Straight dope on the HD inputs settings

[jegler]

So what's the final word on how to set the Inputs in the HD500's System Setup. I typically use both the JTV/VDI and regular guitar w/cable and I had been using the settings of

Input 1: variax 

Input 2: guitar

But since with this setting the tuner only worked for the variax, it became kind of a pain, and I decided to try the old deafult

Input 1: guitar+variax

Input 2: same

This setting sounds "weird" to me, but I don't know if it's just cause I'm so used to the other settings. It also sounds a fair bit louder (guitar signal and noise). They definitely sound different.  

 

 

There's so many options with the dream rig sometimes I just get paralyzed lol. 

 

Thanks for the tips.

[Tboneous]

"Input 1: guitar+variax"

 

That's what I use and it works pretty good for me.

[jegler]

"Input 1: guitar+variax"

That's what I use and it works pretty good for me.

Yeah but it's Input 2 that I'm concerned with.

 

Setting it to "same" seems to layer a duplicate signal in the path giving just a hint of phasy-ness, and, of course, increases both the signal and the noise. So why's it the default? Seems like there should be a "none" setting when using a mono DT. Anyway, because I'm having so much trouble leveling my patches, I'd like to know if there's a "proper" way to set these so I give the DT the "correct" level. 

 

From the POD Manual:

 

Input 1 and Input 2 Source (Knobs 1 & 2) - Select the physical input(s) that you 

want to be the “source†fed into the signal path. Note that you can choose different 

Sources to independently feed each signal path, or choose Same to feed a common 

Source into both paths. 

[radatats]

yeah there have been some epic threads on this and I put a couple of links here for you to read.  In my experience, and it seems borne out by others, setting inputs to same for anything other than a dual amp patch gives too hot a signal and results in unwanted artifacts.  Putting everything in one channel gives a similar result.  Its complicated and not in the manuals but if you go through these links you will see why.

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/2033-pod-hd-500-500x-new-routing-schematics/

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/4586-pod-hd500-hd500x-input-settings-phase-issue-myth-and-facts-single-input-vs-both-inputs

[Tboneous]

I didn't complete my post. Input 2 is set to same for me.

BUT maybe that is why some of my DT only patches are a bit noisy. 

 

I'm gonna have to do some investigatin'!

[MartinDorr]

I played around with this topic quite a bit and came to the following conclusions:

• If you have any DAW or other measurement equipment, try to figure out what your HD500 input signal level is for every guitar you use for line, double stop, and chord playing. You can do this for example with a fully split path A and B w/o any effects or amps and measure via USB. Set input 1 to what you need and input 2 to something you don't use (Aux is lowest noise). Mute path B in the mixer, just to be sure that there is nothing coming through.
• Aim for a peak input signal level that does not exceed -12dBFS. Lower pickups, adjust variax string volume, turn Volume pot down if you have to, ... In most cases you will be lower, write the number down for future reference so you know how much you can and probably should boost for optimal signal level through the HD models.
• If you are at -18dBFS or lower you can savely use Same for input 2 and go into a mono effect or amp. If you do, you will get in effect a 6dB boost. I have no personal experience that there is a phasing problem, but that could be because I can't hear it or because I use a Variax, or ... (lot's of possibilities). My point, there are other ways to get a clean boost (and usually a fixed 6dB is not what you'd want anyway), but if it works for you then there is nothing wrong using the 'Same' effect to boost.

One word of caution. You may be using the looper in preposition to replay a recorded signal for different measurements. This is working really well IF you consider that the looper may play everything back about 6dB lower than the original input signal. It does not reliably do this for me, so I always check the max level of my recording to the level the looper puts out. This is crucial if your looking for how much you can savely boost because the looper may make you believe you have 6dB more head room. My experience is that my live signal is usually 6dB hotter.

 

Good luck, hope this helps a bit. Let us know whether it's useful.

Martin

 

PS: My JTV-69 Lester Pos 1 comes in at about -12dBFS for playing single lines. Any hard strumming moves it close to -3dB, which is way to hot for compression/distortion free effect and amp model playing. My approach is what you'd do on stage: Turn the Volume knob down ;-).

[jegler]

 

 

Good luck, hope this helps a bit. Let us know whether it's useful.

Martin

Thanks, since I'm not too concerned with the JTV as a variable, I've been using a squeaky clean studio recording of an electric guitar looped on my iPod and fed into the Pod via 1/4" adapter. has about the same level as a guitar if you're @90% volume on the ipod.

 

 

You're obviously getting pretty scientific, what do you know about the interplay between the Pod, the DT speaker and the DT D.I.? I'm still having major problems leveling patches so they're consistent between di and speaker. did a recent post here:

http://line6.com/support/topic/9764-patch-level-discrepanciesdi-plz-read/

 

and I know you posted some stuff on this thread:

http://line6.com/support/topic/5403-dt-cabinet-simulated-direct-out-questions/

[MartinDorr]

I posted on the DI thread a 2 page document describing the 'secrets'. In a nut shell: Even though some preamps claim to share a common power amp configuration (e.g., voicing I, class A/B, pentode) they can in some cases select 1 of 2 amplification levels and on top PRES values > 50% also have impact on output level (and naturally tone) of the power amp stage. This is useful to understand when and why corrections to produce leveled tones are necessary (even though it may only get you in the right ball park).

The above can also be used to tailor custom 'dual amp' tones where path A is muted and just selects a DT power amp configuration and a preamp-independent power amp PRES setting, while path B is used to dial in your pre or full amp model with full tone stack, ER, mic, and cab controls.

Hope the 'nut shell' was big enough to summarize what the doc is about. The details are described here DT25 Power Amp Parameters.pdf

Martin

[MartinDorr]

I posted on the DI thread a 2 page document describing the 'secrets'. In a nut shell: Even though some preamps claim to share a common power amp configuration (e.g., voicing I, class A/B, pentode) they select 1 of 2 amplification levels and on top PRES values > 50% also have impact on level (and naturally tone). This is interresting to understand when and why corrections to produce leveled tones are necessary.

The above can also be used to tailor custom 'dual amp' tones where path A is simply selecting a power amp configuration and independent power amp PRES setting, while path B is used to dial in your pre or full amp model with full tone stack, ER, mic, and cab controls.

Hope the 'nut shell' was big enough to summarize what the doc is about.

The details are described here DT25 Power Amp Parameters.pdf

Martin