Ii. The MASTER Knob

The MASTER Knob is the physical knob labeled "MASTER". When I refer to it in this guide I always use the word knob to avoid confusion with the Master DEP control. This knob controls an analog attenuator that affects the output volume of the analog outputs. It is part of an analog gain stage, so its setting has some impact on the signal-to-noise ratio; however, it has no effect on the modeling algorithms. It has no impact whatsoever when outputting digitally (USB, SPDIF, or AES). This is a global setting that affects all patches equally. It has no digital representation and cannot be saved per patch - the knob's current setting is what the Pod will use. The Pod HD Getting Started Guide recommends turning this all the way up to get the best signal-to-noise ratio; however, some users have reported their tone suffers when doing so. In particular, high settings might clip whatever you're outputting the Pod into. For gig/practice applications, I set it to 65%, just shy of clipping the amp I run the Pod into. I advise you to turn it as high as possible unless you are clipping something downstream, using your amp's master volume control to dial in your desired final volume level. If your amp doesn't have a master volume controls, such as the Peavey ValveKing or 6505, you can use this in its place.

Also, keep in mind that the Pod is designed for high resistance headphones. The headphones I have are 64 ohm, far below what Line 6 suggests using. Most consumer headphones fall into this category. If I were to turn up the Master Knob when using headphones, I'd deafen myself. I make sure to turn down the Master Knob to 20-60% when using headphones, unless they are high-ohm studio headphones.

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iii. Amp/Channel Volume aka VOLUME Knob

The Volume Knob is also a physical knob, but it controls a digital setting which can be set and saved to different settings for each patch. When a patch is pulled up, it is set to the saved value, not the value the physical knob is currently set to. The digital setting will only change to the knob's value when you start turning it, like the EQ knobs. It controls the Vol/Ch Vol parameter located on each amp block, again similar to the EQ knobs. This is a tone-transparent control, not designed to change how the amp model behaves - to get the "cranked" amp tone, you use the Master DEP, discussed below.

The particular quirk to note about this control is that it boosts/cuts at the location of the amp model in the signal chain. Thus, any effects downstream of the amp will respond differently if they are level dependent. If set too high, you can get effects or signal clipping.

I sometimes call this control Amp Volume Knob or Channel Volume Knob. I try to make sure I say "Knob", so you don't confuse this with the Master Volume DEP (explained below). Also, I sometimes capitalize "VOLUME" like how it's labeled on the Pod itself.

I generally use a conservative volume on this control, keeping it around 40-50%. When I use dual cabs, I use this control to balance the levels between each channel. Then I'll use the mixer levels (or a Studio/Mid-Focus EQ's Gain level) to try to set my overall patch volume. The mixer levels have less resolution than this control, so I'll come back to this to fine-tune the final levels where necessary.

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Iv. Mixer Levels

Mixer Levels refer to the digital Channel A and Channel B level controls in the Mixer block. They are digital settings, saved per patch, accessible by selecting the Mixer block in the Pod's edit window or the Mixer tab in Edit. Like the above control, boosting too high can cause digital clipping or affect the behavior of volume-sensitive downstream effects, but otherwise the mixer levels are tone-transparent.

I like to use these to adjust my patch final volumes, but if I need to fine-tune I go back to the amp/channel volume control, since it offers a bit more resolution.

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V. Master D.E.P.

Master DEP refers to the Master Volume deep-editing parameter (DEP). It is designed to model the amount of power amp distortion achieved in the amp modeling algorithms. It does have some affect on the patch's volume level, but you should not use it to adjust volume levels - use the amp/channel volume or mixer levels instead. It is a digital setting that can be saved per patch. It is accessible on the unit itself by double-clicking the "ENTER" button when selecting an amp block in the Pod's edit window to bring up the amp's settings, then clicking the right arrow. In Edit, the control is visible under the standard Drive and EQ controls on the AMPS tab.

For more on how to use this control, see the amp DEP's section. Usage will vary for each amp and desired tone.

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L. Clipping

You will be VERY frustrated trying to dial in the Pod if there's clipping somewhere in your signal chain. I've experienced numerous types of clipping on the Pod HD 500, so hopefully I can steer you away from my mistakes. Below is a description of the different types of clipping you may encounter. For a more systematic process of diagnosing what is causing your clipping, see the clipping section on the troubleshooting page.

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I. Input Clipping

The Pod can get input clipping, which occurs on the Pod's Guitar input A/D converter. Be especially wary of this. Very few controls will actually affect the signal before this converter, and they are limited in how they can help here. If you have such clipping, you can't dial it out later in the chain; and you might tweak for hours in futility. It is best dialed out by lowering one's pickup height.

Many have complained about this as a weakness of the Pod; however, I think it's generally in spec with most other devices. I also have a computer audio interface I can plug my guitar directly into. Even with its gain at 0, I was still clipping that device as well. Both devices cleaned up at the same output level. Just lower your pickup height. I had input clipping on a guitar where I could not just adjust pickup height, so instead I raised the action. To be honest, my action was kind of experimentally low, and I would definitely regard it as "too low" in retrospect.

If you are still getting clipping, you may have a problem in your cable or your guitar's electronics. Or you might be unfortunate enough to have a defective Pod. Try other guitars and cables and see if the tone cleans up when you turn down the guitar's volume knob.

Many have claimed adjusting input impedance lower (either via the input settings or using a device like the Radial Dragster), cleans up clipping and/or improves tone on the Pod. I didn't need to use one to get rid of my input clipping. Also, I don't like the looser and darker tone associated with the low impedance. But if you can't dial out clipping any other way, it's a good option to research and pursue.

Turning down the guitar's volume knob is unacceptable in my mind. It is tough to keep it always in the same non-max position, so that you get the desired amount of distortion/compression in your patches. It is only useful to diagnose the problem.

In the same vein, the effects loop return on the Pod connects to an A/D converter, which can also be overdriven. I'm not sure if reducing the return level setting in the Pod will help reduce clipping or not. It is best to reduce the output level of the final effect in the loop until the clipping disappears.

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Date: 2016-01-03; view: 673