Putting the Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus's speaker modeling to the test.

Do the speaker models inside the Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus really give you the "amp in the room" effect? I put it to the test by bringing on stage at a bar gig with a painfully loud rock band!
Here are the links to the Helix presets used in this video:
Placater Dirty:
line6.com/cust...
Angl Meteor:
line6.com/cust...
Voodoo Child:
line6.com/cust...
For a video on how I build my Helix presets, check this out:
• Richie Castellano Line...
Thanks to Bobby Rondinelli and Rob Demartino for performing in this video.

[@gpi66]

This might be the best video one can find that gives a good representation of how the Powercab sounds.

[@JWCFB]

Richie i took up guitar in 2015 at the age of 55 and first saw you doing demos for AMS while shopping for my first guitar and amp. I just recently discovered you have a KZbin channel. What a super talented guy you are. I love you and your channel. God bless you.

[@kissthissonline]

Great video. I have a power cab plus 112 myself. I have never used it live as I was worried about it not being loud enough, but you have just resolved that issue for me.

[@jimamsden]

Richie, you're one of the best resources on the web. Thank you for what you do and this great video. I use JTV-69S -> Helix -> Powercab 212 and this video reminded me to adjust the output block for Powercab to get the signal light into yellow. Thanks again, every one of your videos is a treasure.

[@davestarns]

Jim Amsden I bought a Powercab 2x12 a couple of months ago, and it sounds great, but it’s not very loud at all. Even with the volume cranked up all the way, I can barely hear the amp over an average-loud drummer on stage. I know it’s solid state, but it’s also 500 watts, and the solid-state, 200 watt 1x12 ZT Club amp I have achieves twice the max volume of the Powercab without turning up the master over 4. Could my particular unit have a problem, or am I likely just doing something wrong?

[@felobo33]

@@davestarns that's weird. How do you connect it to your modeling? helix via L6 digital cable?, are you sure the input to the PC is being hit at the right volume (yellow light)? this is very important not only for volume already, but also tone and feel.

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

@@davestarns did you read the manual? Your levels are all wrong! Have you solved the "problem" yet?

[@jeffreyschaefer3979]

I really enjoy watching professional musicians at work. Thank you.

[@riffwrath6236]

Gig at the end . Rig : 1. Variax in spank mode , 2. Powercab 112 Plus monitor. Only one on YT.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Amazing buddy. Great to see a demo of it being used at a gig. See you at NAMM!

[@RichieCastellano]

Thanks Aaron, see ya at NAMM!

[@therangersinger]

Last week I decided to sell my entire pedalboard and two Victory amps. I ordered the helix floor and power an 212 plus the same day. Needless to say all my pedals sold on reverb in two days. That was $5,300 worth of gear back in my bank. I still have to sell my amps and cabs which of course will take a bit longer. This was the first video I watched the day I ordered the power cab and helix. Your video did make sense at the time, but not completely. After having the helix and powercab for a week now it all makes sense. The only pedal I didn't sell was my Boss RC-500 looper. I like using the speaker modeling to get the "the amp in the room" feel. But my boss looper sounds muffled and weird. But of course if I use an amp and cab sim in the helix and the power cab in FRFR the drums in the looper also get to see FRFR and come to life. The drums sounded pretty good into my victory amps but nowhere near as good as they do running FRFR. I may just have to warm up to the mic'd guitar sound in FRFR and call it a day. I still have a lot to learn but, (100%) I do not regret selling all my high end stuff. Mike I generally understand the Whole IR thing. Is it really worth getting any of those?

[@jefftoth4744]

Great demo using the equipment in real life! Great playing by the way. Your tone is amazing!

[@richf6111]

Thanks Richie. To be honest there was hardly any difference between the Powercab settings in my opinion, just a little top end as you said. However - so refreshing to see a review record gear being used at a gig. It puts it in context rather than from just the recorded sound from a room. Brilliant - well done...reviewers take note !

[@septiktone]

Owh shit! Been using HR108, but the PowerCab is the real deal. This is what I’ve been missing all these while. Damned!!! Thanks Ritchie, you’re the man

[@jimij5768]

Richie, you rock! Always great to see you explaining the line 6 stuff. Keep it up, I'm lovin it!

[@gonepickin990]

I love my cab. It's not the plus, but I use IR's in my Helix. I run both at 12 o'clock with the patches set for a reasonable but not too loud stage volume so I can cop some feedback when I want. I line out from the Helix to the board now but I am going to try from the cab just to see the difference. Great cab. Much better than the powered 12" EV I was using which has since been demoted to my vocal monitor. Lie, cheat and steal to pick one of these up! Thanks for another excellent video Richie!

[@hippylong]

Come on ritchie... I just barely paid off the helix. Now I got to buy a cab? Your evil and sent by the devil... hehe... j/k. Love all the videos... your an inspiration... peace...

[@andyracksthecams]

No, you need two! Don't tell the lady mind.

[@auntjenifer7774]

Damn man, for that money you could have bought a real peavey 5150 and speakers and an analog pedal board ! Or a real tube amp and a pod go 😂 ! What I did was stack up a bit then research the shit for a month and then price match every where while studying the tech aspect and find the best deal, and I ended up really loving the headrush sounds and was almost sold on the gig board new at $420 Wich is less than the pod go and a great deal on itself but then I found a brand new headrush pedal board for $700 supposed to be open box unit and they send a brand new unit never been opened let alone plugged in so I'm happy as can be but the helix is no joke either they just way too much and I honestly haven't heard a good line 6 into this guy here his sounds like real !

[@WickedJester77]

@Ron Stone I think a lot of us are chasing convenience now. I know I am. My marshall with a tubescreamer and a couple effects is the tone i love. But That head with my over sized boogie cab is such a pain to cart around. With my recently purchased helix, I hope to leave the amp in the rehearsal room from now on. lol

[@JoeGrahamMusic]

Ritchie, that was gorgeous playing. I use my power cab and helix at a local jam, and it keeps up with a fender twin 2 12. There's usually 3 amps on stage and I have no problem getting heard if I need to

[@eldie3d]

All of these settings and presets... Richie, You could connect 2 cups to a string and play into 1 cup and it would sound beautiful coming out of the other cup!!! We don't need no stinking presets!!! LOL I enjoy watching and listening to you!!!

[@NZchooks1]

awesome metaphor

[@mikmiklicayan4483]

Dude you can PLAY. Like reaaaal good. Lovin your lines. First video ive watched of you coz im researching the powercab. I think ive decided to buy it because of you

[@CaptainBakerJason]

Love the Essex and Lecto EV speaker emulation and also Jarvis! Although the Vintage is nice too especially in mids! 👍🏻💪🏻🎯😎🎸🎶

[@Mark-fs5fq]

Best demo of I’ve heard, even the line6 one 👍🏻

[@page29]

One thing to keep in mind is that the PC+ is voiced as a 1x12 where if I’m not mistaken, your ir is based on a 4x12.

[@MeanMaoriMean555]

You’re a firecracker man! Thanks for sharing. This was a big help. Greetings from New Zealand.

[@alanater4383]

Great video Richie . . . super helpful. I've got a PowerCab on order and looking forward to it being here late this week. Lots of great insights on how you dial in tones. THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO - TRULY ENJOY YOUR VIDEO'S!

[@mlentwojt]

Great demo, great sound, great guitar player, great playing... did I already say "great"? No? "GREAT!"

[@azdh85224]

Great job Richie. Power cab sounded great. Would love to get one for my HX Stomp. And as always, your guitar playing is fantastic. 👍🏻🎸

[@herbiemanuputy8025]

Thank you for this video. Getting a powered Line 6 Cab is next on my list. By the way love your playing!!!!

[@terrycline8689]

Love this video for all the reasons you will find in comments below. ESPECIALLY love hearing the equipment IN CONTEXT. To me, that is really where you learn if it works or not. Sure sounded good to me. Great job Richie.

[@jacobseal]

Damn that sounded great. I am not sure why people are saying the speaker modelling sounds bad??? Sounds cool to me and with a Helix would be a really versatile live rig.

[@robertw1871]

I’ve seen a few powercab videos and don’t remember having any interest in it at all... still isn’t my thing, but I’ve got some respect for it now. Thanks...

[@rikh78]

you're a really good player, sounded killer on the live clip

[@davemis40]

Sounded great at the gig .. especially off just room mics

[@nicolasjoan6515]

Dude the way you came in on that song at the gig 😉👌🤘😊🤩

[@StringBanger]

This video is very helpful. I just got a helix and a 112 plus. Spent hours and hours tweaking. Wish I saw this video first. Once you get it all dialed in the sound is incredible. I love all the snapshots because obviously. Y Parker Fly will sound alot different than my Mayones and Suhr. So each guitar has its own patches that I tweaked specifically for the guitar. Thanks for the video!

[@Jr-sh9nn]

Love .. Love .. Love the channel .... all the way from Atlantic Canada .. Love all your vids and would really one day like to see you guys pull of some Saga ... that would be astounding .. keeps the vids coming ! Cheers !!

[@gangrenebob7281]

Just bought the Helix and PC+ and stumbled on this sweet channel. The built in presets and flat PC+ setting sounds by default are very artificial and kinda crappy IMO so looking forward to learning how to get this sounding nice for live gigs from your works. Thanks. Now onto finding the Tips and Tricks video before you start video!! Looking forward to more PC+ videos for sure!!!

[@flipnap2112]

you have to use IR's. they change everything

[@GuitarMan3YT]

Sounds great! I was wanting to see and hear a good demo on the power cab to see if they’re worth the money. Now I want one for sure! Every time you hit the A reminds me of 3-lock box(Sammy Hagar) 👍🤟

[@firemanmick]

I've had the PowerCab Plus now for about 6 months, feeding it with a Fractal AX8 or a Line HX Stomp. Firstly, I don't know why, but the Stomp is way easier to dial in a good sound connected to the PowerCab, where the AX8 needs a bit more tweaking. I must admit though, it took me a long time to get the "amp in a room" sound from the PowerCab. I found the best settings for my situation was Cab/IR block in the HX/AX8 turned off and using the PowerCab "64 Deluxe P12N (Alure) IR" - it comes across as the closest to a nice, balanced real cab. I also tried some OwnHammer IR's with good results but tend to keep coming back to the P12N. I tried the PowerCab in the FRFR mode but didn't seem to translate my presets well (even with some industrial level tweaking on the modeller). One thing which is imperative with getting a good sound is gain matching - unless that LED is yellow with the odd red flash (then back it off a tiny bit), it can sound pretty weak. Also, the louder it is, the more natural it sounds so don't expect top get great a sound and feel at low bedroom volumes.

[@rickjwilliams]

Jarvis has some nice harmonic bite

[@KevinStromMusic]

Killer playing as always Richie!

[@ericschrdr]

Tone king - thanks for sharing the detailed tweaking!

[@MusicWorldKaraoke]

Great job buddy! Happy New year, greetings from Barcelona

[@justinTime077]

Hey man, I us found you, and you’re a cool, easy, agreeable type of dude that the Helix niche sorely needs (for me at least!), so please keep this stuff up! :) no offense to some of the other dudes out there, but they are just not my style. Keep on rockin’ in the free world.

[@richardrooney2054]

Great video , your sound and playing was great. Strange how a lot of people say it's not loud enough.I have one and find it loud enough.

[@vernonleemonii3334]

Sounded great!! Wish I could just sit down and dial in great tones/patches like that. Damn!

[@justintrethewey3195]

Thanks mate. Great vid. Think you have convinced me to get the PC Plus.

[@jbimmler]

Great video on PCab! I’ve been looking at them. Right using Helix 4cm Friedman pt20. Which sounds great, but wanting more versatility. Your videos helped me quite a bit with Helix. Thank you, and great playing!!!

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

That sounds great

[@danyeo]

I’m amazed you got this thing to sound remotely decent. Bringing mine back to GC, sounds horrible to me in the room.

[@StevenHess]

Richie sold me another bit of Line 6 Kit.. LOL.. Ordered off Amazon. It's will be here on Friday.

[@jessejuno5317]

Your th e best at explaining. I find your videos very informing.

[@mk2445]

Thats the way to do it. I have the same setup..for live and recording. Powercab will give the amp in the room sound and xlr out to mixer. I would suggest to use different eq for live and recording. Line 6 should provide all the speaker simulation in Helix to Powercab which is gonna be awesome.

[@johnnyvlee]

So, it was fun to watch you go through this process, but a lot of the time I wasn't sure what specific aspects of a sound you were referring to as you tweaked. Would have been fun to have gotten more of a "explain this to me like I'm 12" approach at times. Also I'm not sure I came away with much information about the 112 plus other than it is loud enough on stage for smaller gigs. That's cool, and useful and all, but I plan to run both XLR outs on the Helix to the board, and use the cab for my own monitoring on stage.

[@tmunday7270001475143]

Great video Richie!

[@DonaldVanHall]

Great detailed demo. Thanks!

[@steveingram2773]

Love the Live footage

[@joshuak4372]

I think I'm good with stage sources. Thanks for the video

[@Hydrophish]

Hey Richie, love watching how you set up your basic sounds! How are you dealing with dialing in your sounds at room volume and then having them change at the venue at full volume due the fletcher munson effect? Is that why you checked for the yellow light on the power cab when you were tweaking?

[@zakklee2556]

The yellow light is the Powercab + input level meter. Green/yellow/Red.

[@raino61]

Great video. Thanks once again, Richie! Would you prefer the power cab over one of the Bogner designed "dream rig" tube amps, assuming you are using the Helix with them?

[@Scottsguitarplayground]

Great video, as usual!

[@tomulator]

The BIG question is what does the FOH tone sound like when using the XLR out of the Power Cab and its "mic modeling"? Is it as good (better or worse?) as sending a Helix + IR directly to FOH without any additional "mic modeling" or micing?? What you've shown us here is the "onstage" tone potential of the Powercab speaker models...but, what does it's FOH tone sound like? How good are the microphone models it comes with?

[@The777utube]

How do your Variax acoustic models sound through the Powercab? Really helpful demo. Thanks.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Modeling has arrived. I'm interested in the new POD go which I think is advertised as using Helix amps and cab sims.

[@amaiorano67]

You make it look so easy lol and great guitar player ,

[@fisch723]

Richie, awesome as usual!! The Angl/Engl sounds great. Have you tried the German Mahadeva? I’m more of a prog player than a hard rock guy so I would never have thought to try it (as it’s based on the Shiva) but I downloaded a great patch and it was the amp/cab being used for the lead sound (along with the Jazz Chorus for the cleans) and I’ve been making new patches based on variations on it ever since. Cleans up surprisingly nicely when you roll off the volume (I also added some gain reduction to the expression pedal) and a ton of gain when needed. Really screams and I get a ton of compliments on my tone...

[@deboramedina6106]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Thank you for this video!!!

[@spikewulfenden706]

Hi I’m new to Helix and I’m finding this (and other posts) very helpful and useful for getting the most from my HX stomp. I also have a HX FX and a few favourite pedals linked in thru the FX - as it has two send / return sets. It’s not helpful with the G.A.S. though! I can’t afford a line 6 power cab. I’m guessing that if you get the 2 X 12 you can have 2 different drivers? That would be cool, exactly like having the real thing going on.

[@LucasCrossleyGuitar]

Smok'n. Sounded pretty killer to me.

[@fradomenico5030]

nice and very clear explanations

[@richardnagy1246]

Thanks for doing this. I just feel that this is strictly made for the Helix. I would like to see this work with a tube amp like my Gibson GOLDTONE or a fender tube or a VOX class A. just feels like I could preamp and EQ and do the same thing. i could be way wring on that

[@andrewrwhitfield]

Thanks Ritchie - awesome video. Are you still using the powercab? What’s your current thinking on ir vs speaker models? All the best

[@LtCore]

Awesome video! Where is the Helix's main volume knob set at? Thanks, Richie!

[@spaceman8839]

I dig it

[@MarcusFHurt]

Richie, any plans to do the Line 6 Powercab 212 Plus? Would love to hear what you can do splitting speakers with 2 different IRs Left/Right. Thanks for the video and all you do :)

[@msi1985]

So I know it's been a few years since you posted this video and I'm just curious if you're still using the speaker emulation inside the power cab or if you have went back to relying on impulse responses and cabinet emulation from the helix? I'm in the process of trying to switch from using a traditional Mesa amplifier and cabinet to a digital solution using the helix and 112 power cab... You seem knowledgeable enough to quite possibly able to answer the big question, which is: Can the helix and the line 6 power cab replace the sound and feel of a traditional tube amp? 🤔 Cheers 🍻 👏

[@acroberts4481]

Hey Richie - just picked up a 112+ - thanks, as always for your videos! You still dig the Variax? Thinking about picking up a used one. Had a JTV59 here but not a fan of that particular model.

[@jimmyjams1974]

Very cool video.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

dont you wish line6 would just add the PC's speaker sims to the helix in the next update? i think it would be a game changer

[@kirkmckim2685]

Sounds killer

[@grisok]

I'm movin to a helix/power cab set up this spring. Tired of hauling so much gear everywhere. If I can get my tone 95% there in a room by myself, at a bar I probably won't hear much difference, and more importantly, the crowd won't lol.

[@guitarbrian46]

Great demo. I'm not sure how much advantage there is using this over an FR though. Don't get me wrong, the tones were outstanding but I'm using my rig (Headrush) to end the back break of lugging an amp (20 gigs a month) and to cut down on the stage volume by letting the mains do the dirty work. Given that the 2x12 runs about $1400 is it worth the investment over using an FR?

[@RichieCastellano]

It depends on how much you need the interaction between the cabinet on stage. If you’re getting by without it, then I think you answered your question.

[@robsII]

28:51 pauses- googles Fodera Imperial. Result at sweetwater a custom at 8k.. Jeez that’s more than my car, dog.

[@MrCgar18]

sounds good

[@christopherbenedetto]

Richie- love your channel and my band and I compare notes on your versions of songs. Quick question for you : I'm starting to play thru a modeler (Mooer GE250 ...all I can afford now). I send one cab sim via XLR to FOH, and need/want to monitor myself on stage given a loud drummer, bassist, another guitarist, and two singers. No in ears yet. I want the cab sim sound to come through so my stage sound and monitoring basically = FOH. I have a Fender Hot Rod Deville and a Blues Junior that I use now but I am wondering if you'd suggest playing THe Mooer thru something more like a Headrush 8" FRFR Speaker? Or something else like the Line 6 Powercab? Does playing through a Fender Hot Rod (just the power amp section) work? I'm assuming it colors the signal a lot. Basically do I need an FRFR monitor or can my amps accomplish this now (with some minor EQ tweaking)? Thanks for any tips.

[@bradh6185]

Dino has some mojo.

[@deathhockey19]

I would have loved to have seen one of you normal patches copied, with the IR turned off and used PowerCab instead. Then A/B'd the two together to get a fair comparison.

[@riccardopocci73]

Hello. I watched the video and it s amazing and well done. I have helix since a couple of weeks and it s amazing. I would like to ask you a video like this but focused on clean tones bluesy stuff with clean fender style amps from helix. I really like to see it. thanks a lot Hugs from Italy

[@jeale778]

Awesome!!

[@jfonlinenow1]

Can I use the HX Edit for HX Stomp to make modifications to the Powercab? Or does that only work for the Helix Floor and higher range Helix models? BTW, your sounds kick ass!

[@frederickjones4396]

Hi Richie - First thanks very much for your in depth replies videos, etc. I am just starting out with Powercab and I'm wondering please, if possible, you could answer a couple of questions for using it 1) Are most presets (yours or others) when purchased from marketplace or some downloaded from custom tone created with headphones or studio monitors which I think are FRFR? 2) If so, if I tweak my presets the way I want them with the PC at home on FRFR (amps and cabs on helix), will the audience then hear what I hear from the PC if I run XLR from power cab to FOH PA? Also, I'm still confused by the PC XLR output on the other modes. - (speaker model and speaker model/natural) If I like one of those (with the cab eliminated in Helix chain), and then use PC XLR output to FOH from those modes, will the audience hear what I hear from the PC? Thanks again!!

[@VicMusicPerez]

Hey Richie can you show me how to set my helix in a power cab plus, keeping my helix presets and using the power cab just as on stage amplification? I mean with no powercab effects or modeling. Thank you!

[@capsuleboy]

Id like to make some fr fr amp (for my humble GT10) by replacing my speakers and placing more "wide range" speakers. I wonder if that would do the trick. But What should I buy!? I guess that powercab speakers are not magical, I bet you might get them (or something very similar) in some store.

[@metelway]

Hello Richie, I ve been following your tests and they are great, I want more to come because I love Line 6 products. I want to ask you something strange that happened with Ownhammer Ir s pack I purchased and when I try to load in my helix there s a message in the Helix edit saying they can t be loaded !!! I bought these Ir packs from the Line 6 website. Do you think there s away to modify and make them work ??

[@toneydavis9802]

Thanks Richie. I am starting to lean toward Line 6 digital modeling. I have a M5 on my board for those times I need a pedal that I don't have. The Stomp or the POD Go may be my next purchase. I currently am using a bassbreaker 15 and a Kustom monitor. How much would I improve my sound if when I purchase either of the two L6 products I replace my BB with the power cab? Any idea?

[@davestarns]

Great video, but I’m curious why you used an existing preset to A/B speaker modeling vs IRs instead of copying your basic 1-amp preset and changing to an IR instead of a speaker simulation.

[@RichieCastellano]

I don’t use the built in speaker simulation. I didn’t want to get close to something I don’t use. I wanted to see if the built in Powercab models could get me close to what I’m used to.

[@TheZakkmylde]

Having two drives on one switch was awesome but you did it so fast and mine just toggles on to off and not like you did it ? Anyone?

[@Robbie28]

So, when you use a Helix and a power cab like this, you do NOT use any time of effects loop since the cabs dont have one of those? Ya just make a line of the effects you want and use the order ya want the effects in?

[@michaelaustin1853]

Nah, just plug it into the Left OUT. Whatever you have going on in your Helix is just sent to the monitor.

[@RichieCastellano]

anything you'd normally put in the loop just goes after the amp block inside the Helix.

[@TheZakkmylde]

I just bought helix and curious with the whole FRFR thing and trying to get most out of my helix with all the simulations Which I can’t use if I use my Messa boogie Mark five as the amp or just the power amp with the helix. Wondering if the power cab could maybe if not replace at least be a viable option to using my boogie. People I talk to at the music store said why would you use that type of speaker if you have a nice amp so I’m a little unsure 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@FLdb-wj4wc]

You don't wanna get rid of the mid range thing. Great playing! Thinking about going digital. Power cap sounds better.

[@TheLolpwnz]

Richie, how can u sugges plese: So the speaker that he simulates is something like IR? is laney lfr112 or headrush frfr112 louder? Because we playing more metal oriented stuf and i probably want to get FRFR ?By all the time runned throught 100wt valve head and 4x12 cab(400wt), for studio it has 60% volume level . But i have admit dont like sound of cab , as well in some stuff i use variax with accoustic and its sounds better through Pa. And I don't have any experience with FRFR , so Ty if u notice this .

[@jamlsn]

Been looking at adding the powercab plus to my Helix. Would you recommend the 212 over the 112?

[@larrybethune3909]

Le Mew, Le Purr, Le Cover. I Have one for my Opal. They are good.