cclement

Well.. the gig went very well. I had no technical issues and the rig performed perfectly! Alas, I've only got a short video clip from the end of the evening here: https://www.facebook.com/rubberoom @bvaladez74 - That's all really good advice! I spent a good amount of time tweaking my patches in rehearsal since we play about as loud as we do live... give or take. The main thin I did was to fire up my rig at home with the volume set to about my low-ish stage volume, and use a sound meter to make sure that my levels were - more or less - consistent between patches. That mad a BIG difference as I didn't have to ride the Master Volume all night.

So I'm doing my first gig tomorrow (Friday) night with my HD500x & Vetta II as my "powered speakers". It's been sounding great in rehearsals, but the real test will come tomorrow night. I've spent a bunch of time trying to get the patch-to-patch levels the same so I don't have to ride the Master Volume all night. Let's hope it works out! If any of y'all are SF Bay Area locals, we will be playing at St. James Gate in Belmont @ 8pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/558471050942767/ A full report on the evening to come!

This technique is actually called the Haas Effect. There are a few VST plug-ins out there that will do this automatically for you. You can get some really huge guitar sounds this way.

I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones. Just about $100... http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB

Yes. I found this a bit confusing too as many Expression pedals use a TRS plug... 1/4 mono plug will do.

As dbagche said... Take the 1/4" outs of the 500X (set their output to LINE with the little switch by the volume pedal) into the BBEs, then out of the BBEs into the Vetta. You will need to take the LEFT and RIGHT 1/4" outs of the 500X into each separate BBE via two MONO cables. Then use a Y cable (often called a insert cable - dual 1/4" mono to one 1/4" stereo) from the individual BBE outs, into the Vetta's FX RETURN. The process would be the same with the rack version of the BBE since it's basically the same. You should probably also choose to turn the Vetta's speaker modeling off. I'm running the same rig - without the BBE's - and I'm getting some of the best tones I've had to date.

Silverhead is right.... You can only use one audio interface at a time. So if you wan to use the Scarlet as your interface, you have to plug the POD into that. If you want you want to use the POD as your interface, you would not hook up the Scarlet.

You have to install the drivers first before you connect your HD500 to your computer. Once the drivers are installed, then your computer/Line6 Monkey will see your HD500 and you should be able to update. Refer to the POD HD500 Edit Installer Guide at http://line6.com/support/manuals/podhd500.

To be determined. I'm not using them for the cabinet sims in the Vetta II for what is coming our the speakers - I have a patch set to NO CAB for that. I may or may not use them for the DIRECT OUT feed at my next gig. I just will have to hear how my rig sounds thru the PA and adjust accordingly. FWIW, I did my first rehearsal with the band to day for our next gig and the combo of the HD500x and the Vetta's power-amp and speakers was amazing. I've got about 1/2 of my "core tones" recreated on the HD500x and they sound even better than they did when I was using the Vetta. There was a bunch of tweaking the sounds after each song; the tone changes some from "bedroom level" to "rehearsal level" and a few things (reverbs mostly) needed to be re adjusted for playing at "real" volumes. As far as the Axe vs POD debate... Guitar gear is like cars, they all will get you where you want to go. Some will get you there faster and with more comfort, and some will just barely get you there. But in the end, it's up to you, your ears and your bank account to figure out what works best for you. I drive a 17 year-old Volvo, I have a Web Production job with a good company, and I have a band that plays gigs about every 4 months in a few bars. I chose the HD500x because it get's me the tones I need, that sound really good to ME, and doesn't break my bank account. Your Millage May Vary.

So.. I’m about 4 weeks into the HD500X… and I’m pretty freaking impressed, and a bit overwhelmed too. I’m not a stranger to Line 6 gear. I’ve been using the Vetta II combo for years now with my band, and I still have my Axsys 212/Ax2 in my garage. But the HD500X is a deep machine! I first I was only using headphones (Sennheiser HD-280 PRO) and was both really impressed and also a bit underwhelmed. As many of you have found, the first tones you come across in the presets are way over the top, either in the amount of gain or FX. And after doing some critical listening on my headphones, I started to hear some “artifacts†on a few patches that I found a bit strange. But, I knew that I was almost never going to be using headphones… so it wasn’t that big a deal. The HD500 Edit SW is a bit funky, but I can’t imagine building tones without it. The interface on the unit is kind of clumsy, but the SW makes changing things around a breeze (the issues with the EQ labels notwithstanding). I’m now working taking my “core tones†that I’ve used in the Vetta and rebuilding them in the HD500X. This is a time consuming task and would be such a PITA without HD500 Edit. The feedback I’ve gotten here on the forums has been a huge help. This black box is deep and very powerful, and the advice to spend time with it is spot on. It took me some time to “get†my Vetta so many years ago and to really dial-it in. Why should the HD500X be any different? Currently I am running the HD500X into my Vetta II via the Vetta’s FX loop (thanks to DarrellM5 for the tips on setting up the right patch on the Vetta to do this) and have been really enjoying the tones I’m getting. This bypasses all of the tones in the Vetta and lets me use it basically as a stereo 2x12 powered cab. This also allows me to continues use one of the BEST features on the Vetta. The balanced outs on the Vetta are “Direct outs†– in that they have their own level that is independent of the master volume. So I can change the master volume on the Vetta as I need for my own monitor, and the house still gets a feed from the Vetta’s outputs that is always pre-set. This would be a great option to add to the HD500X – the ability to assign either the ¼†or XLR as direct outs. That’s enough for now. I’ve got a gig on Sept 19 at a local bar.. so I’ve still got time to get my key tones rebuilt and tested before the gig.

Make sure you have the 1/4" outs on the HD500 set to AMP if you are running into the INPUT on the Blackstar. If you are running into the FX loop on the Blackstar, make sure you have it set to LINE.

Do you have any other guitars you can try with? This really sounds like a ground issue with the guitar rather than the HD500.

Not clear on what you are asking... you want to add the wha wha to an already existing sound? Just place it in the FX chain where it sounds best to you, and assign it to the EXP TOE SWITCH to turn it on and off. If you are turning on/off FX on with the Editor, there can be a delay - since commands are being sent via USB. But on the actual unit, it's pretty much instant.

Just to add fat to the fire... I just got an email about this: http://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/1012/mission-engineering-introduces-gemini-usb-enabled-guitar-cabinets/48232 Looks very interesting... albeit a bit pricey.

Have you tried engaging the Ground Lift switch (on the front panel by the Volume/EXP pedal) for the XLRs? Is your SG loaded with Humbuckers or P90s?

A few questions. Did you have a similar buzzing issue with your previous amp/fx setup and the same guitar? Have you tried a different cable between the guitar and the 500X? All guitars act like antennas, and can pick up noise from all sorts of places (florescent lights, dimmers, neon-signs). Placing your hand on metal "shorts" the guitar and sends the RF noise to ground. Some guitars are more prone to noise than others. Single coils are most sensitive to picking up hum/noise. Humbukcers... well, they buck hum. I'm not sure how you are running the sound at your church; are you using the balanced outputs?

In theory... yes. Any of the HD500 foot-switches can be set up to send out MIDI messages. The trick would be: Having a foot-switch available that isn't already turning on/off something on the HD500 to assign a MIDI message to. Setting up the software on your PC to respond to the messages from the HD500 via MIDI.

Can you post a screenshot of the patch from HD500X Edit... it will give us a better idea of how you have everything patched.

Just a thought... But could you open HD500X edit not connected to your Pod, then save the blank setlist. Then, connect your Pod and import the blank setlist to "wipe" your current lists?

Not sure what "Breaking the bank" would be for you... but I have heard good things about the Quilter ToneBlock 200. I can't personally vouch for it, but the reviews seem to be solid, and it certainly has enough power for just about anything. As far as hooking it all up... Guitar into POD HD Pro. L(MONO) unbalanced (or L(MONO) balanced out depending on the Amp/Power amp you end up with) out of the HD Pro into the Power amp. You will want to experiment with the Output Mode settings on the HD Pro to find what works best with the Amp/Power amp you get. Combo Front & Stack Front: For connecting into the front input of a typical combo amp or amp head + external cab, respectively. Combo Power Amp & Stack Power Amp: For connecting to the power amp of a combo or head amp Speaker out of Amp/Power amp to your Mesa cab. There are more details about the output setup in the System setup section of the manual.

From the Vetta II manual: "Another Line 6 original, the ‘Juice’ in Vetta Juice comes from the 30dB of available gain in the LEVEL knob. Holy smokes, this thing’s packin’ some heat! It’s got a fixed threshold of -40dB with the SENS knob varying compression ratio from 1.5: 1 all the way up to 20:1 (which is a whole heck of a lot). This combination of design features gives you the option of cranking the level enough to get some serious gain boost, or setting the gain lower and dialing up a smooth, clean sustain. Take your pick, and dial away."

This is just speculation on my part since I don't have my HD500X yet.... but one could: Take the GUITAR OUT from the GR33 into the GUITAR IN on the HD500. This will be ONLY the guitar sound from the GR33; no synth sound. Take the MIX OUT (L MONO) from the GR33 into the AUX IN on the HD500. This will be the MIX of Guitar and Synth (depnding on the patch on the GR33). Then (per patch or globaly depending on what you want) set INPUT 1 on the HD500 to GUITAR, and set Input 2 to AUX. This would allow you to setup seperate paths for Guitar side and Synth side. Have a look at the Signal Routing section of MEAMBOBBO's guide for more details.

That is a thought. I was also thinking I could try adding the Vintage Pre at the end of the chain (I believe it's a stereo fx) and use it to do a bit of a gain boost assigned to a FS. Alas... my HD500X won't be here until tomorrow, so this is all just speculation until it arrives!

Wow.. thanks to all of you for the advice! I'm not too worried about spending time with the HD500x to get "my tones" out of it. I've spent a bunch of time with my AxSys (back the in day) and with my Vetta II over the years, dialing-in and tweaking to get the sounds I want. And I've already downloaded HD Edit to begin looking at how it works, and looking at how tones are constructed. The input selection (from what I have read) seems to be a big issue for some, not so much for others. My main guitar is a "Franken-strat" with an late 80s Duncan Custom HB in the bridge, and GFS Lil Killers in the middle and neck. I'll just have to see what happens, but I would suspect I need to have Input 1 set to guitar and Input 2 to "other." One of the issues I'm wondering about is have a "solo boost" function. The Vetta II has a boost function that I have assigned to a footswitch that gives me a +4 boost in volume for solos... very handy. I could probably still use that function on the Vetta, but then I'd have to have the FBV AND the HD500X on the floor, and that's a bit too cluttered. I'll just have to play around and see.

Hey all... long time Line6 user here (I still have my AxSys stashed away in my garage) I just ordered a HD500x and a Mission Engeeering EP1-L6 expression pedal to go with it. For the moment, I'll be pluggin the 1/4" outs of the HD500x into the RETURN of my Vetta II - basically using the Vetta II as a powered 2x12 cab. Are there any basic "gotchas" I should be aware in general for the HD500x? I'd also love to find out if others are using a similar setup (HD500x out to AMP FX Loop RETURN). Cheers!