Bessant1 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Hi guys, I'm new here so sorry in advance for the silly questions, I play in a wedding band and I've got a semi decent pedal board but my funds ran out and I currently play through a £200 fender amp, I'm hoping to get a helix in the next couple of months.. so my question is.... if i buy a helix, can i buy a passive cab say a 2x12, would this be ok, i'm asking this because i don't want to spend £1200 on a helix and then run it through a rubbish £200 amp, I want the helix output straight into a cab? cheers guys...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 There is no power amplification in Helix. It won't connect directly to a passive 2 x 12. It needs SOME kind of an amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 You can, however, run it direct into the PA and they can feed it back to you in the monitors, if the monitors are decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessant1 Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Thanks for the reply guy's......I've never gone through the PA, I've always just played through a combo off to the side, so the answer is either go through the PA and get a decent passive monitor or get a really good active monitor...and just plug the helix straight into that? any recomendations for the active one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 You can't run Helix directly into a passive speaker because there needs to be an amplifer to drive the speaker. That is why you need to run it into an active speaker. What Fender amp do you have? If it has an effects loop, you can still play Helix through that with the 4 cable method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicLaw Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Aside from the possibility of using your existing amp, if it has an FX Return, as a powered cab, you could replace your amp with one that does have an FX Loop (i.e Fender Mustang III v.2 1x12, Fender Mustang IV v.2 2x12, or others), or, go with one (or two) 10" or 12" powered FRFR Monitors (Yamaha DBR10, DBR12, DXR10, DXR12, or similar). There are loads of choices and price points, and how much gear you want to drag along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willjrock Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Helix will probably sound fine thru your fender if you set it up correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessant1 Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 Thanks for the reply guys...It'a a fender champion 100, it does have an fx loop, would it be better to use that rather than putting the helix into the input of the amp? again sorry for the silly questions...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willjrock Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Absolutely, though anything is possible. Your whole goal is to by pass the fenders preamp (which you would be hitting by plugging into the front of the amp) and allow the helix to be the fenders new preamp so to speak. Or said another way, the only thing you want the fender for is the power amp section and the speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I have a couple of small combos that I use, Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and a Blackstar Studio 20. I use the 4 cable method so I can run effects into front end and also in the effects loop. Or you can bypass the preamp and use models into the power amp. With the Blues Deluxe on clean I run amp models into the front end of the amp and they sound great. I also run just direct to the FOH and monitor the mix through in ears a lot too (no guitar amp). There is a lot of flexibility. I would try it before spending any extra money. You may be happy with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willjrock Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Good advice above. Especially about the money. Theres no doubt you can get buy very nicely with what you have now. If it were me i would A) plug into the PA for a little added reinforcement. B) also plug in to an amp on stage. If it sounds good, point it at the audience. If the amp's sounds dont meet your demands, then keep it pointed away from the audience and just use it as your monitor C) Take a pair of phones (or probably a little cooler - earbuds) so you have a fail proof way of monitoring yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessant1 Posted January 7, 2017 Author Share Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks guys...well I've kinda decided to take the plunge and buy a helix.....So.. my next question... plugging up, what would you recommend? the 4 cable method? could you explain that to me please? or is it as simple as guitar-helix-front of amp? or will the fender's pre amp take away some of the helix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I would go 4cm because it gives you the flexibility of using the preamp in your amp (probably won't color the sound all too much) or bypass it and to to the power amp using the preamp models in the Helix. You can also take the XLR outputs to PA as necessary. So you will be hearing yourself through your amp, and also through FOH. There are lots of videos on how to connect the 4cm. Do a quick google search and you will be on your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicLaw Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 For electric guitar, your Fender Champion 100 2x12 should sound very good with the Helix! Simply run the Helix's Main Amp Out to the Champion's PWR IN. This bypasses the Champion's PreAmp, Tone Stack, Cab Sims, etc., rendering the Champion a Powered Cab for the Helix. Once you get familiar with running Helix this way, try the 4cm to see if it adds to your choices. When I use the Helix with my Mustangs, I don't bother with the 4cm, as the Helix's Amps, FX, and flexibility is superior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessant1 Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 This is great, Thank you so much guy's...... And my very last question, is the Helix as good as I think?I've watched tons of review's and it sounds amazing, I'm kinda thinking that I won't need to buy anything else for a very long time..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 ...... And my very last question, is the Helix as good as I think?..... No. It's better. ;) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 This is great, Thank you so much guy's...... And my very last question, is the Helix as good as I think?I've watched tons of review's and it sounds amazing, I'm kinda thinking that I won't need to buy anything else for a very long time..... Helix was twice as impressive as what I thought it would be. Give it some time with the learning curve at first, but it is a very fast learning curve. Helix is my only tone/effects equipment any more. Just a couple of extra expression pedals for it. It fits a large range of needs for lots of different players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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