the_bees_knees22

So I've noticed over the past year or two companies like Mesa boogie and Rivera are making load boxes/attenuators with cab simulators so you can use a non-digital amp, and record direct. Some of the recordings are ok, and some are pretty bad from what I've heard. I pretty much do the same thing with my DT25 and sounds pretty great imho. I have the non cab sim version of the RockCrusher. I squash the signal to my cab all the way down to nothing so I don't annoy my neighbors, and this way I can use the tubes on my DT25 to record direct using the direct out on my head. I don't have any clips just yet to upload, but I feel that it really gives it that extra crispness and punch that you don't quite get in Standby mode where it bypasses the tubes. It really makes a big difference! Hope to have some examples in the next few weeks if I don't get too busy at work. So my question for you all is, do you think Line6 would ever make an attenuator/load box with just cab sims? I mean they have way more extensive knowledge on creating them over these other companies so I'm sure they could do a much much better job, or do you think the market just isn't big enough for it yet? I honestly think more and more people will be using them in the future, because after experimenting with it myself I think a hybrid digit/tube setup for direct recording is pretty damn great!

musiciansfriend.com is putting it at $1933 for Canada. Whew! :o ...That kinda hurts. I really wish the Canadian dollar would go back up to 1 to 1 with the US dollar. This 20% difference adds up fast. ... or maybe I should just try and move back to the US. ha

Yup! That's not a big deal. As long as there's a workaround I'm good to go!

Just to reiterate: so the Helix can do preamp models with just the L6 link right, and then from what I understand we would just need the midi cable for the topologies and boom we're good to go?

I'm pretty stoked about the new editing features. I've been wanting this for a long time with the POD's. I always found the POD's to be a bit of a nuisance that would get me out of the flow. I hope it's as stupidly simple and easy to use as they say. The less time I have to spend hunting or clicking the better!

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but did you ever find out the issue on this? My hd500 was syncing up fine for the first 6 months or so, but now sometimes it's randomly switching topologies. It might be my cable. I haven't had a chance to try a new one yet.

OK! I just got all the packs for my regular HD500. Looks like they're all there, but I noticed not all the amps have a "pre" version. Such most of the custom ones like Insane, Big Bottom etc... Is that normal? I didn't see any info on it no my quick search. I'm using it with my dt-25 which is why I ask. Could be that there aren't "pre" versions since they're old models that have been upgraded. I'm loving the Brit 2204, and Mahadeva by the way. Sounds awesome with my dt-25. Vintage pack sounds really nice too. I'll have to try the bass in a bit. Edit; Nevermind. I just read through the thread again, and saw the answer. For anyone else that missed it, there aren't any pre models for the XT Gen models that were ported over. No biggie.

Anyone try the bass pack yet?

Cool! I don't trust myself enough to make one.. ha Let us know how you like the Carl's Custom. It'll probably be the first of the year before I buy an attenuator so I'll be curious as to how it performs for you.

Nice! I was actually looking at that or the Rivera RockCrusher.

Dude you're awesome! That's 2 questions fixed in less than 24 hrs. I'll need to pickup a midi cable, but the noise is gone now. Thanks a lot!

Here's what I have: Guitar > m13 > POD HD 500 > L6 LINK to DT-25. Problem I'm getting: Lots of noise, high freq stuff. Sounds like I'm in a wind tunnel. Tests I've done: (all fx off and amp modeling are off for testing) 1. Guitar > m13 > DT-25. -- Doesn't seem to be giving me the noise issue. Nothing other than the usual hum anyway. 2. Guitar > M13 > POD HD 500 guitar IN > DT-25 guitar IN (didn't use L6 LINK) -- Once again, no noise issue other than the usual hum. 3. Guitar > POD HD0500 > L6 LINK to DT-25 -- No noise. other than the usual hum. 4. Guitar > M13 > POD HD500 guitar IN > L6 LINK to DT-25 -- Boom! I'm in a wind tunnel. Tons of noise. Anyone have an idea as to why the M13 + POD combo would be giving me so much trouble when using the L6 LINK? My M13 had been boxed up for about 3-4 years, but it should be in mint condition. On my POD I had to have the usb interface replaced, but that's the only issue I've had. thanks!

yeah, I was thinking the same thing this morning with the AB/Triode setup, but haven't tried it out yet. Good call on trying topology 1. I have a feeling it'll still be just a little bit too loud for my apartment, but it's worth a shot!

I've been using it in STBY, and it sounds good. For some reason I'm getting a lot of noise going directly out from my PODHD500. So instead I'm going POD>DT> then direct outs... which is kind of dumb since I essentially don't use anything on the DT, but I'm getting pretty much no noise this way. I need to find time to debug where the noise is coming from. I really want to use the tubes though since I like that extra punch and clearity, or at least I would like to test and see how much of a difference it makes when using them to record. Who knows, it may not be that noticeable at all by the time everything is mixed and eq'd. It just seems kind of like a waste to not find a way to use the tubes. And I don't think an attenuator would be a complete waste to get even if it didn't end up sounding that much different. Seems like a good pice of equipment to have for playing small gigs. What do you all think?

oh awesome! I wasn't really sure what to search for when I started this thread since it is my 1st tube amp so sorry if this is a redundant topic. edit: Before I go and try this though, has anyone else done it long term? Some threads I just looked up seem to think this was more of a safety feature than being intended to be used a lot. edit2: Actually the manual says to never turn it on without a cab connected. "11. Speaker Outs – Connect speakers here using speaker cables only. You should only use one output (A, B, or C) at a time and never power the amplifier up without speakers connected. If you want to silence the speakers, use the Standby switch. The details are as follows:" http://line6.com/data/6/0a06434d90db507efbe5b36b9/application/pdf/DT25%20Quick%20Start%20Guide%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20C%20).pdf Looks like an attenuator is the best/safest option here.

Awesome! You rock dude! That's exactly what I was looking for. So I guess the question now is has anyone on here tried one out? ha

yeah, that's what I thought. I wonder if there's a way around it to have a load that's not outputting to an actual cab. Ideally, I want to be able to turn the amp fully on so I can use the tubes with the direct out, but not actually be plugged into a cab. Otherwise there is the mesa cab clone.. but then I don't get the cab sim from the dt25 direct out which I think I'd rather have.

Yeah, that's what I meant. But to turn it fully on, (not on standby), then it will be outputting sound to the cab which my neighbors won't appreciate too much. edit: And it's not a good idea to disconnect the head from the cab anytime to you turn it on right? (might be a dumb question. It's my 1st tube amp)

So since the DT-25 bypasses the tubes when using the direct out, has anyone tried something like the mesa cab clone so you can actually use the tubes when recording? I haven't looked so maybe line 6 has something similar? edit: it probably wouldn't really buy me much in terms of tone when recording direct. I was just curious.

haha no way. I swore I tried that. Maybe I didn't have it selected. I'll try it again when I get a chance.

I can see it going either way. I haven't used amplifi either. It looks pretty slick, and an ipad would be way more portable for a live gig than a laptop if you like using an app to tweak things. (plus you could put it on a stand and have all your tweakablity while playing and not have to squat down to the ground unit). On the keyboard side of things I do like the thought of being able to have shortcuts. Like being able to select a parameter and hit up or down arrow to adjust parameters would be really handy. I myself am not a huge tweaker though. I tend to stick with the 3 of the 4 amp models that come with the DT-25 and those suit most of my needs pretty well. Everything else is just fx tweaks for me. So my preference? I could go either way I suppose. I would almost vote for whatever takes the fewest resources away from line6 so they can continue to develop other things. Would it be possible to implement the Amplifi app to a mac/pc and give it shortcuts or the ability to set custome shortcuts? And instead of scrolling with your finger you'd just click with the mouse or click on the effect/amp parm and use up or down arrows to modify etc.. (also don't forget the ability to copy/paste)

True, but since they do have it out there I think a few tweaks could really improve the functionality. I don't think a copy/paste functionality should be too difficult to implement. And then they would just need to separate the Mix % window from the dropdown for the different types of fx. I'm not sure what else I would change. It feels pretty good otherwise to me otherwise for the most part. Maybe a curve editor for eq's, but that would take a big rework for the interface so I'm not sure that's necessary. @Phil-M yeah the wheel should help. thanks!

I think they have enough amps. I'd like to see more focus on fx, and also the interface for the Pod HD Edit. I want to be able to type in values for all parameters intead of trying to fiddle with the knobs with my mouse. Currently you can't for the mix parms. I know I know there's not a lot of difference between 50% and 51%, but I like to be precise. I also want to be able to copy and paste patches instead of having to save one then load it into a new one. I really really really want this.

haha, I hope you're talking about the 1st one. I didn't even watch the 2nd one, but I replaced it because I didn't want people to take it the wrong way. @Jandrio: Thanks a lot! That should help quite a bit!

So, I've been super busy with work and haven't had time to dial in any tones for this genre. Buuuuut I was wondering if anyone had any kind of groovy synth kinda patches, or something with a synth octo reverb combo. I have the PODHD500/dt25 combo for anyone that might be wondering. Something kinda like this: (although they use an actual synth for a lot of their sound) I was just looking for something in the ballpark to mess around with until I can free up some time to dial in something of my own. I didn't see anything off hand searching through the customtone. or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Vuawf9wLc#t=730 anyway, I'm usually a hard rock/metal guy, but dream pop/super fx heavy stuff is kinda fun to play around with every now and then. Thanks dudes! *edit: replaced 2nd video because the other video was ugh...