Skip navigation
1420 Views 16 Replies Latest reply: May 7, 2012 10:24 PM by andydudman RSS
andydudman Just Startin' 6 posts since
Feb 24, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Apr 18, 2012 8:16 PM

Creating a good live sound with the HD500

I have just purchased the POD HD500.  I have been experimenting with all the settings, patches and possible sounds.  Practicing at home though headphones directly from the POD sounds amazing.  But when I connect it to my Roland Cube 30 in direct mode (setting on amp) - no modelling from Amp side, it sounds - well less amazing and completekly differnt.

I am hoping to buy an amp soon and of course the DT 25 sounds amazing.

I guess what I am asking is what is the most ideal setup when using a POD HD500.

It will be used for very small gigs and rehearsing at home.  I am picky with the sounds (U2 edge, Foo fighters etc) so I want it as close as the headphone sound.

 

Any advice , tips, experience greatly appreciated

  • samuelito2011 Just Startin' 105 posts since
    Nov 14, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 18, 2012 8:33 PM (in response to andydudman)
    Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

    look for a keyboard amp maybe that'll work for you

  • tdollaway Just Startin' 69 posts since
    Feb 8, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 19, 2012 4:15 AM (in response to andydudman)
    Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

    Anything that is FRFR (full range flat response). I've been using a powered Mackie monitor for both practice and stage monitoring. Seems to work pretty well.

  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User 9,592 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 19, 2012 5:46 AM (in response to andydudman)
    Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

    Here's a previous thread that should help:

    http://line6.com/support/message/365577#365577

  • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo 649 posts since
    Mar 20, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 19, 2012 6:37 AM (in response to andydudman)
    Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

    Does the cube 30 have an FX loop?  The problem you are going to run into in trying to use the patches that you like in the headphones through an amp is that you have to change modes and also make adjustments to your patches.  You will most likely have to do the same even if you get a DT25.  IF you follow the advice of samuelito2011 and/or tdollaway you may be able use the same settings as you use with your headphones. 

     

    Through the headphones you want to be in studio/direct output mode.  You will also likely (but not always) using full amp models as opposed to the pre models and speaker cabinet models.  This is also how you would run through an FRFR system (which would include a keyboard amp).

     

    If you want to run through a guitar amp, you will need to change the output mode to combo/stack front or combo/stack power amp.  The prefered method would be combo/stack power amp if you have an FX loop on your amp and you can simply plug into the FRX return.  Then, in a lot of cases you will possibly have to copy all your settings from the full amp version and switch to the pre amp version of the same amp model (but not always, it sometimes sounds fine on the full version).  And in a lot of cases you will have to disable the speaker cabinet model.  IF you don't do these things you will essentially be running a modelled power amp through an actual power amp and a guitar cab emulation through an actual guitar cab. This doubling up especially through to stages of the tone shaping is going to colour the sound to the point where it doesn't sound much like it did in the headphones.  The same holds true with a DTxx series amp the only difference is you can connect using a L6 Link and it will automatically change some settings for you, but you are going to want to run pre models of the amps and disable the cabinets in most if not all cases.

     

    There are alot of great FRFR options in the price range of the DT series amps (and cheaper). For me personally I don't think it just "seems to work pretty well" (tdollaway was probably understating the success of this setup) I think it sounds better than playing through an actual guitar amp and I have an exponentially easier time dialling in tones than I did when I was using the HD500 with an actual guitar amp. I would never want to disuade anyone from buying a DT series amp, I love the concept and even on their own without an HD500 they sound great.  I just think that before you lay down a bunch of cash you should flush out all your options and make sure you are getting something that is going to work for YOU.

    • tdollaway Just Startin' 69 posts since
      Feb 8, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 19, 2012 6:57 AM (in response to litesnsirens)
      Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

      By pretty well, I meant that it does exactly what I expected. I bought it mainly as a personal stage monitor and bedrooom practice system.  The tones that I dial in on the Mackie relate very well to our P.A. system.  You just have to keep in mind that you are dialing in the tone that you want coming through the FOH and not necessarily the tone that you would have coming out of an actual guitar amp.

      • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo 649 posts since
        Mar 20, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 19, 2012 8:20 AM (in response to tdollaway)
        Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

        By pretty well, I meant that it does exactly what I expected. I bought it mainly as a personal stage monitor and bedrooom practice system.  The tones that I dial in on the Mackie relate very well to our P.A. system

        Ya for sure it should, full range is full range the the differences will be minor compared the difference between your amp sound and the sound that comes out of the FOH after you stick a mic on it.

         

        You just have to keep in mind that you are dialing in the tone that you want coming through the FOH and not necessarily the tone that you would have coming out of an actual guitar amp.

         

        For me I find that a better way, although I think you can still get it to sound like your playing through an amp. In the case of using and HD500 I think better. I find my sound coming out of my Bose sounds exactly like a guitar amp except that I can hear it better and I get better dispersion, the sound isn't blowing by my knees.  Reminds me of when I had a full Hi-Watt stack back in the 80's.  Do you put the Mackie up on a pole mount stand? 

      • tdollaway Just Startin' 69 posts since
        Feb 8, 2012
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 20, 2012 4:01 AM (in response to andydudman)
        Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

        As far as normal... I don't know that there is a normal way to set up the HD500. Everyone has their own tastes and sets up accordingly. 

         

        Yes, I plug straight into our PA via the two XLR outputs on the HD500. I then run my FRFR monitor (Mackie) from one of the monitor sends on our board.

         

        If you run your pod into an amp you can go a couple different ways. You can either use the pod like an M13 and use your amps preamp section, or you can us the 4C method of hooking your Pod up to your amp.  There should be a couple good threads on the discussion board about it. Check out Meambobbo's tone guide as well. I'm pretty sure that he covers at least part of it.

         

        Hope this helps

      • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo 649 posts since
        Mar 20, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 20, 2012 4:46 AM (in response to andydudman)
        Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

        It depends on what you want to call a professional user. I think the HD500 offers so many options that it's going to be difficult get a single "what most users are doing".  I think the bottom line is do what sounds best for YOU on stage and out front.  How can that be wrong.  For me the answer was to go FRFR, I was playing through a really nice tube amp but the FRFR just sounded a lot better. 

         

        Aside from what tdollaway has already offered, some FRFR monitors also have a "through" in which case you could go from the HD500 to your monitor and then from the monitor the the FOH PA.  Or depending on the size of the place you're playing and how you have your monitor set up (like if it's behind you pointing out) maybe you just go through the monitor.  In my case, my bands uses my Bose L1's as our entire PA system, they set up behind us and we don't need monitors.  Electronic drums, bass guitar, both guitars and 3 vocals all go through the L1's.  No guitar amps, no bass amps, no monitors nice and clean.

  • Gillespie1983 Just Startin' 19 posts since
    Feb 9, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 20, 2012 5:07 AM (in response to andydudman)
    Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

    I also use a POD HD direct to PA. However, POD to the effects return of a quality guitar amp works in a pinch.

    You can do both: POD HD XLR to PA and one of the 1/4" to a stage amp for personal monitoring.

    We use in-ear monitors with no amps on stage (not a recommended approach without serious sound tech support, and not as fun as amps)

     

    Here is a POD direct to PA. clean rhythm parts start around 30 seconds and a distorted solo part around 2:30. Recorded direct from the board to Cubase, no overdubs.

     

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T_VrMPdNslE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

     

    Other notes: you can see two wireless packs.  The guitar goes wireless then the wireless receiver goes to the POD.  The other pack is for the in-ear monitors.  Yes, there's a real drummer.

    Regards,

    Clay

    • litesnsirens Iknowathingortwo 649 posts since
      Mar 20, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 20, 2012 9:04 AM (in response to Gillespie1983)
      Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

      Sounds great man!!!  I think when you're all spread out that much, in ears are a good option.  How nice to have that kind of stage space though.

      • Gillespie1983 Just Startin' 19 posts since
        Feb 9, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 20, 2012 6:08 PM (in response to litesnsirens)
        Re: Creating a good live sound with the HD500

        Thanks for the compliment.  You make a good point about the value of in-ears when the band is spread out.  Quite often though, I pull one ear monitor out to get a bit of the FOH mix, even though it bounces off the back walls.

         

        I am still very much a student of the POD HD500.  I have yet to determine how to set the tone at home to work perfectly in larger halls.  Typically, the reverb, overdrive, and treble/presence that I select at home end up sounding all wrong in a big room.  In the halls, the sound is more brittle than at home.  I discovered that changing the mic model really improves the fullness.  At home I like the in-your-face tone of the SM57-on-axis or the MD421, but in a bigger room I prefer the 409, U67, U87.  

         

        I have also discovered that when I think I need "fatter" tone, I instinctively turn up the drive...which actually takes away tone as you push it toward maximum.  Rather than more drive, if I just turn up more of me in the monitors I end up happy.

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)

Legend

  • Correct Answers - 5 points
  • Helpful Answers - 3 points