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Is it possible to control Line 6 Spider IV's presets using a POD HD500x?


derrickLT
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So I'm currently owning a Line 6 Spider IV 150w amp and I'm planning to have a POD HD500x but I really love how my distortion sounds on the preset of my Spider amp so I want to keep it but I want to use a POD HD500x so I can use some good delay (which the Spider amp doesn't have), some modulations and a clean tone. Wondering if this is possible? 

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Not sure if it would work or not...but unless I'm mistaken, that amp has no fx loop...trying to run anything straight into the front (except a distortion box, or a wah) is gonna sound awful, especially an effect like a delay. Those two units really aren't designed to work together. I think the Spyder is really intended to be a stand alone device.

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I don't think you will be able to control the Spider, but you can use the Spider in power amp only mode.  It's been a while since I had the Spider, but I remember that you can switch the amp into power amp only mode by holding down the Tap button when you switch it on (maybe someone can correct me here if this isn't the right button).  In this mode you can get the Pod to power amp directly by plugging into the normal input jack on the Spider, so your pods sound will not be affected by any of the Spiders sounds (the Spiders modelling and effects are all disabled).  Be careful though because all of the amps controls will be disabled too, including the master volume.  Make sure you set your Pod's master volume to a low level before you switch it on otherwise it will be very loud!  The amp will be at 100% volume all the time in this mode.  I used this setup for a while and it worked well.  Also, because the amp is at full volume it is best to switch the Pod on first, the the amp second and reverse this when switching off.  This is the way I would use any power amp with the Pod anyway to avoid any speaker pop when switching the Pod on.

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I don't think you will be able to control the Spider, but you can use the Spider in power amp only mode.  It's been a while since I had the Spider, but I remember that you can switch the amp into power amp only mode by holding down the Tap button when you switch it on (maybe someone can correct me here if this isn't the right button).  In this mode you can get the Pod to power amp directly by plugging into the normal input jack on the Spider, so your pods sound will not be affected by any of the Spiders sounds (the Spiders modelling and effects are all disabled).  Be careful though because all of the amps controls will be disabled too, including the master volume.  Make sure you set your Pod's master volume to a low level before you switch it on otherwise it will be very loud!  The amp will be at 100% volume all the time in this mode.  I used this setup for a while and it worked well.  Also, because the amp is at full volume it is best to switch the Pod on first, the the amp second and reverse this when switching off.  This is the way I would use any power amp with the Pod anyway to avoid any speaker pop when switching the Pod on.

 

That's interesting...I had and HD150 briefly, didn't know it could do that. I skimmed through the manual just now, couldn't find anything about it in there. Nice feature to have, but if you ask me having the master volume red-lined by default and unadjustable is asking for trouble. Sooner or later you'll forget, or won't be paying attention when you're plugging in, and you'll blow yourself into next week...lol

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Only two ways I know of to use a POD with a solid-state Spider...

 

1. Starting with the Spider 2 and the 3's, you could power up holding the tap button to put it into model bypass mode...basically turns the guitar input into a Line in. This is a test mode and not really that practical. Some folks have used it.

2. Starting with Spiders 3's, most have a CD/MP3 input....Just requires an adapter and you go straight to the power amp. This is likley the simplest solution to using it.

 

You could modify you head so that you have a loop by disabling the line out/headphone cutoff switch...Then it's basically a 4CM setup...However, it's actually stereo... 

 

GTR->HD GTR Input

HD FX Send->SPider GTR INput

Spider Stereo Line out->HD FX Return stereo

HD LR 1/4 outs to CD/MP3 Stereo Input (adapting needed)

 

It's technically doable, but leveling that out would be challenging....

 

I thought midi was added to the Spider 4...I have an SV MK2 that is pretty similar other than the power amp...You should be able to run HD midi out to the SV midi in and be able to change patches....How, they map is anyones guess....You likely have to choose the setlist first...

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That's interesting...I had and HD150 briefly, didn't know it could do that. I skimmed through the manual just now, couldn't find anything about it in there. Nice feature to have, but if you ask me having the master volume red-lined by default and unadjustable is asking for trouble. Sooner or later you'll forget, or won't be paying attention when you're plugging in, and you'll blow yourself into next week...lol

The test mode (holding tap down) mentioned above is the same thing as plugging the POD output into the effects return jack of a single channel amp.  The POD's controls become the amp controls.  It's perfectly fine to do this as long as you remember to check your PODs master volume first.  I think you'll only forget once though   :-)

 

Also, the CD/MP3 input is ok as mentioned in the previous post, although I seem to remember that you can't get any sort of usable volume out of it.  It's fine for bedroom practice, but nothing else.

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