themetallikid

And this is the reason we are choosing to go the route we are. Among other reasons, he mixes more like a cd/jukebox mix, and not a 'live' mix. I don't want to get into ranting about details but we get comments on how we sound as a whole. The bass/kick isn't punchy, its more like a bad sub in a ghetto car you hear driving by...the guitars aren't 'in your face' they are mixed 'polite' (2 guitar band playing 80's90's rock covers, we should be more guitar driven for a sound...I'd think), and generally you can't really hear the 2nd guitar much out front, even though we play complimenting parts on a lot of songs (Anyone really hear Izzy on Appetite for Destruction? its like 80% Slash in the mix unless you pan the audio) and the other guitar is the only guitar sometimes when I'm singing. People say his sound is a little harsh, I don't hear that necessarily but others make a comment on it. There just isn't any reason for us to get those comments when he has the gear he has, and refuses to listen to us regarding how 'we' want to be mixed. Our vocals (although he swears they aren't) are being compressed/limited in a way that when I sing 3 Doors down I'm at say a 6 on my voices volume, when I sing Metallica/Rob Zombie etc, I'm usually more like a 8 or 9, however the monitor mix is only giving us about a 7.5, and that 7.5 isn't enough to get through cleanly. Again, don't want to lose point of the original questions, but you get my point, this change is necessary at this point, lol. This has been my goal as well. If we have a new sound guy (next week we have one filling in) I want to be able to tell him to run me flat and adjust from there....I usually like hearing my guitar through other systems flat as it gives me some better feedback on what could be wrong in some other scenarios. I get minor adjustments for the mix/room or whatever....but generally I'm pretty much a set it and forget it tweaker. Yes that is where I'm going, I just need to get some time comparing A to B and then I'll have a better reference... Specifically what I meant by 'stiff' before...I'll try to describe it....at home and the 'current' PA situation, my guitar has an openness in the mids...a fuller Marshall/Slash type sound, I typically low/hi cut at 120/12k and am happy with only a slight boost in the 800-1k range to cut through a little more. Sounds good to my ears....with the limited time I've had on the new PA...it seems like the mids are very 'tight' or thin sounding....like its not a very open sound. I have the channel EQ 'off/flat' right now per my thoughts above on that...But when I cycled through my sounds a bit so we could start setting a band mix, and I listened to my guitar on its own, it was not what I was expecting...I know I need more time to fully evaluate it, but given how easily and good we got the drums/bass/rhythm guitar and vocals sounding...my guitar was a shocker when it didn't hit that same mark of awesome. lol. I'll check my wedge and get the powered speaker set models and maybe I can draw some comparisons...thanks again I appreciate the conversation/thoughts...I sometimes have to go through this process outloud to get it....you guys are awesome! CHEERS!!

I'm at work, but I'll clarify a few things....as I don't have all the information your referring to Duned.....but I do appreciate the help.... 1) the new pa is being run by us, so far everything sounds great. 2) I haven't spent a ton of time on my guitar with the new pa, as I'm the most cpu savvy one in the group, and I bought the mixer, I've been the one deemed to set it up. 3) I know enough about sound to get by, but am by far any sort of an 'expert'. we do have the main EQ set in a way that everything else (first tweaked with several MP3 sound examples being played through it, then with setting up channels, for the most part avoiding EQ except for some obvious channels.) 4) I don't know which exact model I have at home, I'll have to check, its a powered 15 and works great, sounds great at home....the little bit of time I've had with my guitar at practice has been more of a rush to check signal level, and establish general guidelines, and what I heard sounded just different than what I recall from my powered wedge and the little bit I heard from previous sound guys system. 5) I have not had a chance yet to A/B directly our new FOH vs. EV wedge....but that's what I was hoping to minimize time required with my original question. If I compared specs between the two, could I get in the ballpark just based on that, or if (as I expected) its a 'set it up and tweak' thing....which I'm ok with, I'll just need to set aside time to do it correctly.

I would take a picture but he is using the X32 series which is all run on a tablet he uses....so not as easy as an analog board. He has been our soundguy for about 7 years, but we are shifting to running our own system. So if I ask it will begin to rock the boat and we haven't told him yet, and we aren't ready to do that yet...however once we do, we are about 85% sure he will take his ball and go home. Which I understand in a way..... The issue for me is time....we have 2 remaining practices before I go on vacation for 2 weeks and I get back the day before we have 2 shows for st. patty's day weekend. At least my base presets are set from an amp/effects/volume standpoint, I just need to worry about swapping IR's and adjust EQ's which once I find ones that work, is just a copy/paste exercise in HX Edit.....its just hard to find time to spend with the system all hooked up. The other guitar player owns the speakers and I own the mixer (Xair 18). I did setup a few test presets with a typical Amp sound, and a few different IR's that sound good at home, and then setup snapshots with different EQ Low/HI Cuts of 1) no cuts 2) 100/12k 3)120/8k 4)150/6k That should help me find a speaker IR that sounds good, and then go through the snapshots to find the best EQ starting point for the low/high end. Also added a gain block at the end of 3db so I can get my lead boosts set right cause I'm sure the mixers channel gain will be different between what he has it set (he is stuck on keeping the fader at unity gain if possible, ugh don't get me started)...and with him I was having to use +8db boost at the end of my chain on the gainier presets.

Other than just spending time (which is limited in the short term) are there any specs I can compare between two speaker systems to know how presets will sound from A>B? My current powered wedge (EV) is pretty close to my sound guy (soon to be ex sound guy), however our new system seems to be on the brighter/stiffer side of the spectrum. Now, I don't know what my current sound guy is doing at the board, but he raves about my current presets...and generally trusts my ears for what I bring to the table. However, he is unwilling to share his information so I don't know if I'm being run flat or other stuff is happening. Any specs I can use to compare models/brands to have an idea of how to adjust things....other than just logging hours between the two units?

I wouldn't feel comfortable discussing the details of the exchange, only because I work in a similar field of customer service and don't want to set an expectation that every scenario would be like mine....however, I will say it was not the full price difference between the 2 models. Also, I've only had my Helix for just over a year, it was replaced pretty early on for the same issue, and this one was great but then start exhibiting the same response issues with it reading the pedal travel ranges.

I get your points... however, at the end of my chain, I still prefer to have an EQ (usually parametric) where I adjust the low/hi cuts as I run direct to the board. With my last presets I was hovering around 120-12k, but with the new PA we are using the 12k seems a bit high as I get lots of shrill bite and am thinking I may 'globally' on the board want to roll that down to around 8k or something, that way I can save one extra block in my chain if possible. I don't use the stock cabs, I'm using some IR's I prefer. I typically blend 2 of them (please give us a stereo IR block so we don't have to use the parallel option for this) one is the typical front of the cab, the other is a 'rear' cab sound which I blend in just enough to give it some more depth and resonance in the low end. Works well for me....

ahh, much thanks, I couldn't remember if it was here or TGP that I saw something like that. Thank you, I can't view that forum at work, so I'll have to check it out when I get home.

Does anyone have any sort of graphs using some fancy equipment i can't afford that shows the rolloffs of the low/hi cuts of the various EQ's? We have moved to a new PA system and I'm struggling with getting the right high end bite without shrill/ice pick 'noise'. I had it dialed in pretty well with my 'current/ex' soundguy...and as much as he raved about my latest presets being my best....I do not know what he was doing in the mixer. I've setup a few test presets with different snapshots....each one with increasing/decreasing low/hi cuts so I can hear which sounds best with the current speaker setup, however.... If I find a rolloff range that works well in my preset, I'd like to set that as the range on the boards low/hi cuts. NOW....I know some will frown about that, but it would save me a block in my chain, and if all my presets sound good at 120/8k, then I dont see the issue with setting a 'global EQ cut' at that range. Sure there may be some that require more/less of a cut, but as long as the global on the lowest/highest setting of whatever I decide is where it sits, it shouldnt affect anything more than it should. Just looking for something that shows me the visual curves of those low/hi cuts as our mixer is the Behringer Xair series, and I can see the EQ curves for my guitars channel. any help?

Yeah saving custom settings with custom names would really open up the Helix for me....as far as saving time when trying to create new things. I don't get a ton of time to really tweak. I have my core sounds, and then usually have to go off that....however, if I want a new sound, I have to start from scratch amp/IR then add a preEQ, then add a post EQ, then add, and add and add....and with each 'add' you have to tweak from scratch each time....where as if I want a clean sound with a dirt pedal mixed 60%, I can just recall my fave clean amp settings, and then drop in my saved 'Sparkle Drive' pedal in front, and maybe adjust something, but that should get me more ballpark than starting from scratch. even having a 'template' saved, still means I have to disable what I don't need right away, then turn things on.....tweak....remove blocks I don't want/need etc..... DI talked about his pet peeve, this is one of mine. I don't need 200 amps like some other boxes have, just let me save the different sounds I get with the amps that are here and I can get more sounds that I need to quickly with ease. (sorry to hijack on a tangent there, lol)

The actual effects/amps cannot be renamed. I've been waiting for the ability to save 'custom' settings for effects, and if that was the case you could save that setting as whatever you like. The Fractal/Boss units I had...had that ability and it was nice. I could save a "Rhythm Tubescreamer", "Lead Tubescreamer" as well as a "Gritty JCM800" and "80's JCM 800" without having to copy/paste from a different preset....after I remember what preset had the settings I wanted.

Ok, so again L6 customer service comes through and goes above and beyond my expectations....I have a full Helix inbound to me (arriving Tuesday). With that said, I doubt with the time of the day (friday evening), that I'll get a response to my support ticket before Monday....which I will have to do a bulk of my work over the weekend.... Is it possible that that the issues I'm having with the exp pedal not reaching the full 100% consistently in the travel (to allow auto engage to work correctly) is an effect of a corrupted preset? I doubt it, but before I start copying things over and creating my song specific presets....I just want to eliminate that possibility. I can' t post a preset currently, maybe later once I get it setup....but any technical Helix gurus able to chime in with their thoughts?

I haven't tried this yet, but someone told me you could open multiple HX Edits and just open both presets, I could be wrong on this..... but then you can copy/paste without having to save and jump between presets....

That is my go to as well. I find it the easiest to dial in for 'live' use.

I don't believe so, however, if you set it up to be 4/4, wouldn't pushing the 'mode' button put you in stomp mode which would give you access to 8 stomps? I don't use the 4/4 snaps/stomp mode myself, I do preset/snaps, and use the mode button to pull up the stomp page if I need it.

yeah I may be doing that tonight. I just feel like I'm missing out on a lot of flexibility in preset creation not trusting it to reach the full 100% (or whatever % I set max to)

yes to me, I've used the Rocktron Banshee in this manner. (not with the helix)...but with my axe FX and also my Boss GT 100.... There a few ways you can run it....into the 'input' or in the FX loops..... into the input is the manual recommended way..however this removes the simplicity of routing the on/off of the effect....using it in the FX loops of whatever unit allows you to control the use of the effect on your pedalboard. I've thought about adding one again, and I personally would run it in the FX send/return that way I could create snapshots using the effect. Take the song by Alice In Chains "Man In The Box".. It'd allow me to incorporate the talk box in 3 ways....1)talkbox only, 2) guitar only, 3) talkbox + guitar (mix I choose). It takes some work, but the flexibility in the FX Loop scenario is well worth it once you figure it out.

So I am starting to have the same issue I had with my previous LT regarding the expression pedal and the full range of 0-100%. Was gonna create a support ticket again, but thought I'd reach out here first for a home remedy...... My previous LT was exchanged for a new one to remedy the issue last time, but this LT is has been great for several months, and now is behaving the same way again. What is happening is that I (used to) have the wah set to auto engage at 97%, so when I rock back the wah comes on. Works great, or did work great and on a few presets I have that tied to other effects being triggered as well. However, this only worked great when I was using 7 stock presets, with lead versions of those as well. Now that I’m happy with the 14 sounds I have, I’d like to consolidate those sounds into making song specific presets as I can add a whammy, or a phaser or whatever as I really don’t use those unless required by the song (cover band stuff only, if it was my own songs I’d just make a be-all-end-all ‘pedalboard’), however with the behavior of the expression pedal…it makes it really difficult. I’ve created a work around for the wah pedal, by taking the auto engage out of it and just using the toe button to jump between EXP 1 and EXP 2…however that’s annoying when trying to use a Whammy. It sounds much better to just leave it ‘on’ and use the exp to dive down. I could use the button strategy like the way, however, if I want to use Whammy and Wah on the same preset, I’m screwed. My issue (sorry so long of a background)….is that my pedal with just the slightest weight of my foot will read 100%, but as soon as I lift it, it backs down to 96-97%, for a wah I usually could just change presets and back and that would turn the wah off by nature of how the preset was saved….this however, does not work with the whammy and being shifted down that 3% is painful to hear in the band context, lol. Any quick fixes to force it to sit at 100% or is this unit junk like the last one? It really makes me want to upgrade to the Full Helix for the heavier duty exp, however I don’t need the routing options, and I doubt I’d be able to get L6 or Sweetwater to allow me to just pay the difference being how long I’ve had it now.

So, if I put the FreqOut in a loop, and the Digitech Drop/Variax going into the input of the Helix....I should be able to simulate an Eb/Drop C# or D/Drop C guitar feeding back, though my guitar is tuned in E Standard or Drop D. Hmm...I could also see where you'd want it controllable via expression pedal to sort of sweep it in volume/mix wise like feedback would naturally occur.

if I have a Variax guitar, and have the preset set to tune the guitar down to D (standard guitar E string resonance)....will using the FreqOut still work for adding pleasant feedback? This has been the one reason I have not jumped on a Variax/Digitech Drop scenario is that I have a few songs where holding that note til it sustains/feedsback is just part of the song...and you just can't get there with just the pitch shift alone

Ok, So you can still use it as a regular guitar per preset/snapshot, and/or use it with the piezo pickups to take advantage of the alternate sounds. makes sense then...advantage Variax then. Using the software I no longer have to handle pickup changes for tone, just hit a different snapshot. The tones are snapshot selectable, not just preset?

So, I'm asking this just cause Variax tech is new to me....visually I think this is a stupid question, lol.......with the Shuriken....am I losing the ability of a neck pick up sound or middle position? Its hard for me to type that cause visually its obvious....but didnt know with the software you can make that one pickup function as a neck/middle position.

yeah that helps and that is exactly what I'd love to use with it as well. I'll keep doing my research and see what happens with NAMM. Thanks guys, appreciate it.

yeah I'm not looking to push the purchase button quite yet, as I've got a cruise/vacation coming up and wanna make sure I dont short that budget....but Its been on my radar for awhile. In regards to it being a hit or miss issue (assuming nothing new comes out, your right that does seem like a long time for something to be not updated, and with NAMM coming...who knows), your saying the same player/preset song could be played over different guitars of the same model and some have it more than others? Hmm, I suppose even with the same player there will be variances in hand position and pressure and all that...but if they can't ID the problem and have stopped researching it that long ago, I'm guessing they maybe went back to the drawing board and instead of issuing a 'fix' of some sorts they maybe are doing a complete overhaul....who knows. I appreciate the info Cruisin, as I'm a little late to the variax game and trying to catch up.

I dont do metalcore...but things like the main verse riff to Enter Sandman, or Sad But True....a lot of Green Day we do (basket case). I'm not above the idea that most of the audience wont be able to tell the difference anyway....but if something isnt to my liking it will eventually wear on me....I'm thinking this wont be the case though. Id imagine if it was that bad of an issue, the platform wouldnt survive or people would be crying more about it. So whats the difference between the models? I've looked a bit online but havent really fully researched it...is there any significant difference in models?

Wow, thanks guys for the info, thats pretty much what I'm hoping to really discuss. I dont have much use (yet??) for alternate tunings really. My band covers songs that right now range from Standard E/Eb/D, and the drop 'D' versions of those as well. I'm assuming that can all be programmed via presets/snapshots, so there is definite ease of live use there. The additional use of different style guitars would be great...especially acoustic....It'd be nice when we do acoustic shows to have that flexibility of doing a clean bluesy electric and acoustic without having to get up between songs. Regarding the variax pickup system, I've read the palm mute 'issues' and also read they arent much of a problem anymore cause the technology is so much better now....however without hearing it for myself, I have a hard time overcoming my hesitancy. A lot of the drop D, and whole step down does have some chugging palm muting as an integral part of the song riffage...and between me and the other guitar player...I tend to carry the bulk of that chunk in the tone...I've listened to videos and I can hear what people complain about, but then I hear others say it isnt that bad......opinions? If it helps, we cover everything from Johnny Cash/Neil Diamond to Metallica/Nickelback (yeah, I said it, lol) and lots of 80's/90's stuff in between....