Connect POD HD 400 to an amplifier

[Aliasing]

Hi, a total noob here. I have a question, what do i have to do in order to connect the pod hd 400 to an amplifier? I attach an image of the connection that i am trying to use. The guitar input is connected to my guitar, and the L/Mono output is connected to the input of my amplifier. I think that maybe i have an issue with the pod setting, any help? Thanks !

 

[silverhead]

It’s a simple question. Unfortunately the answer is anything but simple. I’ll address the main issue here. It will require some follow up and probably further information and questions on your part.

 

The main issue that you need to understand is that you are using two amplifiers and speaker cabinets, and your connection method is putting them in series. That won’t sound good. There are 4 key individual components here: 

1 - the modelled amp in the HD400

2 - the modelled cab/mic in the HD400

3 - your physical guitar amp except the speaker/cabinet; let’s call this the amp head

4 - the physical speaker/cab of your amp

 

Imagine that, instead of the HD400 models, you were using the real physical equipment being modelled. Your current setup is equivalent to placing a microphone in front of the speaker of that amp and then sending that signal into the front of your existing amplifier. No doubt, that sounds awful to you - hence your question.

 

What you need to do is make your connections and design your HD400 presets so that the signal that reaches your ears passes through only one amp (either an HD400 model OR your physical amp head) and only one speaker/cabinet.

 

In all cases, you will be hearing the sound from physical speaker/cabinet of your existing amplifier. That means your HD400 preset should not use a cab/mic model. I can’t remember whether the HD400 provides a No Cab option. If so, use it in all presets. If not you will need to either abandon your HD400 and use your physical amp or abandon your physical amp and use a PA style or studio monitor speaker system.

 

Now, considering the amp selection. Again, the question of whether the HD400 allows you to select No Amp in the preset is critical. If not, you need to route the HD400 output to a rear panel Input on your amp, either a Line In jack or an FX Return jack. If your amp has neither of those then, again, you need to abandon one device or the other. If it does have one of those then you can use the HD400 amp model with only the speaker/cab portion of your physical amplifier. Your existing physical amp head will never be used.

 

If the HD400 does allow you to select No Amp, and if your physical guitar amp also has an FX Loop (as the HD400 does) you can connect the HD400 and your amplifier using 4 cables, in something called the 4-cable method (4CM). This will allow you greatest flexibility but it will require you to do some research so I’ll stop here.
 

So to summarize you need to determine a couple of matters of fact:

1 - does the HD400 allow you to select No Amp and No Cab in your presets?

2 - does you physical guitar amp have an FX Loop or a Line In jack in the rear panel?

 

Determine these facts and then read the above several more times until you understand it.

[Aliasing]

Hi, first of all, thanks for the answer. In second place, i don´t have problems with the sound, i can´t even make the pod works with the amplifier (in fact, with all plugged in, i can´t hear anything). I tested the cables and the amplifier isolated, and i don´t have any problem.

 

About the questions:

1 - In the POD HD400, i have a button named "effects only", i think that with that button i can disable the amps simulation

2 - I attach some pictures of my amplifier.

[silverhead]

Make sure you are using the HD400 L/Mono 1/4” output to connect to your amp, and set the switch to Amp. If still not working use headphones to test and make sure that the HD400 is producing sound on its own. You could also try connecting the  XLR outputs to your amp (you will need an adapter).

 

Your amp has an FX Loop (Send/Return capability) but there seems to be only one jack which is unusual. Consult your amp’s documentation to understand how this works. Then do some research on how to use the 4-cable method (4CM).

[hurghanico]

On 9/11/2022 at 9:36 PM, Aliasing said:

Hi, a total noob here. I have a question, what do i have to do in order to connect the pod hd 400 to an amplifier? I attach an image of the connection that i am trying to use. The guitar input is connected to my guitar, and the L/Mono output is connected to the input of my amplifier. I think that maybe i have an issue with the pod setting, any help? Thanks !

 

Your Peavey KB/A 30 is a keyboard amp (very different than a guitar amp) and as such is a sort of FRFR type of amp, and it is equipped basically with 3 main channels:

based on the downloadable dedicate operating guide: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/120950/Peavey-Kb-A-30.html

channel 1 is optimized for MIC level (low) sources, channel 2 is optimized for LINE level (high) or acoustic sources (with input gain switch), channel 3 is optimized for LINE level (high) only sources.

 

The best KB/A 30 channel to connect the POD is channel 3 (suited just for LINE), and the HD400 LINE/AMP switch on the rear panel should be set to LINE.

(FYI the AMP option actually is for connecting the POD to guitar AMP front panel, not for connecting to keyboard amps, FRFR systems and monitors).

Forget using/trying any 4CM (as suggested) with this amp, it would be only a useless waste of time. 4CM makes sense only with guitar amps.

 

If you connect your devices as I suggested above and turn up the POD master volume knob you should get sound 100%.
When doing the sound check make sure the POD is not connected to the computer because there is a Line6 audio driver setting (hardware monitoring) which if by chance is set to zero it mutes the POD outputs (live playing).

 

I confirm that the POD button named "effects only" is to disable the amps simulation, but I would never use it except when playing acoustic.

Electric guitars always need a real or modeled guitar amp to sound good, and using a keyboard amp or FRFR system/monitor is a good way to amplify a modeler.

 

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