Helix Minute: 4-Cable Method

Nick Bell shows how to connect Helix family device to a traditional amp using the 4-Cable Method.

[@miltonalmonte7126]

Absolutely amazing thanks

[@leandermusic1507]

I want to buy a helix floor and get rid of my huge pedal board. I use a amp with send/return. I use my delay and reverb pedals in the send/return, and all my overdrive/distort direct in front of amp. Sound so much better than adding the delay after the fuzz/OD in front. If i connect like this demo, can i do same as i do with my pedal board with the helix? Use helix overdrive stomp direct input in front of amp, and some how route the delay and reverb going to the send/return of my amp, not just add a delay and reverb block after the effects and put it in front? Not using any other amp than my physical? ❤😊

[@amphibious4463]

This is exactly what u want to know.

[@Ricoubreizh]

Merci beaucoup pour ce tuto bien pratique ! Musicalement 🎸

[@robertomontoya2579]

You guys are great!!!

[@donniejean]

I hope this works. I spent about 5 hours today trying to get this to work.

[@vofcr91]

hi, silly question - atm i've got my LT hooked up via USB to PC with 2 power speakers connected to it by jacks (L&R) so i'm using it as interface for playback & playing along. i've recently acquired JVM210h and 4x12 cab - is there a way to hook it up so i can still playback using studio monitors but guitar sound come out of the cab and helix steering the amp? or do i need separate interface ? thanks

[@davidordonez8964]

Can I do main out from Pod go to FOH, and amp out from Pod go to fx loop return of Amp?

[@Jubaluptoearly]

QUESTION: I have one amp with an effects loop (Fender Champion 100) and one amp without (Vox Vt 100). I am wanting to run both amps for a stereo/fuller sound, what is your advice for doing this?

[@JoeBoomerMusic]

First, great move. Stereo is fantastic, however if you plan on playing live make sure this is realistic. Otherwise, you will torture yourself by having a great sound at home and then mono garbage live. (That is my life right now...) Anyway, you can definitely play in stereo with your amps. You just can't bypass the preamp on the VT 100 then. So, just account for that in your Helix signal path. Get rid of amp & preamp sims on that side. If you pan delays ever, error towards the Champ100 more. It will handle delays and reverb better because of the effects loop. WARNING - I'm just a regular schmuck, so maybe doublecheck my suggestions and logic here.

[@Venemoth666]

connecting my helix lt to randall rd45 with 4cm method and turning on preamp drive with fx loop block on helix sound really bad.... like some old zoom... but connecting helix direct to amp input with empty blocks on helix then turning amp drive sound almost 1:1 like only guitar connected to amp input anyone have solution ?

[@ac30helix44]

Interesting that he says to have the helix vol at 50%. I was alway under the impression that you had to have it at 100% or your sacrificing tone ???

[@papaidolatrine2499]

The helix is digital so you don’t need to turn up the the master volume on it in order to get better tone. Your signal chain on the helix will give you your main tone and keeping your tube amps master at half volume allows for there to be headroom so the amp can reproduce the helix tone without added distortion. It’s all personal preference though and you can definitely do it any way. If you leave the master volume up on the amp you might add additional tube drive to the sound which could sound really good if that’s what the goal is

[@sid290784]

Not working for me, no output. double checked all connections. The Regular 4CM method prescribed by Line 6 works tho. Am also getting a hiss when I turn the knob unto unity.

[@chumbo]

I'm new to Line6 modelers (just got an HX Stomp today!), so what is the 'regular' 4CM method as opposed to this one?

[@BLUEGOBEATS]

If your amp doesn’t have an effect loop am I shit out of luck?

[@guitarplayer1969]

No - Many bands plugged into the front end of amps with no effects loop, for years. Vox AC-30 for example. With the Helix you would just turn off amp and cab blocks and use the amp for that part, and the Helix for the rest of your effects and OD. You just dont get the flexibility of different amps and cabinets, but if you like your amp tone you are set.

[@tonyhartley871]

Zippidy do dah you should hear how slow I talk, because I listen the same way! Slow the heck down if you want to help some of us out here. I can't even write fast as your instructions come out! Help for dummies is what I need!

[@TheOnlyCAVEMAN]

I know this is a stupid question but I'm a Les Paul/Marshall guy I know this will be a stupid question to All you gear Geeks but I've never used digital effects only stomp boxes what's the best way to hook up a line 6 Helix through my amp which has no effect loop and the PA

[@guitarplayer1969]

If your amp has no effects loop, you would just be plugging your pedalboard into the Guitar In input of your amp, and on the Helix you would disable all amp and cab/IR blocks, since you are using the amp and cab tone from your physical amp. Just be aware that running some effects like delay and reverb, and modulation effects are usually run after the amp preamp, which is why many amps have effects loops, so they may not sound as good, but many players have run them this way for amps that have no effects loop.

[@TheOnlyCAVEMAN]

@@guitarplayer1969 thanks Buddy.it looks like an amp with effects loop in my future.any suggestions.lol too much money for this thing to sound sub par.

[@guitarplayer1969]

@@TheOnlyCAVEMAN What will be your usage for the setup, as Digital modelers are designed usually to go direct usually, since they amp models and cabs are of a miced up amp going to the house PA. If you want a speaker by you for practice or perform/monitor, to get the best sound you want an FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response). A traditional amp speaker like your Marshall is not an FRFR - It sounds like a Marshall. I can give you some guidance if I know how you want to use it (live, at home, etc)

[@TheOnlyCAVEMAN]

I want my Helix to go to audience and use my amp as personal monitor to tell what my Helix is doing..lol

[@guitarplayer1969]

@@TheOnlyCAVEMAN Then you want a powered Monitor that is FRFR. The reason why is the feed we send to FOH is a model of a "Mic'd" speaker, like the speakers in an AC-30 amp 2 12" speakers (This is what the cab block and IRs emulate, all the way down to the mic type and placement). Same as if you had your Marshall on stage, and then had a mic on it to send to the PA (The old school way). The FOH system are PA speakers which are FRFR as well and do not color the sound once it gets there. One thing to understand about modeling is you don't get that "amp in the room" feeling of pushing air" like an old school amp on stage cranked because the modeler is a miced sound - (you can google this) its a common misunderstanding). Most venues are controlling stage volume which is hard for tube amps that sound best when cranked, some even going silent stage with IEMs. I play live every week and use IEMs, but I also have 2 FRFR's at home (Alto TS210s) running in stereo. Before IEMs I had a one Alto TS 12" FRFR I used just for my Helix, and stage wedges for rest of mix, but you can also pipe monitor mix in your FRFR if you do it right. The reason why you also want an FRFR at home is to dial in your presets, so they sound the same when you get to the venue. Most agree its hard to do with headphones, and if you try, you need top of the line flat response studio headphones). Best way to dial in presets at home is crank your FRFR up to gig level, because of the way sound waves react with higher volume). So for an FRFR alot of choices, price being a concern, a Friedman ASC-12 is a great choice ($1k), or Line 6 Powercab+, or regular powercab($600-$700), and then lower price is Alto TS ($300) like I have, or even a Headrush 112 etc etc.