From my experience. If you are using a real world amp and using Helix as effects only then switch the pad off. It sounds as though there is a blanket on my Deluxe Reverb with it on.....so much so I was considering a speaker swap. Other factors to consider are cable lengths / capacitance /pickups used. In the case of real world amps what strength signal the amp is expecting. I would suggest that the Pad is for active Pickups.