Helix Talk

I would say dialing is inevitable. I don't think there's any settings that works with any guitar and playback system.

In my case, for the hi gain sounds, I made A/B comparisons with Smashing Pumpkins' "The aeroplane flies high" song until I got my guitar and the Revv Gen Red to sound almost identical.

For cleans (Line6 Clarity) and crunchy (2203) I just tweaked parameter by parameter until I couldn't find any improvement to my ears.
 
Short question: Do monitor stand make a huge difference compared to having them on a desk?

I just play at home, don't do any mixing.

And if it;'s worth it, any suggestions for the JBL 305s?
 
TLDR; A few quick questions before I rush out and by a used Floor:
1. Can the Helix Floor pass the XLR signal through to an XLR output, even if there are not dedicated input and output settings in a preset? So some kind of global setting?
2. Is there an easy way to tap the signal right before the cabinet/IR block in every preset, in case I want to plug into the FX return of my tube amp without changing any settings in the preset when doing this?

I'm seriously considering dipping my toes in Helix Floor land... Especially because a Floor + Backpack has just surfaced on my local used market :unsure:

It's not so much brought on by the newest firmware, which I know isn't very exciting, but still has a couple of new amps that I think I'd enjoy, but I've been eyeing one since 3.7, which brought the last couple of amps and effects that I "need" in a floor modeler. Also, with the latest 3.8 update it's become clear to me that the HX line is probably at the end of it's life cycle which is when I usually jump on the band wagon :LOL: I'm the same way with pretty much all other pieces of tech in my life -I'm a late follower.

It's actually more brought on by the new firmware to the Headrush series. It made me consider whether or not it was time to upgrade from my Headrush Pedalboard to the Headrush Prime. And then I started thinking what features the Prime had that I was currently missing in my Pedalboard. And since I don't need or have any particular interest in cloning/capturing/profiling anything, I don't really care about all that. What I do care about is ease of use, XLR input (I do a lot of backing vocals in the band and kinda miss playing around with a couple of effects for vocals), features and the quality of amp modeling/sounds. In that order. And while I'm certain I'll miss the user interface of my HR Pedalboard if I switch to another platform, I know there are a lot of things that I'll appreciate, such as the quality and number of effects and amp models.

I've also looked long and hard at the AxeFx FM9. But ultimately have to pass because of two factors: 1. I'm located in Europe, which means I'll have to fork out almost 50% more than what I'd have to spend if I were living in the US. And while I do travel to the States from time to time, I wouldn't be comfortable buying such an expensive piece of hardware without much local support. And 2. It doesn't have a built in expression pedal. This last one really shouldn't deter me as much as it does but I just have to admit that I need to use it from time to time during a set for either whammy, wah or volume and I just can't be bothered having to attach the FM9 to a board, attaching an expression pedal to the board etc. etc. I've done the whole board thing to many times and I always end up going back to an all-in-one solution because of practicality.

So I always come back to the Helix Floor. I could probably settle for an LT but I just love scribble strips so damn much and I really want that XLR in to add some vocal effects from time to time. But that has me wondering: Can I make it so that the XLR input passes signal to one of the XLR outputs even if I don't have anything assigned in my presets? The reason I ask is that I only want to use extra vocal effects on some presets, in addition to the compression and reverb I already have in our mixer, in the rest of my presets I want to spend the HX DSP solely on my guitar signal but still be able to pass signal through the mic and the HX XLR output.

My last question is regarding assigning a pre-cabinet/IR block to pass signal to one of the 1/4-inch outputs so that I can always pass a signal to the FX return on my tube amp if and when I want to. It's one of the features I really like about the Headrush, their "alternate output" settings. Which lets you globally tap the signal right before the cabinet/IR block in every preset just by going into the system settings. As long as you always keep the cabinet/IR block last in the chain of all your presets. This one is not a deal breaker though, since I've learned from experience that I very rarely have to do this. And even in the instances that I did, I still ended up creating presets specifically for that situation, which kind of defeats the purpose... But if there is a way to easily do this in every one of my Helix presets without using too much DSP or dedicating a whole path in the signal chain, then I'd love to know about it :giggle:
 
MadMaxG79 said:
TLDR; A few quick questions before I rush out and by a used Floor:
1. Can the Helix Floor pass the XLR signal through to an XLR output, even if there are not dedicated input and output settings in a preset? So some kind of global setting?
2. Is there an easy way to tap the signal right before the cabinet/IR block in every preset, in case I want to plug into the FX return of my tube amp without changing any settings in the preset when doing this?

I'm seriously considering dipping my toes in Helix Floor land... Especially because a Floor + Backpack has just surfaced on my local used market :unsure:

It's not so much brought on by the newest firmware, which I know isn't very exciting, but still has a couple of new amps that I think I'd enjoy, but I've been eyeing one since 3.7, which brought the last couple of amps and effects that I "need" in a floor modeler. Also, with the latest 3.8 update it's become clear to me that the HX line is probably at the end of it's life cycle which is when I usually jump on the band wagon :LOL: I'm the same way with pretty much all other pieces of tech in my life -I'm a late follower.

It's actually more brought on by the new firmware to the Headrush series. It made me consider whether or not it was time to upgrade from my Headrush Pedalboard to the Headrush Prime. And then I started thinking what features the Prime had that I was currently missing in my Pedalboard. And since I don't need or have any particular interest in cloning/capturing/profiling anything, I don't really care about all that. What I do care about is ease of use, XLR input (I do a lot of backing vocals in the band and kinda miss playing around with a couple of effects for vocals), features and the quality of amp modeling/sounds. In that order. And while I'm certain I'll miss the user interface of my HR Pedalboard if I switch to another platform, I know there are a lot of things that I'll appreciate, such as the quality and number of effects and amp models.

I've also looked long and hard at the AxeFx FM9. But ultimately have to pass because of two factors: 1. I'm located in Europe, which means I'll have to fork out almost 50% more than what I'd have to spend if I were living in the US. And while I do travel to the States from time to time, I wouldn't be comfortable buying such an expensive piece of hardware without much local support. And 2. It doesn't have a built in expression pedal. This last one really shouldn't deter me as much as it does but I just have to admit that I need to use it from time to time during a set for either whammy, wah or volume and I just can't be bothered having to attach the FM9 to a board, attaching an expression pedal to the board etc. etc. I've done the whole board thing to many times and I always end up going back to an all-in-one solution because of practicality.

So I always come back to the Helix Floor. I could probably settle for an LT but I just love scribble strips so damn much and I really want that XLR in to add some vocal effects from time to time. But that has me wondering: Can I make it so that the XLR input passes signal to one of the XLR outputs even if I don't have anything assigned in my presets? The reason I ask is that I only want to use extra vocal effects on some presets, in addition to the compression and reverb I already have in our mixer, in the rest of my presets I want to spend the HX DSP solely on my guitar signal but still be able to pass signal through the mic and the HX XLR output.

My last question is regarding assigning a pre-cabinet/IR block to pass signal to one of the 1/4-inch outputs so that I can always pass a signal to the FX return on my tube amp if and when I want to. It's one of the features I really like about the Headrush, their "alternate output" settings. Which lets you globally tap the signal right before the cabinet/IR block in every preset just by going into the system settings. As long as you always keep the cabinet/IR block last in the chain of all your presets. This one is not a deal breaker though, since I've learned from experience that I very rarely have to do this. And even in the instances that I did, I still ended up creating presets specifically for that situation, which kind of defeats the purpose... But if there is a way to easily do this in every one of my Helix presets without using too much DSP or dedicating a whole path in the signal chain, then I'd love to know about it :giggle:
Click to expand...
1. The mic will only pass signal if set up in the signal chain of your preset.

2. Placing a Send block before the IR will give you an option to use that Send output (say Send 1) to a power amp. You'd need to place the Send+IR last in the signal chain to get any post FX into the cab.
 
spawnofthesith said:
Sounds great, what are you using cab or IR wise, and how are you setting up the shelves?
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Im using an IR of my own 2x12 with Greenbacks, I call it Dua Verde Prime. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/alexcab

For this sound specifically, the Pre-shelf is cutting some low end and pushing the front of the amp a little. The Post-shelf is adding back some low end and a little high end. I'll share the preset when I can.
 


Does anyone know what trademark Cordy is talking about? I thought Nexus was describing a communication protocol. So I don't think it's that.
 
burningyen said:
You'll get less comb filtering if you can set up your monitors so that reflections aren't coming off your desk.
Click to expand...

But is that cork sniffing or something only real engineers need to worry about ? Or does it also affect the quality of sound positively so it’s worth the 100 bucks? :)
 
mercifulfuzziness said:
But is that cork sniffing or something only real engineers need to worry about ? Or does it also affect the quality of sound positively so it’s worth the 100 bucks? :)
Click to expand...
I haven't done A/B testing of different playback setups. But knowing how important reflections can be when it comes to miking cabs I would think it can make a big difference. When we did our basement and I finally had my own music room to set up, I saw many threads on this (google "gearspace desk reflections"... this is maybe the OG thread on the subject: https://gearspace.com/board/studio-building-acoustics/570976-desktop-reflection-revealed.html). So I went with a skinny desk and floor stands:

img_2510.jpg
 
Last edited:
mercifulfuzziness said:
But is that cork sniffing or something only real engineers need to worry about ? Or does it also affect the quality of sound positively so it’s worth the 100 bucks? :)
Click to expand...
It's real. Many don't notice it at first, I sure didn't, but if you're sculpting sounds whether it be modeler presets, mixing tracks, or listening for your own enjoyment, the reflections off of flat surfaces around you will influence what you're hearing.

At first it'll just be a feeling of "hey why does it sound wildly different in my car/other room/stage?"

You can choose to try to do something about it, or just simply dial in presets and mix tracks only meant to be heard in your space.
 
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