Helix JCM800 2203 Request Thread (FW 3.70 new Brit 2203)!

[tiagoa9619]

I'm holding myself so hard not to just buy a Tonex and be done with my desire to have an incredible (and kinda affordable) digital representation of a JCM 800. I just keep telling myself that a really well done JCM 800/2203 model by Line 6 is much better than drowning myself in a sea of profiles and captures. The question is: how long will we have to wait? Will this really ever happen?
In another note, this is the type of comment that really illustrates how Line 6 is lacking in this department. Of course their brit 2204 won't hold a candle to a capture of the real amp.

 

[James Freeman]

Bro, the Brit 2204 sold sooooo many ToneX's.

 

[EOengineer]

There is no shortage of awesome JCM800 and Plexi/Superlead captures in Tonex. They even have some Superbass captures that are incredible - especially as pedal platforms.

 

[BahamaDada]

Bro, the Brit 2204 sold sooooo many ToneX's.

Funny, but I guess it's true. Helix users unsatisfied with the HX 2204 will most likely go to a roughly 400$ pedal, than switching to a whole new modeler/platform, that will cost 4 digits minimum.

 

[dronerstone]

There is no shortage of awesome JCM800 and Plexi/Superlead captures in Tonex. They even gave some Superbass captures that are incredible - especially as pedal platforms.

Pretty much a Sunn Model T iirc, except for the ultra-linear big iron. These are exceptional amps!

 

[James Freeman]

Sunn Model T

Yep, it's basically a Super Bass with an ultra-linear output transformer, 6550 power tubes, and a lot more negative feedback with huge PI coupling caps (250nF).
It's the flattest and most well behaved sounding Plexi type circuit, a Super Duper Bass.
Until you crank it that is.... then it sounds like a motorboating fart meltdown galore, perfect for doom metal with a Rat.

 

[dronerstone]

Yep, it's basically a Super Bass with an ultra-linear output transformer, 6550 power tubes, and a lot more negative feedback with huge PI coupling caps (250nF).
It's the flattest and most well behaved sounding Plexi type circuit, a Super Duper Bass.
Until you crank it that is.... then it sounds like a motorboating fart meltdown galore, perfect for doom metal with a Rat.

Agree completely*, except I recall the output stage being a quad of KT88's.

*especially about the motorboating fart meltdown galore part. In the best possible way.

 

[pipelineaudio]

I have the software tonex...Can someone point me to a good example of a 2204 patch for it?

 

[Mongillo19]

I have the software tonex...Can someone point me to a good example of a 2204 patch for it?

I like the SDS Marshall (although it's based off the studio classic version and is DI). Amalgam Audio has a bunch of amazing captures and one of them being a jcm800. Those would be my go to

 

[EOengineer]

I have the software tonex...Can someone point me to a good example of a 2204 patch for it?

I’m not near my gear and don’t want to send you on a wild goose chase so I’ll follow up with some recommendations later.

As others have said, you can’t go wrong with Amalgam Audio. I seem to recall some of the IK captures being pretty good too.

There’s one called “Jimmy May” or something like that…I love it but think it’s a 1959 and not a 2203/2204.

You can sort by amp in the Tonex software, so I’d start there - you should find a whole bank of 800 tones you can explore.

 

[partytrain]

I'm holding myself so hard not to just buy a Tonex and be done with my desire to have an incredible (and kinda affordable) digital representation of a JCM 800. I just keep telling myself that a really well done JCM 800/2203 model by Line 6 is much better than drowning myself in a sea of profiles and captures. The question is: how long will we have to wait? Will this really ever happen?
In another note, this is the type of comment that really illustrates how Line 6 is lacking in this department. Of course their brit 2204 won't hold a candle to a capture of the real amp.

I would argue that the difference between the Tonex and HX 800 is not worth the absolute nightmare that is the Tonex software.

 

[Mongillo19]

I would argue that the difference between the Tonex and HX 800 is not worth the absolute nightmare that is the Tonex software.

Truly, what is so hard about loading a capture on to the tone x pedal?

1) plugin tone x
2) click librarian
3) click tone net (if you want)
4) drag capture to space on librarian tab
5) done

 

[Deadpan]

I have the software tonex...Can someone point me to a good example of a 2204 patch for it?

I'll PM you.

 

[EOengineer]

I would argue that the difference between the Tonex and HX 800 is not worth the absolute nightmare that is the Tonex software.

It’s bad software, no argument there. It’s not “avoid the hardware” bad - especially with all the Tonex Max captures and Amplitube 5 included.

 

[JiveTurkey]

If it takes 20 tries for me to get one good, working capture; Tone-X can take a flying leap. Juice is not worth the squeeze at all.

 

[EOengineer]

If it takes 20 tries for me to get one good, working capture; Tone-X can take a flying leap. Juice is not worth the squeeze at all.

Ah, I haven’t captured with it yet. I guess we will see if my opinion changes after I give it a shot. I’ve read some stuff that points to a lot of complexity in getting accurate gain staging post converter into the amp.

 

[Mongillo19]

If it takes 20 tries for me to get one good, working capture; Tone-X can take a flying leap. Juice is not worth the squeeze at all.

Yes I'm sure capturing is a whole other issue. But as far as the simplicity of loading in captures and playing, it's pretty straightforward

 

[JiveTurkey]

Plenty of people seem to enjoy it. I'm just not one of them.

 

[dronerstone]

Plenty of people seem to enjoy it. I'm just not one of them.

After a glimpse at the free/trial software, I'm scared off and decided it's not for me.

Loading other people's captures might be easy, but I can only imagine the horrors of creating my own.

Thus -> thanks but nope, thanks

The Windows app feels like a clusterf**k. Sorry for the language there, but that's honestly what my impression was.

 

[pipelineaudio]

Capturing is pretty bad on a number of levels. And so far, the gain, bass and treble are nowhere near for me pre and post capture