Can the PodGo get the same tones as the Helix?

[cragginshred]

Context is simple Plexi rock tones. I don't need dual amps or tons of effects. Just wondering if the podgo can get close to the Helix tones?

 

[la szum]

Plexi tones in the Helix are



Don't you have a Fractal?

 

[cragginshred]

Plexi tones in the Helix are



Don't you have a Fractal?

I have many tools but was looking for a back up and something to leave at our rehearsal space.

Um this does not sound bad at all

 

[JiveTurkey]

Do you need a bright cap?


I would get a used Atomic Amplifier for Plexi tones

 

[cragginshred]

Do you need a bright cap?


I would get a used Atomic Amplifier for Plexi tones

gigged with one for a while. No plexi tones in there that I recall. Did they add a plexi in the past few years? Bright cap??

 

[SwirlyMaple]

Context is simple Plexi rock tones. I don't need dual amps or tons of effects. Just wondering if the podgo can get close to the Helix tones?

The PodGo runs Helix algorithms from an older firmware, before they added extra oversampling to the Helix. It does make a difference, but it’s the kind of thing you only notice after using one a lot and then switch to the other.

As for Plexi tones, all of the actual Marshalls in Helix, except 1, are modeled from amps that had circuit mods. The models themselves are accurate to the specific amps they were based on, but they don’t sound like stock Marshalls, mainly because they all had their bright treble-bypass capacitors (aka bright caps) snipped.

The Brit Trem model is the exception. It is a Plexi circuit with its bright cap and it sounds quite good IMO, but a lot of people don’t even realize it is a Plexi, because it doesn’t have Plexi in the name.

Personally I think the claims that Helix has no good Plexi sounds are a bit hyperbolic, but if you’re looking for the stock, bright clanging sound of an unmodded Marshall, other modelers offer more options for that than Helix.

 

[cragginshred]

The PodGo runs Helix algorithms from an older firmware, before they added extra oversampling to the Helix. It does make a difference, but it’s the kind of thing you only notice after using one a lot and then switch to the other.

As for Plexi tones, all of the actual Marshalls in Helix, except 1, are modeled from amps that had circuit mods. The models themselves are accurate to the specific amps they were based on, but they don’t sound like stock Marshalls, mainly because they all had their bright treble-bypass capacitors (aka bright caps) snipped.

The Brit Trem model is the exception. It is a Plexi circuit with its bright cap and it sounds quite good IMO, but a lot of people don’t even realize it is a Plexi, because it doesn’t have Plexi in the name.

Personally I think the claims that Helix has no good Plexi sounds are a bit hyperbolic, but if you’re looking for the stock, bright clanging sound of an unmodded Marshall, other modelers offer more options for that than Helix.

Not looking for un modded tones. Good info thanks!

 

[Lele]

Personally I think the claims that Helix has no good Plexi sounds are a bit hyperbolic, but if you’re looking for the stock, bright clanging sound of an unmodded Marshall, other modelers offer more options for that than Helix.

I agree, and it depends on how you use your "simulated" amp...

Context is simple Plexi rock tones

With a lot of gain (or almost) the missing bright cap (of most Marshall Helix models) isn't very important or doesn't even count at all.
If you use low gain and the guitar volume knob to clean up your sound, and with humbucking pickups, then the missing bright cap can be a problem.

Apart from this, considering the latest updates, the excellent new current Helix/HX cabs (not included in the PodGO), and the potential future updates, I'd really suggest to look at the HX Stomp instead of the PodGO even if the few switches can be a little more difficult to manage (but there's the "command center" that will help a lot).

 

[JiveTurkey]

gigged with one for a while. No plexi tones in there that I recall. Did they add a plexi in the past few years? Bright cap??

There was a plexi in there at launch. Unless I am going nuts.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Context is simple Plexi rock tones. I don't need dual amps or tons of effects. Just wondering if the podgo can get close to the Helix tones?

to answer your actual question, the model algorithms are the same. I THINK the Helix is running them at 2x oversampling, though, which does improve the sound a little. The input stage and converters are also a little bit better in Helix compared to PodGo. Also, I don't know if PodGo was able to get the big change in cabs that came along in 3.5? So might be running the old cab blocks (but can still use IR so who cares. For all intelli gents and porpoises though, yes the PodGo will sound REALLY close to the Helix.

Getting good Marshall tones out of Helix takes a looooooooooooooooooot more work. And some seem to be impossible to get, it's true, due to no ability to turn on/off or adjust value of bright caps.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

There was a plexi in there at launch. Unless I am going nuts.

Yes, there has always been a plexi. And its always just generically called a "plexi" so my guess is plenty of liberties were taken to arrive at the sound that Marc and what's-his-"my garage is not a warehouse!!!"-face thought sounded like a good plexi.

 

[cragginshred]

to answer your actual question, the model algorithms are the same. I THINK the Helix is running them at 2x oversampling, though, which does improve the sound a little. The input stage and converters are also a little bit better in Helix compared to PodGo. Also, I don't know if PodGo was able to get the big change in cabs that came along in 3.5? So might be running the old cab blocks (but can still use IR so who cares. For all intelli gents and porpoises though, yes the PodGo will sound REALLY close to the Helix.

Getting good Marshall tones out of Helix takes a looooooooooooooooooot more work. And some seem to be impossible to get, it's true, due to no ability to turn on/off or adjust value of bright caps.

I was told there would be no math Ok so your saying it's harder to dial in a plexin the helix than the podgo? I was going to spring for a $5.99 patch one of the guys had on YT that sounded really good.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I was told there would be no math Ok so your saying it's harder to dial in a plexin the helix than the podgo? I was going to spring for a $5.99 patch one of the guys had on YT that sounded really good.

No, I'm saying Its harder to dial in good Marshall sounds in Line6 in general. But honestly, given the sounds you go for, the Friedman model should be fine and its pretty easy to work with to get it to sound like a Friedman.

 

[ragingplatypi]

No, I'm saying Its harder to dial in good Marshall sounds in Line6 in general. But honestly, given the sounds you go for, the Friedman model should be fine and its pretty easy to work with to get it to sound like a Friedman.

I like the Brit Trem, Friedman, and Park models for my Plexi stuff. I’m also not basing anything off a real Plexi though.

 

[JiveTurkey]

HAVE YOU TRIED BOOSTING THE BADONK WITH THEM MINOTAUR WITH MASTER ON .27?

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

HAVE YOU TRIED BOOSTING THE BADONK WITH THEM MINOTAUR WITH MASTER ON .27?

Hyperbole is going to hyperbolate. But this ain’t far off from the Helix Marshall Hoop Fest.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Hyperbole is going to hyperbolate. But this ain’t far off from the Helix Marshall Hoop Fest.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Plexi

 

[ragingplatypi]

Plexi

Amps

 

[Bruce]

Does the pod go fit your format and budget needs? I’d think that would be more important than splitting hairs on what has a better plexi sound. The pod go probably doesn’t sound “as good” as a helix, but unless you’re willing to shell out helix money, who cares? Very little modeled gear sounds bad these days. If the pod go format and price are right for you, I’m sure you’ll find tones you can make work. I just spent 160 bucks on some little disposable NuX thing. Is it as good as my FM9? Of course not. The format and price fit a particular need.