drb1982

Does anyone know what mic is what with their IRs? They just said 1a or 1b etc. How do I tell which one is the SM57, etc? Thanks!

When you guys are creating a patch with a new amp model, do you try to make every amp model be able to do a “clean” and “dirty” sound? Or do you just leave it at one setting that you think sounds best? For example, if you are using a model like the Uberschall, knowing that it’s a high gain amp, do you try to make it be able to have a clean channel and distortion channel by using snapshots? I ask because a lot of the models are made as if they are single channel amps when they are not, so it’s hard to get a clean sound out of them because you have to turn the gain way down or off and you lose so much volume. I struggle with this when making patches as I like my amps to be able to do both. Thoughts or suggestions?

I have a question about the helix modelled pedals. If you A/B them with the real pedal it is modelling, should they sound the same ? Or do you need to tweak the settings on the helix to make it sound the same? I’m just kind of curious how the modelling works. If I own a tube screamer and have it the settings set the way I like them, would the same settings with the helix model sound the same or very close?

I am looking to hear some examples of how other people set up their patches with the Helix. I want to see if there is a different method than the one I’m using that would work better for me. Right now I’m basically using one patch for 90% of my playing. I have a Marshall JCM Amp model and I use snapshots on the bottom 4 foot switches to go from clean to distortion. Then I use the top 4 switches for effects, like modulation and delay. This takes care of almost everything I need. However, if a song I’m working on requires different effects, something I don’t use often, I will start a new patch, use the same amp model, and just add the effects needed to the patch. This gives me a consistent tone song after song, as I’m using the same amp model. This method has been working for me so far, but sometimes I can’t help feeling like I’m wasting the helix’s potential. It has so many amp models available and I’m really only using one. Sometimes, to mix it up, I’ll set up a new patch with a different amp model and work out a new song using it. However, when I try to do a set, I find that when I switch between amp models song after song, I don’t like it. The tone isn’t consistent. I must be OCD because I need a consistent tone when I’m playing. I don’t like an entirely different sound song after song. I’m wondering if maybe I should set up a few patches the exact same except with a different amp model in each. That way I can get the same tone for an entire set but have some variety with different amps when I feel like switching. How are you setting up your patches? Do you have one jack of all trades patch? Or do you make a new patch every song? I’d really like to hear everyone’s method for setting them up.

I currently run my helix through the fx return of my combo tube amp. I really like the sound I get. I’ve always liked the sound of quality amp modelling, but I’ve really struggled with cabinet modelling, and I just can’t get into FRFR. I’ve been eyeing the power cab for the last few months, but I’m wondering what benefit I would gain from switching. I get that it has multiple speaker simulations, but I’m pretty happy with the eminence speaker in my combo amp. For those of you who have switched from using helix with a tube amp to the power cab, what are your thoughts so far? Was the switch worth the extra $1,000? How so?

How do you think it would compare with an Alto TS112a? The local pawn shop has one for $200 (Canadian). It’s a little bit more, but both are cheap really. Would the alto be worth the extra money?

Anyone have any experience with these? I can get one for $100 right now. I currently use the helix with a power amp and cab but I’m interested in an FRFR speaker for around the house to tweak and get more comfortable with FRFR. Anyone have any experience with these?

I think this is the route I’m eventually going to go when I have the extra money. What cabinet are you running it into?

When you play live in this set up, do you ever just mic the amp? Or does you always have a parallel path with a cab IR?

Yea, this is basically how I am handling my patches. I also couldn't get into the FRFR style. I really like the feel and sound of a traditional amplifier. I actually think I'm going to explore the 4 cable method too. I have some amps that I love and am not ready to get rid of. I can either use the helix as a pedalboard with an actual amp with some patches, and just the power amp with a helix preamp in other patches. If there is one thing I don't love about the Helix, it is the fact that it makes searching/buying gear seem pointless. I kind of miss searching stores for new gear. But you just can't beat the convenience of this thing.

I think there's an easier and more versatile setup for this than what anyone is describing above. I have a Hot Rod Deluxe and I run the Helix through the effects return of the Hot Rod. This bypasses the hot rod's preamp and you only use it as a power amp and speaker. Then, on the helix, you can select different preamp (or full amp) models. This allows you to have much more versatility than using the 4CM. Let's face it, you aren't going to be able to do high gain stuff (or even hard rock really) using the fender amp. But when you use it as power amp, now you can get all kinds of different amp sounds, like Marshall Plexi or PRS Archon or 5150, etc. And it's only one cable to connect it. I know that a lot of people think even this setup is wasting a lot of the Helix's capabilities, because you aren't using any of the cabinet or microphone simulations, and there is definitely some truth to this. However, using the Helix in the 4CM is like spending $2,000 on a digital pedalboard. Another benefit of this is that it is very quick and easy to dial in a good tone. If you decide to go FRFR, there's a significantly steeper learning curve, as you really need to learn how to dial in the cabinet and microphone models properly. What you will quickly find out about the helix, or any other modeler, is that there are a lot of options on how to use them and there is no "best" way. It's all personal taste. You are going to have to try all of them and see what works for you. But based around your current gear, I still maintain that running it through the FX return of the fender if your best bet.

One other thing I am worried about using this method is the possibility that all my patches will sound basically the same. I really like the tone I get from using the Helix with an actual power amp and speaker, but I do wonder if some time down the road this might happen. Do you find using this set up leads to a homogenized tone?

When you use the effects return of your tube heads, how do you set your patches? Are you using just the preamp models?

I think what I would love to see is a product where a high quality power amp and cabinet are combined and made especially for monitors so you could run a helix or axe or Headrush through it and it be your entire rig. Maybe there is already a bunch of options for this, but I just haven’t seen them. Although from looking at the matrix website it seems like this can be an options with them.

I’ll definitey check it out. It sounds interesting. I tried running my helix through a Headrush frfr and it sounded good but every patch took a lot of tweaking to get it to sound the way I wanted. But When i went through my amps fx return i was able to get the sounds I wanted really quickly. It kind of made me feel like I really liked the amps and effects but not the cab and mic simulation. That’s kind of why I’m looking into a real power amp and cab set up. It seems like most people who are using the Matrix stuff are using the Helix rack unit. Is there a reason for that? I have the LT floor unit.

I don’t know a lot about it. Isn’t it an frfr speaker?

They look pretty cool. Expensive though. For that price I wonder how much better it would even sound than my HRD.

I’m in the same boat. I tried reinstalling the updated and it didn’t work. It doesn’t recognize the device. What a pain. Luckily I still have my amp, but still. I’m always annoyed with any guitar gear that requires a computer to use. Sometimes I just feel like going back to amps and analog pedals.

Hey Guys, I’m looking for some info about some power amp products out there that I’m not aware of for use with my Helix. I currently run my Helix through the fx return of my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I use only the Helix Preamps. I don’t use mic or cabinet modelling. First off, I want to say that I’m really happy with this set up. It sounds great to me. I have a FRFR speaker, but I prefer my HRD. I don’t want this to be a debate about frfr vs guitar speakers. They both sound great it’s just personal preference. What I’m looking for is what are some power amp / cab options that people are using with their helix? Are there products out there that combine a power amp and cab, like the tech 21 power engine? If so, how comparable would it be to what I’m using now? Basically, I’m looking to see if there any high end options for this type of setup? As I said, I’m really happy with my current set up, but I’m always curious about better options. Thanks!

That sounds like a promising idea. So you just buy the power amp and hook it up to actual cab, and then run the helix preamps?

Thanks guys. There’s a lot of good points and advice. I’m wondering if the FRFR speaker I’m using is causing some of the problem, or if it’s just a matter of adjusting to the difference in feel between a real amp and frfr. I’m using a Headrush 108 which is a very cheap speaker. I have really good tube amps and I haven’t really played a cheap amp in years so is it possible the difference in sound / tone quality I’m hearing is the difference Is more about the fact that I’m using a cheap frfr speaker? I’d be curious how much better the sound is with the line 6 power cab or the Friedman ? Anyone have any experiencing trying either of these after using a Headrush or similar price range frfr speaker ? The price difference is really significant. I’d hate to pull the trigger on something like that and not like it

That’s a good point. I don’t really want to have to adjust my patches all that much once it goes to through the house pa. I wonder if I just need to experiment with different frfr speakers to see if I find one that I like more. I went with the Headrush 108 because it was cheap and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money experimenting. Maybe I need something with a bigger speaker.

Thanks for the replies and advice. I can’t say I disagree with any of you. But I think for me, what I’m really looking for, is all the great effect and amp models in one unit like the helix offers, but played through a real cabinet speaker. I don’t like the sounds of the mic and cabinet modelling, but to use the rest of the features of the helix that I love, it feels like I have to use the mic and cabinets also. The only other option I know of is to use helix through the effects loop of a tube amp, but a part of the reason I bought the helix was to get away from tube amps and have a plethora of different amps at my disposal. I get that most people feel that helix was meant to model the sound of a micd amp, and not meant to to give you the amp in the room sound. But that’s what I want. I want all the amps and effects of the helix AND for the amp in the room sound. If I want the sound micd for the studio or live I would rather just do it myself. I don’t want it to sound micd up when I’m playing in my basement. Is there not an option for this? I don’t know much about the power cab, but is that what it is for? Thanks!

Hello, I’m new to Helix and im looking for advice. When I play my helix through a Headrush FRFR speaker I don’t really love the sound. I won’t say it’s terrible, because it isn’t. I just don’t like it anywhere near as much as when I play the helix through the fx return of my Marshall DSL amp. When I use frfr I use amp and cab models in the helix. When I play through my Marshall I use only preamps. I think my issue is that I don’t like cab and mic modelling. I don’t fully understand them and when I play the different preamp models through my Marshall’s celestian speakers I tend to like all the sounds. My question in this? The point of purchasing the helix was to move away from tube amps, so I don’t want to keep using it this way. Is there an option out there that allows this? Is that what the tech 21 power engine is for? What about impulse responses? Would frfr give me a sounds like an actual amp if I purchased a certain IR? I’m new to this world, but so far I find that I like amp modelling but I don’t like mic and cab modelling. I get too confused with the mic distance and all that. I’m used to just playing through amps without all the tweaking. Any advice on this? I’m sorry if I’m not being very clear