Thinking about buying a Powercab - Questions

[ElectricZombie]

I purchased a Helix LT about 6 months ago and it has been fantastic.  I've been using it with either headphones or a Headrush 108 FRFR thus far.

 

Lately I've been experimenting with profiles that include dual amps; mostly an AC30 mixed with a Fender Deluxe Reverb for some of my surf tones.  

 

It seems like the 212 Powercab would be ideal for this type of setup, although I don't have any stores nearby that have one for me to try. 

 

Is there a tutorial on how to assign the output of each emulated amp to a speaker in the 212?  For example, AC30 on the left speaker and Fender Deluxe Reverb on the right.

 

Can different speaker emulations be set for each speaker in the 212 or do they both have to be set to the same model speaker?

[somebodyelse]

I have a 112+. Only reason I didn't get the 212 was I don't have the space.

From what I found out whilst mulling it over, you CAN set the speakers to separate speaker emulations - I was especially interested in this feature. I'm fairly certain you can send left signal to left speaker... etc, so it should be possible to send one amp to one side, the other to the other - just a matter of how you route your patch and which connection method you use between the Helix and PC212.

Jason Sadites has a Youtube channel and probably covers it in a video somewhere. Other Helix dedicated channels are available.

[rd2rk]

I have the PC212. Love it. Yes, you can set the speakers to different emulations and yes, you can split the signal. Also, the stereo spread is amazingly good for two side by side speakers in a single cab. You will want to use L6 link and, though some will say "it's just an XLR cable", get the proper digital cable and you won't be back here wondering why something doesn't work or sound the way you think it should as being the fault of the cable. AKA pre-emptive troubleshooting.

[ElectricZombie]

15 minutes ago, rd2rk said:

You will want to use L6 link and, though some will say "it's just an XLR cable", get the proper digital cable and you won't be back here wondering why something doesn't work or sound the way you think it should as being the fault of the cable. AKA pre-emptive troubleshooting.

 

I've read that some people are using a MIDI cable instead of the L6 link.  Is there an advantage to one over the other?

 

I seem to recall something about one cable didn't work to change the speaker simulation on the Powercab to match what was chosen in the preset.

[rd2rk]

20 minutes ago, ElectricZombie said:

 

I've read that some people are using a MIDI cable instead of the L6 link.  Is there an advantage to one over the other?

 

I seem to recall something about one cable didn't work to change the speaker simulation on the Powercab to match what was chosen in the preset.

 

MIDI doesn't carry audio, so you need two XLR cables plus the MIDI cable, so three cables instead of one.

It also requires setting up in CommandCenter for every preset. The only time you'd want to use that configuration is if your device does not have L6 Link, for instance, with the HX Stomp or some other mfr's MFX. The only other scenario I can think of is if you want to use an exp pedal to control the PC212 Output Level, which I think can be done without MIDI ( page 28 of the 3.0 manual, L6 Link>Powercab Settings>Output Block>Speaker Level), and you'd still want L6 Link to simplify preset configuration and to eliminate the two XLRs for audio.

 

So, no, there's no advantage to using MIDI vs L6 Link. Some people think that there's a difference in the way L6 Link sounds vs XLR for audio. I think L6 Link sounds better.  YMMV.

[ElectricZombie]

2 hours ago, rd2rk said:

 

MIDI doesn't carry audio, so you need two XLR cables plus the MIDI cable, so three cables instead of one.

It also requires setting up in CommandCenter for every preset. The only time you'd want to use that configuration is if your device does not have L6 Link, for instance, with the HX Stomp or some other mfr's MFX. The only other scenario I can think of is if you want to use an exp pedal to control the PC212 Output Level, which I think can be done without MIDI ( page 28 of the 3.0 manual, L6 Link>Powercab Settings>Output Block>Speaker Level), and you'd still want L6 Link to simplify preset configuration and to eliminate the two XLRs for audio.

 

So, no, there's no advantage to using MIDI vs L6 Link. Some people think that there's a difference in the way L6 Link sounds vs XLR for audio. I think L6 Link sounds better.  YMMV.

 

 

Thanks!  That makes sense.

 

The L6 Link is just a AES/EBU cable correct?

[rd2rk]

9 minutes ago, ElectricZombie said:

 

 

Thanks!  That makes sense.

 

The L6 Link is just a AES/EBU cable correct?

 

Yes.

[somebodyelse]

In addition to what rd2rk says, you must have the latest firmware on both the Helix and Powercab for the L6 link to work - it doesn't work below specific firmware versions. Don't assume they ship with the latest firmware versions.

The other thing, the Powercab display doesn't change when using the L6 Link, but that doesn't mean nothing happens. The coloured ring on the controls does change colour, to indicate a speaker change.

[ElectricZombie]

10 hours ago, somebodyelse said:

In addition to what rd2rk says, you must have the latest firmware on both the Helix and Powercab for the L6 link to work - it doesn't work below specific firmware versions. Don't assume they ship with the latest firmware versions.

The other thing, the Powercab display doesn't change when using the L6 Link, but that doesn't mean nothing happens. The coloured ring on the controls does change colour, to indicate a speaker change.

 

Ugh.  That's going to drive me crazy.

 

Well, I can always send it back.

[somebodyelse]

13 hours ago, ElectricZombie said:

 

Ugh.  That's going to drive me crazy.

 

Well, I can always send it back.

Nah, when you need to mess with settings, plug it in to HX Edit. You don't need the screen to play it.

[rlagos144]

you do not need 2 XLR cables, you just need one L6 Link that basically is a XLR with 110 ohms impedance (regular XLR are 70 ohms) I bought a monoprice in amazon and work great, I have stereo sound and can change modes an speakers models from my helix floor with just that one cable, you could add a MIDI cable to have total control of the powercab and that would be 2 cables at most.