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We don’t know the exact relationship between the Powercab speaker models and what goes out the XLR outputs. What we do know is that there is a choice of microphone model and position. This suggest that the XLR outputs are using an impulse response to model the chosen speaker in a 1 or 2x12 cabinet. Powercab has all the technology needed to support this, so this is probably a good guess. For the Natural speaker model, we can only guess that Powercab is using an IR created from the actual Eminence speaker in the cabinet. That would not be difficult to do, and would be the simplest, most straight forward design. These are only guesses. In practice, it doesn’t really matter. If you like the Natural model, then use it. But you should always verify that the FOH is also acceptable, regardless of whether it is the same or not. Its probably good practice to rely on your ears, not on any technical architecture details, or how we might think things should work.

You can use a headphone amp such as Behringer Powerplay P2 Ultra-Compact Personal In-Ear Monitor Amplifier with Powercab. I use one for my IEMs driven from a pair of outputs from the PA for my own monitor mix. Use an XLR Y cable to adapt the two channels into the input expected by the P2.

I've had reasonably good luck with the rotary cab models in Helix. I do run them in parallel with the speaker model/IR, and do carefully blend the two. The rotary models in Helix are generally intended to run in the front of an amp, with a guitar level input. So if you have them after the amp, make sure you're not hitting them too hard (keeping all blocks near unity gain is a good practice) or adjust the headroom parameter. These rotary models also have some speaker simulation EQ applied, so you generally don't want to run them in series with a cab or speaker IR model as that will put speaker into speaker. Run them in parallel instead.

Well, all those reasonable arguments aside, I did get a Powercab 212 today. I really wanted the stereo, and think the extra weight will be ok.

Lots of players try various techniques to get fatter, warmer sounds out of single coil pickups. Typical Fender guitars with single coil pickups are pretty scooped, as are the Fender amps they are typically plugged into. This makes the guitar sound deep, bright and rich by itself (to sell well), but often doesn't cut through the mix. You need mid frequencies for that. A common, and simple solution to mids with Fender guitars and amps is to use a Tube Screamer in front of the amp with the Drive turned all the way down, Tone in the middle, and Level set for how hard you want to push the amp. Tube Screamers, and overdrive pedals with similar designs provide a mid boost around 800 Hz that fills in that Fender scoop to make the guitar sound fatter and cut through a dense mix better. Try using a pedal to solve your thin tones. That might work on Variax double coil models too.

Turning the volume all the way down on a Variax puts the guitar to sleep to save battery. When it goes to sleep, maybe the volume is no longer being controlled and returns to 100%. I'm getting this on my goto patch, and related patches that were derived from it. I'll try again with a new, simpler patch. Update: the volume change doesn't happen on Helix Floor, it only appears to change in HX Edit. So it looks like the bug is in HX Edit, not Helix.

Helix hardware also has A2D and D2A converters and also uses a computer to execute the algorithms. With modern computers, latency shouldn't be an issue. Remember, standing 10' away from a tube amp will have more latency than what you'll experience in Helix Native with a good computer. The biggest difference between Helix hardware and Helix Native is the quality of the HiZ input and A2D converters. If you have a good interface and gain stage it properly, you shouldn't see much difference. But Helix hardware is optimized for guitar, most computer interfaces aren't. The other difference is the auto impedance. That only work on the Helix hardware guitar input. So if your patch relies on it, then you might hear a difference with Helix Native.

I just noticed that Helix 2.82 (and maybe 2.81) with input set to Multi, JTV-69S connected, Variax volume on 10: Use knob on JTV-69S to turn the models on, the Helix Variax Volume Knob drops to 7.7.

I've used Helix for the last four years, about 30 gigs a year. I've never had a problem other than patches not working quite as I expected, and some unreliable foot switches. I had a lot more issues with my tube amp back in the day. And I seen a lot of people kicking wires to get their pedal board working.

An Impulse Response is how a system responds to an impulse. You can capture an impulse response by recording a ballon pop or gun shot in a room, but there are also other ways. Given an impulse response, you can use a convolution function (or algorithm) to convert an input into an output that follows the impulse response. This could be to replicate reverb in a room, the response of a speaker cabinet or microphone, or the response of the body of an acoustic guitar. Convolution is a mathematical function that captures linear, time varying frequency response.

I too have no problems with 2.81 and use a pretty complex patch. 2.8 had its share of issues, and that's unfortunate. But it's a big change that needed to be done to enable the future, and getting in our hands is the best way to ring out the bugs that are too hard to find in automated/manual testing. Overall its about value. Defects reduce the ability of Helix capabilities to deliver value. But to me 2.8 has improved value even with the defects. I'll happily give Line6 the time to clean things up, and have confidence they will do so.

Try using Derailed Ingrid. Trainwreck is similar to Bassman but with more gain. Its a great amp for HX Stomp since you can get great distortion tones by just attaching a few parameters to a footswitch (amp drive, bass, presence, cab high/low cut, etc.) without having to use any distortion blocks.

You could also use Audio/MIDI Setup to create an aggregate device.

Try using Workbench HD to change the body model to Masonic Plank.

I have been struggling with the VDI vs 1/4" issue for a while now. I use a JTV-69S into Helix. I use VDI almost exclusively for reduced noise, powering the Variax, and MIDI control. In a typical gig, I use mostly the magnetic pickups (SVL Daytona which sound wonderful), and only occasionally use models for open tunings, acoustic and an occasional double coil tone when I don't have time to change guitars. This works great and is very convenient. But I can clearly hear a difference between the VDI and 1/4" for the magnetic pickups. The VDI tone is thiner and brighter. I could address that with EQ. But the biggest issue is the VDI seems to have a lot less sustain, almost like there's a gate in the VDI signal path. This is all magnetic pickups, no models. I've noticed similar lack of sustain in some of the models compared to the magnetic pickups, but have been able to address that by changing the body model the Masonic Plank. Anyone else noticed a difference in sustain between VDI and 1/4"? I can't think of a reason for this other than the A2D converters are in the guitar for VDI and in Helix for 1/4". The other possible difference is the impedance the actual pickups see might be different between VDI and 1/4".

See the spect at https://line6.com/powercab/. 212 produces 131dB while 112 produces 125. Two 112's would probably be about the same loudness as a 212 as the configuration of speaker area and power would be the same. The differences would be: Two 112s would be more flexible: you could position them differently or use only one in tighter situations, or use one to backup the other The 212 is about 11 lbs heavier than a single 112. With two 112s, your could at least carry one at a time The 212 uses Neodymium magnets to keep the weight down If you typically play in larger venues, or need to play pretty loud, the 212 might be a better choice. But two 112s would be more flexible.

If you run Powercab in FRFR mode, you can easily amplify two different inputs. Guitar inputs will need amp and speaker models, so as long as you do that you should have no problem. Powercab is intended to be run clean, the distortion comes from the amp models, not Powercab. Run this way, the Powercab should be completely linear and will easily amplify whatever signals you put into it. It will be mono, but everything will come through, just in the same pan position.

I think yes to both questions. But check the impedance and output level of your load box to be sure it matches powercab input. I've never used a Headrush FRFR but have lots of experience with JBL EON610s - I used two for a couple of years with Helix. PowerCab is a bit improvement as its designed for guitar, no PA vocals. PA speakers disperse differently and the JBLs were somewhat scooped in the mids, not a good thing for guitar.

The tweeter is only on in Flat/FRFR and IR modes.

Jeff MeErlain gets a great fuzz tone in starting around 6:20. I haven't been able to reproduce this in Helix. None of the fuzz models in Helix seem as smooth and controllable as that Jesse Davey King Tone Silicon Fuzz. But maybe I just don't like fuzz. Jeff gives a nice lesson in gain staging in this short, but very informative video. He really know is stuff. See his courses on TrueFire if you want more information. They're great.

Helix floor and HX Stomp fill in the range nicely for me. I wouldn't want to give up any footswitches for a medium sized Helix, and when I want small, HX stomp is it.

Got the RC5EE050V cable today. Seems to work great and maybe picks up less noise when close to a computer. Its stiffer then I had hoped for, but that’s probably what’s needed for a quality cable.

I've gigged multiple times with 2.81, and made lots of patch changes. All seems pretty solid to me.

Try global reset: power up with foot switches 5&6 pressed, just in case something got messed up. To avoid digital clipping, set each block level or amp channel volume so that the block is close to unity gain - sounds just as loud with the block bypassed or on. Then make sure your playback device isn't clipping.

POD doesn't have impulse responses or high cut in the cab models if I remember right. That's probably your problem. You're using the speaker to tame the highs instead of a high cut. Try Flat FRFR mode, but turn down the tweeter in Powercab global settings.