jroseberry

I bought it 12.12.2017. I guess I can't return it. I sold my Boss GT-100 to my student and bought this. This should be better, right? I mean the GT is 300€ or something equipment....But it was WAY better than this, I could actually use it.

Assuming your Helix is properly functional, it's *far* better than the GT-100.

Not even in the same ballpark...

Using one of the more advanced modeling devices (Helix, Axe-FX, AX8, etc) is a large paradigm shift from simply plugging into a 100w tube-head w/4x12 cab.

Do you have access to a FRFR PA speaker?

That would provide SPL levels similar to an amp/cab... and would provide a much better perspective from which to gauge the Helix.

Also, it takes a while to get up-to-speed with Helix/Axe-FX/etc.

When I first got the Helix, I didn't like the bottom end (same is true for the Axe-FX II XL+ and AX8).

For me, placing a high-pass filter prior to the Amp Block (on all of them)... instantly made the bottom end sound much better (tighter).

Little things like that go a long way toward achieving the desired result.

What I like about Helix:

Once you're up-to-speed, if you can imagine the sound, you can quickly/easily create it.

If you like your particular cab/s, create your own IRs with the cab/s mic'd the way you prefer.

This help take you even farther toward achieving your sound.

Proper monitoring setup is paramount to achieving good results (similar to studio monitors being necessary to achieve a good mix).

FWIW, I always run a high-pass filter before the Amp Block.

Results in tighter more controlled bottom end. 

You can always add a little "bump" at 150Hz (post Amp Block) if you want more thump.

Wow, checked that out yesterday. That's awesome ! Have hundreds of IR's from Ownhammer, Redwirez, Fremen, Sigma, Rosen ..... But that sounds fantastic !

 

Thanks

Markus

Hi Markus,

Glad you like the EQ settings.

Before actually trying it, I didn't expect to like the results.

After playing/tweaking, I thought it sounded surprisingly good.

FWIW, If you're even vaguely familiar with using parametric EQ, it's not particularly difficult.

You've got three bands of EQ and high/low pass filters.

11 total parameters

It would only take a minute or two to checkout the above settings.   ;)

First, thanks to Chad Boston for the idea of using a Parametric EQ in place of a Cab/IR block.

An IR is essentially a static filter... so a Parametric EQ could shape the sound in a similar manner.

Chad's work inspired me to load up a Parametric EQ (started with his settings)... and tweak till I came up with this.

Give it a try... and let me know what you think.

Parametric EQ:

Low Freq = 130Hz

Low Q = 1.7

Low Gain = +6dB

Mid Freq = 1.9kHz

Mid Q = 0.7

Mid Gain = +5.5dB

High Freq = 3.4kHz

High Q = 8.8

High Gain = +4.4dB

Low Cut = 50Hz

High Cut = 5.0kHz

Level = -2.8dB

With the H9 not engaged, you're mixing slightly delayed dry signal back with the original.

This will cause phase-cancellation (and thus sound thin/hollow).

That's perfectly normal.

If using the EFX Loop in Helix, if the H9 is off, the Loop also should be off.

Rule out the hardware... 

But it's certainly not uncommon for a band to get louder as the night progresses.   ;)

really? Helix is as good at getting my mic into the computer as anything I've used, and it's better at getting guitar in than anything I've seen.

I'm guessing that post was referring to other (higher-end) audio interface specific features.

ie:  RME audio interfaces offer rock-solid performance with lower round-trip latency.

I run Helix (digital) AES into a Fireface UFX.  Best of both worlds.   ;)

I wonder how many of these issues are caused by interfaces whose instrument inputs aren't really instrument inputs...

There's no doubt in my mind that the DI input (quality) affects results achieved with Helix Native.

Record a passive Fender bass (straight DI) thru a cheap DI box.  Sounds completely anemic...

Run the same bass thru a Neve Portico-II channel (just the preamp)... and it sounds great.

Both have Hi-Z inputs... but sound worlds apart.

The IR block will work the same as the reverb/delay/distortion blocks.

If you get the routing setup correct (send/return), you can use an IR block in Helix to process your acoustic/Fishman rig.

There's a world of difference in DI inputs... and this does affect the results you'll achieve using Helix Native.

If you've ever heard DI electric bass thru a cheap DI box vs. something like a Neve channel, the difference is night and day (as is the cost difference).

The cheap DI box sounds anemic compared to the Neve.

It's the same with DI electric guitar.

Part of what you're paying for with Helix Floor/Rack/LT is an analog input section tailored to this specific task.

To achieve similar results to the Helix hardware, you need a quality DI input.

The Yamaha HS7 monitors are pretty decent.

If your goal is setting up sounds to be played live, I'd try to monitor thru a rig similar/identical to what you'll be using live.

Even with a great pair of studio monitors, the 8" woofer isn't going to have the same bottom end as a 12" or 15" PA speaker.

Anything that can "only be done in the Registry" or, on Mac only in Terminal, makes me laugh.

 

It's freakin' 2017 and you are making me do command line?

 

Some of us just want to use computers, not program them.

Many folks feel the same.

From a DAW performance perspective, there's no difference between Home and Pro...

But the convenience of gpedit.msc is easily worth the extra $40.

You *can* run 32Bit applications on Win10x64...

But they're limited to addressing 4GB of RAM.

If you're using virtual-instruments, that's extremely limiting.

ie: If running Superior Drummer 2, the full kits (~1.5GB) load/stream from RAM.

Using VIs, it doesn't take long to blow thru 4GB of RAM.

T

 

This doesn't always work from what I understand, and it also is not available in the non-pro version, correct?

It always works...

You can even shut down notifications... including the annoying prep for Founders Update.

The Pro version has the Group Policy Editor (Home version does not).  That makes it quick/easy to shut-down (or re-enable) features like One Drive and Cortana.

You can do the same things in the Home version (but all has to be done in the Registry).

Just hope it isn't on a Windows 10 machine and Microsoft force an update with mandatory reboot when you are not looking.... :angry:

All automatic updates can be disabled in Win10.

If you have the Pro version, the Group Policy Editor makes is easy to shut down annoying components (Cortana, etc).

If the person configuring the machine knows what they're doing, Win10 is an excellent DAW platform.

All a matter of perspective:

If you expect the Helix to function like a $2300 RME audio interface, you'll be disappointed.

Helix functions fine as a basic audio interface.

It will not offer the same low round-trip latency as RME.

The onboard mic-preamp is pretty decent.  

The RME onboard mic-preamps are pretty decent.

Neither is the equal of a world-class outboard preamp.

If playing soft-synths is a major focus... or especially if playing/monitoring in realtime thru software based processing/EFX is a priority, then you'll want a dedicated audio interface.

In this scenario, get a quality dedicated audio interface with either coax S/PDIF or AES digital inputs.  This will allow you to send the Helix signal (digitally) to your audio interface (eliminating extra stages of D/A A/D conversion).

If your primary focus is overdubbing thru the Helix' onboard processing, Helix will function just fine as your audio interface.

Tone-matching is using an IR block to shape the guitar's frequency content.

Though it's more convoluted, with a DAW application and FFT Filter... you can tone-match outside of Helix.

Once the tone is matched with the FFT Filter, create an IR using that Filter contour.

That "matched" IR can then be loaded/used in Helix.

As nice as the HR824s are... there's no way they're going to give the feel you're familiar with using a tradition amp.

The SPL is hugely different.

If you want to really give Helix a workout, get a nice FRFR powered (PA) speaker/s and dial in sounds using it/them.

Then, you'll have similar SPL... and you can tweak sounds at gig level.

FWIW, the more time you spend with Helix... the better your resultant sounds... and the more it'll sound like "you".

You'll learn/apply things like:

• If you love the sound of your cab/s, you can create IRs of those cabs and load them into Helix
• Using a high-pass filter before the Amp block - to tighten up the bottom end
• Using high-pass and low-pass filters to limit the guitar frequency - to more closely approximate the sound coming out of a guitar cab
• Using a compressor to simulate speaker compression

You'll discover tricks to getting sounds you like... and you can then use those presets as templates for others.

The beauty of Helix; If you can imagine it... you can do it.

Try the PRS Archon model

The real amp is fantastic... as is the Line-6 model.

Sorry, english isn't my first language, so I could misunderstand what you are saying... are you talking about 4CM and use of only effects with a real amp?

Because this is what my concern is about: I hear a degradation in my real amp tone and dynamics, not the same feeling and tone even with all the blocks in bypass, and setting impedances and levels correctly.

Furthermore, the effects could be improved... nothing to say about amp modeling or direct use with IRs etc, I don't care about them because I don't use Helix this way

I missed that detail in your post, sorry.

I was referring to FRFR use... and recording.

FWIW, I have heard the same type comments about the AX8 (though not the case with the FX8 - which was specifically designed for that purpose)

In terms of "what you paid for", I would offer what I always say to people that buy firmware-upgrade-able hardware these days. Don't buy what it might be some day. Buy what it is today. If that won't work for you, don't get it.

Even better... save up a bunch of money and buy 'em all!

That's sage advice whether you're purchasing hardware OR software.

Don't buy on the premise of what it might be.  That'll lead to disappointment.

I'm very fortunate with what I do for a living (get to be around music/gear all day every day).

My "solution" for both hardware and software is to have several different options.  

Not practical for everyone... but it allows cherry-picking the best features of each.

If my informations are exact, Helix has the same AD/DA converters and the same processing power and CPUs of AX8, but with both CPUs freely assignable (except for the paths)... which means double power against for example FX8 (which has only 1 CPU).

 

So the problem of poorer quality effects (and amps) against competitors is only due to a coding problem, not an hardware one: Helix with it's architecture, loops, switching system, user interface could be the absolute best on the market, but in the real world it isn't... because unfortunately the TONE quality doesn't even match that of the competitors; furthermore, Fractal and Kemper are improving a lot their quality, update after update... not only adding models.

 

I hope Line 6 will understand this, and that they concentrate more on this aspect ASAP.

I've owned/used the Kemper, Axe-FX II XL+, AX8, and Helix.

I had the AX8 and Helix side-by-side for a week.  

I was looking for a reason to keep the AX8.  I like what Fractal (Cliff) has done and their dedication to improvement.

In the end, I thought IRs (for acoustic purposes) sounded better loaded into Helix.

I could get good heavy crunch sounds from either.

Ultimately, I just couldn't see enough of a reason to keep the AX8.

Flash forward a few months... and I picked up the Axe-FX II XL+ (again).

My Marshall heavy crunch sound from the Helix is right there with the Axe-FX.

I've spent significant time with Helix.  I've learned a couple of things from Glenn Delaune.

I've created my own Cab IRs (mic'd the way I prefer)... as well as hardware Neve EQ (tone shaping) IRs.

Helix can definitely hold its own.

I got the Axe-FX because I like having the best of both worlds.

Both are excellent tools.