Line 6 Helix - How To Create A Great Tone - Pt. 18 - Great Acoustic Tone With Piezo Pickups

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I have had a lot of requests recently to talk about using the Helix to improve the sound of a piezo pickup equipped acoustic guitar. In this video I talk about how I would approach that to give a more acceptable live sound along with a short talk on how the Helix could be used to process both our acoustic sound while simultaneously processing a microphone for our vocals. Hope you all enjoy and that you find something useful in this video! Thanks for watching and feel free to subscribe to my channel if you are so inclined...

[@fritzthefish4u]

Thanks for sharing this! Could you make a HX Stomp version? The file from customtones is for Helix and won't load to my HX Stomp. I tried to replicate all settings per your video instructions, but I'm not sure if I missed something, because what I've got is very quite. Would be great if I could double check. Thanks again, great work!

[@OpenSauceGuitar]

Hi. Nice acoustic tone and well crafted. Do you have a copy of the patch available by any chance?

[@JasonSadites]

Thanks so much! Here is a link to CustomTone for that preset: line6.com/customtone/tone/3845343/ Enjoy!

[@OpenSauceGuitar]

@@JasonSadites Thanks. That's very generous of you. I think I may have scrolled past this one in the list when I was looking on the Line6 site. Maybe if you were to put a short description of all the juicy things you've done in the box it may get the additional exposure it deserves? Thanks again :-)

[@wallacenock7423]

Jason I have a question. I’m looking for a single unit that does my strat sounds and acoustic guitar. I have a Maton Mashville which has an amazing guitar pickup in it with microphone. Would the helix be the answer would you say.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I've got a Godin multiac steel showing up tomorrow. I've been using my Martin GPC Aura GT for years but our band has been booking more and more acoustic side gigs at places that don't have the space or noise level freedoms for a full band and that Martin gets uncomfortable after an hour or so and doesn't play nearly as nice as an electric. I'm hoping the Godin will fix all this but that Martin (as the model name suggests) has the Aura mic modeling built in and is a HUGE game changer so I'm going to try and build out a patch with my Stomp HX or fractal FM3 and see what kind of sound I can get, maybe try some acoustic IR's and if nothing really works, I'll grab the Fishman Aura spectrum pedal. BTW, I think the correct pronunciation is pee-AYE-zo.... at least that's how Larry Fishman pronounces it.

[@jimmyIRCbot]

Still great info 5 years later!! Thanks for the well balanced clarity and depth in this video! I especially appreciate how you talk through the decision making process, especially taking note of the various considerations and trade-offs. Excellent content for anyone looking to learn more about how to leverage their gear to better achieve the tones they're seeking. Stellar work, thanks for the share!!

[@shanecgriffo]

Thanks for the great Videos! i'm getting good results on my acoustic guitar blending a fishman magnetic soundhole p/u with the onboard piezo thru my helix. I run the line from the guitar into a return and the magnetic pickup into the guitar input, then process them separately.. It's a bit warmer sound than just the piezo. Generally the mag p/u is a bit lower in the mix. I use the 3 band compressor too and i'm also using some acousticIR's i bought online to add a bit of depth to the sound. I'm getting better results with this than when i use my dedicated acoustic preamp/modeller (the zoom one, not the fishman aura)

[@JasonSadites]

My pleasure and so happy you have found a setup that is working so well for you :-)

[@SaliusCy]

Hi Jason. I have a Godin XTSA and just bought the Helix. Do you have any suggestions or tips for setting the tone when blending the acoustic pickups with the electric ones? I am trying to create a jumbo acoustic body sound.

[@JasonSadites]

I would really need to have one handy to be able to mess with to dial it in. I used to have an LGXT, but no longer own it. Thanks!

[@narichey1981]

What I've done on mine is add an impulse response of a similar acoustic guitar to mine, sounds like a mic'd acoustic, basically the same thing the aura is doing

[@JasonSadites]

Nice...a very good way to go for sure :-)

[@RichardLainegard]

use the same idea, Peter Hamm's fantastic P&W patches really inspired me to go this route with my piezo equipped electrics.

[@crownironman]

just before heading out to church last weekend I downloaded this preset in my helix. I used a Martin into the helix and out to the board, it sounded amazing, I had a lot of people after service come up and ask what I did to make my guitar sound so good, I told them it was all you! thanks again, great preset, can't wait to see what you do with the new firmware update and the shelf EQs

[@JasonSadites]

That is so wonderful to hear and thank you for letting me know :-) My pleasure!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi, do you have the link to this preset?

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

@@JasonSadites Hi do you have the link to this preset?

[@babarayhey]

Thanks for teaching me more about my Helix. I've watched a few or your tutorials and they have all been helpful. I find your explanation of the choices you make to be very educational. I have a lot more to go!

[@horizontalblanking]

Perfect timing! I have a gig coming up where I'll be doing acoustic rhythm guitar - via the Variax - and have been trying to dial in a better tone. This looks like it will be a good method to try out.

[@JasonSadites]

Awesome and I hope it works out well for you :-)

[@sjsphotog]

great stuff Jason. I will have to try this with my acoustic guitar. LOve the sound of your acoustic there. Keep it up.

[@ricardojsf]

Thank you Jason, just what I've been wainting :D You're a God! eheh :)

[@JasonSadites]

Thank you so much Ricardo and my pleasure :-)

[@j.c.holleran1386]

Where can I download this preset?

[@BenIdoine]

"Pie-Zo". What-the-hell!?!?!?

[@Nicky-T]

18:26 I had NO IDEA you could do that - creating another entire path!!! @Jason, you ROCK!

[@ZachPetch]

I’m so glad you pointed this out! I (shamefully… or actually not really) tend to drop off once he (or anyone) gets to the kinda obviously end of the video stuff where they start saying “alright, I hope that was helpful”. But seeing this comment made me decide to stick around for the extra minute, and I’m sure glad I did. So, all that to simply say, thanks!

[@jerbear1601]

I recently picked up a Taylor with the ES2 pickup and I find it works wonderfully with the Helix and because the pickup is installed behind the saddle instead of under it, it eliminates the quacky sound almost entirely. If you leave just about any acoustic pickup naked without processing they sound pretty crappy but sprinkle some acoustic IR's/ Preamp block/EQ/ Reverb and some light Chorus or Rotary speaker effect for some swirl and you have a winner. I had no problems getting some inspiring sounds in one evening. Of course a good condenser mic setup is still the ultimate in sound quality for recording purposes.

[@spsanders69]

Great video. Will definitely check it out with my Variax. I have a couple presets that work pretty well and will compare with what you are doing here with the crossover. I am sure it would help. Have you done anything with the synth generator? I saw some video awhile back where a guy was playing his guitar and would press three or four of the preset buttons to play a synch backing track in a various scale and play over it. So like one was a C, then F, then B, etc... or whatever key he was playing in. I have been trying to find that video since I bought the Helix and haven't had any luck.

[@JasonSadites]

Thanks SS :-) Hope this works out for you! I haven't tried any synth style stuff actually. I would imaging there are some great possibilities though.

[@sjsphotog]

wouldnt that be incorrect to use on a variax since that already has a mic sim so you'd be micing the mic and cause weird issues?

[@bkt6025]

Great ear, great ideas Not sure if I clearly get the first step Hi cut Overall compress ? Boost hi s

[@SjaakShirly6559]

What could you do soundwise if you have to take a solo on the acoustic during a gig? How can you lift it up?

[@jamespitman3357]

perfect u sorted me out again today - great advice - thank you Jason

[@guitarjonn7103]

Love this Jason, thanks.

[@JasonSadites]

My pleasure ..hope it works well for you :-)

[@andrewlamb8219]

Very helpful thank you!

[@jerryreff67]

Nice Jason. No amp or preamp?

[@JasonSadites]

Thanks Jerry! Since my guitar has a preamp built in, no need. Of course, if one was to be using a passive piezo system, they would likely have to add preamp of some sort at the start to get some more signal.

[@ImOutsideTheBox]

Jason Sadites does helix have acoustic amps?

[@dw22509]

pee-ET-so

[@JasonSadites]

Pie-zo

[@dw22509]

@@JasonSadites ;)

[@msnahushkumar6522]

Will the same settings work on a Line 6 POD HD500x as well??

[@JasonSadites]

Not totally sure as I have not used the POD HD500x..sorry I couldn't be more help!

[@sjsphotog]

yes you should be able to dial in similar settings using simiar effects, eqs on the HD500x as they basically took the tech from that unit and then took it to the next pro level with the Helix.

[@rickyrobinson1656]

thanks! Love your videos.

[@JasonSadites]

Thank you much and my pleasure :-)