Dt25 + Podhd500 + Variax + Analog Stompboxes

[vivalahueva]

Hello, I wanted to ask a question about the configuration I want.

 

Currently Ive got the PODHD500 which I use for amp modeling only, my M13 for stompboxes, some analog pedals, my Morley Wahwah and Digitech Whammy.

 

How does this sound to you people> is it possible?

 

GUITAR ------ Whammy --------Wah Wah--------- Volume Pedal ----------- HD500 -sends using l6 link to DT25 and use the effect loop in the DT25 to add my M13, Boss Delay, Boss Flanger, Qtron. 

 

Is this configuration good?? will it sound ok?? 

 

Please tell me what you think, because Im about to buy the DT25, actually thinking on adding 2 in the future, so I can use the effect loops customized for each amp. Example> one sounds like a Mesa and the other like a Marshall, but then make one sound like a Fender and the other like a Marshall clean... etc.

 

Thanks!!

 

Alex

[phil_m]

Well, you probably know this, but by putting pedals in front of the HD500, you lose the ability to use the VDI connection between the Variax and the HD500. But what you're proposing is doable. I guess it just seems like you have a lot of redundancy there where the M13 and HD500 along with all those effects. The effects on the HD500 are the same as the M13, so it seems that you could maybe get rid of the M13 unless you're doing some very effects-heavy tones.

[ColonelForbin]

by putting pedals in front of the HD500, you lose the ability to use the VDI connection between the Variax and the HD500.

 

This is actually a very important point. This could be totally subjective, but I do notice a difference in the quality of signal when using the JTV>VDI cable going to the HD500, which I L6Link to my DT25, vs. using a 1/4" into the HD500.

 

Essentially, you skip an entire analog to digital conversion process, and the ability to achieve dead silent hum free sound is only an option when using the VDI. Previously I had literally programmed every single patch in my HD500 to have a noise gate on, first in the chain, on all the time (my 100+ year old house/apartment has never played nice with my electronic equipment..)

 

With my recent purchase of the JTV and DT25, all that went away, and I have basically started from scratch with patch building, not using the noise gate anymore.

 

This may seem like a subtle issue, but when using the VDI, even when using the mag pickups on the JTV, the Analog to Digital conversion is occuring in the JTV, instead of in the front input of the HD500.

 

Also, while I haven't utilized this feature as much, you may want to - when using the VDI cable, you can program your HD500 patches to change guitar models on the JTV as you switch patches on the HD500.

 

I am with you on the "get two DT25's", and the idea you had about setting up dual amp chains, and then putting alternate FX into the analog FX loops of each DT is a great idea! Especially since with the programming of the HD, you can literally tell one DT to become as you said, a Marshall and the other a Fender. As soon as I get done paying off the DT I just bought, I will definitely look at getting a second one..

 

As far as analog pedals go, I only have one word: KEELEY!!! :)

 

I used to have a lot of fun with my Keeley 4-knob comp in various parts of the HD500 signal chain, in front, in the FX loop, in the amp fx loop. Great stuff, some of the best pedals you can get. Now with my current rig, I have loaned the Keeley 4-knob comp to the other guitarist I jam with, his rig is all analog pedals, and a Fender Tweed.

 

You can do some amazing things with an amp like that, and Keeley type compressor in the fx loop. Turn the master volume on the Keeley all the way down, and then turn the amp drive and volume up louder than normal - a typical 40watt Fender like that is usually too loud around 2.. So turn it up to 5. Then dial up the Keeley master volume *slowly*, also dialing up some compression.

This allows you to drive the tubes hard, use the compressor to keep your volume even, and keep the speaker volume where you want it. Turn down the guitar volume knob, and instead of less volume, it just "cleans" up your tone, at around the same overall speaker volume. Brilliant stuff. I heard they are doing a Keeley bass compressor too!

[vivalahueva]

Thanks to you both!!!! awesome answers!!! I will keep you informed about what I end up doing! Keeley is a must!!!

[ColonelForbin]

Just checking back, how did it go? Since I last posted here, I've added a few (Keeley) analog pedals to my rig, and just starting to think through how to route it all. I recall you had been looking at using the pedals before the HD500; but skipping using the VDI from the JTV to the HD500.

 

Any luck using the HD500 effect loop send? I was messing with something like this

 

JTV > vdi > HD500 > wah  > effects loop send > Keeley pedals (envelope filter, phaser, compressor, overdrives) > effects loop return > HD500 patch (pre fx, amp model, post fx) > L6Link > DT25 > effect loop send > more Keeley pedals (chorus, clean boost) > effects loop return.

 

Just curious how you ended up making it work! I was also considering an even more 'experimental' route, something like this:

 

JTV > 1/4" > pedals > DT25

+

JTV > vdi > HD500 > effects loop send > DT25 effects loop return

 

Was thinking that would make for some interesting layers of sound, basically injecting a second entire signal path into the DT25. Might be a total mess though! My other idea was similar, except instead of sending the HD500 into the DT25, just run the HD500 into a FRFR speaker setup (L2t's for example)

 

Cheers!