ColonelForbin

Speaking of analog pedals, this one looks stellar!!! Keeley Neutrino (limited edition introductory build / price) Keeley Neutrino On Sale: $217.55"Our Funky, Hippie, Tripped-Out Envelope Filter/Auto Wah! This is something I've wanted to do for over a decade. Well, now it's here! The Keeley Neutrino gives you all the classic funk auto-wah sounds and that Jerry-In-A-Box sound. This dynamic wah sound is an effect based on your pick attack or strength. The harder you pick, the harder it "wahs"! Sounds bubble up from a deep rounded warmth to a shinning brilliance. Solo notes are individually expressive based on how hard you play. Create incredible vowel sounds... Can you say "Let's get it on"?!? Chord work stabs can sound right out of the disco dictionary on how to play that funky music white boy! We have used the classic opto-coupler design for a rich and warm depth to the effect. A simple set of controls let you explore a wealth of tones. This unit is designed to work with bass guitar and keyboards as well. Simply adjust the Gain to get it to trigger the way you want. Then, adjust the Peak control to set how much it "wahs". Inside you can set the direction with an easy to set slide switch. We have set it for a "Wah-Up" setting, the harder you pick the brighter it gets, the more it feels like you are pressing down on a wah pedal. The Range control adjusts what frequencies are being stressed HI or LO. Easily find your voicing. If all of this is old news to you then here's the other details about this release: We are back-ordered on the first 80 units. New orders will take approximately 6 weeks, but I will update this regularly. Shipments should start April 7th for the earliest buyers. We're absolutely smitten with this thing, and it's honestly been a challenge to leave it alone long enough to get any work done! THANKS TO ALL THOSE THAT GOT THE FIRST 80 UNITS! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU!"

Interesting idea; Sweetwater is running a "bundle and save" promotion, where they knock $100 off the price of buying an L2t and an HD500x. Line 6 HD500X and L2t FRFR Bundle $1,249.98 Line 6 HD500X and L2m FRFR Bundle $1,149.98

From what I understand, the production shift to the HD500x was not intended or planned - it was due to a supply related issue where they had to use a different DSP processor than in the HD500. The footswitch upgrade was probably bundled in with it to make it seem like a worthy upgrade over the original. And no, AMPLiFi has nothing to do with the HD series. It doesn't have any of the high-end in and outs - AMPLiFi is lacking most of the features the HD line offers, specifically: -Line6Link -XLR in -XLR out -Variax/VDI -USB to use the device as an ASIO soundcard -HD amp models (the AMPLiFi uses older amp and FX models) I would imagine the next generation of HD type POD gear would take several steps up the bit depth and sample rate charts. For example, 24 bit / 192k, like the new PONO music players Neil Young has created. "The PONO kickstarter campaign raised millions of dollars, and is the third largest Kickstarter campaign in the history of the site. The crowdfunding campaign for Young's Pono Music closed Tuesday, having raised more than $6.2 million. The campaign's goal of $800,000 was blown away less than 24 hours after it launched in March. The PonoPlayer, which will come with 128GB of storage, will sell for $399." In that regard, the AMPLiFi is it's own world, and as such makes an interesting statement, though it did confuse a bunch of us due to the "reinvention of the amplifier" promotion. The HD and the DT series still stand as the "flagship" of the brand, until they come up with ultra-HD amp modelling. I'd imagine the shift will likely address some of the other new next-gen hardware that is out there, like the Kemper Profiler. Perhaps Line6 will adventure into the world of $2,000+ POD gear, who knows - they keep their market share around the $500-$700 range, though the M20d, and the StageSource speakers have started to move their line into new price points, and rightfully so - minus the glitches and hiccups, the StageScape / StageSource equipment is really incredible. Even though, it still lags behind in the realm of bit depth / sample rate - the M20d does multitrack recording and all processing at 24bit/48k, which I believe has been the standard for all the POD gear since the XT series. So I'd guess they up that a fair amount, continue to upgrade the onboard RAM and processor / DSP power. In particular, they may get into dual and quad core type stuff - the M20d uses pretty high end Burr Brown chipsets, which are no slouch in the digital audio world. Perhaps the next generation of POD and amps will merge the best features among the DT amp series, the StageSource speakers, and the HD POD amp and fx modelling. For example, they could overhaul the amount of control the user has over amp models - similar to the JTV Workbench, where you can literally create custom virtual guitars, merging various body and pickup models, they could allow amp models to be "custom" created, at a deeper level than currently available. Perhaps they could create a true stereo DT style tube amp, merging the DT Link features with the AMPLiFi multi-speaker configuration, or add bluetooth and wifi to the POD series. I think the world of digital modelling has come along way, baby! What makes it exciting and enticing, is that it captures more than just the replication of an amplifier, but the whole chain of events that occurs to get that sound to a recording or front of house mix.

I ended up going with the iPad air for $100 more. The two are very similar, however the iPad air has faster Wifi. Since I would want to be able to use it with my M20d, I figured faster wifi=good thing, especially with something that complex. Tempted to take the ipAd over to guitar center to give the AMPLiFi a test drive with the proper control ability. I would imagine Guitar Center probably has some sort of in store wifi to connect with. I still need to get the Airport piece for using the ipAd with the M20d, that may have to wait till next paycheck though! Those payment plans seem like such an awesome deal, until the next month comes and multiple payments are due.. Though, the L2t's are great, so being able to split $1800 up into 3 payments with Sweetwater is definitely making it more do-able. Gotta start saving up toward a pair of L3t's next! Anyway, here's the specs on the iPad air wifi: http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/ultrafast-wireless/

Clicks and pops are often software / computer RAM issues, which can sometimes be corrected setting the appropriate buffer size settings for the task at hand. For recording, you would want to use a different buffer size for doing recording vs playback / mixing using any FX plugins. A general rule of thumb would be, "when tracking the buffer size should be set lower. and when mixing the buffer should be set higher" http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/articles/qa0910-2.htm "The smaller the buffer size, the greater the burden placed on your CPU, but you'll get lower latencies (for less audible delay), which is what you want when monitoring recordings through your sequencer and any processing. Similarly, the greater the buffer size, the greater the latency, but with less strain being placed on the CPU. If the latency is too low, you'll hear pops, clicks and glitches as your computer struggles to keep up. You're not doing any damage, so if you need low latency, try setting it down as low as you can until you hear those glitches and then raise it up a little." http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/702149-h-w-buffer-tracking-vs-mix.html "A small buffer size puts more strain on your DAW's performance, because each time the buffer "runs out", the CPU gets interrupted and the sample data within the buffer needs to be transferred to the audio interface and back. If running at 44.1KHz sample rate, we talk about 44.100 samples per second. A buffer size of 32 samples causes 44.100 / 32 = 1.378 interrupts per second. That said, the buffer size should be as high possible and as low as needed. For mixing, a small buffer size does not have any benefit. Thus typical buffer sizes for mixing are 512-1024."

I suppose the easiest way to determine if there is any latency, would be set up the HD500 with dual inputs, VDI and 1/4". Don't put any FX blocks, set up two amp models, make them the same, for dual channel, and record them both, panned hard left and right, and then look at the .WAV files in Pro Tools or some such audio software. Do some distinct staccato hits with silence between, zoom way in on the .wav's, and look to see if the peaks align visually

Yes, and I did encounter some amount of ground/earth loop issues. I ended up running everything from a single outlet, and it helped somewhat. I was wondering though, will there be / is there any latency issue? In terms of, I would probably need to do a clean test to figure it out, but do the VDI out and the 1/4" out "align" in time? I was running my JTV with VDI to my HD500, and 1/4" to my Eleven Rack, both of those stereo out to the M20d, for recording, then from the M20d to a pair of L2t's. Overall, it was wayyy too much fun tweaking sounds, which means I'd be a mess on stage trying to get two patches sorted at once. Though it did give me some cool ideas, for doing looper jams with the HD500, while messing with different tones for noodling / leads and such on the Eleven Rack.

The DT25 weighs around the same as one L2t StageSource. "case pack weight" of the DT25 is 50lbs the L2t specs claim it weighs 39.1 lbs Radatats gave you some pretty good advice, in terms of start with the HD500, see how you like it with your current Atomic amp. The comparison is apt, in terms of the Atomic being full range; so is the StageSource. Personally, I started with an HD500 in 2010, just got a DT25 earlier this year - followed shortly there after with a pair of L2t's. I bought the L2t's to use as monitors, to go with the M20d; I'd eventually like to add a couple of L3t's, and maybe a sub or two. Down the road, so to speak, in terms of budget.. That being said, there is something about using a "real" tube amp that the full range gear will never accomplish. However, there is also a simplicity to just letting the HD500 do it's thing, with the full amp modelling, especially when using something like a JTV variax with the acoustic tones. I personally can't make up my mind! I do like the tube amp vibe, and in terms of gigs, that's the direction I am going, the XLR DI out from the DT is solid; and it's mic level, so it will do just fine going into a mic snake and such. I've also run the two L2t's in stereo from my HD500, and they also sound killer. For me, that was more just exploring and having fun - those are definitely used as monitors when jamming with the full band, drummer and such. One thing is for sure; you will need to create patches and banks for each output - the patches for the DT25 *probably* need to be different from the full range / studio direct patches. To get the most from the Bogner side of the DT25, use the "PRE" amp model versions, use the L6Link, and that will configure the HD500 into 'combo/poweramp' mode. Quite similar to plugging the HD500 into the FX return of the DT25. In that case, the HD500 does the FX and the amp model 'preamp' only; the Bogner side of the DT25 does all the tube amps and analog stuff, in reality, rather than in modelling. You will always have a digital preamp with the DT25, even when running your guitar direct into the DT25; it uses the same amp model preamps as loaded on the HD500.

The Android platform seems to also be susceptible to things like Heartbleed; so far Apple says it didn't impact iOs in terms of crucial services.. Android Heartbleed Apple has No Heartbleed

Dang.. Now this looks like a useful little gadget! For being able to send an XLR di out, that is a *cool* feature. I am thinking in terms of using the JTV acoustic model through a different route than the regular electric models... Though, the same thing can be done with an HD500 using the FX loop send. Interestingly enough, it uses a 1/4" cable to send power to the JTV, so the VDI out would still be functional. Though sending the JTV power from two sources seems like a sure fire way to fry something badly! I may be imagining things, but it did seem like the VDI input to the HD500 sounded better than the 1/4", I guess it's worth doing a proper A/B comparison, especially as the input settings do seem to play a role in dialing in good tone. Line 6 Variax Cabled Power Kit "We Have More on Order: Line 6 has informed us that this item has an unusually long shipping delay. Place your pre-order now to reserve yours - if you need a solution fast, call your Sales Engineer to learn about possible alternatives to this product."

I just skimmed the previous responses, so forgive me if this was already mentioned - but it seems that the input settings can play a role in issues like you have described. Here is a link describing the issue and the solution proposed of choosing different sources for input, instead of 'same' (MeAmBobbo Pod HD guide): Input settings - page 1 Input settings - page 2 "Multiple Sources = Noise The default setting is input 1: guitar + aux + variax, input 2: same. This is not ideal - if any of the non-guitar inputs are generating any noise, it is being thrown into your signal. So change input 1 to guitar only, unless you need to use those additional inputs." The immediate impact of changing Input 2 to null is a reduced signal level. This can lead to tonal changes, as the signal level impacts how much compression/distortion effects and amps will add to the signal. You should still be able to get plenty of distortion for high-gain patches, but you may be able to get your clean patches a bit cleaner. Input 2Some people have noticed that changing input 2 to variax (a digital input, which ensures silence when not connected) (or an unconnected Mic or Aux) gives them a more desirable tone. Input 2: Same/Guitar does seem to be buggy. You don't just get equal Input 1/2 signals - one of them sounds partially delayed, causing some comb filtering (less bright highs) and making the tone sound looser and slightly out-of-phase. You will find your patches initially have less gain when using this. I like to try to make up the difference on the earliest effect(s) in my signal chain. For instance, if my first effect is a Screamer, I increase the Drive a bit and also the Output. Or if I have a Mid-Focus EQ, I boost Gain. If I don't have any effects, I increase Drive on my amp blocks. The lower gain can also be a positive if you are getting breakup on your clean tones"

100%, that was what I was thinking. Apple makes Apple hardware, and they are the only company making Apple hardware.. There are several companies making hardware for Android, and they are all a bit different, even within the same company - like Samsung, LG, etc.

Line6 JTV battery charger $49.99

+1 to whomever mentioned the input settings. For some reason, this actually matters, even when nothing is plugged into them. set whichever input you intend to use (variax, 1/4") and then set the other input to something else, like Mic in http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/setup#input

If your decision is between those two pieces of gear, the HD500x is the way to go. Not only are the FX and the amp models the most current generation of Line6 modelling - the "HD" literally in this case means high definition - but the HD500x is also the central 'brains' of the 'Dream Rig' should you ever decide to add on. By that I mean, the HD500x offers you the Line6Link feature - to connect with the DT series amps and/or the L2 / L3 series 'StageSource' speakers. I spent four years with my HD500 before I finally, recently added on a DT25. It performed admirably on it's own, but with the DT25 linked to it, I can get serious tone, fast. I more recently added a pair of L2t's and those speakers are pretty loud all to themselves. I've been primarily using them as monitors with the band, we're newbies to the M20d gear, so it's been dipping the toe in the water primarily; nowhere near stage ready in terms of songs and such, but it's nice to consider being able to have that type of versatility with my rig. L6Link the HD500 into the DT25, and into the two L2's and have a three speaker/amp full stereo rig! The HD500x also supports the Variax input, and as such, should you find yourself adding on a Variax, you will have additional control options, both from the patches controlling settings on the Variax, and with the "James Tyler Variax" series, the knobs on the guitar being able to be assigned to control functions on the HD500x; think like, gain, volume, delay and reverb settings, etc. Right after I bought my DT25, I went for the JTV59 when they were on sale a few months ago. My USA strat has been stuck in the case most of the time since! Couple more less critical things, the HD500x also functions - quite well - as an ASIO soundcard for doing recording to a laptop or computer. In much the same way that the board is set up to "go direct" to a PA, it does the same to a recording console. And for what it's worth, the HD500x also has a looper onboard, which is pretty cool. The ins and outs for me are what make the HD500 a more substantial, stage worthy piece of gear. My HD500 is four+ years old, and I haven't had *any* problems with it. I previously owned the X3Live, and had to have Line6 replace the footswitches when they failed. As for the HD500x, it features the newer, upgraded footswitch design, and it has more DSP / processor power than my HD500. The onboard FX are the "M" series effects blocks (M13) Nothing against the AMPLiFi gear, it's a really cool idea. And if you already have the required iOs device, the idea is quite tempting. If those specific hardware related factors aren't the deciding element for you, then the only way to know, is to get to a store and play through both of them, in equivalent circumstances.

I don't think you will be able to edit tones on the XT with an iPad. However, for your other question I do believe the AMPLiFi has an AUX input of some sort? You may need some specific cabling, such as headphone out from the XT down to 1/8" mini stereo. Or one of those cables that goes from two 1/4" plugs to a single 1/8" mini stereo (I think the AUX in on the AMPLiFi is 1/8" mini stereo) As far as "streaming" to the AMPLiFi, I don't think you can run the XT into anything other than the jack on the AMPLiFi itself.

The thing to keep in mind, is that the DT amps don't quite behave like normal amps in this situation. By that, I mean that when you 4CM to the DT, using "no amp" in the HD500, you are still choosing "an amp" on the DT. Well, to be more specific, a preamp, along with the corresponding typology and poweramp settings. So while you can technically use the HD500 for just FX, no amp; it doesn't exactly achieve what you would get using the 4CM with a "normal" amp. I realize that response isn't particularly full of clarity, but it's worth taking the time to understand that the "amp" preamps coded into the DT25 are the *same exact* amp model preamps coded into the HD500. One way you could approach getting a better tone using the Link, would be to find a few amp models you like, then start switching around the other settings - in particular the typology settings and the poweramp settings - pentode, triode, etc. Also, not sure this was mentioned in your previous excursions seeking answers, but they manner in which the DT responds seems to favor using the "PRE" amp model choices, which allow the DT itself to model the poweramp stages and such - by PRE they mean, literally, just the preamp portion of the amp model. So I can see what you might be hearing as unfavorable, comparing the HD modelling portions of each amp model vs the DT doing those amp models as a combination of the preamp stage, coupled with the Bogner tube and analog portions. The L6Link function is really solid, just takes some getting used to. I used my HD500 from 2010-2014 with whatever amps or speakers I could get my hands on, then finally went with a DT25 early this year. I am still re-thinking how I should be programming my patches and thinking about the how and what and why of the interaction between the digital modelling and the poweramp "Actual" tube stuff. Good luck, don't let frustration get the best of you; it's worth finding the answers you seek, just keep at it - maybe seeing things from a different perspective will help. :)

I think I am going to spend the extra $100 and get the iPad Air. I have been a long time stubborn iOs holdout, and I will be looking at taking the train to work soon, rather than continue to spend a ton of money weekly on the 3+ hours of driving each day. That, and I totally want to be able to use an iPad with my M20d! It seems like a good option to be able to use! And of course, because I want to be able to play the 'free' game "Ultima Forever".. ;)

This makes a TON of great points, stuff I haven't taken the time to understand or appreciate in the four years I've owned the HD500! Quick Guide There are some good tips about how the signal path works, how the stereo / mono summing occurs, about what happens when you don't properly set up the inputs, about use of the noise gate vs hard gate - lots and lots of good tips and ideas. And cool animation style drawings / graphics! Killing Fizz Dual Cabs Input Settings - quick Input Settings - in depth Patch Building Tips Signal Routing

As a compliment to this discussion, here is a link - the back and forth in the comments are particularly of interest. I found this particular little exchange of opinion most interesting! Line 6 POD HD500 Savior Of The Poor Guitar Masses“I could never record a real amp again and I wouldn’t feel like I was missing anything. †>So Hendrix walks in.. and you want to put him through a modeler>? "I can’t speak for a dead guy, but I’ve got a feeling Hendrix would be bringing his own setup to the studio if he were still alive. Either way,the odds of him using the latest technology now are quite high since he was using the latest technology in his heyday." There was also a link to a page someone posted with their take on how to get good tones with an HD500: http://www.foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/quickGuide

In general, you will probably get what you want quicker from the L2's than with a DT25; though, for what it's worth I have a DT25 combo and a pair of L2t's. They all sound really killer, and though the DT25 doesn't easily support the JTV59 acoustic modelling, there are definitely some functional ways to get around that. Radatats came up with a way to program the HD500 using the dual amp function, where it essentially creates "no amp", which in terms of how the DT works, is really actually bypassing the digital preamps and sending tone directly into the power amp. I've messed with it some, but not extensively. I also messed around with just running a 1/4" into the DT25 FX return, which basically does the same thing, in terms of bypassing the preamps. Since the typologies of the power amp are still in effect, there is a lot more exploring I will need to do to figure out what I personally like - but I can say both the L2 and the DT25 are friggin amazing pieces of sound machine. I am mostly using the L2' as monitors for the M20d when we rehearse. I need to get some more $$$ in play before I can get the L3 in the mix, so I haven't done a ton with just running the Hd500 into the L2's and I also haven't tried using the HD500 with the L6Link into the L2. Might be a while before I get to do that, so for what it's worth, here is the link to the posts about using the JTV acoustic tones with the HD500 and DT25 in link connection: Acoustic Solution For Jtv With Dt Amps

This may be old news, but for those of you like me, who don't yet own an iPad or other iOs device, and are seriously considering making the move; I just noticed that Apple has recently brought back the iPad 4, replacing the older iPad 2, and now the iPad 4 is $399 for the 16G, wifi version. It's retina, and uses iOs 7, so it will work with things like AMPLiFi and M20d. Literally while writing that post, it occurred to me that Line6 and Apple should team up and offer an incentive / rebate type incentive for anyone who buys an AMPLiFi and an iPad, or an M20d and an iPad... Just sayin', not a terrible idea, and certainly one with plenty of previous precedent. Cheers, and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!! :) Apple brings back fourth generation iPad iPad 4 vs iPad Air

Here's a little update; I ended up going a good bit more budget than originally intended, because instead of buying monitors, I ended up getting a pair of L2t's and an M20d... Anyway, I was in Guitar Center last night to look at a vocal fx pedal, and instead bought a pair of M-Audio BX5 studio monitors; they currently have them on sale for a stupid low price, and so I went for it. They sound great, I will be doing casual mixing with them, possibly play some guitar via HD500 into them, play our Roland keyboard through them, and listen to music, Spotify, etc. They are on sale right now for $80/each, marked down from $150/ea.. I am going to go return a pedal after work that I bought at G.C. recently, and get two more! M-Audio BX5-D2 - sale at Guitar Center

+1,000 to this! The smallest of the L series, the L2 is still *insanely* powerful. And it sounds really nice jamming tunes through it; I had Paul Simon's album Graceland pumped up last night, and the L2's just rock. I can't wait till I get the last round of gear paid off so I can get a pair of L3

Sweetwater is doing a "spring cleaning" sale, and I just noticed a couple of scratch-n-dent / demo model JTV's on sale in the $800-$900 price range. Looks like they have 2 candy apple red demo JTV69 and 4 sunburst scratch-n-dent JTV69. They also have an L2m demo model for $675. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JTV693Td2 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JTV69CARd1 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SSL2Md