roscoe5

Thanks for the work. Can't wait to try it.

Fellas, Helix into the Power Amp In of these SV's are the best sounds I've gotten from Helix. Better than DT50, Powercab, L2m, or solid state power amp into guitar cab. I have an HD100 MKii and 112 MKii. Powecab may be more versatile with my JTV Variax, but SV's sound and feel WAY better. Long live SV ;)

Thanks! Video from the road would be interesting :)

Oh hey, I just remembered that I made some IRs from my Mesa Recto 2x12 using my Mesa Simul 2:90 power amp, as well as other Mesa power amp sections of my Mark V, Stiletto, Triple Rec, and 20/20 They might work really well with the real Triaxis preamp. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9rw7mvrkyglsy1l/AAA9SDU8RFV49_pGFCV0U_AQa?dl=0

I had to turn power cab volume about 80-90% up with Helix volume little over half way up fora jam session. Connected via L6 link.

Well, I'm really still impressed and happy overall. I bought it mainly as an FRFR solution, which it does very well while being a small, lightweight form factor with guitar amp vibe. LF Raw mode was a usable bonus that I wasn't expecting. It almost seems that Line 6 should bring a little bit of the HF driver in on the speaker models. I think it is turned off completely. While not as extreme as running Helix amps and cab models/IR's into one of my V30 cabs, there is a bit of that double dipping speaker modeling vibe and dullness. I do want to reiterate that the sound out of the XLR with mic model is great!

Are you using a tube power amp also (Simul 2:90, etc.)?

I went back through all the old Mesa Recto 212 IR's I made originally for Helix and pulled the ones I liked best for Powercab live. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9rw7mvrkyglsy1l/AAA9SDU8RFV49_pGFCV0U_AQa?dl=0 I definitely use the IR block high and low cuts depending on the amp model, clean vs gainy, etc. These are made with various tube amps and are a bit livelier than many other IR's.

Just checking with you guys before I submit a support ticket. I'm finding that the built in Powercab Speaker models (not IR's) are very muffled sounding in the room coming out of the Powercab, almost like when you run a Helix cab model or IR through a regular guitar speaker, but they sound great from the Powercab XLR out! I have a Mesa 1x12 closed back widebody cab with tri-port and 1x12 combo open back both with V30 speakers. The Powercab Vintage speaker model sounds like a wet blanket is over it in the room but the XLR out is super close to my real cabs. I think I'm actually getting better sounds and feel from the Pcab XLR out speaker + mic models than I've gotten from HX cabs or IR's.

On the Mesa Stiletto, as well as some other tube amps I've owned, the Presence knob actually controls the power amp section. This is helpful with Helix. You do not have to go into the preamp of the real amp to test (4cm, etc.). 1/4" from Helix out to amp effects return is all that is needed. I ran live this way for a time for simplicity. The Helix pres were as nearly as good, or better in some cases than my Stiletto pres live.

In LF Raw, I run... No IR's or HX Cab models Full amp models Post eq Cali Q with +2db 80Hz and -3db 750Hz Guitar tone knob back a notch I do get the SS modeling amp vibe a bit too, but it's better than my Crate Powerblock into Mesa 1x12. And I like having the full range option for Variax acoustic models. It's not the magical missing link I was hoping for. Still testing and evaluating.

Really loving my new Powercab plus and no sound or functional complaints. But man, it looks like they got in a hurry on the grille cloth. The weave pattern is not parallel (off a degree or two) from one side to the other, and is kind of wavy and wrinkled on the right side. the little IR symbol and Line 6 badge is slightly off horizontal too. Maybe they were in a rush at the factory to get these things out. It's messing with my OCD though ;) Anyone else seeing this on theirs?

Got mine yesterday and thought the same thing...everything sounds like a 112. Cali Q Eq block with a little 80Hz boost and 750Hz cut makes it thump a bit more like a large 2x12.

I think the dynamics are really close. At hi gain, the real recto has a bit more harmonic content. But just playing, not A/B'ing, I don't feel like I'm missing anything...except a second PC+ ;) I do like the sound of the L6 PC+ raw speaker. It really is a nice middle ground between the C90 (too bright at high gain) and V30 (too dark at clean). A wet/dry split signal into the single PC+ seems fine to me. I'm not gigging these days, so not sure how it would hold up with a band. I think I'll try running my real recto into my reactive load box, then into my Powercab this weekend. Looks like the head would sit nicely on top too. The feel is DEFINITELY better than a PA speaker. It's just really cool to have this in Raw mode and give all of the tone shaping power and color back to the amp models and tone knob again. After hearing it, cab models and IR's really do seem to dull some of the magic that is going on with the Helix amp models. Thanks for the tips on the speakers and tubes! After hearing this modded-cone Eminence Beta 12CX in the Powercab, I would definitely consider giving Eminence guitar speakers a spin in my real cabs.

I just got my Powercab Plus today and currently going through the honeymoon phase. The speaker models are okay (a little muffled to me), built-in Allure IR's are decent, and my Ownhammer IR's have never sounded or felt better. But the real gem to me is the Flat - LF Raw. Way to go on the guitar-type speaker cone design Line 6! If a Celestion V30 and a Mesa C90 Black Shadow had a baby, it might be this speaker. While there's not quite the face melt power as my 150W Recto head and Recto 2x12 cab, I swear this light 1x12 still has the thump of my Mesa Recto 2x12 cab. I might shoot some IR's of it for fun. Helix amp models have never sounded this lively through any IR's or HX Cabs to me. You can really hear the nuances of the amp models in LF Raw mode, and it really responds really well to Helix amp adjustments and post-amp eq block tuning (Cali Q, etc.). With full range capability for Variax acoustic models, synth sounds, etc., this cab is quite the swiss army knife.

Did you try throwing in a Cali Q Graphic block after the IR and just cutting 750Hz by -2db or more? Sorry, no Gemini II, but I just got my Line 6 Powercab Plus (same Eminence Beta 12CX coax speaker with different cone and HF driver) today and loaded in my Ownhammer CaliforniaDuo pack. I think I noticed something similar. The Cali Q helped.

I have a PC+ coming in and can't wait to AB the PC speaker model with mic model from the PC XLR out to a pure IR of a similar cab. Might just XLR from PCab right back into Helix and setup some AB routing snapshots.

Yeah, I only ever used the Rat for bass. It was my #1 bass distortion pedal until GK come out with the Diesel Dawg. Loved that one. I hated it for guitar as well.

The HX dual cabs put one cab in each side. This makes for a nice stereo field, even without wet effects (reverb, selay, chorus, etc). If you have a Variax, running model to one side and Mags to the other is almost a double track guitar effect.

My takeaway from other threads and user posts I've read (apologies that I was too lazy to go quote them): Alto TS312 is the updated, higher power version of the series. Headrush FRFR-112 is the same as the TS312, except it's inputs do not have mic preamps on them...hence truely flat response for guitar/bass applications. There is good feedback coming in from some users on this for bass applications. Mission Gemini and Helix Powercab is based on the Eminence Beta 12CX coaxial speaker with the HF driver under the woofer dust cap. Other platforms like Atomic CLR are also coaxial, with higher end drivers (B&C?). This coax configuration delivers highs on a central axis with the mid/low, preventing the HF beaming you can get from the separate horn from a PA-based FR platform. Users also report coax sounds and feels more like a guitar speaker, especially at close range. Helix Powercab also has raw speaker modeling without the mic for amp-in-the-room sound. It can actually be mic'd like a guitar cab, of there can be mic models on the XLR out. I've resisted FRFR since I bought Helix over two years ago. At $299 (cheaper with coupons), the Alto or Headrush isn't much to bite off to test FRFR waters, and you could easily return it if you don't like it. From an engineering perspective, the Beta 12CX based solutions for electric guitar applications made the most sense to me. I always thought Mission Gemini was way too high for what it was and was really considering building my own Beta 12CX based box. Line 6 took it one step further with raw speaker modeling, IR's in the cab, and modified speaker cone and HF driver for guitar. This allows me to keep all cab sounds/blocks in the Powercab, separate from Helix. I can continue to use my Line 6 Spider Valve rigs with Helix amp-only blocks (neutral tube approach), 4CM with my Mesa amps, Crate Powerblock with Mesa cabs, etc. without setting up and maintaining new presets. Heck, I might even use my Powercab AND Spider Valve 112 MKII together wet/dry, etc. Brilliant!!!! I will probably still get the Headrush FRFR 112 soon also for bass since Powercab does not have the range or speaker cone for 5 string bass, unless Line 6 wants to make a bass Powercab ;)

So glad you posted. I was about to pull the trigger on the TS312 at GC. Need to be patient I guess

Will do. I'm optimistically skeptical but really hope the magic happens :)

I saw the Alto TS312's in GC this weekend too! Same here...I couldn't find any info. They look EXACTLY like the Headrush FR 112's. Same ratings and everything. No claim anywhere on the box that they are flat response. They could be DSP voiced for DJ's...i.e. booty music.

Kylotan, Maybe next weekend I will pull out some OD/Distortion pedals from their tote in the basement, put them in the Helix loops, A/B them with their similar Helix model counterparts, and see if I get similar results. Some pedals up to bat ProCo Rat, 90s Ibanez TS9, Keeley Mod Boss Metal Zone, Keeley Mod Keeley Luna Overdrive

I'm really glad this thread came up and I played with that preset. It made me really consider the overall affect the dist/OD pedals were having on my sound, and I re-evaluated the way I was using distortion/OD before an amp. Inspired by the OP, I too always thought I lost a little bit of oomph when I put dist/OD in front of a hi-gain amp. Luckily, Helix enables us to run parallel paths with the effects blocks. Running the Tube Screamer in parallel with an A/B split instead of series in front of Recto amp gives me that bit of bite without loosing the pure amp distortion of the Recto. Never even considered this 10-15 years ago with physical gear. I just accepted the compromise. Recto Scream.hlx https://line6.com/customtone/tone/3816603/ Helix Pic https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B30lBAWfekKiT1lUelU1UnJDVlFHSWs0NG1mSHRxN1lzSWJZ Sound Clip 1. Amp + Dual Cab 2. Amp + Dual Cab + EQ 3. Amp + Dual Cab + EQ + OD (in parallel)