The beauty of simplicity (long post, sorry)

[HotRats]

Premise.
I've been using an helix floor since 2018 (with a tube amp in the last 2) taking advantage of it's powerful capabilities: snapshots, multiple expression pedals, single presets per songs, etc.

Before helix I had a big pedalboard with a programmable 8 loop switcher.

You see? I like variety, hate tap dancing, love effect, coloured leds, scribble strips, etc.

Context:
I'm in a cover band where the other player is an old style man: single channel amp, volume pot and that's it.

What's in my mind:
I've joined this band bringing my habits (call it my style) in terms of tailoring sounds for each songs/section but I've realized maybe I'm rawing against the current here (call it their style) and I should embrace simplicity and go with flow.

The problem:
I don't think I'm able to keep it simple if I have an helix floor at my feet. I mean, when I joined this band I was determined to use one single and simple preset but I've failed and more than an year after I'm back to multiple presets, snapshots & c.

The solution:
I'm thing about building a small pedalboard with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos. The amp had 2 channels.

The issues:
1. I'm not sure I'm thinking it straight, maybe It's just gas.
2. Costs: building a nice board from scratch (sold everything back in 2018 when moved to digital) is pretty expansive.

Final thoughts:
There's beauty in the simplicity of classic pedalboard and there's a certain degree of freedom in having fewer options that I find fascinating.

I have this idea that a straight forward setup can force you (me at least) to focus more on my playing and staying in the flow.

Snapshots, presets, small details are great but can be a cage and a rope that force you to stay constantly close to your footswitches because you know, you "really need" that +2db boost and 5% more delay for that lead line.

Should I go back to a simpler rig?

 

[James Freeman]

Should I go back to a simpler rig?

Maybe add instead of going back?
I tried a lot of gear in 2024, for me nothing beats a good single channel amp with a SD-1, but I mostly like dry sound with no effects so I don't 'miss' things I seldom use.
Your rig is very individual, no one can suggest a perfect solution, especially to gas.

This solution:
I'm thing about building a small pedalboard with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos. The amp had 2 channels.

There you go.

 

[laxu]

The Helix can already be just like a pedalboard if you ignore snapshots. But why should you, they remove the tap dancing.

To me it sounds like you just need to change your approach. Try being more minimalist with the Helix by deliberately limiting what you can use. No more per song tweaks or anything complicated.

 

[HotRats]

@laxu limiting myself with the helix is what I've tried to do but I've failed quite miserably.

Anyway I've placed and order, bought a couple of pedals, a board and a power supply.

 

[la szum]

Premise.
I've been using an helix floor since 2018 (with a tube amp in the last 2) taking advantage of it's powerful capabilities: snapshots, multiple expression pedals, single presets per songs, etc.

Before helix I had a big pedalboard with a programmable 8 loop switcher.

You see? I like variety, hate tap dancing, love effect, coloured leds, scribble strips, etc.

Context:
I'm in a cover band where the other player is an old style man: single channel amp, volume pot and that's it.

What's in my mind:
I've joined this band bringing my habits (call it my style) in terms of tailoring sounds for each songs/section but I've realized maybe I'm rawing against the current here (call it their style) and I should embrace simplicity and go with flow.

The problem:
I don't think I'm able to keep it simple if I have an helix floor at my feet. I mean, when I joined this band I was determined to use one single and simple preset but I've failed and more than an year after I'm back to multiple presets, snapshots & c.

The solution:
I'm thing about building a small pedalboard with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos. The amp had 2 channels.

The issues:
1. I'm not sure I'm thinking it straight, maybe It's just gas.
2. Costs: building a nice board from scratch (sold everything back in 2018 when moved to digital) is pretty expansive.

Final thoughts:
There's beauty in the simplicity of classic pedalboard and there's a certain degree of freedom in having fewer options that I find fascinating.

I have this idea that a straight forward setup can force you (me at least) to focus more on my playing and staying in the flow.

Snapshots, presets, small details are great but can be a cage and a rope that force you to stay constantly close to your footswitches because you know, you "really need" that +2db boost and 5% more delay for that lead line.

Should I go back to a simpler rig?

Yes.

OD, Delay, Reverb, some kind of Modulation on a small board would give you
the best of both worlds. Simplicity, and a few options.

 

[the-trooper]

I've been using an helix floor since 2018

thing about building a small pedalboard with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos.

Make a preset with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos.

 

[HotRats]

Make a preset with just a vibe, a delay and volume boost for solos.

Already done that but then I started making special presets for certain songs, etc and now I have special presets for almost every song.

I really feel that building a traditional board is the right thing to do with this band I'm in.


now a I need to find a new band where I can make the helix shine.

 

[sleewell]

I'm plugging my LT right into the front of the amp now and love it. The amp sounds amazing. Only really using the helix for a boost, octave up and downs on momentaries and a delay for chaos/noise sections.

It's really simple. Probably don't need something like the LT for what I'm using but it's what I have and I like how it sounds. Then I can switch to a different preset at home to practice.

 

[the-trooper]

Already done that but then I started making special presets for certain songs

Don't do that.

 

[HotRats]

Don't do that.

I can resist anything except temptation.

 

[sleewell]

How do you guys sound check a preset per song? Say you get to a show and start playing and realize you need to make a few changes in your amp block. Doesn't that mean going through each preset to make the same changes?

 

[HotRats]

How do you guys sound check a preset per song? Say you get to a show and start playing and realize you need to make a few changes in your amp block. Doesn't that mean going through each preset to make the same changes?

I use a tube head and a 2x12 in 4cm so I don't have that problem but when I used to play full digital that's a thing that bugged me.
I'm among those who asked global blocks for the helix for years (with no luck).

I don't mic my cab, though but use a torpedo can m+ for consistency.

 

[HotRats]

Done!
We'll see how it goes :)

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Done!
We'll how it goes :)


View attachment 32865

Hey! I have that 2x12. What's with the paper over the cones?

 

[HotRats]

Hey! I have that 2x12. What's with the paper over the cones?

It's tape. Is there to tame beaming a bit and make things sound more comfortable for band mates right in front of me in rehearsal room.
Not the perfect solution but good enough.

I've experimented a bit with dimensions and found a kind of sweet spot for my needs.