PeterHamm 646 Posted January 17, 2018 Perhaps it's just my area, but it seems like everyone has had a Metal Zone at some point. You can pick them up at any pawn shop for like $30. If you have a metal zone, try this. guitar into metal zone into Helix... into SV Beast Normal (or bright). into 8x10 SV Beast cabinet. I'm not even kidding. I don't know that it's a USABLE sound... but it's really interesting. We tried this years ago in a music store I worked in with a real SVT and a Metal Zone and some super-start and couldn't believe how amazing it sounded. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surfsup1955 28 Posted January 17, 2018 I doubt it. I used to love the acoustic guitar amp in the upgrade for HD 500, but my current Acoustic IR->Studio Tube Pre->LA Studio Comp->Parametric EQ is about a million times better sounding. Is that preset posted anywhere? Would like to check it out. I own plenty of 3Sigma acoustic IRs. I’ve tried the Studio Tube Pre from every direction, IRs, EQs, etc. That pre amp model is a bit harsh for my ears. Definitely up for some high end reverbs.. Thx! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shawnt113 11 Posted January 17, 2018 Improvement of the amps/cabs thats already in Helix, better cabs in general along with the new reverbs...... What kind of improvements are to talking about? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeterHamm 646 Posted January 17, 2018 Is that preset posted anywhere? Would like to check it out. I own plenty of 3Sigma acoustic IRs. I’ve tried the Studio Tube Pre from every direction, IRs, EQs, etc. That pre amp model is a bit harsh for my ears. Definitely up for some high end reverbs.. Thx! My own are super esoteric and maybe not helpful. But dial up those blocks, First select the 3 Sigma IR that sounds best by itself. set a lo cut in the IR block to about 90 or 100hz, and set the level to -6db set the Tube Pre to gain 3.0, level 10, sensitivity line Leave the LA Studio comp at defaults but turn peak reduction down to about 7 maybe Set the parametric EQ to boost around 200hz just a teeny bit (I do 2db), cut midfreq at 2.7k just -2db, and boost7.5k about 3.5db. Leave the Q alone in all three bands except turn the high Q down to about 0.1 See if that works. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surfsup1955 28 Posted January 17, 2018 My own are super esoteric and maybe not helpful. But dial up those blocks, First select the 3 Sigma IR that sounds best by itself. set a lo cut in the IR block to about 90 or 100hz, and set the level to -6db set the Tube Pre to gain 3.0, level 10, sensitivity line Leave the LA Studio comp at defaults but turn peak reduction down to about 7 maybe Set the parametric EQ to boost around 200hz just a teeny bit (I do 2db), cut midfreq at 2.7k just -2db, and boost7.5k about 3.5db. Leave the Q alone in all three bands except turn the high Q down to about 0.1 See if that works. OK, will set that up and see how it does. Pretty much those device settings are close to mine +/- here and there. However, running the IR into the pre amp might make the difference.. thx 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duncann 758 Posted January 17, 2018 If you have a metal zone, try this. guitar into metal zone into Helix... into SV Beast Normal (or bright). into 8x10 SV Beast cabinet. I'm not even kidding. I don't know that it's a USABLE sound... but it's really interesting. We tried this years ago in a music store I worked in with a real SVT and a Metal Zone and some super-start and couldn't believe how amazing it sounded. I've not tried a metal zone into Helix, or a guitar into an SV Beast, but I've tried a guitar into a Plexi Jump (Helix model that is) into an 8x10 SV Beast. It was a tone unique enough, and one that I liked enough to use it as the lead part in one of my songs. So for me, the cabinet portion of your suggestion above is usable. Not sure where I originally got the idea from about the 8x10, but I think it was from Aris Laf, a forum member here, quite some time ago. It might even have been pre-Helix. The model-pack era of the HD. lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtrbldr_h 7 Posted January 18, 2018 please!! mesa mark IIc+ Would be nice, but somehow I do not see the added value since we already have a very nice model IV, that does about the same trick... I have had a mesa quad (essentially a mkIIc married with a mkIII) and I can get in the same ballpark with the mkIV lead model. If they were going to add another mk model: a classic mk I lead might be nice. That is definately another beast. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbuhajla 325 Posted January 18, 2018 If you have a metal zone, try this. guitar into metal zone into Helix... into SV Beast Normal (or bright). into 8x10 SV Beast cabinet. I'm not even kidding. I don't know that it's a USABLE sound... but it's really interesting. We tried this years ago in a music store I worked in with a real SVT and a Metal Zone and some super-start and couldn't believe how amazing it sounded. So you're the one that blows the bottom left speaker in all of those 8x10s... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebel420 3 Posted January 18, 2018 Some of the classic Steely Dan hits were recorded with the guitar going into a cranked SVT, so yea, they can work nicely for guitar...especially if you don’t like your neighbors! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColonelForbin 312 Posted January 18, 2018 Well, the next firmware version will be 2.50 and will be presented in the Winter NAMM 2018 show held from the 25th-28th January. According to him (DI) this will be the "controversial firmware" update.. And will include the new HX reverbs... I want these Controversial Reverbs of the HX variety!!! Yes Please! Can the controversial portions be set to spillover between snapshots? ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shawnt113 11 Posted January 18, 2018 Would be nice, but somehow I do not see the added value since we already have a very nice model IV, that does about the same trick... I have had a mesa quad (essentially a mkIIc married with a mkIII) and I can get in the same ballpark with the mkIV lead model. If they were going to add another mk model: a classic mk I lead might be nice. That is definately another beast. I've never played a Mark aside from a V but I have a Fractal Axe FX II and my understanding is those models are spot on and I can say that the Mk II and the MK IV models in the AF2 are very different, not just in tone (which can be addressed with EQ) but in feel, I assume its a gain structure thing. If we could only have 1 I would definitely g for the Mk IV but it would certainly be nice to have both. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phil_m 4,466 Posted January 18, 2018 I want these Controversial Reverbs of the HX variety!!! Yes Please! Can the controversial portions be set to spillover between snapshots? ;) Huh? Spillover between snapshots already exists... It's kind of the point of snapshots to an extent. Or was that statement a joke I'm not getting? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColonelForbin 312 Posted January 18, 2018 Huh? Spillover between snapshots already exists... It's kind of the point of snapshots to an extent. Or was that statement a joke I'm not getting? Yeah; bad joke I am afraid to say! I guess Captn Picard didn't quite make that clear.. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbuhajla 325 Posted January 18, 2018 Yeah; bad joke I am afraid to say! I guess Captn Picard didn't quite make that clear.. :) Nice job Number 1, I guess that landed up being a Number 2. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erniedenov 54 Posted January 18, 2018 Would be nice, but somehow I do not see the added value since we already have a very nice model IV, that does about the same trick... I have had a mesa quad (essentially a mkIIc married with a mkIII) and I can get in the same ballpark with the mkIV lead model. If they were going to add another mk model: a classic mk I lead might be nice. That is definately another beast. I've never played a Mark aside from a V but I have a Fractal Axe FX II and my understanding is those models are spot on and I can say that the Mk II and the MK IV models in the AF2 are very different, not just in tone (which can be addressed with EQ) but in feel, I assume its a gain structure thing. If we could only have 1 I would definitely g for the Mk IV but it would certainly be nice to have both. I've owned a Mesa Mark IIc and a Mark III. They were fairly similar in sound, but the Mark III is generally brighter. Even after I exchanged the stock EV speaker with the same Celestion that was in the Mark II, it was brighter. I've never owned a Mark IV, but I've used rented ones on a few gigs and even after a half hour of tweaking, I couldn't get it to sound much like the IIc or the III, at least not the lead channel. It's a different beast. The IIc and the III had some push/pull tone knobs and two of them were mid boosts, one voiced to accentuate low to mid midrange and the other for higher midrange frequencies. That was the secret ingredient to that great lead tone that I loved. And why I was slightly disappointed that the Mark IV was chosen instead of those previous Mesa Mark models. The IIc was my favorite, so yes, I'd welcome a model of it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtrbldr_h 7 Posted January 18, 2018 I've owned a Mesa Mark IIc and a Mark III. They were fairly similar in sound, but the Mark III is generally brighter. Even after I exchanged the stock EV speaker with the same Celestion that was in the Mark II, it was brighter. I've never owned a Mark IV, but I've used rented ones on a few gigs and even after a half hour of tweaking, I couldn't get it to sound much like the IIc or the III, at least not the lead channel. It's a different beast. The IIc and the III had some push/pull tone knobs and two of them were mid boosts, one voiced to accentuate low to mid midrange and the other for higher midrange frequencies. That was the secret ingredient to that great lead tone that I loved. And why I was slightly disappointed that the Mark IV was chosen instead of those previous Mesa Mark models. The IIc was my favorite, so yes, I'd welcome a model of it! Push pull. Forgot about those. Especially pull bright was powerful as I remembered. Haven’t had the quad and the helix side by side obviously, has been over 10 years ago that I owned it, but in my head it is in the same ballpark. Might be wrong though. ;-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hideout 188 Posted January 18, 2018 Any possibility that acoustic guitar amps would get consideration? Well, acoustic amps don’t really have an innate sound of their own unlike electric guitar amps. Acoustic amps are essentially very similar to most FRFR systems except that their preamp sections have specific controls to help deal with piezo quack and feedback issues. It would be more practical if Line 6 included a Preamp with those same controls but modeling the rest of the amp won’t do anything to improve your acoustic sound at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeterHamm 646 Posted January 18, 2018 ...but modeling the rest of the amp won’t do anything to improve your acoustic sound at all. generally, this should be true. But the acoustic amp model in the Line 6 HD 500 vintage expansion pack was actually fantastic with acoustic guitar and I no longer needed to use my outboard acoustic preamp anymore. That said... the IR solution is, imho, about a zillion times better anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fiveways 6 Posted January 19, 2018 I want these Controversial Reverbs of the HX variety!!! Yes Please! Can the controversial portions be set to spillover between snapshots? ;) I think the stuff around it is gonna turn peoples heads. I figure it is either going to be the FM4 sounds or vocal multieffects patches as the helix is great as a dual guitar/vocal processor but it needs some harmony stuff to make it even better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hideout 188 Posted January 19, 2018 generally, this should be true. But the acoustic amp model in the Line 6 HD 500 vintage expansion pack was actually fantastic with acoustic guitar and I no longer needed to use my outboard acoustic preamp anymore. That said... the IR solution is, imho, about a zillion times better anyway. Yes, but I'd bet that they only modeled the preamp. For all intents and purposes, the power amp is irrelevant when it comes to an acoustic guitar's tone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fiveways 6 Posted January 20, 2018 Yes, but I'd bet that they only modeled the preamp. For all intents and purposes, the power amp is irrelevant when it comes to an acoustic guitar's tone. Unless you are using the Rivera Sedona which has a full on Tube Power Section. Definitely colours the tone in a realy positive way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrrjr68 12 Posted January 22, 2018 Are we really gonna go there already? Here's how it works... you buy Helix.. you wait... you play it some.. learn how it works.. get the feel for it. When you least expect it.. an update comes! Then you are afraid.. very afraid... will it sound better? Will it erase all my presets? ...And then... you wait..... should I install it or not???? Hmmmm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hideout 188 Posted January 22, 2018 Are we really gonna go there already? Here's how it works... you buy Helix.. you wait... you play it some.. learn how it works.. get the feel for it. When you least expect it.. an update comes! Then you are afraid.. very afraid... will it sound better? Will it erase all my presets? ...And then... you wait..... should I install it or not???? Hmmmm... 🤣 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbuhajla 325 Posted January 22, 2018 Are we really gonna go there already? Here's how it works... you buy Helix.. you wait... you play it some.. learn how it works.. get the feel for it. When you least expect it.. an update comes! Then you are afraid.. very afraid... will it sound better? Will it erase all my presets? ...And then... you wait..... should I install it or not???? Hmmmm... You worry too much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrrjr68 12 Posted January 26, 2018 Naaaaa.. I'm in a happy place really Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brue58ski 613 Posted January 26, 2018 UH OH!!! There's a 2.50 update coming up here. Did you miss the 2.31 update???? :P :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbuhajla 325 Posted January 26, 2018 UH OH!!! There's a 2.50 update coming up here. Did you miss the 2.31 update???? :P :D Yeah, somewhere about 100 posts ago someone mentioned it is going right to 2.50. Good thing too. Bigger IS better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hideout 188 Posted January 26, 2018 Naaaaa.. I'm in a happy place really I’m with you on that sentiment. I updated to 2.30 but the only thing I’ve changed is my use of the SP Comp on my patches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
surfsup1955 28 Posted January 28, 2018 My own are super esoteric and maybe not helpful. But dial up those blocks, First select the 3 Sigma IR that sounds best by itself. set a lo cut in the IR block to about 90 or 100hz, and set the level to -6db set the Tube Pre to gain 3.0, level 10, sensitivity line Leave the LA Studio comp at defaults but turn peak reduction down to about 7 maybe Set the parametric EQ to boost around 200hz just a teeny bit (I do 2db), cut midfreq at 2.7k just -2db, and boost7.5k about 3.5db. Leave the Q alone in all three bands except turn the high Q down to about 0.1 See if that works. OK, after a week or so of tweaking this routing, I agree, this works really well. As typical, I use two 3 Sigma IRs in parallel which covers some specific high and low freq mic types and settings. Pretty sweet direct acoustic sounds. So Line 6 should build and add a few acoustic cabs - then using this routing config - they could easily provide a set of seriously nice acoustic presets built in and ready to go in the Helix. Thanks again Mr. Hamm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrrjr68 12 Posted January 29, 2018 UH OH!!! There's a 2.50 update coming up here. Did you miss the 2.31 update???? :P :D I just got 2.30 :p Like.. Just now lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrrjr68 12 Posted January 29, 2018 why the big jump// like why not 2.31.. just going right to 2.50? Impressive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VirtualGuitars 51 Posted January 29, 2018 why the big jump// like why not 2.31.. just going right to 2.50? Impressive 2.30 to 2.31 would be what those of us in the IT world would call a minor release - usually meaning bug fixes or other product enhancements. Incrementing from 2.30 to 2.50 indicates new software functionality which of course v2.50 does have. Cheers. :) 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jameskapherr 1 Posted January 29, 2018 I assume you've all seen this (I know - you probably have :D) Helix Firmware 2.50 (Helix Floor, Rack/Control, LT) AVAILABLE SOON—DON'T LOOK FOR IT NOW! New Amps (2) Cali Texas Ch2, based on* the drive channel of the MESA/Boogie® Lonestar (Ch1 coming later) Placater Dirty, based on* the BE/HBE channel of the Friedman BE-100 (Clean channel coming later) * All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. New HX Effects (6) Delay > Multi Pass (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original bandpass-filtered multitap delay Reverb > Glitz (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original Reverb > Ganymede (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original Reverb > Searchlights (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original Reverb > Plateaux (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original Reverb > Double Tank (Mono, Stereo), Line 6 Original New Legacy Effects (77) Helix Floor, Rack/Control, and LT now include a library of effects from M13, M9, M5, DL4, DM4, FM4, and MM4. These appear in a new "Legacy" subcategory in the model list. Distortion > Tube Drive Distortion > Screamer Distortion > Overdrive Distortion > Classic Dist Distortion > Heavy Dist Distortion > Colordrive Distortion > Buzz Saw Distortion > Facial Fuzz Distortion > Jumbo Fuzz Distortion > Fuzz Pi Distortion > Jet Fuzz Distortion > Line 6 Drive Distortion > Line 6 Distortion Distortion > Sub Oct Fuzz Distortion > Octave Fuzz Dynamics > Tube Comp Dynamics > Red Comp Dynamics > Blue Comp Dynamics > Blue Comp Treb Dynamics > Vetta Comp Dynamics > Vetta Juice Dynamics > Boost Comp Modulation > Pattern Tremolo Modulation > Panner Modulation > Bias Tremolo Modulation > Opto Tremolo Modulation > Script Phase Modulation > Panned Phaser Modulation > Barberpole Modulation > Dual Phaser Modulation > U-Vibe Modulation > Phaser Modulation > Pitch Vibrato Modulation > Dimension Modulation > Analog Chorus Modulation > Tri Chorus Modulation > Analog Flanger Modulation > Jet Flanger Modulation > AC Flanger Modulation > 80A Flanger Modulation > Frequency Shift Modulation > Ring Modulator Modulation > Rotary Drum Modulation > Rotary Drm/Horn Delay > Ping Pong Delay > Dynamic Delay > Stereo Delay > Digital Delay > Dig w/ Mod Delay > Reverse Delay > Lo Res Delay > Tube Echo Delay > Tape Echo Delay > Sweep Echo Delay > Echo Platter Delay > Analog Echo Delay > Analog w/ Mod Delay > Auto-Volume Echo Delay > Multi-Head Pitch/Synth > Bass Octaver Pitch/Synth > Smart Harmony Pitch/Synth > Octi Synth Pitch/Synth > Synth O Matic Pitch/Synth > Attack Synth Pitch/Synth > Synth String Pitch/Synth > Growler Filter > Voice Box Filter > V Tron Filter > Q Filter Filter > Seeker Filter > Obi Wah Filter > Tron Up Filter > Tron Down Filter > Throbber Filter > Slow Filter Filter > Spin Cycle Filter > Comet Trails Improvements/Changes If a Snapshot has been given a custom switch color, that switch ring now displays a dim color when not active 12 of Helix’s 17 reverbs originally appeared in M-Class processors and Verbzilla. As such, they’ve been moved into the new “Legacy†subcategory within the Reverb category Helix's tempo no longer responds to pressing TAP at tempi lower than 40.0 BPM (Beats Per Minute). This is to ensure that multiple fast tap entries are recognized properly, as previously, they could be seen as one really slow tap entry. You may still manually select a tempo all the way down to 20.0 BPM and your presets can still be saved with tempi down to 20.0 BPM—just touch TAP and turn Knob 6 (BPM) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datacommando 556 Posted January 29, 2018 I assume you've all seen this (I know - you probably have :D)James,You’re a little late to this party! Have you been drinking the last of the summer wine?ðŸ·ðŸ·ðŸ· Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jameskapherr 1 Posted January 29, 2018 James, You’re a little late to this party! Have you been drinking the last of the summer wine? hahahaha :D They always said I was slow :P PS - nice LOTSW reference :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datacommando 556 Posted January 29, 2018 PS - nice LOTSW reference :D That maybe because “I’m local†as the League of Gentlemen would say.😜 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jameskapherr 1 Posted January 29, 2018 That maybe because “I’m local†as the League of Gentlemen would say.😜 Hehe my wife was born in Holmfirth - I'm a dirty Southerner who married a Northerner and moved up here ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datacommando 556 Posted January 29, 2018 Hehe my wife was born in Holmfirth - I'm a dirty Southerner who married a Northerner and moved up here ;) Welcome to Gods own country and as a Helix user you can be forgiven for being from the Sarf! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpjr50 0 Posted January 29, 2018 Guess what I have? DMC by , on Flickr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
