silverhead

I don't know if the device you are using is appropriate or not, but you need to use a voltage transformer/adapter to supply the device with the expected 120V. Also, buyer beware on ebay - despite what the seller may say. Personally, I have had relatively good luck but there are some disreputable sellers. Does your seller have a good reputation? Is there a return policy?

Have you considered using the new Ideascale area for these ideas? It's the official web-based format to give Line 6 product feedback. http://line6.ideascale.com/ http://line6.com/support/forum-66/announcement-7-post-your-product-ideas-at-line6ideascalecom/ I'm not trying to discourage you or others from using this thread. It's just that your feedback will carry more weight, and will certainly have more visibility within Line 6, if you put this info where they are looking for it.

Yes - after applying the fix it should work on all chipsets and in general one shouldn't need to buy a usb card after the fix. That usb card suggestion is there as an alternative to needing the hardware fix, which can be quite inconvenient for some users. However, your situation seems ambiguous. Was the fix correctly applied per Bulletin #52? is there some other problem with the X3? Are there other problems with both your computers (e.g. they are using internal hubs?) Using a dedicated usb card can help isolate and narrow down the potential problems. Have you tried using all USB ports on your computer(s)? If you have a desktop PC (rather than laptop) the USB ports on the rear panel are less likely to use internal hubs; the front panel ports often do.

The USB Dropout issue with the X3 was notoriously difficult to diagnose precisely, and to identify the reliable hardware fix. The reason for this is exactly what you refer to in your last paragraph. It simply does not occur with all computers. It very much boils down to a hardware conflict with some, but not all, PC USB chipsets. I have seen cases where owners have used the X3 successfully for a couple of years, then upgrade their computer. Suddenly the problem appears due to the new chipset being used. I don't think you can say that the computer manufacturer is at fault for using a 'bad' chipset, nor was Line 6 at fault for using usb-related hardware that was unknowingly incompatible with only certain chipsets. Rather than try to assign blame or avoid accountability, Line 6 spent a lot of time researching the issue and finding a hardware fix that is compatible with all (known) systems. I suppose they could have said "Oh, by the way, the X3 is compatible with the following chipsets, and not others. It's your problem if you use an unsupported chipset." They didn't do that; instead they identified a fix and offered it for free under lifetime warranty. They want to find a way to fix yours, too. Rather than try to assign blame or accountability, try to work in good faith with Line 6 to get this resolved without finger pointing either way. .... and don't worry too much about the tone/title of your original post. Believe me, I've seen MUCH worse. After all, this is a support forum. Most users only come here when frustrated. We're used to it.

I'm not sure whether the new HD500(x?) Edit program will recognize the HD500. You may have to use HD500 Edit first to save all your presets to your computer with the HD500 connected. Then connect the HD500x, launch HD500x Edit, and load the saved presets.

Hmmmmm.... your situation is quite unusual. Please confirm that you had the X3 repaired directly by Line 6, rather than at an authorized Line 6 service centre or at an unauthorized location. Please don't take offense at the latter possibility - we just need to know to help advise you. Normally the hardware fix to the USB Dropout issue on the X3 is 100% reliable. It certainly was for me. The details are spelled out in Technical Bulletin #52 which is available to all authorized service centres (and not available to unauthorized locations). If these procedures were followed I think it is highly likely (and, other things being equal, at the same time highly unlikely) that there are USB connectivity problems with both your computers. Or, it is possible that your X3 has a fault that is different than the USB Dropout and may not be covered under warranty. Don't give up on this - continue to work with Line 6, following their suggestions. Ask them specifically if they followed Bulletin #52. Make sure you are not using any USB hubs, and perhaps buy a returnable USB card as a test. Persistence will pay off. Try to keep your justifiable frustration under control as you work with them. Good luck.

I know the website was being updated today re: the HD500x product release. I was getting 404s and 503s on various pages earlier today. Try again - are you still having problems?

Sure it's possible. I would expect that, just like any other guitar, you will need to adjust the setup (maybe truss rod; almost certainly action and intonation) when you move to a different string gauge. Otherwise the string gauge shouldn't affect the operation of the piezos - they will simply pick up and use the string vibrations as usual. Whether or not you like the results is a different question. ;)

If you are using the VDI cable you don't need (or want) the battery. Take it out. Also, disconnect the 1/4" normal patch cord from the JTV if you are using one. Now you will have the VDI cable as the only power source, and the only connection from the JTV to the HD500. Test this setup to make sure that your VDI cable is working properly. Do you have the JTV Modeling knob lighting up to indicate that you are in model rather than mag mode? If not, push down on the Modeling knob. Please report the results - are you still unable to get the modeling working?

@gstmike......... a couple of observations......... 1) re: delay. Check the audio settings on your receiver. I know that mine (an A/V receiver, not just audio) has a delay parameter that is used to synchronize audio and video in cases where the lips move and the words don't line up. Perhaps yours is set to some positive value rather than to zero? 2) Re; headphones. The sound through your stereo will be different from the sound through your receiver because your standard audio stereo system colours the sound. Mine has many different presets, each of which will sound different. Presets or not, your receiver has tonal controls as well as a built-in tonal characterization. All of these can affect the sound quite dramatically. What you hear through your headphones should sound similar to what you hear through a PA system or studio speakers, which are FRFR devices (Full Range Flat Response). Your audio receiver is almost certainly not FRFR.

It certainly wouldn't damage the Pod in any way. The sound, however, will be quite different from what you would hear with the Pod connected directly to a PA system or a PC for recording - and probably not in a good way. That's because you are essentially using two amplifiers - the modeled amp/cab/mic from the HD500 as well as your physical amp/cab. The Pod's Live mode is designed to address this redundancy.

I don't think that disabling the looper would return much if anything in the way of useful DSP. The looper uses memory - not processing power. When recording it simply writes the output of the DSP processing (or the dry input in PRE position) to its internal memory - the recording is a very light processing load. On playback it simply routes an existing audio stream directly to the device outputs (if recorded in POST mode), or to the signal chain input for DSP processing (if recorded in PRE mode). On playback in POST mode It is analogous to the AUX input but a little faster and less demanding because it recalls the audio stream from its internal memory rather than from the external media. On playback in PRE mode the audio stream is simply added to the physical inputs - the DSP happens as the input signal goes through the chain. Neither the record or playback activities of the looper use a noticeable amount of DSP, imho.

You can open a support ticket here: http://line6.com/support/tickets/add.html ...... or contact Line 6 UK directly at the number that appears at the bottom of the above page/link. I believe that number serves Europe, not just the UK.

You use Line 6 Audo-MIDI Devices utility. You will find it in the Control Panel of your PC (not sure where it sits on the Mac).

@ sidblevins and jc_x_c: What you describe is not normal and should be repaired (hopefully under warranty). I suggest you each open a support ticket directly with Line 6 tech support. You can do that here: http://line6.com/support/tickets/add.html Before you do so, I can suggest one thing. Record a sample of the alternate tuning that is problematic. In many cases this is an apparent (not an actual) problem that is caused by the player hearing both the alternate tuning and the natural acoustic resonance of the standard-tuning string. Although this natural resonance is not being produced by the guitar it is actually quite noticeable to your ear. Even though you think your amp/PA is loud enough to drown it out - it isn't. The only way to really be sure that this is a problem is to playback a recording. The natural string resonance will not be present in a recording. If your recording demonstrates the problem then you can be sure that it is actually a malfunction of the guitar, and it should be repaired.

Surely you jest. I can't see the display or operate the keyboard of my laptop when it's closed and packed in my carry-bag, and I find it overheats in there. :o

In the past I have lowered the string volume on a Variax 300 without any issues. VDI Output and modeling quality did not seem to be affected.

I would try a different VDI cable before replacing the HD500. To test you can use a standard Ethernet cable - just be careful when connecting/disconnecting the unshielded ends of the cable.

First step - make sure that Guitar is specified as the Input for Tone 1, and retest the tuner. The device is designed so that the tuner works only with Tone 1. If you see that the tuner is receiving a signal, disengage it and use headphones to see if you can hear any sound. Also, double check your patch cord, and any batteries in your guitar if it happens to need them. Please report back. After eliminating the obvious we can begin next steps in the troubleshooting.

I don't think there is anything wrong with your device. There is a significant difference between Studio and Live modes. Switching to Live mode removes the mic/cab modeling from your tone. The actual amp you are connecting to will provide these tonal characteristics, and they will almost certainly be very different from the simulated tonality that was removed. The quality and characteristics of the amp you are using will have a lot to do with the tone you hear. Yes - if you plan to use an amp in Live mode.you should be tweaking your tones in Live mode using that amp, and at the volume you will be using when playing live. Some players maintain different Setlists depending on whether they will be connecting directly to the PA or to an amp.

Do you have VARIAX selected as one of your Inputs for the HD500 preset? If so, please give more details about your setup. What do you mean when you say the HD500 doesn't 'recognise' the connection? What are you expecting in terms of recognition?

Check the On/Off switch on the device; it may be loose. Otherwise you can try to reflash the memory after powering up in Safe Mode. Read the last Question in this document first...... http://line6.com/support/docs/DOC-4698 Failing that your X3 needs servicing: http://line6.com/service_centers/

The X3 forum is here: http://line6.com/support/forum/19-pod-x3/

This is often caused by a failed power supply. If you can try a different one with the EXACT SAME specs it may work. Here is the correct PSU: https://www.globalfulfillment.net/gfsnet/line6/10Expand.aspx?ProductCode=98-030-0042-05

Not with reliable results. The reason is that the HD400 is an ASIO-compliant device, and the ASIO protocol dictates that the same audio device be used as the input and output device. There are non-compliant so-called ASIO drivers (e.g. ASIO4ALL) that will permit this, but these drivers are known to cause problems with ASIO-compliant devices such as the Pods.