Helix into QSC KW PA speakers

[djpgreek]

Does anyone have experience running Helix into KW series speakers by QSC? I have tried other modeling stuff in years past (mainly pedals into clean preamp into cab sim pedal) and it always sounds thin and cheezy.

 

With all the cool tips Im seeing with Helix and stuff Ive messed with, Im getting some great tomes. Wondering if any isers of this gear have any advice or eq tips to make most out of Helix

[DunedinDragon]

I own a couple of KW181 subs, but I have them matched up with KLA 12 line array speakers for my FOH PA system.  I've only recently encountered the KW front speakers and I have to say I'm pretty impressed.  However they aren't as flexible in their adaptability to different uses as are the more popular k.2 series which has a wide range of DSP contouring options.  The KW series is far better known as FOH PA speakers than as stage monitors which is where the K.2 seems to fit better.

 

I'm not sure what you're looking for as far as EQ tips for the Helix.  That all depends on what style of music you're playing, your output/monitor system, type of guitar, and the specifics of the signal chain you're using in your preset.  If your using powered speakers such as the QSC series for your on stage monitors for your Helix, most people find they need to make some EQ adjustments to the high and low cuts of their presets to better simulate the response of a traditional guitar cabinet.  My biggest point of advice in terms of EQ is to absolutely NOT use global EQ to make these type of adjustments.  All EQ is really highly dependent on the style of music, the amp model you're using, how the amp is setup, the cabs/IRs being used, mics on the cabinets and the mic's placement.  In many cases I don't even need to make EQ adjustments, so you're hurting yourself if you apply EQ globally where it can work against your depending on what's going on in different presets.

 

If you want some good ideas of how to apply EQ I'd suggest you look at several of Jason Sadites YouTube videos for some practical ideas on the subject with different amp, cab, and mic setups.

[brue58ski]

11 hours ago, djpgreek said:

 Wondering if any isers of this gear have any advice or eq tips to make most out of Helix

 

Go here and start with "Line 6 Helix - How To Create A Great Sounding Tone". These are from the guy Dunedin recommended. Superb place to start but keep in mind his way is one way of doing things. They are an excellent foundation and you would do very well if you just used his methods, but don't think you need to let his methods limit you.

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/gtr111/videos

 

He has over 20 of these all labeled with Pt. numbers. The first one has no part number and the next one is labeled Pt. 2, just to avoid confusion.

[djpgreek]

Ive seen lots of Jasons vids. I was wondering mainly if anyone has specific eq tips for those speakers

[cruisinon2]

2 hours ago, djpgreek said:

Ive seen lots of Jasons vids. I was wondering mainly if anyone has specific eq tips for those speakers

 

This isn't really an answerable question, as it will depend entirely on the style of music and the specific tones you're looking for, the amp model(s) in question, the guitars your'e using, the room the speakers are sitting in... it all matters. For instance, you're not gonna apply the same EQ corrections for a Plexi with a LP, that you would with a Fender Twin and a Strat... they're two totally different baselines. As such, there's really no "one size fits all" approach to EQ, no matter what speakers you're using. What works for me might sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to you... it's all subjective. When it sounds good to your ears, it's done. 

[DunedinDragon]

5 hours ago, djpgreek said:

Ive seen lots of Jasons vids. I was wondering mainly if anyone has specific eq tips for those speakers

 

You don't really EQ based on a speaker.  You EQ based on the source being fed into the speaker.  Any modern powered PA speaker has already been tuned to provide an optimized response for any signal being fed to it.  As Cruisinon2 points out, what's not always optimized is the source material and for that you need to use your ears to optimize it to what sounds right to you.  Some speakers do provide contouring options to allow for idiosyncrasies in speaker placement and usage such as spoken voice over music, or placement vertically on a pole versus on the floor as a monitor.  But that's a consistent change related to general usage.  EQ corrections are targeted at the source material.