Line 6 Helix

Sporky

I like these ideas.

But I was thinking less conventional. I'm not 100% clear on what an IR "looks like" file-wise so will have a look at some existing ones first.

guitarfishbay

It looks like a really short .wav file usually 500ms or less, few kb I think.

fretmeister

I don't actually know what an impulse response is or what it is for.

But for some reason the term sounds cool.

I'm having un-natural thoughts about assembling a new Rig of Doom.

The best version so far had 4 blended signals - 2 from a Bass Pod Pro XT and 2 from an Ampeg SVP-BSP.

I still have the Ampeg.

The XT was limited in the 2 signals as it wasn't anything more than a DI clean blend. Very useful, but not the same as a 2nd amp model etc.

At the time I was trying to sort out frequency specific drives and the amount of outboard EQ gear I would have needed was a problem.

The Helix might solve that. I don't use a lot of modulation or verbs on bass so the processing power would be used for parallel signal paths and EQs / compressors more than anything else.

Mmmmm....

Drew_TNBD

fretmeister said:

I don't actually know what an impulse response is or what it is for.

But for some reason the term sounds cool.

I'm having un-natural thoughts about assembling a new Rig of Doom.

The best version so far had 4 blended signals - 2 from a Bass Pod Pro XT and 2 from an Ampeg SVP-BSP.

I still have the Ampeg.

The XT was limited in the 2 signals as it wasn't anything more than a DI clean blend. Very useful, but not the same as a 2nd amp model etc.

At the time I was trying to sort out frequency specific drives and the amount of outboard EQ gear I would have needed was a problem.

The Helix might solve that. I don't use a lot of modulation or verbs on bass so the processing power would be used for parallel signal paths and EQs / compressors more than anything else.

Mmmmm....

Sounds like a bad idea to me.

fretmeister

Why?

My experience of modelling is limited to older units and iPad Amplitude.

Will the Helix not do what I describe?

Drew_TNBD

It will. But I think you should focus on setting fire to children.

fretmeister

That's work. I need a hobby.

Cabicular

mine is in the office I'll go and get it tomorrow

Do I have enough time to set it up for tomorrow nights gig....

Sporky

I've had a bit more of a play. Some oddities interface-wise (leaving assignment mode isn't straightforward) but the sounds are decent. Very decent. Firmware 1.06.5 seems to have fixed all the "why isn't there a..." questions I had. Nice selection of LFOs on at least some of the effect blocks, the control assignments work pretty well.

I do think a Source Audio Reflex will be an excellent addition.

Cabicular

Splits merged and multiple footswitch assignments are the bits that stumped me a bit at first
I've got there now
My main preset is split at the end so I can put an EQ block in front of the 1/4 outputs while leaving the XLRs for full range
Gigging tonight
Wish me luck

Sporky

Yeah - i do like having parallel paths, then using an autopanner and a mono block after it to wiggle between two different modulations. There's so much you can do. I even made some fairly normal sounds...

Cabicular

I'm really struggling to get enough midrange into it
Even chopping massive top and bottom off and boasting the midrange it's very scooped
Far too much low end and high end
I need to get to grips with this or it's had it

guitargeek62

Strange, can't say I'm noticing that? What are you running it through?

Cabicular

A variety of kit
Last night it was an Atomic reactor for on stage and the line 6 stage source PA out front
It sounds great at lower volumes but in a band context it just doesn't have the punch and I think it is because it favours a scooped kind of rock tone
You know what happens when you take a smile EQ and punt it up
The highs are too high and the lows are too low
Maybe I need to set up the PA with the band and fuck about with it (there is only so much people will tolerate at a sound check / gig)
Or maybe I just ditch the amp modelling and go back into the front end of my amps
The FX are great and the flexibility of 10 footswitches latching and unlatching just unbeatable

hugbot

With modellers if you dont like the sound I'd start with the cabs and mic usually.

Cabicular

Yeah possible inshouldnjust cycle through them at soundcheck
Maybe I'm picking cabs that sound good at low volume and that's what is giving me the hassle

Sporky

With real amps you'd adjust the EQ according to the volume level, so I'd suggest the same with a modeller.

stickyfiddle

Cabicular said:

Yeah possible inshouldnjust cycle through them at soundcheck
Maybe I'm picking cabs that sound good at low volume and that's what is giving me the hassle

As with all things amp-related you need to set up your gigging sounds at gigging levels, where generally a shitload of mids is your friend, which isn't necessarily true at home. 

It's the same effect as to why the so-called transparent ODs are very popular with home noodlers but Klons and Tubescreamers are brilliant when you crank things up.

Cabicular

It's worth mentioning I'm not exactly new at this but it's different with the Helix
Traditional guitar amps almost sort themselves out as you bring the volume up
It's not just a case of setting it up louder, you need to set it up with the band going as well so you can tune where it sits
In anticipation of that I had an EQ block in all my presets with massive low and high end rolled off and a big mid range boost which is just for gigging volume
My issue is that even with that and an inverse smile on the EQ on the desk, it STILL wasn't enough
I don't think I could get it to be enough without it starting to sound buzzy
But the cab and mic change is a good call
If it has that profile at the beginning then all the EQ in the world is not going to change it that much
Honestly though I might be better served ditching the modelling side of it

Cabicular

@hugbot
The more I think about it the more I think you are right
The modelling of the mic and the speaker cab is introducing a whole different layer of EQ that I'm not used to dealing with. I'm trying to EQ a recorded and EQd signal through a mic which has its own EQ characteristics and then trying to EQ it for a set of PA speakers which are EQd for the room
Too much going on
Rather than trying to fix the EQ of the guitar I should pick a speaker and cab emulation which more closely matches what I'm doing live
It's the static nature of IRs I think that it tripping me up
Traditional guitar amps and speakers naturally change at volume where is the IRs seem more
Like a snapshot that just basically gets louder or quieter
This may be obvious to everyone else so sorry about working it out 'out loud' but it's very useful