Favorite Helix high gain amps

[EOengineer]

I recently discovered the Helix’s Placater model and love the thicker, more modern take on the Marshall sound. I’m finding it an effective counter point to the brighter 2203 tones I typically use.

Which high gainers are you all using these days?

 

[HomespunEffects]

Badonk!

 

[rjen]

Badonk still gets a lot of use - low DSP cost and the range of gain available allows for going from cleanish to high gain with a single amp model using snapshots. The new EV Panama Red is really good but is a bit heavy on DSP when using an HX stomp. The new 4x12 Cartog Guv cabinet has also become a favourite.

 

[HomespunEffects]

… The new 4x12 Cartog Guv cabinet has also become a favourite.

I don’t know if I’ve tried that one yet. I’ll check it out.

 

[rjen]

I don’t know if I’ve tried that one yet. I’ll check it out.

To my ear I found it mixes well with the XXL V30, both using the default 160 ribbon mics and position adjusted to taste.

 

[bikescene]

I like the Archetype Lead model.

 

[Lysander]

German Ubersonic is one of my go-tos for chuggy, modern tones.

The PV Vitriol really scratched that 5150III itch until firmware 3.80 dropped - and it still manages to do its own thing. The attack in particular is well suited for more technical riffing IMHO.

Helix has some of the best Revv models in the business. I somehow don't get to use these a lot, but booooy are they juicy.

And, as many noted before, it's really hard to go wrong with the Badonk. Probably on the top 10 high-gain models of all times, regardless of platform.

 

[QQQ]

I like the Archetype Lead model.

Me too!

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Feel like I’m in the (vast) minority here but I’ve never liked Badonk at all.

My favourite high gain helix amps are:

- Uberschall
- BE100
- Dual Rectifier
- Mark IV
- 5150
- Invective
- 5153
- Fireball
- Archon

Haven’t spent enough time with the XTC but I dig other emulations of it and assume Helix is equally good. VH4 is well modelled, not my favourite amp so not a go to. Rev sounds fine but I don’t get excited by it for whatever reason.

Even though my favourite high gain amps are probably the Uber, Recto and 5150, they also tend to reveal some of the trademark Helix fizz a bit. Usually it can be dialled out, but I tend to dial those ones a bit more carefully than some of the newer models).

 

[sleewell]

Revv red




Try the heavy distortion pedal (legacy) w the clarity amp. Its kinda cheesy but kinda cool lol.

 

[Lele]

I recently discovered the Helix’s Placater model and love the thicker, more modern take on the Marshall sound. I’m finding it an effective counter point to the brighter 2203 tones I typically use.

Which high gainers are you all using these days?

What do you mean by "high gain"? What type of music and songs are you referring to?
Generally, I don't use Peavey amp sims or similar models because they tend to be too much for my taste. However, since you mentioned the Placater, your definition of "high gain" might not be too far from mine.

In that realm, I've always loved—and still love—the Bogner Shiva (German Mahadeva) amp model. However, especially when using humbuckers, I prefer to cut the lows slightly in front of it (using an EQ block) because it has a rather complex tone with rich low mids. I also love using that amp model for clean tones by keeping both the drive and mid levels very low in that case.

On the other hand for "real high gain" the two Revv amp models are very interesting imho, but I have to say it again, I'm far from an expert on that field.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Badonk, Placater, Mark IV

 

[DieSchmalle]

German Xtra Red. Dialed in like a hot rodded 2203.

 

[ian_dissonance]

I don’t get along with Badonk, for my music/tuning it’s either bloated and loose or it’s super clanky and scratchy regardless of cab or boost. I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of the Revv Red, Archon lead, 5153, and I quite like the new Oblivion with the boost off.

 

[Orvillain]

Revv Red and Purple are standouts for me on Helix.

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Revv Red and Purple are standouts for me on Helix.

Same here

 

[Digital Igloo]

Still probably the Revv red channel. The EV Panama is a bit too can o' bees for my tastes.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Ya'll making me want to go back and try the Revv models again. Every time I do I toss them aside and call up the Badonk because there it is

 

[HomespunEffects]

Ya'll making me want to go back and try the Revv models again. Every time I do I toss them aside and call up the Badonk because there it is

Dey aight.

 

[EOengineer]

What do you mean by "high gain"? What type of music and songs are you referring to?
Generally, I don't use Peavey amp sims or similar models because they tend to be too much for my taste. However, since you mentioned the Placater, your definition of "high gain" might not be too far from mine.

In that realm, I've always loved—and still love—the Bogner Shiva (German Mahadeva) amp model. However, especially when using humbuckers, I prefer to cut the lows slightly in front of it (using an EQ block) because it has a rather complex tone with rich low mids. I also love using that amp model for clean tones by keeping both the drive and mid levels very low in that case.

On the other hand for "real high gain" the two Revv amp models are very interesting imho, but I have to say it again, I'm far from an expert on that field.

Whatever definition suits your preferences.

High gain is like autism. There’s a spectrum.