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273 Views 6 Replies Latest reply: Dec 31, 2012 3:52 PM by bluesmandan76 RSS
jmtaww Just Startin'
jmtaww
10 posts since
Oct 10, 2006
Currently Being Moderated

Dec 12, 2012 1:07 PM

Tech 21 & POD HD 500 Question

I just got a used POD HD500 and have a Tech 21 PE.  Granted, I just got the pod hd500 and have not even made my own pacthes yet, but as of now, I am not impressed with the Tech 21.  Question is, should all the 3 EQ settings on the back of the Tech 21 be at 12 o'clock for a flat response?  The tech 21 cabinet just sounds a little weak.  I can tell it has enough volume, but seems to lack some thickness in overall sound.  Sounds a little tinny to me.  If anyone who owns this setup, I would appreciate any tips to making this setup sound really good because it seems a lot of people are happy with this combo.  I also wasn't sure if using FRFR speakers would be better or not compared to tech 21.  Any info is appreciated, thanks.

  • agile Just Startin'
    agile
    11 posts since
    Mar 25, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 12, 2012 6:06 PM (in response to jmtaww)
    Re: Tech 21 & POD HD 500 Question

    Hi there,

     

    My setup is as follows -  Variax 500 (or HSS Strat - although I prefer the variax) into Pod HD500  left channel into Tech21 Power Engine and right channel into back of Fender Mustang 3 (line return - power amp section only without the Fender DSP). I run the Pod using Studio Direct setting. Sound is to die for ...both at bedroom volumes or at full blown gig volumes. Amazing equipment if you ask me as I have run the gammet using pod (X3 Live granted- sold it when I got my 500) a Spider amp, Keyboard amp, 2 Behringer 212 powered PA cabinets and then my current setup. My current setup kicks butt...and stereo too.

  • rychester63 Just Startin'
    rychester63
    52 posts since
    Feb 19, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 13, 2012 6:47 AM (in response to jmtaww)
    Re: Tech 21 & POD HD 500 Question

    I've been using this setup for a couple of years now and yes you have to adjust the patches to the amp having all the eqs at noon, then use the amps eq for minor room changes to get it to sound good to you. My only wish is that Tech 21 would make a head version of this so I could use it with a 4 x 12 to push more air, but then again I would have to adjust all my patches for the difference.

    • mtrembl1 Just Startin'
      mtrembl1
      1 posts since
      Mar 22, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 31, 2012 9:05 AM (in response to rychester63)
      Re: Tech 21 & POD HD 500 Question

      I have a Tech 21 4x12 cabinet, 400w max that I am selling if you are interested.  They used to make a 300w head unit, but it has been discontinued.  You can check out the archived page here: http://tech21nyc.com/archive/trademark300.html.  The cabinet I have is no longer listed on the site, even in the archived section.  It is slant front, 400w and has the trademark brown (or whatever color that is) grill, instead of the black grill they all come with now.  I'm sure you're not interested, but I figured I'd throw it out there since you mentioned it!

  • bluesmandan76 Just Startin'
    bluesmandan76
    11 posts since
    Jan 26, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 31, 2012 3:52 PM (in response to jmtaww)
    Re: Tech 21 & POD HD 500 Question

    The speaker in your power engine is a celestion seventy 80. The specs are here:

    http://celestion.com/product/22/seventy_80/

     

    As you can see from the celestion page, this speaker has a drastic drop off below 100hz, and a top end boost from 2000 to 4000 hz. That's fine for a guitar speaker, but not so great for full range amplification. So......

     

    On your power engine, you'll need to trim BACK your highs, and then boost your lows to flatten the sound response... I'd suggest adding some mids, too, to warm or thicken it up a bit. Try setting your Lows at 2:00, your Mids at 2:00 and your highs at 10:00.

     

    Also, make sure that your HD500 is set to LINE not AMP... just to the right of your master volume there are three little switches... the one on the lower right needs to be set to LINE... otherwise some part of the amp modeling is left out and your sound will be thinner.

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