

        Make sure the POD is set to 'Studio Direct' on the output. 

         

        Now It is time for 'Divide and Conquer'.  I would start off by taking all of the pedals in front of the HD500 out of the link and checking my basic tone with the HD.  Is it noisy?   If so:  try experimenting with the Normal/Pad switch and also checking your inputs are  set to either

         

        • I nput 1 = guitar, Input 2 = same
        • Input 1 = guitar, Input 2 = Variax  ...............to reduce input gain and further

         

        Assuming things are fairly quiet now:  start addiing in the pedals one by one.  Make sure that the output levels are all somewhere around 12 O'clock - i.e. keeps the output level similar to the input level (where the pedals have them fitted).  If any of the pedeals give you the option of either Line level (+4dB) or Instrument/Stomp level (-10dB) go for Instrument level.  Line level will cause noise in this part of the chain.

         

        If you have a particular pedal that is not playing nice, leave it out of the chain and carry on.  You can play with it later.

         

        With all stomps turned off:  things should be reasonably quiet but you need to recognise that you have a lot of buffered inputs there and there may be degree of tone suck as a consequence.

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