roscoe5

Try just going 1/4" out of Helix the the effects return/power amp in of DT not L6 Link at least as a test to see if the sound is better. This physically bypasses all DT modeling.

Yeah, L6 Link and WDW possibilities is a definite plus. I'd feel a little awkward bringing up 3 L3t's with 4200w on stage to a gig though. I can only imagine the looks from the soundman. He might be threatened ;)

That's a good idea using the DAW meters. The dB levels you list seem to be a pretty good guide. This is pretty much the type of info I was looking for. I know Helix meters are up on the Ideascale wishlist, which could be handy too. Someone mentioned similarity to a big analog pedalboard. I think Helix patch leveling is a bit different in that a pedalboard would go straight into a traditional amp and the stomps are just relative to each other. This approach may work for snapshots in a single patch. But by the time I try to level 50 or so patches, I've lost my reference.

R5 Acoustic Sim.hlx Helix preset posted to the Dropbox location above. It is adjusted for single coil neck pickup and SC IR. Here is a quick and cheesy acoustic clip of the single coil IR and preset. https://soundcloud.com/michael-potts-995394155/r5-acoustic-sim-sc-sample

Yes!!! Points for creativity!

Man, I tried out a pair of used L3m's in the music store. They sounded great and their specs are impressive. If I were leaving them setup at home or at a jam spot, that would be killer. But I sure would hate to transport them place to place all of the time. They are listed at 57.5 lbs, which is better than some 412 cabs, but not by much. The roller bag JLondon mentioned would make it easier I'm sure.

I've seen the topic of patch normalization of presets and volumes come up from time to time. I struggle with this myself just going by ear. I tend to get off a bit as I level out patch by patch. This could also help us standardize levels for each other on Custom Tone. Are there some standard guidelines and methods for normalizing the levels of patches? What are some good tools to use (level/dB meters, apps, utilities, etc.)? Maybe there are just some common audio engineering practices that can translate over to Helix and processors in general. I would say I am mainly interested in a full, end-to-end signal path scenario with cabs/IR blocks to PA or recording interface.

Hey CF...I lust after the Fryette PS-2 and that is some serious gear porn. By chance, have you tried Helix full amp models>PS2>DT25 cab yet?

You can also go 1/4" out of Helix to 1/4" effects return/power amp in on the DT. This bypasses all of the DT HD modeling as well.

Is the guitar pad off in Helix Global Settings>Ins/Outs? Guitar Input Z (impedance) set to Auto on you patch input blocks? I do not use Global EQ (off). Personally, for high gain amps (Ubersonic, Cali Rectifier, Brit 2203, Angel Meteor, Fatality, Panama, etc.) I like to use dual Helix Uber V30 cabs with 112 + 421 Dynamic mics. Distance 2.5" and Early Reflections at 30% on both mics. I also put a parametric eq after the cab (not an original concept, used on a few stock Helix patches as well as some 3rd party patches) Low Freq: 120 Hz Low Q: 4.2 Low Gain: +7.3 dB Mid Freq: 750 Hz Mid Q: -4.2 Mid Gain: -2.4 dB High Freq: 8.0 kHz High Q: 3.8 High Gain: -2.0 dB No high cut, low cut Level: 0 dB Note that I went through an A-B comparison and match effort of a few of my favorite V30 412 IR's to come up with those HX Cabs and Parametric EQ settings. This Helix cabs + parametric eq setup works for all high gain amps for me. I do not use Global EQ (off). I do not use distortion pedal blocks as they thin out the sound to me. I prefer Helix amp distortion.

Wow, creative setup! Bet it's lots of fun too.

Awesome! Good inspiration. I've been looking at doing that with my L6 Spider Valve head with the plexiglass front. You can replace the stock LEDS with RGB then control with MIDI.

Sure thing. It might be this weekend.

The stock zebra humbuckers. It's a PRS Singlecut Trem. I adjusted with the tone knob all the way up. So you back yours off if it is too bright. I put these in a preset with Studio Preamp, 10 band eq, LA Compressor. The Cali Bass amp with no cab works well for an acoustic amp too.

Made a couple of new acoustic sim IR's for humbucker and single coil pickups. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/57j7dclc3rhti4g/AACpENY9dE047FjtT_Hd3CdFa?dl=0 R5 Acoustic Sim HB.wav R5 Acoustic Sim SC.wav I made these for my PRS with pickup selector in the neck position for both its humbucker and single coil mode. Levels are up pretty well so you shouldn't have to do anything fancy to use them. Thanks again for the IR capability Line 6!

Okay, I think I made what I need for my PRS mags. Want something done...do it yourself ;) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/57j7dclc3rhti4g/AACpENY9dE047FjtT_Hd3CdFa?dl=0 R5 Acoustic Sim HB.wav R5 Acoustic Sim SC.wav Thanks again for the IR capability Line 6!

Would this be something that would be possible if I were to put it on Ideascale for user voting? It seems these could be setup like Helix HX Cab blocks to let you pick the acoustic guitar type (and maybe other acoustic instruments), body and top levels, mic(s) types, input pickup type, maybe a dual acoustic block like a dual cab block. I would see these featuring better usability and control than 3rd party acoustic IR's, similar to the way Helix Cab blocks have more features and controls than cab IR's. Maybe this is a conflict with the Variax platform, which I would understand.

Okay then, the tears of disappointment are drying :) It sounds like I shouldn't look to Line 6 to provide Variax acoustic body modeling via Helix, and should turn to IR's or an actual Variax. Thanks.

Ha yeah, I'm not gonna get rid of my older kids (tube amps) just because my youngest kid (Helix) is a rocket scientist ;)

Obviously I haven't tried the S5, but the site description says "Variax Acoustic technology" which sounds more like acoustic guitar modeling, not amp.

Nah, not really complaining as Helix is the gift that keeps on giving. But that is the second L6 product I am aware of that has some acoustic modeling tech built in...the other being the acoustic guitar body modeling in Stagesource L2t/L3t. I'm just sayin' hook a Helix up yo!

Hey Radatats, Unless I am missing an major benefit of using L6 Link to DT over 1/4" power amp into DT (it's my understanding that L6 Link only passes audio with Helix currently), I found that you can skip all of the "turning off" MIDI CC steps if you go 1/4" out of Helix into the 1/4" power amp in of DT. It looks like you are using 8 MIDI CC commands when I think I am doing it in 2. And with the method I am using, you actually don't need to do anything in DT Edit. Never had anyone check me though. Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to work fine. 1. 1/4" Helix out to 1/4" DT Effects Return/Power Amp In (brings signal straight into DT power amp after all DT amp modelling, reverb, cabs, mics, etc.) 2. Helix Instant Access>MIDI CC# 19 = 0 = DT Ch A 3a. Helix Instant Access>MIDI CC# 12 = 1 to 30 = DT HD Amp default settings (you need to know what DT HD amp has the corresponding settings to the Helix amp or preamp) 3b. Alternatively, manually set Topo, Class, Pentode/Triode via Helix IA and MIDI CC. But I have DT 50 which has 3 more "hidden" MIDI parameters: Phase Inverter B+ voltage, 12AX7 Boost, & Feedback Capacitor type. I wanted to kill 6 birds with one stone.

No problem, good luck!

From page 23 of the Engl PB2 manual, it looks like you may be able to run a stereo 1/4" cable from Helix's Ext Amp to the 1/4" stereo Engl Channel Up/Down 1/2 - 3/4 jack and at least control the amp channels. http://www.engl-amps.com/cms/uploads/tx_ddfproducts/E645-2-OM.pdf

That's awesome! Thanks!