Couple questions about the HD500/x

[Normalcey]

Hello, I am getting the pod hd500 soon, and would like to get everything ready to start using it off the bat. Had my guitars and amp stolen so I'm getting my stock back.

 

Can you plug the Pod HD 500 or X's phones slot directly into a computers audio in jack? I've heard that powered connections into a pc slot is bad. I'm not sure on the specifics of this device.

 

Also do you need special headphones, or just a jack converter?

 

My plan if it allows is to buy an amp later, and just use the pod to plug into headphones / my PC.

[Matt_Brown]

I would just come out of the left or right jack. There are loads of choices. I'm sure you will be fine..

 

Yes, any earphones will work. You need a 6mm (same as a guitar) jack.

 

Happy PODing!

[pianoguyy]

_{Hello, I am getting the pod hd500 soon, and would like to get everything ready to start using it off the bat. Had my guitars and amp stolen so I'm getting my stock back.}

 

Just remember, you had your old stuff for years. You were very well adjusted to it. And when it came to buying stuff, you bought one piece at a time and tweaked it until it was perfect. That is way different than now - you are getting everything all at the same time. You are going to be lost at first and will probably get frustrated. 

 

 

_{Can you plug the Pod HD 500 or X's phones slot directly into a computers audio in jack? I've heard that powered connections into a pc slot is bad. I'm not sure on the specifics of this device.}

It depends on the computer. Some of them are better than others, lol. 

I wouldn't use the headphone jack for two reasons. First, as you mentioned, signal type. But also, the odds are that your computer input jack is mono while the Pod is stereo. Just use the USB or one of the line level output jacks. 

 

 

_{Also do you need special headphones, or just a jack converter?}

You need a 1/4" stereo jack. If you buy a converter, buy a stereo-to-stereo converter. 

 

 

_{My plan if it allows is to buy an amp later, and just use the pod to plug into headphones / my PC.}

Do not buy an amp. Amps 'color' the tone. The coloring is what makes a Marshall a Marshall and a Fender a Fender. So instead of buying an amp, buy a monitor or something called FRFR. They are plain/neutral/bland, which is exactly what you want for something like the Pod. 

[Normalcey]

even if you can do it, it is a bad idea trying to connect the POD output or its phones output to the computer audio input, first because all computers built in audio interface are basically crap quality, and second because your POD is already an audio interface much better than any built in audio interface..

 

so, install all the needed drivers/applications for your POD into your computer, connect your POD through USB, set the POD as the audio interface to be used by your programs, and connect your output speakers/monitors and phones directly to the POD..

I might do that. Setting it up from USB, as I don't have the pod yet (next Tuesday I hope) I assume you can't just plug it into your pc via usb, you probably need some sort of instrument cable to USB converter? like a blue icicle? (just an example)

[bjnette]

The HD does the conversion for you so you dont need a usb converter. Go to Line 6 website and download installer and get drivers to run the usb as audio plus EDIT for on computer editing. 

[neoxlider]

Hello

I don't have the same sound to the headphones and recording. With the earphones my sound is too bass so I have to increase the treble. And inevitably when I reread the record there is much too much treble... Why the sound is not the same ?

Thx

[cruisinon2]

Hello

I don't have the same sound to the headphones and recording. With the earphones my sound is too bass so I have to increase the treble. And inevitably when I reread the record there is much too much treble... Why the sound is not the same ?

Thx

If you're listening to what you record through studio monitors, that's likely part of the problem. No two means of listening to your output are gonna sound identical...headphones, especially closed-back designs, can be especially problematic, as they tend to artificially increase the bass response. You need a pair of flat-response, studio headphones if you want to get anywhere close to what you'll hear through other sets of monitors. Most consumer-level headphones designed for passive listening, as opposed to monitoring while recording, will usually have a pumped-up low end, and nothing that resembles a flat response.

 

Then there's the issue of how to apply EQ...if there's too much bass, hiking the treble is usually not the answer. Removing frequencies that there are too much of, rather than increasing what seems to be missing will almost always yield better results. Too much bass? Lower it, and leave the treble alone, otherwise you just end up with too much of both.

[pianoguyy]

Hello

I don't have the same sound to the headphones and recording. With the earphones my sound is too bass so I have to increase the treble. And inevitably when I reread the record there is much too much treble... Why the sound is not the same ?

Thx

Are you using $10,000 cans, or are you using $20 earbuds that came with your iPod?

[neoxlider]

I don't think that the real problem is the quality of headphone... because my pod is plugged with my PC by USB and i don't have problem i've a good quality sound with youtube, media player or anything else...

[skybone]

It's probably been said already, but you are far better off using the USB cable for connecting to your PC for recording, or if you don't want to do that, then there are plenty of other available USB Recording Interfaces that will capture the sounds far better then a cable from the headphone jack.

 

You just use a standard USB Printer Cable. Just make sure you download all the drivers, Line6 Monkey, & HD500x Edit first.