Apr 18, 2012 8:16 PM
Creating a good live sound with the HD500
-
Like (0)
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
look for a keyboard amp maybe that'll work for you
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.
Here's a previous thread that should help:
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.
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.
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?
I usually lay the Mackie on it's side on a roadcase, so it's basically pointing right at my ears. And I know what you mean about the sound blowing by your knees. I've played through a 5150II half stack for years. It still seems odd to have my guitar tone right in my face instead of down by my knees. Especially in smaller clubs where you're basically right on top of your rig.
When all is said and done though, good tone is good tone. If it sounds good to you, and your soundguy isn't threatening to murder you, keep doing it!
LOL Absolutely
Thankyou so much that has cleared up a lot of confusion. The FRFR monitor does seem like a great idea. I am very new to this. For live setups is this the normal way most HD 500 professional users would use the unit?. It seems that most amps will detract change or counter the original HD500 sound. Would you just plug it into the PA system? aka same as plugging straight into your home PA (studio monitor).
If one uses an amp and has to disable the cabs and amp modelling then the unit is functioning as an M13 unit with just effects? or am I missing something.
Thanks everyone for your inputs , the PA setup sounds like a good option so far.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Thankyou all so much for the valuable info, I will proceed with the FRFR PA option, I am learning so much from these forums. I never expected Line 6 to open up so much info, cheers guys. I'll post the result when I get set up.
I just took all your advice and got the QSC FRFR K10. Amazing Amazing Amazing. It sounds exactly the same as headphone source, deceptively mind blowing loud and crystal clear. I havent tried XLR connectivity yet as the Summed unbalanced 1/4 seems to be perfect.
On stage two of these unit would be staggeringly good.
Cheers for the advice.
Stay in the mix and in the know.
Latest offers, special deals and insider updates.