What I can say from Testings, practising and experience is:

1. The Mixer volume will not affect the tone setting in a given limit of +/- 5 to 7db (reference is 0db).

Reducing volume much more than -7 db will affect the tone. That is what you have probably occured with the Dr Z amp model.

Increasing volume very much over +7 db can run into effect clipping of effects you are using after the mixer in the signal chain.

(By the way: I don't think these are real dbs; it is more just a scale to me).

2. All in all this means: The Mixer volume is okay for fine tuning the volume between presets, but it CANNOT be a substitution for a power attenuator to handle the overall volume level of your output amp by achieving a consistent tone.

3. There are amp models in the HDXXX which need a fairly high amount of tube power section load to come into a saturation mode. The PARK-75 which I am using for some Crunch (Stones, etc.) and Lead Tones is one of these amps. The Dr. Z amp which I have no experience with it, seems to be another one. To make these amps cooking you need to set the Master Volume level OVER 12 o clock ( 1-2 o clock). Now this will lead automatically into a fair high volume, because your amp volume needs also to be set at around >= 40% I guess.

4. A fair amount of users of amps like the Marshall Plexi Lead with a 100 Watt have either modified their amps to switch them into a 50 Watt mode or they use a power attenuator to reduce the overall volume. Because these type of amps only get that creamy tube driven power section distortion on a very high volume level. And this is sometimes just TOO loud for the environment you are playing live music. Having these amps available in the HDXXX will NOT solve that volume problem by itself. It is still there.

MY PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT AMPS VOLUMES BY ACHIEVING AN OVERALL CONSISTENT TONE ARE:

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a. I am using a power attenuator to adapt the OVERALL volume to the envorinment I am playing (reherasal, gig).

I only use pre amp models. I don't need to have different presets for different rooms (one with pre amp models, one with full amp models).

b. I set my Master volume at the DT50 at 1-2 o clock. This is brings all my amps with a higher need of power section load into saturation. This also gives the amp some Headroom for Peaks and Clean Tones.

c. I then use in a first step the amp volume to balance the DIFFERENT volume levels of my amps. The amp volume therefore varies from 40% - 100%.

For example: the Treadplate amp volume is set at 45%. The JCM800 at 40%. The Twin Reverb at 100%. (Cannot speak for all amps, but amp volumes much under 40% will affect the tone in a negativ way).

d. At last I am using the Mixer volume in a range of -7db to +4db to balance individual preset. The presets can still vary in volume level by different Drive settings or just by using FX-block which adds/decrease some gain.

e. To significantly increase amp volume by avoiding effect clipping, I am using the Studio EQ at the very last FX-block in a signal chain.

f. The levelling can be done either by ears (thats what I am doing) or with any db meter tools as mentioned in that Thread. In any case it is good to recheck this in a rehearsal scenario.

g. For a Solo boost I am increasing the Mixer volume by 7db (again: don't think these are real 7dbs) compared to the corresponding Rhytm preset of the amp I am using.

h. I have maxed the volume of my lowest clean amp I am using (Fender Twin Reverb) by the following settings:

- Drive = 40%

- Amp Volume = 100%

- Studio EQ as the very LAST effect in the signal chain of the preset with GAIN at +12db

Other elemnts which affects clean tones:

- guitar model you choose

- guitar input signal level in HDXXX: I am using 1M

- Input1 + 2 source in HDXXX: I am using VARIAX for input 1 and Guitar for input 2

These settings leaves my presets clean.

I have done this to reduce the huge volume gab between a JCM800 and the Fender Twin reverb. Otherwise the balance with the amp volume knob would lead into somewhere around 30% and that seems too low for me.

Now there are OTHER possibilities to handle overall tone and volume:

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- Using the LVM on the DT50/25

- working with full amp models

- using OD or distortion pedals to sound the amp saturated

and probably some others I am not aware of. All of these other possibilities are for my grazy ears loaded with too much modelling and therefore negativ tone impacts.

Uuups: A lot of woooords I have written - I hope that is not too boring ...

Finally I always want to point out: As ears and experience are different, so my ideas will differ from others in these forums. Any Feedback and other experience to share is therefore more than welcome!

wolbai.