Line 6 Helix High Gain Tone! (From Scratch)

[@diogotaira390]

thank you SO MUCH for putting this together! I was kind of stuck and overwhelmed with the excess of options, but this video gave me so much clarity. Thanks!

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

I know I'm late to the party chiming in but even though I have had a few line 6 items over the years I just got a LT and looking it up on YT I see this. Watching you build just now made me remember just how simple this unit is to dial in and sound massive! Appreciate you doing this Fluff have a blessed day bro 😎👊🏻💯

[@billhillard]

I'll be damned! That sounds like a tube amp! I am a tube guy and what used to be blasphemy (solid state amps/analog non-valve, etc.) is starting to become required and practical. Nice vid as always, dude.

[@drapps4443]

I’ve been avoiding IRs but this has swayed me... sounds great Fluff!

[@sjsphotog]

IRs are a huge rabbit hole and ones you there get ready to spend a LOT of time trying to find the exact one you need/want. Usually most folks buy $100s of dollars in IRs but end up only using 3-5 key ones they like the most. You CAN do it with stock cabs just need to know how to tweak them. IRs (and paid patches) is the way YT channesl are making their $$ after all. ;P check out Jason Sadites channel and see his tips on dialing in great tones as he never uses IRs and they sound great

[@PERPowns]

IR's are the lifeblood of a solid digital tone IMO

[@sjsphotog]

just hope you can afford them all. they get expensive. most youtube channels are making loads of $$ on people buying IRs.

[@s.gharavi1614]

I've never found an IR that's better than my tweaks of the standard cabs, but I keep trying anyway!! Lol

[@sk8erchris01619]

You’re awesome Fluff, thanks for all you do on here and with DU! Keep up the good work! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🔥

[@peeweesermon2231]

Thanks for this!! I just got my first modeler (Line6 PodGo) and this video has been super helpful! Thank you so much dude

[@biswas01]

I know you've switched to Fractal, but would be great to see you redo this video w/ the 3.50 update. Thx! 🤘🏽

[@paulpartington6276]

This has inspired me to improve my amp settings.

[@mitchchaos8836]

2:44 I got Nostalgia from California when that riff started, damn thats punchy!

[@spencercoles1800]

I'd recommend going into your global EQ and setting your high and low cut there. It's really useful for HX Stomp users who need to utilize and save blocks.

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

another idea is if you're using IRs there's a low and high cut you can use

[@johnbeamon]

There are purpose-built reasons for putting EQ in different places. People who use Floor for vocals, acoustic, bass, and electric are reluctant to make Global EQ changes. Stomp users generally don't require that flexibility and can use Global EQ as you're suggesting. Second, a lot of people hi/lo cut their cabs to allow post-cab FX to have freedom to generate noise and overtones. E.g., Octo and Searchlight reverbs both add higher overtones, making reverb brighter than base tone. I would not put EQ after those FX. For more basic, amp-dependent presets, cut can go at the end or in global. There's nothing wrong with an EQ block or global EQ at the end, but it does make all your presets sound "same". For some people, that suits the need.

[@spencercoles1800]

@@johnbeamon well for my rig set up in particular, I run my Stomp to FOH and i've come to find that putting a global EQ hi/low cut is more effective of eliminating that "fizzy" sound that you get in your monitors from running amp and cab sims (especially if youre running a high gain preset) . I've tried just applying it to my cab IRs and it doesnt work as effectively as going into my global EQ. Rhett Shull has a really good video on this, I'd recommend it.

[@muziqman100]

From what I've seen Helix LT and Floor users typically adjust the Hi/Low cut settings within the IR block itself or use different EQ blocks to sculpt their tone and only use Global EQ settings for making FOH changes for the venue itself. Personally I never touch the Global EQ settings and do everything I need within the preset.

[@adambickford8720]

Don't do this. Use your global EQ as... a global EQ. You basic tone should stand alone and the global EQ is to make up for venu/cab/etc differences from your reference.

[@HudsonHandel]

FLUFF!!! I just loaded some ML IRs in my HX stomp and HOLY SHIT!!!!! I bought the mesa traditional pack cause it was on sale and its my first IR experience and dude holy shit balls.Life has changed. You rock bro.

[@vinniexrx]

Always love the Helix content!

[@AndrewStonerock]

I've never been able to get a decent time out of the revv. I'm gonna go try this tonight.

[@MrJingles021]

This is an old video...but thank you for making this. I've been debating getting an HX Stomp to put on my pedalboard to replace all of my overdrive and amp in a box pedals (Revv G2, G4 and Northern Mauler). I read the Helix had bad high gain/metal tones....you proved otherwise.

[@willman100]

Once you added the IR's it sounded like a real amp. Impressive

[@joes.3083]

Thanks for this awesome tutorial man. I just purchased some of those incredible IR's and I'm getting a Helix this week. With your guide I'mma sound like a beast. 😎

[@AnthonySkunkGreen]

I remember recommending this on f/b.... so glad you made this.... niw i gotta find those IR's

[@mr.nervedamagegaming8050]

It sounds like a good rock/hard rock tone. When you were jamming certain riffs it sounded just like Tool lol. I was ready to start hearing Maynard whispering “hey, hey, hey, hey”.

[@sjsphotog]

awesome TIGHT metal patch. great job. You could get something good with the stock cabs but it would take some time and EQs to get it there. Keep up the good work. Rock on!

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

Wow sounds nice right out of the box, i bet if you used your own impulses it would sound even better, Ola did a vid where he uses an old vamp2 (like line6 pod but even cheaper) sounded like ass but once he turned off the cabs and used his own it sounded really good. Made me think the amp modelling hasnt evolved as much as the impulse responses have. Maybe old modellers were actually good just the cabs sucked at the time.

[@theiranxican7412]

That's actually one way to look at older digital/modeler amps. It really wasnt much of the pre amp modules that set back interest, but was the cabinet responses. I too have noticed that guitar players will take them, turn off the cabinets and add up-to-date cab impulses, and make sound pretty good. Just depends if that's your invested sound or not. Still a legit option nonetheless.

[@ctld5266]

REVV amp is really great in the Helix, really close to an EVH 3

[@jasoncolston5845]

I have a Helix and I love it but I’m having trouble understanding how to use the snapshots. Any chance of a video showing how to better utilize them?

[@kez850]

Once you're in snapshot mode, go to a block like your amp for example. Instead of simply turning the knob for Gain, PUSH IT DOWN and then turn at the same time. You'll notice the [ ] brackets are now around the setting number. This means that the setting can be changed with snapshots. Try it out by setting Gain to [5], then push a different snapshot button and change the Gain to [7]. Now the gain setting will go back and forth depending on which snapshot you're on. This can be used to turn any number of blocks off or on, and you can also change any setting on any block with the press of a snapshot button. You can keep it simple with a couple settings changed with a snapshot, or you can completely change your sound by modifying many parameters. Feel free to message me if you need more help.

[@GearGasms]

kez850 you give me real hope for KZbin commenter humanity! That is so nice of you to help and even offer more. Good on you! 🤘🏻

[@justinellis9465]

You should check out some of the Facebook Helix Groups.

[@kez850]

GearGasms thanks man. Helix is a great device and it would be a shame for someone to not be able to use it to its full potential just because no one would help them.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

Even for recording I find myself often using the hi-cut down between 3-6k depending on the cab. Reason is, I like darker tones to begin with, but also, I wanna save some room for presence in the mix bus! Conversely, when I use the Soldano 412 IRs I have, I can afford to be less aggressive about the hi-cut because those IRs are usually pretty dark with a smoky midrange (and really fun to just jam with!). I’ve also learned with the stock cabs, if you dual cab it, it has a similar effect and you get more of that cabinet depth and air, almost like it’s in a room. I assume this as just the nature of using two mics, they cancel out a bunch of high frequencies when used together

[@shermanator6594]

I'm trying to learn how to dial in for live shows and my band loves Dragged Under, and you guys sound great live, You mentioned taking off the top end down to 7k on high/low cut, would you bring the low end up any more as well? Also how do you separate leads and rhythm guitars live, IK you used to play lead, did the rhythm guitar EQ his differently? mucho apreciado 🤘

[@project-gruve7102]

Low-cut 200k

[@Bloor005]

I've the helix floor unit. I cant get it to increase the guitar volume when using it as a USB interface.

[@mb93111]

Great video! I'm getting one soon and I was wondering if besides the headphones should I test the tone through my amp or through my Pa speaker? I have a Fender champion 100 and an Electro Voice zlx with a 12 and a horn in it

[@123innovate]

Very helpful! Fun to watch you build it.

[@grim.whizzy]

Dude! That was helpful like hell! How about a revisit after the 3.7 update? Maybe you can dial in some good high gain tones out of other amps?

[@Kcducttaper1]

I'm calling Fluff Bluff on the EQ adjustments @12:15. Even a good ear on nice speakers is very hard pressed to hear the impact of shifting a single band 1 - 2dB. Many people won't even notice a 3dB shift, yet you're tweaking by 0.2dB? Something's not adding up or L6 isn't labeling things properly...

[@BringtheReign66]

So I see we all check our high gain tones with Beartooth riffs

[@gabrielrothley]

LINE 6 BADONK is a sick amp for Metal 👌

[@madmikemike]

I’m gonna pay you to come down to Tacoma and tune my normal analog setup. Your ear for this kind of stuff is amazing. When are you free? Lol 😆 awesome video, fluff

[@cabbycabby1770]

Quite comparable to your clean tones. I like.

[@Anonymous.android]

Thanks to this I now finally understand how to use IR’s thank you

[@Zzzerof0xxX]

A few years late to this video and a noob question... I am using the Stomp and on the HX Edit I dont have those two lines, only one. Does it have to do with DSP? or I am missing something?

[@OliverDayGuitar]

Why would you stack the irs in parallel like that when you can just select a dual ir block instead?

[@ssdravidian]

i maybe late for the party, but This is a nice idea for videos......dial in patches / settings from scratch on all units....

[@wakjob961]

Anyone using the 'Simple EQ' as their boost pedal? I love it...my fav!

[@bobaattila6832]

Sounds really killer. I should try the SD JB anyway

[@SUPERAggressiveAngryAfrikanMAN]

POD HD Owners, can the (Helix Native Amp & Effects Plug-in) somehow integrate with a POD HD Pro Rack Mount? Here me out on this guys…. In any way, will a rack-mount HD Pod ProX benefit with using the Line 6 Helix plugin? Anything, even the ability to use the physical knobs on the rack-mount? Will the rack-mount simply be a audio interface (guitar hosting equipment) for the Helix plugin and nothing else?..... To be more specific by using a analogy, I'm wondering if there's some kind of 3rd party hardware support. Same as what Omnisphere software plugin owners have when it comes to the Omnispheres lists/software integration support of various MIDI keyboard controller's physical knobs, sliders and so on that can controll Omnisphere's plugin software. Will a POD HD Pro be able to controll Helix's Native software plugin in anyway when it comes to the knobs and such on the rackmount's hardware or will it simply be a guitar interface host?

[@natecochrane93]

Why do all my distorted tones sound like there's an insanely high amount of sizzle on the top end that I just cannot EQ out.

[@dylanburley8491]

You might be running too much gain. Depending on what guitar and pickups you’re using. I use a 7 string jackson with emg’s and 4 on the gain setting is almost too much. 6 strings can sound good upwards of 8/10 on a gain scale. IMO!

[@toneconsultant]

Thx Fluff. My Moore GE300 just stopped working. Looks like I’ll pick up a Helix unless I come across something that appears to have an easier format to use. Tone is easy for me to get. It’s the format that I require.

[@project-gruve7102]

The mooer is way better

[@andywallet9960]

hey fluff how is it going ? can you make a video on how to midi control the snapshots with logic please ? :D thx for the great content you rule ! peace !🤘

[@KaldDodeGitarist]

I'm surprised you didn't take the amp gain down a little. Sounds like a lot more gain than you usually use

[@steventhompsonlivetoplaylive]

Thanks for the Tutorial, Helped me alot, Keep it up :D

[@robe.739]

I keep hearing popping and cracking in my preset. How do I fix

[@ScothMcBeast]

Thinking of buying Helix LT floorboard but the amp models that my old Podxt is providing are missing from the list. Looks like those sounds are there to be found but looks also like I need to start understanding some of these things that are involved. Kinda just like to play, dunno what makes 'em work so I guess if I go the Helix route gonna need some starting pointers down which alley my sounds will be hiding...

[@Utube-s8m]

They may be there under different names. If you google the list of the latest software update it says what they are.

[@rbdrbd]

So, besides the two simultaneous cabs, the POD GO would have the exact same tone quality?

[@project-gruve7102]

Yes it's the same exact sounds as helix just has less dsp processing

[@colinblack00]

Fluff - what do you use to eliminate or reduce the room sound on the audio coming from the mic that records your voice while filming? Its is mic position and proximity to your face? Or is there software that removes/reduces “hearing the room” and allows your voice to be clearer and more forward/present?

[@SLAMSTERDAMN]

Colin Black; There’s a website called ‘smartelectronix’, sorry my memory may slip here on that website url, but there’s a Anechoic Room plugin there that is AWESOME for controlling/killing room early reflections, I use it a bunch on ‘sprangy’ snares, too.

[@colinblack00]

SLAMSTERDAMN dude that’s awesome. Thanks for the heads up! I’ll check it out. Stay safe!

[@biache]

That tone sounds great but how would you set this up if you weren’t going into the FOH and had to go into an amp? I was thinking of getting a HD500X but I’m not sure how to use it.

[@SLAMSTERDAMN]

Ken G; Besides the L6 User Forums, is like to recommend the ‘Guitar Direct Recording’ KZbin channel. That guy works the pre Helix L6 units like a Wizard, & goes step by step.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

Ken G when you are going into the front of a clean amp, simply remove the IR and Amp model and use everything else as is. If you’re getting gain from your amp, run the Helix through the effects loop using the 4 cable method.

[@Utube-s8m]

Ken G or if the 4 cable method is too much. Take your guitar cable and that goes in front of the helix input. I had the hd300. It’s sitting collecting dust. If you can go with this. Look for a mint used one maybe. Then take another cable stick it in your amps return input in back of your amp. Take the other end and stick it in the left mono input on your helix. Turn it on Check the presets. Use the cheat sheet. Watch videos and you can fool around with things. Just don’t save anything until your certain you like it. I had volume issues with my hd300 too. But if you get the hd500 tbh I can’t remember how to use its been years but it’s not hard. You have to fool with it and watch some videos from line6 etc. you’ll figure it out.

[@JBLProject]

Why not cut the freq with the high/low pass filter on the cab, instead of adding a separate eq right after, and save some dsp....?

[@kez850]

They act differently. One of them is a very aggressive cut, and the other "rolls" off. This block uses very very little DSP. Would only be a concern if you had an HX Stomp.

[@kevinwhite6172]

Joakim Läbom they have different filter slopes. The eq slopes are steeper.

[@christophergodlewski5181]

I love this patch and have been using it for a few months . . . all of a sudden with no rhyme or reason, after playing about 30 seconds the volume cuts substantially. But it's only on this patch! Anyone have any ideas? Fluff? Bueller?

[@jayteesgear]

So funny I ALWAYS use the Archetype , EVH or Revv amps 🤘🏻😝. And Duhh the spirit of Petaluma for Cab

[@ZAYAZOfficial]

Thanks dude

[@realgtrhero]

add a noise gate and a volume and this is my tone. i feel so original right now

[@aaronkerr2481]

Have you ever tried using light compression at the end of chain? I like the LA studio comp with the gain and compassion both set to 5. It doesnt do a lot, it just kind of tightens everything up just a tad and makes the tone a little more realistic.

[@SLAMSTERDAMN]

aaron kerr; That LA Comp really is excellent; really transparent, but pulls up ‘depth’ for the modeling lacking freqs. 👍

[@voicelikemanywaters1017]

that LA Studio Comp should ALWAYS be at the end of every helix chain

[@Theskyisbleeding]

Do i need extra irs or just download the patch ando drop yo my helix?

[@thxylivx]

He sounds like someone who’s comparing the sound difference of two pickups but knows they sound pretty much the same but needs a word to distinguish them. Dimension....

[@liquidrpg]

The IRs are louder and as we know "louder is more good" :)

[@justinellis9465]

Thanks for finally doing this.

[@chrisharvey5312]

Thank you for the tutorial. Very helpful!

[@CoredusK]

The IR wasn't level matched, is that a fair comparison?

[@briandejoy5747]

does this program work with the hx pedal? thinking about getting one of those

[@JaFoste_Studio]

I hope you'll do another of these 'build a tone from scratch' type of vids when the Pod Go comes out.

[@robertrobinson4578]

Does the Helix offer bi-amping capabilities?

[@scottsmith1187]

Fluff such great videos mate, well done! I am running the four-cable method into my Messa Boogie, but when I start creating really heavy distortions like this, it sounds terrible. I have all my amp settings on neutral but it still sounds bad. I am guessing it is because I am adding in amps just like you do in this video. Any suggestions?

[@nitromeda]

So you run your real Mesa and a helix amp in the signal path at the same time?

[@TheDeedeeFiles]

Awesome video man.

[@mrbjengel]

What Mesa ML pack was that? Traditional or oversize?

[@AndrewStonerock]

Mega oversize from ML

[@mrbjengel]

@@AndrewStonerock Thanks man! 🤘

[@AndrewStonerock]

@@mrbjengel no probs

[@Emm_R_Guitar]

seems a bit shit to buy a unit like this for 1.1K (GBP) and then have to get it to sound good using external IRs? or is that just me?

[@EmberlightDeimos]

Does anyone do vids where the build these patches on the actual pedal, for the live folks

[@joeymeehan5454]

Hey Ryan, what kind of picks do you use? Thickness and brand? It sounds like a .8 - 1.1 if I had to guess.

[@speedcrusader3779]

How is the helix to stl tonality in metal bottom end headroom

[@amphitheatre3]

Hey Fluff, on the topic of low and high cut when going straight to front of house, how much high cut would you recommend as a starting point for clean, low, and mid gain?

[@johndianora7427]

Hey man! Great video. I'm having lag issues because I mistakenly set up two separate presets for my clean and dirty tones. The helix and it's snapshot feature is, in a live setting, optimized for switching seamlessly between snapshots based on one amp/cab set up and will lag when switching otherwise. I want a super ambient delayed clean tone and a tight high gain tone to use in live setting with no lag. Any tips? Thanks

[@HudsonHandel]

Bruh. So good. Thank you!

[@gauravlama2079]

I would love to watch your review on the Helix dialing in the sound like John Petrucci

[@lightninginmyhands4878]

should all metal tones have a low cut?

[@NecroCryx]

What are your thoughts on the Helix Stomp?

[@kastor8274]

Awesome stuff

[@scottlister2586]

Hey man, I love your videos, I’ve learned a lot. I have a question. I use a HX stomp with the TN cab M so not to us a block for an ir. I downloaded the ML mega Mesa cabs and found the exact one your using here. Yours is bright mine sounds dull, bassy and like there’s a blanket over the cab. I’m running it all through a pro tools setup with JBL studio monitors. What am I doing wrong?

[@project-gruve7102]

Make sure your global eq is flat and do low cut at 200k and high at 7k

[@pogo2017]

Good tone man

[@DraftZJ]

i’m deciding between a Helix and Fractal Model, it seems like Fractal stuff just sounds better when dialed in right. I guess you get what you pay for?

[@Graey]

I bought a line 6 and aside from clean stuff I’ve never gotten a tone I really like. I would recommend just getting online plug ins.

[@DraftZJ]

@@Graey I actually copped an Axe Fx and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Will never need to buy another pedal or amp, etc and it is pretty easy to get a killer tone.

[@Graey]

@@DraftZJ I definitely don’t feel the same way about my helix but I haven’t messed around with irs and cabs maybe once I do I’ll decide to keep it or sell it.

[@DraftZJ]

@@Graey i haven’t downloaded any additional IRs or Cabs. I have gotten solid Guitar and Bass tones just with the the options already on the Axe Fx. Granted there is a ton of options without additional downloads

[@Graey]

@@DraftZJ I have material releasing soon that’s simply using a cab plug in that sounds better than either for $70.

[@ab5olute00]

Love the Helix vids

[@DMRFNC]

I don't understand at all the 8khz cut in live situation... Can explain?

[@wellsroadband]

High frequencies are amplified exponentially at higher volumes. That's why you have to make helix patches at live band level. A patch that sounds good in your bedroom will sound terrible cranked. Look up the Munson curve.

[@markbeling3330]

Bloody Brilliant thank you

[@RustyShackleford-bc9ce]

You're like the metal burt kreisher

[@chris_2714]

Awesome tutorial, thanks for this!

[@PariahVSGear]

Just did one of these for the axe FX on my channel, and a little side by side with the helix and the axe III

[@NightsideDistrict]

So how would u get the Triple Crown tone?

[@mattheww.trexler7301]

I know this is from years ago but what are the chances are odds of you posting a video like this but for a good clean/melodic channel??

[@PooNinja]

Tone building 🤘🏽🤘🏽 tweek the deets and Rock the beat 🤘🏽🤘🏽I love making patches

[@PooNinja]

Pick a cab or kill the tweets that phase makes me krazy

[@metelway]

Wich monitors do you recomend to have a nice feel through playing with the Helix ?? Great approach here mate

[@Jbsantos54]

real nice great video

[@chestycough227]

Loving it so far lol

[@doutorlh]

For me works better starting with amp + cab. Then, Eq before and Eq After amp (any Eq).

[@davidfarant8474]

Please do the same with Headrush and/Or Guitar Rig 5

[@kevinpaige5746]

Good stuff, thanks!

[@ctld5266]

Sound very good

[@437bm]

What would you say fractal or helix?

[@אביסמרה-ז8ו]

wow better than the hardware u make so easy ..cool

[@debmalyadutta4453]

I can't afford helix lt . I use zoom g5 xn .its pretty good .