HD500X with Mesa DC-3 - Help needed with Levels in 4CM

[Monsta-Tone]

Hey guys,

I have a gig this weekend on Oahu.  I'll be flying in, so I'm taking my Mesa DC-3 combo instead of my regular amp, which is a Rivera K-Tre 55 combo.

 

The DC-3 sounds phenomenal by itself.  I've given it some serious mods, including a full set of Mercury Magnetics transformers and adding a choke.  The DC-3 also has a Series Loop.

I will not be using the HD amp sims.  I like them, but simply like my amps much better.

 

Here is my setup (using a Mogami 8 channel cable snake, configured with 1/4" TS connections and midi connectors):

Guitar -->  HD IN

HD Send (TS cable, not TRS) --> Amp IN

Amp Send --> HD Return Left

HD Out Left --> Amp Return

 

I have the HD configured to switch my amp's functions (channel and graphic EQ) via midi, using a Voodoo Lab Control Switcher.

I have attached screen shots of the HD preset that I am using.  I am only using one preset/patch because I want delay spillovers and instantaneous changes.  The drop in sound a delays between presets drives me nuts.

 

Here is my problem:

The amp just sounds so much warmer without the HD.

I have tried the DC-3 with pedals in front of and in the loop of the amp, and it sounds great.  When I add the HD into the equation, I loose gain on the lead channel (as well as bass), and the clean channel gets thin and brittle sounding.

I am guessing that this is a Levels issue, or possibly a TRS/TS cable issue on the front of the amp.

I do not think that my issue is completely in the front end of the amp because I have tried using the HD in the Loop of my amp only and I still just don't like what it is doing to my sound.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

I will attach screen shots of the HD Edit software so that all of my settings are easily seen.

[Monsta-Tone]

Here is a screen shot of my FX page.

I am using the top row of buttons to control different FX.

I have moved the mixer to the front of the amp's input.  I read about this setup in a thread here on this forum.  It seemed to really help with some of the signal loss I am experiencing.

[Monsta-Tone]

Here is a screen shot of the Mixer.

I have moved the mixer to the front of the amp, and boosted the levels a bit.

This helped a lot, but I feel the signal is a little bit too hot now.  The amp is still lacking a little bit of warmth and depth, but the notes are very punchy and seem to be a little bit over emphasized.

 

Here is a screen shot of the Controllers page.

I am using the top row of buttons to turn FX on and off within the preset.

The bottom row of buttons is sending Midi commands to the Voodoo Lab Control Switcher

FS1 = Flanger & Dynamic delay

FS2 = Phaser

FS3 = Tube Drive or Screamer

FS4 = Delay

FS5 = Midi PC 001 (amp clean channel)

FS6 = Midi PC 002 (amp dirty channel with no EQ)

FS7 = Midi PC 003 (amp dirty channel with EQ)

 

Switches on the HD are:

Line/Stomp = Stomp

Guitar IN = Normal

1/4" Out = Amp