Line 6 Helix HX Cabinet Studio computer app

[roscoe5]

I would really, really, REALLY like to see Line 6 develop something for computer like the Amplitube Cab Room with an intuitive graphical interface and maybe more custom tweaker options than in the Helix hardware.  I don't think we need EVERY possible configuration/IR file in the Helix hardware, but maybe we could use more options at the computer level to fill the gap between current Helix HX Cabs and custom IR's. 

 

Helix hardware could keep a basic set of the most important controls for live use.  Also, maybe a set of factory HX cabs stays, but we would have space for user HX cabs.   Most importantly, the custom HX cabs we configure and audition with Helix and PC should sound exactly the same and function like an HX cab.

 

With all of my experimenting, one of the workflows I absolutely love is auditioning Helix amps through the Amplitube Cab Room.  It is SO efficient and intuitive to graphically visualize cab type, speaker type, mic's and placement, dual cabs, etc. while playing guitar, running a loop, etc. through headphones, studio monitors, live tube rig, etc.  Unfortunately, the IR's I capture from those configurations are slightly different sounding than they were in AT4 form...sometimes better, sometimes worse, but different.  I generally get in the ballpark, then rip 10-20 IR's out to get 4 or so ones I like.

 

I really think the Helix cabs are more consistent and controllable than IR's...probably by design.  I also think Helix HX cabs are better quality than Amplitube cabs, but I can more quickly, easily, and enjoyably get to the tones in my head using Helix amps and the Amplitube Cab Room (pre-IR). There are things in AT that I can do that make a huge difference in tone that I cant do in Helix.

 

We know there are infinite options with IR's (cab, speaker, mic, position, amp type for creation, room, etc.) resulting in thousands of possible IR files, which I believe many of us, including myself, do not want to deal with at the file level.  I think we are also realizing that cab models (Helix, Amplitube, etc.) are essentially IR's.  A slick computer UI would tie it all together and put a bow on it for me.

[Leftzilla]

Line 6 did try this with earlier modelers (if I take what you are suggesting correctly) and computer interface hardware where the current POD modeler of the time was available as  embedded computer modeling.  Whether they do that for the Helix remains to be seen , but I think its safe to say that they are focused on the hardware end of it at the moment and using that same hardware as the source via USB or other interface method.

[roscoe5]

To me, it's as much about the underlying technology, IR's, and functionality as the appearance and UI.   I mean, AT4 actually looks a lot like Pod Farm to me on the surface.

 

In AT4 I just grab left, right, or room mics and quickly drag them around in 3D space.  I can quickly mix and match speaker types in a cab.  I can change the cab dimensions.  I can use an intuitive mixer for all the mics and overall input and output levels on the same screen.  There is even some intuitive reverb offered by the room type and room mic distances.  Now I couldn't tell you precisely how authentic these virtual actions are to the physical world, but they are close, intuitive, and make noticeable differences in the tones.

 

Now under the hood, this AT functionality may be a mix of individual IR's, IR mixing, and algorithms.  But for the user at the UI level, it is very intuitive, efficient, and straightforward.

 

I think the Helix HX cabs are great.  There are just a few functions and options that AT Cab Room and 3rd Party IR's have that Helix doesn't.

 

Fundamentally, what I am asking for would probably result in L6 making many, many more IR's for each cab for both mic distance across the speaker as well as from the face, mic angle (at least an off-axis option), for each mic, not to mention mix/match of different speaker types in the same cab.  I'm not sure what kind of space/processing impact this would have in the hardware.   This is why I am proposing putting this at the computer level and importing the custom cabs to the hardware.  Who knows, they may already be doing some of this as it makes sense to them and their product roadmap.

 

Regardless, I am greatly enjoying Helix in its current state.  With the current functionality Helix offers and 3rd party IR's, DIY IR's, or software plug in's, I am able to get just about anything I want.  I feel no need to look at any other hardware manufacturer.

 

I just wanted to throw out some options and functionality that, in my mind, would put them ahead of the other hardware and IR competition.

[klangmaler]

I know and work with IK Amplitube, NI guitar rig, Bias FX and some more.

 

Again, I'm really happy that the L6 crew did such a great job and so

I don't have to care of IR cab tweaking so much with Helix :) !

 

I use IR's for tweaking acoustic sounds in the first place...