Thanks for this video. I've been playing guitar for 54 of my 60 years. I recently bought a Helix as a birthday present to myself. After decades of using tube amps, pedalboards, etc., it was a bit daunting. I'm rapidly finding that the learning curve is not nearly as steep as I anticipated due in large part to great videos like this.
Hello sir, m a newbie in Guitar in comparison to you. I’ve been playing guitar for a decade, and I have pod hd500x. I am thinking to switch to tube amp and pedal because I barely used any yet. I appreciate you opinion on this; Is there any huge upgrade to tone if one uses real amp and pedals instead of digital processor like hd500x or Helix ?
Thanks for sharing Jay! I'm 67 and in similar situation. I've been a Boss GT guy for most my time, and finally treated myself to a Helix Floor, which I really like, but desperately need videos like this one from Chad!
I have been playing for 60 of my just turned 70 years and for all of those years I have never even come close to getting the tones I wanted my birthday was a week ago I too bought one for my self for my birthday I am having an aboslute blast with it
Just recently built a whole fancy rig with the Helix Rack. WAS on the Firehawk before, but I never looked for a good explanation on how to fly these damn digital spaceships. This video is awesome with live examples and explanations like I'm 5. Thank you for your efforts man!
Thanks for taking the time to do this. And thank you for getting to the point and staying there on all your Helix videos. Your talent is rare and appreciated. Helix should be paying you, but, at the very least, your time warrants a PayPal tip. Thanks again!
Watched this series and it's great because you made things so clear. I've had the Pod Go, and sort of guessed my way around, tried to watch other videos and they mostly assume you already know an effects chain. This was the first time it all really made sense to me. Thanks, Chad! (another Chad here)
If you'll allow me to join this 'parade of appreciation', I'd like to also thank you for this most excellent tutorial! Im 67 and still playing regularly, but a noob to the Helix Floor. Ive always been a Boss GT guy, but now, almost exclusely, play through the Hx.
Totally awesome video and easy to follow. I just bought my Helix and I needed a very basic and clear layout of how to get started. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for this - I appreciate it. I had a POD XT Live years ago, and I really liked it. Just got the Helix Floor, in an attempt to cut down on my live setup. Anyhow. Thanks again.
Awesome video. I must have watched half a dozen or more of these types and left more confused than when I started. Thanks for your quality lesson. I would like to see a video about what all the parameters do. Save us a few rabbit hole trips and go to the good stuff.
I'm not a high-gain user, but I found turning off the Input Gate and playing with Impedance greatly improves the Helix experience. I was really struggling with the Helix until I figured out where the Gate was and turned it off. Instantly better.
Hi there, I'm very new to the Helix series and have just bought a Pod Go - would this be the best place to start? I'm just aware that this is based on a different Helix product. Thanks!
As always, this beginner, learned something Chad! When you spoke about DSP you stated something along the lines of "knowing how much an assigned block takes". I'd like a 101 video on that. :) Thanks again Chad for taking your time to help us guitards! :)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :) As for DSP allocations Ben Vesco has a terrific resource on this. Much more accurate data than I'd be providing: benvesco.com/store/helix-dsp-allocations/
Thanks for doing this. I've had my LT for almost a year. Learned a lot in that time but still tons more to learn. I'd be interested in global settings and paths for running to the snake (foh) etc...
Thanks for this. I'll add that if you have a favorite pedalboard, try to duplicate it on HX. Personally, I had an overdrive, a chorus, a delay, and a reverb.
Do you have a video dedicated to understanding the correct levels of the in and out volume in a chain in the preset that explains in detail how to set the level of ins and outs so that the signal does not appear red or very weak?
Thanks, Chad, for doing this video. I'm new to helix and trying to get the hang of what a good signal chain looks like. I can see how I could put one together. Now I need to know how I should. Can you help with that?
Chad I have a question. Full disclosure I am brand new to the Helix and power cab/so still have a learning curve going on but I think it is going ok. My question is I have a power cab plus and am running a digital cable to be able to make presets and have the ability switch between different speaker choices. My issue is with the cabinet facing me and making sure have the green to yellow light going I have to say it is not impressing me at all. Again I am new to this and have been a tube amp guy my whole life and for me to buy the helix is going to be for live play with an amp environment behind me with powercab. Are there tricks to getting the cab to sound better? I know thats a loaded question. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi Chad, very informative thx so much. My problem is when I switch sounds from clean to dirty etc...there is a latency, and it doesn't kick in right away . Plz help
There will be a gap between presets when changing between them. I think this is what you mean by latency. There are a few solutions. You can set helix for gapless switching, but you're limited to only one path for your presets (50% of the dsp power) You can use drive, or multiple drive pedals, in your effects chain for your distortion tone. There is zero latency when turning on/off effects. A third way would be to use snapshots to change the settings on the amp from clean to dirty. Like effects there is no latency when switching snapshots. The last way would be to have 2 amp models in the chain and switch back and forth between them. This uses the most dsp. Typically I do the second, and some times a mix of the 3rd, for my distorted tones.
Hey this is really cool Chad. Later on down the road can you talk about Snapshots? In the beginning of this pedal chain you created, you could have put on a compressor right? I would like to talk about the low cut/high cut more. How to get a nice overdrive without too much distortion. I play a lot of Classic Rock, Beatles, AC/DC, Stones, Sabbath, Priest, Skynyrd, that kind of thing. This is great! Thank you for posting this.
Thanks! Snapshot video coming soon 😉 Yes, could for sure have put a compressor in there. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add that to my list of ideas for future videos 👍
It's like you're reading my mind... Getting back into the Helix Floor and JTV Variax - I bought your Everything Pack for the Variax a week or so ago - and my head promptly exploded. To make things worse/better, I also bought a Powercab 212 plus. Can you talk about how to integrate the Powercab 112/212 plus amps in this process (along with the Variax and Helix)? Do you simply not add an amp in the Helix and let the Powercab plus handle that? This is all SO helpful and really appreciated. 10 thumbs up!
I'm so glad this is helpful, and thanks for picking up the Everything bundle!! As far as the Powercab goes you can do it one of two ways. Definitely use an amp model regardless. You can set the PowerCab to FRFR mode and do everything as you normally do it. Or you can not add a cab/IR block in your Helix preset, just the amp block, and choose speaker modeling on the PowerCab. Let me know if that makes sense :)
@@ChadHuskey Would choosing the speaker modeling on the PowerCab save some DSP power? Edit - I'm still figuring out the 212 plus, too - REALLY like the sound coming out of it - and your Variax bundled presets are nicely volume-matched - that used to drive me nuts trying to sort out the Variax. It was painful.
Yes it would, a considerable amount depending on how you setup your cab or IR block(s). It off loads that part the PowerCab. Also for playing live you can run the XLR out of the PowerCab to the mixer so it will have the speaker modeling applied to it.
@@ChadHuskey That was the plan - I designed my church's PA (seats 950 or so) in stereo to do that. I currently have my ancient Yamaha Acoustic Stomp pedal running into it in stereo (Martin HD35), but plan to do the same with the Helix/Variax output from the PowerCab 212+. Make sense?
A Variax is a guitar by Line 6 that uses digital modelling to recreate the sounds of many different guitars (Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, etc) as well as acoustic instruments. In Helix I find the noise gate to be pretty useful and transparent. Depending on the settings of course. If it's set too aggressively it may be noticeable that it's on, as with any noise gate.
@@hannuhakanen4580 I pretty much use it exclusively at home with q pair of beyherdynamic dt770 pro 80ohm headphones. Live I use in ears, so I rarely hear it through speakers. So I think it sounds great. I would say though that you need to have the helix at a decent volume level. If you have the volume too low it will sound thin and weak. Also use decent headphones. A cheap pair of headphones probably won't sound great 😉
I don't use IR's, so I'm not sure where to point you, but I'm sure there are some good free ones out there. I would do a Google search, and also go to the digital modeling section of The Gear Page forum and ask there. Folks on there should know where to look
@steveandrushko75 basically an IR is just a cabinet simulation. You can use the built-in stock helix cabs, or an IR if you'd like. I just stick with the helix cabs. It's the personal preference.
I would recommend just opening up a new preset on Helix and start experimenting. Add an amp/cab block first and go from there. If you follow my series of videos I think you'll find it helpful.
I’m brand new to Helix. Love these videos but several things are surprising. In the videos i have watched so far, you have only used the software. you haven’t demo’d at all how the setting created in software appear and operate on the floor unit. Snapshots for example. it would be helpful to demo how to create in the software, and then show how to trigger them on the floor unit. You are assuming knowledge of that operation. I guess the more i get into it, the more obvious that will be but your videos are aimed at total beginners.
Yes, the helix sits on the floor and I don't like having to bend down to edit 😉 So I always use hx edit on my laptop connected to the helix. Anything you can do an HX edit you can do on the unit itself, and the UI on the helix is great. I just find it a lot easier to do with a mouse and keyboard.
How come your picture shows the floorboard but in your video we are sitting on a computer mode?? Not helpful or cool for so,some who needs help with the board. Thanks anyway for throwing my time somewhere unhelpful.
Extremely helpful to this newbie! Feeling much less anxiety about “playing” with it.
Thanks for this video. I've been playing guitar for 54 of my 60 years. I recently bought a Helix as a birthday present to myself. After decades of using tube amps, pedalboards, etc., it was a bit daunting. I'm rapidly finding that the learning curve is not nearly as steep as I anticipated due in large part to great videos like this.
Hello sir, m a newbie in Guitar in comparison to you. I’ve been playing guitar for a decade, and I have pod hd500x. I am thinking to switch to tube amp and pedal because I barely used any yet. I appreciate you opinion on this; Is there any huge upgrade to tone if one uses real amp and pedals instead of digital processor like hd500x or Helix ?
Thanks for sharing Jay! I'm 67 and in similar situation. I've been a Boss GT guy for most my time, and finally treated myself to a Helix Floor, which I really like, but desperately need videos like this one from Chad!
I have been playing for 60 of my just turned 70 years and for all of those years I have never even come close to getting the tones I wanted my birthday was a week ago I too bought one for my self for my birthday I am having an aboslute blast with it
Just recently built a whole fancy rig with the Helix Rack. WAS on the Firehawk before, but I never looked for a good explanation on how to fly these damn digital spaceships. This video is awesome with live examples and explanations like I'm 5. Thank you for your efforts man!
Thanks man!! I just bought my Helix, watched a bunch of tutorial videos and this one was by far the best.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. And thank you for getting to the point and staying there on all your Helix videos. Your talent is rare and appreciated. Helix should be paying you, but, at the very least, your time warrants a PayPal tip. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for the kind words and the tip! It is very much appreciated. Glad you found the videos useful!
Thanks for this. An excellent presentation in plain English - pitched just right for somebody starting out on the Helix. Well done!
Watched this series and it's great because you made things so clear. I've had the Pod Go, and sort of guessed my way around, tried to watch other videos and they mostly assume you already know an effects chain. This was the first time it all really made sense to me. Thanks, Chad! (another Chad here)
If you'll allow me to join this 'parade of appreciation', I'd like to also thank you for this most excellent tutorial! Im 67 and still playing regularly, but a noob to the Helix Floor. Ive always been a Boss GT guy, but now, almost exclusely, play through the Hx.
Wow . Right outta the box it jumped onto the computer..thats pretty good
Just got a Helix, thank you for this series of vids!
Totally awesome video and easy to follow. I just bought my Helix and I needed a very basic and clear layout of how to get started. I really appreciate it.
I’m trialling helix native - just what I needed to get going as soon as possible. Many thanks!
Just ordered my helix and this video already got me a step ahead. Appreciate it my friend!
🙏Thanks
Thank you!!
Thanks for this - I appreciate it. I had a POD XT Live years ago, and I really liked it. Just got the Helix Floor, in an attempt to cut down on my live setup. Anyhow. Thanks again.
Awesome video. I must have watched half a dozen or more of these types and left more confused than when I started. Thanks for your quality lesson. I would like to see a video about what all the parameters do. Save us a few rabbit hole trips and go to the good stuff.
Great video. Very helpful. I just got a Helix and was looking for videos just like this. Keep it up! Thanks
Thanks for walking through this .
I'm not a high-gain user, but I found turning off the Input Gate and playing with Impedance greatly improves the Helix experience. I was really struggling with the Helix until I figured out where the Gate was and turned it off. Instantly better.
Thanks man! Great video! Finally make use of this thing!
I've been eyeing this piece of gear for a long time. I'd just like to know how to use it and what all it can do before buying. Thank you for the video
Hi there, I'm very new to the Helix series and have just bought a Pod Go - would this be the best place to start? I'm just aware that this is based on a different Helix product. Thanks!
If you look through my channel I have a few pod go videos that you might find helpful 🙂
@@ChadHuskey Thanks so much, will check them out!
As always, this beginner, learned something Chad!
When you spoke about DSP you stated something along the lines of "knowing how much an assigned block takes". I'd like a 101 video on that. :)
Thanks again Chad for taking your time to help us guitards! :)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)
As for DSP allocations Ben Vesco has a terrific resource on this. Much more accurate data than I'd be providing: benvesco.com/store/helix-dsp-allocations/
Great video! Thank you for getting me started.
keep it up Chad. Always good stuff.
Thanks for doing this. I've had my LT for almost a year. Learned a lot in that time but still tons more to learn. I'd be interested in global settings and paths for running to the snake (foh) etc...
I'll keep that in mind for the next video for sure!
Yeah, I'd like to know the same. Thanks in advance, Chad.
Thanks for this. I'll add that if you have a favorite pedalboard, try to duplicate it on HX. Personally, I had an overdrive, a chorus, a delay, and a reverb.
Merci Chad pour cette vidéo ! 🎸
Do you have a video dedicated to understanding the correct levels of the in and out volume in a chain in the preset that explains in detail how to set the level of ins and outs so that the signal does not appear red or very weak?
Thanks, Chad, for doing this video. I'm new to helix and trying to get the hang of what a good signal chain looks like. I can see how I could put one together. Now I need to know how I should. Can you help with that?
Thanks a lot! So helpful! 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing
Chad I have a question. Full disclosure I am brand new to the Helix and power cab/so still have a learning curve going on but I think it is going ok. My question is I have a power cab plus and am running a digital cable to be able to make presets and have the ability switch between different speaker choices. My issue is with the cabinet facing me and making sure have the green to yellow light going I have to say it is not impressing me at all. Again I am new to this and have been a tube amp guy my whole life and for me to buy the helix is going to be for live play with an amp environment behind me with powercab. Are there tricks to getting the cab to sound better? I know thats a loaded question. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi Chad, very informative thx so much.
My problem is when I switch sounds from clean to dirty etc...there is a latency, and it doesn't kick in right away . Plz help
There will be a gap between presets when changing between them. I think this is what you mean by latency.
There are a few solutions.
You can set helix for gapless switching, but you're limited to only one path for your presets (50% of the dsp power)
You can use drive, or multiple drive pedals, in your effects chain for your distortion tone.
There is zero latency when turning on/off effects.
A third way would be to use snapshots to change the settings on the amp from clean to dirty. Like effects there is no latency when switching snapshots.
The last way would be to have 2 amp models in the chain and switch back and forth between them. This uses the most dsp.
Typically I do the second, and some times a mix of the 3rd, for my distorted tones.
@@ChadHuskey thank you so much for all this info, I will play with all the options and keep you posted.
Thx so much man
Hey this is really cool Chad. Later on down the road can you talk about Snapshots? In the beginning of this pedal chain you created, you could have put on a compressor right? I would like to talk about the low cut/high cut more. How to get a nice overdrive without too much distortion. I play a lot of Classic Rock, Beatles, AC/DC, Stones, Sabbath, Priest, Skynyrd, that kind of thing. This is great! Thank you for posting this.
Thanks! Snapshot video coming soon 😉
Yes, could for sure have put a compressor in there.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add that to my list of ideas for future videos 👍
Great video, thanks!
Excellent my brother!
Thanks brother!
Hi do you do online one on one helix setup ?
Audio mic sounds good... nice upgrade!
I have a good audio quality consultant ;)
Hey I forgot to ask, what version variax guitar are you using?
It's the jtv69.
Do you have to use a computer to set things on the Helix? Just wanted to plug it into my Fender Deluxe amp.
No. Everything you do in hx edit can be done on the pedal itself.
I used mineral in the studio so I use hx edit out of convince.
It's like you're reading my mind... Getting back into the Helix Floor and JTV Variax - I bought your Everything Pack for the Variax a week or so ago - and my head promptly exploded. To make things worse/better, I also bought a Powercab 212 plus. Can you talk about how to integrate the Powercab 112/212 plus amps in this process (along with the Variax and Helix)? Do you simply not add an amp in the Helix and let the Powercab plus handle that? This is all SO helpful and really appreciated. 10 thumbs up!
I'm so glad this is helpful, and thanks for picking up the Everything bundle!!
As far as the Powercab goes you can do it one of two ways. Definitely use an amp model regardless. You can set the PowerCab to FRFR mode and do everything as you normally do it. Or you can not add a cab/IR block in your Helix preset, just the amp block, and choose speaker modeling on the PowerCab.
Let me know if that makes sense :)
@@ChadHuskey Would choosing the speaker modeling on the PowerCab save some DSP power? Edit - I'm still figuring out the 212 plus, too - REALLY like the sound coming out of it - and your Variax bundled presets are nicely volume-matched - that used to drive me nuts trying to sort out the Variax. It was painful.
Yes it would, a considerable amount depending on how you setup your cab or IR block(s). It off loads that part the PowerCab.
Also for playing live you can run the XLR out of the PowerCab to the mixer so it will have the speaker modeling applied to it.
@@ChadHuskey That was the plan - I designed my church's PA (seats 950 or so) in stereo to do that. I currently have my ancient Yamaha Acoustic Stomp pedal running into it in stereo (Martin HD35), but plan to do the same with the Helix/Variax output from the PowerCab 212+. Make sense?
That makes perfect sense 👍
THANK YOU Chad!!
Amping for live gigs would be useful
New person. What is a Variax? Noise gate in analog.usually flattens your tone. I assume it does not do that in digital world.
A Variax is a guitar by Line 6 that uses digital modelling to recreate the sounds of many different guitars (Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, etc) as well as acoustic instruments.
In Helix I find the noise gate to be pretty useful and transparent. Depending on the settings of course. If it's set too aggressively it may be noticeable that it's on, as with any noise gate.
@@ChadHuskey Thank you so much for your response and your videos.
My helix dose not have the 1X12 Princess cab
@@steveandrushko75 if it doesn't you'll just need to update your firmware.
The only thing I´m worried about is how does Helix sound with earphones?
@@hannuhakanen4580 I pretty much use it exclusively at home with q pair of beyherdynamic dt770 pro 80ohm headphones.
Live I use in ears, so I rarely hear it through speakers.
So I think it sounds great.
I would say though that you need to have the helix at a decent volume level.
If you have the volume too low it will sound thin and weak.
Also use decent headphones. A cheap pair of headphones probably won't sound great 😉
Thank You! @@ChadHuskey
Are there any free IRs out there if there us can you tell me where?
I don't use IR's, so I'm not sure where to point you, but I'm sure there are some good free ones out there.
I would do a Google search, and also go to the digital modeling section of The Gear Page forum and ask there.
Folks on there should know where to look
@@ChadHuskey I only just got my Helix a week ago I don't even know if I need them
Thanks
@steveandrushko75 basically an IR is just a cabinet simulation. You can use the built-in stock helix cabs, or an IR if you'd like. I just stick with the helix cabs. It's the personal preference.
@@ChadHuskey Got it yeah I too am sticking with the Helix cabs Thanks Chad!
Im so new on the Helix I dont even understand how to start a new preset?
I would recommend just opening up a new preset on Helix and start experimenting. Add an amp/cab block first and go from there. If you follow my series of videos I think you'll find it helpful.
I’m brand new to Helix. Love these videos but several things are surprising. In the videos i have watched so far, you have only used the software. you haven’t demo’d at all how the setting created in software appear and operate on the floor unit. Snapshots for example. it would be helpful to demo how to create in the software, and then show how to trigger them on the floor unit. You are assuming knowledge of that operation. I guess the more i get into it, the more obvious that will be but your videos are aimed at total beginners.
Wonderful...thanks
Hold on... you're on your computer doing this
Yes, the helix sits on the floor and I don't like having to bend down to edit 😉
So I always use hx edit on my laptop connected to the helix.
Anything you can do an HX edit you can do on the unit itself, and the UI on the helix is great.
I just find it a lot easier to do with a mouse and keyboard.
@@ChadHuskey I finally put it up on a little coffee stand LOL
Thanks for this video, lets me know to never mess with something like this, way to complicated! No thank you. Helix is a hard pass for me!!
How come your picture shows the floorboard but in your video we are sitting on a computer mode?? Not helpful or cool for so,some who needs help with the board. Thanks anyway for throwing my time somewhere unhelpful.
Worthless, because you jumped straight to hx edit.