jordimbrinkman

Thanks! I agree it is super easy to use. Especially when you’re coming from G-system. What you see is what you get. I wish getting the basic sound right (which is the default purpose for any effect/amp imo) was easy to dial in too. Now I learned it’s not. I hope to overcome that with a tube pedal in the loop and easily build my patches with Helix good sounding and easy to dial in :-) effects on top.

Great. Thanks. Good to see others have considered a tube preamp pedal too. I’ll give it a try.

I am disappointed cause the helix + powercab is sold and marketed as easy to setup amp in the room feel etc. I spent Eur 2k and can’t get decent sounds even after view months. It’s true I don’t want to make a study out of this, so probably modeling is not for me (though I used pod in past and wanted to give it a try again). Reason for my post was simply to learn if anyone is using a tube preamp pedal instead of the model amps and is happy with it?There is a reason why the machine has analogue loop options and amp channel switching options (that’s how I used TC g system in the past and that worked great). I think the helix works the same or better, just want to skip the amp models. I think the only way is to try for myself. Cheers

Thanks for your feedback. I'm starting with empty preset and amp only (no cabinet) to make sure I get the basic sound right first. (Not talking about effects. No problem with those. These sound great.). Tried all the cab simulations and parameters in the powercab too. I even borrowed a real tube amp to try dialing in as close as to the amp. When I think I got close the day after, I only hear that digital sound again. Then I switch to the real amp and I'm sold... I passed the stage of trying further. I spent a crazy amount of time. Now I want to enjoy playing guitar again. Trying a true tube pedal would be my last attempt before going back to basics. See my other post which informs my main settings. Thanks!

Hi all, Since about 3 months I switched from full tube setup to Helix floor + Powercab 112 plus. Reason to travel more light. It's a fun and intuitive setup. However I have not managed to get my basic sounds even close to the authentic sound and punch I was used to. Too digital, too processed. I have went through all possible settings, tweaks, research to ensure to get the best out of the tools. I'm not convinced it can deliver the sound 'with balls' which is a default with any tube amp. Sound used to be my strong side during gigs, it has now become my weakness. The band and audience even tell me my sound is not in comparison with the other guitarist (simple tube amp and few pedals). Can't here you, not defined tone etc. My Helix journey is becoming a frustration and want to enjoy playing again instead.  Here the reason of my post. As a final solution, before deciding to sell my Helix and powercab, I am considering to buy a good tube preamp pedal (e.g. Mesa Boogie V-twin, Koch Pedaltone and loop it with the helix. That could give me those true basic sounds. I'd use the tube pedal as amp channels exclusively and use the Helix for effects and programs basically. This solution would still allow me to travel light. Does anyone know if above could be a good solution or would I still miss the tube sound from a power amp? Also does anyone know if tube pedals allow the Helix to select the different channels from the pedal (so you can program clean/overdrive/high gain in presets like you can with 4 cabling method with tradional amps)? Appreciate any advice/experience sharing on above (no need to convince I should continue Tweaking my Helix, I tried all. Simply not satisfied and not enjoying the journey any longer).  Thanks!

Hi all, Since about 3 months I switched from full tube setup to Helix floor + Powercab 112 plus. Reason to travel more light. It's a fun and intuitive setup. However I have not managed to get my basic sounds even close to the authentic sound and punch I was used to. Too digital, too processed. I have went through all possible settings, tweaks, research to ensure to get the best out of the tools. I'm not convinced it can deliver the sound 'with balls' which is a default with any tube amp. Sound used to be my strong side during gigs, it has now become my weakness. The band and audience even tell me my sound is not in comparison with the other guitarist (simple tube amp and few pedals). Can't here you, not defined tone etc. My Helix journey is becoming a frustration and want to enjoy playing again instead. Here the reason of my post. As a final solution, before deciding to sell my Helix and powercab, I am considering to buy a good tube preamp pedal (e.g. Mesa Boogie V-twin, Koch Pedaltone and loop it with the helix. That could give me those true basic sounds. I'd use the tube pedal as amp channels exclusively and use the Helix for effects and programs basically. This solution would still allow me to travel light. Does anyone now if above could be a good solution or would I still miss the tube sound from a power amp? Also does anyone know if tube pedals allow the Helix to select the different channels from the pedal (so you can program clean/overdrive/high gain in presets like you can with 4 cabling method with tradional amps)? Appreciate any advice/experience sharing on above (no need to convince I should continue Tweaking my Helix, I tried all. Simply not satisfied and not enjoying the journey any longer). Thanks!

Great. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated!

Thanks for sharing your extensive insights and suggestions! Much appreciated. I keep working on it. It’s definately a fun journey :-)

THat's great and clear feedback. Look forward to it. Thanks!

Hi! Would anyone know if it is possibe to control the PowerCab 112 plus speaker models from the Helix Floor via L6 Link? I'd like to assign a powercab speaker model from a Helix preset (with L6 link, not interested in midi cables as I want to have a clean setup) so each preset can have the best sounding speaker model from the cab. I saw some discussions on this topic, but no clear conclusion on it as far as I could find. Thanks for any help! :-) Jordi

Hi all,  Since a month I own the Helix Floor + Powercab 112 plus (and the Relay G10S). A great compact setup! I'm impressed by its versatility, all options and ease of use. Before I had a traditional setup: Custom Audio tube pre-amp, mesa 20/20 power amp, TC G-system, Mesa cabinet. Top class sound, but I was tyred of carrying it around... So I made the big switch to modeling. As said I am very impressed, however I am struggling to get my basic sounds right (for which I'm reaching out for help): clean, crunch, rock and high-gain. I know my traditional tube setup is quite a benchmark, but still hoping to get my sounds close to what I'm used to. I kind of miss that punchy/crispy sound, especially when I play with my (rock) band my sound has no clear definition (missing the 'balls'). I really want my setup to work and don't want to give up as I am convinced about the benefits of the Helix. So I was thinking: - to keep tweaking till it's right (it must be me) - try a tube combo amp instead of the powercab - lower my expectations - get help through this forum :-) I go for the last option as I know there are so many happy and experienced Helix users out there. So, here is my question: did any of you go through the same process with satisfying results in the end? Any tips how to get that great basic authentic sound right (which I appreciate is a vague question)? See my current setup/ settings below. Thanks a lot for sharing any experience/advice! Much appreciated! Main guitar: Fender Strat with single pick ups Powercab: Vintage ( sounds most pleasing to me for the few amps I use from clean to high gain) Clean: Solo Lead Clean (amp only, no cab from Helix) Crunch: clean channel above + Screamer Overdrive: Mandarín 80 (amp only, no cab from Helix) Lead: Placater Dirty (amp only, no cab from Helix) On top of above amps (on which I made minor tweaks to most pleasing sound), I experimented by adding EQs, compressors and effects.