silverhead

Really useful stuff, pfsmith0. Thanks for sharing this.

I've never really heard any complaints about the X3L converters versus any competitor, so I think you would find them good.

HD500 Edit provides what you want, and much more. The HD500 needs to be connected to your computer but it's worth it when you know you want an editing session more than a playing session. There is no computer-based editor for the M-series devices.

Can you define what you mean by 'good'? They're good in my experience - but you might not think so depending on how you would measure it.

First off, let me say that I also would LOVE for this device to be upgraded so that it is a useful audio interface. I agree with you, antonioctd, that right now it is not. So I am behind the spirit of your thread (but not the title) and would love to see the update that addresses the latency. But just a couple of comments .... The USB port is useful to record to a USB storage device, in addtion to the SD card capability. So it is not useless - and it is also useful for the initial audio streaming of a recording to your DAW (as advertised). The problem lies in using the M20d as a general audio interface, where low latency is required for overdubbing and adding more tracks. ASIO4ALL is not a compliant ASIO driver, and I hope Line 6 never designs non-compliant ASIO interfaces.

I use D'Addario 10-46. I've also used Elixir but I keep coming back to the d'ads. I've also tried 9s and 11s - too light and heavy respectively for my taste.

Personally I think there are many reasons that, together, mean that the HD500 Looper is never likely to be a useful loop station to support live play at gigs. Loop length (max. 48 secs) is just one of them. The lack of loop saving/storing so that you can switch loop 'patches' is another. Also the navigation from Looper Mode (to start/stop the loop) to Performance Mode (to switch presets) involves too many footstomps to be practical for keeping tempo during live play. If you're looking for a Loop Station I think you will need to get a device that's designed for that purpose. The HD500 is designed as an Amp/FX Modeler. As a jamming convenience it includes a simple looper to help you practice leads over a relatively short chord sequences. But it definitely does not, and likely never will, compete with a Loop Station device that is designed for robust use during live performances. ... just my opinion....

No - unfortunately the M20d can't be used to overdub new tracks mixed in with old. The RECORD function creates a whole new recording of all channels; inactive channels result in an empty WAV file. The latency in the M20d (the need to synchronize as you describe it) is why the M20d is not a good audio interface for recording. It's designed to record a dry signal for all active channels, plus the stereo mix output. The intention is that you then import all these dry signals into your DAW and do the post-processing using DAW plugins.

They are definitely 10s (at least the high E). I'm not exactly sure about the guage of the thicker strings but I expect they are standard 10-46 as you suggest.

Are your speakers connected to your computer or to the HD400 outputs? It should be the latter. If they are connected to your computer and you are hearing the playback from them then your Reaper audio settings are incorrect, and that could certainly explain things. Make sure Reaper is using the HD400 and its ASIO driver (not ASIO4ALL).

I believe the 'T' is for Tower (typically mounted vertically on top of an L3s).

You will get more reliable performance with the digital AES/EBU cable. Standard analog XLR cables have been known to work OK, but some have reported problems. Line 6 recommends the AES/EBU.

I much prefer using Reaper rather than Audacity. Connect your HD400 via usb to your computer, then launch Reaper. In Reaper, configure the Audio settings to use the HD400 and its ASIO driver as the audio device. Use Studio output mode on the HD400. When arming a track in Reaper for recording, select the desired HD400 input source (L, R, or Stereo Mix). Turn Reaper's Record Monitoring function OFF and use the HD400 headphones/outputs to monitor while you are recording. This presumes you have already downloaded and installed the HD400 driver (different from the firmware). Try this out and let us know how it goes.

... and you need to specify the X3's ASIO driver in the audio controls of Reaper.

Perhaps the four-cable method of connecting your amp and HD500 is what you want: http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-2504 I think this will let you do what you want by using an HD500 preset with no amp, some FX placed before the HD500 FX Loop, and some after.

You can't directly assign specific FX to specific outputs. Panning may be helpful, as may the HD500 FX Loop - can't say without more specifics, but give it a try.

Your device may simply be faulty. My FBV MKii worked flawlessy with my HD Pro right out of the box - no configuration to either device required. If you bought it new I would return it for replacement. I'm assuming you've confirmed that it's not a faulty cable.

Your original post was quite broad - you asked several general questions. Now it seems you might be having a specific problem. What exactly can't you 'fix'?. Let's take one thing at a time - describe a specific problem you are having.

If it's just the sweaty-finger thing I would simply wrap some transparent tape with a stickier surface around the knobs.

The Aux inputs are digital streaming inputs, fed by an external computer (usb cable connection) or an external SD/USB card/drive. To use a connected laptop you need to assign a stage icon (there is a default laptop preset). If you connect an SD card or USB drive the M20d activates the Media Player. In either case an encoder is assigned like other inputs and you can adjust the levels. I'm not sure whether you can control the Trim level for these, but you can certainly use the encoder to balance the output levels relative to other inputs. Update: I've just confirmed that you cannot adjust the Trim (input) level of the Media Player - just its output level. Also, I realize you may have been talking about the AUX INPUT jack beside the L6 LINK output jack. That is designed to accept input from an external CD/mp3 player. It also behaves like the SD card input; a stage icon is assigned when you connect an 1/8" plug and you can control the output (not Trim) level.

You can use the patch converter here: (thanks to jzab) Convert & Modify POD HD Presets | www.jzab.de Of course, HD500 dual-path presets can't be replicated on the HD400.

That just cost you a vote!

I think you are wise to consider FRFR studio monitors in your home if you want to get your patches to sound as close to possible to how they sound at your church. I don't think there's a huge difference in the quality of sound that different studio monitors will deliver within a competitive price range (as long as they are truly FRFR). I think the most important factor is the size of the speaker. The bigger the better (certainly no less than 5" I recommend), but your budget will be your guide here. The reason that speaker size is so important is that this has a great impact on the maximum loudness that can be achieved without distortion. And listening at loud levels is important when building your patches because louder volumes inevitably affect the sound/tonality. That's a reality of the human ear independent of equipment. The louder you can listen to your patches at home thru FRFR while constructing them, the closer they will sound to the way they will in your church. But still, you will need some tweaking time at church to adjust for volume and venue differences. Since you are mainly in the one venue, your church, it might be worthwhile maintaining two setlists of patches - one for church and one for home. I think you might start with a fair bit of time for yourself in the church tweaking your patches to taste. Then take them home and figure out what adjustments will make them sound good thru your FRFR monitors. Then, when building new patches at home, after getting them to sound good at home, you can reverse the adjustments to get a good starting point for your associated church patches. This should minimize future tweaking time during setup at church.

Yes, but you currently have the DT25. You KNOW you need the DT50. Don't hesitate another minute or it may be gone!

That would probably work best if you use your HD500 presets with no cab/mic selection (the Pre rather than Full amp models). In Electric Guitar mode, the L3t will provide the cab. But if your HD500 preset uses a Full amp model, with cab/mic selection, then you want the L3t in PA mode.