silverhead

That's because the 1/4" jack is also the power switch for the JTV electronics. The USB/Workbench interface does not power the JTV.

You cannot direct one signal to the 1/4" outputs and a different signal to the VDI connection. I believe the 1/4" output will always carry the signal defined by the status and position of the JTV Model Selector knob (either its physical setting or its VDI-defined setting from an external processor like the X3). If the modeling is turned off the 1/4" output carries the mag pickups. If modeling is on, it carries the signal of the selected guitar model. However, you can select both mag pickups and modeled signal simultaneously by using the VDI connection with one of the compatible Pod HD processors (HD500/500x/Pro). You do this by selecting both associated Inputs for the preset (Variax gives the modeled signal, Variax Mags gives the mag pickups). Both signals are carried over the VDI connection, not the 1/4" output, but you can process them separately by assigning them to different Inputs and constructing your preset accordingly. I'm not 100% certain but I don't think the Pod X3 series processors can handle both modeled and mag pickup signal simultaneously; I believe it's only possible with the Pod HD series. Perhaps someone else can clarify that point.

Yes it is possible. The easiest way is to drag/drop an HD500 preset file (*.h5e) into any preset slot in the HD500x Edit program. Then SEND SELECTED preset(s) into the HD500x device.

I think you may be talking about the USB Workbench interface. It's a plastic box-like thingy with two cables. It's used to connect your Variax to your PC to use the Workbench software (and to update your JTV firmware).

Then why didn't you just begin with your little rant in the first place instead of asking a rhetorical question? I wouldn't have responded - and I won't any further.

Oh - forgive me. I assumed you were serious when you asked the question.

Download the manual and read it. In the beginning, pay close attention to how the Inputs are assigned and processed within presets and also to Output Modes. Begin with just one amp - no FX - and experiment with all available parameters, including cab/mic selections and the so-called Deep Edit Parameters, especially for the cabs. Get familiar with how the amp's Drive, channel Volume and Master Volume settings interact. Once you are familiar with tweaking amps, start adding FX.

Tone locking can only be done on JTV guitars - not the earlier Variax models like the 600.

As far as I know the X3 does not have the pre-programmed artist presets like the Spider series.

Yes you can do this. Connect the HD500 outputs (XLR or 1/4") to the theatre amp's aux inputs as you say. Be aware that you will only get a simple stereo signal - the HD500 doesn't know anything about 7.1 audio. Also, for best results try to keep your theatre amp's signal processing as flat/neutral as possible. In other words, turn off any of your amp's onboard DSP FX (e.g. reverb), and set the EQ controls at neutral. Let the HD500 DSP do the processing - keep your amp's processing out of the way as much as possible.

Yes it can be done - it should work with no amp assigned in the chain. Check your Inputs assignment - make sure that you select the physical input into which your guitar is plugged.

I'm not wanting to speak for TheRealZap, but I am in a similar situation. I'm sometimes invited to beta-test products as is he. But not all beta-testers are invited to participate in each and every beta test. There's no expectation on my part (nor, I presume, on his) that I would be invited to beta test any model-pack offerings if they are even being planned - which I have no inside information about. So, like The RealZap, I would expect to pay for any model packs if I wanted them. If I did happen to participate in a software beta test then no, I wouldn't be charged for the software.

You don't mention your recording environment/setup. If it's PC based, make sure you configure your DAW (recording program) to use the Pod HD device and its ASIO driver as the audio device. On a Mac you would do the same thing but I believe the terminology is different (no ASIO).

The two approaches to alternate tunings are different and separate. Workbench tunings apply to the specific model stored/saved in a given Model Selection knob position. On the JTV, the Alt Tuning knob applies to all models. There is no way to 'send' a Workbench-created alternate tuning to one of the JTV Alt Tuning knob positions. You adjust/replace the Alt Tuning knob positions using the method that you are already aware of. Notice that one of the Alternate Tuning knob positions on the JTV is 'Model'. That's the position you must place this knob in when you want the Workbench-created alternate tuning to apply to the selected guitar model. So there are two distinct ways to use alternate tunings: model specific using Workbench, or global using the JTV Alt Tuning knob. They don't mix.

You would use the editor (Spider IV Edit) to save the individual presets rather than saving the bundle.

1. there will be no difference in quality of recording or latency with the HD500. But there is something wrong with your HD300 setup or connections if you are not getting a good recording, and you would have the same problem with the HD500 if used the same way. For recording you should set the HD300 to Studio mode - different from the Live mode you are probably using to listen through an amp. There should be no noticeable latency; make sure you are monitoring your sound using the HD300 outputs - not using the software Monitoring feature in your DAW. 2. As you say, there are many more presets in Customtone for the HD500 then the HD300. But as above, the sound quality of any individual preset you download depends on how the creator of the preset used it (e.g. output mode), and whether or not your setup corresponds to that. There is no inherent difference in quality between the HD300 and the HD500 - the main difference is in the flexibility of assigning and routing amps and FX. In my opinion you have issues with your HD300 setup. Recreating the same setup and environment with an HD500 won't remove those issues. Please tell us exactly how you are using your HD300 to record.

After downloading the individual *.h5e tone files to your computer, open the HD500x Edit program. Try click/dragging an h5e (not renamed) file into any preset slot in the HD500x Edit window.

In customtone (see link in banner at top of this page) you will see an Upload Tone button in the top right area of the Customtone main page. Click on it and you should be guided through the process. You cannot upload bundles; individual tones (presets) only. Thanks for sharing.

That's correct - the Drive, Bass, etc knobs on the HD500x are not applicable to the Vintage Preamp. To edit the parameters more conveniently you might want to select the Vintage Preamp FX in the signal chain view, and then hit the Enter button twice. The display will change to a one-page view of all the FX parameters, allowing you to change them using the little black knobs beneath the display.

You don't need to use the HD500x EDIT program. Using the HD500x device..... Press the top left black knob to see the SETLIST names. Use the nav key to select the BASS/ACO/VOC setlist. Hit ENTER to activate that setlist. You will now have access to the 64 presets in that setlist. These include a number of acoustic guitar presets. As usual, consider them starting points for tweaking. In particular, try using the Vintage Preamp (it's used as an FX - you'll find it in the EQ+PREAMP FX set). However, once you get the hang of it you will find the editor very convenient, especially to copy the factory presets to one of the USER setlists for customization (so you don't need to overwrite the factory presets).

If it sounds good then there's no problem. Having the mixer at high volumes can be both a symptom and a cause of problems in some cases, such as: - you may be turning the mixer up to compensate for a weak signal entering the mixer. Maybe you could increase the output volume of one or more components earlier in the signal chain (e.g. amp volume) allowing you to keep the mixer at 0db. - a signal leaving the mixer at a high level could be too 'hot' as an input signal to the downstream components (FX, external mixer, monitors). But if it sounds good to you in all situations then stick with it.

All you need between the HD500 and the Rokits is the audio cables. But you can put a mixer or whatever if you wish. Also, the HD500 is an audio interface for connecting to your PC/DAW for recording purposes. Once you get the Rokits you're good to go. I suggest you experiment with that setup for a while before deciding what you need beyond that.

I have found that it is very difficult to do the required tap-dancing between Looper mode and Perfomance mode to use the HD500 Looper effectively for live play. I can never keep the tempo properly while trying to coordinate all the required tapping. For me the HD500 Looper is a practice utility (playing solo over a looped backing track recorded in POST position) and a tone-seeking utility (changing presets and tweaking manually over a sequence recorded in PRE position, allowing you to tweak without playing)

Stagesource speakers work great. My setup is JTV-59, HD500, Stagescape M20d, 2xL3t, and one L3s. The setup is very modular - I can bring only the pieces I need depending on whether I'm solo, and the size of the band/venue. For a solo acoustic gig a single L3t works great all alone, with an acoustic guitar and mic. For a duet, both L3t work very well in tandem using the JTV/HD500 combination and with the two onboard mixers supporting mics and acoustic guitars as well. For larger bands including bass and for hosting open mics and jam sessions I add the M20d and the L3s (could use a 2nd L3s!). The various setups are all very quick and easy. Even the larger setups are easy with the M20d. The clarity and quality of the sound is amazing whatever setup I choose. .... and nary a guitar amplifier in sight.....

The sound you hear through headphones for any given HD500 preset will be different when you listen to the same preset in any pair of speakers/monitors. That's because the frequency characteristics of the monitors will be different than the headphones. I don't think there's anything wrong with your speakers, and I doubt that your cables are to blame. To regain the 'body' in the sound that you speak of you will probably have to tweak your presets. Only trial and experimenting can guide you. Leave your HD500 set to Studio; that's correct for both headphones and studio monitors. Start by tweaking the tone stack of your amps, then FX, specially EQs. Experiment with adding/removing EQ FX if necessary. Most people maintain separate setlists if they really want to achieve the best results from both monitoring methods (headphones and speakers).