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218 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Jan 15, 2013 12:14 PM by PremiumJones RSS
BreakfastClub Just Startin'
BreakfastClub
3 posts since
Oct 12, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 5, 2013 12:40 PM

POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

Hi I have been an acoustic guitarist all my life and only recently got into electrics. Have been fiddling with the POD HD300 for 2 months and can't seem to get a basic dirty tone out of it. When I plug my guitar directly into my basic practice Marshall amp (MG10CF), on the distortion channel, I get a decent simple dirty tone - can someone help with how I can closely replicate this with the POD (i.e. so that when i do guitar-->POD-->clean channel of amps, I get the same sound)? Have tried different kinds of bundled amp models and messed around with a bunch of the FXs but nothing seems to sound like it..

Tags: gain, distortion, beginner, hd300
  • CairnsFella Just Startin'
    CairnsFella
    205 posts since
    Sep 16, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 5, 2013 7:33 PM (in response to BreakfastClub)
    Re: POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

    I guess the best answer would be from someone that knows what that amp sounds like.

     

    I hope you dont think I am being funny here (I assure you that isnt my intention), but given that you own that it already, I would say the best way to acheive the the required tone is to use your existing amp.

     

    Of course if you are gigging etc, that may not be so feasable.

    • BreakfastClub Just Startin'
      BreakfastClub
      3 posts since
      Oct 12, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 7, 2013 8:10 PM (in response to CairnsFella)
      Re: POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

      I am indeed gigging, which is the reason why I'm trying to have all my sounds on the POD.

       

      I'm not super tied to my particular amp's distortion tone, just trying to get a basic, mainstream dirty tone. But somehow can't seem to find the right combination of amp model / FX that gives that. Everything sounds either too dirty, or, for lack of a better term, weird.

       

      I know I'm not being very helpful in how i'm wording my question - admittedly I'm very much an amateur. But thanks anyway!

  • PremiumJones Iknowathingortwo
    PremiumJones
    238 posts since
    Mar 29, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 7, 2013 9:22 PM (in response to BreakfastClub)
    Re: POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

    You cant get good sounds going intot he front of an amp. Thats not what a POD is designed for. Plug it into the FX loop return, or a channel strip on the PA.

     

    You can get close by using only Pre models, but even that is not ideal. You are preamping the signal twice, and that will never result in anythin good.

    • BreakfastClub Just Startin'
      BreakfastClub
      3 posts since
      Oct 12, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 13, 2013 2:08 PM (in response to PremiumJones)
      Re: POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

      PremiumJones - thanks for the tip. I've been researching what you described and I think I almost get the gist of it now. Basically find an amp which has an fx loop return 1/4 jack, and run my POD's unbalanced output directly to that, so that I skip the amp's pre-amp and go straight to its power amp?

       

      An additional question which has been very confusing for me to figure out.. what do I set the two hardware settings at the back of the POD to, if I want to use this arrangement? I'm talking about the "Output Mode" switch (Live vs Studio) and the switch at the Unbalanced Output (Line vs Amp). Am trying to figure out what these two switches mean, have read a bunch of articles but still can't get a grip on it... Hope you can help clear this up for me as well. Thanks again!!

      • PremiumJones Iknowathingortwo
        PremiumJones
        238 posts since
        Mar 29, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 15, 2013 12:14 PM (in response to BreakfastClub)
        Re: POD HD300 Beginner - Dirty tones?

        In this case I'd start with Live output mode and Line level.

         

        Studio/Direct vs. Live - sort of a quick and dirty way to switch the whole mess between full range (PA or recording) to Live (power amp+guitar speakers) operations. In Live mode, there is no mic sim and the cab is "specially voiced" for Live use. You can still get good tones messing with power amps and power amp DEPs though. You could theoretically get the same thing using Studio/Direct and turning off the cab/mics.

         

        Line vs. Amp - depends on the sensitivity of the FX return/power amp you are using. 9/10 times it "should" be on Line, but the only real difference is that Amp level is much lower. Sometimes, if you are driving outboard effects with the signal from the POD, it will have to be on Amp to avoid clipping the inputs of the effects.

         

        In actual practise, my main 4 tone setup for use with a power amp/guitar speakers is like so right now:

         

        POD set to Live mode, Line level, using L and R 1/4" into FX returns on a stereo SS head or using only the L 1/4" into a tube head:

         

        Clean - Pre model only

        Mid gain - full amp, no cab/mic

        Hi gain rhythm - pre only, with cab/mic

        Lead - full amp, cab, and mic

         

        So make sure you experiement.....

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