HD500x Overdrive without "buzz"

[tomoliver]

Does anyone know how to get a smooth overdrive out of an HD500x?

Guitar:  Ibanez Prestige (Special import of a J Custom)

 

I bought the HD500x for a short stint we did on a cruise ship. But , now that the cruis tour is over.  I'd love to keep using just the HD500x and a vintage low power amp ('60s Ampeg or Fender) for all my gigs.  I play primarily classic rock and blues, so the vintage amps provide outstanding tone.  In which case, the intent is to get a smooth, sustained overdrive without using an amp model.  For the cruise ship, I used the amp modeling, then set the amp (usually a beat up JC120) to act as neutral as possible or went direct when sufficient monitor mixes were available.  It could be I have the wrong product for my desire.  I just don't want to go back to a big box full of singular stomp boxes.

 

 

[Brazzy]

Does anyone know how to get a smooth overdrive out of an HD500x?

Guitar:  Ibanez Prestige (Special import of a J Custom)

 

I bought the HD500x for a short stint we did on a cruise ship. But , now that the cruis tour is over.  I'd love to keep using just the HD500x and a vintage low power amp ('60s Ampeg or Fender) for all my gigs.  I play primarily classic rock and blues, so the vintage amps provide outstanding tone.  In which case, the intent is to get a smooth, sustained overdrive without using an amp model.  For the cruise ship, I used the amp modeling, then set the amp (usually a beat up JC120) to act as neutral as possible or went direct when sufficient monitor mixes were available.  It could be I have the wrong product for my desire.  I just don't want to go back to a big box full of singular stomp boxes.

 

All you may need to do turn your guitar levels down some and readjust you OD levels, have you tried that?

 

Whenever I have this excess noise issue I turn all my levels down and work my up.

 

For example I'll turn my guitar volume to about 2 position and set the tone knob/knobs in the middle. I'll take the amp's tone stack and gain and set them all to position 1 or 2. The amp volume I set to noon or to where I can hear it. Then I play the guitar and start adjusting the tone stack. Usually I'll start with turning up the mid to 3-5 or higher and then gain. Then I'll try turning up the treble and see how far I can go until I get excessive noise and back off unless I want that kind of tone, lol. The bass usually stays on the low side for me at about 2-4 maybe 5. After that test play the guitar with it's volume knob in all positions and then I try going both ways with the tone knob/knobs to see what gives. If the amp model your using has a master volume you can work with that as well. Don't try to make too many changes at one time this way you can better judge what the noisy culprit is, lol.

 

After I'm happy with that I'll put a distortion pedal in front with the levels all at 0 and work my up with the level knob to see what gives and then add gain after that. If there is still noise I'll add a noise gate but only after I put any other effects in the chain. Of course the master knob on the Pod needs to set at least at 50% -75%, this setting is obviously a personal choice and then the level on your amp need to be at least 50%, again another personal choice. It's all personal of course, lol.

 

Hopefully this helps some. If I have something to add I'll add in this post.

 

IMO, higher setting always get you more noise, that's the one thing that always remains the same.

 

You also may be able to cut it with a parametric EQ but I'm thinking this won't help the buzz, it's always worth a try though. I'm think it's more of a level issue.