Helix Floor just for effects and MIDI

[KillerVee]

Hey there. Long time HX Effects user here.

I am thinking about upgrading to the Floor to take advantage of the extra footswitches/scribble strips, effect loops, and built in expression pedal, and more blocks. I also know you can have 2 chains? Not sure I would need that.

I currently 4cm my HX Effects with a Marshall DSL100hr. I use one pedal in loop 2 , a OCD. A volume pedal I use for expression. I also use the HX FX to switch channels on my Marshall via MIDI. 

Anyways, does anybody use the Helix Floor strictly for effects only, no modeling? Is using the built in expression pedal for a wah is easier to use than an outboard pedal?

Of course setting up a few modeling presets to go in direct FOH in case of an emergency would be great also.

Thanks

 

[rd2rk]

On 5/26/2023 at 8:12 AM, KillerVee said:

Hey there. Long time HX Effects user here.

I am thinking about upgrading to the Floor to take advantage of the extra footswitches/scribble strips, effect loops, and built in expression pedal, and more blocks. I also know you can have 2 chains? Not sure I would need that.

I currently 4cm my HX Effects with a Marshall DSL100hr. I use one pedal in loop 2 , a OCD. A volume pedal I use for expression. I also use the HX FX to switch channels on my Marshall via MIDI. 

Anyways, does anybody use the Helix Floor strictly for effects only, no modeling? Is using the built in expression pedal for a wah is easier to use than an outboard pedal?

Of course setting up a few modeling presets to go in direct FOH in case of an emergency would be great also.

Thanks

 

 

Mine is used like that with my Catalyst (switches banks/channels via MIDI), with ToneX, with whatever plugins I feel like using in a given day and, oh yeah, all by its lonesome with its own amps and cabs.

As for the onboard fx pedal I'm going to say yes. I have a 535Q that is backup along with my HXS.

Once you get used to having the two chains linked for a nearly infinite # of fx (vs what, 8 on the HXFX?) you'll wonder how you ever managed.

[joec90620]

On 5/26/2023 at 7:12 AM, KillerVee said:

Hey there. Long time HX Effects user here.

I am thinking about upgrading to the Floor to take advantage of the extra footswitches/scribble strips, effect loops, and built in expression pedal, and more blocks. I also know you can have 2 chains? Not sure I would need that.

I currently 4cm my HX Effects with a Marshall DSL100hr. I use one pedal in loop 2 , a OCD. A volume pedal I use for expression. I also use the HX FX to switch channels on my Marshall via MIDI. 

Anyways, does anybody use the Helix Floor strictly for effects only, no modeling? Is using the built in expression pedal for a wah is easier to use than an outboard pedal?

Of course setting up a few modeling presets to go in direct FOH in case of an emergency would be great also.

Thanks

 

This past weekend, I just started using my Helix Floor as a stompbox only. I have a 5150III 50W Stealth head and had configured the floor to use Snapshots and MIDI to change the channels on the 5150III along with some effects. Worked great, except I found it too limiting and not what I'm used to. I wanted to be able to use any effect and any channel on my 5150III on demand. I am also using 4CM with it.

 

So, after finding the YouTube video below, this is how I'm using my rig. I disconnected my MIDI cable, wiped out the MIDI channel switching configurations, and then plugged my 5150III footswitch back in and tweaked the Helix using Jason's video. Now I can change my channels like normal and switch on/off any effect I want just like a stompbox. I have more work to do to perfect it, but it works and sounds great!

)

[codamedia]

On 5/26/2023 at 9:12 AM, KillerVee said:

Anyways, does anybody use the Helix Floor strictly for effects only, no modeling?

 

Although I normally use full modeling and direct to FOH/Monitors, I have copies of my presets that do not include any amp or cab modeling... for those times I do need to plug into an amp. It works great! 

 

Just because the Helix has amp models, you are not forced to use them - and it's still a bargain for everything else it includes. 

[brue58ski]

On 6/8/2023 at 2:29 PM, MGW-Alberta said:

Except for the first six months or so, back when I was trying to get good sounds from Helix using the same equipment most people use (FRFRs, monitors and such) my Helix has served as an elaborate pedal board using 4CM into my Boogie.  Once in a while I try something different but I always go back to my Boogie and 4CM.

 

I admit I do sometimes use amp blocks and preamp blocks before the loop block but those are used primarily as shortcuts to a type of sound my amp does not typically create naturally on its own.  I like the results I get, once dialled in properly and it adds greatly to my versatility in terms of available tones.  In this scenario I do not consider the amp/preamp blocks as real.  I'm not actually running an amp into an amp because amp blocks on Helix are just digital models, just like the effects blocks are not real stomp boxes.  Like all blocks, they take in the signal and modify it and send it on downstream.  They aren't really amps.  My amp sounds the way it sounds and it will take in that signal and modify it and send it along as well but if the signal it receives sounds like a Vox (just for example) then my output will sound like my Boogie is trying to sound like a Vox and that's almost always good enough for me.  Better than good enough.  Some presets are downright awesome.  As a matter of fact, as time passes and I get better and better at dialling up amp and preamp blocks to work with my actual amp I find I am using those blocks more often and getting better results.  When I first started doing it I had maybe 1 in 10 presets with an amp block.  I'm probably up to 7 in 10 now.  

 

Cab blocks and IRs are a different story.  I have not had much luck at all with cab blocks as they just seem to make mud, IMO.  Some (not all) IRs have been useful tools but that's after I turn the mix level down considerably and only if they are the very last block before the output to the amp return.

 

It's using the amp/preamps as a sophisticated stomp box.