What you do with the 'Normal' channel?

[MartinDorr]

Just curious about how many of you use the 'Normal' channel of several Amp models and any feedback you can offer why, how, and for what purpose.

[phil_m]

I tend to like the Bright channels myself, but on Fender amps, the Normal channels offer more clean headroom. The one thing that's nice with the Helix is that you don't have the same sorts of limitations that you do on the real amps. On a real Deluxe Reverb, for instance, you don't have access to the reverb on the Normal channel (unless you modify the amp), but on the Helix, that's not an issue.

[jbuhajla]

Just curious about how many of you use the 'Normal' channel of several Amp models and any feedback you can offer why, how, and for what purpose.

The same as the original amps that were modeled: Use the normal channel to tone down an especially bright sounding guitar if desired, use the bright channel to brighten up a darker sounding guitar if desired. 

[HonestOpinion]

I tend to use the "Normal" channels for my clean undistorted sounds but as others have pointed out there are no hard and fast rules. I will also load a preset up with three different amp models [all using the same cab(s) or IR(s) further downstream] using each amp model as a different channel (clean, crunch, lead) of an amp like you would a multi channel tube amp, again, using the "Normal" channel for my clean sound. I use snapshots to switch between each amp model so I can change various parameters on the amp and cab/IR blocks, and effects when changing "channels" (snapshots).

[MartinDorr]

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

A bit disappointed that there are not more responses, but given that all the ones that did respond use or at least consider using 'Normal' when selecting an amp I am tempted to assume that the overwhelming majority of users do not.

I am just starting to realize how much signal level sensitivity difference exists between the various 'Normal' and 'Bright/Vibrato" channels. On real amps this could get in the way, but on Helix a simple Gain block in front or after is all it takes to adjust for that, and like phil_m said, the functional differences (e.g., reverb) between channels on the real amp are not a factor on Helix.

As I am basically a bloody beginner (no significant real amp experience) I am just looking for clues on how to productively limit the huge range of options on Helix when on the hunt for sweet spots on the different amp models.

Again, thanks for your feedback and the many other contributions you guys make on this forum.

[amsdenj]

The bright channels can be very useful. Typically these are done with a simple bypass capacitor on the volume or gain control. What cool about this control is that the more you turn it up, the less bright boost you get. So of you put say Drive on a footswitch with max and min values, you can get a nice bright clean sound at low values, and then the tone warms up naturally when the drive is turned up.

[GenoBluzGtr]

I tend to use the Normal channels more than Bright because on those real amps, that's the channel I used.  Tweed Bassman, Plexi, etc.  I found that my guitars, pedals, desired tone, etc were much easier to achieve via the normal channels.  The bright was too strident and "fizzy" or "buzzsaw"-like.  

 

So when I got me Helix (only a few weeks ago, I'm a newbie), I tend to use the "NRM" versions for the very same reason.  I lean toward Cleans and Classic-Rock-style overdriven tones, and the NRM versions just seem so much easier to dial that in.  There is still too much fizz and "spittiness" in the BRT versions for my taste.

 

On the Blackface models (Twin / Deluxe), I go for the Vibrato Channels because those amps tend to need a little more push in the mids and the extra gain stage in the Vibrato channel is definitely nicer (to my ears).  I also used Vibrato on those real amps because i wanted to use the Tremolo and Reverb. 

[amsdenj]

Yes, normal channels, without the bright bypass cap on the volume control, make a better pedal board platform. In this case you can use the pedals to tailor the tones you need, and the amp is just providing the foundation for the clean tone.