Will it Treble Boost?

[DrScythe]

First of all: FINALLY! I was a huge fan of L6 since the beginning of my personal history as a musician. My second "amp" was a POD XT Pro (with a Rocktron poweramp). From there I owned a lot of your stuff (look at signature in case you wanted to ask ;) and always was 'overall happy'; during the Vetta-phase I was completely free of ambitions to buy amps or effects (!). Sadly had to sell it back then and began experimenting with stuff. The HD-series was a little disappointing to me - but that's not to be discussed. The Helix seems to deliver everything I ask of a 'soundsource'. So I glady began saving money for it.

 

But..I got addicted to Treble Boosting over the years. Where others compress the living hell out of everything, put a TubeScreamer in front as a default or can't live without an EQ somewhere in the signalchain I prefer to have a Treblebooster at hand. Not always active but especially for cutting through. So my question is: can the Helix handle a Treblebooster (pedal like the BSM BM-Q) as there is none built in?

 

Not just volume-wise but especially soundwise as some real amps really come to life and others sound broken with a TB.

[DarrellM5]

Helix should handle that pedal easily.

 

Also, I've noticed some of the factory presets have a scribble strip labeled 'treble boost'.  I'll take a closer look tonight and see what effect they've assigned that switch to and how it's set up.

[AParedes]

Helix should handle that pedal easily.

 

Also, I've noticed some of the factory presets have a scribble strip labeled 'treble boost'.  I'll take a closer look tonight and see what effect they've assigned that switch to and how it's set up.

as Darrell said, I would assume this will be fine. you can put the treble boost in one of the four effect loops and assign it to a footswitch, which you can then put whever you like in the signal chain.

[DarrellM5]

So there's a scribble strip labeled 'treble boost' on preset Factory 1 -> 04C Essex A15.  It looks like they're using the 10 band graphic EQ before the amp block.  The settings are:

 

0.0dB              0.0dB         0.0dB         +1.0 dB         +4.1dB          +8.0dB       +8.0dB        +7.4dB        +5.4dB       0.0dB       +3.0dB

31.25Hz               62.5Hz       125Hz           250Hz           500Hz           1kHz            2kHz             4kHz            8kHz        16kHz         Level

 

I like it.  I think it really makes the sound fill out.  I'm going to use this trick in some of my patches.

[Digital_Igloo]

You can also assign a footswitch to, ahem, boost the treble knob on an Amp+Cab block:

1. Press AMP to select the Amp+Cab block and press and hold the Treble knob.
2. Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller) and press the desired footswitch.
3. Turn Knobs 4 (Min Value) and Knob 5 (Max Value) to the desired value range that will toggle when you press the switch.
4. Press HOME to exit.

​If that doesn't quite cut it, you could also assign the same switch to boost the channel volume, drop the bass a bit, and turn up the gain a smidge. Then, since the scribble strip reads "MULTIPLE (3)", you can relabel it "DI Is Super Cool" from the Command Center screen.

[DrScythe]

Thank you all for answering!

 

@DarrellM5: treble boosting with an EQ works - but it's not the same like using a real TB sonically. If you ever have the chance to do so, try it out. There is something different about attack and overdrive when using a TB instead of highs-boosting EQ, especially when using the volume knob. And @Digital_Igloo a higher treble setting on the amp is way different than boosting before the amp. Although those kind of automated changes could easily make different presets for different guitars obsolete. Or at least less 'everything for everything'...

[DarrellM5]

I'll have to try one.  

 

BTW, there is an idea submission on ideascale for a Catalinbread Naga Viper treble booster and the current status is "in review".

[Leftzilla]

DI thanks for the post, I hadn't realized how that option worked and your explanation cleared it up. 

[BigRalphN]

I created an ideascale request number 2796 that they add a Dallas Arbiter Treble Boost to the effects. I know they have a ton of work so effects will probably take the back seat for a bit but the Rangemaster is a simple circuit and should be easier to model than many other pedals.

[DrScythe]

...but the Rangemaster is a simple circuit and should be easier to model than many other pedals.

Yep, there are few things that are simpler. You can teach counting to ten with the parts ;) (so to speak).

 

Another thing: congrats to L6 for usability. I don't even own one and just by the cheat sheet (which you can easily find online) and the manual I feel I could handle this thing within a second. Usability is such a huge factor during 'first contact' with a product...and so often ignored..

[garymwest]

Just use a distortion of choice and change the tone or treble setting by a FS. I made a nice one by boosting a range of 1.5 to 2.0 I also have the level go down a bit because the perceived volume was a bit to much. you should be able to "model" about any treble booster with all the choices in the H.