Doing an End-Run Around Helix, Fractal, and Kemper

smitty_p

smitty_p

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So…I’ve wanted to improve my acoustic guitar sound for awhile and make it a little more lush in a live setting. In short, I’ve wanted to add some effects to it.

Well, it turns out all I needed was a computer and a USB interface - both of which I already had!

I installed Guitar Rig 6 from Native Instruments and built myself a little acoustic guitar patch which features just some reverb, a little delay, and a touch of chorus. I even have a parametric EQ in the virtual chain.

I could do the same for a full electric guitar setup but I don’t have a foot controller for it and from my research, it seems the latest version of Guitar Rig has some issues with the controller. Plus, I’m pretty happy with my current electric guitar setup.

The cool part is that I'm just using the free version of the software! I didn’t need to buy the full version. Even so, this would have been hundreds of dollars worth of effects.

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eSGEe said:
Bias FX has a great bunch of acoustic options

HEck man 59.00 for base bias FX
or Bias amp
you should check out the freeware sample versions -- loads of fun -- loads of tones -- little $
Click to expand...

What kind of computing power do you need for that? Guitar Rig runs easily on my rather anemic laptop, which is one of the things I like about it. But, I've heard good things about Bias FX. I wouldn't mind spending the money if it will run okay.
 
eSGEe said:
Bias FX has a great bunch of acoustic options

HEck man 59.00 for base bias FX
or Bias amp
you should check out the freeware sample versions -- loads of fun -- loads of tones -- little $
Click to expand...

smitty_p said:
What kind of computing power do you need for that? Guitar Rig runs easily on my rather anemic laptop, which is one of the things I like about it. But, I've heard good things about Bias FX. I wouldn't mind spending the money if it will run okay.
Click to expand...

Well, I've studied up a bit on Bias Fx. I could run it on my current PC. Now, I'm kind of curious about getting it plus a midi foot controller to use for electric guitar use.
 
I can tell you this ---- I got the base 60.00 "buy in" a couple months ago .
1. LOVE IT
2. ive barely scratched the surface of its options/abilities and likely NEVER will
---are the tones EXACT -- who knows -- whats exact? 3 people in the same room with a vintage plexi hear 3 different things
is it the best 60.00 Ive ever spent on amplification ? -- "F" yes --period
 
eSGEe said:
I can tell you this ---- I got the base 60.00 "buy in" a couple months ago .
1. LOVE IT
2. ive barely scratched the surface of its options/abilities and likely NEVER will
---are the tones EXACT -- who knows -- whats exact? 3 people in the same room with a vintage plexi hear 3 different things
is it the best 60.00 Ive ever spent on amplification ? -- "F" yes --period
Click to expand...

What do you get for that price?
 
eSGEe said:
A CRAP ton for 49.00
--30 amp sims -- 45 effects and access to the tone cloud where..... limitless downloads exist---


what you really need to compare is BIAS FX2 -- or BIAS AMP2 -- (they are different)
amp has more -- well AMPS less effects (but more TWEAKABLE amp options -- down to tubes and biaisng etc)
FX has more FX and less amps
Click to expand...

Yeah, I’ve been looking at both Bias FX 2 and Bias Amp 2. I’m thinking Bias FX 2 more fits the bill. The price makes it almost a no-brainer. Even after buying a USB MIDI foot controller with two expression pedals, it would still be just about three hundred dollars.
 
I second Bias FX2. I’ve been using the standard version it for a year with Reaper and have barely scratched the surface. I find the interface can make a difference. I was experiencing some latency issues with my Scarlett 2i2 with some of more complicated presets. Playing with the cache settings and changing the power settings on my pc to High Performance solved it. I also use Audified Amplion Pro. It definitely needs more horsepower than Bias FX. It took a while to sort out the settings it needs.
 
Kerry Brown said:
I second Bias FX2. I’ve been using the standard version it for a year with Reaper and have barely scratched the surface. I find the interface can make a difference. I was experiencing some latency issues with my Scarlett 2i2 with some of more complicated presets. Playing with the cache settings and changing the power settings on my pc to High Performance solved it. I also use Audified Amplion Pro. It definitely needs more horsepower than Bias FX. It took a while to sort out the settings it needs.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Kerry! Those really are helpful insights.

Are you using Bias FX in a live setting?

As for latency, I can say that in my own testing at home, I can't detect any using Guitar Rig 6 and the Presonus interface shown in the pic in my OP. I mean, I'm sure there has to be some latency, but it is essentially undetectable.
 
I found (after downloading the FREE trial versions and mucking about ) bias FX2 had MORE than enough amp sims and cabs... PLUS more effects. Bias AMP is really a Tube rollers delight --- SO MANY internal amp "tweaks" tube options bias options .... options on top of options with alternative options..... ad nauseum....

I found the BIAS FX 2 to be a better fit for me it has amp sims I enjoy and all the pedals I could ever want to fiddle with for the cost of one cheapo Behringer pedal .......

thats hard to be right there
 
I still have the freeware of BIAS AMP 2 if I want to really tweak digital tubes -- but TBTH I swapped back and forth to comp the amp models (yep identical) so ..... Ive not opened it since.... but its there if I really want to DEEP DIVE into a tube head sim

You see bias FX gives you the amp sim (and the "front" of the amp)

BIAS AMP gives you all the INERDS to fiddle with
 
In total, Bias FX 2 has 100 amp models if you opt for their elite version. The Professional version has 60 different amp models and the standard version has 30.

I found that the standard version did lack some of the amps that I needed, especially when you download presets from ToneCloud. Also, if you’re a bass player, the dedicated amps on standard versions are VERY limited.
 
NOW for total "disclosure" I also have one of these

it also has an online interface it IS the audio interface -- with XLR outs......the pedal is included...... the tones are (frankly IMHO better than the STANDARD Bias FX .......AND the UPSIDE???--- you can TAKE all that WITH YOU to a gig -- a friends house -- camping--- to prison (maybe not) .....wherever! )
ALSO -- no computer needed you can take this to a gig and either go front of house --- or straight into an amp -- ... VERY versatile --
 
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