roscoe5

Wow, thanks for calling them, HO! Read a bit more on their site and searched for some other brands. Nusheild seems to be the highest quality film. I'll probably place an order soon. I'd like to find a product screen size close to Helix so I don't have to cut. I wouldn't mind it hanging over a little. They offer SO many sizes for specific manufacturer and models. I wonder if they would do one for Line 6 Helix if a few of us would commit to buying them.

Just ran a quick search since I thought I had seen something on LCD outdoor glare. Has anyone tried something like these NuShield Day Vue anti-glare films? http://www.nushield.com/anti-reflective-film It's $18 bucks for the iPad Mini version. Not sure if there is a better size but you could probably cut it. I would think it shouldn't damage the Helix clear screen cover taking it off.

Couple of tips when you are checking at the Line 6 Spider Valve 1/4" Left Output of Helix to the 1/4" Power Amp on the back of the SV I run the the Presence knob between 25-50% up and disable the cabinet or IR blocks, but this is personal preference. If you choose to run cab or IR blocks, they actually sound okay with the Presence knob turned up a bit more The L6 SV is LOUD!!! Watch the Master volume, it's sensitive Oh, and I believe some users on this forum use and like the Tech 21 Power Engine 60W, which is likely the same power section design and speaker as the TM 120. Those combos also have very open back speaker cabinets and may lack some bass of the SV. However, the Tech 21 analog approach to "modelling" is very good. I used to own a PSA-1 and loved it. You may find yourself going 4CM on that one and using some of the TM120 sounds too. I think you'll have less of a culture shock coming from your previous VHT tube power amp and 2x12 system to Helix and Spider Valve 212. I transitioned from a 4 space rack of Mesa Triaxis, Marshall JMP-1, and Mesa Simul 2:90 power amp and Recto 2x12 to Helix and L6SV+Recto 2x12. It was nothing but a big improvement in sound to me. From what I understand from other users, there is a bit of ear and feel recalibration required to get used to FRFR (Firehawk, L2M, Matrix, Atomic, PA speakers). Not that it's worse, just different. Basically like your mic'd guitar sound coming through a PA or monitor. I never did like POD HD500x into the L2m. I preferred it into the DT series.

I didn't think about Vetta II. That would probably sound okay, I have never played one though. I just checked the manual and there is a stereo effects return you could plug Helix into. It seems that the back of the speaker cab is really open on those combos, which I generally don't like. I have owned a DT50 head, a DT25 combo w. 1x12 ext cab, and an L2m with a POD HD500x, but not with Helix. They were great amps, but I just didn't care for the POD HD so I sold it all. The Spider Valve combos cab design and V30 speakers sound thick and huge with the tuned back panels (my other guitarist had one for a while). A 6L6 50W SV 212 may sound bigger and fuller than the EL84 25W DT25 1x12. So with all that considered, I would personally rate them... DT25 1x12 combo - L6 Link compatibility for audio signal (currently) topology & voicing switching (currently midi, future L6 Link), lots of forum users and info/support. Personal experience with DT25 and POD HD, but no personal experience with DT25 & Helix. I don't think I would pay 2-3x the cost of the SV212 for it though. SV 2x12 combo - nothing fancy, just Helix 1/4" into it's effects return power amp. I personally know it sounds good with Helix and currently use this setup (head version). Vetta II 2x12 combo - should theoretically work, will probably sound good as it was designed for modelers, I've never seen a post or video of it used with Helix

On the FRFR front... Sort of huge power, but the Line 6 Firehawk 1500 ($999 new, $799 open box) seems to be a favorite here. It's a 1x12 with 2x6 coax and a horn. You get stereo out of it with L & R Helix XLR in. Line 6 Amplifi 150 is sort of a Firehawk 1500 Jr, but you would need to use the 1/8" aux in and adapters to get stereo from Helix. Not a robust connection, but probably fine for jamming at home. Users here say it works and sounds good. $499 new and about $300 used...$250 ones are out there occasionally. On the tube amp front... Line 6 DT50 2x12 combo is a winner with L6 Link compatibility, with likely upcoming enhanced Helix integration with its topology and voicings. Not stereo though and no longer in production. Used around $700 - $1000. I've seen a couple of smokin deals with cracked cab damage. A cheaper tube alternative would be the 50W mono Line 6 Spider Valve 212. No L6 Link or special voicing or topology features, just Helix 1/4" out to SV effects return. However the Bogner 6l6 tube power section was designed to be used with Line 6 modelers and is very clean and tuned well to its Celestion V30s. It really lets the amp models shine through. $250-$500 used. I currently use an SV MKII HD100 head with a Mesa Recto 212. Helix sounds better through its power section than any of my Mesa tube amp power sections (Recto, Mark V, Stiletto, 2:90, 20/20). Of course there are plenty of other options too, but these are 4 good L6 options designed to be used with their amp modelers. EDIT: Sorry, I just realized (again) from your earlier post that the Line 6 stuff was marked up in your region. I'll throw these out as I have tried Helix through them as well and thought they sounded good. Helix 1/4" out into the "power amp in" of a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 1x12 sounds really good. It could be the clean 6L6 power section and relatively neutral speakers (for a guitar speaker). The Hot Rod Deville would be the 2x12 version. I have also tried Helix through into the power amp in of my Peavey Transtube Transformer 1x12 with the Blue Marvel speaker and thought it sounded surprisingly good. This amp is Peavey's analog-based amp modeler from the early 2000's. There is a 2x12 stereo version of this amp. Other Peavey Transtube amps, such as the Bandit 1x12 and Special 2x12 may give similar results. I didn't have Helix at the time, but I had a L6 POD HD500x that I ran into the effects return of my old Johnson Millennium 250 head into a Celestion V30 cab. This sounded really good and is a pretty cool amp in its own right. There is a Johnson Millenium 150 stereo 2x12 combo. Since you were looking at the L6 L2m, you should consider one or two of the Alto TS series 10" or 12" speakers. People here seem to REALLY like them with Helix. I'm actually surprised no one here on this thread has brought them up yet.

Wow, learned something new on that one. Could be very useful. Thanks for the post and responds guys!

I use the Mutant Filter Mutron effect on bass. which is pretty much an Autowah to me.

It stretches and/or the foam compresses after a day or so. Just force it into the foam, zip it up without contacting the metal, and leave the Helix in there overnight. I had the same freak out the first time I tried to zip mine up. Now it fits perfectly.

Thanks for the PA suggestion. We could certainly use sub or two for our personal PA. We do play a few venues and outdoor fests with pro sound though. I'm really looking to upgrade\reconfigure my personal rig for FRFR and Helix. I wouldn't mind investing in an FRFR solution, but I can't really justify it for guitar only. I would really like it to serve me on bass too. I actually wouldn't mind selling the Mesa cabs for the AccuGroove cabs. That would probably be an upgrade for bass plus's adding FRFR for guitar.

Since I play both guitar and bass on gigs, I really haven't had much interest in Matrix, Atomic, Friedman and PA speaker FRFR solutions as that's a pretty significant investment to only cover half of my needs. While Helix through my 12" Mesa bass cabs is fine for bass, that's not the best FRFR guitar solution being a little hollow and boomy. I ran a search for "FRFR guitar bass speaker" and found that AccuGroove has an FRFR solution. I cant say that it's new and revolutionary, since honestly their FRFR cabs seem to have exactly the same specs as their corresponding bass cabs. I sent a message into AccuGroove support asking for an FRFR recommendation for Guitar and Bass and the difference between their FRFR cabs and bass cabs. http://www.accugroovellc.com/#!frfr/c1l64 I can certainly see how their design using a 6" midrange to fill out the sound and the dual soft-dome tweeters to tame the highs harshness and beamy-ness could work well. I cant seem to find pricing on them as they seem to be dealer-centric. I watched a few videos on them. It looks like they have been used by Fractal Axe users for a while. The guy in the videos I watched was using a Crown power amp. I would probably just use the power sections of my Mesa M9 or Walkabout. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUfRH3xEIZc Personally, I am interested in the Latte FRFR / Tri 112L Bass (videos sounds a little boomy on guitar, similar to me running Helix through my Mesa 1x12 & 2x12 bass cabs) Espresso FRFR / Wedgie Bass (videos sound tighter, less boomy) Anyway, I thought this may be helpful to the guitar/bass guys that would like an all-in-one solution. If anyone has experience with AccuGroove FRFR or bass, please chime in! P.S.: This is not my rig ...and sorry for the AX8 in the image...i didnt have the time to photoshop a Helix in there :)

One of the reasons I haven't gone to the FRFR side quite yet is that my gigs are half bass half guitar. The Matrix FR10/12 didn't seem suited for bass, which I think you are also suspecting. Right now, the Matrix FR series does seem to be the best bang for the buck guitar & Helix. Firehawk 1500 seems great too, but 68-75% more $. I think the best solution I have seen for double duty is probably the L6 Stagesource. I had an L2M that sounded great with with my Markbass Super Booster and Compressore as a bass preamp. But one L2M for live bass didn't quite cut it with a full band without PA support like the Mesa Walkabout can.

Oh man, sorry. Yeah, no negative intent on that comment. I'm currently on the "keeping my old tube gear" side of the fence and often see you guys enjoying the FRFR gear and find myself in a grass-is-greener state. Dunno why, but I've really hung onto to your positive comments about Firehawk 1500, to the point I've been thinking about one too. Totally read too far into it and thought maybe I missed an issue you had with the FH1500. Agreed that L6 will probably keep support for years, as they have with other gear. Just pointing out that the deep discounts of an aging model are often a sign of a new product coming. Anyway, carry on and rock on. I always dig your reviews and insight.

Well, it sounds like the Line 6 stuff is regionally higher there. He mentioned Roland and Acoustic amps. For playing at home, he might be best off with some good studio monitors. Acoustic amps are generally low power and not terribly full range. I might think a Roland or Behringer keyboard or bass amp with a 12" speaker could be a good option, but haven't played Helix through one. I inly mention those as I have played Helix into the effects return of my Mesa Walkabout Scout 300W amp/1×12 cab which sounds surprisingly good. A little boomy though without some global eq tweaks. It's probably that bass radiator on the bottom of the cab. A standard low to mid level keyboard amp or bass amp with horn would only have a port.

I've owned both DT50 and DT25 with POD HD500X. I always felt like they were good amps on their own, but I never could gel with the dream rig. Unfortunately, I sold it all off before Helix was anounced. Feels weird to think about getting a DT again. With mention of DT amps in the Helix manual and the good feedback on the sound on this forum, I have some faith in Line 6 releasing full compatibility. Anyway, lots of good info and good to know it works well. I'll keep an eye out for a smokin deal on a new or used one.

I thought they closed out the DT series. DT50 is gone and DT25 is pretty discounted. Line 6 usually releases new stuff when they do this. I thought you had and loved Firehawk 1500? Is the honeymoon over?

Man, I like the Helix headphone out idea, saves the Y cable. I'll probably keep an eye out for a good deal on an Amplifi 75 or 150 for home use. Can't really justify Firehawk 1500 for that. Maybe Amplifi is a good FRFR gateway drug to see if I would like to go that route.

If I remember correctly, the Matrix FR10 & 12 have an class AB power amp. Not sure if this means it's an analog power amp and not digital power. But if so, 300w analog power should be enough for that 12" and horn. My 300w Mesa Walkabout Bass Amp and 1x12 Scout cab can carry a small club.

Thanks so much for testing and writing it up! That should be some useful info for others too. Did you hapen to try Bluetooth music at the same time as using Helix in the 1/8" jack? It would be nice to have an practice amp (though it sounds like Amplifi could do more if needed) always set up in the room to just plug Helix into and do some low volume jamming. The gig rig usually stays packed up bwtween shows. I get tired of headphones and have to drag out XLR cables to use the studio monitors.

From the Amplifi manual... 8. Aux Input - plug an external mixer or other device into the 1/8 inch Aux Input for connecting a mic, keyboard or other instrument. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hbtple3k0dfcrp6/Amplifi%20rear%20connections.JPG?dl=0

One more guy that used Variax-Helix-Amplifi I think he started with Helix into the 1/4" guitar in, but evolved to 1/8" Aux in by the end of the thread. There's a parallel discussion on VDI cables you have to plow through. http://line6.com/support/topic/16302-heilx-variax-amplifi/

Found this thread with a user asking the same question and DI & Phil_m answering. http://line6.com/support/topic/15517-helix-and-amplifi/ It sort of derailed with some "why Amplifi when you can use (more expensive) X", but got back on track. No user feedback on the sound quality, etc. Only confirmation that it is technically possible and caution on the fragile-ness of the 1/8" cable and jack. The original poster said that "it worked fine".

Has anyone tried Helix into the Amplifi 1/8" Aux in jack? I searched this forum and didnt see anything on the pair. It seems like Amplifi could be a good at home (maybe even jamming at friends or small bars) solution at a fraction of the cost of Firehawk 1500 but similar stereo design, albeit scaled down. I know these can be had pretty cheaply with new discounts or used. I just replied to another user asking about good at home solutions and he was talking about buying a ZT Lunchbox or using acoustic amps. Immabouta take Helix to GC and try it out with a 1/4" L/R Y-cable to 1/8" stereo adapter. The suspense is killing me.

I think some at home players are having good luck with nice studio monitors. I think one member recently got a good online deal on these JBL 8" monitors. Helix sounded great to me through KRK Rokit 8" monitors. Not much bass in my old M-Audio BX-5's but they still sound great with Helix at low-mid volume. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR308?adpos=1t1&creative=105744827761&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1cS6BRDvhtKL89em1oIBEiQAtZO5x398CjEdNkXM9IHiGD7DiYFvVONnYj5ptYzRsDKTbCMaArmE8P8HAQ I, and others, do love Helix amp models (no cabs or IR's) live through a tube power amp and Mesa Recto 212 with V30's. If I could pick a flatter/cleaner tube power amp for my 2x12, I would probably get the Fryette Power Station. Fits in the Helix backpack too ;) http://www.fryette.com/power-station-integrated-reactance-amplifier/ Anyway, you have few good options. One totally home use studio monitors, and another getting a flat/clean power amp with your 212. I haven't seen many good posts on acoustic or keyboard combo amps. Helix users seem to really like the $999 Line 6 Firehawk 1500. Line 6 also makes the 30/75/150W Amplifi series with 1/8" Aux inputs at $299/$399/$499 respectively. I would think that Amplifi could be a good at home solution with a 1/4" L/R Y cable to 1/8" stereo adapter, but I havent seen any posts about using Helix into Amplifi. I think I'll ask the question on this thread. I may also take Helix up to GC to test it.

I use a Tube Amp Doctor Silencer in much the same way as you guys with the SRL, 1/4" line out of it into into Helix Return 1 (set to Send/Return 1 to Line in Global Settings). You could set Return 1, instead of Multi Guitar/Aux/Variax, as the input on the Helix patch. I don't see a way to set the Helix Guitar Input to Line level. You might be able to use Aux. But I keep my amp/TADS in Loop 1 so I can switch it in and out of Helix and still use the Helix amp models too (not at the same time of course). But physical amps do sound great into both IR's and the Helix Cab blocks.

Sorry yes, any XLR mic cable will work. The $20 LyxPro would work fine.