bobruz

My experience with Katana and Helix:

For a rehearsal rig I picked up a Helix LT and I was looking at a couple 1x12 combos to use as a compact setup.

I found a Katana 100 combo at a reasonable cost and tried it out.  The Katana sounded OK on it's own but not quite there.

I thought it was very brittle sounding due to the speaker.  With the Helix LT into the Return, even more brittle.  Could not dial it out and have

a useable tone left to work with.  Plenty of oomph though.  No problem getting good volume.

I changed the speaker to a Celestion Gold that I had lying about.  It completely changed the overall amp tone, but now it was softer in the mids

and fizzy in the highs.  Again, dialing the Helix LT you could get it better but you would not be left with anything gutsy to work with.

Ultimately I took out the Gold, put the stock speaker back in and sold it.  It's a nice amp, just not for me.

I picked up a NOS, 1x12, VHT Special 44 to try.  This amp has post-return tone controls as well as a multi-selector for amp response.

This amp sounds much better than the Katana for Helix to my ears, but I think ultimately, I'm heading towards a DXR10 or PRX-710.

I'll keep the VHT since it is an excellent, clean tube amp that is very pedal friendly.

I've been using a Koch ATR-4502 tube hybrid power amp into a 10/12 cab for some time with great results.

I do use some cabs and IR's with acceptable results. It's the myriad of combos you can do to find the good

ones that is the real strength of the Helix.

I also use a Spacestation V3 with the Helix which is FRFR amplification. I use this with IR cabs almost exclusively.

www.koch-amps.com/guitar-poweramp-atr-4502.html

You can definitely do that w/out any issue. You can also change parameters on the amps or blocks as well in a snapshot.

You can also stack up parameter changes on individual buttons too.

Just picked up an LT from Sweetwater for my rehearsal/small gig activity.

It will be nice to be able to tweak presets at rehearsal and transfer them

directly to my gig rig. Nice to have a spare also.

I agree with Tony for the most part. However, volume down is not usually a good move on the gig though.

My experience has shown if the volume is too low, the tuner struggles to settle down and thus more time is needed.

I would like to see the Wizard Modern 50/100 represented.

These amps are stellar for their Marshall like tone with some Hi-Watt clarity.

A model of that would be very cool.

Tuner is fine. Works great on the gig. Could it be less jumpy, maybe?

But for serious intonation work you'd use something else anyway.

Let's focus on Snaps & Stomps selectable per preset instead of global.

There is an entry in Ideascale for this that can be voted up.
currently it is only at 43.

https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Preset-Specific-Footswitch-Mode-Behaviour/858414-23508

I agree withal the previous sentiments.  Glenn has put in serious time and effort to produce excellent sounding & practical functioning

patches that have helped us all out in realizing the power of the Helix platform.  Thank you Glenn!!!!

Record all your global settings if you have any, since the reset will wipe them.

Hey phil,

Both the G50 and the G90 have been reliable and durable.  Sonically, they are identical to my ears. 

I guess the G90 being easily rack mountable would be my preference.

The TBP12 transmitters are bullet proof, cast aluminum cases.  Only long term issue I've heard is the

3 pin jack becoming intermittent.  I have not seen this and I have several years of gigs on them.

Looking at the Shure GLXD14, it could be a worthy choice as well.  I have not tried it.

Again I agree with MonkeyXT.  I use a G50 in one rack system mounted to a tray in the rack with the antenna facing front.  Works great.

I also use a Helix rack system with a G90 and a Koch ATR-4502 tube hybrid power amp in a SKB rolling rack.  Both sound very nice and are very reliable. 

Looks like the output impedance of the G90 is 1500 ohms. 

I agree with MonkeyXT as well.  I use a G90, 1/4" Main out to the front input on the Helix.

Sounds great and you keep the input features of the unit.  That being said, if the 10k impedance

of the Aux In on the back of the Helix does not load your signal or change your tone your golden.

Cheers!  I love the rack/controller combo for live and home studio work.

I have the Helix, a G90 receiver and a Koch power amp in a 6 space roll-away SKB case.

One case, one cab and a guitar and I'm good to go.  The VDI/ethercon cables from BPTA are

great, reliable road cables if you need more ruggedized cables for gig use.

Check out the Koch ATR-4502, single space, tube hybrid stereo power amp. (45W stereo or 90W momo)

I use one with a Wizard cab loaded with a Celestion Vintage 10 and a Jensen Falcon 12.

Helix sounds quite nice.  Plenty of dynamics and volume when needed.

If you don't want to bend over and edit, get the Helix Rack and floor controller.
Best of both worlds eh?

The Fryette look like a great fit for the Helix. Lots of routing options too.

I'm using a Koch ATR-4502 tube/hybrid power amp.

Single space, 45W stereo, killer tube tone & feel and about 14 lbs.

http://www.koch-amps.com/guitar-poweramp-atr-4502.html

Yeah,  Great idea on the heated vests eh!  Right on!

I would not think a unit like the Helix would be affected by minimal deltas in temp. 30º to 45º temperature swings are typical

in many applications for components.  Industrial grade components can easily function in those ranges and more.
The ruggedness of the Helix based on the floor unit alone has been proven. I would think some degree of HALT or HASS testing

was done to allow it to validate it ability stand up to beer, wine and some pretty challenging shock & vibration it receives from normal use.

The difficulties you were having outside seem to be something other than the Helix unit to me.  My rehearsal space has temp swings >35º

and I fire it up and use it repetitively.

I began with a Rocktron Velocity 150 from the 90's when I got my Helix into a 10/12 stereo cab with a V10 and an EVM. 

I found it to be very flat sounding & lifeless. It did not have the presence adjustment to get the Helix out there in the band mix

on stage.  I've since moved to a Koch ATR-4502 hybrid tube amp which is 45W stereo or 90W mono.

This coupled with replacing the EVM 12 with a Jensen Falcon 12 in the 10/12 cab brought it all to life and it sings and sparkles nicely

at any volume.  Check the Koch out if you get a chance.  It's single space, output protected and about $650.

I have used the Helix cabs on some patches.  There's really no rules here.  In some cases, the patches just sound better with the IR or cab turned on.

Try it both ways and see what sounds the best.  Some of the IR really complement the 10/12" speaker combination.  Others get to bass heavy.

If it sounds good, use it man.  Exploit that Helix for all it's worth.  Cheers!

I began my Helix adventure back in May of this year.  The system I put together has the Helix rack fed by a L6 G90 wireless

and powered by a Koch ATR-4502 tube hybrid, single space stereo amp.  I run the L/R outs into a Wizard cab with a Celestion

Vintage 10 and initially an EVM 12".  I figured the EVM would be the fuller range component of the overall sound.

I found the EVM to quite lifeless in this application.  Although it has a wider response, the mids and high end were not musical to me.

I swapped it out for a Jensen, Falcon 12" and all the warmth and sparkle was there.

The 10/12 combination driven by the dynamic stereo amp really works nicely with the Helix tones for me.  Complete system in 6 space rolling rack.

I had a similar experience to Stratotron with my 2.10 update.

Much thanks to the many individuals here that offered insight into setlist backup etc...

No issues downloading or installing.  Upon re-start after firmware update, the Helix did do a re-build.

Once it was done and the globals were reset, and the new app was loaded on my PC, I did not initially see the new amps.

Power down Helix and after power up the rebuild ran again.  All new features were visible in both the editor and the unit.

Great new stuff.  Thanx to all here and at L6 for their attention to detail.

I'm using the Helix in a small rack system with a G55 wireless and a Koch, ATR-4502 tube power amp into a Wizard cab loaded with a Vintage 10

and a Jensen Falcon 12.  I run in stereo.  The tones are amazing and can keep up with any tube amp on stage.  I play in a two guitar band as well

and the range of tones and effects have been very fulfilling.  I use patches with IR's and w/out to get what I need.  Both can work well.