I respect your research and diligence. I'm a bit of a "stick in the mud" in some ways and i stick with what's familiar.
NGPD!
- Thread starter smitty_p
- Start date
I respect your research and diligence. I'm a bit of a "stick in the mud" in some ways and i stick with what's familiar.
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
Ok, I understand now, and that all makes sense. Thanks, Smitty!I should clarify. Although I said, "FRFR", I won't really be comparing response curves of speakers to determine the one that has the fullest range and the flattest response.
The real goal is the get the same kind of speaker that we use in the band.
Currently, we are using these, in addition to subwoofers:
Yamaha DHR15 15" Powered Speaker, 1000W
Buy the Yamaha DHR15, 15" Powered Speaker, 1000W at Full Compass Systems. 0% Financing and Free Shipping on thousands of items!www.fullcompass.com
These have the advantage of being powered speakers, so I won't need to get an additional amplifier.
So, when I build my patches and listen to them through this, I will hear exactly what my patches will sound like coming from our PA. Being an actual PA speaker, this will also be fairly close to what I could expect at other venues, too.
My experience in using a processor running to the mix has been quite positive, whether I've used my X3 Live or the iPad rig that I put together. What I've noticed consistently is that the sound coming from PA speakers does differ from what it sounds like when using headphones to build patches - duh! When we do sound checks, I often go out in front of house (I use a wireless) to hear what I sound like. Then, I may make some EQ changes to the patch. Sometimes, I'll hear a patch through the PA and decide that it actually sounds good in the mix just the way it is, and I'll leave it alone.
I've gotten so accustomed to running direct to the mix that I think I would feel rather handicapped if I had to do otherwise.
OP
Okay...
So, I've had a few days with this and even played a short event with it.
I continue to love this thing! I'm learning more and more of it's capabilities. Building patches with the HX Edit software is a breeze. I really haven't spent too much time editing patches from the front panel, but I've made a few minor configuration changes with the device controls.
It's flexibility is quite amazing. For my purposes, I'm glad I got this rather than the other big names in processors, if for no other reason than Line 6 has a very good history of making good editing software packages.
Most importantly, the sound is very good with this.
So, I've had a few days with this and even played a short event with it.
I continue to love this thing! I'm learning more and more of it's capabilities. Building patches with the HX Edit software is a breeze. I really haven't spent too much time editing patches from the front panel, but I've made a few minor configuration changes with the device controls.
It's flexibility is quite amazing. For my purposes, I'm glad I got this rather than the other big names in processors, if for no other reason than Line 6 has a very good history of making good editing software packages.
Most importantly, the sound is very good with this.
Interesting!!!!
OP
One cool feature, which I’ve already mentioned, but which I’m learning more about, is Snapshot Mode. That seems to be one of the Helix’s claims to fame. The beauty of it is that you can create a patch with an amp, cabinet, assortment of effects, etc. Snapshot Mode won’t really change the overall patch, but you can set up different snapshots within the preset to have different effects on or off, or (and I haven’t tried this, yet but I’ve read about it) you could have a snapshot with different parameters of some device, like different amp settings.
So, let‘s away you build a patch with an amp and cabinet, an overdrive pedal, a boost, a delay, and maybe some reverb. That would be your basic patch, but you could set one snapshot, for example, to be a rhythm. That snapshot may only have the amp by itself and possibly a touch of reverb for a little girth. Another snapshot may enable the overdrive, for, say, a more aggressive rhythm. Then, you may want to have a lead patch where you add the boost and some delay for a nice, singing arena rock lead tone. When you build these different snapshots within the main preset, you enable them with a single button push. You don’t have to step on a bunch of separate foot switches. A lot comes down to how you organize the presets and snapshots. But, the beauty is that you can group what would otherwise require a bit of “pedal dancing” into one button push. The other beauty of Snapshot Mode is that the switching is instantaneous and things like delay trails will continue their natural decay as you switch to another snapshot. The delay trails won’t cut off abruptly.
Of course, you could also use what is called “Stomp” mode where you can engage/disengage individual effects like a traditional pedal board.
Like I said, I’m still learning the versatility of this unit. But, it’s a pretty well thought-out platform.
OP
I do have Guitar Rig 6 on my computer, but I haven’t used it enough to be able to determine how many similarities there may be.
I’ll just have to trust you on this!
In a live or studio setting?
OP
Well…both.
When you create a patch, that is what will be heard. One location won’t make the patch noisier or quieter than another.
ibmorjamn
Ambassador of Moar Jammin
I had the option to get the floor model but I opted for the Stomp and it has been the best gear purchase I've made.
I have bought and sold so many tube amps and only miss a few. The one I let go was the JCM 900 DR. The Mesa Boogle single Rec is equally as good and I let that go to.
In the end in my current home the stomp fits. So much control and I have the cab plus however I run more often to headphones. I just don't need the sound waves bouncing off of everything. Not your average enthusiastic tube amp player but I still have tube amps.
ibmorjamn
Ambassador of Moar Jammin
ibmorjamn
Ambassador of Moar Jammin
They are not. The stomp is a self contained amp, built in screen/ software.
Interface might be similar.
OP
Yeah, in my situation, I'm building patches with headphones, but I'm aware that in actual use I'll be running through our band's PA. We haven't been playing or practicing for the last couple of weeks because our lead singer has been on vacation. But, next week we'll get back into practicing and we have a gig next weekend, so I'm pretty interested to hear what this is like over our PA. It is already way better in headphones.
Interestingly, I saw another new startup band in the local area a couple of days ago. I didn't get a view of the guitar player's rig (he was pretty good), but he was doing nearly the same as me. He had a floor processor run straight to the mix. This band was using stage wedges instead of in-ears, though. But, when we first started we used wedges, too. Then we migrated over to in-ears. Of the bands I've seen in this area, the trend seems to be in the direction of processors run straight to the mix. Of course, not all do that, but it seems to be getting a little more common.
The gig we have next weekend actually likes our setup. The last time we played there, the manager made a comment about how a band that had played the day before "brought all this gear that looked like it came out of the '70s." She actually appreciated our more compact setup and the fact that we have more control over our sound, since we don't have amps blasting away on stage. Since it was indoors, there is concern that the patrons can actually communicate with wait staff, etc. So, being able to control volume is appreciated. (We did creep up the volume as the night progressed!) When we play outdoors, we pretty much can play as loud as we want, but it's nice to have that degree of control.
In a live or studio setting?
Listen to Faulkner's tone and look how simple his signal chain is....
Faulkner has the perfect combination of blues phrasing, speed and energy.
Yngwie may be faster, but i honestly think that Faulkner has the most soul and energy of any other player out there right now, plus his live tone is just phenomenal.
Yngwie may be faster, but i honestly think that Faulkner has the most soul and energy of any other player out there right now, plus his live tone is just phenomenal.
OP
So, over the weekend, I built a board for my Helix and the components I'll be using.
As a reminder, here are the items that will be put onto the board:
Here is a top shot of the completed board. The aluminum bars on either side will hold the Helix in place. I'll use Velcro for the other pieces.
I also learned a long time ago that building a board with a handle is a big plus!
Here's a shot that sort of shows the profile of the board:
This shows the underside of the aluminum retaining bars. I applied the fuzzy side of a strip of Velcro to the underside of the bars where they will contact the Helix to provide a bit of a cushion.
Right now, the board has its last coat of paint and is dry enough to handle, but I want to give it a few more hours to cure out a bit before I start putting everything together.
As a reminder, here are the items that will be put onto the board:
Here is a top shot of the completed board. The aluminum bars on either side will hold the Helix in place. I'll use Velcro for the other pieces.
I also learned a long time ago that building a board with a handle is a big plus!
Here's a shot that sort of shows the profile of the board:
This shows the underside of the aluminum retaining bars. I applied the fuzzy side of a strip of Velcro to the underside of the bars where they will contact the Helix to provide a bit of a cushion.
Right now, the board has its last coat of paint and is dry enough to handle, but I want to give it a few more hours to cure out a bit before I start putting everything together.
OP
Yes. That's one of the things I'm wanting to achieve.
Yep, very clean.