This Bridges the Gap Between Modelers and REAL AMPS - Line6 Powercab 112

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

As always, Thanks for watching! Who has moved from using tube amps to using modelers exclusively?

[@davidharrismusician]

I have currently, but I miss the "in the room" sound and feel for certain situations. I have a Helix and a Headrush speaker, but I run direct at church. Does the Powercab feel and sound close to a tube amp in the room? I need a "tube amp"-esque sound and feel for jam situations. Should I build up another analog/tube rig, or should I just pick up one of these (assuming that I love the Helix)?

[@felobo33]

David Harris it does feel like an tube amp, you need a certain volume, but set up right it is really really close, at the least it is a huge improvement to the playing experience, totally recommend for modelers users, specially using the speaker mode and not the FRFR as this video also says

[@MoveUpMedia]

Made the move to Helix about 2 years ago. Sold my Badcat and haven’t looked back. It is a game changer. If you know how to create great tones, Helix lets you get there.

[@loopie007]

Been using a Helix for a while. Now moved over to an Iridium and very happy. The fact that all IR's are made with an microphone doing the recording and adding it's tone to an IR is something I never thought of. How do we remove that? So all the IR's I use are (IR)Speaker->Mic->"my amp"->Speaker-> audience or mic. Never thought how my XLR out of my amp to the "house" would remove the mic tone, or the amp has to simulate it. Too much to think about.

[@jeffwinick8859]

@@loopie007 Agree - this confuses the heck out of me!

[@RhettShull]

That tele is so awesome...

[@wildpinesmusic4581]

Rhett Shull I can confirm this as well! Have played it a few times hanging with Michael. It’s so good!

[@brianmiller3287]

Rhett I agree. I can't take my eyes off of it!

[@JeffKeel]

What are the pickups in that great looking guitar? Great Video. running my stomp through my bose L1 compact. flat response like going through pa. Good for getting sounds that will go direct when I have to

[@jr98chH7]

Hi, Thanks for posting this video. It was very informative, and confirming, for me. I bought my first LIne 6 product 20 years ago (2000). It was the infamous "Kidney Bean." I then moved to the POD XT Live, then the HD 500X, and finally, in 2017, it was the Helix. I've "seen" all of these products get progressively better (IMHO) although every time I would A/B with one of my tube amps (I've got several Marshall's and Fender's), well, I always preferred the tone of the tube amp. I remember when Line 6 came out with the Powercab back in early to mid-2018. For some reason, I did not wait to purchase. After 2 1/2 years of experimenting with tone, involving lots of A/B ing with my tube amps through various speaker cabinets/speakers, I am convinced that there is parity between a Helix/Powercab/speaker modeling setup and a tube amp. I am one of those players who likes dynamics and touch sensitivity. I set the amp and guitar up to be able to go from clean to crunch (grit/dirt) by how hard/soft I pluck/pick the strings. Volume on my guitar is usually just backed off from max (about 7.5 to 9, depending on the guitar). If I need more output (and, of course, grit) I just turn the volume to max. Of course, tone is so subjective. Indeed, just knowing that you are playing through a Helix Plexi model through a Powercab Greenback model, can greatly influence your opinion. It did for me... until I finally decided that the "fake" thing sounds just as great as the "real" thing - to my ears. I will always love knowing that I am playing through a tube amp when I am connected to one. That said, I will now also "allow" myself to love the versatility, reliability, and sound of the Helix through the Powercab. Again, Michael, thanks so much for posting your video.

[@versnellingspookie]

You just put it very well: modeling amps and tube amps are 2 different leagues! As close as modeling gets to tube amps nowadays, it still never will be quite the same. I however as a bedroom player have always used solid state and modeling gear and i've gotten a lot of joy from having different sounds at my disposal. I usually end up using a clean Fender or a Roland JC preset for everything i do though ;^). We can like both is all i'm saying!

[@justinTime077]

That’s what happened to me. I hated modelers at first, but then after trying several with different types of speakers, and returning it all... I came to realize that my tube amp felt like a one trick pony. Not only that, but it’s a bitch to mic and record to me vs plugging the Helix into my pc and having perfectly mic’d tone that I can do anything with. I agree with all that you said. I still have yet to try a power cab designed for this, or simple studio monitors, but I’ve tried all the rest. Frfr PA was simply a noisy headache in my room, but sounded great cranked up in guitar center.

[@justinTime077]

@@versnellingspookie I use tube amps in my bedroom. I feel bad for you guys that seem to think you can’t!

[@bogse]

@@justinTime077 Dont try studio monitors, they are not made for modelers, just waste of money.

[@justinTime077]

@@bogse actually my cheap studio monitors were the very last thing I tried, but turned out to be among the very best solution that as a bonus can be used for other things.

[@budgetracing3425]

I started out as a modeler 10 years ago, moved to a tube amp for a more authentic sound and then back because of the convenience and higher quality modelers. Great video!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! Modelers have gotten so much better over the years huh?

[@duncancartledge1667]

Hi Michael, Using my Powercab plus a little differently. I use real amps through a load box and run the line out to the Powercab. Best at home sound and feel I’ve ever had at any volume. Also use a torpedo captor x with the powercab with really good results.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Cool! Sounds like the best of both worlds!

[@richardnagy1246]

whats a load box?

[@loopie007]

I love this video as it's a good learning experience of how it works, not just listening to your great playing. Thanks!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thank you for kind words!

[@AU-cs6er]

Thanks for your review! It would be an interesting experiment if the enclosure/face of the powercab and the real cab its trying to simulate are swapped to see if people can determine which one is which, and/or if they're being betrayed by their own biases.

[@wildpinesmusic4581]

Was definitely impressed with how that cab sounded

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I was impressed!

[@josephreisz1423]

Cool review, thanks. Another advantage I guess to speaker modeling when playing with something like the Stomp is that it frees up a block?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks for watching! And yes, absolutely - frees up a block so you can add more effects

[@justinTime077]

I agree that at first it freaked me out and thought modelers were trash, I tried them all, then returned it. Now I have a Helix because at some point I finally understood it. It beats mixing my one or two amps. I do need to figure out how to best get it going in my room like a real amp. Then I can truly sell my Mesa Rectifier...

[@DansMesCordes]

Are there 2 simultaneous inputs? Like, can I plug in my guitar and a bandmate his electronic drumkit all at once?

[@jackprice7828]

To my ear the Power Cab model sounded warmer and richer than the IR

[@homeguitarplayer9482]

Nice man, this is quality content.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks so much!

[@theishing1]

Love the sound of the neck pickup...lovely video.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! The pickups are Fralin 5% overwound in this guitar. A touch hotter and a touch darker than normal Tele pickups but still plenty of top end chime

[@theishing1]

@@MichaelWWestbrook I totally dug it ❤️

[@theishing1]

@@MichaelWWestbrook fralin pickups are top choice of many famous artists.

[@incubism]

Great tones!! Nice one.

[@ppierpont]

Great video about a topic that is challenging to present not in-person. I’ve been looking at alternatives for more “real” sounding options when using modelers like the HX Stomp. (That’s how I found your video.) Any thoughts about how the speaker models from the GFI Cabzeus compare? In addition to outputting a stereo signal into stereo cabs, the Cabzeus can also output a mono signal from stereo microphones - a mic on the speaker and a mic in the room. The latter mode is supposed to create a more “amp in the room” feel. I can’t find anyone making that comparison. Keep up the good work!

[@igetmycalcium]

I’m having trouble getting enough output level from my Iridium into the powercab. Guess the only thing to do is boost the input gain on the cab?

[@randyhollandsworth626]

Hi Michael, thanks for the video! Thinking of picking up the 212 Plus. Off topic, could you put up a link or what model is the multi guitar stand you have behind you? I'm looking to get one and the ones I've found have been pretty sketchy. I trust your judgement. Thanks for any help with this.

[@Tiago_007]

Hercules Multi Guitar Stand. Sold at big music stores or online.

[@ChrisAllenCombs]

Hey Michael! Now you are making me wish I didn't sell my stomp. Good to see you doing these kinds of video. Great player!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! Hope you guys are well!

[@daniwest1370]

Probably a stupid question, but since this cab has speaker models (IR) can you just connect a overdrive pedal, or a preamp in front of the cab? And use it like that, without any modeler device?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Absolutely but I’m not sure how it would sound. I haven’t tried it but I bet it wouldn’t be too bad.

[@danyelo]

Sounds great! Keep it up!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@loopie007]

I have not seen any videos about the loading of IR's into the Powercab. Have you tried loading any of Rhetts IR's into the Powercab? Do they work? Sound? Thanks. :-)

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I haven’t tried loading any IR’s into the power cab! Something to add to the list

[@tommylevesk7694]

Man!! I've tried the I.R you've made with Rhett. They are AWESOME! I'm used to my %13 and those one are fantastic! Good job :)

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Tommy Levesk Thanks! Glad you like them!

[@juanvaldez5422]

What’s the difference between the power cab and power cab plus? Just ordered a regular power cab . Got tired waiting for powered kemper kone that seems to have went out of production before it got started

[@Slashbacca]

So with the different speaker settings, does that eliminate the need for a cab block in the Helix?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Exactly

[@gibfen1235]

When you are demo'ing the cab's speaker simulator, such as the Greenback, I am assuming you are driving the cab with the Stomp. Can you setup a Stomp to output an amp simulation with NO simulated speaker/cabinet.. Glancing thru the Stomp manual implies that all amp sims MUST include a speaker/cabinet. I'm concern that sound of the selected speaker in the PowerCab will be colored by the cabs input, from the STOMP, will already have a speaker/cabinet simulation.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

No, you select just an Amp model (with no speaker/cab) in the HX Stomp and use the Powercab as the speaker “part” of the sound. This way you don’t get a double speaker sound that you are talking about (a speaker emulation into a speaker emulation). I think what you are referring to in the manual is saying for it to sound right it MUST include a speaker/cab. Where that emulation comes from is up to you though.

[@jeffwinick8859]

Hey man, thx for the video. IRs in line6 modeling land confuse the crap out of me... Hopefully you can help clarify...So the powercab can handle loading a whole bunch of IRs (in addition to the vintage, green, jarvis, bayou, etc...). As I understand it, if you run an IR loaded on the powercab, it essentially frees up a block on the helix/stomp, etc... But I struggle to conceptually understand what the system is trying to emulate if, for example, you run an IR on the modeler (lets say an alnico blue IR), but this signal then runs from the modeler into the powercab which is set on say, "green" or even another completely different IR that's loaded on the powercab itself? Does the powercab speaker or IR essentially override the IR on the modeler or does it somehow blend the signals? For that matter, if you were stacking multiple IRs in the signal chain, what is the modeler actually trying to do? Thanks!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Ok... so an IR is capture of a speaker mic’ed up. So say an HX model is running into an IR (either within the HX or in the Power Cab) - this simulates an Amp running into a cab that is mic’ed up. If you ran an IR in the HX you would want to run the Powercab on the Full range setting. This turns the Powercab into a transparent or no colored powered speaker that will represent the speaker/mic. If you were to do as you mentioned and run an IR on the HX and have the Powercab set on a Green or some other guitar speaker setting it would be like running a mic’ed up guitar speaker through another guitar speaker. What I mention on the video is the Power cab has the ability to model speakers (the presets in the cab) so they sound like a speaker does in a room or to load IR’s so you are hearing a mic’ed up speaker amplified. Mic’s add coloration so the speaker modeling will sound different. Hopefully that makes sense - I totally understand how it can all be confusing!!

[@heathdinsmore1583]

Michael - I’m new to modeling, but if I understand your response, it should go like this. If you create a patch on the stomp WITH an IR you run the Powercab plus on flat. If you create a patch WITHOUT an IR you run the Powercab with the speaker of your choice?

[@chamann]

Hello, question, with the Power Cab Plus you can adjust the HZs and dBs how do you do that with the other one?

[@NathanLemmon]

With the iR sounds much better to my ear..

[@mikemurdoc4140]

Hi, I also have powercab plus which I used together with my ax8. What i saw in your video is that the ground is lifted, is it safe? and does it only affect the xlr line? thanks

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Yeah, that’s just a ground lift for the XLR line to get rid of ground loops that occur sometimes. Totally safe!

[@mikemurdoc4140]

Michael W. Westbrook Thanks foryour quick response bro. One last thing, did you set your Powercab output on line level or mic level when going to FOH/audio interface?

[@GiantSFaithfuL]

Are those Porter pickups?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Fralin’s!

[@djb3545]

Nice video. Do you think it would work well with an iridium? I have a headrush that I’m not thrilled with. Thinking of buying this or a Bose S1. Any thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I think selling factor with these is that you can use it as a full range power speaker or use the speaker modeling. Either would work great with the Iridium you just have to make sure to use a “blank quote IR when using the speaker modeling on the Line 6

[@easyguitar4466]

Hello Mickael!!! Very impressive sound for sure!!! Can you give me the pickups set you have in that tele? And can i download your presets for my helix lt? Are there presets with snapshots? Thanks for all man!!! Julien from France.

[@bartekbanys2254]

Anyone tried it with Revv D20?

[@karlhouseknecht]

Nice Tele. What's the neck pickup?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! Fralin %5 overwound

[@karlhouseknecht]

@@MichaelWWestbrook Lindy's shop isn't that far from me. I've run into him in the local Sam Ash and always meant to stop and in check out his pickups. Cool guy. Great video about the PowerCab. I have two of them as my primary means of amplifying my HX Stomp and Helix. Really like your videos so far. Keep it up!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Nice! Thanks!

[@brianmiller3287]

Michael, love your videos, your playing, and I'm crazy for that tele! I would really like it if you would smile more....

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

😂 I hear ya! I’m not the most expressive... I’m working on it!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Also... my wife says the same things! 😂

[@wolfgangcordsen3430]

Michael W. Westbrook yeah! So does mine 😄

[@joedaddy415]

that thumb though!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

😂😂

[@youtubevideos415]

Is this post-processed? Because i think it doesn't sound as good live. Especially not with higher gain Rock tones.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

No, I don’t do any processing when I’m comparing or demo stuff! Not sure about higher gain tones

[@dukegdl]

Listening to the powercab recorded inside the room would give us the sound we really want to hear. Why buy a speaker to go out through an audio daw. ?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

You mean for this video or in general? In general having the option to run a line out is good for live use if you need to send something to a PA. In the video... there’s not really an accurate way to capture a true “inside the room” sound with out standing in front of the amp. It has to go through a mic some where to get to video.

[@Jonathandavidk]

I had a powercab plus and ultimately the latency and the fact that it’s closed back helped me see how much I loved and missed blackface fender style open back amps. I’ve now had a tone king imperial for a month and have no regrets. I gave the powercab a king demo period of over six months and there was no point where I thought it was great. I still have a modeling amp for playing with headphones or when I need to go direct, but, in my opinion, the powercab does not even remotely compare to the feel of a real amp. It gets close for sound, but not feel and if the feels not right it will effect how you play. This is just my two cents from someone who wanted to love it.