Mark V Head need help with effects

[justplay]

I have a Mark V head, and am currently using a pod hd500 for effects only, via the 4 cable method. I like this, as I can put my wah out in front and the rest of the modulation effects such as chorus etc....etc... thru the loop.

Problem I'm having is some weird effect sounds... I've set it up properly, and it's worked, but then there are those few times that it hasn't worked. Short of having a defective pod hd500, is there something that I should know about the Mark V effects loop via 4 cable method? The wah, which is run in front of the amp, seems to work just fine but the loop is a little flaky and i'm getting some really loud sharp feedback... Other times, it works just fine.....

.... To be honest, I'm considering ditching the pod and getting something else. I'm pretty much fed up with it.

 

[SteveO]

Make sure the loop level isn't too hot for the processor, that can cause problems.

 

[justplay]

Are you referring to adjusting the send level in the back of the amp or the level settings from within the pod500?

Whats frustrating is that it works, then occasionally I have these issues. If it were a consistent issue, I could adjust from there.

 

[SteveO]

I was referring to the send level on the amp, though if you have the output of the processor set too hot it can lead to feedback as well. What I do is set the level hitting the processor first to make sure it isn't overloading, then adjust the processor output until unity gain is achieved (same volume level when the loop is active or bypassed). This should give you the ideal volume settings and minimize issues.

 

[Jiveman]

Are these issues by any chance occurring only when you're using the amp at very low volumes? If so, I found that playing my Mark V at low (bedroom level) volumes makes it sound very weird, especially in CH 2. EQ is all weird. Seems to not be noticeable at slightly more normal volumes (anything above bedroom level).

 

[pivot]

Get rid of the l6 gear. I use an m9 for some of the effects but the l6 gear does some weird things with volume jumps and I was unable to find a way around it. I went to single pedals and love it. I use the m9 to switch the amp channels with the mini amp gizmo and use it for some intro stuff.

 

[justplay]

STEVEO.....
The send level on the mark V is set at noon. Is this the ideal setting? It has a groove in the noon position, so that when you turn the knob, you'll know that it's centered..... I do see send and return levels within the POD500 edit menu? How do I know when I achieve unity gain? When running sound, it's much easier to see where the signals are peaking when I'm soloing a channel on the board, but with the POD, I'm not so sure, the manual is kind of vague about it....

JIVEMAN..... I've had no issues when playing at low levels. It's very weird... I've had distorted clean channels, unexplained volume drops when engaging the Mark V fx switch.... I mean, I'll get my gear setup, start playing, everything sounds great, volumes are equal between amp with and without effects and then for some inexplicable reason, the volume will drop in the effects channel...

This really bugs me, like I said, if it was always happening, I could dig in and set it correctly. For some reason, when I get it set to do and sound like it want it to do, the thing always pops up with an unexplained issue....

PIVOT.......
I'm really close to ditching this thing, I'm about fed up with it. I don't want to go the multi-pedal route, but was thinking of a TC electronics G-Major 2, a midi board and a wah pedal.... I dunno

Thanks everyone so far for ideas and help... keep em comin if ya got more!

 

[pivot]

Ive heard allot of good things about the Gmajor 2 Metallica is using it currently for all of the effects on tour. http://www.tcelectronic.com/g-major-2/

 

[screamingdaisy]

Keep channel 3s volume at 9:00 or below, then set the other two channels to match. The channel master controls how hot the signal being sent to the FX loop is and I've found 9:00 is a good setting. People tend to want to run it higher because it sounds thicker, but that extra thickness is coming from driving things post preamp harder... Which is something you don't want to do if you're running effects post preamp.


On a side note I use a G-System. Pretty much a G-Major with some additional stuff thrown in to make it a complete guitar system (dedicated footcontroller, switches amp channels, can patch in stomp boxes and switch them in/out).

It's not perfect, but nothing is. I really like the functionality. I use it combined with a real wah, overdrive and Phase 90 since digital emulation of those effects suck.

 

[justplay]

That's something I may try... Keep channel masters low, overall volume from the amp shouldn't matter tho, correct?

 

[screamingdaisy]

That's something I may try... Keep channel masters low, overall volume from the amp shouldn't matter tho, correct?

Nope. Channel masters low, then increase the master output until it's loud again.

 

[justplay]

RGR that, thanks... Will try that. Also taking it in to shop where it was purchased. I still have a warranty left. I'm gonna have em check it out just to make sure that there's no issues with the 500 itself. Eventually, I'd like to sell the thing if it works properly....

 

[alboz28]

I have been down both roads with Line 6 and TC G System and G Major 2 multiple times with my Mark V. Long story short, neither solution ever sounded that great. The Mark seems to be sensitive to certain digital/analog convertors. I switched back to analog pedals controlled through a RJM Gizmo and life is much better

 

[justplay]

If I had a bad tube, specifically, the V6 tube in my Mark V head, what would be some of the symptoms, as it relates to the effects loop?

 

[Authorized Boogie]

As I told you on the phone - a bad tube would in your preamp would result in popping, crackling, white noise, or loss of signal. The only way to tell for sure if its the tube is to swap it out with a new/known good tube.

Also, you really have to be aware of the concept of unity gain - The level being sent through the loop >> input/output levels of the processor >> and return signal levels - need to be set correctly and maintained through the entire loop chain.

The channel master determines effects send levels, which you can fine tune with the send level control on the back of the amp. Your processor input/output levels need to maintain that signal level, and your amps Output control has an effect on the return levels. Balance is the key.

Also be sure to double check all cable connections. And, if everything works fine with a simple patch cable from the loop send to the loop return - but issues arise when adding something to the loop, its a good indicator the issues are caused by what has been added to the loop.

I hope this helps.

 

[pivot]

I second what alboz28 said

 

[justplay]

Thanks, Yeah, I'm no stranger to setting levels correctly, as I also run sound for our group, when we're playing in a smaller establishments.

I'll have to look into making sure the levels are correct. It's easy with a mixing board...... Solo a channel, play at the loudest volume you think you will and adjust the gain accordingly. With the POD 500, there is no such level or indicator that tells me where I'm at with the gain. Obviously, if I'm getting some distortion in my clean channel, the gain will need to be adjusted. I've had this stupid POD set up nice and sweet, and next thing you know, without any changing of the amp or the pod, the clean will all of a sudden end up distorted. The chorus effect starts out nice during a song and ends up sounding warbly.... I will re-evaluate the gain settings, try swapping the power tubes in 45 watt mode, and also try running a patch cable thru the effects loop with the loop activated to see if I get any issues. Thanks again for your time the other day...

 

[4406cuda]

If you put in a different effect in your loop and it sounds good, chances are that the V6 tube is not bad.

 

[justplay]

I just ordered a new mesa preamp tube to test out the v6.... The only reason I'm starting this way is because the effects run great, and then for no reason at all, I get volume drops, weird noises, etc....etc.... ( played a full gig and all levels and sounds were great! )
Next practice, had issues, the practice the week after that, sounded great....
I can't consistently reproduce this error with the equipment I have, and at the moment, do not have anything to try thru loop, except patch cable.

I'll try the tube, then if no luck, try getting that thing (pod) looked at.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep yinz updated......