All distortion on HD500x that I get is terrible

[TriploA 0]

No matter what I do, I always get terrible distortion, sometimes all fuzzy.

 

I even downloaded presets to test them, and they all sound the same (terrible).

 

For instance:

 

I downloaded that patch and it SUCKED BIG TIME when I tried it, and no matter how I tweaked it, it didn't sound any close to the video.

 

Am I retarded?

[pfsmith0 226]

Set the inputs to Guitar and Variax and see if that helps. You're probably overdriving the input.

[TriploA 0]

Set the inputs to Guitar and Variax and see if that helps. You're probably overdriving the input.

 

No luck, all my distortion still sounds like this: https://clyp.it/0loip4yl

 

Sorry, the forum wasn't allowing me to upload it for some reason :/

 

Now with a preset I downloaded from this video: 

 

https://clyp.it/ztbe3tfg

[cruisinon2 2,211]

First, forget downloading someone else's patches. It is a colossal waste of time. There are a thousand reasons why it will never sound the same for you, as compared to some demo video.

 

What are you playing through? Amp/cab, studio monitors, headphones, FRFR speaker? The output mode setting (studio/direct, stack/front, etc) makes a HUGE difference. If you're listening through headphones, studio monitors, or an FRFR rig and using anything but "studio/direct", it's never gonna sound right.

[bjnette 149]

The first clip has some input clipping going on. The HD input pre is clean and cheap but wont tolerate or sound any good overloaded like a real amp with in out transformers.

 

To me what is offending about the super dry tone is some slight articulation misses in both clips. Probably the lack of tone frustration. The fingers and touch make most of any tone.

You could make this tone sound good like targeting good sustain on the notes.

 

 

 Mostly what I hear are missing harmonics that good distortion gives especially in the genre you are playing and your style  shines from harmonic distortion.

 

Try more distortion! Just enough so the harmonics come out feels better to play.

[joel_brown 359]

What's your amp/speakers and what's your guitar/pickups ?  What the setting on the PODHD ?  Is it Studio Direct ?

[BillBee 393]

Joel makes the best point. What is your rig and how is it set?

[Pacohelix 1]

Ive had the same problem with the Helix and this POD HD 500.  You just have the inputs wrong.  It all depends on your rig.  But Ive found the Studio direct works best with direct to DAW or FRFR and even L6 link into a dt25

[fobsternd 0]

what is this studio direct thing everyone is talking about?

[ramosv 0]

It's one of the output modes of your unit. You can choose from Studio/Direct, Combo Power Amp, Combo front, Stack Power Amp, Stack Front. :)

 

Knowing these options will open your HD experience. :)

[fobsternd 0]

It's one of the output modes of your unit. You can choose from Studio/Direct, Combo Power Amp, Combo front, Stack Power Amp, Stack Front. :)

 

Knowing these options will open your HD experience. :)

Where do I find them? Are they on the unit itself or in the pod editor...?

[cclement 94]

Where do I find them? Are they on the unit itself or in the pod editor...?

 

Check out section 2*8 of your Advanced Guide, or via this link to the PDF:

 

http://line6.com/data/6/0a06434c6fb051e03e8ab63dc/application/pdf/POD%20HD500X%20Advanced%20Guide%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20A%20).pdf

 

 

Studio/Direct: Typically the best option when connecting “Direct†to a mixing console or recording device. This signal includes “Studio†Cab Models, Mic Model and an “AIR†convolution to best emulate a mic’ed amp within a room.

 

Combo and Stack settings: Optimizes your tone for connecting to an external amplifier. The signal includes “Live†Cab Models,with no Mic Model or “AIR†convolution, with a special EQ curve added for each.

 

Combo Front & Stack Front: For connecting into the front input of a typical combo amp or amp head + external cab, respectively. When choosing either of these Modes, you’ll see the following additional options for further tone shaping: • Lows (Knob 2): Attenuates the low frequencies. • Focus (Knob 3): Increases the overall midrange. • Highs (Knob 4): Attenuates the high frequencies.

 

Combo Power Amp & Stack Power Amp: For connecting to the power amp of a combo or head amp.

 

TIP: When using the Combo or Stack options and connecting into a tube amplifier, we also recommend that you choose a Preamp Model from the Amp Model menu (rather than one of the “Full†Amp Models). HD Preamp Models include no power amp emulation, making them typically better suited for this connection. That said, there is no wrong choice! PODs have always been about flexibility... Check out all the possibilities and decide which Models work best for your tone!

[skybone 9]

You could also try and roll back the gain on your amp sim, & raise the channel volume. Some will disagree with this, but I use the same principle on my dirty amp patches as I do on my valve amp, gain in the middle, volume on full. This gives a creamier power amp drive to the sound, than the "scratchy" preamp drive.

 

Just give it a try and see if you like it. Experiment.

 

I'm sure there will be some others along in a moment to tell me I'm wrong, but if you approach the POD as you would a new amp, the point is to experiment with your sounds, and the HD is a superb platform to experiment with. If you don't like a sound, wipe it and start again.

[fobsternd 0]

You could also try and roll back the gain on your amp sim, & raise the channel volume. Some will disagree with this, but I use the same principle on my dirty amp patches as I do on my valve amp, gain in the middle, volume on full. This gives a creamier power amp drive to the sound, than the "scratchy" preamp drive.

 

Just give it a try and see if you like it. Experiment.

 

I'm sure there will be some others along in a moment to tell me I'm wrong, but if you approach the POD as you would a new amp, the point is to experiment with your sounds, and the HD is a superb platform to experiment with. If you don't like a sound, wipe it and start again.

 

I usually have my gain for my Treadplate/F-Ball at around 60-70 and ch. vol. near 100%

[skybone 9]

I use similar settings on the JCM800, IMO, it gets quite close to the "power amp drive" sound, rather than the scratchy/spikey preamp drive "high gain" sound.

 

And yes, I have run a JCM800 and a couple of other valve amps at full tilt in the past, and yes, IMO, the HD gets very close.