sijan92 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Currently I have PodHd500X, Steinberg UR22 (audio interface) and Garageband. For recording, should I directly use the USB from POD into the computer? Or should I plug the output of the Pod to the input of UR22? Which method will give me better recording quality? If I use the UR22, is it better to use the balanced (XLR) output of the Pod or the unbalanced output? I tried messing around with both the methods but can't seem to distinguish much in quality. Your suggestion will be highly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennDeLaune Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Currently I have PodHd500X, Steinberg UR22 (audio interface) and Garageband. For recording, should I directly use the USB from POD into the computer? Or should I plug the output of the Pod to the input of UR22? Which method will give me better recording quality? If I use the UR22, is it better to use the balanced (XLR) output of the Pod or the unbalanced output? I tried messing around with both the methods but can't seem to distinguish much in quality. Your suggestion will be highly appreciated. I never use the USB recording method in any of my recordings. I have A/B'd it though and "in the mix" there is no audible difference. It's just so much easier to just go stereo L&R out of the POD and right into a Good Quality Aduio Interface. I am currently using a Focusrite 2i4 and also a Tascam US-2x2. Both record at 24/96 which is what you want when looking for an exrernal audio interface. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueViolince Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 The only benefit to going through another AD/DA conversion stage is that you can use your own studio interface to monitor through. Even if you don't hear a difference when tracking, a conversion step is a conversion step, and may resurface farther down the mixing process as unwanted noise or loss of quality. Of course, it depends on what processing you end up doing to the Pod tracks, including EQ, compression, etc through to mastering. Play it safe. Track through the Pod's USB, and then switch back to your other interface for post. The good thing about studio is that you can take extra time to do it right, instead of going for quick and (potentially)dirty for the sake of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sijan92 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I never use the USB recording method in any of my recordings. I have A/B'd it though and "in the mix" there is no audible difference. It's just so much easier to just go stereo L&R out of the POD and right into a Good Quality Aduio Interface. I am currently using a Focusrite 2i4 and also a Tascam US-2x2. Both record at 24/96 which is what you want when looking for an exrernal audio interface. So you use both the outputs of Pod when recording? I have been using a single mono output all this time. Would you recommend unbalanced or the balanced (XLR) outputs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sijan92 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 slighty better quality through the digital direct USB connection, going instead through another interface there will be an added AD conversion, unless you can use a digital s/pdif input How does the s/pdif input work exactly? The UR22 does not have a s/pdif port so I am guessing I would need a convertor for that? It only accepts balanced, unbalanced and MIDI inputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianoguyy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I concur. I use the xlr jacks, the same as I do when going live. I'm not big on the computer stuff. Yes, use both of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclement Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Play it safe. Track through the Pod's USB, and then switch back to your other interface for post. The good thing about studio is that you can take extra time to do it right, instead of going for quick and (potentially)dirty for the sake of time. This is - for me at least - not worth the effort. I have a PreSonus FP10 FireWire interface already hooked up to my PC, and my M-Audio BX8a monitors already hooked up to the FP10. Switching everything around is a major PITA, so the using the SPDIF option is the was to go. My FP10 is dialed in and works really well.. so using the HD500x as the interface is just a bunch of extra work. YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbarden Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I use the USB myself as my external interface is an old M-Audio Fastrack Pro I used when I was using Protools. I get better results with the POD's USB but that's just my gear. If I had a better external interface I would probably use that though with the XLR outputs. I should mention I'm basically just recording ideas to layout song structures and whatnot right now and will do the final recordings through a mic'd tube amp. My test results aren't bad with the 500X's USB though, better than anything I ever got out of the M-Audio with Protools (I'm using Reaper now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgos02 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 This is - for me at least - not worth the effort. I have a PreSonus FP10 FireWire interface already hooked up to my PC, and my M-Audio BX8a monitors already hooked up to the FP10. Switching everything around is a major PITA, so the using the SPDIF option is the was to go. My FP10 is dialed in and works really well.. so using the HD500x as the interface is just a bunch of extra work. YMMV What does "PITA" mean? And how do you use the SPDIF with your soundcard, pod and monitors? I didn't understand the connection you have done... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brue58ski Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 PITA Pain in the a@@. You can consider SPDIF like another connection but instead of analog it is digital. So in essence it's like your XLR and 1/4" outputs and, like those, if your audio card/interface doesn't have an SPDIF input, you can't use it. It then should be another input option on your audio card/interface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBob-Irwin Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I go either direct stereo out of the pod into my cakewalk ua-25 EX interface if I am playing along with tracks but prefer to use my Tascam DP 24 or zoom R16 if recording. I have recorded direct through the interface to sonar or Cubase but prefer the separate recorder as it gives me simple options re noise gates compressors etc then I transfer the tracks from the recorder and mix using the PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glueckspilz77 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Searching for the best results of the recording signals, I connected the unbalanced outputs (1/4") and the balanced outputs (XLR) of my POD HD500X to a mixer. All the inputs of the mixer where set to line-inputs. I have got a huge difference of the output-volume. The fader of unbalanced outputs was on 30% and the fader of the balanced outputs on 100% for the same volume. Additionally there ist noise within the balanced signal, even if it is set on lift. Is this normal? What am I doing wrong? I thought the balanced outputs where the best for recording because of its technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 ... All the inputs of the mixer where set to line-inputs. ... Make sure you also set the 1/4" output level on the POD to Line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceatl Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Searching for the best results of the recording signals, I connected the unbalanced outputs (1/4") and the balanced outputs (XLR) of my POD HD500X to a mixer. All the inputs of the mixer where set to line-inputs. I have got a huge difference of the output-volume. The fader of unbalanced outputs was on 30% and the fader of the balanced outputs on 100% for the same volume. Additionally there ist noise within the balanced signal, even if it is set on lift. Is this normal? What am I doing wrong? I thought the balanced outputs where the best for recording because of its technique. The balance line is mic level...You need to set those strips to mic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennDeLaune Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 So you use both the outputs of Pod when recording? I have been using a single mono output all this time. Would you recommend unbalanced or the balanced (XLR) outputs Yes I use L&R outs of the POD into my recording interface. I always record in stereo L&R. Balenced XLR is always better Live but honestly . . . . Shhhhhh, . . . .Wait for it . . . . . .I've just been using good quality 1/4in. guitar cables in all of my recordings you guys have seen & heard for years. I only use Balanced XLR's in concert!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chudan Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Hi guys, I want to connect my POD HD500X by the ballanced XLR outs with my interface (Tascam US4x4). At the same time I want edit pressets in PODHD edit. So if I want to do this I have to connect POD to computer by the USB too. When I do it like this I can hear in the monitor strange noises which ends when I unplug POD. I think it is because the POD's interface is running too. How can I edit POD without using his interface. Or what I'm doing wrong? Sorry for my english... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexKenivel Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I get the same computerized sounds in the high end of my speakers after plugging into my cpu via USB. These noises don't translate into my recordings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chudan Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 But when I suddenly unplug the USB it shut down my computer because It's connected as the interface. I don't know how to safely unplug the POD without these problems. :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shredjsx Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Direct bro, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titchyblackcat Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 I use the output jack sockets so that i can use another interface ( in your case the UR22) else you have to ditch the UR22 and use just the Pod. You can only use one or the other as the ASIO needs to stream through one device to keep the input and output in sync. To me that's not practical with all the other equipment i've got so i don't bother recording with USB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward-7 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. After having read how u all solve different complex problems for ppl, i think this is the right place for my solutions :). I've seen guys here talk abt how they connect their pod HD via spdif, mine goes thru the phones output - woofer spkrs (can't afford studio spkrs, amps, soundcard). I use the 500x sound card with the cubase. It does record, but not qualified enuf to say if its a better quality. Is this the right way also to connect? Someone mentioned abt DVD cables thru spdif...but 500x has just one slot...while the cable has two...plz bear with me for my ignorance...I'm looking for some enlightenment here...plz help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triryche Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 If you do not have another interface, recording direct via USB is your best option. Until you get studio monitors I would suggest monitoring with headphones for a more accurate representation of what is being recorded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearsass Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 My question is, should I set up two mono tracks in Sonar, or one stereo track. I want to use the left and right XLR outputs with stereo effects going into my DAW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfsmith0 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I think it would be much more convenient to set it up as a single stereo track. That way they'll always stay together when apply various mixing tricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearsass Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 It does make seem to make more sense to do it that way, but sometimes I like a second opinion before I try something new. I recently got a new sound card, studio monitors and Sonar Platinum and I've always used the 500 with just a 1/4 inch jack but now I want get serious with so I'm exploring possibilities. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclement Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 A single stereo track is much easier to deal with than dual mono tracks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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