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Clarky and the Helix

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ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
ok guys…
this thread is a lil' blog of my encounter with the Helix..

first observation is the weight: at 6.6kg this floor unit feels pretty solid..
surprisingly weighty
play every note as if it were your first
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Comments

  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    Did you buy one, or is it a loaner?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • SassafrasSassafras Frets: 30273
    Did you buy one or just weigh it?
     :) 
    4reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • bingefellerbingefeller Frets: 5723
    Any sound clips?  What are you playing it through?  
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    octatonic said:
    Did you buy one, or is it a loaner?
    been loaned it for a few weeks..
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    edited July 2017

    Any sound clips?  What are you playing it through?  
    not even had the chance to power it up yet… been a busy weekend.. Sunday night though I'll hook it into my studio..

    tone I'm not worried about.. I'm expecting it to be good enough..
    the whole point of this exercise for me is to determine if it has the real-time control capabilities to replace my Axe-FX for gigs overseas..
    Here's my issue:

    guitar flight case = 30kg
    rack = 30kg
    contains 2 x Axe-FX, poweramp, power conditioner
    case = 20kg
    contains MFC-101 controller, 4 x Boss FV-500 pedals, cables, toothbrush, spare sock
    total = 3 items of luggage = 80kg = £££ with the airline = promoter not overly happy

    alternatives:
    1 - replace the big rack with a smaller one [1 x Axe-FX, power amp]
    still have guitar flight case and case with controllers
    2 - just a guitar flight case and a case containing: Helix, power amp, 3 x FV-500, fewer cables, toothbrush and sock]
    just 2 items of luggage at less than 60kg in total [hopefully]
    play every note as if it were your first
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • robinbowesrobinbowes Frets: 3021
    Is it not feasible to hire overseas?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • sweepysweepy Frets: 4159
    Is it not feasible to hire overseas?
    I'd have thought it tricky to get an Axe-Fx then have time to set it up etc
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  • SassafrasSassafras Frets: 30273
    Could you not buy a toothbrush and sock while you're over there?
    6reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • guitarfishbayguitarfishbay Frets: 7953
    sweepy said:
    Is it not feasible to hire overseas?
    I'd have thought it tricky to get an Axe-Fx then have time to set it up etc
    I guess the only thing to do would be to contact Fractal and see if they do that kind of thing.

    In theory it'd take very little time to set up - you'd just take a backup of your unit and send that to the loaner via a laptop. Guess you could do this with any modern modeller thinking about it
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  • professorbenprofessorben Frets: 5105
    Just the one sock?

    Chilli Peppers tribute act is it?
    " Why does it smell of bum?" Mrs Professorben.
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24579
    edited July 2017
    This thread needs renaming to Jamie and the Magic Torch.

    Or, Chorlton and the Wheelies
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  • grammargrammar Frets: 27
    Clarky said:

    Any sound clips?  What are you playing it through?  
    not even had the chance to power it up yet… been a busy weekend.. Sunday night though I'll hook it into my studio..

    tone I'm not worried about.. I'm expecting it to be good enough..
    the whole point of this exercise for me is to determine if it has the real-time control capabilities to replace my Axe-FX for gigs overseas..
    Here's my issue:

    guitar flight case = 30kg
    rack = 30kg
    contains 2 x Axe-FX, poweramp, power conditioner
    case = 20kg
    contains MFC-101 controller, 4 x Boss FV-500 pedals, cables, toothbrush, spare sock
    total = 3 items of luggage = 80kg = £££ with the airline = promoter not overly happy

    alternatives:
    1 - replace the big rack with a smaller one [1 x Axe-FX, power amp]
    still have guitar flight case and case with controllers
    2 - just a guitar flight case and a case containing: Helix, power amp, 3 x FV-500, fewer cables, toothbrush and sock]
    just 2 items of luggage at less than 60kg in total [hopefully]

    I went for option 2. Pelican case with Ax8 pedalboard, loom and backup mfx. Guitars in a Scott Dixon dual case that doubles as a stand.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 2reaction image Wisdom
  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    been reading the manual
    discovered snapshot..
    looks quick similar to a scene in the Axe-FX
    this will be useful

    finally got to powering it up.. pretty ain't it..

    I like the way you bank up / down, pick a preset and then it immediate switches to snapshot mode..
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • Clarky said:

    I like the way you bank up / down, pick a preset and then it immediate switches to snapshot mode..
    That'd be really useful on the Axe Fx
    Read my guitar/gear blog at medium.com/redchairriffs

    View my feedback at www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1201922
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    not doing anything spectacular..
    just learning to navigate the front panel
    play every note as if it were your first
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    Clarky said:

    I like the way you bank up / down, pick a preset and then it immediate switches to snapshot mode..
    That'd be really useful on the Axe Fx
    I user the MFC-101 in reveal mode always..
    top row set to call up presets 1 thru 5 [which I deem to be my 'performance area']
    mid row is so to specific fx
    front row is scenes 1 thru 5 + 2nd MIDI CC commands for control reasons
    play every note as if it were your first
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    editor installed and seems to be talking happily to the Helix..
    the edit is rather nice looking so far…

    only having two amps available in a preset will be a bit limiting..
    play every note as if it were your first
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • stratman3142stratman3142 Frets: 2177
    Clarky said:
    editor installed and seems to be talking happily to the Helix..
    the edit is rather nice looking so far…

    only having two amps available in a preset will be a bit limiting..
    I thought that it's possible to have more than one amp in a preset. So there might be more than one amp in a path but the required amp can be selected in a snapshot, provided you don't run out of DSP.
    It's not a competition.
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  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    hmmm…. not getting on with the tone… particularly the highs..
    also the feel is a little stiff..
    gonna noodle around a see if I can do anything about this..
    that said...
    I've never been a fan of factory presets and that's all I've goofed with so far…
    play every note as if it were your first
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • ClarkyClarky Frets: 3261
    Clarky said:
    editor installed and seems to be talking happily to the Helix..
    the edit is rather nice looking so far…

    only having two amps available in a preset will be a bit limiting..
    I thought that it's possible to have more than one amp in a preset. So there might be more than one amp in a path but the required amp can be selected in a snapshot, provided you don't run out of DSP.
    I've not tried any control stuff just yet..
    does this mean that I can switch amp type via snapshot?
    play every note as if it were your first
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
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