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What is a better way of recording with Pod HD500? Direct USB or plugging into interface?


sijan92
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Currently I have PodHd500X, Steinberg UR22 (audio interface) and Garageband. For recording, should I directly use the USB from POD into the computer? Or should I plug the output of the Pod to the input of UR22? Which method will give me better recording quality? If I use the UR22, is it better to use the balanced (XLR) output of the Pod or the unbalanced output? I tried messing around with both the methods but can't seem to distinguish much in quality. Your suggestion will be highly appreciated. 

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Currently I have PodHd500X, Steinberg UR22 (audio interface) and Garageband. For recording, should I directly use the USB from POD into the computer? Or should I plug the output of the Pod to the input of UR22? Which method will give me better recording quality? If I use the UR22, is it better to use the balanced (XLR) output of the Pod or the unbalanced output? I tried messing around with both the methods but can't seem to distinguish much in quality. Your suggestion will be highly appreciated. 

I never use the USB recording method in any of my recordings. I have A/B'd it though and "in the mix" there is no audible difference. It's just so much easier to just go stereo L&R out of the POD and right into a Good Quality Aduio Interface. I am currently using a Focusrite 2i4 and also a Tascam US-2x2. Both record at 24/96 which is what you want when looking for an exrernal audio interface.

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The only benefit to going through another AD/DA conversion stage is that you can use your own studio interface to monitor through.  Even if you don't hear a difference when tracking, a conversion step is a conversion step, and may resurface farther down the mixing process as unwanted noise or loss of quality.  Of course, it depends on what processing you end up doing to the Pod tracks, including EQ, compression, etc through to mastering.  Play it safe.  Track through the Pod's USB, and then switch back to your other interface for post. The good thing about studio is that you can take extra time to do it right, instead of going for quick and (potentially)dirty for the sake of time.  

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I never use the USB recording method in any of my recordings. I have A/B'd it though and "in the mix" there is no audible difference. It's just so much easier to just go stereo L&R out of the POD and right into a Good Quality Aduio Interface. I am currently using a Focusrite 2i4 and also a Tascam US-2x2. Both record at 24/96 which is what you want when looking for an exrernal audio interface.

So you use both the outputs of Pod when recording? I have been using a single mono output all this time. Would you recommend unbalanced or the balanced (XLR) outputs? 

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slighty better quality through the digital direct USB connection,

going instead through another interface there will be an added AD conversion, unless you can use a digital s/pdif input

How does the s/pdif input work exactly? The UR22 does not have a s/pdif port so I am guessing I would need a convertor for that? It only accepts balanced, unbalanced and MIDI inputs. 

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Play it safe.  Track through the Pod's USB, and then switch back to your other interface for post. The good thing about studio is that you can take extra time to do it right, instead of going for quick and (potentially)dirty for the sake of time.  

 

This is  - for me at least - not worth the effort. I have a PreSonus FP10 FireWire interface already hooked up to my PC, and my M-Audio BX8a monitors already hooked up to the FP10. Switching everything around is a major PITA, so the using the SPDIF option is the was to go. My FP10 is dialed in and works really well.. so using the HD500x as the interface is just a bunch of extra work.

 

YMMV

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I use the USB myself as my external interface is an old M-Audio Fastrack Pro I used when I was using Protools. I get better results with the POD's USB but that's just my gear. If I had a better external interface I would probably use that though with the XLR outputs. I should mention I'm basically just recording ideas to layout song structures and whatnot right now and will do the final recordings through a mic'd tube amp. My test results aren't bad with the 500X's USB though, better than anything I ever got out of the M-Audio with Protools (I'm using Reaper now).

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This is  - for me at least - not worth the effort. I have a PreSonus FP10 FireWire interface already hooked up to my PC, and my M-Audio BX8a monitors already hooked up to the FP10. Switching everything around is a major PITA, so the using the SPDIF option is the was to go. My FP10 is dialed in and works really well.. so using the HD500x as the interface is just a bunch of extra work.

 

YMMV

 

What does "PITA" mean? And how do you use the SPDIF with your soundcard, pod and monitors? I didn't understand the connection you have done...

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PITA Pain in the a@@. You can consider SPDIF like another connection but instead of analog it is digital. So in essence it's like your XLR and 1/4" outputs and, like those, if your audio card/interface doesn't have an SPDIF input, you can't use it. It then should be another input option on your audio card/interface.

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I go either direct stereo out of the pod into my cakewalk ua-25 EX interface if I am playing along with tracks but prefer to use my Tascam DP 24 or zoom R16  if recording. I have recorded direct through the interface to sonar or Cubase but prefer the separate recorder as it gives me simple options re noise gates compressors etc then I transfer the tracks from the recorder and mix using the PC.

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Searching for the best results of the recording signals, I connected the unbalanced outputs (1/4") and the balanced outputs (XLR) of my POD HD500X to a mixer. All the inputs of the mixer where set to line-inputs. I have got a huge difference of the output-volume. The fader of unbalanced outputs was on 30% and the fader of the balanced outputs on 100% for the same volume. Additionally there ist noise within the balanced signal, even if it is set on lift. Is this normal? What am I doing wrong? I thought the balanced outputs where the best for recording because of its technique.

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Searching for the best results of the recording signals, I connected the unbalanced outputs (1/4") and the balanced outputs (XLR) of my POD HD500X to a mixer. All the inputs of the mixer where set to line-inputs. I have got a huge difference of the output-volume. The fader of unbalanced outputs was on 30% and the fader of the balanced outputs on 100% for the same volume. Additionally there ist noise within the balanced signal, even if it is set on lift. Is this normal? What am I doing wrong? I thought the balanced outputs where the best for recording because of its technique.

The balance line is mic level...You need to set those strips to mic...

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So you use both the outputs of Pod when recording? I have been using a single mono output all this time. Would you recommend unbalanced or the balanced (XLR) outputs

Yes I use L&R outs of the POD into my recording interface. I always record in stereo L&R. Balenced XLR is always better Live but honestly . . . . Shhhhhh,  . . . .Wait for it . . . . . .I've just been using good quality 1/4in. guitar cables in all of my recordings you guys have seen & heard for years. I only use Balanced XLR's in concert!!

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  • 8 months later...

Hi guys, I want to connect my POD HD500X by the ballanced XLR outs with my interface (Tascam US4x4). At the same time I want edit pressets in PODHD edit. So if I want to do this I have to connect POD to computer by the USB too. When I do it like this I can hear in the monitor strange noises which ends when I unplug POD. I think it is because the POD's interface is running too. How can I edit POD without using his interface. Or what I'm doing wrong? Sorry for my english... 

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I use the output jack sockets so that i can use another interface ( in your case the UR22) else you have to ditch the UR22 and use just the Pod.

You can only use one or the other as the ASIO needs to stream through one device to keep the input and output in sync.

To me that's not practical with all the other equipment i've got so i don't bother recording with USB.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. After having read how u all solve different complex problems for ppl, i think this is the right place for my solutions :). I've seen guys here talk abt how they connect their pod HD via spdif, mine goes thru the phones output - woofer spkrs (can't afford studio spkrs, amps, soundcard). I use the 500x sound card with the cubase. It does record, but not qualified enuf to say if its a better quality. Is this the right way also to connect? Someone mentioned abt DVD cables thru spdif...but 500x has just one slot...while the cable has two...plz bear with me for my ignorance...I'm looking for some enlightenment here...plz help...

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If you do not have another interface, recording direct via USB is your best option.

Until you get studio monitors I would suggest monitoring with headphones for a more accurate representation of what is being recorded.

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  • 8 months later...

It does make seem to make more sense to do it that way, but sometimes I like a second opinion before I try something new. I recently got a new sound card, studio monitors and Sonar Platinum and I've always used the 500 with just a 1/4 inch jack but now I want get serious with so I'm exploring possibilities. Thanks for the input.

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