Line 6 HD 500 here ... Merry Xmas!

[Eric***]

To say the least I am Old school when it comes to guitars and amps. I only recently bought a couple of amps that I would class as modelling amps.
So maybe someone can point me to a Pod 1A6 that I can learn how these things work. Basically I have no clue what you plug this thing into. I looks like you can use a multitude electronic components.
So lets say I have a fairly large complement of amps and pedals, I bring this home and plop it down in my music room. Now what?

Hi ZMAN,

How best to amplify these is an ongoing debate, but essentially, with the Pod HD500, there are a number of ways to hook it up. You can turn speaker simulation and even power-stage simulation off if you want, which would allow you to hook it up a number of different ways.

For the simple answer, I'd either plug this into your computer for recording, plug it into the effects return of a solid-state amp, plug it directly into a PA, plug your headphones into it, or plug it into some sort of active monitor, like studio monitors or a floor wedge.

The idea is that what is coming out of the Pod is the exact tone you want to hear, so most people don't want an amp to color that tone. -- it would be analogous to micing a tube amp and running that through another tube amp. The tone of the first amp would be muddied by the second amp, if that makes sense.

If this just confused the issue further, feel free to ignore this whole thing. I'm not sure if I'm being very clear.

[ZMAN]

Actually Eric you are right on. I have thought that was the answer but never took the time to really find out. I guess the manufacturers think you have already done your homework and know what your are looking for.
So far I have not found any of the many vids that have convinced me that this sounds like the actual amp that it is supposed to model.
So basically you buy this and do away with a room full of vintage amps.
Sorry but I have played through vintage amps. Sorry Line 6 but not convincing.

[Spudman***]

Twiddle Zman. Twiddle knobs and you'll find that magic. Those units are really capable and not everyone nails it out of the starting gate. It takes a bit of time. That's when the rewards start coming in. Check out just about any Lincoln Brewster songs and for the most part that is all Line 6 and not amps. He's good at twiddling.

Starts at 4:00

[Eric***]

Actually Eric you are right on. I have thought that was the answer but never took the time to really find out. I guess the manufacturers think you have already done your homework and know what your are looking for.
So far I have not found any of the many vids that have convinced me that this sounds like the actual amp that it is supposed to model.
So basically you buy this and do away with a room full of vintage amps.
Sorry but I have played through vintage amps. Sorry Line 6 but not convincing.

Well, I don't think you have to get it and throw away your amps, but if you can tweak to find a tone that works for you, it can save you a lot of time, money, and work. It's a balance.

I personally like the idea of modeling a lot and find it to be really powerful, but I tend to like plug-in-and-play types of devices, so I can sometimes get frustrated with all of the customization needed.

As far as homework goes, to me it's really no different than knowing which vintage amp you want -- it takes knowledge and experience.

The other electric guitarist at my church just got a Pod HD400, so I'm looking forward to borrowing it and seeing how it does. The discovery is part of the fun, and as Spud mentioned, there's no denying that some pretty kickin' tones can be had from the digital modeling, even including the previous generation of modelers.

[Tig***]

I like to jam along with backing tracks. I can change my tone and style to match a Beatles song, then Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, on to some jazz, and blues, all by tapping a switch to corresponding stored patches.

I'm living proof...

[ZMAN]

I understand what you guys are saying, and it get the idea of a pod, or modeller. I just don't understand what you use to get the sound.
Does everyone have to buy a PA system?. Or do most of you run them through a clean amp. I can see where a pro might use this, but they are well within the budgets of most home users. I have a really large set of computer speakers but I can't see playing through them.
I guess what I am asking is what set up do you guys use. EG pod, amplification, speakers.
Guys that gig, as well as guys that have them for home use. What cords do you use as well.
I have to learn somehow.

[deeaa*]

I have never played a modeler that felt and sounded like a real amp to me - while playing, that is. But for recording, hell, I can't justify recording a real Amphno more. Amplitube does such a good job...essentiallit its a pod but just software. Pods are pretty good too.

I think the difference ks that of an oldskool drag race car and a modern 4x4 japanese sporter. You might actually get to 60mph much quicker with the sport and its 4cyl turbo...but it doesn't give you the rush of a V8 roaring and breathing fire...yet to someone watching it on the telly...they just care who comes first.

As for connections...just plug in your comluter sleakers and rock out...will work fine. Or put it in front of yer home stereo like it was a cd player. On gig just run an xlr from it to soundman.

[BigJD]

Quit playing with amps live about 2 yrs ago, I ain't looking back.
GSP 1101 into the PA stereo, I get all I need in my monitor ,the FOH is clean sounding and my back is Happy!

I have MP-1s Voodu Valves, 2112 and cabs out the ying yang collecting dust.
I agree that I miss the dynamics of a cabinet blowing my knees away,I have 2 4x12s that I love, but modeling is a great tool if you know and understand EQing. You can really get some useable sounds out of most modelers the key is as Spud said TWEAK IT!

[Eric***]

I agree that I miss the dynamics of a cabinet blowing my knees away,I have 2 4x12s that I love, but modeling is a great tool if you know and understand EQing. You can really get some useable sounds out of most modelers the key is as Spud said TWEAK IT!

Hey so I for one don't really understand EQing. What's the best way to learn? Is there an online resource you'd recommend, or should I just hang out with sound guys or what?

[Eric***]

I understand what you guys are saying, and it get the idea of a pod, or modeller. I just don't understand what you use to get the sound.
Does everyone have to buy a PA system?. Or do most of you run them through a clean amp. I can see where a pro might use this, but they are well within the budgets of most home users. I have a really large set of computer speakers but I can't see playing through them.
I guess what I am asking is what set up do you guys use. EG pod, amplification, speakers.
Guys that gig, as well as guys that have them for home use. What cords do you use as well.
I have to learn somehow.

If playing at church, I'll throw it direct to the FOH and use a Samson S-Monitor to monitor myself.

If playing at home and I don't want to use headphones, I have one of these that works pretty well. I'm sure it's not super high-quality, but it does the trick.

Otherwise, you could either plug into your computer speakers or even your home stereo.

[Tig***]

Or do most of you run them through a clean amp.

Clean amph works really well.

[BigJD]

Hey so I for one don't really understand EQing. What's the best way to learn? Is there an online resource you'd recommend, or should I just hang out with sound guys or what?

It's your ear and your instrument.
What I try to remember is that guitars are a midrange instrument. So I try not to compete with the bass or be so shrill that peoples ears bleed.
Then theres alot of "shaping" of overdriven and distorted sounds that can be done to your modeler.
I used a midi 31 band graphic EQ in my rig for along time just for shaping my overdrives and some of my effects.
Get a graphic EQ and practice with it in your signal chain,slide the different freqs up and down to find what you like.
I have a few of my favorite tweaks that work well with my set-up.

[deeaa*]

Hey so I for one don't really understand EQing. What's the best way to learn? Is there an online resource you'd recommend, or should I just hang out with sound guys or what?

Heh, I understand much about EQ'ing and still understand very little, if that makes sense.

I don't really like using EQ to adjust real guitar sounds - I haven't touched my amps EQ in years. I don't think you're ultimately changing anything but surface when you tweak EQ's. It won't change the type of saturation and the curve of clip etc. basics of the sound - it's just sonic band-aid when you're working with c**p base sound such as modelers yield. And, with a real guitar, once you start putting stuff like a proper EQ in the signal path, the game's already lost by that point due to too many IC's in the path, it just destroys the sound completely. Although some people with stone ears hear no difference, at least to me it's like a night and day comparing a direct line to my amp and then with a pedal too many or gain stage in between.

However, as I said, these modelers are so much easier to record with and sound just the same to the listener anyway, so with these you do need some EQ perhaps, if the models are bad. I rather just find good models to start with, there's hundreds of them.

IMO Unless your guitar sound is totally c**p you don't need any EQ, but if you _want_ to tweak EQ because your guitar is some dull-sounding passive-miked regular banger, what you really want is a paragraphic midrange EQ, because in guitars midrange is always the key. Usually boosting a suitably narrow band around 2500Khz works pretty well for guitars. Around 400 there is often much muck to clear off as well, might want to use a dip there. And you can quite freely put a hi-pass filter below 70Hz or so it's just mush there.

[BigJD]

Yup EQ wise with rotten pick-ups and a Cr&p Guitar you can EQ till the sun burns out and you still have what you started with.
When plugging into an amp you get what the designer gave you and then the sound of your cr&p guitar and pick-ups.
When you plug into a modeler you have many more options than the 1 or 2 channels of an amp for many ,many more unique sounds to use as your signature sounds..................
But it all starts with a quality instrument,its got to sound good before you start to tweak.
Then it's tweeeeek till your hearts content!