Apr 13, 2012 8:17 AM
Patch Volume - Doesn't CH Vol color tone?
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I've been looking all over for a patch volume control that doesn't color the tone of the patch in my HD 500. In my X3 Live, there was a very convenient volume control on the lower right hand corner of each patch that I could tweak to get each patch to the volume I wanted it. I've been reading that in order to adjust the volume of my patches in the HD500, I need to adjust the CH Vol control on the amp. However, my understanding is that the CH Vol on the amp is the amp volume itself and these amps react realistically to whether or not you crank them.
So, if adjusting the CH Vol lower takes away a nice break up on a tube amp, and I want the break up, how do I adjust to the volume of the patch without messing up the tone?
I guess what I'm asking is, on the X3 Live, I could adjust the volume of the amp AND the patch. I would have to think you could do the same with the HD500? I mean, if the only way to control the output of a patch is with the amp volume, how do you get a consistent volume level between patches without messing up your tone? In HD Edit, perhaps I'm just missing the seperate amp volume control.
Thanks!
The channel volume control on the HD500 is roughly equivalent to the channel volume control on the X3L. It's really the output volume of the amp/cab block. It's not really related to any of the actual amp modeling at all. In a master volume amp model, the preamp gain control is controlled by the drive knob, and the power amp saturation is control by master volume DEP knob within the amp model.
So you are saying that the CH VOL on the Amp Tone tone knob row has no effect on the tone of the amp at all. Then how do you crank up the amp to get that realistic tube sound? My understanding is the Drive knob will overdrive it, not just increase the volume. And where is the master volume DEP knob?
Thank you again!
In HD500 Edit, they're on the same screen with the rest of the amp controls. On the unit itself, you have to use the navigation pad to scroll through the pages when you on the amp edit screen, and you'll see them on pages 2 and 3. They're on the bottom, and they're labeled master, hum, sag, bias, and bias excursion.
phil_m wrote:
They're on the bottom, and they're labeled master, hum, sag, bias, and bias excursion.
If you aren't seeing this then make sure that you have updated your firmware - these were added with a previous update.
Drive controls pre-amp gain when modeling amps with a master volume knob and simply the volume control of amps that only have one volume knob. The Master DEP models how much power amp emulation there is on the tone, so it is similar but not identical to the master volume knob on amps that have it. For amps that don't have a master volume knob, it approximates what it would be like if the amp were modified to have one.
Channel Volume (Volume knob on the Pod) is a tone-transparent boost/cut knob for the amp block output as mentioned above. It can relate to tone; however, depending on what's behind it or if you boost it too high. Boosting too high can result in digital clipping. Also, some effects (mainly EQ's, particularly the Parametric EQ) can clip even if you're not pushing the signal level to digitally clip the unit. So you have to be aware of that or you might get the wrong idea about what the Channel Volume control is actually doing.
for more:
http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/setup#confusing
http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/setup#clipping - see iii and iv
So far, it's been my experience that turning up the channel volume degrades my tone and turning it up too much completely wrecks my tone (tone becomes too harsh). I think it is a result of the digital clipping that you are referring to.
Thanks for the tips - I think I got it all sorted out. The foobazaar link was immensely helpful.
Gavilan wrote:
Thanks for the tips - I think I got it all sorted out. The foobazaar link was immensely helpful.
If it was helpful don't forget to award Maambobbo some points by marking his answer as helpful.
If I turn the Channel Volume down to 40-50% or lower and turn up the Master a bit would this be a good strategy? Would this bring more of the power tubes into play or do you hit the power tubes harder with Channel Volume cranked?
Turning up the master volume DEP control will affect the saturation of the power tubes in the model. The channel volume control doesn't affect the modeling at all.
thanks for the info phil. so... for purposes of maximimizing power tubes saturation and also turning down the volume coming out of the amp i could hypothetically turn channel volume down to 10% and not lose tone? also i'm not sure what the acronym DEP means.
ok. dep = deep-editing parameter...from foobazaar above.
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