roscoe5

I was searching the web for FRFR cabinet to see what's new, and the Headrush FRFR-112 popped up. I clicked the link, looked at it and thought it sure did look like the Alto TS212. I went and looked at the Alto, and sure enough, they look identical. Both are $299 and 2000W as well. Not judging at all as there are plenty of Alto users here. But I wonder if they are truly identical? $299 is certainly a better price point for me either way. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRFR112--headrush-frfr-112-2000-watt-1x12-inch-powered-guitar-cabinet?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtOLVBRCZARIsADPLtJ1KHimU_brb4njgQHO2jDawAApsCkoyoq8h-R4CZGgODgdTdnKv23saAv--EALw_wcB https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alto-truesonic-ts212-12-2-way-powered-speaker

Yeah, I agree. To expect Helix to treat two parts of one block separately is probably unreasonable. I'll keep em separated :)

I was jamming to some tracks the last couple of days, and a lot of the artists I am into (Alter Bridge, Evanescence, etc.) have a full sound with doubled guitar tracks. I woke up this morning on a mission to do this for myself. Using Evanescence Going Under as a go-by, I messed around with dual signal paths with delays, phasing, etc. I just wasn't getting what I wanted. It just didn't feel or sound like true double-tracked guitar. Then I though about my poor, lonely Variax JTV-59. I setup a Helix preset, taking advantage of the ever-so-slight time/phase difference between Variax Mags and Models, each as an input on separate, but identical signal paths. This was exactly what I was going for! Now I'm sure the preset masters Line 6, Glenn D., Fremen, etc. probably have this in their packs somewhere, but I wanted to do this for myself. This is one take with only footswitch Snapshots in the preset. Helix Preset on Custom Tone using Helix Cabs, no IR's https://line6.com/customtone/tone/3755436/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/3jwpnf9687kf9sf/Hlx Vax Dbl Trk.JPG?dl=0 Here is a simple, dry scratch guitar track (with a few oops's) of Evanescence Going Under just to get the idea. Verse - Variax Mags signal Path Chorus - Variax Mags & Variax Model paths panned L & R Solo - Variax Mags & Variax Model paths panned L & R, wah toe switch engages both wahs and Teemah! distortion blocks on both paths.

Yep.

I wasn't sure if this was really a problem or if it's as designed. I've only issued a support tickets for hardware failures). So I have this preset all setup and saved with a Dual Cab block and my two 4x12 Cali cabs and all mics and settings. But I decide I want to try a different Cab 1 without changing Cab 2. If I change Cab 1 to anything else, say a 4x12 1960 T75, Cab 2 resets back to the 1x12 Lead 80. You can change Cab 2 to different cabs all day long without Cab 1 changing. I think it's probably per design though since technically it's all one block. I tried to upload a screenshot, but I cant seem to be able to upload any more pics on the forum, 0.02MB limit?

It shows up when you run Line 6 Updater

Since this is a great Tech 21 PE post, I'm just tagging on... I came across a Tech 21 Trademark 120 used. It has left and right effects return. Used with just the effects return, is it the same as running two Power Engine 60's?

I agree with Dunedin, the HiWatt is pretty neutral for my tastes as well.

There is a setting on the volume block for this under Controller Assign

Well, cruising back through the presets, it seems that most/all with two cabs do not use a Dual Cab block. They have split the two cabs into tow parallel paths. It is certainly a workaround that does keep each cab independent, so I guess my issue is resolved. I wonder if there is any difference in compute resources between two separate parallel cab blocks vs one dual cab block?

Ugh!!! I just hit a major frustration with Helix Dual Cab blocks resetting Cab 2 to the top of the list (1x12 Lead 80) when I change Cab 1 in HX Edit. When I basically have everything dialed in to 90% and I just want to jump back and change Cab 1, it resets Cab 2. Anyone know a way around this? If not, then I guess I'm headed over to IdeaScale. I'm coming from a couple of years mainly gigging out with Helix through a real tube amp power amp in to just playing at home (work-family-life balance and such). Right now I'm just jamming along with recorded tracks and Rocksmith PC, and setting up some presets to match the recorded guitars of the tracks. Of course the golden IR I made of my live rig for home tweaking sounds just like me standing in front of that rig on stage, but it really doesn't sound like most recorded guitar tracks in the songs I am jamming too. I am getting some great matches with Helix Dual Cabs, Mic combinations, Comp, and EQ, but that dang Cab 2 reset is killing my creative flow!

Very cool! I've been looking at the Dayton plate amplifiers, but they are $200+. The one you used is only $40...awesome! https://www.parts-express.com/cat/full-range-plate-amplifiers/333

Hey! I was burning life at both ends with family, job, and music. I was working from home in 2016 when I was really active here. Back in the office last year. Just moved to New York state from the heartland. Taking a break from gigging and just playing at home with wifey. Nice change of pace.

This could be very unique to my Alienware x51 R2 computer, but I had to change my USB cable type and computer USB port type when I got my Helix two years ago. I was having issues with hum, noise, and dropout when I first got Helix. The USB cable I had always used had a round ferrite magnet built in for EMF shielding. I had a second USB cable with ferrite magnet that cased the same problems for me. When I changed to a really cheap USB cable with no magnet, my issues went away. Helix is also USB 2.0. I had some more dropout issues plugging into my USB 3.0 (blue SS+) ports, I switch to the black USB 2.0 ports and the dropouts went away. Again, these may be old issues isolated to my specific computer, but that's what worked for me.

Congrats Jon! I got an email from Ownhammer today saying you are on their staff now as Social Media Manager. I've always enjoyed your videos and find them useful and inspirational, so this is well-deserved I'm sure. Wish you the best!

I was looking at the manuals for both the Focusrite 2i2 and JBL 305's. COuple of questions On the front of the 2i2, on the channel you plug your guitar 1/4" instrument cable into, is the Line/Instrument switch set to Instrument? I'm assuming you are using two separate 1/4" TRS cables to go from the 2i2 Left & Right outs on the back to each of the 305's, not going from the headphone out with a Y-cable. I have had TRS cables go bad and cause distortion before. Per the manuals, both the 2i2 L/R outs and 305 1/4" inputs can take balanced (TRS) or unbalanced (mono) instrument cables. You might try different 1/4" cables from 2i2 to one or both of the 305 and see if you still have problems. There are also some input sensitivity switches on the back of the 305's, You might try switching them to -10db instead of +4db. Playback music is leveled out and compressed with less transients than live guitar. This and/or whatever guitar software you are using could be compounding the overdriving on the 305 inputs. Here are the manuals I was referencing: https://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/LSR_3Series_OwnersManual_Mar10_2014.pdf https://d2zjg0qo565n2.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/focusrite/downloads/31526/scarlett2i22ndgenugenv1.pdf For fun and to whet your appetite for Helix before you buy one, you might want to sign up for the Helix Native Software 15 day trial. It should work well with your 2i2 and might give you a good preview of what Helix will sound like through the 305's. I dont have the Alto's, but I havent seen anything but positive feedback from Helix users here. You probably cant go wrong with them at their price point.

Best non-tone-sucking multi-effects I've ever tried. I've played all the L6 POD's, Eleven Rack, L6 M-series effects, several Boss, some Digitech, and Johnson J-Station (dating myself ;) ). I've never tried Axe-Fx, Amplifire, or Kemper though.

I wanted to get a Fryette Power Station PS-2 for $699, but came a across a cheap, $150 used Line 6 Spider Valve HD100 MKII an gave it a go to just test the neutral tube concept before dropping more $ on a Fryette. I liked the SV HD100 so much with Helix, I bought a used 50W combo Spider Valve 112 MKII for $250 to have a grab-n-go amp. I would still like to try a Fryette PS-2 one day to compare, but cant justify the $ when I'm happy with my current SV's.

Man, the Fryette Power Station PS-2 (neutral/flat tube 50W) or the Seymour Duncan Powerstage SS amp (170W pedal or 700W cab top/rack amps) cgar18 mentioned above, along with a guitar cab, sound right up your alley with what you are thinking. http://www.fryette.com/power-station-integrated-reactance-amplifier/ https://www.seymourduncan.com/powerstage

Those make a lot of sense. Kinda pricey at $399 though. But you like it? Maybe Helix 2.0 will have built in digital power amp ;)

+1 to Sennheiser HD280. I've been using the same pair over the years with POD XT, X3, HD500, and now Helix. They work great with guitar or bass. $100 or cheaper with coupons. Sure you can spend more or less on a pair of headphones. I have some cheaper $50 Sony's that sound good with music but bad with Helix. I haven't tried tried more expensive headphones with Helix, but I suspect there's a diminishing return on investment over the $100 HD280's ;)

I had the same experience with the Helix preamp model levels widely varying from preamp to preamp. I too played with Helix pre's with a Mesa 2:90 and Recto 212 for a while. I even used an RJM Amp Gizmo to switch Deep, Half Drive, and Modern on the 2:90. I liked Modern the best for most Helix pre's. But I found the 2:90 had way too much character that was diminishing the difference between Helix preamps. I even bought a used Line 6 DT50 thinking that would be better. That rig was just harsh and noisy to me. IMO, the preamp models were frustrating to tweak and level out on both the 2:90 and DT50, and there was just too much lost from the Helix full amp models. I moved back to Helix full amp models + neutral/flat tube power amp + 212 cab.

I feel ya, OP. I came to Helix from a PRS Singlecut Trem and Mesa TriRec + Recto 212 two years ago. Although I LOVE Helix through headphones and studio monitors at home, I could never come to grips with Helix + JBL515xt or Line 6 L2m live in a rock band where the other members had real amps and a drummer. I tried Helix preamps with 4CM with the Mesa TriRec with channel switching...what a PITA and didn't even sound that good. Much of the Helix magic is in the amp models' power amp section. Helix full amp models into the effects return (power amp in) of the Mesa sounded really bad too. After some research and experimentation, I did find a sweet spot for me with Helix (full amp models) + flat tube power amp + real cab (no cab models/IR's) live. I was first turned on to it when Fryette came out with the Power Station & LXII. I'd would have broken down and bought a PS-2 if I hadn't come across a used Line 6 Spider Valve HD100 MKII super cheap, $150. It has a nice, neutral tube power section made for it's internal Spider or POD X3 full amp models. My live rig for the past two years has been Helix + SV HD100 MKII + Recto 212 or Helix + SV 112 MKII Combo. I run Helix 1/4" out straight to the power amp in of the SV's...no 4CM or complex cabling. I LOVE IT! I have IR block set to slot 001 loaded on all my presets and just move a Mesa 212 IR file into slot 001 when I'm at home and pull it out for gigs. So versatile and I think sounds even better than anything I got out of my Mesa TriRec..less noisy too. Helix was much more satisfying and less frustrating to me when I removed the cab model/IR's from the live equation. Here's some related info that inspired me when I made the switch. Steve Fryette's modeling workshop series on various modelers into his flat response tube amps. Helix + Fryette Power Station Reinhold Bogner on the Spider Valve explaining the design and how it is designed for amp modelers.

I used Helix into the effects return of my Mesa Walkabout amp and Scout 112 cab for bass. Love it! Although when running guitar into that setup, things got a little weird. The Simul-State tube driven MOSFET power section and the extended low thump of the Scout cab passive radiator did no favors for guitar. I owned a Markbass CMD 121H in a few years and remember it being pretty transparent and flat response. I wouldn't call it FRFR, but it was closer than my current Mesa rig. I've actually had my eye on the Accugrove (formerly only a bass cab manufacturer) Latte powered FRFR cab for a while now since it can pull double duty guitar and bass. I got a quote from Accugroove and I think it was around $1500 or so...ouch. http://www.accugroovellc.com/latte Anyway, I think your logic and experience with the Markbass CMD 121P makes sense. Helix through a fairly flat and transparent bass rig should sound pretty good.

Just tried Helix and Rocksmith 2014 PC. Man, that was fun! Even cleaned up some songs I thought I knew pretty well. So much more inspiring than the the laggy USB Real Tone cable and stock amps that come with the software. Setting the Rocksmith input to microphone works really well. It sees Helix no problem. I seem to be able to use all helix amp models so far and still have good Rocksmith tracking. I'm sure there are some more settings that could be done as well to even better optimize. Anyone else doing this? Any tips and tricks?