BlueBrain

Hey all, thanks for the replies & the validation that I'm not imagining things. :) I'll let you know what support says about it when I hear back from them, though I'm sure their initial response will be to do all the things I've already indicated I've done (latest firmware, lower guitar signal, etc) - hopefully I can convince them it's not user error and get an answer.

Nope, firmware re-update didn't make a difference. Checked again and it's there on every amp unless the signal from the guitar(s) is so low that the there's no distortion at all. :( Definitely either something wrong with this unit specifically, or is it possibly just how these sound and most users don't hear it? A non-discerning ear might not separate it out from the intended distortion? I'll be curious to see what tech support says about it.

Thanks, I'll try the firmware re-update. It certainly seems like an internal problem with digital clipping so who knows, worth a try!

Hey all. Thanks for the replies! Firmware version is 2.10 I've tried both a strat with EMG's and a tele with dual humbuckers. In both cases I've tried with PAD on/off, via headphones direct out of the POD and via headphones and monitors out of the MOTO (XLR out from POD to MOTU). I've tried with the master on the POD hot, with it low. The only thing that works is to back off the volume on the guitar(s) and/or to back off the drive on the amp models ... but it doesn't stop that unwanted distortion until there's pretty much no wanted distortion (e.g. 0:26ish on the sample.) bjnette: if it's clipping, it's internal, I hear it no matter what I output to (headphones out from the pod, XLR out to MOTU, etc) evilmikehoo: I assumed at first that it was the signal being too hot from my strat with EMGs as well; however, the only way I can get rid of it is to cool the signal (before the POD or via drive) to the point that there's pretty much no distortion left. martindorr: thanks, I'll see if I can figure out where my input levels are at specifically, but again, I've tried cooling them down quite a bit and can't seem to eliminate the clipping without simultaneously eliminating the actual drive/distortion wanted in the tone. stumblinman: I seem to have the most up-to-date firmware, and yes, with the guitar level low but the amp drive/channel volume up, the clipping sound is still there. Thanks all! I've also submitted a tech support ticket.

If it'd be quicker/easier to review the sample this way: https://soundcloud.com/potential178/pod-hd500-unwanted-distortion

I've owned my HD500 for quite a while and have always thought something sounded off with moderate or higher drive or distortion, but I just finally spent a couple hours tonight thoroughly troubleshooting to confirm that it's not a single guitar, input clipping, clipping into the MOTU, etc. I don't get any unwanted distortion when the drive is low or with a clean signal, but once the drive is turned up and there's any crunch, there's this added distortion that to me sounds like digital clipping or perhaps what's referred to as "crossover" distortion? Whatever the case, the only way I can seem to eliminate it is to reduce the gain of the signal anywhere in the chain to the point that there is no distortion whatsoever. Again, it's not the guitar, cable, too-hot input into POD or too-hot input into the MOTU I'm using for recording. In all cases there doesn't seem to be any signal clipping, it just seems like any distortion in the pod adds this layer of unwanted digital distortion, and has since the unit was new and through a couple rounds of firmware updates. First half of the sample attached is blackface amp with drive lowered and tube drive in front (same added distortion wherever it is in the chain) and second half is blackface with drive up and tube drive off. It's quite noticeable at chord hit at 0:08 and again at 0:25 where the playing isn't so hard yet it's still there. After troubleshooting this thoroughly it seems to me that it's just how the HD500 performs? distortion.mp3