Been using the QC with my line 6 powercab 112, and having a difficult time getting it to be loud enough. Don’t get me wrong, it is loud, but I play with a particularly loud drummer and it barely is loud enough, leaving me with no headroom left, as I have the powercab at max volume. I also have the inputs and outputs in the QC set just below clipping with the master knob at full.
Has anybody else tried this set up? Am I doing something wrong? I feel like I should have a little more headroom. I’ve read that the QC is in general a quieter unit than the helix, which the powercab was designed for, so perhaps that has something to do with it?
Thanks for the reply. I have just been using a standard 1/4” instrument cable out into the powercab. Would it maybe be louder with an xlr? Also I think the signal is healthy. I tried to set all the inputs and outputs on the swipe down as loud as they can go without clipping
For gigs outdoor gigs, I’m running two Headrush FRFR108 cabs with gain controls at 12:00 to 1:00 and the QC volume at 2:00 to 3:00 with plenty of output. I’m thinking it’s just a gain staging issue. For the sake of your hearing, try turning down your drummers gain control.
Thanks! Interesting, I wonder where the gain staging issue is coming from. If I increase the volume on my amp block, or output/input levels it will start to clip. I do not take any of my drummer in my monitor haha so there is no gain control to turn down unfortunately! (I do try to wear musician ear plugs however ) just to clarify, if I am playing somewhere where I have my own stage monitor provided and don’t have to share, I can always get plenty of volume on my wedge, it’s just when I’m sorely relying on the powercab. I’ll have to try xlr or trs cables, thanks everyone for pointing that out.
I connect the QC to the PowerCab via XLR. I also have a Helix connected to the L6 Link. I use PowerCab Edit to set the Input levels. The Helix is on 0db and the QC is on +12db. This gives equivalent volumes out of the PowerCab for the QC and Helix.
I would suggest that you do not red-line the output from the QC, but increase the input level on the PowerCab until the signal light starts to flash red, and then back it off slightly. You should then get the same volume as Helix, Fractal, etc.
I’m using the Powercab 212 and there is a pretty big difference in output compared to the 112. You might consider moving up if you still need more volume. On a side note, are you happy with the sound/tone you get playing through the powercab? I’ve noticed I have to really dial done the reverb and delays when playing through the powercab versus using my headphones.
Hello,
I have been following this thread and I have the 112 PowerCab (Used to have a PodGo). I am confused about how the speaker emulation works in the context of Cabs and IR’s.
Should I turn off the speaker emulation on the Powercab when I have a Cab selected in the QC? No matter what I do it seems I don’t really like the sound I get from the PowerCab. It seems somewhat bland and lifeless to me. How do you run your Cabs vs Speaker Emulation? Thanks so much.
I haven’t got a great sound from the speaker emulation. I like the sounds better just using the QC cabs and FRFR setting. I also haven’t gotten great tones from the FRFR RAW or FLAT settings either. There always seems to be weird frequencies that come through.
The idea I believe is to turn off your cab simulation in the QC if you use them. They seem to sound better on clean tones compared to OD tones in IMO.
When using a modeller with cab emulation, I have always used the Flat setting on the PowerCab. As I advised above, you will need to increase the input level in the PowerCab to balance the relatively low output from the QC.
Thanks for the feedback. I wonder if in my case the sound is not great because for one I play at very low volumes. Low enough as to not disturb my wife who is working down the hall from home.
You do need some volume to bring it to life, as with any amp. If it is too low it is going to sound “bland and lifeless” as you describe it. I set the PowerCab at around 6 or 7, and adjust the volume from the modeller. You will find the level on the modeller where the sound blooms.
You might also check your input level settings on the QC as well as where you have the master volume knob turned to on the QC. I went through a lot of frustration on the QC to set it correctly because there wasn’t clear information. What I have found that works well is keeping the volume knob at 100. I set the input level to 0 so the guitar doesn’t have less/more output on the pickups than normal. And make sure you aren’t clipping on the output at the end of the signal chain.
You turn the Select knob to scroll through the available cab emulations. You will see Flat appear on the screen. It is Preset 1 on mine, but I may have rearranged the presets. It is easy to use PowerCab Edit to make adjustments, and the Input Level needs bumping up significantly to compensate for the lower output of the QC. Incidentally, it is not really low, but most of us have ears trained to other modellers. For instance, we were always told that unity on the Helix is with the volume knob full up - that is wrong. Unity on the Helix is at around 1 or 2 o’clock on the volume knob, and anything higher is a boost. But having got used to it, everyone thinks the QC is quiet.
Yes, Unity is different on those devices. The way I understand it on the QC is that it should be set 100 percent… It works as an Attenuator that way. Is that a good way to look at it?
My PowerCab is the 112 so it does not have the screen. I can just push the button on the back until I get the desired color. Another weird thing is that no light means no speaker emulation… and so when you leave it on that setting you don’t know if the PowerCab is on or not! Kind of a design flaw.
At the moment, I have 2 PC 112+s and one PC 212+; they’re pretty loud.
Depending on what I’m doing per time, I run my QC in stereo using Outputs 3 and 4. (Either to the 112+ or to the 212+), and then go from the QC XLR outs to FOH.
I often increase the output volume in the QC preset and run the volume knob around 80%.
The Power Cabs’ volume then stay around 2 o’clock.
This gives me good volume levels without clipping.
Be sure to verify which PC mode you’re using; I use LF RAW.
Also, switch between speaker models and see if you notice a volume difference.
) just to clarify, if I am playing somewhere where I have my own stage monitor provided and don’t have to share, I can always get plenty of volume on my wedge, it’s just when I’m sorely relying on the powercab. I’ll have to try xlr or trs cables, thanks everyone for pointing that out.
