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can't update firmware on my brand new (used) DT50-115


mtreehugger
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and maybe i don't need to?  

 

i bought this baby yesterday.  i've hooked up the midi to my pod hd500, attempting to use that as my usb interface.  

 

(per the dt50 midi implementation guide:  "Got a POD HD500 or POD HD Pro? These devices are capable of functioning as MIDI controllers, where you can configure the specific MIDI CC messages to be sent from its footswitches & pedals. See the POD HD Advanced Guide PDFs at http://line6.com/support/manuals.")

 

so i read everything i could find, but nothing really tells me to do anything.  but monkey will not see the DT!  i tried powering it up in safe mode as well, to no avail.  monkey sees the hd500, but when i try to change devices there's nothing there.  there's an option to find device via midi connection, but that route fails to find the hd500.

 

i also tried it using a mic cable in lieu of the l6 link in hopes that since midi passes through this connection, maybe that's how the firmware is installed.  nope.  same story--monkey can't see the dt.  (the midi cables were disconnected for this attempt.)  so then i thought maybe i needed to set up my hd500 for midi, but can't find anything anywhere that tells me to change the pod settings from the default, which is where it's set.

 

however, since i will connect through the l6 link, what i've read seems to indicate that the hd500 will do the job for me anyway, whereas if you are using midi to control the DT50 then you'd want the v2.0 firmware--is that an accurate statement?

 

it's so frustrating because most of what passes for instructions on the subject are more like sales pitches:  "you can do this, you can do that, blah blah blah..." but no, i can't, because you don't tell me how or you tell me wrong!

 

any help will be greatly appreciated!!!!

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Yep, its got to be a USB/MIDI interface that connects USB to your computer and MIDI to your DT.

 

M-Audio Uno has worked for forum users. Make sure latest drivers are installed for it.

 

With all the connections made, DT amp "on", run "Monkey" on your computer, Monkey should see the DT via MIDI, allow you to download the latest firmware, and update the DT.  If its working it will take a short while, this is good sign. Then the DT will restart and come back up with the new firmware.

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Thanks, guys!  I think I'll give it a go with my flakey Tascam US-800 interface before I think about buying more equipment.

 

But is it really a moot point anyway?  If I've already got those amp models in my hd500, and I'm using the L6 Link, and I'm not using MIDI, do I really need the firmware update to the DT50?

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Thanks, guys! I think I'll give it a go with my flakey Tascam US-800 interface before I think about buying more equipment.

 

But is it really a moot point anyway? If I've already got those amp models in my hd500, and I'm using the L6 Link, and I'm not using MIDI, do I really need the firmware update to the DT50?

That depends on if you ever want to just grab your amp and go. I also use the reverb on my amp instead of putting it in my amp models, so it frees up and effects slot and I can still choose the reverb that I want.
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That depends on if you ever want to just grab your amp and go. I also use the reverb on my amp instead of putting it in my amp models, so it frees up and effects slot and I can still choose the reverb that I want.

So you can pick any reverb as long as you can send it the MIDI command, eh?  I'd guess the same would apply to the amps, except you'd be without deep edit parameter adjustment.  I wonder If I can do that with what I've got.  It's not MIDI notes, it's something else, correct?

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yes you want the update. the update fixes a wrong configuration with the boost tube on the AC30 model....

adds a few behind the scenes fixes for L6Link (switches better, less pop, etc)

and allows you to use the reverb on the DT amp, and save the DSP on the pod....

that can open up alot more tone options.

 

the m-audio uno is the most notably reliable interface to do the update...

BUT... the midi on your interface can possibly work.

should be as simple as opening monkey and telling it to change device since it will probably have the pod selected.

 

Thanks, guys!  I think I'll give it a go with my flakey Tascam US-800 interface before I think about buying more equipment.

 

But is it really a moot point anyway?  If I've already got those amp models in my hd500, and I'm using the L6 Link, and I'm not using MIDI, do I really need the firmware update to the DT50?

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yes you want the update. the update fixes a wrong configuration with the boost tube on the AC30 model....

adds a few behind the scenes fixes for L6Link (switches better, less pop, etc)

and allows you to use the reverb on the DT amp, and save the DSP on the pod....

that can open up alot more tone options.

 

the m-audio uno is the most notably reliable interface to do the update...

BUT... the midi on your interface can possibly work.

should be as simple as opening monkey and telling it to change device since it will probably have the pod selected.

Thanks, zap!  

 

So how hot should my DT be running?  I have another thread on this.  I know now the heat isn't coming from the transformers, but I have no basepoint so I'm not sure if I have a problem or not.

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they run hot as all tube amps... but don't know of any specific temperature range.

 

I fired up my old Dual Showman Reverb, which has like 20 tubes in it, and it got hot, but not as hot as the DT50, which as you know has just 4.  That has me wondering.  Also, because all those electronics are sitting above the hot tubes, it's got me worried.  And I'm just running low power mode with the master at 4 in class AB--it's not like I'm pushing the thing.  In fact, the tubes are kinda dimly lit, not bright at all.  And they look brand new!

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for the most part... the fuses are designed to catch "too hot" before it becomes a real problem... if you're not blowing fuses i dont think you are at a critical level....

as a precaution if you care to bother... take it to a tech get it retubed and biased. may yield some tonal improvements as well... i don't think it's required... but wouldnt hurt.

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for the most part... the fuses are designed to catch "too hot" before it becomes a real problem... if you're not blowing fuses i dont think you are at a critical level....

as a precaution if you care to bother... take it to a tech get it retubed and biased. may yield some tonal improvements as well... i don't think it's required... but wouldnt hurt.

 

That's reassuring, Zap.  Thanks!  I was kinda thinking biasing myself, but you're right--why do that without new tubes?

 

I'm still worried about the electronics, though.  The chassis (i.e. metal box) gets hot enough that you couldn't keep your hand on it for more than a few seconds, even while playing at the aforementioned low levels.  In a vintage amp all that's in there are caps, resistors, and wires, mostly, and those items aren't known to be vulnerable to heat.  But in this thing there are semiconductors and God knows what all (maybe a smartphone).  Has there never been a heat-related failure to the non-tube electronics in a DT?  In particular, the combo amps where the tubes are below the electronics...?

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I can't say never as i don't actively see the service center stuff... but never see that kind of issue posted on the forums.

that's not to say it's impossible and i understand the concern... but a service center would be a more thorough place to get information from. i'm sure they can answer some questions for you over the phone.

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yes you want the update. the update fixes a wrong configuration with the boost tube on the AC30 model....

adds a few behind the scenes fixes for L6Link (switches better, less pop, etc)

and allows you to use the reverb on the DT amp, and save the DSP on the pod....

that can open up alot more tone options.

 

the m-audio uno is the most notably reliable interface to do the update...

BUT... the midi on your interface can possibly work.

should be as simple as opening monkey and telling it to change device since it will probably have the pod selected.

Do FW updates to the DT ever fail?  Mine went like a dream, Monkey saw through my interface right to the DT without me even needing to select anything, and the process showed no signs of glitches.  However, I notice no difference in my amp.  I still get loud pops when changing patches unless the voicing, class, and pentode remain unchanged.  It's like the updated failed, but monkey sees my DT at the latest FW level.

 

THANKS!

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  • 9 months later...

just picked up a floor model how can I tell if it has been updated already to the new software. I don't want to buy a usb-midi unless I really need one.

 

I believe they all shipped with V 1, but don't know for a fact.  It's not easy to tell w/o midi.  But w/o MIDI the update is somewhat useless anyway.  It was reported to make switching between voicings and classes smoother, but I never really noticed any difference.  One thing that MIDI gives you that a POD will not is the ability to change the topology (voices 1-4) without changing the amp.  I'm probably experimenting with this soon.

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