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Virgin/noob Hd500 User - Need Advice On Setup For Home Use


thompsondd
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Took a 10-15 year hiatus from playing and just getting back into it for recreational/stress relief purposes only.

 

I just snagged my first HD500 (used - which hasn't arrived yet). I am looking for a variety of tones (AC/DC, EVH Brown Sound, Warrant, Metallica, but also some clean chorus, etc). Let me say up front that part of the appeal (to me) of the HD500 was that I did NOT have to buy a traditional expensive tube amp, much less SEVERAL, to get a wide variety of guitar tones. 

I could use some advice on using the HD500 at home for HOME USE ONLY. I don't see gigging again ever in my future. 

 

For tonal quality, what would be best? Line or XLR out to a mixer? Out to a powered speaker/monitor? Could I use an ART SLA-1? If so, not sure how to setup (into a guitar cab? - seems that would 'color' things) or how it would sound?

 

I was thinking of snagging a cheap used mixer from GC or somewhere (lik the Behringer Xenyx, Mackie or Alesis) for $100-200. 

 

I don't want to be stuck in headphone mode only but I don't want to spend a fortune on 'amps' either.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance. 

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I recommend using the HD500 in Studio mode, and routing the outputs directly to powered FRFR speakers/monitors. Doesn't matter whether you use the XLR or 1/4" outputs over short distances like your home/room.

 

No mixer required unless, of course, you want to use other instruments also. But in either case the most important element to complement the HD500 in a home setting is the monitors/speakers. Make sure they are Full Range Flat Response (FRFR) and with at least 6" speakers. If using a mixer, route the mixer outputs to these monitors/speakers.

 

There are many options for FRFR monitors/speakers. Rockit studio monitors are a common choice among users here. I suggest you seriously consider the Line 6 L2t speaker (with built in mixer) and if you want stereo combine it with an L2m unit (no mixer).

 

I haven't used an actual amp in my home for years. The HD500 into a pair of L3t speakers in my home studio delivers an awesome sound, even at low volumes.

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Thank you for the advice. I love multiple tones but didn't want nor could afford or have the room for a vintage Marshall, a Mesa, a Diezel, a Bogner, a Fender Deluxe, etc. Been there, done that. Never again. NEVER. 

 

I had considered a mixer so I could include a PC/iPod/iPad, etc in order to include backing tracks, etc.

I also considered a mixer in case, at some point, assuming I stay with this, I ever 'upgrade' to a HD500X (which I almost went ahead and purchased) in order to run multiple 'amps' into the same infrastructure.

 

Do you have specific FRFR monitors that you could recommend? The Line 6 models you mention carry a $800-1000 MSRP. YIKES! I don't need/want to get divorced in the process of finding a hobby. 

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Any thoughts on the Tech 21 Power Engine 60? I have seen it mentioned in several threads. Curious to hear from anyone using it. Is it considered FRFR? They have a Celestion Seventy80 Model speaker.

Do you go direct from the HD500 XLR to it? It provides its own power, correct?

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I plug my mp3,CD, PC or iPhone/iPad directly into the HD500 for backing tracks, actual tracks, edited (Audacity) tracks, etc. - even when I sometimes use my small Behringer mixer.

 

OK, cool. I didn't know you could do that (but should have assumed you could). 

 

I'm still trying to figure out what to 'do' with the HD500 now. What lies 'just over the horizon'? I am not sure where to send the output of the HD500 at this point. I really don't want a Marshall or other big expense tube amp for numerous reasons but.............................

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Well, 'til I can afford otherwise, I use that small Behringer XENYX 802 mixer, got an RCA (2) to 1/8" female (1) Y cable and just plug my computer speakers (powered and old!) into the mixer. Doesn't sound bad, but.....Hey, it gives the headphones a break!

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..... I am not sure where to send the output of the HD500 at this point.................................

I strongly recommend (for your purposes, and since the Line 6 gear is quite costly) that you buy a pair of active (self-powered) studio monitors like the Rockits, or a power engine like the Tech 21 you mentioned. Either of these choices will give you very good results when connected to the HD500 audio outputs.

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I am (most likely) going to pick up a pair of KRK Rokits as soon as possible. What is in between the HD500 and them is yet to be determined. 

 

I may (also) pickup either a Presonus AudioBox USB or 22VSL or possibly some type of new USB mixer. Hummmm......................

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All you need between the HD500 and the Rokits is the audio cables. But you can put a mixer or whatever if you wish.

 

Also, the HD500 is an audio interface for connecting to your PC/DAW for recording purposes.

 

Once you get the Rokits you're good to go. I suggest you experiment with that setup for a while before deciding what you need beyond that.

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