How Can I Use The Line 6 Helix With A REAL Amp?

You may have seen my videos on creating particular amp tones on the Helix. But what if you want to use your amp in conjunction with the Helix? In this video, I look at some ways that you can use the channels on your real amp along with the Helix's effects and even its amp models.
TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction and tweaks
2:52 - Helix as a simple pedalboard (into front of amp)
3:29 - Helix as a pedalboard sound demo
4:50 - Using amp channels AND Helix FX
6:39 - Switching channels on your amp
8:20 - Amp channel switching demo
9:00 - Using Helix amp models with real amp
12:28 - How to set up Helix WITH real amp
15:13 - Summary
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[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

As popular as these modelers are its always blown my mind there are so few videos like this which is how 99.9% of people would use them

[@markntexas8265]

I bought an hx stomp as a pedal board replacement for my "studio" which is a converted walkin closet.

[@sboy1955]

If it was 99.9%… there would be tons of videos like this.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

@@sboy1955 So what do you run it into then ? Now every brand has come out with FRFR style cabinets for modelers. Which was my whole point. But I guess every amp brand from fender to spark are wrong. That’s why they made them lol.

[@sboy1955]

@@SticksAandstonesBozo - it’s just capitalism/competition trying to build better gig rigs. You can run the Line 6 many ways. I typically have to plug into PAs wherever I play or bring my own. I build my presets using 2 QSC powered speakers (1k watts ea) and that works ok. I am thinking, 8 years later, about building a pedal preset and drag my tube amps back out. I still love them too. Which brought me here today.

[@jheinaval7756]

Very informative video!!! Thank you!

[@howardpittman883]

This is good info - I just had a situation where I took my "Line 6 spider, took all effects out used it like a monitor got all my sound effects from my helix. Also with the little bit more power I could use if needed also clean quiet no buzzin FYI... When I was choosing my app with my headphones I got buzzing just with the helix

[@shahrinsyazwan6952]

Another possible method would be to run Wet/Dry/Wet, using the Helix's amp modeling to run the Wet channels, which I've used recently to quite a successful degree. Allows you to blend different amps as well if you want to get really creative!

[@ProFunctionist]

That's an interesting approach!

[@michaelodroski6292]

Great tone and nice soloing

[@tubber37]

Great information 🎉

[@DistortedV12]

Sheesh you were rocking bro

[@markphipps2080]

The tone you have on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is Fantastic. Do you have that preset available for download anywhere?

[@GearStuffandThings]

great video! great playing

[@ProFunctionist]

Thanks so much!

[@BobSchusterMusiccom]

Very well done. As a new owner of a Helix LT I find myself envying the channel strips and the extra sends of your Helix. How 'bout a coffee?

[@ProFunctionist]

Thanks for the coffee! I do hope you enjoying using your Helix LT. And yes, I must admit, I do like the scribble strips and extra features of the Helix Floor 😀

[@flixsymmetry]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@ProFunctionist]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment!

[@mathisto21]

Mate thank you so much for the video. I’ve been wanting to know this info for ages while deciding to go to a semi digital setup, still using a real amp. Liked, subscribed and coffee on its way mate. Thanks so much 👍

[@Theweeze100]

Great channel, great content. Thank you so much… I subscribed!

[@ProFunctionist]

Thanks so much! Much appreciated!

[@tomblankinship4750]

I like to just run out of the Helix into the effects return on my amp. Only one cable going to the amp, bypassing the amp’s preamp. That way I’m still using the tube power section of my amp, but I have a variety of preamps from the Helix. This gives me total control of my sound at my feet because the amp’s controls are out of the loop.

[@ProFunctionist]

That's a cool way of running the Helix. I've done it myself on certain gigs. Best of both technologies :-)

[@Martin-bx3og]

can you tell me exactly which inputs and outputs you use with method?

[@tomblankinship4750]

@@Martin-bx3og 1/4 out from Helix to amp’s effects return

[@Glensully]

@@tomblankinship4750 and split off into a IR at the end and out the XLR to the mixing desk. no need to mic the cab - unless u want to. However I like using IRs sometimes, especially at home so I am looking at a Laney 112 or a speaker/guitar amp cab looking thing. Keep old people happy that they see a cab/amp. Maybe even just put an empty cab on stage :)

[@guitarhero2022]

@@ProFunctionist I find it annoying, however, that the -only- control you have over volume is reaching down to the Helix's master volume knob, the amp volume does nothing.

[@frederikthaysen6931]

You sound so much like Chris Buck! Great video man, thanks!

[@ProFunctionist]

Oh wow! High praise indeed! Thanks so much!

[@Ibanez6strg]

I have a boogie jp2c and and thinking f out running a helix through the effects loop. I’m assuming it would sound glorious x10

[@oscarmuhammad4072]

Exquisite playing......Fly Me to the Moon......

[@ProFunctionist]

Thank you very much!

[@ianbarnes1406]

I've just traded my Boss GT100 for a Helix floor unit and am watching as many KZbin videos as I can to find out how best to set it up. I've always just plugged my guitar straight into the fx board, out of the board into the front of my amp, and have always got pretty decent tones. However, I do like to put different amps and cabs in the effects chain, so that I can effectively get the sound of a Roland Jazz Chorus or a Mesa Boogie amp out of whatever amp I'm using (currently a Boss Katana 50 and Roland Blues Cube). Is there any reason why I can't still do this with the Helix without reverting to the 4 cable method?

[@Glensully]

For a couple of years i have had no amp. So to jam, (dont need for home) i just bought a Marshall DSL40. Mainly because its very loud so I can use its power amp. I tried into the effect in and just use the preamps in the helix.. sounds great, however it is brighter than my PA speaker which i found interesting, but i split of into a cab sim for that so its not going to be the same. I think the 4CM is too complicated if you like the preamps in the Helix. I also tried the amp models (instead of the pre-amp) so a double poweramp, sound very similar, so much of a muchness.

[@ProFunctionist]

Sounds great! Glad your way of doing it is working for you.

[@Mohashm]

Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this. Just what I needed to know… What I don’t get is why the hell do they call the helix an AMP?!

[@gangrenebob7281]

Nice, whats the setup of people running the helix into one of the FX loop holes?

[@basandi4017]

Can you record Helix in DAW direct via USB while connected to amp via 4cm method??

[@robertlove7607]

At 11:15 , are you using the full amp model, amp and cab model , or just the preamp for that particular amp model..???

[@ParanormalResponse]

I have the Helix rack and sent it through My PRS Archon head. It worked but it wasnt Ideal. defeated the purpose of the rack. I just got a SYNERGY Power Amp with 6L6 tubes for the rack and it make the Helix scream. I tried a less expensive lighter power amp that was solid state but it felt sterile to me. It was missing that edge. So I am now back to 20 more pounds in the rack extra, but happy!

[@davidcotterill3377]

Help please! I love your tones and playing but Ive downloaded your Amp and Helix $CM patch and cant get any sound from either the Boss Katana or the Blackstar silver line using the 4CM ...ive checked connections but nothing.

[@victorventura1006]

Hello i love your videos. Can i use in Helix dual outputs ? One output XLR Left and Right With Amp+ Cab and effects to P.A and other outputs 1/4 Left and Right to diferent Amp, real amps a Mesa boogie and a Fender and in Helix the same patch with effects but without cab and amp simulation. Its possible? Does the DSP Can hold on ? Thanks regards from Portugal.

[@theprogguitarist]

How is the feel of the helix preamp models with the tube power amp and cab? Does it feel like a full tube amp? Btw, is that Nathan King on bass? :D

[@ProFunctionist]

I must admit, I haven't used this set up that extensively so can't give you a solid answer. I can say that I am still more comfortable with an actual tube amp if I not on IEMs. That being said, I am hoping to pick up a new amp soon which I really want to try with the Helix in this way (ie using the amps in the Helix as opposed to just using the FX on the Helix). And yes, that is Nathan King on bass. Well spotted! :-)

[@freshavocado2204]

I’m a beginner (sorta) .. this saved my sanity.. I’ll buy you a coffee sir!

[@ProFunctionist]

Thanks Fresh! Always a good thing to save someone's sanity :-)

[@brianporter5385]

To make the effects work with your real amp should you use the series or parallel effects loop of the amp? Thanks

[@ProFunctionist]

I think either can work depending on how you set up your signal chain on the Helix, where you can have your (for example) delay be sent through a separate output from the Helix into a parallel FX loop and adjust the wet/dry balance on the amp. Or you can set up the parallel loop on the Helix (which may be easier). It's a bit of a mind-boggler thinking about this stuff. Haha!

[@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? or do i need separate interface ? thanks

[@ProFunctionist]

Yes, I believe so. I think you should be able to connect to your PC via USB as you previously did and connect to your amp using the jack out connection at the back of the Helix (or 4 cable method if that's how you're wiring it). I believe that should work if I've understood your requirements correctly. Hope it helps.

[@MrLallianzuala]

great tone, and great play ! I smelled a vitto brata-like bend-tap smoothing play...very nice...

[@EdBMetal]

I love my Helix and dig your videos. Subbed 👍👍 #699

[@ProFunctionist]

Thanks so much!

[@michaelodroski6292]

I have a EVH 5150 III just want to get the most out of it not exactly sure how I want to run it live I also have pedals I want to run that I planed on using the Helix to run to the EVH to. I was thinking maybe I line to the line amp with Helix effects and and then the EVH effects looped to EVH I don’t know again just want the best tone

[@artytoney2057]

I just bought a helix and i have a blackstar stage 212 , and wondering how much better a frfr cab would be than using my reg amp , is there a tremendous bit of advantage to going frfr

[@gangrenebob7281]

I have the helix, stage 212 mkii and the powercab+ FRFR.....I very much prefer the stage 212 but the FRFR is easier to carry around if that matters.

[@artytoney2057]

@@gangrenebob7281 thank u

[@peterakws]

Is it possible to play your power amp in stereo with helix simulator amp ? how to set up ?

[@ProFunctionist]

Off the top of my head, I would say yes. I'd have to give some more thought to the set up but it would involve a split before your simulated amp which would go to a separate output which you would send to your 'real' power amp. I'm sure there are other details which need to be considered but those would be discovered and ironed out when you put it into practise. I hope my brainstorm of an answer is somewhat helpful.

[@isaacwilliams153]

Are you just running the helix preamps into the front of your amp? I’m surprised at how that sounded if that’s what you did!

[@ProFunctionist]

The Helix preamps will be going into the FX loop. The only things going into the front of the amp are the Helix drive 'pedals'. Time based FX are also going into the FX loop (except when using the Helix as a pedalboard going into the front only). Hope that helps.

[@raulalvarez568]

Hey buddy, interesting video!! very usefull at all; I use the helix with the amp models in a real amp, and it sounds great, but Im not using the 4CM

[@ProFunctionist]

Do you plug your Helix into the FX Return of your amp or into the front? 4CM is particularly good if you're using delay and reverb with your amp tones. Sounds like you're getting a great tone with your current set up 👍

[@clivethomas2039]

I run my Helix in stereo into a couple of vavle amps. I've tried 4cm (and 7cm), frfr and pa speakers but have landed back at straight into the front of valves. I run the amps clean with drives, amps and sometimes cabs (yeah I know!) Using the helix as a pedal board. It just sings a lot more than the other methods - I drop in or bypass the cabs just to shape the tone, depending upon what I play.

[@raulalvarez568]

@@ProFunctionist not I’m not, I plug in my Helix into the input of the amp, I KNOW, it’s crazy haha but It works for me… I’ll try the 4CM later

[@ProFunctionist]

@@raulalvarez568 If it works for you dude, then it's all good 😃 But sure, try the 4CM and see how you like it.

[@ProFunctionist]

@@clivethomas2039 That's an interesting set up. Sounds like you're using your ear to shape your tone.

[@phowell333]

So can you explain if it is possible to use the 4CM but avoid having ALL of the effects from the Helix hit the front of the amp? I would want time-based effects of the Helix (Chorus, Delay, Reverb, etc) to bypass the preamp of the amp. My goal would be to do this using just the Helix as a pedal boaard.

[@MrMarcburger]

isn't that exactly what 4CM is about? for drives to go into the amp and time based / mod into the loop?

[@johnwelwacnisen948]

Are ur presets designed to use with real amps?

[@ProFunctionist]

They're designed to be used going directly from the Helix to mixer/audio interface. But it should work reasonably well into the FX loop of an amp (although you may want to remove the cab block). May sound a bit weird into the front of an amp. Hope that helps!

[@cameronspears1386]

How could anyone think it doesn’t work with an amp?

[@tombrisbane2056]

Hi I sent you a message on Twitter, could you reply please

[@ProFunctionist]

Hello. I just checked my Twitter account and there weren't any messages there. FYI my Twitter handle is @profunctionista. The "@profunctionist" was sadly already taken.