Increase volume of a patch without altering sound

[kinglerch]

I am trying to balance the patches (tones) in my HD500X and some of them are just too soft, even with the mixer at the highest level. What is the best way to increase the volume without altering the sound? I have tried adding an amp which of course works, but I couldn't find one that didn't change the sound a lot. I'm sure there is an option somewhere I am missing.

[Meiannatee]

Seems like you're crafting an amp-less patch, maybe synth or soundscape?

 

I can think of a few...

 

Mid focus EQ, high-pass 0%, low-pass 100%, adjust output for clean boost.

Parametric EQ, default settings, adjust output.

Vintage pre-amp

Tube comp

Boost comp

 

Also, check that both channels in the mixer are on, and panned center.

 

But for me, I think that perhaps the problem is that the amp patches are too loud, especially the presets. I level my patches to match the loudness of a blank patch. I'm probably the only one who does this, since Customtone patches are crazy loud as well...

 

Be careful as you can clip your signal if it's going in too hot into certain effects.

[cruisinon2]

What is the best way to increase the volume without altering the sound? I have tried adding an amp which of course works, but I couldn't find one that didn't change the sound a lot. I'm sure there is an option somewhere I am missing.

Blame it on Fletcher and Munson. Adding volume will always have some effect on your overall perception of sound. There's no escaping it. A patch at bedroom volume is never going to sound the same at stage volume.

[bond19]

I just found out how to do this on my firehawk. Just run a cable from the effects send to return and then change the db level once you enable the effects loop

[edstar1960]

 

 

.....

 

But for me, I think that perhaps the problem is that the amp patches are too loud, especially the presets. I level my patches to match the loudness of a blank patch. I'm probably the only one who does this, since Customtone patches are crazy loud as well...

.....

 

Are you aware that a blank patch by default produces output about 6db quieter than a standard guitar going direct into an amp?  To get a blank patch to match a direct guitar signal requires it to be boosted by 6db.   If you are levelling everything to a default blank patch then everything is probably too quiet.  I would recommend that you create a default blank patch that matches the level of your direct guitar input to an amp and use that to level to.  Hope that helps. 

[Meiannatee]

Are you aware that a blank patch by default produces output about 6db quieter than a standard guitar going direct into an amp?  To get a blank patch to match a direct guitar signal requires it to be boosted by 6db.   If you are levelling everything to a default blank patch then everything is probably too quiet.  I would recommend that you create a default blank patch that matches the level of your direct guitar input to an amp and use that to level to.  Hope that helps. 

Good point. However, I only go direct or headphones, so this probably doesn't apply to me.

 

At least for me, this level makes it easier to balance, say, patches with no amps, or with an amp in only one signal path. Some of the spacey tones work better without an amp model.. Then you'll have to waste an FX block to boost your signal, just to level that patch.

 

50% Master out gives me a comfortable headphone volume, and around 90% puts the mixer I use on the verge of clipping.

 

If you're going into an amp, do listen to edstar's advice. But even so, don't make your patches too loud, since you'll want the amp to be pretty clean if you're using delays and reverbs. Or else, the post-delay/reverb distortion can cause your sound to be washy and get lost in the mix.