PeterJH

I put together a video some time ago showing how I created a Marshall type solo tone. It covered humbucking and single coil gtrs.

 

Have a look. It might help.

 

Cheers

 

Peter.

 

Nice track. I can hear just a tiny bit more upper mids (around 2k) on the Native clip but otherwise, pretty similar.

Is there a difference in feel between the two? If yes, is it significant?

Thanks for doing this, by the way.

Yes, I agree. The Native clip does have a slight increase in upper mid. It could have something to do with different input levels as it's very tricky to get them identical.

 

From a feel point of view, once I'd found the correct input level on Native, it felt pretty similar. It all depends on your audio interface latency. I managed to get mine to just about nothing.

 

Cheers.

I put this track together using the Helix Floor Hardware version plugged into the DAW (Sonar Platinum) and then created the same track using Helix Native.

I used my Plexi Crunch Patch and played the parts separately. I've tried to match the levels as best as I can but other than that there was no post processing.

I brought my patch into Helix Native and tracked the parts. I set up my audio interface so that there was no latency and played as though I was using the hardware Helix.

I then re tracked the parts with the same patch in the Helix Floor and recorded them again.

I'm really impressed with how close these tones are (I know that Line 6 has said that they're supposed to be identical but I just had to see for myself)

Cheers

Peter.

Helix Native

https://soundcloud.com/peter-john-hanmer/helix-native-plexi-crunch-1

Helix Floor

https://soundcloud.com/peter-john-hanmer/helix-plexi-crunch

Have now bought these and have to say great work - the most realistic tube amp patches I have used so far .

 

Tuned nicely for live work - have gigged through our Qsc K series PA and no harshness 

 

Less is more !

 

thanks Peter 

 

Thanks for the support, Nick! it's always nice to get positive feedback on my patches. I've had a great response so far and I'm glad that they worked for you.

 

Cheers

 

Peter. 

Hi Peter

Sounded great, as usual

I just switched to the Helix, a month ago, and really like it. It was also nice to see you on this side of the forum (I was a former Pod HD Pro-owner).

Also, have so say that there is a lot of knowledge in these forums, always someone to ask and someone to lean against. But, there is only two that changed the game on how to dial a good tone - Hurganico and you. Make it simple, just as much as you need, start with default and tweek what's necessary... Used yours and Hurganico patches on my POD HD Pro and used the same dialing method with my own patches. So great.

I will tweek a bit more and come back to your patches. Just wanted to step by and say hello as you published one more great video...

Thanks /Per

 

 

Thanks for the feedback, Pers.

Yes, I agree. Keep it simple. I've had great feedback on this Patch Pack so far.

Cheers

Peter.

Those sound great Peter. I especially like the quick camera shot of the signal path on the front of the Helix. It points out how an amp model, cab model, and just a little reverb and delay can go a LONG way. Keep it simple, and sounding great!

 

Thanks, jbuhajla,

 

I've always believed that less is more. There is a bit of eq going on behind the scenes though...

Hi everyone,
I’ve finally finished Part 4 in my Helix video series. It’s been quite a while since I put up a video.

This video demonstrates some of my own patches that I use regularly in my studio etc. I’ve received so many messages asking for these patches that I decided to put together a Patch Collection. I’m selling them for a small fee but am also offering another way of obtaining them.

If you purchase my latest album “Wide Open Spaces†from CD Baby and include your email address, I’ll email the Patch Pack to you free of charge.

I’ve tried to get the best of both worlds in that I created these patches in my studio at fairly high levels but then also booked some time at a Music Store in SA to pump them through a JBLVX900 PA system at very high volume to hear what they sound like. I had to tweak a few of the patches but am now happy with them – both in the studio and to Front of House.

I did upload a video of the Music Store session about a week ago.

These patches were also used extensively on my album. All of the links are on my website (in my signature).

I hope you enjoy.

Cheers

Peter.

Hi Peter how's progress on this? I remember seeing something about buying your album and receiving the patches free- can you point me in the right direction? Always happy to try reasonably priced patch packs.

Yep, nearly there. The demo video is just about done and i'm almost done getting the website up to date. A couple more days and it'll all be uploaded.

 

Thanks for the interest.

 

Cheers.

Judging by the smiles on your faces towards the end of the clip, Helix sounds pretty good straight through a big PA at big volumes.

 

Yes, I couldn't stop smiling after the session. It's quite something to hear a wall of Marshalls coming from a modeler plugged straight into a desk.

 

I've never had the opportunity to hear the Helix cranked to such high levels. I wanted to completely eliminate any trace of Fletcher Munson effects and hear what the Helix could do with no limits as far as levels are concerned.

 

This thing delivers in spades...

I've been putting together a collection of my favourite patches in the Helix for release and they're sounding pretty good. I did however want to get an idea what they would sound like plugged directly into a big PA at very high volume.

I booked some time at a music store here in SA and used their PA room for a few hours. I plugged into a double JBL VX900 system consisting of twin 18's and twin VX900 tops. We set the channels flat, global eq off and went for it.

 

The idea was to get great tone which was accurate and transparent straight from the Helix. We managed to achieve this fairly easily as my patches that were created in the studio came across quite well in a "front of house" scenario.

 

I was completely blown away. We ran a camera to try and record some of it but the levels were very loud and the camera mic battled. I did manage to keep some of the footage and put together a short clip to demonstrate my patch called "Plexi Crunch". It's not a mild crunch. It's more like a Plexi on steroids.

 

The audio is straight from the PA and no processing was applied.

 

Cheers

 

Peter.

 

Don't ever underestimate the Hd500X''s capabilities. It's still one of the best out there. The tones are all in there.

 

I have a Helix but used the both HD500X and the Helix on my last album. Needless to say, the tracks recorded with the POD sounded excellent and stayed on the album.

If you want to get the best out of the HD500X, you're gonna have to learn how to use the eqs. No getting away from it, I'm afraid.

Go to the Downloads section of this website (see top of this page). Select Helix in the leftmost (products) field. The next page will display the latest firmware v2.21. Use the Get Download button at the bottom of that panel to download the firmware file.

 

Note that you will also need to use the latest versions of the Line 6 Updater program (v1.11), the driver (v1.86), and the Helix Edit program (also v 2.21). Follow the installation instructions carefully.

 

Thanks.

 

Cheers

 

Peter.

I don't trust my online connection and would rather do it offline but I can't seem to find the file.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter.

Part 3 in my series on the Helix back in 2016 demonstrates exactly that. It shows how to sweep to find the "rogue" frequencies and how to remove them.

 

Hi Daniel,

 

The frequency shelves are the areas which I felt needed either a cut or a boost. In fact I very seldom boost frequencies when eqing guitar tones. It's more common to cut annoying frequencies.

 

I did another video (POD HD500X) where I explained the parametric eq in a lot more detail and how I "found" the frequency shelves that I felt needed work. I know it's not for the Firehawk FX but exactly the same principle applies. In fact the Firehawk was much easier to get tones out of than the HD500X.

 

Here's the link. I hope this helps.

 

I've put together two videos on the Firehawk FX. The first deals with various tones that it's capable of and the second shows how some of those tones were created.

 

Hope this helps...

 

 

I'm not sure why you'd need a compressor in front of a distortion effect as a distorted tone is already compressed. Try eliminating one effect at a time and see if this clears it up. 

I'd also try just distorting the amp without a pedal in front and see if you experience the same problem

 

Cheers.

The main reason I upgraded my PODHD500's firmware was because it has a global EQ feature.

But after the upgrade, I discovered that it's a Parametric EQ.

 

I had to find guides on how to use a Parametric EQ (P. EQ) and now what I understand is that P. EQ is mostly used for recording. It's an advanced form of frequency tweaking, with many parameters related to different frequency ranges.

 

Inside a DAW, a typical P. EQ is in a window where you can see all the parameters at the same time and also a colourful graphical representation of what the consequences of your work will look like. I mean, a P. EQ is very comprehensive when you have a computer screen.

 

But WHY THE HELL would someone place a P. EQ on a device like the PODHD500 when it only has a 2" lo-res B&W display? how can I even start to tweak it when I can only see one freq. range at a time and nothing about the 4 other ranges? Even if I did see them would those numbers immediately mean anything to me? No, because there's no graphical representation... 

 

So far, the only use of the P. EQ for me was, I accidentally turned a few knobs and was afraid I changed something critical, came to the forums, found the default settings for the EQ, set them back to default and tuned the EQ off.. pufff..

 

I guess most of us are not experienced sound guys and the POD is not suitable for a P. EQ. but I'm sure we all can use a Graphic EQ. At least we all know how to reset all the faders on a G. EQ back to zero in case something goes wrong. Maybe a P. EQ is much better in the hands of an experienced sound guy but I think it's no use as we can't really use it.

 

So would Line6 consider changing it to a Graphic EQ?

Have a look at my video which goes into a bit of detail about P Eq. Maybe it'll help.

 

You know Peter, I think it's about time you did another one of your patch building videos like you did on the HD500X.  Personally I get more insight out of things like that than I do downloading a preset.  Especially when you talk about the process you use and general tactics for developing the sound you want.  That's really useful insight I think a lot of people would appreciate.

 

I did actually do just that awhile ago, DD. I covered making a few patches with the Helix in detail.

 

Maybe you missed it.

 

I've finally got around to updating my Helix to the latest firmware and thought it would be a good time to fine tune some patches.

 

In fact I decided to make this one from scratch. I've alway used the Tube Screamer in front of the Plexi NRM but this time I used the Compulsive Drive. The mic was an SM57 on axis and the speaker cab I chose was the 1960 T75.

Reverb, eq etc was all Helix. No other post at all.

 

I put this clip up at the Gear Page and had quite a good response. I did receive quite a few messages regarding the patch and the biggest request is to hear the tone without the backing.

 

I therefore added this second clip which is just noodling but the guitar is "solo".

 

Cheers

 

Peter.

 

https://soundcloud.com/peter-john-hanmer/plexi-patch

 

https://soundcloud.com/peter-john-hanmer/plexi-patch-solo

I put a video together demonstrating the POD HD500X using the 4 cable method plugged into a Marshall MG100HDFX. You might find it useful.

 

Cheers

 

Peter.

 

I tried a few, but liked the cabs I like better in Helix, after I change the mic, sometimes do some lo and hi cut, and change distance and early reflection.

What works for you works for you, no problem. For me, a dual cab in Helix blows away any external IR I've tried.

 

I do use IRs for my acoustic signal path, too. Don't forget about that.

I agree. I've never had a problem with the built in cabs.

 

I also don't have the time to go through a huge number of third party IRs to find a few that work for me. The tones that I've got out of the Helix on it's own have made me very happy.

Try going through my video and create the patch that I went through. I tried this patch into a Line 6 PA on the weekend and it translated pretty well. I also used the Helix rack.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter.

 

I put all 3 of these presets into one preset. Plexi crunch sound on the second path, expression pedal to switch between the two paths the only thing was that I ran out of DSP with the Reverb on the Jazz rivet one but I made a very useful preset for my self

 

Thats excellent jaminjimlp,

 

You shouldn't even need the reverb on the Jazz Rivet. It's very subtle and with the delay you hardly even hear it. I put it on the patch but switching it on and off barely made a difference.

 

Cheers.