HD 300 - Montarbo MP4

[johandewaele]

Hi all,

 

For our combo it was decided to try and practice a heavier song which needs a bit of distorted guitar sound.

We usually play more clean/jazzy songs and I always got reasonably good sound by plugging my (Tele or Viking)guitar directly into a Montarbo MP4 that is available in the practice room. (yes, I know, lack of good guitar amps..)
 

I decided to bring my POD HD 300 and connect the POD from the L/mono with 1/4" guitar cable into one of the 4 (line)inputs of the Montarbo MP4 

POD setting : Unbalanced output set to "line", output mode "live", master volume +/-90%.

 

Problems I encountered that make me wonder if I am not doing anything wrong:

 

- When plugging in and increasing volumes: instant feedback-ish beep and I see the "clipping"-light on the MP4 input go red.  Had this first with the Viking so decided the second time to bring my Tele: better but also this problem.  I did take care to plug everything in and increase volumes gradually!  With the Viking, solution was to unplug all cables, start over, have the volume of the MP4 (very) low, volume of pod/guitar gradually full open.  With Tele same thing happened but lower/shorter feedback as I was aware this could happen.  I do see other musicians grab their ears when I plugin ;-).

- I  found a rather good, light-distorted sound but during the 1 hour practice the distortion seemed to increase automatically to a somewhat heavy distorted/saw-tooth sound which was no good anymore, without me changing any setting on the pod.

- Halfway the practice suddenly sound went away without me touching any volume setting- I only heard a weak distorted sound through the MP4.  Powering the POD off and rebooting solved the problem.

 

I know this MP4 is more used as a keyboard/mic amp but should be ideal to connect a POD?

Inputs should be line-in level?

 

Can someone give me some advise ? Much appreciated !

 

JenK

 

[johandewaele]

copied and pasted from the POD HD300 quick start guide:

 

8. Output Mode - Optimize your tone for the application. Use Studio

to apply a direct signal complete with microphone and cabinet

simulations to recorders and mixers. Use Live when connecting to

a guitar amplifier speaker combination for a natural more direct guitar

tone. When set to Dual , you can send a direct signal through the

Left outputs to a guitar amp and a studio quality mic and speaker

cabinet simulated signal through the Right outputs to a mixer or

recorder.

 

-----------------------

 

as you can see you should use the Studio output mode, since you are not connecting to a guitar amp, but to a sort of mini PA (FRFR)..

 

if you connect the POD using the jack unbalanced outputs, the output switch should be set to "Line"..

if you instead connect the POD using the XLR balanced outputs, the output signal will be at "mic" level (lower than "Line")

 

Thanks Hurghanico,

setting to studio output mode solved most of the problems: sound improved/no unwanted beebs/blops.  Amp-Studio setting confused me somewhat. ;-)

JenK