HD POD500x studio direct to front of amp

[Metallpt147]

Hey what's up guys. Just wondering what you're input is on setting up the pod hd500x on studio direct, 1/4th set to amp while going into the front of an amp (basically without using the 4 cable method so I'll be using amp n cab sims). In my case I use a crate amp and when I do that I honestly think it sounds BEAST!. I know it's the "wrong" way to do it but I think it sounds good. I can get almost the same tone putting it in combo front with setting mids too 100khz and highs and lows to flat. Anybody else notice this as well or no?

[BillBee]

I know you are going to love this answer - there is no wrong way "if" it sounds good to you.

 

For going into the front of a combo I will go between s-direct and combo/stack. The flatter the amp, usually a SS, the better response I hear out of s-direct using the line in of the fx loop. Its a toss up with going in the front - combo/stack tends to limit the cab modeling (to me) where I hear more going s-direct.

 

You are on the right path too utilizing the EQs to fine tune - you may find that you will start to do that per different type of amp unless you go to a Flat Range / Flat Response (FRFR) one.

 

-B

[alexisltd]

I also always use studio / direct option, for me, is the most transparent option but I use my HD500x as a "digital pedalboard" no amps no cabs sims, only effects. 

If you plan to use amp sims, I suggest you connect the HD to the return of your amp, and turn off the sims cabs in HD.....try it, maybe it can improve your sound   :)  ;)

[Metallpt147]

awesome answers guys thanks! the thing is that I don't like my amps distortion so using it with no amp or cab sings would be atrocious lmao..my amps distortion is fuzzy as hell and not heavy in any way. i just noticed that when i have it in studio direct on the settings and on the little switch that says "line" and "amp" on the right side i have it set to amp (all doing this withOUT using the fx look but just connecting my amp from guitar to hd500x then L mono 1/4" out to front input of the amp. i know you said there is no WRONG way but for some reason people always say to use the line in of the FX loop but i don't do that so technically its "wrong" right?
 

[Brazzy]

A lot of people use studio direct to the guitar input of an amp. I do it with a Spider Jam and other amps. Heck, I take my UX2 analog out and run that into them as well.

[Metallpt147]

Oh nice man...well good to know I'm not the only one lol..and I do like the options of actually using the mics because on combo/front u can't use the mics

[clay-man]

If you can dial in a tone you like then that's all that matters. The point of not using studio direct is so you don't virtually end up having a cabinet being miced, going into another cabinet.

 

If your real cabinet doesn't cut frequencies much then you can get away with using direct/studio, otherwise there's a possibility of cutting too much high end and making it sound muddy.

 

Sound is completely subjective though.

[Metallpt147]

Oh ok gotcha...yea I've gotten it to sound awesome with using studio direct AND combo front but with combo front the distortions sound more fuzzy and staticy but still decent...thanks a lot guys!

[FlyingSquirrel]

On the rare occasion that I'm not running D.I. only, I will connect the line level 1/4" output to the return of my Carvin AG100D Acoustic Amp. 
I have globally set my HD500X to Mono so it doesn't matter which of the 1/4" jacks I use.

As an acoustic amp, while it's not completely a FRFR amp, it's better than running just into another guitar amp, and by going through the return, I'm really only hitting the power amp section of the amp.