Essential Tips and Tricks for ANY Modeler - Quad Cortex, Helix, Axe FX and the rest....

[@jefflevy3557]

As a near-boomer myself I'd like to affirm that I get fantastic tones from my modelers once I realized this simple truth: The tube-amp snobs are ALSO applying a huge hi-cut -- by simply pointing their cab at their knees. That vintage Deluxe with a tube screamer in front that sounds so fat? Get down on the floor and actually stick your head in front of the speaker. Yup. Harsh and fizzy.

[@FStoppers]

What I don’t understand here is that yes, from the guitarist’s point there is a high cut and applying it to your modeler does in fact help. But that high cut isn’t being broadcast to the venue’s mics or off the stage to the audience. So adding a high cut to your preset helps it sound more like your amp that is at your legs but it’s also cutting high frequencies that are still found in the live tube amp rig beyond your ear’s listening position.

[@zendakk]

@@FStoppers Not necessarily. The guys at the mixing console tend to make use of their EQ ;)

[@lichen8855]

@@FStoppers The position of the mic in front of the cab makes a tremendous difference to the tone being sent to FOH. Mics used for this purpose are are way more focused in nature than your ears. This is why you generally don't put a mic dead center in front of the speaker. Offsetting it acts as a low pass and emphasizes different frequencies.

[@Widdy5150]

Hey John, just watched 'Tone Talk' channel with Andy Timmons & your name came up 🤛🏼

[@kane6529]

🔥

[@wakinginfinity]

😎

[@jasonweidner3274]

I just came here to say the same. Andy Timmons said he's going to look up your lesson on the Dan Cries song.

[@swayamtailor]

Mind giving the timestamp of that video? It's almost 2.5 hours long

[@jasonweidner3274]

@@swayamtailor 2hr 8 min 18sec, tho the whole thing is definitely worth the time investment

[@Mike-rw2nh]

I have only just stumbled across this channel 40 minutes ago. Good lord! Stellar content, superbly presented. Thank you. Subbed.

[@paulcuban]

It's a great channel loads of really helpful videos from an amazing guitarist with a wicked sense of humour 👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸

[@kyran4238]

JC deserves more subs, glad you found him.

[@christopherjbutler]

@@kyran4238 HEAR HEAR sir.

[@christopherjbutler]

I also stumbled across the channel and was stunned and instantly subbed. Although I should have made the connection because I had heard John do intro music for Keith's 5 Watt World channel in the past. JC is absolutely the complete package.. Musicianship in general, playing ability, breadth of styles of music he plays (including killer jazz solo guitar arrangements of standards), knowledge of theory in a way that he applies on a daily basis, Chops, phrasing, the lot. And a complete knowledge of ALL the gear he uses, modelers AND real amps.. And he does all his own recording, (He uses Reaper and Windows, so he has an IT clue too and does not pay out the nose for the privilege of being able to record and mix professional sounding recordings) and all his own Video production and editing.. And he puts out TWO VIDEOS PER DAY.. With pretty much a loop and fully improvised piece of gorgeous intro music TWICE A DAY.. Literally astounding... He is a good soul too, self effacing and funny with a restrained but witty sense of dry humor. I hit like only when I actually like a video particularly.. I hit like on just about every video JC posts.. Make sure to do the same :) And comment.. The KZbin Algorithm is a fickle thing and I would love to see John have the subscribership he deserves... I try to spread the word wherever I can..

[@jasonkerr931]

Fletcher Munson Curve is key understanding for any modeler when playing live and running direct.

[@jakollee]

Really beautiful playing on the intro. The legato lick from 1:08 to 1:11 is so cleanly played, and the tone with just enough drive to put hair on the notes but not obscure the sound of the strings, very satisfying!

[@KenithCopeland]

what i would like is for people to understand that solid state amps and "modellers" are not always interchangeable as they are not one and the same. love your videos, always super informative

[@planzed.2]

Brilliant vid & advice! Maaan your playing is always so dreamy, hope you’re well.

[@rufiopan1]

I totally agree with plugging into the return of a tube amp. I’ve done this with QC, incredible tone, and you still get the amp in a room sound

[@sseltrek1a2b]

good point about the difference between the amp in the room sound, versus the amp coming through mics (especially as it pertains to using an amp versus a modeler)...one of the biggest things that i just realized is that everything we hear from amps is not what the player hears while standing next to it...live or recorded, it's being translated by the mic/line signals (we're not actually experiencing what the amp "really" sounds like...)...

[@picksalot1]

Excellent advice on High Cut and Compressors. Matching the High Cut in the HX Stomp to the actual Speaker Specs the Cab Block has helped a lot dialing in my Presets. The thing that really opened my eyes was finding out that a real Celestion G12M Greenback has a steep High Cut dropping the volume from about 107dB down to about 77dB in a steep line slope in the range from around 3.5kHz to 7kHz. I'm not sure if I calculated this right, but I think that is a 30dB decrease in one octave! After a lifetime of playing guitar, I almost never use a Compressor, as it feels like it's sucking the life out of my playing. I revisit them once in a while as I learn more about them and hear experienced advice, but I rarely use them on any type of Acoustic Guitar, occasionally on Electric, more frequently on Bass, as it does seem to benefit from Compressors as the volume between notes can vary significantly - probably because I don't play bass very often. 🤷‍♀

[@jambojamin]

Man did you nail my problem. And it's nice to know I am not crazy. I have bought and sold 5-10 modelers and always go back to my amp. Also have finally accepted the fact that buying patches, while educational, is not a solution. Currently have the HX stomp and I sound like a rock star using my headphones but live it totally sucks. I will continue to try your very practical videos and tips. Thx

[@ulfandersson1732]

A multi-compressor and a good filter/eq you can mostly do everything you want. Compress low freq. and add/subtract in different freq. ranges will help you a lot.

[@Maysha6bona]

That Dsus4 triad happening randomly in the background at 15:17 brought me back to the MSN "new message" tone :')

[@BeauregardHall]

Your strat looks exactly like mine -- mine is a warmoth build from the eighties, had it forever so it's crazy watching you holding my guitar. Paint scratches and whatnot.

[@patrickr.5821]

2:00 Oh that sound! ❤

[@winstonsmith8240]

All I know is that you now have me wanting a good modeller. The tones you get are awesome 👌.

[@dmock66]

Good advice John! A more shallow hi cut is something I hadn't tried. I'd always heard to try the sharpest cut. I'm going to try this!

[@jin2984]

What I like about modeller is it allows things to happen like I can put multiple amps in one sequence to get a ridiculously harsh tone

[@tk7836]

Spot on advice! I mainly play with the Helix, just recently bought the Ampero 2. Hoping for more videos on this, too, happily dialed in your John Mayer sound… 😀. About the boost, I got my four main Snapshots: Clean, Break Up, OD and Lead, and one foot switch for an extra boost (went for 6 dB). Just a gain block at the very end of the signal chain. Recently I also added the volume pedal at the end of the signal chain, for more flexibility. (For gigs without anybody actively controlling the mixing board… )

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

Thanks for doing this. You are soo right! Awesome playing btw. I've used all these units and will say line 6 seem the easiest to dial in no matter which unit. Great playing 🎸 btw ! 🤘😎

[@michaelgregory2231]

So helpful. Thank you for reinforcing the maxim "If it sounds good to you, it IS good!" Going through the power section of a tube amp with the cabs and IRs still on is against the conventional wisdom, but if it gives you what you want, problem solved. I've got an FM9 that I haven't gigged with yet and want to run it through the power section of my Doctor Z Stang Ray (30 watt EL 84 circuit, essentially an American AC30) and I'm going to rent a large space and dial in tones at gig volume and try every option with regard to cabs, power amp section and IRs in the FM9.

[@ChristopherOrth]

I run an axe fx 3 through a pair of Line 6 Powercab 112 +, and they are every bit as fun and "roomy" as my traditional amps were over the years, except that I don't need to damage my hearing to get great tones. Nowhere near as fun when listening through my studio monitors. I think if more people ran modelers through 12 inch speakers there would be less aversion to using them.

[@KajHeGeHaggman]

Great advice!

[@chrismillett]

What a helpful, clear video. Thanks for the tips!

[@gabrielgarneau]

SOO Nicely played !!!

[@martinthompson2425]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I applied a high cut on a few of my drive tones in my recently acquired Pod Go! Sounds WAY better to my ears. Tried it so far through Bose PA at home (at high volume) INSTEAD of studio monitors to try to replicate my performance set up. Also dropped the compressor. I’m working with a new Fender American Acoustasonic Strat and Line 6 Pod Go. I chose the Pod Go in order to try to get the best acoustic sounds possible AND the best electric sounds possible from the hybrid guitar. Of course each “sound” (acoustic vs electric) needs its own amplification and processing to sound “right” and real. Instead of building a pedalboard with a few ABY boxes, multiple pedals and signal chains and DI’s and a cab sim, I figured a modeler would offer way more versatility, be less headache and less expensive. I’ll probably eventually integrate the Pod Go into my regular band gig which is primarily electric guitar as opposed to my solo and duo stuff. I’m looking forward to applying more of the info you have shared in the near future! Thanks again from a new subscriber!

[@asmallfarmhomestead3657]

Thanks for this!! Could we get some more headrush gig board videos please? It’s a very “undemoed” modeler

[@ludlowfalls8856]

Great video! At home i plug my hx stomp into the power amp in on my fender hrd.

[@muzerino]

Great video. You sort of reiterated what I’d been doing for a while with my Helix, but you also made me understand why it sounded good. Subscribed! 👍

[@bsmith5433]

Modeler into the return of a Tube amp - or even sometimes into the clean channel (with CAB IR off) can result in some really usable tones for me.

[@markchristianson31]

spot on, as always. This is what we come here for

[@christopherjbutler]

Beautiful intro as usual, which I try not to take for granted, but damn you always seem to improvise something awesome. This video is a GREAT practical guide, and something I will be making use of in the baby step modeler I am currently on (NUX Amp Academy) regarding the Cabinet Hi Cut, especially.. Great stuff, Mate!

[@kyran4238]

One of the only people talking sense🙌

[@LimitlessPotential12]

your playing here is insane

[@woodygranger2126]

John, Most updated Helix sounds vs. Axe Fx 2 would be a great video imo. I think the current Helix firmware gives me sounds that are as good (arguably better) than the older Axe Fx2, just easier to dial in. Of course, this is based on my signal chain, etc. But I really can't hear an audible difference. Thanks for all your videos!

[@ZaneQuebec]

I've been using modelers and multi/fx for about 20 years : Yamaha DG Stomp, Boss GT-9, Vox ToneLab LE and now Helix. I agree with 90% of what you said except for the High Cut. In a live situation, let the sound guy (that you pay good money for) dial in your sound in the mix. If you cut too much, you will take the ability to properly "sound good" in front of the house. Remember, you play for the audiance, not yourself.

[@michaelhubbell1260]

It’s kind of a rabbit hole, but using a real cab and power amp is an awesome way to get the best of both worlds depending on what you are in the mood for. Logistically, sometimes you want to have the feel of a real amp (playing with buddies for example) and the pa / frfr thing can be a bit sterile. It requires a lot of tweaking to get the best tone out of your cab through a modeler, but if you do it right it can sound damn near identical to a real tube amp. At the very least it mimics a solid state amp running the best models available (fractal)

[@jordanprysmiki5361]

Sick tones bro

[@Poldo77miticu]

There is something strange on the cab sim and modelers in general...basically a guitar can go up to 6 khz in freq by considering the harmonics...and a speaker can go till 8khz..since the frequencies should been cut off from the guitar speaker if i put a low pass eq after the speaker (in any modeler) that cut to 9khz i shouldn't be able to hear any difference if it's on or off...but there is a big difference..and this is true with stock or professional ir and if I listen from headphones or any PA.so even if there are tons of blind tests that show that ir is equal to a mic cab and that the modeler plus ir is equal to the real amp that use the same ir..we have this issue here..in my opinion...or the technique that we have for speakers are not mature or in the process we introduce this kind of effect..

[@Luke_Williamson]

Just what the dr ordered 😊

[@cultshakere]

Yo what was that intro? Any tabs for that or maybe a recomendation on how to get to play something In that maner? I have played death metal for 10 years and know my sweep picking and minor scales and all. But man that was beautiful

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Great video man

[@IIImobiusIII]

Phoning a Music Store: Do you have Jim Marshall in a Box? Yes, we have many things like that... Well, you better let him out. It was funny a hundred years ago.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

It might be a good idea to pursue the Compressor myth, and alternatives, further. I have found that what most guys believe, is that them are emulating speaker compression. Getting a punchy, clean, Strat tone…

[@hectorfranco4438]

Mr. John!!!! Why not a Wet Dry Wet set up video wide for those modelers?(Actually QC specially could be interesting) Cheers!!!

[@spylingual8573]

Cool man. Thanks

[@cenok420]

jason sadites catchin strays left and right lmaooo

[@zoomzoom3950]

When you can have two amp paths per preset, why not use one amp path for rhythm and the other for solo, and switch paths? Unless you need dual amps for one sound... I do both in my GT-1000 depending on the sounds I need in the patch, but usually I just add a boost in front, unless I need a very different lead sound (e.g., a different amp) I found many of the amp models respond well to a clean, mid or treble boost or EQ in front, just like a real amp.

[@johnnathancordy]

Yeh! I will do that sometimes - my Helix gigging preset does that. On the HX Stomp though, dual amps aren't generally possible without using sparse effects, so for that my gigging preset has snapshots that change the amp from clean to dirty.

[@GER_1]

Thanks man! Would you recommend me for use it for studing with studio headphones? Have a nice day!!!!

[@stevelamm2366]

Thanks for this. When cutting the highs, do you favor the cab high cut or do you use an EQ block? I often have the LA Studio Comp placed at the end of the chain on the advice of Jason Sadites. But I'm going to try some of my live presets without that and see how I like it (as well as my sound tech at my church where I play every Sunday).

[@johnnathancordy]

I use the cab high cut - which is a -6db per octave LPF. The EQ block high cut is -12db per octave so is a bit more aggressive

[@christopherjbutler]

@@johnnathancordy I would also think that using the simple High Cut is far less DSP intensive than using a separate EQ block or some other kind of tone shaping block, yes?

[@Snoopdave2000]

I have an sp compressor on my board, thinking maybe i dont need it, as i can use hx. Maybe worth keeping it as a clean boost? Amp1 >hx stomp xl >expression pedal into foh and a cab

[@zoomzoom3950]

Modeler complexity is above the cognitive and aural ability of most guitarists. 😁

[@henrikhansen6617]

😂

[@jefflevy3557]

Having spent (wasted?) a few years on most of the popular guitar talk forums, I'd say that banging two rocks together is above the cognitive ability of most guitarists.

[@uktmaxx]

always on compressor at the end of the chain, is that referring to a Canadian youtuber JS at all?

[@boabglen]

Thoughts on modulation in the chain? After cab?

[@skipneumann1]

Going into the return of your amp with an output of say an FM9 instead of the typical full range modeling cab? And keeping the IR block? I have to try this. I want to get into a modeling device like FM9 but want to keep my Fender amp.. really works? Thank you

[@void_snw]

I have to disagree with one thing, but that thing is taste. The tones I like are not super smooth, so where I put my cuts is quite different from yours. I generally don't like going lower than 10k, even with a 6dB slope. It makes everything quite dull, even with bright amps. That said, I mainly go for studio recorded tones, not live tones, or in the room tones. For those I have my amp and speaker, running in 4CM. That same amp with a loadbox into the stomp has some IRs and cuts at 12k :p

[@boimesa8190]

What kind of music do u play?

[@che2335]

I need help and an frfr my MX5 is strangled by my Vypyr VIP2 on a Trace Elliot acoustic model. Into the front end no effects loop, a modeler into a modeler and it sounds nothing like you!

[@sheldonsmith9438]

Man i’d luv to hear you and Rabea do something together…please??

[@Thomas-jj1ev]

What about the input signal on the quad cortex? Is there anything to consider, like lifting the input to get better sound or something?

[@petkopeet]

What do you think about using tube amp power amp(fx return) with helix preamps?

[@deconline1320]

Hi John. Any tips on digital clipping? It's something I often encounter when I build different snapshots on a chain with varying effects. I never understood why these tools don't provide ways to check if a block is digitally clipping or not.

[@zoomzoom3950]

because you can hear it? when you add an effect to the chain, check unity gain. Have a refence preset or patch with the same amp / cab mic for comparison, or turn all effects on/off in a patch/preset and compare what you hear. Compare each time you add an effect; also test combinations of effects; each effect may be fine alone but using two or more at the same time may cause clipping.

[@johnnathancordy]

Is this on a Helix/HX Stomp? Most blocks are pretty high headroom, the ones that are prone to clipping are some of the vintage style modulations/delays - where you have a "Headroom" parameter, put that up full to avoid it "clipping" that, but I don't think you should be getting ACTUAL clipping along the signal chain except where it is simulated?

[@deconline1320]

​@@johnnathancordy I understand that the Shark is a floating point DSP but I would assume that the headroom is simulated to clip like the "real" effect. Also, the signal do need to come out of the DAC at the end of the chain. For example, I have some clipping issues with a few of your preset. Especially the ones with more bass (like Eric J. presets). I tried different guitars and also to enable the input pad but it doesn't make much difference. I can back off the gain on certain blocks to fix it but then I loose the expected tone. Anyway, if this is a non issue for most people, maybe there's something wrong with my setup. I'm using a PodGo with FRFR or headphones with different single coils and humbucker guitars. Thx!

[@manonvantilburg4121]

I used to encounter nasty (hard to pinpoint) clipping too when using my Pod HD 500 (mainly in studio direct mode, less when connected to a real amp). This was one of the reasons I recently bought a Fractal FM9, it has level meters for everything to be able to prevent undesired (digital) clipping.

[@jerbear1601]

Amps are really expensive and not cost effective for a variety of sounds to money. Sure an amp can get more realistic sounds but you have tubes and other maintenance issues to deal with. It's nice to have a modeler in a studio through studio monitors for what I do but I have to admit that amps can do better in a live with a band situation for the most part.

[@dryanbuchanan]

Do you use amps at all anymore, or are you strictly using modellers?

[@johnnathancordy]

In what context? At the moment the function gigs I do I've been using - HX Stomp XL - Henriksen Bud (with a Mesa extension cab with an EVM12L in it) OR into the FX return of a Mesa Nomad. I've experimented recently as well with gigging the Mesa Nomad with the HX effects in front, but enjoyed it slightly less than my normal rig...

[@ErebosGR]

More importantly, the Input control of the amp sim is NOT and should NOT be set like the input gain of an audio interface. It's NOT a level control. After setting the input gain of your audio interface correctly, the amp sim no longer can distinguish between low and high output pickups, they all are pretty much equally loud. Therefore, you lower the Input control to tell the amp sim that this is a low output pickup or you increase it to tell it that this is a high output pickup. That changes how the amp sim responds.

[@ErebosGR]

@@freqfractal No, that's the input gain for the audio interface of the pedal. I'm talking about the software Input Level control inside Native or any other amp sim. Refer to the Helix Native Pilot's Guide under the chapter "Mastering Input & Output Level Controls".

[@simonhall2682]

I’m one of those people who fast forwards the intro jam. Not on this channel.

[@johnnathancordy]

OH! That's very kind of you to say Simon!

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Nailed it. Modelers are modeling miced up amps. Not an amp in a room. All these boomers and boomer brain washed young people that criticize modelers for not sounding like an amp in a room should know that they are doing nothing but demonstrating their own ignorance of this simple and obvious fact.

[@harley9860]

I cant understand... Not helpfull video... Do pod go ... Helix hx stomp... Effect... Tone making

[@John-pp8qv]

Speak for yourself - just because you can’t understand doesn’t mean it’s not a helpful video, it just wasn’t helpful to “you”.

[@johnnathancordy]

I think Harley may not be a native english speaker, but I feel like every other day I'm building presets on the Helix/HX stomp so maybe tomorrow?