Cannot get L6 Link working with PowerCab 212 Plus

[carlc]

I just bought a brand new PowerCab 212 Plus to go along with my collection of Line 6 gear. I plugged it in and tried to connect it to my POD HD 500 via L6 Link. Unfortunately, I can't get the L6 Link to work at all. When I power on the POD, I hear a few momentary clicks & pops in on the PowerCab, but no audio.  I can connect via the analog outputs from the POD to the PowerCab, and that works fine, but I would much prefer to run a single digital cable instead of two analog cables.

 

I opened a ticket with Line6 support, but unfortunately we are out of ideas to try.  The things I have tried so far to get the L6 Link connection working are:

1. Several different AES and XLR cables, including a brand new AES cable
2. Connected two different POD units to the PowerCab, a POD HD 500 and a POD HD 300
3. Updated firmware on all of the units to ensure latest version
4. Different power up / power down sequences and connection sequences
5. Different settings within the POD HD 500 for outputs (page 4 of 12 in settings): Studio/Direct, Combo Front, Combo Pwr Amp, Stack Front, Stack Pwr Amp
6. Different settings within the POD HD 500 for L6 Link Audio (page 9 of 12 in settings): Amp #1 Left/Right, Amp Model A, and Amp Model A/B
7. Performed a full factory reset on the PowerCab 212 Plus via the settings

 

I know that I likely won't be able to control detailed PowerCab parameters via L6 Link with the POD HD 500 or POD HD 300, but basic audio should work over L6 Link.  Even trying everything above, I have not been able to get any sound, only a handful of faint clicks & pops when the system first powers up.

 

Has anyone else been able to make this work?   Any other things I could try?   Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Also, just knowing that someone else has successfully connected a POD HD 300 or 500 to a PowerCab via L6 Link would be good information.

 

Thanks!

Carl

 

[bobcoss]

Hi Carl,

 

I quickly hooked up my HD500X to my Powercab 112 Plus using a known good AES cable for L6L (works between my Helix floor and  both my DT25 and the PC+).   I'm getting signal from the HD500X and it's working just fine from my perspective.

 

I didn't have to do any switch changes or anything special in the HD500 L6L settings.

 

Hope you can get this figured out.

 

[carlc]

Thanks Bob!  Good to know that this should work without too much trouble.  I initiated a return through Guitar Center since this was a brand new PowerCab.  I should have the new unit in a few weeks. 

[bobcoss]

That's too bad.  I agree that it must be the PC+ 212 at fault.

 

The HD500 should work great with the PC+.    You can use the speaker emulations and IR's in the PC+ with the HD500.   You just turn off the speaker emulation.

 

Works great.  It's so nice to have other options with the HD500

[Ruymon]

I have the same problem: No sound when I use my POD HD500X with my Powercab 212 + using L6 Link connection. The analog connections wosks fine!

 

Any idea?

 

Thanks!

[carlc]

Sorry, no ideas.  I was never able to get this to work even after exchanging the PowerCab for a new unit.  I gave up and am using two 1/4” unbalanced cables to send analog audio from the POD HD500.  I wasn’t able to use balanced (XLR) cables because the volume was too low.  I had to max out the gain on that PowerCab to get a somewhat decent level.  With the 1/4” unbalanced I was able to leave the gain at a nominal level. 

[OmniFace]

Maybe the DT Series guide will help?

The Quick Start sections walks through changing the Pod's output settings to L6 Link.  Instructions say to adjust the output settings.  Connect the amp via the AES/EBU cable.  Then power on the cabinet.

Things may be different for the PowerCab than the DT, but the key is probably your output settings.

When I get my HD500x back from a friends house I'll try to remember to try this out with my PC212 cabs.  I have a helix at home and it's pretty much plug and play.

[carlc]

On 6/11/2020 at 9:56 AM, OmniFace said:

Maybe the DT Series guide will help?

Sorry I hadn't checked the forum in a while, and thanks for the suggestion.  I did reference that guide, actually.  I also went through every conceivable combination of output settings, cable connections, power up/connection sequences, etc. 

 

At this point, the only logical conclusion is that both my POD HD500 and my POD HD300 have damaged or defective L6 Link outputs.  I tested this theory when I was in the process of exchanging the first PowerCab 212.  While I still had both PowerCab 212 units at my house, I was able to successfully use the L6 Link output of one to drive the other.  I was also able to swap them and it still worked.  Not a complete test, but the L6 Link ins & outs for both PowerCab 212 units appeared to be okay.  That implies that both of my POD HD units are faulty.