khoff2 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Hi guys, I'm sure this topic comes up all the time bust here is my situation. I recently started playing live gigs with a cover band. I play electric guitar and keys. We cover classic rock tunes from the 70's and 80's - AC/DC, the Cars, Pretenders, etc. Up to now, I have been a bedroom jammer using my POD HD500 into either headphones or M-Audio studio monitors. I live in an apartment, so practicing and tweeking at gig volume levels is impossible so headphones are a must. I like the HD 500 because I can run it directly to a PA. However, what I am discovering is that not all PA's are created equal. The gig last week although they had a PA, did not want me using it as they only had one box (I think they meant DI box), and that's what the keyboard went into. They plugged me into an onstage VOX ac30, but since my patches weren't setup for that configuration, it didn't sound great. I am also finding that when the PA is in front of the stage, I can't hear myself play. So, I need advice on how to: 1 - hear myself 2 - have a consistant setup I am thinking that in-ear monitors would solve one problem, but not all. I am also considering getting a DI box if that is going to be a concern at these gigs. Besides, those solutions, I am also wondering if the Line 6 L2t would be a better solution. That way I can have a consistent sound, run the keys through it if needed as well as electric guitar, and be able to monitor my sound. However, I love the tube amp sounds and am also considering the DT25 combo. The perfect scenerio would be to be able to have my patches sound the same regardless of volume and or source - headphone, PA, powered speaker. etc. What would you guys suggest. I am getting frustrated and don't have the time or money to try everything that's made. I am leaning toward the DT25 combo, L2t or (M), or another powered speaker such as a K10. I had a JTV-69, but sold it last week to fund my PRS. So, right now its PRS -> HD500 -> PA and/or ?????? You guys are great, thanks. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewolf48 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I play JTV into HD500 and a Motif XF would suggest L2t fed by keyboards and hd500 - I recommend the FX Loop to feed the keyboards into the HD500, the L2 is as accurate and consistent as anything I have played, and the automatic switch into Monitor mode is really useful. Set that up as a floor monitor and then take the XLR Out from the L2t and feed it to POH. You hear you (and the band hear you) and you get mixed properly for the audience. And you control your levels. If FOH really can't take it then set the L2t up as backline. By sending the Keyboard into the HD500 you have a single consistent source - you can feed tracks to practice along to using USB from a computer into headphones and mix it with keyboard and guitar (but not via L6 Link :(), and as long as you have decent headphones the same sound will come out of the L2 when you rehearse or play live. I used to have to have empty house time to set up sounds, but I now trust my headphones to be accurate enough that I only need to fine tune in rehearsal. Live with the L2 as a monitor it is more like a near field monitor and is not impacted by the room too much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoff2 Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Would the L2m work just as well? I am finding them a little bit cheaper. Any other FRFR recommendations that are cheaper. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radatats Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 agreed the L series sound killer but they are expensive. Lots of guys have reported positive experiences with the Alto TS 110a and 112a. Nothing complicated but they are about $2-300 each so a pair of them is less than an L2M. You can use them as back line or PA no problem and still feed FOH either from the POD direct or thru the cabs... I just bought a pair of Alesis Alpha 112A's for $199 each on eBay with free shipping. They are basically a slightly improved Alto with 1000W each and great reviews. They should get here next week about the same time as my Helix and I can't wait to hook it all up and see what it can do... I also have a DT25 and while it sounds great, I don't think it will do what you are looking for with both guitar and keys... for one thing, to use it effectively with guitar and the L6 link it puts your POD in Stack or Combo output mode... Not good either for keys or feeding FOH from the POD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoff2 Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 I play JTV into HD500 and a Motif XF would suggest L2t fed by keyboards and hd500 - I recommend the FX Loop to feed the keyboards into the HD500, the L2 is as accurate and consistent as anything I have played, and the automatic switch into Monitor mode is really useful. Set that up as a floor monitor and then take the XLR Out from the L2t and feed it to POH. You hear you (and the band hear you) and you get mixed properly for the audience. And you control your levels. If FOH really can't take it then set the L2t up as backline. By sending the Keyboard into the HD500 you have a single consistent source - you can feed tracks to practice along to using USB from a computer into headphones and mix it with keyboard and guitar (but not via L6 Link :(), and as long as you have decent headphones the same sound will come out of the L2 when you rehearse or play live. I used to have to have empty house time to set up sounds, but I now trust my headphones to be accurate enough that I only need to fine tune in rehearsal. Live with the L2 as a monitor it is more like a near field monitor and is not impacted by the room too much. I will try that. I just picked up a EV ZLX-12, and will set up that way. Thanks a bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BucF16 Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 OK, in-ears is a can o worms you don't want to open yet. In-ears that sound good are more expensive than speakers. Cheap in-ears sound like crap. The Altos and Alesis speakers have 2 combo inputs per on the back and one xlr output. You could buy a pair of them for pretty cheap and then run your keys AND your POD to the speakers and use them as your stereo backline, then run an XLR from each of your speakers to the PA board, using only 2 channels for both keys and POD. Your guitar patches will sound just like they do at home (good and bad!). I do this same thing with L2's sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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