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amp + cab block vs separate amp and cab block


brain-donor
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Sonically I believe they're identical, and you can change the cab independently from the amp in either version. Separate blocks just gives you routing flexibility, to put processing between the amp and the cab.

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I think the only real advantage of the combined blocks would be saving a slot if you're short on real estate. For my part I often like to have stuff between the amp and the cab, and I often like to have cabs in parallel, so the combined block is not a good option for me.

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That made me wonder if anyone has actually ever ran out of slots on Helix? I haven't.

 

Maybe a guy in a Mars Volta cover band, haha! I have run out of slots in front of the amp when doing the "wall of cabs" where the amp is on 1A, 1B is dedicated to a parallel split after the amp feeding into 2A, and there is a dual cab on 1A (after the split) and parallel cabs on 2A and 2B. Not really out of slots so much as slots rendered inaccessible by the requirements of the routing. And an amp+cab block would not be of any help in that situation. So not really relevant to this particular discussion in the least. But there it is...

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During my experimenting with the 3 amp patch setup tried to use the combination amp block to see if I could squeeze out a little more out of the memory but it seems that it uses the same amount of memory to load the combination block or the separate blocks

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While exploring the sounds, feel, response, and characteristics from the various Models of Amps, PreAmps, Cabs, Amp+Cabs, (and Blends of multiple cabs and amps subject to Dynamic DSP limits), I define them individually. This allows for easier isolating or Bypass of any combination of Blocks while demoing.

 

Using Discrete Blocks also allows for other Blocks to be used in between, if desired.

 

Once you dial in your preferred sound, you may find using the Amp+Cab Block simplifies matters, regardless if you use Dual Cabs in the cab portion of the the Amp+Cab block. However, this precludes splitting the path for insertion of different Delays, Verbs or other IR or FX for each cab, and precludes more flexible Blending of the cabs in split paths.

 

Either way, Helix is always flexible, and you can always move things around and change from one method to the otehr as you needs change or creative ideas flourish.

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Is there any advantage to using the combined amp and cab block vs separate amp and cab blocks, or vice versa?

You may like some effects better in between the amp and cab block. I personally like bubble vibrato and tape delay in between (in that order). It gives you a little more flexibility.

 

However you you just are making a quick simple preset that is just amp/cab and maybe a little reverb, just use the combo block.  

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I have never used the combo block one single time.

Because as I'm building the patch, if I add a spring verb or a tremolo effect I want it after the amp but before the cab (close to how it might be in a real amp) and because I can do dual cabs if they are separate, which sound AMAZING... and finally... because if I use a leslie effect, I can turn off the cab when I turn on the leslie.

You won't run out of blocks. Keeping them separated is, imho, the only way to go.

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