Where in my signal chain should I place the cab or IR (patch and screen dump inc)

[iamgeorge]

Hoping someone can help with this one.. 

 

I'm super happy with my sound, which is my floor Helix + VHT 100w valve power amp + 2x12 cab.  Sounds really good and I'm really happy with it. 

 

However, I've started pondering on having the 'real amp + cab' on stage, but maybe have an IR or cab in the signal chain so that that can go DI..  I'm just not sure where on the Helix Edit I'd need to put that cab or IR..?  <_<   Can anyone chip and suggest where it should go? Ideally, as I mentioned, having non-FRFR on stage is fine, but having FRFR going to front of house may work also (got this idea from a couple Axe FX users.. just not sure how and where to set it up on the Helix). 

 

I've also attached a patch if that helps as well as a screen dump of that patch.  I use SNAPS with this setup.  It goes from clean to dirty in this song, whereas most songs are just dirty. If I can find a place where to put the cab or IR, I can replicate that for all my patches. Thats the plan anyway! 

 

Any input is welcomed guys.. 

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mfalkler]

I just started setting up my presets this way - so I could go just to an amp and cab or straight to the PA or both without having to save different versions of all my presets.

 

I'm only using 3 of the effects loops for external effects, so this works great for me.  If you're using all 4 of the loops, you can't really do this.  But I insert a loop send at the end of the signal path right before the cab/IR and have that send going to the power amp input on my amp.  This way, the entire signal other than the cab or IR is going to your amp but the full signal including the cab/IR is going to the XLR and 1/4 outputs.

[jbuhajla]

Think of where your "real" amp and cabinet are now in the signal chain. Put your amp model where your preamps are sitting, and put your cabinet/IR at the end. This will simulate what you are currently using. 

 

I generally set my signal chain up in a "typical" manor:

 

compression>clean gain>distortion>amp>modulation>delay>reverb>cab/IR>delay>reverb (modulation/delay and reverb in between amp and cab generally in parallel)

 

Once you start going all modeled, you will find the way you route things will be changing all the time. 

[HonestOpinion]

Think of where your "real" amp and cabinet are now in the signal chain. Put your amp model where your preamps are sitting, and put your cabinet/IR at the end. This will simulate what you are currently using. 

 

I generally set my signal chain up in a "typical" manor:

 

compression>clean gain>distortion>amp>modulation>delay>reverb>cab/IR>delay>reverb (modulation/delay and reverb in between amp and cab generally in parallel)

 

Once you start going all modeled, you will find the way you route things will be changing all the time. 

 

I often use a fairly typical path that generally goes Touch Wah or Wah, Phaser, Compression, Distortion/Overdrive, EQ, Amp, Cab/IR, EQ, Vol. Pedal, Mod FX( e.g. Chorus, Flanger), Delay, Reverb. If the Helix separated the preamp and amp blocks I would probably place modulation, delay, and reverb between them but since these two parts of an amp are not separated I generally place them after the cab block even if I set up a parallel path for them. Have other people tried and if so what do they think of the path used in jbuhajla's example of the modulation, delay, and reverb placed in parallel between the amp and the cab instead of after the cab? This effectively makes the cab the last block in the signal chain before the output.  Do they sound better there? Although I have experimented with this signal path I have not tried this enough to form an opinion. Interesting! As always with block placement, rules are made to be broken.