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372 Views 5 Replies Latest reply: Feb 15, 2012 2:46 PM by pratikb RSS
drappoc Just Startin'
drappoc
5 posts since
Dec 8, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 12, 2012 11:00 PM

HD500 tone sucks when not using amp models

ok so i bought a hd500 to go with my Tyler variax.

 

problem started as soon as i plugged it in.....(Variax into Variax input using the line6 supplied cat5 ethercon cable and out to the input jack of my Fender Blues Dlx from the 1/4 inch output jack of the hd500)

 

when i turn on the tuner (i guess by-passing the HD500's modeling engine) the guitar sounds great, full bodied, clear, clean etc just like plugging directly into the amp.

 

BUT as soon as i turn the tuner off I lose all the definition and tone, muffled and weak (and that is before I insert any amp or effect blocks so I was expecting the signal to just pass through without any coloring of the tone).

 

it sounds like c**p.

 

I can get it sounding better by using an amp model in the signal path but i kinda like the natural sound of my tube amp.

 

i just want to use this HD500 for FX and Variax control.

 

am i missing something?

 

Please help!!!!

Tags: tone, tones, help, line_6, 500, hd500, pod_hd, pod_hd_500
  • chimp_spanner Just Startin'
    chimp_spanner
    336 posts since
    Nov 7, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 13, 2012 1:13 AM (in response to drappoc)
    Re: HD500 tone sucks when not using amp models

    Hmm that is a little strange. The only thing I'd suggest is checking that your impedance controls aren't defaulting to their lowest setting, as that would have the effect of dulling the sound. I find a setting of 1m or 3.5m really brightens things up. Although I can't see why or how that setting would have been changed. Still worth investigating though. You can get to it by pressing and holding "View" and going to page 3/9.

  • drappoc Just Startin'
    drappoc
    5 posts since
    Dec 8, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 13, 2012 10:29 AM (in response to drappoc)
    Re: HD500 tone sucks when not using amp models

    Ok Success

     

    After much digging and hair pulling i finally found what was zapping the tone!!!!

     

    It was in the global output settings..... the high pass and low pass filters were set to 50% thereby cutting high and low frequencies by half leaving the guitar sounding all middley and nasal. I set both filters (attenuaters) to flat and hay presto.... a full frequency guitar sound and without the need to use any amp modeling.... oh my goodness I am a happy chappy now.

     

    Now....

     

    CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY LINE6 WOULD HAVE THE HIGH AND LOW ATTENUATERS SET AT 50% AS A DEFAULT??????

     

    It just don't make sense

    • pratikb Just Startin'
      pratikb
      142 posts since
      Dec 4, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 13, 2012 12:59 PM (in response to drappoc)
      Re: HD500 tone sucks when not using amp models

      drappoc wrote:

       

      . I set both filters (attenuaters) to flat

      please let me know what are the 'flat' setting you have adjusted to. it would be a great help

       

      Thanks

      Pratik

      • drappoc Just Startin'
        drappoc
        5 posts since
        Dec 8, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 14, 2012 9:19 PM (in response to pratikb)
        Re: HD500 tone sucks when not using amp models

        if you press and hold the View button you enter the system setup menu.

        Go to page 4 (using the up and down keys to the right of the view screen) and you will be in the output setup section.

        multi function knob 2 will attenuate the low frequencies and 4 will attenuate the Highs.

         

        I found that they were both set to 50% which means they cut the volume of highs and lows by half.

         

        I am a professional sound engineer and we refer to these as high pass and low pass filters (a high pass filter will cut all frequencies below a set frequency point allowing all frequencies above that point to pass unaffected and a low pass filter will cut all frequencies above a set point and allow lower freqs to pass in the same way.

         

        if you turn knobs 2 and 4 respectavly either fully clockwise or counter clockwise (i forget which but it is just a matter of trying one and if it dont work go the other way) you the display will say Flat. at this point the highs and/or lows will pass freely without any cuts (or attenuation)

         

        i hope this helps you as it did me

         

        Colin

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