Cannot get a good clean tone with real amp. (HX Stomp XL)

[axlej11]

Hello,

 

Whether my output goes direct to my Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170, or I'm using 4 cable method with my 5150III LBX II, my clean presets are not clean. I've searched this issue, and have sat for hours dialing and nothing seems to work. 

 

I have tried using both a pre-amp block and regular amp block. No, I do not have a cab block in the chain. I don't get crazy with effects, I like modulation and reverb on my clean tones, occasionally delay. I have tried the Line6 Clarity, Fender Black Face amps, Jazz Chorus, and every single one exhibits the same issue, no matter if I'm using passive or active pickups. 

 

They sound driven, and unpleasant. I have tried different combinations of master volume, channel volume, gain, and bias. Treble and presence dialed back to try and smooth things out, doesn't do much for it other than make it sound like it is being moved behind a wall. When used with the Seymour Duncan Powerstage, they are almost impossible to volume match with my high gain tones, because they are so quiet. I had to add a gain block at the end to boost the level, and no, my high gain tones are not too loud, and even then, unless I violently compress the front of the clean amp, it is not usable. 

 

I am less concerned anymore about the Powerstage, as across the board in terms of high gain, I got usable tones, I just wasn't completely happy with them. When I switched to the tube amp with 4 cable method, my volume issue has been solved, but the clean amps still do not get clean. Using a compressor, they become OKAY, but too ice-picky, almost DI sounding, I do not use an FX return block with the clean presets as all I am doing is using the power amp of the 5150. 

 

I must be doing something wrong, because when using headphones, I can dial in a nice clean tone. 

 

I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and any insight. Thank you.

[waymda]

The most obvious response is you're driving the powerstage.

 

No idea what sort of level it expects to see (line/instrument/mic), but start there in terms of output from the XL globals, and work backwards to find what's making it saturate.

 

The patches sounding good in cans suggest its post preset, so could be as simple as turning down the output of the preset. Keep in mind the powerstage and your speakers will colour the sound very diferently to cans, so expect to tune patches for the amp and the speakers.

 

A final consideration is whether the powerstage is turned up to the point its saturating at its output - you may need something beefier to get the volume level you want whilst being 'transparent'.

 

Your reproduction set-up (amp and/or speakers) is crtitical to your tone. Maybe more so than what's before it.

 

A final consideration - do your speakers load the powestage in a way that causes it to drive? You've not mentioned them, but keep in mind the extent ohmage impacts on power amp efficiency/volume with/without saturating.

 

Most of this also applies to the 5150, but mostly the output level it expects in a loop and/or direct in. They may be different and require a mix of instrument into the front vs line in the loop.

[axlej11]

On 2/19/2026 at 5:27 AM, waymda said:

The most obvious response is you're driving the powerstage.

 

No idea what sort of level it expects to see (line/instrument/mic), but start there in terms of output from the XL globals, and work backwards to find what's making it saturate.

 

The patches sounding good in cans suggest its post preset, so could be as simple as turning down the output of the preset. Keep in mind the powerstage and your speakers will colour the sound very diferently to cans, so expect to tune patches for the amp and the speakers.

 

A final consideration is whether the powerstage is turned up to the point its saturating at its output - you may need something beefier to get the volume level you want whilst being 'transparent'.

 

Your reproduction set-up (amp and/or speakers) is crtitical to your tone. Maybe more so than what's before it.

 

A final consideration - do your speakers load the powestage in a way that causes it to drive? You've not mentioned them, but keep in mind the extent ohmage impacts on power amp efficiency/volume with/without saturating.

 

Most of this also applies to the 5150, but mostly the output level it expects in a loop and/or direct in. They may be different and require a mix of instrument into the front vs line in the loop.

 

I spoke with a Line6 rep yesterday whilst waiting for responses on this. 

 

Basically everything you said he covered, and was able to take care of my problem, when using it with the 5150. I had to have everything on my global output, send/return's at instrument level for 4CM, if the preset using the 5150 preamp was too loud, turn the Send in the FX block down -6db, which is what I had to do. As far as the clean tone, I had to use the preamp block, and I lowered the drive on the pre amp block and pushed the channel volume and master. It was not driving at this point. 

 

I think I am expecting too much of a 15W tube power amp as far as volume goes, but it does get unreasonably loud which is good.

 

I have not tried the powerstage yet, but when I did try preamp blocks with the powerstage before making this post, they were far too quiet. I kept the powerstage at about 9 o clock on the volume so I don't believe I was pushing the output too hard. I think you're correct, I need something beefier to keep transparency, however the high gain models get plenty loud with the power stage without issue. Not sure why that is the case. I'll have to try messing with the global settings, on output specifically. 

 

I forgot to mention the cabinet I'm running, it is an Avatar 2x12 loaded with Celestion G12-T75's at 8ohm mono.