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Unexpected
volume changes while switching amp models
Question: When I change to a different Amp Model, my volume changes,
and I have to readjust the Channel Volume
Answer: All the models in the POD are optimized for the best
possible combination of gain, headroom, and signal to noise (s/n) ratio.
Since the different amps can have very different gain characteristics,
a setting of 6 on the Channel Volume knob isn’t necessarily the same
absolute volume on any two given models. When you change to a new amp
model from the Model Select knob, it automatically loads an optimized
Channel Volume setting (this setting is different for each model) so
that, as you step through all the models, they are all about the same
level. If you’ve cranked the Channel Volume on a particular patch and
then change the model, it just loads the default setting as a starting
point.
How
do I check my POD firmware version?
Question: How do I check my firmware version?
Answer: : Hold down the ‘Manual’ button while powering up the
POD. The display will spell out P – O – D – X – y (where X = the release
number and y = the sub-release). The current shipping version (as of
9/99) is 1.4
SoundDiver
and POD aren’t talking to each other
Question:
SoundDiver and POD aren’t talking to each other. What’s wrong?
Answer:
Here's a quick tutorial on a couple MIDI topics:
There are
a couple of considerations with SoundDiver and Windows soundcard systems.
1. SoundBlaster
type cards have more than one MIDI driver. The system will usually default
to the driver for the built in synth on the card, rather than the external
MIDI port. This means that you must select the correct driver, before
SoundDiver can see the POD.
2. MIDI cables
must run from Out to In and viceversa. Think of it as the direction
the information is flowing; Out of the Pod In to the computer. Out of
the computer In to the POD.
3. MIDI channels
must be set to the same value. The quickest way to ensure communication
is to simply set the POD MIDI Channel to 'A.' for all (In MIDIese, this
is known as Omni mode).
Mac systems
don’t have the above problems, but sometimes, especially with Power
Books that have a single serial port that doubles as both printer and
modem port, establishing initial MIDI communication can be difficult.
If this happens, check with the manufacturer of your MIDI interface,
as they probably have a solution for this problem.
Here are some
basic steps to ensure communication with the POD:
1. When you
get the dialog box stating that no new device is found, click on the
button that says 'Manually'. You will be dropped in the Memory Manager
window of SoundDiver.
2. On the
left hand side of the Memory Manager window, you will see a list of
parameters. Make sure that the 'Out Port' is set to the driver for the
External MIDI. As different companies have different driver names, there's
no one set name, but the selection should be fairly obvious.
3. Make sure
that the 'Device ID' is set to 1.
4. On the
right hand side of the Memory Manager, click on the title bar that says
'User Programs' This will highlight all 36 of the user preset locations
that are currently blank.
5. Now click
on the leftmost icon in the upper left of the Memory Manager. It should
look like a little keyboard with an arrow coming out of it and a small
question mark. This requests the current programs from the POD. At this
point, you should see all the patch names fill in, and you're good to
go.
Once you've
got the POD talking to SoundDiver, you should first build a library
of the sounds that are in your POD. Here's how:
1. Now that
the 'User Programs' area shows all the patch names, select 'Build Library...
All Entries' from the Entry Menu in the Memory Manager Window. This
should open a Library window with all of your patches listed.
2. Save the
Library by choosing 'Save' from the File menu. Give it a name that's
fairly descriptive like 'My first patches and boy am I excited' or,
if you don't have long file names active, 'MFPANAIE.LIB'.
Once you have
the library created, you can store new patches in it (the libraries
can store more than just 36 patches, the only limit is how much disk
space you have) by just dragging the patch over from the User Programs
or Program Edit Buffer to the Library. You can also drag patches from
the Library and drop them on the POD location where you'd like them
to live.
Tap
Tempo doesn't change my effects
Question: When I use the tap tempo button, it doesn’t change
the effect I have chosen? Is there something wrong?
Answer: Tap Tempo can have different effects with different effect
combinations. Since Delay is always available with the POD, you could,
for instance, have Tremolo chosen on the Effects Select knob, but have
the channel stored with the tremolo in the off position. If you turn
on the Delay from the Floor Board and then try to adjust the delay time
with the Tap Tempo, you’re actually adjusting the tremolo speed, rather
then the delay time (See the handy chart in Appendix B of your POD manual
to see what Tap Tempo controls with each effect and effect combination).
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