Pod Hd500x Balanced Out In Mono.

[djprentis]

Hi guys,

 

I know this has been covered in some depth but there are so many mixed opinions that I'm now struggling to see the wood for the trees. I'd be hugely grateful for a couple of quick answers to spell things out to a simpleton!

 

I've just bought a Pod HD500x and a Yamaha DXR10 powered speaker as a portable gigging solution. I had a play in the shop, loved the way it sounded and walked out with both. Now I'm home, it seems that when I was testing it in the store, the guy had it set up using one XLR lead from the left balanced output into the single input of the DXR10. There's a photo of the back panel below.

 

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/mmMBCOM/images/Yamaha/Yamaha-DXR10-Rear.jpg

 

From what I can gather, this means that;

 

1. When demoing I was hearing only the left half of the signal.

 

2. With the monitor I've purchased, I will have to used the unbalanced outputs from the POD in order to send a stereo signal to it.

 

3. I should be using studio direct mode for this application.

 

Is this correct?

 

R.e., the Pod output, I really don't want to end up doing silly things like 'add a noise gate to sum to mono' or panning and such, I just want to hook things up in a simple and correct manner. I'd much prefer to used the XLR outputs as they are balanced with a line level signal.

 

4. Is this totally necessary and will I notice the difference? I don't want to have to push everything to compensate for the lower signal from the 1/4 out and much prefer the sturdiness of XLRs. I could be worrying about nothing though.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Dan

[lectricfrets]

I'm no expert, but I believe you are correct.  Use Studio Direct mode if you have a full-fidelity powered monitor.  Only the 1/4" outputs mix left and right for you when you only have one cable plugged in.  For mono XLR, I purchased a 3' "Y" cable with two female XLR's going to a single male XLR.  I found a 2-pack on e-bay for $22.50.  To be exact, the product had this description:  2 PACK PRO 3' FT. XLR MALE TO DUAL XLR FEMALE Y-CABLE SPLITTER MIC CORD Y301 1M

 

I plug the two Y-cable female XLR's into the HD500 Left and Right, and the other end (Male XLR) into an XLR mic cable to the church PA.  It works well.  Simple and worry-free.

[Charlie_Watt]

I would rather add a mono effect to convert to mono and use the XLR connection than use the 1/4 inch which will be mono.  XLR is a much lower noise connection because it's balanced.  You set up your patches to convert the output to mono.  My EV ZLX-12P has two XLR inputs so I just use two cables from the L and R.  Doesn't look like the Yamaha gives you that option.

[jandrio]

I would rather add a mono effect to convert to mono and use the XLR connection than use the 1/4 inch which will be mono.  XLR is a much lower noise connection because it's balanced.  You set up your patches to convert the output to mono.  My EV ZLX-12P has two XLR inputs so I just use two cables from the L and R.  Doesn't look like the Yamaha gives you that option.

 

+1 to Charlie...

 

Check also this post...

[djprentis]

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

I'm keen to stick with the balanced (XLR) outputs for the reasons above and I don't want to compromise when my intention was to buy the appropriate equipment to avoid doing so. However, 

 

For what it's worth, I'll never be running stereo - this setup is to replace an amp and pedals on stage and for total convenience.

 

This will probably sound like an idiotic question (I've got techno brain-freeze!), but... if I'm centre panned and not using any stereo effects (or at least not using them in a stereo sense), is the signal going to both XLR outs going to be identical? Or will I only be getting half/side of the signal? I had read the post you mentioned above and the upshot was to add a mono effect, specifically noise gate, to the end of the chain to sum to mono. However, there was still debate as to whether this had an adverse affect on the tone. I'm not keen on having to use workarounds before I've even started! Also... Some people have also suggested hard panning to the output side you will be using. Is this recommended or even necessary?

 

I really like the DXR10 but if I'm losing on anything out I'd rather return the speaker now for something else - get things right from the start and all that.

 

Thanks again and I do appreciate your patience and answers. It's helpful to try and draw all the thoughts, old and new, into a concise opinion. 

[jandrio]

The noise gate @100/0 has no effect on tone.

 

Check also this one.

[onetruevibe]

The noise gate @100/0 has no effect on tone.

 

Check also this one.

 

This  ^^^^    

 

There's no negative impact on tone when using a noise gate at the end of the chain.  My comments in the other thread were the result of me doing it wrong!  :)   Set it at 100/0 as jandrio says as the last block and you'll be good to go!  I had the same concern about monkeying around to make this work...but in only takes a sec.

 

I have a similar set up. I use a Yamaha MSR100 powered speaker as a stage monitor - and It works great!  In fact, I've had this MSR100 for about 8 years - it is so lightweight and flexible.  I use it as a stage monitor for my guitar, a small PA for coffee shop gigs, or even for hooking up my iPod and pumping some tunes in garage.  It's been great purchase!  I'd never sell it.

 

Anyway.  After getting some solid help here, I think I have it dialed in pretty well.  Here's what I do this:  Studio/Direct, XLR L to the PA and 1/4" L to the MSR100.   I've been using the 1/4" L to the MSR100 and setting it to Line to get the extra boost - but I don't.  I may consider sending the XLR R to the MSR100 going forward to reduce the potential for noise.

 

Good luck!

[djprentis]

Excellent info. Thank you very much! Do you keep panning in the mixer centered or hard left and right?

[onetruevibe]

Glad to help.  I don't mess with the panning in the mixer.  Since the noise gate sums everything after the mixer, I was thinking that it didn't matter.  I could be wrong though.  Someone will weigh in and let us know.