adagosto

I love his videos. One of my favorite ones was his work on tone woods and the impact (or not) they have. In my case here, my thinking is that if I have a Modeler, I should be able to very closely emulate the real amp (yes in the room). With my Mesa Boogie I was able to get the Helix to exactly match that sound in the room with stunning results. The Vox has been a different story. I've never got it close until now. So I'm not chasing tone...I'm chasing the exact tone of the exact amp in the same exact room. I think I'm about 95% of the way there. Close enough where I can call this a success.

Good to know. I'm not sure I like the high frequency thing, more I have just been trying to get my Powercab to match more closely to the real thing. See here's why... If I can learn how to closely match a real amp, then that skill can be used on any other amp. I have not been able to do this until now and because of that I keep looking to different great to "solve" that problem. The power amp plus speaker cabinet or even the Two Note Opus...more variables! But I'm really happy with what I have going now. I think the EQ block is a requirement.

UPDATE: Ok so check this out...after reading everyone's comments,I got back to researching how to tweak the Powercab. It just sounded too warm and not-open to me. There were three things that came up: 1. Make sure the input signal is strong enough. Mine was a bit too low. 2. LF Flat and LF RAW seem to have a tendency to be warmer than FRFR, so I switched back to FRFR. 3. Setting up an EQ block after the cab may be necessary. I did all three. The EQ block was probably the most significant improvement. In my case adding A LOT of high end gain was super effective. I cut the lows back, boosted the mids and really bumped up the highs. Now when I A/B my Vox AC30 with the ToneX capture, they are ridiculously close. Not exactly, but so close...problem solved. Turns out my date for the dance was pretty hot after all!!

rd2rk, I always LOVE your posts. Seriously always looking for your advice. You have personally helped a lot over the years. I am grateful for your brutal honesty.

Excellent read. Thank you. This is something I really started paying attention to after the 3.5 update. The new cab models produced a massive impact to the overall tone, feel and quality. Then I added a ToneX and using different IR's and cabinet captures was even more profound. Prior to the 3.5 update, I switched from using my amp speaker (Mesa Boogie at the time) to a Powercab and that also was a massive improvement. So, if "moving air through watts pushing a speaker" is not the "ultimate" experience, then, you'd have to look deeper at improving the cab models and the speaker. So then, what devices are out there that can take the cab models and speaker up a level from the existing Line 6 technology? Cab models: Two Notes modeling?? Speaker: Friedman ASC-12? Mission Engineering Gemini2?? OR is the Line 6 Powercab 212 a measurable jump in performance (feel and quality) over the 112+?

In the never ending pursuit of the ultimate Helix experience and guitar tone, I keep coming back to the limitation of the modeler (pretty much all of them). They don't move air pushed by a real power amp with a real speaker. When I play my Helix or ToneX into a Powercab, it sounds pretty awesome. In it's own right, really amazing. But...when I play my real Vox AC30, there's the magic. Problem there is, it's so damn loud!! Plus I can't get my Vox to sound like a Marshall or a Two Rock. Trade offs... Or maybe not. Is the ultimate Helix experience to output the Helix into the Fryette Power Station and then into a real speaker cabinet? Does anyone have experience with this they can share. Is this the ultimate way to get any amp in your room?

Thanks for your thoughts and experience. The Matrix VB800 seems like a difficult item to buy nowadays.

Bumb. This question is something that seems more popular and prevalent now than back in 2018. The OP was way ahead of the times.

I love the X3 and the ToneX is amazing, The X5 ought to be perfect. Very interesting combo.

OMG 100%!! I did exactly that! I started with 5 amps. The VX TB30, Marshall JTM45, Hiwatt, Mesa Boogie Mark V, and the TRCK SSS. I took advantage of the buy 5 pay for 3 sale. So I added the SSS just to get it to 5. NOW that SSS is my favorite amp!! But I have to disagree about the DI captures. I think the DI with one of the supplied IR's is the best combination. I have the DI's for the AC30 and JTM45. I wish I had them for the other amps. I found that I could get the exact right amp-in-the-room feeling that way. I have to say its a bit shocking to me. I am shocked at how good the sound and feel is from the ToneX + Powercab combination. Sitting next to my PC is a Vox AC30 and when I play the real amp, you all know this, there's that sound and feel you get from it. You can just hear and feel the amp. The ToneX + Powercab gets like 98.5% of the way there maybe even a 100% if I'm not being too picky. I still blows my mind. But I would say I think the DI + IR's get the closest. The Amalgam captures are top tier captures. I think I'm about to get another 5 amps! I don't need another 5 amps....I can't help myself. But you're right on....I'm having more fun now!!

Few things.... rd2rk is my hero!! This ToneX really, really, really sounds good. I'm am very impressed. I'll give the Helix tone and feel an 8.0/10 and the ToneX a solid 9.0/10. It's well worth the modest investment. The Powercab is a great match and the FL FLat setting is perfect. The pairing really does sound like a tube amp in my room and its coming out of the Line PC! I picked up a TC Electronics X3 so I could offload some effects (Mod/Del/Verbs) and use the Stomp's DSP or multi-amp, multi-cab presets. It works great. But with the ToneX, I'm off loading all the amp and cabs from the Stomp. I don't even need the X3 anymore! So far I really dig all of the Fender models and the Marshall SuperLead 100 is awesome. I need to find a JTM45 now. But you are so right...I downloaded a free AC30 capture and I like it a lot more than the stock one in the box. Thank you again. This is fun!!!

This was 99% of my problem. I have to do a little more research about how to volume level these two devices but I've found that I need to increase my RETURN R block up to +6db max to get a good strong return signal. That said, the ToneX has come to life. I really like the sounds but most importantly and what is different, I LOVE the feel of it. It really sounds and feels like an amp in the room. The Helix models all sound amazing, but the feel of the ToneX is most definitely up a level.

This was a noticeable fix! When you say FULL captures are you meaning both the Amp and the Cab? Do you have experience with Amalgam Vox captures? In researching this ToneX thing, I have come across a lot of people saying that you really need to get some good third party captures to get the best sound. Out of the box is not the greatest? Is this your experience? I have to figure out how to check that the Input Trim says "OK". I don't know how to do that, but I'm playing a strat too and I have the ToneX set to 7.5 on the trip. I use FLAT on the Powercab, but I will play around with different settings tomorrow. So far, just doing what you said made me like the Superlead Marshall capture MORE than the Helix SuperLead. I set the gain about 3.5 and rolloff my tone knob and I can get a really nice bluesy sound. Thank you as always!

Hi all. Hope all is well. I've been using the HX Stomp XL pretty successfully, largely inpart to this forum! But I'm looking to expand my tones and really hoping to get even better Vox AC30 tones. Based on what I've heard through YouTube, the ToneX seems like a great partnership with my Stomp. So I gave it a try. But I have to be honest, I'm not finding as many great and inspiring tones in there. I can say the ToneX seems more touch responsive than the Helix. I'm thinking the problem is the output source....the Powercab. Does anyone have experience with the Stomp, ToneX and Powercab? Can you pass on some words of wisdom here on best technique to getting this all to sound as good as it can get? I almost always have my Powercab set to FLAT and use Helix cab blocks. Btw...I have the ToneX in my Stomp Effects loop. I'm using a Send L block (instrument level) to the ToneX and I'm returning that to the Stomp with a Return R block (line level). Thanks for the help.

That's true too. Another good point. But at the end of the day, I feel I got pretty close. The only thing I can complain about is something that's probably across the board when comparing a tube amp with the Helix. That's touch sensitivity. While the Helix has come a very long way in that capability, the Vox still is better in this space. When I dig in hard the Top Boost channel goes wild! The Helix does as well, but not as dramatically as the amp. This of course comes down to tradeoffs. I can pick up my entire pedal board with one hand that includes my Stomp. I need to stretch and warm up my back, upper body, lower don't and prepare my mind before trying to pick up my AC30. So what are we willing to accept?? The Helix suddenly looks even better!

Right. I think the reason this is true with Vox amps has to do with the design. It's my, totally unfounded conclusion, that Vox amps react very differently with different pickups and that causes a noticeable variation in tone, more so than other amp design. It's not that this is better in any way...its just a characteristic of Vox amps. I have only played regularly with just one Vox AC30 CC2. Then with that, I've played 4 different guitars through it. In my experience, there is much MORE variation between the 4 guitars with the same settings as compared to my Mesa Boogie Express. In fact its significant. Again, I don't think this makes Vox "better"...In fact, you could probably make a pretty good argument that its NOT better and NOT a design feature but more of an impediment. Regardless, I have found it difficult to get the "right" Vox sound out of the Helix, but I'm now learning that it has more to do with adjusting the settings based on the guitar I'm using whereas other amp models tend to sound really good across all of my guitars without having to tweak the settings based on the guitar. For instance, the Brit Plexi Normal amp model sounds really, really good when I use it with my $200 Strat and with my Vola OZ TNC and with my son's PRS and Ric. It just always sounds good...a true plug and play amp model!!

You know I'm just going to come right out and call user error. After posting I went back and played around with settings and A/Bed the Vox/Stomp. After a few minutes I got it really, really close. I needed to change the mic on the 2x12 Bluebell. Anyway, I no longer think I need anything. But, your point is actually well taken. The Vox seems like a different amp to get "right". I think I'm good!!

Hi all, First off, I'm generally a very happy Stomp XL user. After the 3.5 update, this thing went to a new level. BUT, I'm still underwhelmed by the Vox tones I get from the Helix platform. Now part of my problem might be that I have a Vox AC30 sitting next to my Powercab Plus and my reference is, well, the amp. Still I find myself underwhelmed with the AC30 tones, in particular the Top Boost channel. But even the normal channel is not quite there for me. So I'm considering a Strymon Iridium as a supplemental tool for the Stomp XL. Actually, I'll consider just about anything to get a really amazing Vox AC30 tone (both Normal and TB). I would LOVE to give the "real" AC30 to my son and let him play around with it and I can free up some space in my office/studio!! Anyway, is anyone else out there with me on this? Are any of you using the Strymon in conjunction with the Stomp? If so, how do you have it hooked up? Any experience you can share? On the other hand, if you can help me set up a killer AC30 Top Boost tone using the Powercab, PLEASE explain those settings. Thanks all,

Hi. Thanks for posting the originals!! The second song..."You Have The Time" took me straight back to 1984! Super cool. I really like the grove. What that the Helix song? The first song had a cool grove to. I like the progression. If I can be a bit critical, the intro was a tad bit long, but excellent sound, but a bit busy during the verse. So if it were simplified in the verse, the vocals would have more space. But, that all said, the sound was very cool. Again, thanks for posting.

Nice post. There's a few nuggets in there for me. If you are still following this thread, please post your graphic EQ settings. Sounds like it's a parametric EQ??

PerS, GREAT LONG post. Thank you. You did a nice job of clearing things up for me. At least my strategy has been good. I get confused very quickly when trying different settings. I don't think I know what to listen for always. If it sounds good I'm happy. But I do find I have to play a specific song an go for that. I have not attempted IR's on account of the fear of instant overloaded!! Thanks again. colinmortimore61, I would highly recommend the PC. To me it's what really MADE the Helix for me. It really opened up the entire system and I literally have zero envy of other digital systems. The 3.5 build has been truly outstanding. The PC makes for a very powerful rig. You will not regret it. Also, the PC+ is very loud and compact. Good luck.

I want to jump in this thread too. In my case, I have the Stomp XL and a Powercab Plus. But my question is the same as the OP's. Now some night just suggest I try it, but I'd like to know what others say about this question. How is the Helix 3.5 cans best used with the Powercab? Is it in Flat mode on the PC? That's how I've been doing it. Sounds fine, but I honestly get confused when trying all the different options! Can anyone ofter their suggested Helix 3.5 and PC settings?

FWIW.... Since getting these connections right and setting up the preset properly, I learned something important that I think was causing more of the problem than anything else....Stomp volume. I have found that when using the Stomp with other pedals, no matter where they are (in front of the Stomp or in the Stomp's loop) the Stomp master volume needs to be all the way up or very close to it. I never did this in practice because at half volume it was already loud enough. What I didn't realize is that from half way to full only makes it a little bit louder, BUT, its that second 50% that adds the magic your external pedals need. So...turn it up!

So far I'm finding I like the new Cab models/IR... whatever they are...more than the PC speaker models. I am setting up my preset with just an Amp block, then a new Cabinet block into the PC set to Flat. I really hope they optimize these for the PC and send that out to us as an update to the PC. Only scratching the surface.

To all who responded, You guy are amazing! I loved reading all the posts and I'd like to respond to everyone because you all brought value to this, now misguided FOMO! But this really captured it.... Ok with that said, now I have more of a Powercab question. One of the nice things about the PC, is that the Helix preset don't need a Cabinet. This saves on DSP and let's the PC do it's thing. But in this case, using the 3.5 IRs seems counter to that. Is there anyway I can move those 3.5 IRs into the PC and run them from there? How does that Helix/PC dynamic work? If I use an IR in the Helix should I set the PC to FLAT? Thank you all again!