Tone buried in live mix - PV Panama setup

[acas1207]

I'm a relatively new Line 6 User.  I'm having some trouble with my tone completely disappearing in the mix when playing live with my band. I'm running direct into a soundboard (at home I run right into the pa speaker.)

I DL'ed a preset that uses the PV Panama model which sounds fine on its own, but as soon as the full band comes in (keys, bass, drums, vocals), my guitar becomes practically inaudible and loses all cut/punch. What changes can I make that will help me come through?  I put all of my settings below, but I am guessing there is probably just some EQ tweak that will help(I've tried adjusting mids). Just want you pros to have all the info. Any suggestions are appreciated! thx

 

Helix Stomp XL

 

Signal Path: Mod (Script Mod Phase) -> Amp (PV Panama) -> Cab -> Mod (Dynamix Flanger) -> Parametric EQ -> Delay (Ping Pong) -> Main L/R

Mod 1 (Script Mod Phase - Mono): Rate: 1.9, Mix: 29%, Level: +1.0 dB

Mod 2 (Dynamix Flanger - Stereo):  Speed: 0.4, Control Select: Envelope, Depth: 6.6, Manual: 4.2, Mix: 16%, Phasing: -10.0, Recycle: In, CV Dynamics: 10.0, Max Delay: 10 ms, CV Tracking: Normal / Invert, Env Lag: 100 ms, Env Input: +70.0 dB, CV Decay: x2

Amp Settings (PV Panama):  Drive: 2.6, Bass: 5.1, Mid: 6.0, Treble: 2.7, Presence: 9.0, Master: 4.0

Parametric EQ Settings (Post-Cab): Low Cut: 80 Hz, High Cut: 6.5 kHz, Mid Freq: 1.0 kHz (Mid Gain: +1.1 dB), High Freq: 3.8 kHz (High Gain: 0.0 dB), Level: 0.0 dB

Delay (Ping Pong - Stereo): Time: 600 ms, Feedback: 40%, Scale: 50%, Spread: 10.0, Mix: 26%, Level: 0.0 dB, Low Cut: 100 Hz, High Cut: 8.9 kHz, Trails: On

 

[jiml6]

Push those mids

[Schmalle]

This is very hard to answer - even with more relevant context: cab, how do you hear yourself, what genre and tone goal etc.

 

What raised an eyebrow is the High Cut of 6.5 kHz in the parametric block: notice that the Parametric and Low/High Cut have a steeper slope compared to the cab and IR block. Try it at 12 kHz. That might help to make your guitar's attack more present against the keyboard and cymbals.

 

Record your sound and compare it with relevant isolated guitar tracks. There are plenty on YouTube. That might give you a hint what is lacking or is too much.

 

Generally tweak your sound at gig volume. 

 

Also make sure to read this article: Eric Klein: At Least Half of Your Modeler’s Sound Is Determined by Your Playback System

[acas1207]

Thanks.  That article was helpful. At home I use a wedge speaker which is the same speaker I use as a monitor when I am playing a show.  At rehearsal,  I plug into a soundboard and hear myself through a larger wedge monitor, while my recorder is center room, mostly "hearing" the PA speakers.  I was amazed to hear on the recording that my intro to a song (just me playing) sounds great, then the band comes in and you can't hear me at all. We play 60's, 70's, 80's classic rock, and I use a few different presets for different songs.  This is the one I'm having the most trouble with.

I'll try adjusting the high cut, and cranking mids even higher.  Also,  tweaking at gig volume might be key.  I try getting a good sound at home, before rehearsal, I can't crank it, but it sounds right at the lower volume.  Whatever I do at home doesn't translate when I'm at rehearsal where it is louder.  My band mates will have to suffer while I experiment... Thanks again.

[Schmalle]

On 10/22/2026 at 4:37 PM, acas1207 said:

Thanks.  That article was helpful. At home I use a wedge speaker which is the same speaker I use as a monitor when I am playing a show.  At rehearsal,  I plug into a soundboard and hear myself through a larger wedge monitor, while my recorder is center room, mostly "hearing" the PA speakers.  I was amazed to hear on the recording that my intro to a song (just me playing) sounds great, then the band comes in and you can't hear me at all. We play 60's, 70's, 80's classic rock, and I use a few different presets for different songs.  This is the one I'm having the most trouble with.

I'll try adjusting the high cut, and cranking mids even higher.  Also,  tweaking at gig volume might be key.  I try getting a good sound at home, before rehearsal, I can't crank it, but it sounds right at the lower volume.  Whatever I do at home doesn't translate when I'm at rehearsal where it is louder.  My band mates will have to suffer while I experiment... Thanks again.

I'd start with one preset that could cover a complete gig - something like a boost > amp > chorus > reverb > delay patch. I'd tweak that to work with the band. Then I could go crazy with more presets but I'd have a reference and safe harbor that works.

 

I'd include the band members to help with the sound - it affects everyone on board after all. Part of it is an awareness of everyone in the band to leave space for each other.

 

And - if possible - get a sound guy involved to listen and offer an opinion.

[theElevators]