Amp or Cab for Helix?

[AzrielProne]

I’m sure this has been done to death. Though, I have a specific versus question. 

 

I am going to get a Helix and intended to use it for home recording and practice. I like the amp in the room feel, and have primarily played Mesa. 

I am torn between two options of 1x12. 
 

First the Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus and Second a Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170 along with a Mesa 1x12 with Black Shadow. 

 

Black Shadows are one of my favorite speakers. Which is also part of the reason I like the Powercab as they have a speaker model of it. And the other option is obviously a Mesa cab. 

 

I wanted to see if there are any other Mesa cab / Black Shadow fans out there that have used either it both kind or similar options. 

Any feedback would be great. 

Thanks!

[PaulTBaker]

I can say I really love the PC112plus.... however I dont use the speaker models.  I run it in LF Raw mode.  But I love the way it sounds.... To me, the PC would give you more flexibility, however, it may not sound exactly like the black shadow..... it could be better or worse... depends on what you like.

 

I always go with the more options.... but that's me.

[somebodyelse]

Powercab 112+ here.

It does what it says on the tin, as they say.

The reason people can't get the 'amp in the room sound' is that modellers, whether Helix or otherwise model their cabs with a mic after the event. What you get is a model of how that setup sounds after it's been recorded, regardless of the amp/monitor you use.

With the Helix/Powercab combo, when you (or me at least) use the speaker models in the PC112+, the output from the PC speaker has the mic etc modelled in to it bypassed - just the speaker. To get the real effect, you need to remove the cab block from your Helix preset, then you get the 'amp in the room' sound.

Be aware, the speaker models are supposed to sound how the real thing would sound if it was screwed in to the PC112 cabinet - eg. my old rig uses a couple of 1 x 12 V30 cabs. The PC112 sounds very near to how they sound. It doesn't sound how a 4 x 12 with four V30s would.

You aren't getting 'amp in the room' if you use FRFR, third party IRs etc, etc.

 

Helix through a real guitar amp? You're hearing how your presets sound with the inherent sound of your amp colouring them.

[amsdenj]

Try Mode: Flat, Voicing: LF RAW and no cab model or IR in Helix. You may find that Powercab112+ is a pretty good powered guitar speaker. This will give you amp in the room because that's exactly what it is. 

 

[boynigel]

I run my Helix in stereo into two bad cat amps' effects loop returns, bypassing speaker modeling of course.  a lot of the time i find that i get the best sound results keeping the power amp modeling section in place (verses preamp only), even though i'm going into a real amp's power section.  and yes, TOTAL amp in a room experience.  None of that lifeless FRFR sound.