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328 Views 11 Replies Latest reply: Jan 22, 2013 3:47 AM by hellraiser06 RSS
hellraiser06 Just Startin'
hellraiser06
9 posts since
Oct 1, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Dec 7, 2012 1:36 AM

POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

Greetings everyone,

 

I am thinking of running 2 tube amps at the same time and have my Pod HD500 as the main fx unit. I normally use it through the 4 cable method and since the unit has stereo capability I am wondering if it is possible to do this through 7 cable method and 2 amps? So here is where I'm puzzled: the Pod has 2 outputs (left/right) and 2 returns (left/right), but the FX send is a single output. Would I need an ABY pedal for the cable that runs out of FX send in order to split the signal to two amps or is it already stereo? If it is stereo then I am guessing I could just use a Y cable with one stereo end and two mono ends??

 

Thank you

  • GTLazer Just Startin'
    GTLazer
    79 posts since
    Jun 7, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 7, 2012 2:03 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

    Yes, the FX send is stereo. So, yes, you could use a TRS-2TS Y-cable to split the signal and retain stereo integrity.

  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Dec 7, 2012 3:31 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

    Yep, Hellraiser is right - the output on the FX Send is TRS so a Y splitter is the thing. 

     

    You should be able to setup patches that will direct signal to one amp, the other or both.   You should also be able to select which pre-amp output you send to which amp(s) which is intreguing.   You need to get very familiar with the routing possiblities on the pod including how the input selection and effects choice affects it.  Check out Bobbos fine words here on the subject --> http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/setup#routing

     

    I can foresee you having a heck of  a time sorting out levels in the setup.   You will need to work out how to change levels so that it just affects the one amp.  Be aware that panning left and right (which you will need to do) typically drops the signal level by about 3dB so you will need to compensate for that with boosts etc.

    • hellraiser06 Just Startin'
      hellraiser06
      9 posts since
      Oct 1, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Dec 7, 2012 4:03 AM (in response to jimsreynolds)
      Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

      Thanks a lot for your answers Currently what I am doing is: I connect pod to one of the amps via 4cm. I have distortion rhythm, solo and clean presets and they are mono presets. They sound the way I want and no problems. Then I connect the other amp via 4cm and the same presets sound perfect with that too. So I think if I connect both amps they should be fine. All I need to figure out is how to send the same effects to both amps. Guessing either by having the effects on the center or creating the same chain twice and panning them to 100% left and right?

       

      Easiest way is to try it and find out obviously but I haven't got a second cabinet yet so hopefully soon I will be able to start trying it out once I get a second cab.

      • jimsreynolds Power User
        jimsreynolds
        2,227 posts since
        Jun 27, 43450
        Currently Being Moderated
        Dec 7, 2012 4:19 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
        Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

        If I understand it:  as soon as you plug a cable into 1/4" Output right you are telling the POD that there is a stereo output. Therefore if there is a stereo effect at the end of the chain it will attempt to create a stereo spread between the two amps.  Bobbo's guide includes a link to a list of effects illustrating the mono ones and this might help with working out what is happening.  It may be that by including a  mono effect at the end of the chain that you will ensure that an identical signal gets sent to both amps. 

         

        Personally, I don't feel I have a tight enough grip on this to be able to predict exactly how the signal will be split in all instances.  Someone else might

  • hellraiser06 Just Startin'
    hellraiser06
    9 posts since
    Oct 1, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 19, 2013 4:26 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

    Ok guys finally I tried the 7cm method.

     

    My aim was to try running 2 amps simultaneously and with similar effects (both distorted or both clean etc). So the setup I tried is: guitar into pod hd500 then pod left out into AMP1 fxloop return, pod right out into AMP2 fxloop return, AMP1 fxloop send into left pod fxloop return, AMP2 fxloop send into right pod fxloop return, pod fxloop send - stereo Y cable split into 2 mono goin into AMP1 and AMP2 inputs. It sounds really good this way but it loses some bass. It's not completely thin or anything but theres definitely a drop in the low end. The moment I take out one of the amps from the setup then the bass/low end comes back.

     

    What do you think?

  • JimKidd Just Startin'
    JimKidd
    56 posts since
    Apr 20, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 19, 2013 7:22 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

    Why not get 2 DT amps and use the L6 Link?

  • hellraiser06 Just Startin'
    hellraiser06
    9 posts since
    Oct 1, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 21, 2013 5:43 AM (in response to hellraiser06)
    Re: POD HD500 and 7 Cable Method - Connecting 2 Amps

    So any ideas on how to prevent the tone loss on the low end?

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