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^ Me too - And fully agree with the perseverance tip. My out front sound at little pub gigs now sounds like a pro mic'd up 4x12 rather than a typical pub band amp at the back of the room on far too loud scenario. As a result not only I sound better but the whole band does too.
As for 'what guitars are meant to be played through' it's more a question of 'what guitars are meant to be listened to through' most of my music at home gets listened to on a Hi-Fi or headphones (FRFR), and live through a big PA (FRFR). When I listen to a guitar through an amp it's either me stood 2m in front of it or some bloke in a pub where the band have a crap PA, neither scenario is ideal for listening to guitar.
Yes, a good amp sounds great in isolation, but to get your audience to share that experience you either have to give them each a guitar amp or amplify it via a PA so what they get is FRFR. With a Helix (other modelling units are available) you have full control over the whole process, with SM57 hanging over the front of a cab right next to the drummer you don't.
I am going to try the Alto but I'm reading up on as much as I can plus the guy in the shop uses a Helix with Yamahas so he's got some patches set for FRFR too - albeit different speakers.
There's something about the definition and clarity you get in the band mix that I have had trouble with using a real amp tho! When I change to a modelled clean it's "present" for want of a better term.
The definition and clarity comes from the control you have over the frequencies so the guitar sound isn't encroaching on the bass or vocals too much. With a 'proper' amp you get lows and highs that might sound good in isolation, but stop it sitting in the mix.
I've used the Alto, and the bass extension is a lot less than the Yamaha, the trick is to cut the bottom below about 120 Hz that way the cab isn't trying to amplify lots of lows that you don't want there anyway.
Never used mine on a pole and it was fine
And in a venue where you DO go thru the PA and you use it as a monitor do you need separate outputs and do you stick an EQ block on the end of the output to PA so you can do rough and ready tweaks?
I worry about getting a chance to hear my FoH sound as some venues we play in we are on after the place is packed and we just line check on stage and get monitors right - I'd literally have no idea how it sounds out front - even if it sounds awesome to me on stage that's no good to the sound guy or audience!
Yes, obviously depending on what sort of band you are. I've used one with a 5-piece rock band and it was OK in a smallish pub. You could always just put a bit through the PA to re-enforce the sound if needed
You can assign the global EQ to just the XKR's (OP to PA), I find though that if I have the patch setup right most PA's just need everything flat on the desk it you just plug in and go.
I didn't try the Yamaha DXR or QSC as I didn't want to find out that something 2x the price (or more in QSC) was 2x better. That may sound silly but if I felt the Alto sounded good and could live with it now, I could justify the DXR or similar further down the line.
I think I'll pick that up for now anyway and see how I go - quite excited at the prospect of having a nice compact rig! The Alto is smaller and lighter than expected! I tried it on the floor as a wedge monitor and then on a pole. Didn't feel it was boomy on the ground as I had heard they can be. Cranked it a fair bit too.
As an aside - I played the James Valentine EBMM model - lovely guitar with that Axis like neck I love.
This is bollocks.
This is sense.
As John says, the Helix gives you a great mic'd up sound like you'd hear on a recording or through a PA.
If you expect your Helix (or Kemper, or Axe FX) rig to sound like a real amp in the room then you will be disappointed.
R.
Eqd Speaker Cranker clone
Monte Allums TR-2 Plus mod kit
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/60602/
set it up in my office and it sounded and felt nice at midnight volume (kids asleep upstairs).
Then finally got to turn it up this evening, which was a welcome relief after a day with the kids at chessington World of Pain...
Really good tones and fun to play through, so might move it and the Helix to the music room next to the real Amps and cabs and give it a go.
I need bedroom levels as well as moderate gig ones...advice please
Jon