pianoguyy

Not gonna happen.

did you try other outputs to see if the device is working? There are so many parameters on this thing, it could be a number of things.

twist the knobs until it sounds right

The bigger concern for you should be - are you carrying a backup of your patches, and will you have access to a computer to reinstall your patches. You don't know what xrays will do to your unit, nor do you know what traveling at 30k feet in the winter will do to the unit. It is always better to have the backup and not need it, then to need and not have it. 1. Call the airline to check their individual policies. 2. Call TSA. Ask. Sometimes all it takes is a call to put them on notice that you are bringing an electronic device and not to go nutso with the terrorist stuff. No different than calling to ask what the rules are for carrying cash. - you are allowed to carry large sums, you just need to tell them in advance. I would not put the unit in a suitcase. I would put it in a case, and then a suitcase. And the power supply goes in a ziploc bag to keep it dry. Here's why: You are going to put clothes on the bottom, clothes on the sides, and then clothes on the top of the unit. You do this for 'cushion'. If TSA opens your suitcase and checks it out, they aren't going to repack your suitcase, they are just going to throw everything back in there and leave a little tag that says "we selected your bag at random and we aren't responsible for lost, missing, or broken items". In a case, regardless of how they repack it, it is protected.

You also have to remember something.... 2 things, actually. 1. Guys in "famous" bands, usually have a 'tone' they are known for. They don't need to model 20 amps because they are known for their tone from X. In some cases, they do model, but they use the brand specific model - like a Marshall preamp that runs into a flat system instead of using an actual Marshall amp. I mean, would Slash ever need to use a Fender Amp tone? Seems like a waste of money for him to buy a modeler. But, probably more importantly is: 2. Money. Budweiser and BC Rich. They are the reason I can afford to buy things that sparkle. I was paid to play BC Rich guitars. They quit paying me, they quit giving me guitars for free, I quit playing them. It has been over 20 years since I was paid to play them, and in those 20+ years, would you like to know how many I have bought or owned ---- NONE. I have not owned a single BC Rich since 1990-whatever year it actually was. Probably 94 or 95. But for almost a decade, I played BC Rich guitars 90% of the night. And I was seen drinking from a Budweiser bottle while standing in front of Budweiser banners... but I hate beer. Always have. Beer is nasty. I would never be able to hang out with Justice Kavanaugh. But the advertising made me a rich man. If you want to see who plays modelers, particularly multi-effect modelers, you need to come down a level of famous. Come down to the guys that you go "oh, yeah, ok, I remember them now". Because no one is paying them to play anything anymore. And you need to look at the guys who back the famous solo artists. Who plays guitar for Lady Gaga? Who plays guitar for Justin Timberlake? I don't know their names. But they are required to have a ton of different tones and effects, and they need to be 100% accurate every night, and they need to run IEMs instead of amps. Mid-level has-beens like Tantric or Trapt. They no longer play large venues or travel with large trucks or huge crews. They use modelers. Those guys that play in touring "revues" - like when the 50's Doo-Wop comes down to the local theatre. All of the big "shoo be doo wah" bands sing 3 songs and then the next great act comes out - the backing band stays the same all night while the singers change. They are using modelers. American Idol. Dancing with The Stars. All digital. Maybe some little amps as monitors or just for looks, but you hear the direct tone.

I have a blank bundle. A blank setlist. And a blank patch. Makes life easy. But, to answer the question as to how one creates blanks.... If you just started working with the unit, there should be at least 2 empty setlists. More, if you haven't upgraded the firmware.

Here is a guy talking about being all digital. But he's not using L6. And in a previous video, before he went digital, he spoke about having his amps custom made.

You don't "have to" do anything. The only rule is - do what you need to do to make it sound good. But, as discovered by the millions that have come before you, a good starting point for going direct is use studio/direct. Oh, and, since we are talking about patch development, don't try designing direct patches on a guitar amp. Make sure you are using a flat system (like a pa would provide) to hear the tone you are making.

Yeah, by the way, when he says "pc editor", he means an actual pc. Your microsoft windows netbook is not going to work on the 500. Your samsung galaxy tablet is not going to work. But, to answer the question that we have all avoided answering because the answer isn't a "definitive", it is a "situational".... I believe that the two units sound the same for the features and parameters that are the same. One simply has more features and parameters. . . . . Think of it this way.... You are buying a car (I like car examples because we all drive). Your choice is a 2010 fully loaded Cadillac DTS or a 2014 bare bones Cadillac CTS. Obviously they are different models but since they are the same company, they are based around the same quality standards. And, also obvious is the fact that one has the top package of options while the other does not. But they both get you there on 4 wheels at 55mph. Based on the information given, what isn't obvious is - in 2010, Apple Car play was not available at all, not even on the fully loaded package. In 2014, Apple Car play was included in all models. But they both get you there on 4 wheels at 55mph. The 2010 has the automatic seats with the memory positions and individual climate controls. While the 2014 doesn't use a metal key, it used the plastic credit card looking thing. But they both get you there on 4 wheels at 55mph. You get the idea?

in general - yes, you can on/off multiple effects with one button. specifically - dunno

with a cord

Depends on what you need out of it.

Step one to getting good tone.... Twist the knobs until it sounds good. Using pre-amps when using an amp is a starting point, not a be all end all stead fast rule. I always run direct and many of my patches use pre-amps. Sometimes, that is just how it works out. You don't even need to run through an fx loop, you can go into the input jack. Run everything in one straight line. If that is what it takes to make it work, rock on. I did that for decades. There was no loop in my rig. Everything was plugged in succession. You twist the knobs until it sounds good. Now, as to making patches for specific guitars... It can be done. There are plenty of available setlists and patches. Many people use a setlist for amps and a setlist for direct and a setlist for humbuckers and a setlist for single coils. It is your machine, do what you want to do.

but you don't need a volume boost to solo. First, there is math. Those fractions, decimals, and lowest common denominators that we said "why do we need to learn this, we will never use it in the real world". Well, the real world is here and we are using it. So let's figure this out.... You are playing guitar at 10. You give yourself a volume boost for the solo, let's say you are playing at 11. That is 10%. It is exactly what you need when playing at 10. But, now it is gig time, and they have you blasting through the pa at 100. You 10% volume boost is now 110. That's too much.

Of all the guitars one may want to sound like... a cheap import?

Without a computer, your unit will function as intended. You will simply lack the bonus items. Think of it like a car. If you have a garage to park in, your automatic street parking feature, your auto-start, and your side mirror heaters are all useless. But the car still drives.

Or is it an issue with Apple. I don't use those, so I don't read very closely. But I vaguely recall that some of the newer Apple stuff has issues.

fresh out of the box, there is a huge difference between the 500 and the 500x. That is because one was shipped with newer firmware. But if you update both units (computer required, phones, tablets, and "lightweight" computers do not work) to the same firmware, there is no difference - other than the previously mentioned DSP and footswitches. But it isn't "1 more fx". Both units are limited to 2 amps and 8 effects. The "1 more fx" is more like... It is like a car warranty. 10 years or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Both units have a DSP limit. The X units have more DSP. This only comes into play if you are doing something like running 2 amps and 8 stereo delays. You can easily use 2 amps and 8 effects on the 500. But there are certain combinations that will eat up the DSP limit more than others, therefore not allowing you to use the patch. In fact, the same can be said for the 500x - you can build patches that use all of the DSP on the 500x, and can't be used.

As someone who is in the retail business, I am not going to publicly give away trade secrets. But, I will say this - you need to look for used items. There is a reason why you see a thousand different "power sellers" with the same units priced at the same prices as each other. If you want to find out the true value of a used unit, sell you gear on a one day auction with no reserve and a $1 starting bid. There are far cheaper options without needing to buy a multi effects processor. I assume you mean playing through an amp vs playing though headphones. If that is correct, I agree. I personally like an amp filling the room instead of being encapsulated in cones. But this is a business. It isn't about what we want. The crowds will much prefer that you are using a decent modeler direct to the pa. Which then get fed back to you through the monitors, whether they be on the floor or in the ear. You would be better off buying a flat system than a guitar amp. All you need is something that creates volume. The unit provides all of the tone. Ah, my bad. When you said you record dry, to me, that means the actual dry signal - as if it came direct from your guitar. It's your money. It's your career. You can do whatever you want to do. Most of us just try to help - not just with your own personal experience with the device, but also with passing along information that will improve the live entertainment industry as a whole. If you learn to use a device like the HD500, you should not need any thing else between you and the pa. Your sound will be consistent. The crowd's sound will be consistent, which provides a much better experience for them, which should help build a fanbase. Load in, set up, sound check, tear down, and load out should take a few minutes instead of numerous hours. The reason for the questions: It is all about getting what is best for you, even it means not getting the ones we like... The alternative is you get the wrong unit for your needs and then come back and bash an outstanding product just because you didn't do your homework.

We all have "just in case" gear. But I was approaching his statement as being a "main situation" switch.

1. Update/reinstall the latest firmware. 2. Global reset. 3. Use a new power supply. 4. Clean the knob/contacts. 5. Change the knob. 1 thru 3 are sort of the "go to" answers for all problems. 4 and 5 are specific to your issue

1. At $200 for a used 500 (because you cannot buy a new 300 or 400), you shouldn't be too concerned with the price difference. 2. If you record dry, and don't plan on using much of anything on the unit, what do you want the unit for? 3. Why on earth would you "eventually move on to a real amp"?

Step one to "downloading and installing" is... Are you using a computer? And I mean a computer. Not a phone or tablet, and certainly not one of those netbooks that use a lightweight version of Windows. If the answer is no, make it a yes.

Where did all these guys wanting to be treated like 5 year olds come from. Is there a convention or something...

I am not really sure what the question is, but I will say this.... You can turn effects on and off with a numbered foot switch.