First HD500 Gig.

[Bikedude]

After dialing in a couple of usable sounds on my HD, it took it out Sat. nite
and was pretty pleased with the results. I bought it used about a month ago, and have been using the HD Edit feature. After a few WTF's, and head scratching, the lite kind of came on a couple of weeks ago, and I was able to dial in a couple of workable patches.
I don't need many sounds, as I'm playing a lot of "oldies" type tunes, some olde standard ballads, and some 70's and 80's rock stuff.
I set up a nice clean patch on Pre set A, and a semi crunchy patch on Pre B. I had the top row set up with some chorus, TS, Delay, etc.
Stayed pretty much on the clean patch all nite with the TS for some lead work. AM. Dlx. Strat into HD out to QSC K10 to FOH. I used the K10 behind me onstage just as an amp. It was a very small stage, with Roland Digital Drums, Keyboard/Bass amp, and a Sax to FOH. I wasn't using the PA for the heavy lifting on this gig, as the PA is very small with no sub's. The K10 sounded very good with vol around half set to Mic level, ext. sub, and flat response.
I used a Dlx amp sim with a 2X12 Silver Bell cab/ 57 on. First couple of tunes were a little bass heavy, so I just dialed the bass down, added a little treble with the top controls on the HD.
All in all pretty pleased with results. Can't wait to run this rig thru a great PA, and use the K10 just as my monitor. It was nice to just have the HD, K10, and my guitar to lug in and out.
I'm looking forward to using this rig, as our schedule is filling up. I may have to start putting some of my amps on the block, since i have too may that are collecting dust.

 

[Funky Monkey]

Great to hear! Over time, after several gigs, I'm fully satisfied for my needs. I've yet to set out building a patch with a specific sound in mind that I haven't come out on the other side with something completely satisfying and comfortable gigging with. And after several months now, more adventuresome tweaking sessions and various PA configurations (indoor and outdoor) and venues, I'm no longer in the honeymoon stage or trial period. I like how it sounds and works and need not look further. Whew!

 

[Bikedude]

Thanks FMokey for the reply. I used an RP500 a couple of times with less than good results. I have basically turned the RP into an effects pedal to the front end of an amp, with decent results. The RP is far easier to "tweek", but the HD sounds, esp. the clean amps, is so much better soundwise than the RP. I have some really nice amps, Tone King Metro Combo, Goodsell 17 MKII, prri, Mesa MV, but man is it nice not having to lug a combo, pedalboard, wire case, extra mic's, cable etc. with this easy to set-up digital unit, and as others have said, Not many in the audience will notice whether i'm playing a 3K Tone King or a sub 1K digital rig, excecpt for the "cork sniffers, and TGP'rs, of course.

 

[DutchGuitarDude]

Last monday I had my first rehearsal with my just bought HD500.
I was not shure about using the flex 3 as poweramp, but I am so pleased with my sound. Its been a long time I have been this happy.
The poweramp of the flex 3 really pushes air. I am using mainly the Dr.Z amp with the classic distortion and tube comp in front. I use a lot of effects like an chorus,univibe,delays and pitch shift. I get like a Scott Henderson/Landau sound with this setup.
Lots of parameters controlled by 2 ex pedals.
I was worried about the glassbreaking highs I always had with just the flex, but none of that happened.
Still have to do some tweaking. The chorus for instance gives a boost of a few db. Still looking how to prevent that.

But overall very very happy with my sound!!!!

EJ

 

[62deluxe]

Congrats on getting through your first gig, I know I was really worried the first time I took the POD out. I did my first gig with the HD500 the end of July, I only had about 4 tones that I was comfortable with at that time and really didn't have a good monitor system for it yet (now I have a K10). Since then I have been expanding my tone library, both by creating my own tones and though downloads from the Line6 Customtone library. While I have found a few really great tones though the CT library, I find that many people aren't really very good at building tones, or don't really know how to configure the POD to get the most out of it. Still, it has been a good place to get some good base tones from which to work. The good news is, that while it is time consuming to sort though and develop patches, it does get a lot easier as you go along. Now, after a couple months, I am getting some really great tones that sound good with either my Variax or a normal guitar.

 

[Bikedude]

I have a first gen. Variax. I haven't even plugged it into the HD yet. What cable do I need? Can i get it at GC, or do I have to order it from L6?