Helix Routing Capabilities - WOW

[capo2001]

Hey, guys... I just wanted to post this quick 5 min vid of what I did using the advanced routing capabilities of the Helix. It's pretty darn cool.

 

Having so many in/out options on the Helix makes for a bunch of cool options - as you'll see what I did here.

 

One thing I didn't go into detail about was using the send/return loops for 4-Cable Method (4CM) with my 5150 (iii) amp.

• I used the send of loop 2 into the front of the amp, then return of loop 2 comes from the send off the FX loop.
• Then I used loop 4 send out for the return of the amp. (That's what you'll see in the 2nd row of the layout on the screen.)

 

I'm also sending my audio out through the Balanced out to a Matrix solid state amp to drive an FRFR cabinet AND a Line 6 4x12 cabinet. 

 

(If you want to really scorch your noodle, I also split the Line 6 cabinet into 2 sets of speakers. I have A/B split the 5150 input so that it could go into my other tube amps. Yeah, that means you could drive up to 4 different amps simultaneously with this config. Crazy, huh?)

 

Stay to the end as I explain how I also created a variation for all-Helix and All-Axe variations. This is a tone monster for those of you with either a Fractal Axe FX or Kemper. I've used this setup to switch between the Axe FX and Kemper by using the AES/SPDIF switch in the Helix. You just wire it up and use the software setting to decide which system to use. 

 

Scotty at the Helix Channel tells me I'm nuts, and he's probably right. But the sound! The SOUND!
 

Enjoy...

 

______________________

- Carlos

[MonkeyXT]

Nice setup, nicely explained.

 

Excellent results - nice way to get all the 'boys' to play well together =]

[DunedinDragon]

This kind of reminds me of the Boss Hog motorcycle.  Just because you CAN put a small block Chevy engine in a motorcycle doesn't mean you SHOULD do it.  Probably a lot easier ways to get to your destination.

[capo2001]

True @DunedinDragon - but how will you know what you CAN do if you don't do it?
(I'm not going to get philosophical here, don't worry... it's not like I'm cloning humans here or anything.)

The true point of this is to inspire ideas in your heads as to trying new ideas for new sounds. Mind you, I'm not going as wild as Vernon Reid's rig (Seriously, go watch his rig rundown on Youtube... I curled up int he fetal position after seeing it - WAY over the top).

BUT  - we all want the tone in our head in the real world. And I got 98.34% of it with this configuration. My happiness is now your tutorial.

And if you can show me an easier way to get the incredible wall of sound that I've got now, please do... I hate my cable budget! :-D

Thanks!

[taylorbeats]

Great vid! this sold me-was wondering about running FOH stereo, feed to my stage amp or/or FRFR on stage for monitor and another input for a variax acoustic to FOH.

[capo2001]

Just a footnote:

 

The essence of the patch is actually thematically simple:

 

• - Guitar to Pre-preamp Helix FX
   
• - Split 1 to AXE for any additional FX or amps I want
   
•     - Split 2 to tube amp out (In this case, 4CM with my 5150)
   
• - After it returns from the Axe, keep the channels separate and send to power amp.

 

Even sweeter is that I've got my volume pedals rigged to control each output either individually or collectively for balancing. I'm finding it's really important to centralize the sound output for consistency sake when gain and output can range wildly among different amp combinations.

With the level of control we have over the I/O levels at every stage - including digital - the Helix is the core of my sound.

Keep in mind that even though I'm mixing several amps to achieve the sound I want - I'm sticking to a particular overdrive "profile" or theme in the amps. I've found that the Engl Savage distortion mixed with the "Panama" or old 5150 - along with the NEW 5150 (and sometimes the Soldano sound) all work together nicely.

Yeah, there's kind of an "EVH" consistency across those...