chendren Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hi all. I'm a new HD500X owner and so far I really like some things and don't like some others (some of the effects are basically un-usable for me, like the wah's and choruses), but the biggest issue I'm having is with the massive differences in headroom between amp models. There are certain amps that it's basically impossible to dial in clean tone, like the AC30 or Fender Bassman, or even the fender lux and twins. For example, I know a JCM800 has 70 more watts than the AC30, but there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to have clean sounds at any volume. Am I missing something here? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hi all. I'm a new HD500X owner and so far I really like some things and don't like some others (some of the effects are basically un-usable for me, like the wah's and choruses), but the biggest issue I'm having is with the massive differences in headroom between amp models. There are certain amps that it's basically impossible to dial in clean tone, like the AC30 or Fender Bassman, or even the fender lux and twins. For example, I know a JCM800 has 70 more watts than the AC30, but there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to have clean sounds at any volume. Am I missing something here? Thanks! What guitar are you using with your HD500X? Does it have single coils or hum buckers? Or are you using a Variax or JTV? Are you using the default input settings for the HD500X for INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 ? (ie: INPUT 2 = SAME) ? Have you any fx in the path in front of the amp model? If you are using a guitar with humbuckers and using default INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 then you may simply be overdriving the input to the amp. You can address this by setting INPUT 2 to AUX so you only have one input active. Also you can just turn down the volume pot on your guitar to lower the input signal. If you have an fx model in front of the amp model maybe the output is too hot going into the amp model? Also, if using GUITAR, in your SYSTEM settings what do you have the GUITAR IN-Z set to on page 3 of the setup screens? Default is AUTO - but possibly you have set that to a mismatched value for your guitar? Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chendren Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Thanks Edstar1960! I was using the default input settings. I switched to guitar on input 1 and aux on input 2 and that took a lot of the noise out. I'm playing a Tele with Dimarzio AreaT neck and Area Hot T bridge pups. They're typically pretty quiet. Now I'm thinking I might need to set the master volume higher and dial back some of the heavier tones, and then pump up the mixer volume on the cleaner tones to get more headroom. But it's like with the twin settings, I can't believe they gain up as much as they do. I've owned 2 twins, blackface and silver face, and you simply can't overdrive them without blowing out the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Once you have adjusted your input guitar settings, and then turned down the amp DRIVE and turned up the VOL level possibly even to max, if you still don't get the clean sound you are after, then look at the MASTER VOLUME deep edit parameter on page 2 of the AMP EDIT screens - often that is set at 100 for most amps and it controls power amp distortion level - so if you want it cleaned up some more you can dial that parameter back to a level you are happy with. NB: as per the manual the MASTER VOLUME parameter is highly interactive with the other amp controls, so the lower it is set the less effect the other controls will have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Hi all. I'm a new HD500X owner and so far I really like some things and don't like some others (some of the effects are basically un-usable for me, like the wah's and choruses), but the biggest issue I'm having is with the massive differences in headroom between amp models. There are certain amps that it's basically impossible to dial in clean tone, like the AC30 or Fender Bassman, or even the fender lux and twins. For example, I know a JCM800 has 70 more watts than the AC30, but there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to have clean sounds at any volume. Am I missing something here? Thanks! I've yet to try any multi-fx unit that had a decent sounding wah, including the 500X. They've all been terrible. I had been using a Fulltone Clyde for years, and now the Clyde Deluxe. It's a great pedal...3 different settings depending on exactly how much "wah" you're looking for, and it's true-bypass so it doesn't mutilate your tone when it's off. A little pricey though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chendren Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 I've yet to try any multi-fx unit that had a decent sounding wah, including the 500X. They've all been terrible. I had been using a Fulltone Clyde for years, and now the Clyde Deluxe. It's a great pedal...3 different settings depending on exactly how much "wah" you're looking for, and it's true-bypass so it doesn't mutilate your tone when it's off. A little pricey though... Yeah. It's was a big disappointment, especially considering how many different models there are. They're all way too nasal-sounding and too screechy at the top. I typically use a EHX Crying Tone and I really love it. Do you loop yours or do you just run guitar>wah>input? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRealZap Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 you do know you can limit their throw on the pedal by lowering the maximum. might take some of the screech out... but just an idea. Yeah. It's was a big disappointment, especially considering how many different models there are. They're all way too nasal-sounding and too screechy at the top. I typically use a EHX Crying Tone and I really love it. Do you loop yours or do you just run guitar>wah>input? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chendren Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 you do know you can limit their throw on the pedal by lowering the maximum. might take some of the screech out... but just an idea. Yeah, I tried every combination of mins and maxes on every one of the wahs, and they just don't work for me. I got close with the Weeper and the Colorful, but it just wasn't cutting it. Will I be OK if I run my wah direct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumblinman Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Yeah, I tried every combination of mins and maxes on every one of the wahs, and they just don't work for me. I got close with the Weeper and the Colorful, but it just wasn't cutting it. Will I be OK if I run my wah direct? I guess it depends on where you would have it in a normal effects chain. If you need it after your dirt, which you are getting from an effect in the pod, then you'd use the fx loop for it. If you run it first in your chain normally, then in front of the pod is fine. The mix parameter and adjusting the max/min of the wahs can actually make them quite usable. I prefer the Vetta wah myself, with min of 20ish, max of 75ish and a mix of about 70 or so. At work now, so I can't look at my Pod obviously. But that sounds familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Yeah. It's was a big disappointment, especially considering how many different models there are. They're all way too nasal-sounding and too screechy at the top. I typically use a EHX Crying Tone and I really love it. Do you loop yours or do you just run guitar>wah>input? I'm reaching for the JTV more than anything else these days, running VDI into the 500x, so the only option is to use the fx loop. But I have run it in front of the Pod with other guitars. The fx loop is noisier than the pedal itself, so I have a couple of duplicate patches with the loop that I go to if I know I'm gonna want the wah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncann Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 One thing I've noticed about the wahs, they each respond differently to the various amp/cabinet/mic combinations, with the cabinets and mics having the most effect. By respond, I don't mean they just take on the characteristics of a given cabinet or mic, but they actually behave differently; the dynamics change and the feel while playing the guitar changes. So the combinations for one to try are staggering. It can easily become a black hole of tweaking nightmares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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