djprentis

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

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.

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

Hi Brent, Thanks for your reply and it is indeed helpful. That seems like a pretty logical and workable approach you're using. It's reassuring to hear that, whilst it obviously works in theory, building on one base tone (and then adding fx as required) can still give you a satisfying 'rig'. That's also what I was hoping to hear - you can strip things down a bit for live use eliminating a few of the variables that might be problematic on stage (like volume across patches). If anyone else has any thoughts or experiences to add, it's much appreciated! Cheers, Dan

Hi guys, Thanks for your thoughts. R.e. the Variax, it's something that I would add but probably afterwards (to stagger the cost) as it's the one piece of the 'trinity' I wouldn't need right away. I agree that without the headroom you need, you're doomed from the start which is a shame because the DT is such a compact package. Size and weight is a real issue because I gig a lot all over the place and we often car share meaning that anything bigger/heavier than, say, an average 1x12 isn't an option. The DT50 1x12 is pushing AC30 weight and dimensions let alone the 2x12. R.e. patches: I don't mind fine tuning (I've always been a fiddler with my pedals) and would anticipate it taking a long time to get those sounds in my head out. I like to think of that as part of the fun. However, If you set a very basic and quick (say, just an amp model without effects) clean, crunch and lead sound could you be off and running after a quick balance of patch volumes at gig level (specifically if you went the FRFR route)? I'd like to think that you could get the basics of a tone in place and working in a live situation without to much hassle and then continue to build over time. With my old XT this was impossible as volume change didn't just affect a 'tone' you had built but render it useless. I'd also find that even simply changing guitars rendered patches unusable as I'd have to then mess around with EQs for hours. Again, unlike with the older gear, I'd hope that if I swapped from say a Variax to my Strat or PRS (because I fancied a change) that I wouldn't have to rebuild a patch for each guitar - I'd hopefully just make a couple of tweaks to the treble, mid and bass knob. I also must stress that I appreciate any rig (even just guitar>lead>combo amp) changes character when you go from practice to recording to rehearsal to gig volume or swap guitars. I know from videos that you can get some stunning tones with the HD, it's just being able to use those sounds live that concerns me. It's like the holy grail of guitar within arms reach - too good to be true! Thanks again for your responses!

Hi guys, I know that most of what I ask has been covered before but now that people have has a chance to gig and live with their dream rig for a while I'm hoping for some more up-to-date answers to a few questions. Basically, I'm looking to buy a HD500x and either a L2t or a DT25 as a lightweight and portable substitute for my current valve amp, pedals, several leads, guitars etc. I play in different bands so want something to cover all bases and in theory a dream rig set should be ideal. I'd love to get my hands on the gear for a few days but trying it out in a shop 100 miles away for 1/2 hour or so is currently the only option here. This makes me reluctant to drop nearly £1100 on a bit of a 'blind' gamble so I'm getting as much info as possible! I currently use either a DeVille or Blackstar HT60 in my main band (an 11 piece) and only have monitoring from my amp due to our setup. I already lug to much gear (why I'm trying to cut down) so will not be taking an extra monitor just for myself so my amps have to be loud enough to cut through. I'm then mic'ed up in the normal way. My preference would be DT25 and HD500x because if one goes down I have a back up in the other but the L2t is significantly lighter and louder. 1. Clean headroom - can you squeeze more from the DT25 using modelling? For a lot of what I play I need a good, loud clean tone which I don't think will be an option with the DT25. My main band is a 11 piece and stage volume is a massive issue - for perspective my old Mesa Express 5:25 just didn't have enough, and even a Hot Rod only just coped. However, can using a super clean fender style pre-amp from the HD with the power amp of the DT open up the headroom significantly (more so than the amp alone)? The DT50, whilst would be wonderful, is simply to large and heavy. 2. Ease of use - making usable patches for gigging. I'm well aware that it's no plug and play setup and my past experience with Pod stuff has really put me off. In the POD XT days even minor volume/room changes had a drastic effect on your sound and whilst I don't expect miracles (all rigs need tweaking to the environment) is it easier now? I lost countless hours reading about Fletcher Munson curves, messing with EQs and such and am hoping that things might be simpler these days. The fun is creating tones, not spending hours on end trying to get them to translate at volume. Does a basic amp tone scale up when increasing the volume (fine-tuning aside)? Can you make minor changes e.g. patch volume balancing without having to rework the entire patch? 3. Connections - 4 cable (for DT), Line 6 Link, XLR etc. The Line 6 link sounds wonderful but I've read about problems with it changing modes on the L2t and people have reverted to using the POD's audio outs. Also the L6 link seems to bypass the master volume on the POD which is very undesirable. What are you guys using now the dust has settled? 4. Reliability Any concerns or things to consider yet? 5. Which is currently preferred sound quality wise - DT or L2t? I completely understand 'tone is subjective', 'what sounds good to one person...' etc etc. However, is there a reason to go for one over if I'm probably going to be using full modelling from the POD? Does the DT give as accurate a representation of the different models as the L2t? Does the DT add a warmth and 'thump' you can't get with the L2t? I understand that's a lot of info to ask for - I will be hopefully able to A/B them at some point to decide which is for me but a quick test run in a shop won't answer all of my questions. Anyway, we all love taking about gear which is why we're on guitar forums! Thanks in advance!