napynap

That really is! Glad to hear this, considering one major company I experienced forces support agents into sales upsell experts while still maintaining an artificial call handeling time...but I digress. It's about the customer and their service request!

#1 is the thing that really helped me when I first started creating PodHD tones. I kept getting a combing phased tone because I had both inputs 1 & 2 set to guitar, which caused a thin tone with no body, no matter how I amp'd, mic'd or EQ'd it.

That doesn't sound right. Many of us are using Alto's and PODHD line without issue. Describe exactly how you are connecting it, and I'm sure the Variax experts will chime in here.

This subject has been discussed forever in these forums, even before Helix line and it's still not 'fixed'. It's always a compromise between low latency/spillover in patch changes, or use the available processing power toward having more variety of amps and effects for the same unit cost. The latter always wins out.

I would probably start out with the Jazz Rivet amp (Roland Jazz Chorus 120). One of the most clean tones you can get on PODHD. Add a compressor block in front if you need it.

Even when you get it correctly connected, which will most likely be one of the balanced HD500 XLR Outputs (mono) to the KRK Balanced XLR input, that studio monitor speaker is not designed to put out enough power to really compete with most live drummers. If you try a Y-Cable, you are probably getting some phase cancellation which is dropping the volume even further.

Yes, that's how I've been using it for Live and Rehearsals over the past 3 years... Same patches for all. Whenever there is PA with monitors, I connect directly from the PODHD to the PA. Whenever there is no monitor, I connect to an Alto-TS110a powered speaker to hear myself. Works great! edit: I also carry a second PODHD with the same patches as a backup. Small footprint!

It's also important to register it to your account in case you want to add any model packs, which extend it's usefuleness over time.

Yeah, I've struggled sometimes to program the patch tone I want, tweeking and retweeking. I get it sounding pretty good but not quite there. I change to a different guitar, different pickups, but same patch tone I programmed, and find out it's just right! Congrats!

Wow, that Red setting, I can feel the heat!

Yeah, but maybe even more valuable now that their attempt to relaunch the SVpre a few years back never got out of the starting blocks.

On gigs, I'm using POD HD desktop in a box with all the cables connected direct to PA. The only way I found was to use Gaff tape on the master volume.

I put a Studio EQ at the very end and leave it flat, but just add about 4 to 6 db of gain depending on the tone. Default is set to OFF. I assign it to one of the buttons on the FBV as a boost to turn it on.

I've been gigging with the POD HD Desktop direct to PA for a few years, which has been great in terms of sounds and small footprint. What's not so great is the clutter generated since my signal chain is: Wireless Receiver->POD Guitar Input->POD Left unbalanced Output to DI Box. Also consider the power connection, and the ethernet cable to a FBV. I throw all that into a translucent Sterilite plastic box. I have to separate the POD and the Wireless box with sheet metal to prevent drop outs. It makes it hard to troubleshoot connections if something goes wrong because it's a mess of cables in that box. Otherwise, when there's no trouble it works fantastic.

Wow, that's asking a lot in concentration especially if it's an organic show where the grooves are based on the audience response. Also, one time I had the looper get stuck and had to power cycle to stop it (Not the POD, but a Spider Valve). As you say, it's not for everyone. I always wished there was a spillover, but that topic has been disected over the years!

Yeah that's one of the topics discussed in my recent thread http://line6.com/support/topic/24337-pod-hd-starting-over/ For example, while trying to get a great clean tone using a Roland JC120, I actually found it better for a dirty tone and put a stomp box in front of it.

There's still much to discover on the POD HD series. I recently created all new patches after gigging live with a direct to PA setup for the last 2+ years. Trying different configs really puts some creative energy back into performing new material. I can see why POD HD series still retains value.

Oh yeah, his Peavey has no preamp in jack. My bad.

Could it be a bad active pickup battery? Have you tried a different guitar?

If you like the tone you're getting with hd500x at home, then you can connect direct to PA for the venues that have that option as long as there are stage monitors for the band to hear you, but if not, you just need to plug the hd500x into a powered monitor like an Alto TS112 so that your stage musicians can feel your sound and you can also hear yourself. That's what makes POD so versatile! Same tone, every location!

I've been using the FBV MK2 shortboard for years into a POD HD Desktop including outdoors in blistering heat. It has worked great, with maintenance. Occasionally, I needed to lube the pedal to remove squeak, and in some cases had to lube/clean internal switches for better contact. (yes, it can be taken apart if careful). One gripe I have is for brightly lit stages and especially outdoors, the chrome buttons can be brighter than the nearby indicator LEDS, making it difficult to know if the button is engaged or not. I understand that FBV3 fixed some issues, but I can't know for sure because there was never a real manual for it during the time I was considering purchasing it. I wonder if they ever posted one?

So I spent some time getting a clean tone that will work for most styles in a live setting. It has a bit of bite and compression on it. (I'll add chorus/delay etc for certain patches). This one is purely the amp tone with just a touch of spring reverb. Super strat style Guitar middle Pickup (and one Bridge Pickup) ->POD HD PRO ->Input1 Guitar, Input2 Mic->impedance In-Z-1M->Global EQ Flat. Blocks are: PreampEQ->Dynamics Tube Comp->Dynamics Vetta Juice->Jazz Rivet Amp with 112 BF 'Lux Cab, 57 On XS, Cab edit Lowcut 124hz-> Dynamics Noise Gate->Spring Reverb. Here's a short mp3 clip with some popular licks. Forgive the mistakes, these licks are getting old anyway lol. What do you think of the tone? napynap_clean-patch2-soundclip.mp3 - 5 MB http://www.mediafire.com/file/o915qyzow8qn3rd/napynap_clean-patch2-soundclip.mp3 -edit, added impedance setting

I'm taking it all in and about to start opening my mind again on all the amps and FX chains the POD HD still can offer that I never tried. Time to start creating new tones. This is exciting!

The Edge uses different delay settings depending on the song. It might help this community answer if you focused your question on which song?

That reasoning from the 'soundguy' is insulting to any professional musician. You are the performer and whatever equipment you use is what the 'soundguy' should accomodate. Protecting 'soundguy's' equipment is easier without mics because there's less opportunity for feedback. Also 'soundguy' can use padding or limiting for any signal. Yes, I have had experience with engineer's set in their ways. Talk calmly with them and illustrate points and reasons you have for wanting to use the gear you have. Provide examples of how it's worked perfectly at other venues. The Helix uses professional level XLR direct outs specifically to make it easier for setup and teardown while providing excellent tone. If none of that works, it's time to approach management at the venue to assist, but make sure you've climbed the ladder first.