Anybody running their Helix through a Seymour Duncan Powerstage?

[leonardoborges]

I recently sold my amps and went full digital. I got a Powerstage 200 power amp and I'm really happy with it. 

 

I'm curious as to how people might be setting up their patches? Do you go with pre-amp models only? Or full amps?

 

I personally find that the Powerstage is fairly colourless so I tend to prefer the sound of the full amp. Anybody else on this camp? Any other views or use cases ?

 

(I hear that if running through a Tube Poweramp like the Fryette, people prefer the pre-amps only)

[Schmalle]

Full amp sims with solid state / classD amps for me. If I'd use preamps I'd add an impedance curve'ish eq. Here is how and why.

 

[rd2rk]

I don't have a Powerstage, I have a PC212+ which, in its simplest configuration (LF RAW) is the same thing, a Class D power amp into eminence guitar speakers.

 

Typically, a tube power amp adds the coloration of the power tube type (EL84/34, 6v6, 6L6 etc.). This is mainly noticeable at high volumes when the tubes are being pushed. The preamp only option MIGHT be preferable in that case.

 

The difference between the Helix preamp and full amp models is that ITRW, there's an interaction between a tube amp's pre and power amp, and another between the power amp and the speaker (impedance curve). This interaction is lost in a simple modeler>cab/IR>Class D amp>guitar speaker or FRFR configuration. The Helix full amp model attempts to model both of these interactions, with the impedance curve (which mostly affects "feel") modeled after whatever speaker L6 chose to use in the amp+cab model. Of course, it's not likely that you'll be using that specific speaker and, in any case not all RW amps use the same speaker, so whatever RW speaker you use will add its own color to the sound. The modeled impedance curve simply attempts to add the "feel" of the interaction with a real speaker - the theory being (I think) that any impedance curve is better than none. Ideally, you'd have a choice of impedance curves to match the RW speaker. Maybe someday, but truth be told, "feel" is nebulous and entirely subjective and not the most important aspect of the modeling unless you really think that you can "feel" it. You can experiment with this by using a cab model other than the one used in the amp+cab. Can you "feel" it? I can't, but it's nice to know it's there. :-)

 

 

[leonardoborges]

On 10/28/2022 at 9:26 AM, Schmalle said:

Full amp sims with solid state / classD amps for me. If I'd use preamps I'd add an impedance curve'ish eq. Here is how and why.

 

Fascinating thread, thank you for linking!

[ossianott]

I've experimented with the impedance curve thingy to relieve some DSP from my hx stomp by using preamp instead of power amp amps, the thing that struck me the most is that the eq knobs start to react in a way I'm more familiar with them working in real amps, I don't have to go to extremes in the same way as if I don't use the eq to cause the impedance curve (and eq curve). It's rendered the preamps much more useable for me when paired with a class D amp for sure. It gave me more of a realistic vibe.