Dude! I've been using the Pod HD500X for about 2 years with an EVH Lunchbox amp. I've been trying to figure out the best way to use my amps Pre Amp (Over the Amp Sims) but also switch to clean on the amp/clean preset on the line 6 when i need to. As my amp doesn't have midi support this has been problematic (Lots of awkward tap dancing) You've just solved the mystery for me and i don't even need to switch the Amps Channel. I originally had the FX block set up on both my overdrive preset and clean preset. But now i just have my Amp on the dirty channel permanently, and i've taken the FX block off my clean preset.. so i get beautiful cleans with one button press and my Amp is in overdrive the whole time. Thanks so much for that tip, i honestly had no idea that the FX block could be used to bypass the preamp, made my life so much easier!
I agree! I’m attempting to do that myself. Just trying to get familiar with the settings and everything else. Had an X3 live in the past. From what I remember that was much easier… Touring/live I’ve been strictly guitar- -wah- Marshall with the addition of my talk-box. I rely on our sound man for all my effects. Dry on stage wet out mains. But I’m old now and the HD500X seems to be a great piece of equipment! 🎸👍🏼
And when I started playing in bands in 1969, it was like just the beginning of air flight. I had a dual showman, later traded for an a peg v4 don’t know why, had a cry baby wah, and I think that’s it for pedals. I’d say imagine if this stuff came out in the beginning of the 70s but you know what. I’m glad it didn’t because the greats learned to make their great sounds with good sim-le amps, either a humbucker guitar or a strat although in 1973 me n Carlos Santana bought a Gibson L6s. Because of all the cool switching. I’m a big guy and the l6S had a skinny neck. Stupid traded my 69 Les Paul gold top for that. You see back then, 60s and 70s there was no such thing as vintage . Oh all the stuff I sold that I’m kicking myself that I did that. Anyway, your tech help. And your band geeks have given me many hours of pleasure, I was blown away when I first saw heard bohemian rhapsody. You are amazing and God willing you’ll be a millionaire soon if you’re not already, you certainly have enough equiptment money wise to buy a nice home or cigarette boat lol. Thanks Richie.
I started in the very early 80’s with a Peavey renown. Lol. That was great at the time. Though I thought. Didn’t take long to get my Marshall jcm 800. Used rocktron preamp then rocktron voodoo valve (That kicked ass!!) for years. Then touring- or was, guitar-wah, marshal, with the addition of my talk box. My/our Sound-man did the rest. Dry on stage/wet out front. Things sure have come along way! 🎸👍🏼
you are a godsend. I've been using the 4 Cable Method but never understood it in depth and the explanation at 8:00 is exactly what i was confused about. Thank you soo much
I watched about a dozen videos on this topic and was always missing something. This one is both comprehensive and concise, and it answered all my questions. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Absolutely amazing dude! I bought the HD500 over a year ago and could NOT find a good way to use it. This video has been of more help than all of the Line 6 Tutorials! I'm subscribing!
Adam McPherson Thanks, I really appreciate it. You really can't beat the HD500 considering the massive amount of features and the affordable price. I'm really impressed by it.
Presets need to be set up according to which way the HD500/500X is to be heard. That being Direct into mixer. Using power amp and guitar speakers. Using as shown guitar amp and speaker. FRFR a full range set up which can be a pair of powered monitors. Using one of Line 6s proprietary FRFR systems or Line 6s dt25 and dt50 amps creating the "Dream Gig". And now the Firehawk 1500.
Sir, I just wanted to thank you for the useful and informational video you shared with us. In a bunch of minutes you covered the 4CM and how to setup the POD program to benefit of all the possible options available (Amp Channels and/or Simulations from POD, effects config and so on). This should be part of the official POD page on the Line6 site! Thank you again 👍
One of the BEST EXPLAINED videos in TH-cam out there. Huge thanks to this guy!! I have an ENGL INVADER 100 (first generation) and a POD 500. I used the 4 cable method in the past , but not even close to the possibilities that this video offers. Cheers and thanks again!!!
GREAT JOB! out of all the vids i watched on the subject, u nailed it! i just switched over to the 4 cable, and bought a 500, because of your vid. everything went SMOOTH Thank you
Thank you , thank you, thank you! I've been searching for a video exactly like this. I'll be buying a Mesa Mark V amp in a couple of weeks and I was wondering how I was going to incorporate my POD into it and this tells me exactly how to do it. Wonderful video!
Excellent video man. I've owned a lot of different amps over the last 20 years, many with FX loops, and I've never used em! Now I finally get how I can use them and even use the modeling on my Line 6 for modeling with a real tube amp, which was previously a blasphemy to me. Super helpful, thank you!
Great explanation. I've got an HD500 with a Spider Valve amp and am itching to use both together. I've spent literally years crafting great sounding patches using the HD500 with a Radar IR pedal in the loop. Now I'll have to recraft these patches to take the power amp section, (and the Radar), but not the preamp, out and use the Spider Valve for the power amp for some patches, but also use the various tone stacks in the Spider valve for others. Nice to know this can all be accomplished. The only big inconvenience is what to do with the Radar since it will be obsolete for all the new patches/setups. I'll probably keep it for gigs when I don't want to drag the tube amp along. One critical comment: that great diagram you made should have been in the front end of the video. I almost skipped it but it really would have setup your explanation better up front.
do dude you help me tremendously my problem I always had was my delays didn't sound like they were separate from my sound they just sounded compact. but after seeing where you put the effects Loop and understanding the way you read it man it's made a tremendous difference and now my sound kicks ass I know this is an old video but props dude
Hi Richie, just wanted to say big thanks for breaking this down i finally understand the concept of 4 cable method and will up my podxt500 with my 6505+. thanks
VelezBiH I have the same head! what output setting did you find worked best? do you do studio/direct or use the stackpoweramp? I'm curious about your levels between the FX loop and mixer levels within the pod. what I found, distortion wise, my favorite tone seems to be when I use my peavey preamp but with a tube screamer, vintage preamp, tube compressor, EQ with 3-5db of a boost at 800hz, into a gate, into the input (before the FX loop on the POD). I also turn off the cabinet simulation. your thoughts?
Your video rocks! After some trial and error, I got the 4CM working with my Pod HD500X. I was also able to configure the Pod to send MIDI into my amp to switch amp channels when I hit a footswitch. Now I can put the footswitch that came with my amp into storage :)
Is that how he’s doing it? I can’t think of any other way that’d be possible. I’m not familiar with Engle (I think…) amp(s). They’re midi capable? If ya don’t mind me asking, what amp do you use? Thanks ahead of time. 👍🏼
@@BusterRoonie I have a Revv Generator 120. It is MIDI capable. You can program your POD or whatever MIDI capable multi-effects pedal you have to send a MIDI note/command when you hit a footswitch, then program the amp to switch channels based on that note. You have to read the documentation for both, and it took me some time, but you can definitely do it!
@@mahnplaysmusic I’m running through blackstar by club 50mk2. Combo. So basically i can do everything but change Channels with the HD500X, correct? I’m fine with it. “Ya do t miss what ya never had” lol. Thanks my friend!!👍🏼
I am thinking of buying the Pod HD500X and a Marshall JVM205c. I will use the 4 cable method and midi connections and this video was very very helpful cause its very well explained. Now i am realy excited to buy the Pod. Thanx a lot and sorry my poor english, im portuguese....
Thanks for a great video. I have this pod ordered but it hasn't arrived and I'm tryng to gather as much info as I can beforehand. Even to a newbie like me, this advice is easily understood. Thanks again.
This was a GREAT tutorial. Thanks very much for the clear and concise explanations and diagrams. Looking forward to finally using my PODs (HDPROX and HD500X) outside of just the studio environment and blending them with my tube amps (Orange Dark Terror and Acoustic GT50H).
Richie, I reciently decided to retire my old X3 pro and purchased a 500x. I also purchased a DT 50 head. That should be easy with an xlr cable. And until I can afford another DT amp, I ave a bugera v55, an inexpensive but nice sounding full tube amp with an fx loop. Pretty basic no midi, (although I considered putting the x3 pro into the fx loop for the Bugera. But then it gets way over my head. So what I’m looking for is to get a stereo rig for ambient big wide sounds using the HD 500x, the DT 50 and the Bugera v55 head. I know that on the 500 x send is a single TRS Jack, I’m also mainly using one of my Variax Standards so input VDI. DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO TO explain how to hook these up stereo. I know this takes oddles of your time, but you’ve been my hero these past couple years in working with line 6. Thanks. I’m a 66 year old fan that when BOC came out I was just getting out of HS and I assume you wernt on the planet. A dream come true for me congrats.
Hi Ritchie, I assume you have this enabled because of a midi cable connected? You have no midi cable in your diagram. Some clarity please. I have a REVV Generator 100R Im going to be using the 4 cable method on.
Hi Richie. Very cool video. I undertand much better now. I have a lot of material but didn't really try to go further because I always thought it was too difficult. Now, what I would like to ask is : I have a Herbert Diezel which I can control by midi, a Pod HD Pro and a voodoo lab ground control pro. Concerning the 4 cable method, does it only concern my amp and the POD ? Because I used to connect the Voodoo Lab to the Herbert just to select channels (the aim is to using POD and its effects) and I do this using midi cable with 7 pins and 5 pins > It goes from the Midi Out of the Voodoo Lab to the Midi In of the Herbert. Thank you for reading and I hope I was clear. Cheers
Hi ,one small question please,does the amp need to be midi control foot switch to be able to use the full amp channels?as my new PRS amp is not midi controlled switch,i am loosing the controls on clean channel on my amp when im connecting 4 cable method ,as stays on channel two but when i assign the fx loop to foot switch on board,its by passing the distortion and goes to clean preamp but without controlling the tone on clean channel knobs
I've been using the 4 cable method for a few years now and it never occurred to me to bypass my amp's pre and go straight to the power amp with a model from the Pod. Something tells me I'll be spending some time working up some new patches - thanks for this great video!
Hallo Richie, nice video! I have problem with HD 500, mabye help me? When I put FX Loop in the chain my output dies (balance and unbalanced) doesn't produce any sound. So that 4 cable method not working. Can you help me????
How do you use a patch from the line 6 custom tone website using the 4cm, while keeping the tone the origional maker of the patch intended? Do you have to insert a FX loop into the patch? I found if I put the FX loop after the mixer, it bypasses the amp model, and uses my amp, even though there is an amp model in the patch. If I put the FX loop in between the mixer, and the amp, I get this strange hybrid of both the amp model, and my amp. If I don't put a FX loop in at all, and leave the patch stock, my preamp is bypassed, and I can only control the EQ from the POD, but I am not sure if the timing pedals are balanced correctly. I guess what I am asking in so many words is if I download a patch, and I am connected via 4CM, do I have to insert a FX loop in the patch for the patch to sound as intended.
Cheers man ! Sorry to be a pain but do you assign the midi signal to the foot switch and then build your preset on top of that or how do you assign a channel to the preset ! Thanx for all your wonderful videos 👍
+Emil Bendixen Generally, you program the amp to respond to the preset, but if that doesn't work with your setup, you can also completely re-map the pod presets to send whatever program change you want.
goumork I'll probably make another video explaining this. Unless your amp has MIDI switching capabilities, you'll need to buy a MIDI amp switcher like the Voodoo Lab control switcher to interface between the pod's MIDI connections and your amp's 1/4 inch footswitch connections.
So if I wanna use presets or downloaded tones with the 4 cable method, they will sound better if I insert the FX loop after the amp in the preset patch?
I know it’s been a while. But I just caught this video. Good question. Was wondering myself. Did you by chance ever find out? If so, would ya mind sharing that info? 👍🏼
Stratamania Sure. We do a lot of fly our dates, so I don't get to bring own amp with me on those. But next time we do something local, I would love to use this setup.
Great video... How've you recorded the output? Straight from the Pod? I'm having trouble recording my amp's distorted sounds via the Pod HD500X while on the 4 cable method...
Richie I have a question. is it possible to still use my tube amps gain (OD and gate pedals in front), for my dirty sound, and then change to a clean/chorus sound from the pod by pressing one button? I'd I like to bypass my pedals in front of the amp and engage the pod simply by stepping on it. And then when I want to go back to dirty I could step on that same button. Is that at all possible/worth it to do? (I love my amps brutal tone I could never use an amp modeler when I have an amp that I love
Paul reed Smith Yes! Absolutely! This is what the 4 cable setup does best. I would set up your dirty sound to utilize your tube amp's preamp, and for the clean, I'd use a pod model. This makes it so you don't need to rely on channel switching on your amp. You can do it with channel switching, but it's more complicated and may require more gear.
Hello, nice rig. I have a question, do you notice and loss in punch when using an amp model istead of the preamp in the ENGL? I've seen people say it, and I'm getting an HD500X this week and will be using a similar rig. Just wondering if the comments I've seen are true, or full of shit. Thanks.
+Guitar Whores It is a slightly different sound, but you need to weigh the pros against the cons. I wouldn't use this setup for recording, but for a gig where I need very fast access to a crazy amount of flexibility, this is the move. You really have to manage your levels properly to get the right tone. If you hit the amp input too hard you can definitely turn your sound to mush. Too soft and things will start to sound wimpy. You gotta experiment with the volumes and find the sweet spot for your particular rig.
I've tried the POD HD 500X with my valveking head, and the sound is a lot thinner than connecting directly to the amp. I've tried my ISP decimator G-String as well and it sound same as connecting directly, so theres nothing wrong with the cables or the amp. FX loop is engaged, mix is 100%. It sounds as loud as before just a lot thinner and more high end :S Have you noticed something similar?
Hey Brother, There is a lot you can do. Input and output settings are huge. Plus you'll have to play with levels. The first thing most guys do is put the FX loop after the mixer in the signal chain and boost both path A and B on the Mixer 6 Decibals. that'll fix most of your tone. the Breakup or gain structure of your amp will be slightly changed and it may bug you still, but bear in mind that you still have your dynamics back, regardless of a slight loss in tone. The next step would be to set your input settings to input 1 Guitar (as apposed to the default Guitar + Aux + Varian) and input 2 as Variax. (freeing up DSP). You should be set to Global, Guitar In Z set it to 3.5m or 1m depending on your amp. Output should be Combo Power Amp. (try different settings, that one works best for me. Ok make sure you have all the switches on the pod selected correctly. Line or Stomp switch should be set to Stomp, the the Ground or Lift should be set based on hum. Same goes for Amp/line. I have mine set to amp. That should get you started!
Correct, the MIDI is controlling the channels. If you're amp doesn't have MIDI there are plenty of reasonably priced units that will convert standard amp switching controls to MIDI. I had a lot of luck with the Voodoo Lab control switcher in the past.
Richie Castellano Yes, that's what i thought,i guess that the Boss GT 100 has the option of controling directly the channels of the amp, is that true? i'm plannig of getting a multi effect unit and i hesitate between the Boss GT 100 and the POD HD500, which unit do you advice? THANKS.
Med yassine Mankai you are correct. The GT-100 does have channel switching and the Pod does not. The GT is nice. I just spent the afternoon with it. I personally like the pod interface better and the Pod has more switches, but I think you'll be good either way. If you love boss pedals, get the boss. If you're more of a boutique high gain amp guy, then you'll probably be happier with the pod.
Richie Castellano oh yeah, and if you really need the channel switching, you can always get a voodoo lab channel switcher and add that functionality to the pod.
Hi! I have VALVEKING VK100 and has no MIDI connector. Only has a 6.5mm connector . If I buy a MIDI adapter to 3.5mm and I use an adapter 3.5mm to 6.5mm it work? Thank you !
Dear Mr Richie i need your help , i user laney iron heart with pod hd 500 how can i switch channel amp form pod hd 500 , need you config , thank you advance
Have you compared your dry signal with you signal going through the pod? Do you experience tone suck. Are you using the same settings as You Tuber Tyler Johnson? In his video he suggests - setting effects loop switch to stomp, put effects loop block after mixer and mixer is boosted 3db on each channel and panned to the center.
formercakid I'm not getting much noticeable tone loss, but I'm not such a stickler for stuff like that. In the past, I've gone crazy A/B'ing things, but lately I've been working on getting a sound I like out of the current rig instead of comparing it to other configurations. The best thing to do is experiment with both methods and decide which one you like better. All this guitar tone stuff is so subjective. At the end of the day it's all about what sounds best to you.
Hello Richie! Im trying to connect my pod hd500x with my new bugera trirec with the 4 cable mode. i want to use just the pod to control the channels from the amp and also use the pod for some effects and some amp modelling, just like you did. but i'm not sure about the midi connections. i need to connect the "out/thru" from the pod to the footswitch of the bugera, so i can use just the pod, without the footswitch, right?
Marcio Belezas First thing you need to is make sure the Bugera supports remote MIDI channel switching. If it does, then you'll need to go from the Pod's MIDI out into the Amp's MIDI in. Then you'll need to figure out how the amp handles MIDI switching. On my amp I hold down the remote/learn button to teach it to switch to a certain channel when it receives a certain MIDI program number. Other amps do it differently. You may need to set the pod presets to specific program change numbers. That's a little more tricky.
Hello Richie. How do you assign the ABCD presets to each channel change? I can not, and the hd500 manual states that in ABCD mode the F5-F8 buttons can not be assigned midi commands. However, from your video I can see that when you change presets you can change the channel of the amp. Could you help me?
This was a long time ago, but I believe I was doing it with MIDI program changes. I think each preset has it's on MIDI program number so I programmed the amp to change to the appropriate channel based on whatever MIDI program number the pod was sending out.
Unfortunately my amplifier can not be programmed and accepts only the MIDI CC controls that in ABCD mode in the hd500 can not be assigned to the F5-F8 switches. I suppose your amp has the command "MIDI LEARN". Thank you for your availability and compliments for your work.
I have a huge hum/buzz on my 6505 on 4cm with HD500x and I'm not able to get rid of it. All the cables are new. If i connect it the standard way it is ok, but 4cm hums like crazy.... Any idea how to solve the issue? Thanx. Great video btw.
I have this set up to my amp the exact way you do but I only get a signal when the FX loop on POD is enabled, once I disable it I have nothing. It doesn't matter where I have it in the signal chain???
@@RichieCastellano I went over it 4 times, not the wiring. I'm starting to wonder in the fx loop on my amp head is not working. Hence why the POD is not getting a signal back.
@@RichieCastellano I have the FX send and return volume on the back of my head turned all the way. There is a button on the front of my amp labeled FX Loop/Boost. When i press it the volume completely cuts out. My amp is a Bugera 333XL.
Hi Richie! Can the POD HD500 switch the amps channels (in my case an Orange TH30)? Or I need a midi switcher to switch between the amps channels? Thanks!
I have a setup with an amp head (the Laney IRT120H) and the HD500, with a Voodoo Lab Control switcher in between and it works perfectly! So Richie Castellano has a good point here.
Richie Castellano Thanks Riche,can u tell me a diffrence in tone when U go straith to the amp,and when U use 4 cable metod in my case voodo lab control switcher.,How this affect on original tone ?
+Stikany Official There might be a slight difference, but you have to really adjust the levels on every piece of gear to get it as close as possible to your pure tone. Unfortunately there are no meters on the pod so you need to do this strictly by ear.
Hey man I've tried this method. But how do you feel about your amps tone when it's through the 4 cable method using the HD500 and when your guitar is straight into the front of the amp? Does it sound different and processed to you also? And is there a way to fix this issue?
You need to experiment with the levels and try to match them as closely as possible. If it sounds weird, you're most likely not getting the proper signal to your amp. Try changing the output volume on the pod, the loop level on your amp and the loop level on the pod. The other thing to do is make sure cabinet simulation is off. You also want to turn off amp modeling altogether when you you're using your amp's preamp section. There will be a slight difference in tone. You are running your signal through the pod twice. It doesn't bother me too much though, because the benefits I get far outweigh any Minor differences. But like I said, if it's a huge tonal difference, you probably need to adjust your levels. Your guitar plugged directly into the amp should be the same level as the 4 cable set
You are my music saver... wonder why I only found ur vid now... now I can rape my POD more!!! Thanks ma man!!! - your new subscriber from the philippines
Hi Richie, Love the videos! Do you keep the Output set to Studio, even when you use the Amps Preamp too? I'm getting a wicked hum with the 4CM, and I use my Amps preamp stage, I have it set to studio, Stomp, and Line. What are the ideal settings?
Try balancing the pedal and amp. Turn down the master on hd500 and use master vol on amp to set volume. There are also parameters within fx loop that can be used.
Are you talking about pre or post the amp block within the pod? If so then it doesn't really matter because you'd be bypassing the pod's amp in favor of your engl amp. Then it depends on where you want the effects. I put the FX loop after Wahs and distortions and before spatial effects like reverbs and delays. Is that what you mean?
Hi Richie, Sorry for not having answered to you earlier. Well, I have all my pod amp blocks off, so I can go right into the amp´s pre. Actually I have a few that are on, so they can bypass the amps pre. Mostly cleans with loads of verbs and delays. In this case I can use the dual amp on the pod and have 2 verbs and 2 delays creating great ethereal cleans. My biggest concern is that I may be using the loop block on the x3 in a wrong way. Let my describe my chain: Gate ON / Wah OFF / Stomp OFF / Amp+cab OFF / Comp OFF / EQ OFF / Volume / LOOP ON (in Post) / Modulation / Delay / Verb What I feel is that the verbs, being in post as they should be, they sound way to arshhh. They sound way better when in pre. Also, inside the pod I have the loop block with 100 send and +4 on Return so it matches the volume of the amp without the 4 cable thing. Should the loop be in pro mode? In this case I would have to lower the return level on the loop block... What is the correct way to conect the damn thing so the red light on the x3 does not clip (that is another concern...because it clips sometimes lol)
Ricardo Rosa I'm not familiar with how the X3 works. As a general rule you want stuff like reverb and delay to go after the preamp....BUT, that really applies to distorted sounds only. If you like what your preamp is doing to the line 6 reverbs, then you should keep it that way. If you think something sounds better then go with that.
+WastedFreakOut If your amp has MIDI switching then it's possible. If not, you'll need a MIDI switch box. I have an explanation of that in one of my other videos: th-cam.com/video/jvQeRkrgYpg/w-d-xo.html
Dude! I've been using the Pod HD500X for about 2 years with an EVH Lunchbox amp. I've been trying to figure out the best way to use my amps Pre Amp (Over the Amp Sims) but also switch to clean on the amp/clean preset on the line 6 when i need to. As my amp doesn't have midi support this has been problematic (Lots of awkward tap dancing)
You've just solved the mystery for me and i don't even need to switch the Amps Channel. I originally had the FX block set up on both my overdrive preset and clean preset. But now i just have my Amp on the dirty channel permanently, and i've taken the FX block off my clean preset.. so i get beautiful cleans with one button press and my Amp is in overdrive the whole time.
Thanks so much for that tip, i honestly had no idea that the FX block could be used to bypass the preamp, made my life so much easier!
I agree! I’m attempting to do that myself. Just trying to get familiar with the settings and everything else.
Had an X3 live in the past. From what I remember that was much easier…
Touring/live I’ve been strictly guitar- -wah- Marshall with the addition of my talk-box. I rely on our sound man for all my effects. Dry on stage wet out mains.
But I’m old now and the HD500X seems to be a great piece of equipment! 🎸👍🏼
And when I started playing in bands in 1969, it was like just the beginning of air flight. I had a dual showman, later traded for an a peg v4 don’t know why, had a cry baby wah, and I think that’s it for pedals. I’d say imagine if this stuff came out in the beginning of the 70s but you know what. I’m glad it didn’t because the greats learned to make their great sounds with good sim-le amps, either a humbucker guitar or a strat although in 1973 me n Carlos Santana bought a Gibson L6s. Because of all the cool switching. I’m a big guy and the l6S had a skinny neck. Stupid traded my 69 Les Paul gold top for that. You see back then, 60s and 70s there was no such thing as vintage . Oh all the stuff I sold that I’m kicking myself that I did that. Anyway, your tech help. And your band geeks have given me many hours of pleasure, I was blown away when I first saw heard bohemian rhapsody. You are amazing and God willing you’ll be a millionaire soon if you’re not already, you certainly have enough equiptment money wise to buy a nice home or cigarette boat lol. Thanks Richie.
I started in the very early 80’s with a Peavey renown. Lol. That was great at the time. Though I thought. Didn’t take long to get my Marshall jcm 800. Used rocktron preamp then rocktron voodoo valve (That kicked ass!!) for years.
Then touring- or was, guitar-wah, marshal, with the addition of my talk box. My/our Sound-man did the rest. Dry on stage/wet out front.
Things sure have come along way! 🎸👍🏼
you are a godsend. I've been using the 4 Cable Method but never understood it in depth and the explanation at 8:00 is exactly what i was confused about. Thank you soo much
I watched about a dozen videos on this topic and was always missing something. This one is both comprehensive and concise, and it answered all my questions. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Absolutely amazing dude! I bought the HD500 over a year ago and could NOT find a good way to use it. This video has been of more help than all of the Line 6 Tutorials! I'm subscribing!
Adam McPherson Thanks, I really appreciate it. You really can't beat the HD500 considering the massive amount of features and the affordable price. I'm really impressed by it.
Presets need to be set up according to which way the HD500/500X is to be heard.
That being Direct into mixer.
Using power amp and guitar speakers.
Using as shown guitar amp and speaker.
FRFR a full range set up which can be a pair of powered monitors.
Using one of Line 6s proprietary FRFR systems or Line 6s dt25 and dt50 amps creating the "Dream Gig".
And now the Firehawk 1500.
Sir, I just wanted to thank you for the useful and informational video you shared with us. In a bunch of minutes you covered the 4CM and how to setup the POD program to benefit of all the possible options available (Amp Channels and/or Simulations from POD, effects config and so on). This should be part of the official POD page on the Line6 site! Thank you again 👍
by far and above the best 4CM video/blog I've found, the only one you need to watch tbh.
One of the BEST EXPLAINED videos in TH-cam out there.
Huge thanks to this guy!!
I have an ENGL INVADER 100 (first generation) and a POD 500.
I used the 4 cable method in the past , but not even close to the possibilities that this video offers.
Cheers and thanks again!!!
GREAT JOB! out of all the vids i watched on the subject, u nailed it! i just switched over to the 4 cable, and bought a 500, because of your vid. everything went SMOOTH Thank you
Thank you , thank you, thank you! I've been searching for a video exactly like this. I'll be buying a Mesa Mark V amp in a couple of weeks and I was wondering how I was going to incorporate my POD into it and this tells me exactly how to do it. Wonderful video!
Excellent video man. I've owned a lot of different amps over the last 20 years, many with FX loops, and I've never used em! Now I finally get how I can use them and even use the modeling on my Line 6 for modeling with a real tube amp, which was previously a blasphemy to me. Super helpful, thank you!
Thanx! I found all I wanted to know about 4CM in this single video! Good job!
Great explanation. I've got an HD500 with a Spider Valve amp and am itching to use both together. I've spent literally years crafting great sounding patches using the HD500 with a Radar IR pedal in the loop. Now I'll have to recraft these patches to take the power amp section, (and the Radar), but not the preamp, out and use the Spider Valve for the power amp for some patches, but also use the various tone stacks in the Spider valve for others. Nice to know this can all be accomplished. The only big inconvenience is what to do with the Radar since it will be obsolete for all the new patches/setups. I'll probably keep it for gigs when I don't want to drag the tube amp along.
One critical comment: that great diagram you made should have been in the front end of the video. I almost skipped it but it really would have setup your explanation better up front.
do dude you help me tremendously my problem I always had was my delays didn't sound like they were separate from my sound they just sounded compact. but after seeing where you put the effects Loop and understanding the way you read it man it's made a tremendous difference and now my sound kicks ass I know this is an old video but props dude
Hi Richie, just wanted to say big thanks for breaking this down i finally understand the concept of 4 cable method and will up my podxt500 with my 6505+. thanks
VelezBiH I have the same head! what output setting did you find worked best? do you do studio/direct or use the stackpoweramp? I'm curious about your levels between the FX loop and mixer levels within the pod. what I found, distortion wise, my favorite tone seems to be when I use my peavey preamp but with a tube screamer, vintage preamp, tube compressor, EQ with 3-5db of a boost at 800hz, into a gate, into the input (before the FX loop on the POD). I also turn off the cabinet simulation. your thoughts?
Your video rocks! After some trial and error, I got the 4CM working with my Pod HD500X. I was also able to configure the Pod to send MIDI into my amp to switch amp channels when I hit a footswitch. Now I can put the footswitch that came with my amp into storage :)
Is that how he’s doing it? I can’t think of any other way that’d be possible. I’m not familiar with Engle (I think…) amp(s). They’re midi capable?
If ya don’t mind me asking, what amp do you use?
Thanks ahead of time. 👍🏼
@@BusterRoonie I have a Revv Generator 120. It is MIDI capable. You can program your POD or whatever MIDI capable multi-effects pedal you have to send a MIDI note/command when you hit a footswitch, then program the amp to switch channels based on that note. You have to read the documentation for both, and it took me some time, but you can definitely do it!
@@mahnplaysmusic I’m running through blackstar by club 50mk2. Combo. So basically i can do everything but change Channels with the HD500X, correct?
I’m fine with it. “Ya do t miss what ya never had” lol.
Thanks my friend!!👍🏼
Thank you! Got my Rectoverb 25 combo connected to my POD HD500X thanks to this video!
I am thinking of buying the Pod HD500X and a Marshall JVM205c. I will use the 4 cable method and midi connections and this video was very very helpful cause its very well explained. Now i am realy excited to buy the Pod. Thanx a lot and sorry my poor english, im portuguese....
Thanks for a great video. I have this pod ordered but it hasn't arrived and I'm tryng to gather as much info as I can beforehand. Even to a newbie like me, this advice is easily understood. Thanks again.
This was a GREAT tutorial. Thanks very much for the clear and concise explanations and diagrams. Looking forward to finally using my PODs (HDPROX and HD500X) outside of just the studio environment and blending them with my tube amps (Orange Dark Terror and Acoustic GT50H).
Well-explicated and going straight to the point: this is a great video.
Thank you a lot.
👍🏼GREAT VIDEO!! SO FREAKiN’ HELPFUL!! BEST tutorial/instructional that I’ve found!
Thank you!
This video was an hd500 game changer for me. Thanks dude!
Woooow love the Dr.Z pre patch nice warm sound with the tube drive on:)
You rock thanks, I give it a try. I have marshall amps and only want to use the POD effects and the use the power amps bypassing the preaamps.
Epic !!! I didn¿t know you can control the channels of the amp with the POD500. Thx dude, you save me a footswitch xD
Great depth in this review.
I have the HD 500X
I assume you can use foot pedals with the processor and the 4 cable method?
I tip my hat to you good Sir... AWESOME VIDEO... I am gong to have to look at it 100 times more but thats not your fault... EXCELLENT VIDEO.
Richie, I reciently decided to retire my old X3 pro and purchased a 500x. I also purchased a DT 50 head. That should be easy with an xlr cable. And until I can afford another DT amp, I ave a bugera v55, an inexpensive but nice sounding full tube amp with an fx loop. Pretty basic no midi, (although I considered putting the x3 pro into the fx loop for the Bugera. But then it gets way over my head. So what I’m looking for is to get a stereo rig for ambient big wide sounds using the HD 500x, the DT 50 and the Bugera v55 head. I know that on the 500 x send is a single TRS Jack, I’m also mainly using one of my Variax Standards so input VDI. DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO TO explain how to hook these up stereo. I know this takes oddles of your time, but you’ve been my hero these past couple years in working with line 6. Thanks. I’m a 66 year old fan that when BOC came out I was just getting out of HS and I assume you wernt on the planet. A dream come true for me congrats.
Yep...pod should pay you to include an instruction video. Thx man!
best explanation I've found!!!
Hi Richie, good Video..could you say me your FX LOOp configuration? what do you have with send , return and mix? thanks
Hi Ritchie, I assume you have this enabled because of a midi cable connected? You have no midi cable in your diagram. Some clarity please. I have a REVV Generator 100R Im going to be using the 4 cable method on.
Hi Richie.
Very cool video. I undertand much better now. I have a lot of material but didn't really try to go further because I always thought it was too difficult.
Now, what I would like to ask is :
I have a Herbert Diezel which I can control by midi, a Pod HD Pro and a voodoo lab ground control pro.
Concerning the 4 cable method, does it only concern my amp and the POD ?
Because I used to connect the Voodoo Lab to the Herbert just to select channels (the aim is to using POD and its effects) and I do this using midi cable with 7 pins and 5 pins >
It goes from the Midi Out of the Voodoo Lab to the Midi In of the Herbert.
Thank you for reading and I hope I was clear. Cheers
My man! This video saved me! Thanks a whole bunch
Great tutorial Richie
Is that the best place to put your noise-gate? Before the overdrive/distortion? I would’ve thought after.
Thanks man, your video helped me a lot!
Hello
I might have missed it but how do I use my engl Powerballs sound but with the line six effects ?
You should also be able to swap between pre-amp on amp and hd500 amp with 1 press of a button too.
Hi ,one small question please,does the amp need to be midi control foot switch to be able to use the full amp channels?as my new PRS amp is not midi controlled switch,i am loosing the controls on clean channel on my amp when im connecting 4 cable method ,as stays on channel two but when i assign the fx loop to foot switch on board,its by passing the distortion and goes to clean preamp but without controlling the tone on clean channel knobs
Great way to set your Hd up
I've been using the 4 cable method for a few years now and it never occurred to me to bypass my amp's pre and go straight to the power amp with a model from the Pod. Something tells me I'll be spending some time working up some new patches - thanks for this great video!
Thanks richy !!! Crazy helpful!!!
So if i Understand the effect loop need to be always on or the chaine are broken ?
Amazing explanation dude thank you
Great tutorial. Thank You!
Hallo Richie, nice video! I have problem with HD 500, mabye help me? When I put FX Loop in the chain my output dies (balance and unbalanced) doesn't produce any sound. So that 4 cable method not working. Can you help me????
How do you use a patch from the line 6 custom tone website using the 4cm, while keeping the tone the origional maker of the patch intended? Do you have to insert a FX loop into the patch? I found if I put the FX loop after the mixer, it bypasses the amp model, and uses my amp, even though there is an amp model in the patch. If I put the FX loop in between the mixer, and the amp, I get this strange hybrid of both the amp model, and my amp. If I don't put a FX loop in at all, and leave the patch stock, my preamp is bypassed, and I can only control the EQ from the POD, but I am not sure if the timing pedals are balanced correctly. I guess what I am asking in so many words is if I download a patch, and I am connected via 4CM, do I have to insert a FX loop in the patch for the patch to sound as intended.
Thank you for shearing 🙏❤️
What did you have your outputs set to studio/direct or power front ?
Cheers man ! Sorry to be a pain but do you assign the midi signal to the foot switch and then build your preset on top of that or how do you assign a channel to the preset ! Thanx for all your wonderful videos 👍
+Emil Bendixen Generally, you program the amp to respond to the preset, but if that doesn't work with your setup, you can also completely re-map the pod presets to send whatever program change you want.
Paramount! Thanks for the info!
Great video... Can the POD HD500 switch the 2 amps channels on the Roland Jazz chorus 120 ???
goumork I'll probably make another video explaining this. Unless your amp has MIDI switching capabilities, you'll need to buy a MIDI amp switcher like the Voodoo Lab control switcher to interface between the pod's MIDI connections and your amp's 1/4 inch footswitch connections.
If I also have the rocktron hush
How would I connect that ..I’m getting all mixed up ..please help 🤔
So if I wanna use presets or downloaded tones with the 4 cable method, they will sound better if I insert the FX loop after the amp in the preset patch?
I know it’s been a while. But I just caught this video.
Good question. Was wondering myself. Did you by chance ever find out? If so, would ya mind sharing that info? 👍🏼
Que buena infomacion 🤘
Thanks man, very useful!
For real, thank you SO much.
Great video, it will save me time explaining the 4CM. Do you use the HD500 live with the Engl with BOC ?
I've used both the Engl and the HD500 live with BOC, but never together. This is a recent development for me.
Thanks Richie, do you think the combination is something you may use live ?
Stratamania Sure. We do a lot of fly our dates, so I don't get to bring own amp with me on those. But next time we do something local, I would love to use this setup.
Awesome vid man. Now how did you create that pre amp incon in the pod? We're you just scrolling through effects? I can't find it on my 500X...
It's the FX loop block.
Thank Yousician 🎸🎼Well Done! 👍
Great video... How've you recorded the output? Straight from the Pod? I'm having trouble recording my amp's distorted sounds via the Pod HD500X while on the 4 cable method...
The sound your hearing is from my phone's mic in the room.
Richie I have a question. is it possible to still use my tube amps gain (OD and gate pedals in front), for my dirty sound, and then change to a clean/chorus sound from the pod by pressing one button? I'd I like to bypass my pedals in front of the amp and engage the pod simply by stepping on it. And then when I want to go back to dirty I could step on that same button. Is that at all possible/worth it to do? (I love my amps brutal tone I could never use an amp modeler when I have an amp that I love
Paul reed Smith Yes! Absolutely! This is what the 4 cable setup does best. I would set up your dirty sound to utilize your tube amp's preamp, and for the clean, I'd use a pod model. This makes it so you don't need to rely on channel switching on your amp. You can do it with channel switching, but it's more complicated and may require more gear.
Amazing Job! thank you
Are u using midi cables Aswell ? Or only the 4cm you've explained here ? Thanx
Emil Bendixen Yes, I'm going MIDI out from the Pod to MIDI in on the amp. This is what makes the amp switch channels with the presets.
Excellent video. Thx
Hello, nice rig. I have a question, do you notice and loss in punch when using an amp model istead of the preamp in the ENGL? I've seen people say it, and I'm getting an HD500X this week and will be using a similar rig. Just wondering if the comments I've seen are true, or full of shit. Thanks.
+Guitar Whores It is a slightly different sound, but you need to weigh the pros against the cons. I wouldn't use this setup for recording, but for a gig where I need very fast access to a crazy amount of flexibility, this is the move. You really have to manage your levels properly to get the right tone. If you hit the amp input too hard you can definitely turn your sound to mush. Too soft and things will start to sound wimpy. You gotta experiment with the volumes and find the sweet spot for your particular rig.
I've tried the POD HD 500X with my valveking head, and the sound is a lot thinner than connecting directly to the amp. I've tried my ISP decimator G-String as well and it sound same as connecting directly, so theres nothing wrong with the cables or the amp. FX loop is engaged, mix is 100%. It sounds as loud as before just a lot thinner and more high end :S Have you noticed something similar?
Hey Brother, There is a lot you can do. Input and output settings are huge. Plus you'll have to play with levels. The first thing most guys do is put the FX loop after the mixer in the signal chain and boost both path A and B on the Mixer 6 Decibals. that'll fix most of your tone. the Breakup or gain structure of your amp will be slightly changed and it may bug you still, but bear in mind that you still have your dynamics back, regardless of a slight loss in tone. The next step would be to set your input settings to input 1 Guitar (as apposed to the default Guitar + Aux + Varian) and input 2 as Variax. (freeing up DSP). You should be set to Global, Guitar In Z set it to 3.5m or 1m depending on your amp. Output should be Combo Power Amp. (try different settings, that one works best for me. Ok make sure you have all the switches on the pod selected correctly. Line or Stomp switch should be set to Stomp, the the Ground or Lift should be set based on hum. Same goes for Amp/line. I have mine set to amp. That should get you started!
VERY helpful!!👍🏼
Great job.
So you need an amp with midi to be able to use your amps tones?
Great video, Thanks a lot !
Do you connecte your POD and your amp via the midi option to controle the channels or it's just the 4CM ?
Correct, the MIDI is controlling the channels. If you're amp doesn't have MIDI there are plenty of reasonably priced units that will convert standard amp switching controls to MIDI. I had a lot of luck with the Voodoo Lab control switcher in the past.
Richie Castellano Yes, that's what i thought,i guess that the Boss GT 100 has the option of controling directly the channels of the amp, is that true? i'm plannig of getting a multi effect unit and i hesitate between the Boss GT 100 and the POD HD500, which unit do you advice? THANKS.
Med yassine Mankai you are correct. The GT-100 does have channel switching and the Pod does not. The GT is nice. I just spent the afternoon with it. I personally like the pod interface better and the Pod has more switches, but I think you'll be good either way. If you love boss pedals, get the boss. If you're more of a boutique high gain amp guy, then you'll probably be happier with the pod.
Richie Castellano oh yeah, and if you really need the channel switching, you can always get a voodoo lab channel switcher and add that functionality to the pod.
Hi! I have VALVEKING VK100 and has no MIDI connector. Only has a 6.5mm connector . If I buy a MIDI adapter to 3.5mm and I use an adapter 3.5mm to 6.5mm it work? Thank you !
+Dieghe Probably not.
Dear Mr Richie i need your help , i user laney iron heart with pod hd 500 how can i switch channel amp form pod hd 500 , need you config , thank you advance
You need a MIDI relay switcher to make that work. I have another video on my channel explaining how that works.
+Richie Castellano thank you sir
Hello. If i run preamp from Amplifier can i direct volume , bass etc. in POD?
Have you compared your dry signal with you signal going through the pod? Do you experience tone suck. Are you using the same settings as You Tuber Tyler Johnson? In his video he suggests - setting effects loop switch to stomp, put effects loop block after mixer and mixer is boosted 3db on each channel and panned to the center.
formercakid I'm not getting much noticeable tone loss, but I'm not such a stickler for stuff like that. In the past, I've gone crazy A/B'ing things, but lately I've been working on getting a sound I like out of the current rig instead of comparing it to other configurations. The best thing to do is experiment with both methods and decide which one you like better. All this guitar tone stuff is so subjective. At the end of the day it's all about what sounds best to you.
Hello Richie!
Im trying to connect my pod hd500x with my new bugera trirec with the 4 cable mode. i want to use just the pod to control the channels from the amp and also use the pod for some effects and some amp modelling, just like you did. but i'm not sure about the midi connections. i need to connect the "out/thru" from the pod to the footswitch of the bugera, so i can use just the pod, without the footswitch, right?
Marcio Belezas First thing you need to is make sure the Bugera supports remote MIDI channel switching. If it does, then you'll need to go from the Pod's MIDI out into the Amp's MIDI in. Then you'll need to figure out how the amp handles MIDI switching. On my amp I hold down the remote/learn button to teach it to switch to a certain channel when it receives a certain MIDI program number. Other amps do it differently. You may need to set the pod presets to specific program change numbers. That's a little more tricky.
Hello Richie.
How do you assign the ABCD presets to each channel change? I can not, and the hd500 manual states that in ABCD mode the F5-F8 buttons can not be assigned midi commands. However, from your video I can see that when you change presets you can change the channel of the amp. Could you help me?
This was a long time ago, but I believe I was doing it with MIDI program changes. I think each preset has it's on MIDI program number so I programmed the amp to change to the appropriate channel based on whatever MIDI program number the pod was sending out.
Unfortunately my amplifier can not be programmed and accepts only the MIDI CC controls that in ABCD mode in the hd500 can not be assigned to the F5-F8 switches. I suppose your amp has the command "MIDI LEARN".
Thank you for your availability and compliments for your work.
I have a huge hum/buzz on my 6505 on 4cm with HD500x and I'm not able to get rid of it. All the cables are new. If i connect it the standard way it is ok, but 4cm hums like crazy.... Any idea how to solve the issue? Thanx. Great video btw.
Try a ground lift on your amp. If that works, then buy a real hum eliminator for the amp.
Ground lift does not work, getting same hum(but only in 4cm), I actually have a hum eliminator but that changes the guitar sound color/tone :/
I have this set up to my amp the exact way you do but I only get a signal when the FX loop on POD is enabled, once I disable it I have nothing. It doesn't matter where I have it in the signal chain???
Check your wiring again
@@RichieCastellano I went over it 4 times, not the wiring. I'm starting to wonder in the fx loop on my amp head is not working. Hence why the POD is not getting a signal back.
Some amps have switches to activate the loop. Also check if there’s a loop level control on the back.
@@RichieCastellano I have the FX send and return volume on the back of my head turned all the way. There is a button on the front of my amp labeled FX Loop/Boost. When i press it the volume completely cuts out. My amp is a Bugera 333XL.
I figured it out, had to use a stereo cable from POD output to Amps FX return, everything is golden now.
Hi Richie!
Can the POD HD500 switch the amps channels (in my case an Orange TH30)?
Or I need a midi switcher to switch between the amps channels?
Thanks!
Unfortunately you can't. But you can get something like the Voodoo Lab Control switcher which will give you that functionality.
Many thanks for the infos!
I have a setup with an amp head (the Laney IRT120H) and the HD500, with a Voodoo Lab Control switcher in between and it works perfectly! So Richie Castellano has a good point here.
Hi Richie! Can the POD HD500 switch the amps channels on Mesa Boogie Mark IV?
Yeah, but you need to buy a midi to relay device like a voodoo lab control switcher.
Richie Castellano Thanks Riche,can u tell me a diffrence in tone when U go straith to the amp,and when U use 4 cable metod in my case voodo lab control switcher.,How this affect on original tone ?
+Stikany Official There might be a slight difference, but you have to really adjust the levels on every piece of gear to get it as close as possible to your pure tone. Unfortunately there are no meters on the pod so you need to do this strictly by ear.
Hey man I've tried this method. But how do you feel about your amps tone when it's through the 4 cable method using the HD500 and when your guitar is straight into the front of the amp? Does it sound different and processed to you also? And is there a way to fix this issue?
You need to experiment with the levels and try to match them as closely as possible. If it sounds weird, you're most likely not getting the proper signal to your amp. Try changing the output volume on the pod, the loop level on your amp and the loop level on the pod.
The other thing to do is make sure cabinet simulation is off.
You also want to turn off amp modeling altogether when you you're using your amp's preamp section.
There will be a slight difference in tone. You are running your signal through the pod twice. It doesn't bother me too much though, because the benefits I get far outweigh any Minor differences.
But like I said, if it's a huge tonal difference, you probably need to adjust your levels.
Your guitar plugged directly into the amp should be the same level as the 4 cable set
Thank you
Thank you!
You are my music saver... wonder why I only found ur vid now... now I can rape my POD more!!! Thanks ma man!!! - your new subscriber from the philippines
what is the output setting should i use if i wanna use the pod preamp? studio or stack front or powerampstack?
I use studio and just turn all the cabinet simulation off.
Hi Richie, Love the videos! Do you keep the Output set to Studio, even when you use the Amps Preamp too? I'm getting a wicked hum with the 4CM, and I use my Amps preamp stage, I have it set to studio, Stomp, and Line. What are the ideal settings?
Try balancing the pedal and amp. Turn down the master on hd500 and use master vol on amp to set volume. There are also parameters within fx loop that can be used.
what mode do you set your pedal. did you keep it stack or stack poweramp?
+Adam Crow I think it's in Direct mode here. Since they added the global EQ, I rarely use those modes anymore.
Haha I love Feiyue shoes too!!
Thanks!
when using the Engl pre should the fx loop on the line6 be pre or post?
Are you talking about pre or post the amp block within the pod? If so then it doesn't really matter because you'd be bypassing the pod's amp in favor of your engl amp. Then it depends on where you want the effects. I put the FX loop after Wahs and distortions and before spatial effects like reverbs and delays.
Is that what you mean?
Hi Richie,
Sorry for not having answered to you earlier.
Well, I have all my pod amp blocks off, so I can go right into the amp´s pre. Actually I have a few that are on, so they can bypass the amps pre. Mostly cleans with loads of verbs and delays. In this case I can use the dual amp on the pod and have 2 verbs and 2 delays creating great ethereal cleans.
My biggest concern is that I may be using the loop block on the x3 in a wrong way.
Let my describe my chain:
Gate ON / Wah OFF / Stomp OFF / Amp+cab OFF / Comp OFF / EQ OFF / Volume / LOOP ON (in Post) / Modulation / Delay / Verb
What I feel is that the verbs, being in post as they should be, they sound way to arshhh. They sound way better when in pre.
Also, inside the pod I have the loop block with 100 send and +4 on Return so it matches the volume of the amp without the 4 cable thing.
Should the loop be in pro mode? In this case I would have to lower the return level on the loop block...
What is the correct way to conect the damn thing so the red light on the x3 does not clip (that is another concern...because it clips sometimes lol)
Ricardo Rosa I'm not familiar with how the X3 works. As a general rule you want stuff like reverb and delay to go after the preamp....BUT, that really applies to distorted sounds only. If you like what your preamp is doing to the line 6 reverbs, then you should keep it that way. If you think something sounds better then go with that.
thanks a lot.
changing amp channel with the pod is impossible right?
+WastedFreakOut If your amp has MIDI switching then it's possible. If not, you'll need a MIDI switch box. I have an explanation of that in one of my other videos:
th-cam.com/video/jvQeRkrgYpg/w-d-xo.html
thx bud
THX BRO :D
10:28
when I bought mine, I instantly pooped ear drums
why the fuck is the pedal arranged left to right?
Instead of using this complicated method, just get the Line DT amp with the L6 cable. Much simpler!