Need some Line6 DL4 Opinions

ayayay! · December 03, 2008, 12:07:13 AM

Well against my better judgment, I traded my Boss DD-20 for a Line6 DL4. BIG mistake. It has the volume drop problem, not to mention the delays just don't sound as good as the DD-20. The only reason I wanted it was that it took up slightly less room on the board because I was using an external tap tempo switch on the DD-20. Tap tempo is a must for me.

Anyway, what's your experience with the R36 & R37 mods? Lowering these to 24K from 33K is supposed to fix this. But dang those SMT resistors are tiny. I'm not intimidated by that, but I need to know what size/brand to get. A link to those from Mouser would be really helpful please. (By the way C1, C36, C23 & C24 are not in there, which was a problem on the earliest models.)

So the resistors, plus your opinions after the mod, are what I'm looking for. Thank you guys!

BDuguay · December 03, 2008, 07:32:08 AM

I did this mod to my DL4 and it works for sure. I've since done it to 2 MM4's.
I have the resistors you need. Where are you in this big old world?
B.

ayayay! · December 03, 2008, 08:10:59 AM

Thanks BDuguay! Check your email.

SteveB · December 03, 2008, 09:24:32 AM

Do you notice a volume drop on all settings? Mine is just apprent on the tape echo setting. With digital delay settings, the volume is the same as when bypassed.

Steve

ayayay! · December 03, 2008, 09:40:02 AM

Great point. Yes I did notice it's worse on the tape echo setting, but it's still very noticeable overall on every setting.

I have it in a true bypass loop. The good news is it hardly effected my tone when bypassed, with the TB loop engaged. But when bypassing it either way (via the pedal or via the TB loop) the volume drop was very, very noticeable.

I'm hoping I like it after the mod. I'm optimistic that I will. I'll still miss my DD-20 though, especially for the reliability factor.

fogwolf · December 03, 2008, 10:55:51 AM

I'm in the U.S. and would also like these resistors - do you have 2 extras?

Plus does anyone have a link for a schematic or a photo showing which resistors these are? I found a site with a walk through but the site seems to be down - got the text up from Google cache but no photos

jacobyjd · December 03, 2008, 11:08:45 AM

This thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about my DD20...

ayayay! · December 03, 2008, 11:39:12 AM

QuoteThis thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about my DD20...

Ha ha LOL! Yeah it's kind of like, "Why did I trade get rid of that girl just for the bigger ...'s?"

I miss the warm and fuzzy DD-20s. Oh man this could get bad really quickly...

Sorry I couldn't resist.

I will take pics when I get the resistors, but I don't feel like cracking it open before then. Sorry.

fogwolf · December 04, 2008, 03:19:39 PM

Quote from: ayayay! on December 03, 2008, 11:39:12 AM
l take pics when I get the resistors, but I don't feel like cracking it open before then. Sorry.

Please do. I'm guessing, though, that the board is labeled with component #s. I've never cracked a Line6 modeler open or seen one opened up before though so I'm not sure.

While on this topic, does anyone know regarding the "true bypass" mod, removing the pre- and post-relay RF filter caps, do you just *remove* these 4 caps? Are they connected in parallel within the circuit or just connected to ground - i.e. do they need to be replaced by jumpers or another component or are they ok just taken out of the circuit and not replaced?

ayayay! · December 04, 2008, 04:26:52 PM

Oh I already opened it up and found the component locations, I just don't feel like doing it again until I get the parts.

Mine didn't have those extra caps in there. No jumpers, just empty pcb pads.

ayayay! · December 14, 2008, 07:50:49 PM

Welp, I'm definitely gonna have to get the SMT resistors for this. I tried several standard through-hole resistors and finally came to between 23.3K - 23.6K.

23.3K is way too loud, 23.6K is way too soft. Amazing.

So then I wired up a 21.8K w/ a 5K trimpot in series. Minimal difference in volume, it's all too loud. And yes I'm 100% sure I did it right as I metered it out and both R36 & R37 swung 21.8K - 26.8K soldered in.

I am near certainty, as I have been warned, that I need to get the SMT resistors on there. My attempt to use through-hole resistors, wire, and trim pots is no doubt causing inherent capacitance that is causing this awful volume boost. Sigh.

I'll just wait until I get those resistors in and report back. Thx!

BDuguay · December 15, 2008, 09:31:10 AM

The parts in question went out last week. They should be there any day now.....
B.

ayayay! · December 16, 2008, 10:14:10 AM

Thanks a million Brian. I got them last night. Haven't opened up the envelope yet, but thank you!!!!

ayayay! · December 17, 2008, 10:26:46 AM

I got the resistors. Thanks again Brian!

Guys can you help me out here? I used 26.2k resistors that Brian gave me, but they're still giving too much of a volume boost. I've already asked Brian, but he's already been hammered by me so: What should I order for these type of resistors?

I'd prefer to get them from Mouser. The values obviously are up to me. I'll probably get 27k, 28k, 30k, etc until I find what suits me.

Are these the right ones? http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=hD42E%2f8yzjqP%2fnyr%2fHnXfg%3d%3d

The ones in the link above measure .5mm x 1mm, which looks about right. I just don't know and would like some confirmation.

matchless · December 17, 2008, 10:42:02 AM

get the 1206 size. 24k is usually perfect, but on some pedals it gives a huge volume bost. i don't know why. for those, try 30k

ayayay! · December 17, 2008, 10:53:24 AM

Okay like this? http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=0NaadTyf6MXjn3J%252bxjjmeA%3d%3d

The length of those are 3.2mm. That seems a little large, but I'll take your word for it. You're probably right. Thanks matchless.

ayayay! · December 17, 2008, 02:14:23 PM

I think I'm gonna go with these. http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=TrAHXYCGmqwmDS5Xz2m7nA%3d%3d

BDuguay sent me the 0805 type and they're the proper size, thanks though Matchless.

Which leads me to wonder, can we get sockets for these things??? Sure would make life easier!

ayayay! · April 14, 2009, 07:17:50 PM

Anyone happen to have a DL4 schematic laying around?

ppatchmods · April 15, 2009, 10:38:39 AM

take heart for soon you too will fall under the dl4's intoxicating spell!

I have owned, sold, owned, sold, and owned a few dl4's. I've tried very hard to replace it but no luck. I played a dd20 for about a year and couldn't get into it. IMHO the mix wasn't as loud. There was no expression pedal jack. I like to ramp up the mix when I solo. oh, and by far the most annoying part is no delay on the loop function! drove me nuts. It does have some good delay sounds and despite what everyone else says, I like the warp and twist settings. My friend at jhspedals.com does the mod and it works well.

ayayay! · April 15, 2009, 11:25:55 AM

What, are you kidding ppatchmods?

I've moved past the DL4. It's been sitting idle for months. Nah I was just curious to see if anyone had a schem. I still prefer the DD-20, but that's just my tastes.

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Need some Line6 DL4 Opinions