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1570 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: Oct 23, 2012 6:03 AM by jimsreynolds RSS
vortex2011 Just Startin'
vortex2011
10 posts since
May 27, 43107
Currently Being Moderated

Aug 23, 2012 12:28 PM

How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

I would like to know how to hook up my pod hd 500 to a mesa boogie amp and just be able to use the effects from the pod and use the Channel 2 amp distortion with the pod effects. Or is this even possible? I've read other post about this and no one has asked this question. I've tried it and it sounds really awful with the channel 2 on my mesa (that was when i first bought it too). Ive know to bypass amp simulation on the pod. I like the amps of the HD500 but they don't sound good coming out of another amp. Just saying... thats too much processing. IMO...

 

So what i really want is:

Channel 2 on my Mesa Boogie single rectifier (which is awesome)>>>then pod hd500 effects only (reverb, delay, wha, whammy,etc...)>>>>>Mesa Cabinet

 

I hope i really didn't miss the boat on the actual concept of the HD500 and hope it wasn't meant to be used for studio and PA. PLEASE don't tell me that!!! i will have to get rid of an awesome pedal and go buy real effects pedals....

 

Thanks any help is appreciated

Tags: connection, mesa, boogie, hd500
  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 23, 2012 2:30 PM (in response to vortex2011)
    Re: How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

    Dont panic!   You have the right pedal.  However, you need to make some choices on how you want to connect it up.

     

    Front of Amp

     

         Guitar ==> HD Input

         HD 1/4" Output ==> Amp Input

     

    This is the simplest way and works well for many people.  It works well if you are mainly using the clean channel on your amp or you are only using effects that normally sit in front of the amp(e.g. compression, wah, distortions, some modulations).  It is also OK for amp modelling if setup correctly.  Not always so great for reverbs and delays etc, particularly where higher gain tones are used.

     

    In the Loop


         Guitar ==> Amp Input

         Amp FX Loop Send ==>  HD Input

         HD 1/4" Output Left ==> Amp FX Return Left

         HD 1/4" Output Right ==> Amp FX Return Right

     

    This way works very well for effects like echoes and delays, reverbs and some modulations.  Not so well for distortions and wah.  Amp Modelling will almost certainly sound weird.

     

    Four Cable Method (well actually more cause of the stereo)

    Deep breath ...

     

         Guitar ==> HD Input

         HD FX Send ==> Amp Input

         Amp FX Send  ==> HD FX Return Left

         HD 1/4" Output Left ==> Amp FX Return

     

    This is the all singing, all dancing method for hookup.  It allows you to put all effects where you want them, to use your pre-amp channels correctly and allows for amp modelling too.  It is a pain to intially get your head around and setup but the results can be excellent.  For more details on 4CM and what it does check the link here.  http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2523

     

    People on the forum have in the past managed to get this working with a Dual Rec so you should be OK.

    • vortex2011 Just Startin'
      vortex2011
      10 posts since
      May 27, 43107
      Currently Being Moderated
      Aug 23, 2012 2:35 PM (in response to jimsreynolds)
      Re: How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

      I just printed the 4CM method and I will give it a shot!!! Thanks for your help!!! hopefully i can get this working cuz i love this pedal!

    • hendrixx_nl Just Startin'
      hendrixx_nl
      10 posts since
      May 1, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Aug 24, 2012 3:58 AM (in response to jimsreynolds)
      Re: How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

      Hi,

       

      Just wondering if this 4CM method also does work well for my POD HD400 and my beloved VOX AC30C2 Tube amp?

       

      Because now i have my POD HD400 connected in front of the amp (Guitar --> HD input, HD 1/4" Output --> Amp Input. Unbalanced output swith=AMP and Output mode=LIVE) but if i select a clean patch with all effects turned off and amp modeling off i get a completly different tone out of my VOX Tube amp and it does not sound like how the VOX tube amp should sound. I am missing the nice and warm clean sound of my VOX.

       

      Some patches with more grid/distorsion sound a bit better and some more high gain distorsion sound pretty good but i can not get the nice warm sounds from the VOX amp when i have the POD HD400 connected. If i connect my guitar(s) (Fender Strat American standard 3CS and my Gibson LP Standard) directly to my VOX they sound amazing and with that beautiful warm tube sound (with little bit of grunch when turning up the volume on the Topboost channel a bit).

       

      Anyone have any experience with the POD HD400 and VOC AC30C2 Tube amp with 4CM?

      • Vintage79 Just Startin'
        Vintage79
        1 posts since
        Apr 30, 2012
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 14, 2012 9:47 PM (in response to hendrixx_nl)
        Re: How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

        Just a query further Hendrixx's post... Firstly does the AC30 have an FX send/return?

         

        I've been using a POD 500 on and off for a few months so I'm no expert... is this issue simply due to their being no Amp FX send/return option on the amp itself and if so... is there any way around it? I run my POD 500 in front of an Orange AD30 for some gigs where I use certain pre sets. I haven't figured a way to bypass the POD to use the dirty channel direct while still having the POD hooked up purely for access to the FX. Sounds like what Hendrixx is talking about right?

         

        Funilly enough I've dialled in the AC30 amp model and with a little tweaking have quite a decent tone on the clean with a half decent dirty tone (through to a thick crunch) however nothing like going straight into the amp for something thicker.

         

        Does anyone out there have an angle for us guys without FX sends on the amps (if my assumption is correct) or are we doomed until we change our amp set ups? 

      • jimsreynolds Power User
        jimsreynolds
        2,227 posts since
        Jun 27, 43450
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 23, 2012 6:03 AM (in response to hendrixx_nl)
        Re: How to hook up HD500 to Mesa Amp/Cabinet and not use modular amp dist.

        Hendrix  You can apparently use the HD400 for 4CM - it has all the required features - but I don't have an HD400 so cannot give you specifics.  Search this site ... a couple of people were using 4CM with an HD400.

         

        With the tone suckage.  Make sure your output switching is in 'Live' mode.  Also, if you use the 'Combo Frt' or 'StackFrt' modes then you may be adding an EQ to the signal.  Try 'ComboPwr' and see if that makes a difference when you turn off all your effects.

         

        If you do go with 4CM  then you should be using ComboPwr or StackPwr as the output modes anyway so you may find that your real amp tone clears up a bit.   I cannot say for sure though.

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