PODxt problem

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 27 Jan 2007 12:46 am

My PODxt was working fine as a soundcard until I moved the USB connection and had to reinstall the drivers. Now the sounds generated by the computer come across as a loud blast of static. I've tried the obvious things, plugging into different USB hubs, checking all the volume adjustments, etc. but without affecting the problem.

The unit fstill unctions normally in other respects.

I though I had seen a post on this problem somewhere but have not been able to track it down.

Any suggestions?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Jan 2007 5:44 am

I'm not sure what you are doing. The POD XT cannot be THE sound card in your PC.

It can be an I/O device that can reproduce audio, but it's not the PC's sound card.

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 27 Jan 2007 11:04 am

It seems as if the PODxt serves as a sound card, since it can become the audio out and record in interfaces and can output to speakers/headphones.

Regardless, it turned out that it needs to be connected direct to the computer, not through a hub.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Jan 2007 12:34 pm

If you are outputting through the PC's speaker jacks to speakers connected to the PC then the POD XT is not the "sound card".

You are using a wrong name for the POD XT. It is an I/O device for inputting to the PC and for the PC to output certain functions that can be connected to an external amplifer, etc. But it's not a "PC Sound Card" in any definition.

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 27 Jan 2007 2:37 pm

Generally speaking, PC's don't have speaker jacks; they have a stereo audio line out from the audio device. The audio device may be an internal adapter card, an external adapter, or integrated into the motherboard.

In any case, the audio device is commonly referred to as a "sound card."

The PODxt serves as an external sound device or sound card.

IOW, I do have my PC speakers hooked to my PODxt, and all computer sounds go to the PODxt in digital via USB, are converted to analog and output to the speakers. The OUTPUT control on the PODxt controls the volume of the computer sounds. With the PODxt connected I don't need or use any other sound card for my computer.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Jan 2007 4:18 pm

OK, I give up. All my years in computers does not count for a thing....

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 27 Jan 2007 5:58 pm

The Line 6 POD Discussion Board is THE place that would have the answers. They have a GREAT archive of things. I'd search for "USB Problem".

The Podxt is connected directly to the USB Hub and I don't believe there's any connection to the sound card from it except FROM it when the Computer Sound System is selected as the 'output device'.

Certainly NO direct connection to the sound card through any jacks, input OR output. Just the nature of the beast.

I'd have to study it and suggest what it might be, and the Channel 6 Board will have an answer, I'd bet.

I found an answer not covered in the XtLive Manual for recalibrating the VP on mine.

Good luck. You'll get it solved.

If I have time tomorrow I'll help you run down some solutions from doing a search there.

EJL

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 27 Jan 2007 6:09 pm

I did a search for USB problems in the "Drivers" section and found a whole bunch of things.

The Search Function takes about three minutes so be patient.

Gotta head off to a gig.

EJL

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 28 Jan 2007 12:18 am

Hmm..

I was thinking in your Control Panel of Windows, in the Multimedia, you want to make sure if indeed that's the way you've got it that the Pod is selected(?)

I didn't know you could do that, if that's what you are talking about.

Hmm.

More food for thought.

I know you can use it as the playback device in things like Cuebase Cool Edit etc, but it can be really loud if you're not careful. I blew a BW 15" speaker doing it.

More later, and please let us know how it came out.

EJL

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 28 Jan 2007 1:48 am

I may not have made it clear: the problem is now fixed.

Connecting directly to a USB port on the computer--instead of through a hub--fixed the problem I was having.

I tried the Line6 forum first, and ended up getting some good suggestions.

Thanks for the help!

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 28 Jan 2007 10:44 am

You know Lynn, thats VERY interesting.

I had to have a 24 bit sound card for one of the programs I used to use, and I forget which one. Probably my Digital Vid Editing stuff.

At any rate all of sudden you've got a 24 bit sound playback system, and using two Nvl112s gives you a 160 WATT Stereo player!!

In other words the limitations of computer speakers for Recording Monitors are GONE!

I know it sounds like I'm jumping up and down over something that I should have known, but I have several projects that I have deigned to do or "mix down" and send the master back on CDR because I couldn't monitor and hear the mix through 4 inch computer speakers.

Now I can, in 24 bit even through 12s or 15s...

A true "Aha!" moment.

Thank YOU.

EJL

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 28 Jan 2007 12:33 pm

Although the POD XT can work as an I/O device for certain functions. There are many computer programs that must see a legitimate sound card in the PC and some that must have a Direct X9 compatible sound card.

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 28 Jan 2007 12:39 pm

I'd like to hear how that works out. Are the NV112's flat enough to use as mixdown monitors?

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 28 Jan 2007 1:03 pm

...There are many computer programs that must see a legitimate sound card in the PC and some that must have a Direct X9 compatible sound card

Sure, gamers want DirectSound support and probably EAX, and for DVD's and mastering you will probably want surround sound support.

But, for playing along with recorded music or BiaB, especially late at night with headphones, the PODxt makes a dandy sound card.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 28 Jan 2007 5:21 pm

Lynn. I don't know, but there are a lot of us that only have small PC Speakers and I think I"ll at least try them for playing CDs and go from there.

EJL

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 28 Jan 2007 7:34 pm

FWIW, I've been using a set of Roland MA-8 Micro Monitors. For inexpensive speakers they sound much better than the typical PC speakers. As a bonus they have both 1/8" TSR and RCA inputs, so you can hook them to your POD and to your computer at the same time.

It appears that the MA-8's may not be available any longer. The Edirol MA7A Stereo Micro Monitor may be a good alternative.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 29 Jan 2007 4:37 am

I've used a 1/8" stereo-to-2 RCA-plugs adapter to run my computer's output through a Crate Powerblock into two Peavey 12", 300w Black Widow cabinets - loud enough for me, and my neighbors.

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 29 Jan 2007 9:04 am

OK, now it appears I'm going to have to tote my Yorkville NX550P's up to my office: biamped, 550W each...