steelstringer

I actually just use a 1x12 tube combo (Marshall DSL), and it cuts in a way that works great with a drummer. It’s also small enough to not encourage volume wars with other guitarists. Very little tweaking needed on the patch. No mic needed since I’m sending a completely modeled sound to the mixer via xlr. I get what you are saying though about keeping it simple and staying with an all modeling/frfr solution. I do that exact thing most of the time. But since the Helix provides such flexibility, I think it’s a good idea to check out other options. I mean, it’s always fun to buy more gear, right?

I’m just going to throw in another approach, which works because the Helix is such a flexible device. Create a hybrid patch that sends a path from 1/4 inch to the effects return of a real amp and a separate path to the xlr to the PA system. Of course, this is only an option if you have a guitar amp. In in my current band, everyone uses modeling devices and the drummer uses an electronic kit, so Helix to frfr works great. No real amp needed. But if I were competing with a tube amp and drummer, I would use the hybrid approach mentioned above. Again, this is just another point of view. The other users here have also provided helpful tips that might work for you with your current gear.

Definitely. I had to bring the drive on the Timmy down around 2, and the Legendary to about 3-4. This pedal has A LOT of gain.

I agree. I also agree with you that it works really well running straight into a cab or IR. I couldn't dial it in very well, even into a clean amp, but when I placed the Timmy before it (to cut some lows) and an EQ after it (to boost mids), it really sounded nice running into a dual cab. An unexpected bonus of 2.9 for me.

That is a really great amp. I’m not sure if you already tried them, but the Placater clean and dirty models are based on Friedman amps. They’ve been my “go-to” models for a while. They both sound awesome with the Timmy OD, as well. You can cover a lot of ground in a cover band setting with them. Good luck with your tone search.

Thanks for the insight. I tried your suggestion of the OCD-Minotaur-Timmy, and it is a great pedal stack.

No offense taken here, and thanks for your reply and insight. When I was gigging often, I totally shared your perspective - if it sounds good, it really doesn’t matter how I got the tone. Now, due to work, grad school, flaky bandmates, etc, I find myself dialing in tones at home just for fun. So, I guess I’m getting wrapped up in the how and why of tone creation as a means of entertainment for myself. Like you mentioned, the Helix provides many avenues toward the same result. I’m focusing (maybe too much) on the subtle differences between a traditional high gain model and a clean amp with pedals.

Also, just to clarify, I know that I haven’t discovered anything new here, it’s just a different approach for me. I guess I just wondered about different perspectives of getting a high gain tone this way versus selecting a high gain amp model.

Hello all. I recently created a high gain patch in a way that changed my thoughts on Helix overdrive tones. I had an existing clean patch (Archon clean), and I added the Tone Sovereign in front. It got pretty crunchy. Then, I boosted that pedal with the Minotaur. The resulting tone is on par with many of my “go to” high gain models (Badonk, Placater, Archon). In fact, the note articulation seems to be an improvement overall. Does anyone one else use this approach for high gain tones on the Helix? Is it a viable alternative to just picking a high gain model? Why or why not?

I find that the resonance/depth controls thickens the overall tone, but doesn’t add mud or flub. It’s too bad that only a few of the models have this control. I also used to dial back low frequencies for leads, but then I felt that the tone was too thin. It’s always a balancing act...Good luck with your tone search.

I’m going to throw in a really simple approach that works well. 1. Find an amp model with a depth/resonance control (archetype clean or lead, badonk, etc). 2. Set your rhythm tone. 3. Using snapshots, set a lead tone that only bumps up the gain, master volume, and depth/resonance. Leave all other eq settings alone. This results in a fat, sustained lead tone, in my experience. It’s very simple, but give it a try.

It becomes problematic to me when I’m reaching across the switch and my forearm touches it. I have my LT on a stand, and I often sit and edit patches that way. I have the “touch” control set to “off” in the global settings, as well, but that switch still responds to touch.

Same issue here - also 2.81

Just a quick tip that works for me. Try an amp model that has a “fat” or “thick” control. Set up a snapshot to turn it on when you want your lead tone. The Placater Dirty and Texas Cali CH 2 are good examples. This approach works well if you are happy with your rhythm tones, but feel like the lead tones are a bit thin. It works nicely in conjunction with a master volume boost.

Is his comment around the 2 min, 8 second mark a hint that the update is already on his Helix. A Beta, I suppose?