HD500X / L6 link issue

[MickhCO]

Hi all, Fairly new HD500X user here and have a problem that seemed to appear after installing the latest firmware and performing a global reset. I have the HD500X connected to a DT25 combo via L6 link. After updating the HD500X I now have a strange issue where all patches (my user created and Line6 presets) are drastically changed when connecting via L6 link. What really makes this strange is that if I disconnect and reconnect the L6 Link the patch sounds normal for 2-3 seconds and then the signal drops several db. Once the signal drops the patch sounds slightly muffled and dark. This only happens on the L6 link connection to the DT25. My patches sound normal when connecting via the 1/4 outs. I am not using a DMX cable but have tried several XLR cables of varying lengths. None longer than 10ft. 

 

I have tried reverting back to the previous firmware (can't remember the rel #) and tried several global resets but the problem occurs no matter what firmware I'm running. It did not occur prior to updating so it appears something happened to the HD500X during the update process.  

 

I opened a ticket with Line 6 support but have so far been disappointed in the lack of response. They asked for a sound clip which I provided and responded by telling me they'd test this in a day or two and get back to me. That was on 4/30. Since then, they've ignored my requests for an update. That's disappointing so I guess I'll have to call them in order to pursue the issue. 

 

I was wondering if someone out there could test this for if you're connecting the HD500X to a DT amp via L6 link:

 

>Disconnect L6 link from HD500X

>Connect L6 link to HD500X and strum something

 

Does the sound change after a couple of seconds or does it stay exactly the same?

 

I understand that my workaround is to use the 1/4 outs but I'm also using a JTV59 which means I can't really use any of the "Dream Rig" functionality.

 

I've attached an mp3 file where you can hear the issue. All I'm doing here is connecting the L6 link cable to the HD500X. 

 

L6LinkIssue-mp3.mp3

 

 

[talwilkins]

could it have something to do with the topology, Class A/AB triode/penthode settings?

Do they change when you link your HD500X?

[MickhCO]

Topology setting on the DT25 do not change when I disconnect and reconnect the L6 link cable from the HD500X. 

 

There was a post here last night that asked some questions and offered a couple of suggestions but it's gone this morning. 

I don't remember all of what was in that post and have no idea why it's gone now. One suggestion was to see if the problem occurred while connected via USB to HD Edit. The problem occurs whether I'm connected to HD Edit or not. 

 

I'm at a loss as to what to do next other than call Line 6 and press the issue. I'm really frustrated at the lack of response on the ticket I opened with them. 

[CipherHost]

I don't know what is causing this but I would try to isolate the variables.

 

1. Leave the USB cable disconnected.
2. Remove the JTV VDI cable and use the standard jack or a standard guitar.
3. With the POD and the DT off and the L6 Link connected between the POD and your DT, power up the POD and wait a few seconds to ensure it is done the boot process. 
4. Move to a new, blank patch in the POD. Add a clean sounding amp to the amp block. 
5. Turn down all the volume and EQ dials on the face of the DT. Set the DT Master Volume about 12 o'clock. Ensure Low Volume Mode on the back of the DT is turned off.
6. When you power up the DT, pinch the voicing and the pentode/triode switches together and hold them like that for about 12 seconds until you see voicing I light up. This sets the DT to factory settings.
7. When you start to play something, pay attention to the amp to see if it switches to channel B. It should stay on Channel A unless you turn of the amp block. Listen for relay switching inside the DT. 
8. Make sure your physical connections are solid. If you can wiggle them and the problem is reproduced, that could be the problem. 

Let us know what you find out.

 

Cheers

Edited May 20, 2015 by CipherHost

[MickhCO]

CipherHost... Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. 

 

I left the USB cable disconnected and removed the JTV/VDI cable and used a standard guitar cable with both JTV59 and a standard guitar. 

 

I followed the rest of your and here are my findings: 

 

Regarding step #7 when I loaded a new "blank" patch and after resetting the DT25 it started on Channel B. Once I turned on the amp block it moved to Channel A.

From there on it stayed on Channel A so all of that seems normal so far.

 

Now for the strange part. I went through your instructions 3 times and the original problem with the signal dropping a couple of seconds after connecting the L6 link cable to the HD500X still occurred. I was trying various things and not making any progress so I decided to go through your steps again. After the 4th time through your process I disconnected and reconnected the L6 link cable but did not notice the signal drop. Went through the steps a couple of more times and the signal drop issue did not come back. For now, I will just listen for the problem and see what happens. My patches darker and slightly muffled. By that I mean they are not the brighter sound you hear in the sound clip before the signal drop. The sound is stuck on the signal drop sound. I have some more work to do here to figure out what to do next but I'm thinking I'll wipe my board clean and start from scratch on my patches and see if I can get them to sounds as good as they did before. I'd really like to get one of the new model packs but I'm reluctant at this point.     

 

I still think there is an issue with my HD500X that might come back to bite me but at this point I will wait and see.    

[CipherHost]

Now for the strange part. I went through your instructions 3 times and the original problem with the signal dropping a couple of seconds after connecting the L6 link cable to the HD500X still occurred.  

 

Quick question. Are you unplugging and plugging in the L6 Link after the DT and HD are already powered up? If so, I guess I don't understand why you need to do this. I don't think it is a good idea. I always power up the HD, then the DT with L6 Link already connected using the two together in this configuration.

 

It just occurred to me that before you re-insert the L6 Link, the amp was using the amps pre until the PODs pre took over. If that is the case, then it would be normal operation (except that I would not recommend it)

 

Actually, how did you even get sound out of the DT with the L6 Link disconnected? Did you have the standard jack plugged into the front of the DT as well? Because the front of the amp input is disabled when connecting the L6 Link, in my experience.

Edited May 20, 2015 by CipherHost

[MickhCO]

Quick question. Are you unplugging and plugging in the L6 Link after the DT and HD are already powered up? If so, I guess I don't understand why you need to do this. I don't think it is a good idea. I always power up the HD, then the DT with L6 Link already connected using the two together in this configuration.

 

No, I generally power up the same way that you do with everything connected. The only reason I went through the process of disconnecting the L6 link and reconnecting it was after I updated the HD500X and did the Global reset was that I immediately noticed that all of the user and Line 6 presets sounded dark and muddy so during the troubleshooting process of switching between using a normal guitar cable, VDI cable, L6 link and 1/4" outs I happened to connect L6 link while the DT25 was on and then heard the problem. Tried reflashing and global reset several times but could not get the problem to go away.

 

I downloaded and installed the new firmware when it first became available. Was really interested in the new model packs and possibly using the new global EQ. That was before I realized it did not apply to L6 link. At that time I did not load any of the new presets but later on, curiousity got the better of me and I figured I needed to hear the new Variax presets so a week or so later I reflashed. After I reflashed the firmware to get the new set lists and did a global reset I noticed the problem. Everything was normal after the first update.    

[CipherHost]

When I did the new update the first time, I kept my original patches. After reading there were additional patches in the update, I re-flashed too, allowing overwrite of my patches. 

 

So the only way I can wrap my head around this is that a 1/4 inch was plugged into the front of the DT, which allowed sound out of the DT using the DT's preamp, then, when plugging in the L6 Link, the HD preamp took over, which could have taken the short amount of time as demonstrated in the mp3 file. 

 

Sounds like you got everything in a stable condition now. I know there are different opinions on the new models, but I found enough I like to keep them.

 

Cheers and good luck with your tones.

[MickhCO]

CipherHost, once again thanks so much for your suggestions. It's helped a lot. I'm not sure if I'm confident enough to use the dream rig setup at my gig on Friday but if all goes well I might use it for the next gig a couple of weeks later. 

 

I will be downloading one of the new model packs sometime soon. Given what you theorize, I'll not have the DT25 connected when I update and see how it goes.