Line 6 Helix

fretmeister

You don't need to buy anything else.

While third party IRs were very popular the massive cab update a little while ago was exceptionally good and other IRs really aren't needed anymore.

Purchasing patches can be done, but often they are a disappointment because the rest of the signal chain is different.
Far better to learn the unit yourself. The CustomTone website has user shared patches for free if you want to try other people's ones. There's a lot of crap on there, but also some really good ones.

I tend to use 1 patch with 4 basic sounds in it, using Snapshots to change between them without any lag at all. Clean, Crunch, Filth, Solo. Then there's a couple of other FX that I turn on / off at will. But I do have other specific patches for recording.

It's ace.

PolarityMan

TTBZ said:

PolarityMan said:

How much do you like the marshall models in the helix? You could just go straight from the helix to the FX return of the amp and use one of the marshall models. Generally using a helix like this sounds very very good. 

This, when I had my Stomp I ran it into the FX return on my Jubilee and was able to get the Placater sounding pretty much the same  

When I exploded my main amp before a big gig I ran like this with a JCA50h to get 4 channels, used the JCAs own preamps for crunch and rhythm then used the helix preamps into FX return for cleans and high gain. Worked really well. 

PolarityMan

Haych said:

Apologies if this goes off on a tangent, but thought it best to ask in this thread rather than starting a new one.

With a new Helix, how much setup time and additional purchases are required to get the unit functional for playing live, assuming I want to use Helix and nothing else for my sound.

So say I have a setlist of 20 songs and want to create a patch of two of three sounds for each song, how much jiggery pokery is required, and would I end up needing to purchase more patches, IRs or anything else from Line 6, or can it be done perfectly well how Helix comes equipped out of the box?

Assume I'm a modelling luddite, because I am.

TIA

I would probably create a single core patch with snapshots to cover main sounds and try and get most songs out of that then create specialist patches for songs that had really signature sounds. A patch per song sounds like a ballache when you inevitably want to tweak something across all patches.

PolarityMan

Sporky said:

I don't think you need to buy anything more. 

Wait a minute...are you *sure* you are a guitarist? 

Haych

PolarityMan said:

Haych said:

Apologies if this goes off on a tangent, but thought it best to ask in this thread rather than starting a new one.

With a new Helix, how much setup time and additional purchases are required to get the unit functional for playing live, assuming I want to use Helix and nothing else for my sound.

So say I have a setlist of 20 songs and want to create a patch of two of three sounds for each song, how much jiggery pokery is required, and would I end up needing to purchase more patches, IRs or anything else from Line 6, or can it be done perfectly well how Helix comes equipped out of the box?

Assume I'm a modelling luddite, because I am.

TIA

I would probably create a single core patch with snapshots to cover main sounds and try and get most songs out of that then create specialist patches for songs that had really signature sounds. A patch per song sounds like a ballache when you inevitably want to tweak something across all patches.

Hmm, ok.  I'll give this some thought.  I've almost pulled the trigger on a Helix Floor a few times now.

Went to see the Ultimate Classic Rock Show last weekend and at least one of the guitarists was using Helix.  This was the second time I've seen the band and I was really impressed with the sound he was getting out of the Helix.  They were playing everything from Fleetwood Mac to Led Zeppelin and everything in between.

Obviously I can't know how he was using it or how many patches he was using or how long he spent setting it up, but it sounded incredibly professional.

I love the idea of having one unit that I can plonk at my feet and plug into FOH and having every sound I could possibly need.

At the moment it's a but moot as I'm not in a band, but it's my intention to get out and play again so I'm torn whether it's a waste of cash to buy one now, or a sound investment and an opportunity to learn the thing before I get out and play again.

UnclePsychosis

A regular reminder that you can get a free 15 day trial of Helix Native which has exactly the same sounds as the hardware units.

Obviously it's dependant on your interface and playback equipment and your willingness to faff with plugins but it is a route to a cost-free trial of the Helix ecosystem.

stickyfiddle

I wouldn’t even need multiple patches, most likely. You’re almost always better off with a core sound and then modifying that with a different preamp, FX and/or snapshots to get specific tones (clean, driven, solo, etc). 

A lot of folks get so tied up in being able to cop the exact rig used on every single song that they end up with a really disjointed set of sounds that sounds weird to listen to as a punter. Also this makes it a nightmare to mix, as they’re all going to be EQd differently, etc etc. 

but in answer to the question, Helix can do everything you need any way more and once you learn it you could probably set up what you need in about 20 mins

relic245

stickyfiddle said:

I wouldn’t even need multiple patches, most likely. You’re almost always better off with a core sound and then modifying that with a different preamp, FX and/or snapshots to get specific tones (clean, driven, solo, etc). 

A lot of folks get so tied up in being able to cop the exact rig used on every single song that they end up with a really disjointed set of sounds that sounds weird to listen to as a punter. Also this makes it a nightmare to mix, as they’re all going to be EQd differently, etc etc. 

but in answer to the question, Helix can do everything you need any way more and once you learn it you could probably set up what you need in about 20 mins

I agree with this.  I play in a covers band playing many different styles.  I've been in and out of modelling since Axe-Fx version 1 and got excited by having different patches for different sounds. 

The big lightbulb moment came when i realised what a big F***ing ball ache that was. If I do a gig with an amp I don't do that, I have a few core sounds and some effects so I should be using a modeler in the same way.

I got my helix 2 weeks ago.  I thought that it might need a lot of tweaking to get sounds I was happy with. 

In reality I spent about 3 hours over a couple of days experimenting a lot until I got a clean/crunch/more crunch/lead set up. 

I switched between them using snapshots on the 4 bottom buttons and then have the top 4 buttons in stopmbox mode for fx. 

I can't do everything in 1 patch so I just replicated that and had another patch with different fx. 

I've ended up with 4 patches that will cover everything I need. 

I could have done it in 2 but I've created patches for 2 specific songs. I could have done it without as the sounds are the same but wanted to make the switching easier. 

If you get into the rabbit hole of trying to get the 'perfect' sounds you'll be tweaking for ever as perfect on one day sounds different another. 

If you're looking for some great sounds quickly though, it's easily doable. 

Sporky

PolarityMan said:

Sporky said:

I don't think you need to buy anything more. 

Wait a minute...are you *sure* you are a guitarist? 

I play cello. 

Cello players can't afford GAS. Even a set of decent strings is £200.

topdog91

Those of you setting up with clean/crunch/lead in one patch (is it "usual" to use one patch with different snapshots for this?), how are you changing your level of rawk between snapshots? Stacking ODs? Changing "amp" settings?

relic245

topdog91 said:

Those of you setting up with clean/crunch/lead in one patch (is it "usual" to use one patch with different snapshots for this?), how are you changing your level of rawk between snapshots? Stacking ODs? Changing "amp" settings?

My clean is the whowatt 100 snapshot 1
Crunch placator clean with gain turned up a bit snapshot 2
More crunch is same as snapshot 2 with a Timmy pedal snapshot 3
Lead is same as snapshot 3 bit with more gain and vol on amp and Timmy snapshot 4

That's pretty heavy on dsp having 2 amp blocks but it's just enough for me.

There might be a better way to do it but I've only had it 2 weeks so it's first attempt.

willo

topdog91 said:

Those of you setting up with clean/crunch/lead in one patch (is it "usual" to use one patch with different snapshots for this?), how are you changing your level of rawk between snapshots? Stacking ODs? Changing "amp" settings?

I used to add an OD block or change the amp settings without changing the block. You can assign any parameter to being controlled by the snapshot. It's a great feature. 

Haych

Oh well, Helix incoming.  This could be a revelation or an expensive mistake...... we will see.

relic245

Haych said:

Oh well, Helix incoming.  This could be a revelation or an expensive mistake...... we will see.

I don't know if you went for new or used.

If used it's never an expensive mistake as you'll recoup your money pretty easily.

Haych

relic245 said:

Haych said:

Oh well, Helix incoming.  This could be a revelation or an expensive mistake...... we will see.

I don't know if you went for new or used.

If used it's never an expensive mistake as you'll recoup your money pretty easily.

I bought it new.  My reasoning is that I'd rather have the benefit of a guarantee on a piece of complicated tech like a Helix.  I'd rather be covered for six years than have it break down in six months and have to replace it or pay to have it repaired.

robinbowes

I found it really easy to create great sounds, although I will say that I (almost) always use HX Edit on my laptop, and not the front panel interface.

I typically use a few patches for a whole set, with a range of sounds: clean, twangy, chimey, crunchy, rocky, etc.

It makes life so much easier playing live. To get the same thing without the Helix, I'd need at least four amps on stage!

Does it feel better with a loud amp on-stage? Yes, of course! But is it easier with the Helix overall - by far!

Brow

I'm a recent Helix owner too, had mine just over a week or so.

I've spent the last week programming up a 'do it all' preset for humbucker guitars for my cover band. I think I'm getting there with it but still have a hell of a lot to learn!

Upto yet I have it set as this: 4 snapshot/4 stomp on the main screen with 8 snapshots available by pressing both banks, and more stomps available by present the Preset/Stomp button.

Snapshot 1 - clean Super Reverb amp with a bit of reverb.

Snapshot 2 - Placater Dirty with 2 cabs on as my main Rhythm sound, only running gain around 4 I think.

Snapshot 3 - same as 2 but has a Phaser and 2 ODs on it for a quick change part of 2 songs.

Snapshot 4 - same as 2 with a volume boost for solos.

My 4 stomps (top row) are an OD (Plumes or Timmy) can be used as grit on the clean or as a 'more gain' button.

A TS808 set barely on, 0.1 on gain, but as a level boost into the Dirty amp.

Whammy with -1 Oct harmony on toe up and +1 Oct on toe down. 

Whammy with sweep from standard to +2 Oct on toe down.

On the 2nd page of stomps I have the HBE amp boost, the phaser and a instant +1 octave shift for a few 'keyboard-y type sounds'.

Typing that all it out it sounds much more complicated than it is in use!

bloodandtears

To the newbies...   if you want access to some swiss army knife style patches to see how they are set up and configured; I'll happily share mine...

relic245

bloodandtears said:

To the newbies...   if you want access to some swiss army knife style patches to see how they are set up and configured; I'll happily share mine...

That’s very kind and yes please!

bloodandtears

OK..  Anyone who wants my set-list of patches can pm me your email address..

NB: I don't use IRs, so there should be no issues there..   I'll send the .hls file instead of any individual patches for ease..