POD HD500x as midi controller

[wimpie6]

just bought a Catalyst CX 100 to start practicing again and have some gigs in a few months. In the past I played with a Pod HD500x and Fender Deville

 

I presume that the sound quality of the Catalyst CX is a lot better compared to the HD500x but as I mainly play medleys of different genres, I have to be able to switch amps from clean to grunge or metal and be able to control the volume while playing. 

 

what would be the best option

1. connect the guitar to the POD HD500x and use the catalyst as a powercab

2. connect the guitar to the catalyst and use the pod HD500x as a midi controller

 

3. or is it possible to do both? connect the guitar to the POD HD500x and create some presets with some distortion or other effects but without amp/cab, and at the same time, use the POD HD500x as a midicontroller to switch amps on the catalyst, control the boost and the amp effects ,... Or will the POD HD500x detoriate the sound quality?

 

which option would you prefer? 

I never worked with midi, is this easy to define? do I need a PC midi adapter or can I just connect my laptop to the catalyst via USB and define in the app all the midi commands from the POD HD500x?

 

thnx for the feedback

Wim

 

 

[rd2rk]

ALL of your options work. I would start with Option 3 but see below for more possibilities.

The effects on the HD are fine, it's the amps/cabs that are not so great.

 

AFAICT from the HD500X manual, its MIDI capabilities should allow you to do most everything you need to do on the Catalyst.

I use my Cat100 with my Helix Floor. The main things missing from the HD MIDI are the Instant Commands (which are sent at Preset and Snapshot load), Snapshots (multiple variations of an existing preset) and FS CC Toggle assignments do not automatically send at preset load. Again, AFAICT.

 

The Cat (with the latest FW) provides 12 amps, 12 presets and the ability to use two FX at a time plus NG and Boost.

I use the NG/BOOST/Amps/Cabs/Delay and Reverb FX on the Cat with the WAH/COMPRESSOR/OD/DIST/MOD FX coming from the Helix.

Since I can send as many as 22 concurrent commands on preset load and 8 on Snapshot change, I have a lot more flexibility than you'll have with the HD, but mostly all I use MIDI for is to change the presets, and in order to have more FS control of the Helix FX, I also use the two button FS, mostly to toggle the Boost/Delay, as I usually have some sort of always on Reverb on every preset.

 

IIRC (I owned a POD HD500X briefly), you'll want to set the OUTPUT to "Combo Front/Stack Front" WITHOUT a preamp. Although you might TRY a preamp for the AIAB type effect. Again, IIRC, this is a GLOBAL selection, so maybe not.

 

If you have HD500X AMP presets that you like, you can wire your setup in 4cm. By using a FS to toggle the FX Loop on the Cat (CC#107, Value of 0 = OFF). This will send the output of a preset (w/o an FX Loop Block) directly to the Cat's Power Amp. With the Cat's MODE switch in the FX Loop position you'll still have the Cat's two FX in the circuit (if they are set to the POST position). Using the MODE switch in the POWER AMP IN position removes the Cat's FX and applies a 6db level cut to accommodate a potentially too hot signal. You'll need to experiment to see what works best for you.

NOTE that when using the Cat like this you should disable the CAB on the HD500X, but, if that's not possible (I do not recall), you might find that the Cat's speaker sounds just fine with the HD's cab emulation. I sometimes use mine with Helix presets that include IRs, or my ToneX pedal using FULL amp/cab captures, and it actually (to my ears) sounds better than using DIRECT (sans cab) captures. Again, experiment and HAVE FUN!