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2090 Views 18 Replies Latest reply: Jan 28, 2013 2:29 PM by mutantseamonkey RSS
precious_kodi Just Startin'
precious_kodi
8 posts since
Aug 8, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jul 19, 2011 3:45 PM

HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

I've had the Hd500 for a few months and since I've had it I've had bandmates criticize how there isn't any low end from the tones. I've been using the Spider Valve for amplification and use the FX loop for input from the HD500. I've been ignoring their complaints until a few days ago I A/B'd my setup by just plugged the guitar straight into the Spider Valve's guitar input and sure enough, there was a nice full guitar sound with the lows that everyone was complaining that was missing. I then switched back to the HD500 setup and the lows were sapped out of it. I've been going through all of the settings within the HD500, playing around with amps with cabs, no cabs, preamps only and still can't get the lows that I get by plugging directly into the amp. Is the HD500 a tone sucker or is there something I haven't set up correctly in the unit?

Thanks,

Richard

Tags: tone, hd500, limitations, lows
  • dhQk Just Startin'
    dhQk
    40 posts since
    Jan 30, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 19, 2011 4:11 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    Well it would help if you gave us the settings you used.  Possibly save the file and post it.  Have you checked the output settings?  Is it Studio/Combo/Stack/Front/Power?  This does affect tone depending on settings.  Check the mixer settings/ Input settings. More info will let the community get more insight on this problem.

    • precious_kodi Just Startin'
      precious_kodi
      8 posts since
      Aug 8, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 19, 2011 6:06 PM (in response to dhQk)
      Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

      I'm new to posting to the Line 6 group so I apologize for any incompleteness needed for clarification...anyways, I've attached 2 sample files that are being used on my Fender Deluxe setting, one for humbucker and the other single coil. I had to change the .h5e extension to .doc in order to upload them since it was giving me errors uploading the files as .h5e. Just change the extension back to .h5e to use them.

      I've tried changing the output settings back and forth between Combo Power Amp and Stack Power Amp since I'm plugging the unit into the FX return of the SV amp. The other outputs didn't sound good as compared to these two which sounded the best, even with the low end issues. Input source is set for guitar only. Looking at the mixer setting, the only thing I've changed was centering the pan on both Path A and Path B. If you need more info I'll gladly assist in any way I can, thanks for your assistance....

      Attachments:
  • hitchface Just Startin'
    hitchface
    334 posts since
    Jul 1, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 19, 2011 7:47 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    This is interesting...I've heard a lot of people complaining about too much low end content, but never not enough.

     

    Either way, I can't seem to get your documents to open properly on my computer, so I have no idea what they say or contain.

     

    You'll definitely want to keep your output setting to Combo Power Amp.

     

    Since you are using the Valve, I'd also recommend using the preamp only models if you aren't already. If you HAVEN'T done that, do it first before going crazy with settings.

    • precious_kodi Just Startin'
      precious_kodi
      8 posts since
      Aug 8, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 19, 2011 9:08 PM (in response to hitchface)
      Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

      I'll try the preamp only. I did try that a while ago but I seem to get more of the amp characteristics using a normal amp setup. The normal amp setup also has the bias and sag adjustments which I really like but it doesn't do me any good if the amp doesn't sound good in the first place....

      I do have my output set to Combo Power Amp as that seems to sound more full than the Stack Power Amp.

       

      As for opening the docs, you'll have to change the file extension to .h5e from .doc so that the amp editor can open it. I have the Mac version so there may also be an incomapatbility issue between the 2 os's. Is there another way to upload the files so that I don't get the errors when I do try to upload it as a .h5e?

       

      Thanks for your suggestion.

      • hitchface Just Startin'
        hitchface
        334 posts since
        Jul 1, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 19, 2011 10:53 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
        Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

        Aha, I didn't realize you were uploading patches. I'll give it a look.

         

        EDIT: Just took a quick look. This might sound totally dumb and patronizing...but you do realize that your bass settings on the amp models are at 10% and 18%, right?

         

        I have found that adding bass with the OD pedals usually doesn't work aswell as just bumping it up in the amp itself. YMMV.

         

        Let me know if I am off the wall by suggesting you change those.

        • precious_kodi Just Startin'
          precious_kodi
          8 posts since
          Aug 8, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jul 19, 2011 11:59 PM (in response to hitchface)
          Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

          Yeah, I know I turned down the bass but it's very muddy down in that frequency and the only way I can prevent that is to turn down the bass. My reasoning is that the frequency adjustments (bass, mids, treble) should be only affecting a set frequency, say the bass would probably be around 250Hz so rolling that back should not affect frequencies below 125Hz and below?

          I've tried cranking the bass up but it really muddies the sound and still doesn't give me the low end spectrum I'm needing.

          Maybe I'm wrong and it's acting like a cutoff/shelving filter and should crank the bass back up and deal with the muddiness elsewhere in the setup. How much do you have your bass frequencies cranked?

          Thanks for your assistance...

          • hitchface Just Startin'
            hitchface
            334 posts since
            Jul 1, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jul 20, 2011 12:15 AM (in response to precious_kodi)
            Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

            I have found that the POD works its real magic when I take my time and don't make really big adjustments to my sounds. A very slight bump on the bass could really be the ticket to the warm and smooth low end you are looking for. I am talking 10 percent or less...you are looking for a sweet spot, which is notoriously slim on some Line 6 models.

             

            As for the frequencies affected, it really depends on the amp being modeled, since they all deal with the EQ a little differently. I try to get as close as I can with JUST the amp first, and them remove or enhance a few select frequencies via an EQ after the fact.

             

            I also try to make all OD pedals very transparent...all I want is dirt, since big EQ changes mid-song can really trash the vibe the sound engineer has going. Maybe a mid-bump for lead lines and the like, but I adjust the OD EQs so that they more or less match the amp.

  • lilguitar Just Startin'
    lilguitar
    13 posts since
    Sep 27, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 19, 2011 10:00 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    Have you by chance tried moving the HD500 in front of the amp, thru the guitar input?  Guitar-HD500-Spider?  I go direct into a board now, but when I used to use my XTL with my Peavey Special 212 I found it sounded way better going directly in front of the amp thru the guitar input rather than thru the effects loop.  Some might consider that not a proper setup, but it worked for me and it may give you what your missing.  Can't hurt to try, right?

  • precious_kodi Just Startin'
    precious_kodi
    8 posts since
    Aug 8, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 21, 2011 11:25 AM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    I'm at a loss as well. I was a big time Line 6 user for awhile up until the X3 and was expecting big things from Line 6 as I thought the XT was going to have better sounds so when the X3 came out I went to the Digitech 1000. I loved it until I heard about the HD500 coming out and immediately switched back. I love the amp sounds in the HD500 but when you're not getting the full frequencies and messes with the tone where your bandmates are complaining about the lack of low end, I'm afraid it's time to move on and dump Line 6 altogether again and find a better alternative....

  • gunpointmetal Just Startin'
    gunpointmetal
    171 posts since
    Dec 27, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 21, 2011 2:14 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    if there is nothing wrong with your POD and you still can't get enough clear low end response it could very well be due to pickup height/quality, wiring problems in the guitar, a failing cable....I can honestly say I've never had a problem with the low end on HD500 either being too much or not enough and I play super downtuned metal.

  • dhQk Just Startin'
    dhQk
    40 posts since
    Jan 30, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 21, 2011 10:03 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    The problem most likely is your comparing two (modeled) amps with two different settings.  It must have taken you a while to dial in what you liked in you spider valve and this is what you need to do with your pod.  It still has bass response but you will need to find a amp + setting + cab + mic combo that will give you what you need.  Doing an AB comparison will always give you a big difference if its between two different modeled sounds (the spider is 50/50 model valve) with different settings.  You just have to pursue a new tone with your unit. One that pleases your band mates with the lows, and yourself with clarity (you mentioned raising the bass muddied the tone). Forget about the effects for now.  amp + cab + mic is the most important thing to get right first

    • precious_kodi Just Startin'
      precious_kodi
      8 posts since
      Aug 8, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 25, 2011 9:36 AM (in response to dhQk)
      Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

      Actually, I've never used the SV for the amp settings. The sole purpose of the SV was to use as a power amp for the HD500. Just choosing any of the stock selections that are in the SV reveal the low end that the HD500 sucks out when I plug it back into the FX return input. I've tried plugging the HD500 into the normal instrument input but the amps that are used in the SV color the sound too much for my liking and still takes away the low end. I've tweaked the HD500 numerous times, with and without cabs, different mikes, preamps only, you name it I've tried it.

    • precious_kodi Just Startin'
      precious_kodi
      8 posts since
      Aug 8, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Oct 22, 2011 3:12 PM (in response to dhQk)
      Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

      I've finally found out what the issue was...I ran the HD500 through a Spider Valve combo and also a Spider Valve HD100 head and it seems the Spider Valve's suck all the low end out of the signal. I played it through an Egnater amp and the lows came out real nice. Needless to say, I've dumped my Spider Valve's and picked up a few Egnater's...now my HD500 sounds perfect.

      • leyfr01 Just Startin'
        leyfr01
        74 posts since
        Jan 26, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Oct 22, 2011 3:20 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
        Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

        I had the same issue. I now use either an Egnater Rebel-20 or a Dr Z Maz Jr.  Each one sounds amazing with my Pod HD Pro.  I still use the Spider Valve MKII 1x12 combo for rehearsal though. Still sounds great on it's own merits but I have a strongs suspicion that Line 6 is going to focus more on the HD technology and make that their new flagship. i.e. Vetta.

  • mutantseamonkey Just Startin'
    mutantseamonkey
    1 posts since
    Sep 16, 2012
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 28, 2013 2:29 PM (in response to precious_kodi)
    Re: HD500 Tone/Lows Issue

    I painstakingly built about 150 patches (offline and then loaded into the HD) from all these pro rigs that I have been collecting for years. I plugged into the HD500 and they all sounded tinny and like crap. Then strictly by chance I turned off a wah and the sound boomed out of the HD like never before. In short, turning off the wah (even if not engaged on an EXP channel) changes the tone dramatically. That and too much noise gate totally saps your sound. Hope that helps.

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