Why I'm Using the Helix live in 2024
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 เม.ย. 2024
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The only reason I ever opt for a pedalboard over a modeler is to limit myself intentionally.
An All-in-one Unit is so convenient: No finicky cabling between Pedals, better shielding from all kinds of noise, reliability, options, versatility, great sound, easy to navigate, and more. Helix Floor has it all. Bring an HX Stomp as a backup, and you're covered.
I have other pedalboard solutions, but it always comes back to Helix when I hit the stage. It’s just so powerful, sounds great and is easy to implement with FOH.
It’s so hard to beat the Helix. The difference in quality between real amps and pedals is so minimal in a band setting especially. Simply plugging in and having any amp or effect is a no brainer.
its so freeing to know whatever sound its needed for a part is seconds away instead of going "uh, should of brought this or that to practice instead".
Very true. With just one caveat being that with a traditional pedalboard it’s very unlikely for everything to break at once but if you rely on one helix if it stops working you’re kinda fucked unless u can afford/ bring a backup helix.
I do the same thing, go back and forth between the helix and the good old fashion way. I think it just human to get bored and flip flop around.
However when transporting is involved, Helix (in my case) or what ever flavor one perfer, is the way to go.
👍 totally agree. The venue load-in and room available on stage is a factor, but sometimes I change just for a bit of inspiration
Sounds great John, I have a Helix LT myself. Just don't tell uncle Larry . 🤣("Good sound is heavy and hard to carry", he said ones)
Lately I bought a Revv D20 amp. Have you ever tried one? It's very light and good sounding. I live in a small apartment, so I can;t crank up my old line 6 Vetta in this "old folks" home (I'm 68) although most of my neighbours are deaf anyway. 😉
The versatility of a multieffector can’t be beat, if… you’ve taken the time to learn the functions that make it efficient to use. It’s real easy to get caught in the weeds live if you’re not intimately familiar with the unit’s features. The simplest solution is generally best. You could do that gig with one gain, one mod (any mod really, no one in the wedding party can tell the difference between phase and flange) and a delay into a reverb amp and be fine. For me, it’s whatever gets me out of my head and into the music that works best. Somehow, though, I still manage to over complicate things. Love your channel, JC.
You said that right. for a lot of us.
Love your playing and review’s on different products 🎸🔥
I love your style of music. Cheers from Chile
The other day I forgot my helix at church and had to roll with a pedalboard and a valve amp for a live worship thing - I am completely healed of the need to ever do that again, the bulk just isnt worth the trouble, and the Helix is way more versatile and actually sounds better because the room we were in didn't sound great! Helix forever, and valve amp for glorious at home in the room tones ❤. When you're playing with in ears even more so.
THAT's why I've invested in the Helix; an all-in-one solution that's easily programable without a computer-- and it sounds great. Love pedals and real amps, but the Helix is a multi-tool to get a specific job done. Also, most people in the audience don't have a clue about what you're using anyway-- that's not why they're there ;)
I’ve been migrating away from my old pedalboard as well, for something more portable and all on one. But I went with QC and an expression pedal, because the smaller size lets me use it with some real pedals in a hybrid setup. (and I prefer the interface). But you can’t go wrong with either.
I keep trying to move away from Helix (not from dissatisfaction, just G.A.S. and looking for new sounds, etc), and it doesn't work. I still prefer my Helix for gigs. It just fits. I have an LT and keep a 2nd LT in my car for backup. I might build a Stomp Board, to reduce footprint, but by the time I add a couple external pedals and an expression pedal, it's as big as my LT anyway... plus, I MUCH prefer to have dual outputs (XLR and 1/4") to feed FOH and my monitor separately, and having the on-board expression is priceless. Helix is still my best go-to option.
I still love my pedal board. It is super easy for me to dial in the stuff I want
I've been digging with the helix for over 8 years now. Using effects only no modeling straight into a tubeamp. I used to take a maxon overdrive pedal, with an OCD pedal and forgot these two Pedals when I got to a gig. Dialed in the Timmy and the OCD from the Helix. And I actually thought I got a better tone with those. The only extra. pedal I take now is the Shure GLX-D16 Guitar Pedal System
I bought a new Helix a few days ago for a good price (1315€) and in conjunction with my BigSky and my ToneX you have to stretch yourself in every possible way to get a better tone. I had Helixe Native for a while and decided now it's time to get the hardware. Outdated? No, it was way ahead...now the others are coming closer ;)
People talk about the size of the Helix, but it's a full pedal board with amps direct out and volume pedal...
The size is so no big deal for me I just got my Helix a few weeks ago and absolutely love it I relly want that preset can you tell me what you used so I can duplicate it please?
Dude, that intro was soooo good!
Nice- great to see this as it’s pretty much the same as my own thinking as I approach these shows next month with helix and powercab +212 ..
I just got back from a bar gig. Rig was guitar > small board, all mono: Cali76 > clean drive (Nordvang Skyline) > higher gain drive (Vemuram Shanks ODS-1) > solo boost (Origin Effects DCX Boost) > delay (Strymon DIG) > verb/trem (Flint) > Morgan JS12 1x12 combo. The amp can be heard over the drums without a mic, and the DIG let me do the quarter into dotted 8th U2 delay without sounding muddy. But I dangled a Sennheiser e906 in front of the amp and into the PA mixer just to add a bit of width and colour through the two PA speakers. Sounded fantastic. I had the guitar case on my back and carried the combo and board (Schmidt SA 250) in either hand, so it was very manageable. It felt good to be standing next to a tube amp, and I got some good comments on the tone. Totally respect the Helix rig, but this set up, or my usual two heads and two 1x12s wet/dry, is just a lovely thing to play and listen to.
Just the thought of carrying it around I’m out 😂 also I’m pretty sure I sound as good with my helix buddy.
i also tour with only gt1000 for years now, it makes life easier
Good stuff. One of the reason I prefer an all in one modeler ..
Yes, Helix make my gigs set realy easy, and it sounds good enougth to satisfy audience.
On the size of the helix, the other comparative units don't have an integrated expression pedal. Without that it would be a comparable size to the QC (I'd imagine don't have one). I always use an expression for something even with my hx stomp.
Size in transit does make it seem bigger but on the floor in use just having to plug in 1 thing plus maybe a second expression.
With my hx stomp which fits in large soft lunchbox, at a minimum I have it and an mc6 midi MK2. I usually also plug in a Dunlop mini x exp pedal . Sometimes an ehx pitchfork nano. 3 pedals that need power, patch leads, midi cord and trs for the exp. Sometimes a boss looper which adds a 4th pedal needing power. All need isolated power because digital pedals are noisy and don't play well with daisy chains.
With the helix, I plug 1 thing in, the extra exp pedal if needed and a boss looper if needed - 2 patch cables at most 2 power supplies at most if I bring the looper (rarely do). Usually it's just the helix and that's it. Love that about the helix - it's an all in one of you need an exp pedal.
Recently had a gig that had backline amp that I usually have & that I use as amp in my HELIX. Since it was regionally I thought about taking my FR12 but opted to just setup my HELIX preset sans the amp & run it in front of the amp. I tweaked it using my Blues Cube Artist that I have at home. At the gig it freaking rocked. The mighty HELIX won out again in a live situation. Love it!
the helix is amazing. No tap dancing needed. You can create tones that would be really hard to replicate in real life and in all the time I never had a bug or a freeze despite being it technically a computer.
It's all about the correct tool for the job at hand.
You already know what I did. Get the Helix Floor, Learn it, Sell everything else and watch the bank account get fat.
That’s new guitar money…
Utility is apparent. That’s how you know a great product design like the Helix family. And now using that winning formula to inform the intentionally lower tiered Pod products just makes them infinitely better as well, giving more players a chance to use it which will improve feedback and designs in the future.
Helix , especially if you learn the controls and labels and settings favorites, is unbelievably awesome.
That's the key benefit live - as you said, it either works or it doesn't. When a pedal board is not outputting sound, there are probably about 20 things that may possibly have gone wrong. It is frantic sweat time if you have to troubleshoot that in front of a crowd. I believe in using a multifx board, with or without a real amp, and then having a pedalboard at the gig as a backup. If you power up in soundcheck, you can feel pretty good that you won't be running for that pedalboard and you're good.
Question. Why use the phone out rather than dedicated out from the helix to the frfr?
Had the Helix since day one and the options it gives you are more than enough for a cover band player, even for acoustic gigs too, I’ve tried other units but the Helix having more switches always wins for me 😀
Love these Sam Fender inspired jams!
I have never bought a pedal since I bought my Fractal Audio and I have a Marshall SV20H that sounds just like the Fractal version through the same cab. The only reason I keep my Marshall is because of that comforting psychological aspect of using completely analog equipment and having it in front of you.
Hard to beat the helix imo , it does it all really well and it’s so reliable
That snare is on like a 750:1 ratio lol! Great vid Jon :)
I do both live-best of both worlds.
I have both the Helix and the QC. I can see the advantage in terms of the Helix have build in power supply other than that the QC might also be a good choice for the gig. All the best Svend from Denmark
The Blackstar amped1 has an XLR but also a poweramp it can go into ANY cab available.
Loving the 80s bon iver vibe
looks like one of our band's set lists....we do many of the same songs.
Good stuff JNC. glad to see you use Sony full frame mirrorlesss cameras. Sony rocks. Love my Helix LT
Hi John great video once again.
I also use the Helix and Fender FR-12 Cab. Could you explain a little what you mean about using the headphone out into the fender and what this achieves?
Thanks!
This dude can play.
If I was still playing live, I would have an LT or Floor. But now iI'm using a Stomp XL as an audio source and Native into my DAW
Every time I see a band where the guitar player is attempting to replace analog pedals with a Helix, the tone just suffers. The Helix (and other modelers) are fine for recording work and seem to sound fine on TH-cam's like this one but when you hear them live, you just know... not the same as analog pedals and a pure rig. But to be fair, the gig pays the same with or without real gear so there ya go...
Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai's band) tours the world with his Helix. I think that does it. :)
i love your solo soind what amp are you on? I want to duplicate that tone
I went and saw a band last night for the first time in years (yes im old lol). It was loud (in a good way). My Point? If they were using modellers or amps I dont think I could have told the difference. The mix was great and you could pick everything out but the guitarist could have been using anything and ultimately it sounded like a guitar in a mix. Side note. I forgot how awesome live drums and bass feels!!
Helix beat by big pedalboard years ago, with the G2 switcher and Strymons, H9, drives etc. and now my Fractals beat my helix. It’s an ongoing quest.
I am subscribed to the Google Drive, but I cannot find this preset there. How do I get access to it? Sounds great!
Add an H90 and no processor of existing now can beat your pedalboard) (Even Neural or Fractal)
I was wondering why you didn’t get two smaller FR10 for stereo gigs?
Can you talk about the stereo vs mono fr speaker is that big difference?
I second this. I'm debating on whether or not its worth it to buy another EV PXM-12mp for my FM9
If you’re going stereo to FoH from the Helix, do you really need stereo amps?
If there would be a next version of Helix floor, it should have an analog boost with mini controls on top of the board. I cant use it without a boost or a centura and I cant explain why.
Helix is so great but has just one big problem for me. With a traditional pedalboard it’s very unlikely for everything to break at once but if you rely on one helix if it stops working you’re kinda fucked unless u can afford/ bring a backup helix.
I’ve got a flight gig coming up. If you were in that situation, what would you bring?
JC, noticed your Helix volume is dimed. I keep mine at 12, do you find full on better for gain staging to fr12?
Simulations are great! But nothing beats reality 😉
Hi Cody, I recently saw your video on how you were using another board, than the helix, and you mentioned the size, but when I saw both, they were basically the same to me, size comparison between boards is not valid in this case 😅. Have you thought of the pod go instead?
Amps sound and feel great theres no denying that , no modeller user is denying that, the convenience , portability ease of use, reliability, less to worry about, is what makes working musicians go to modellers time and time again. And now with all modellers sound basically the same ( 99% of the audience cant tell the difference ). Amps are becoming more and more of a luxury or a studio recording tool (for when you want a real amp) than a gigging option.
You have come full circle young grasshopper, lol. Helix all the way, with or without an amp.
As previously said, this types of functional gigs just work better with the floor Helix to me.
Hi John, i noticed you turn the global volume knob to full on your helix. What would you suggest to control the volume in presets? I know that volume/level control in amp block, cab block and especially master volume will affect the tone quite a bit
global volume have to be at full to reach UNITY GAIN, then you control the volumen in every preset
Can you do a review on the Boss me-80?
Hélix está no mesmo nível de kemper e Quad e fm9 ?
I was nearly with ya until you did stuff on the fly.. stuff like that helps if you can see..!! ( I prefer the FX8 in scenes if you’re going down that route ) but to have to bend down and press stuff is a no no mid gig..
It only has to do is make it screen touch
Why not the FM9?
Unfortunately I have followed the same path. Unfortunately as I've wasted $ on nice pedals and amps that are no longer necessary.
What is the object on the side of your hat? I’m not sure if that’s been addressed before, but, I can’t figure it out
NUX remote wireless mic, I believe. He used to clip it to his collar but it would vary the intelligibility a lot when he would turn his head to change a setting on his amp or the like. Where it is now he ha consistent speech audio level and frequency response. Very practical, very John lol. They make a lavalier remote mini clip mic for that unit too, but that would be more crap to deal with and still would have the same variable sound quality for someone who moves his head around a lot when demoing gear.
Does his pedalboard have a future?
"If not on a Helix then what?" erm.. a Headrush would be just as easy to make those changes on.. I have an FM9 too, and yes, not so easy :)
Does the Headrush have capacitive touch foot switches as well? I haven't taken a serious look at one yet.
@@christopherjbutler No, to do what John did you would just drag one button over the other on the screen and they would swap. Don't get me wrong I love the Helix too, despite their ages I think they are still the best 2 interfaces out there and I'd be happy with either of them.
I love my Helix now.
Never used to but over time and updates it is phenomenal.
I really like the Helix but given the age of the product, I have purchase paralysis. I feel the second I buy one, they will come out with a new model.
buy a second hand one that you can try out 1st - it is worth it
I thought you weren’t using the helix anymore…. I like to use my amp these days and the helix. At home helix only
Is the fractal fm9 a better board than the helix?
Both are great. I play a FM3 and I'm happy with it. The point is: changing a preset on stage is not that easy, with the fractal devices you edit your presets at home.
@@StefanStrodthoff That might be the most level headed response I have seen to this type of question! I agree that the ease of editing is the biggest factor. Loved the tones I was getting from my fm9, but I hate computer editors so I couldn't get along with it.
man, just make up your mind ah ah ah
Do we ever really make up our minds as guitarists, though?
@@AmericanNationalist852 We do not.
Tried it, but did not convince me much. Especially not the amp models and the rest I anyway hardly ever need, if already the amps do not sound right to me.
I prefer using my own real tube gear.
peel those plastics off please 😢
Hahaha! They're like scabs. Drives me nuts too
John has OCD about REMOVING that stuff rather than the way it looks as it wears. As far as I understand he hasn't even taken the shrinkwrap off of his 100k subscriber plaque box so he hasn't even opened it yet 😂
still on your Sam Fender kick I see. It's such a great song to wank over.
Helix or HX stomp xl for gig - there no reason not to
If it wasn't so terrible for bass, it would be my main device
Depends how you use it, there are loads of great Bass Amps or you could use the Compressors Scott's Bass Lesson TH-camr Ian uses a Stomp and sounds BRILLIANT there's a tone challenge for several genres he does and nails it! And if you've got a Full Helix you've got Twice the Processing Power Also Billy Sheehan used his for the final Mr Big Tour
Check out Richie Castellano's channel, he is the guitarist bassist mastermind behind "The Band Geeks" and they were impressive enough to snag Jon Andersen who was the impetus for a world tour playing yes music. Richie covers rhythm and lead guitar, and bass on some songs during their live set and he goes through how he has it all set up in one of the tour vlogs.
all your videos contradict each other🤣
I get that, but I also disagree. It’s refreshing to see someone open about changing their mind based on new information and new circumstances.
“Bring the right tools for the job.” This job is helix. Last one was amp.
The most neurotic and manipulative guitar gear dude.
Seriously? how?
@@kyran4238 1. Have you ever seen such gear flipflop? 2. He has paid interests with several products he shows on his channel.
Ok I’ll bite.
John is one of the least manipulative in my opinion. Yeah he tries a lot of stuff but often on his own dime. He has a channel to populate with content. What’s he supposed to do?
He makes almost everything sound good because he’s a good player and he gives an opinion. He doesn’t just gush over everything like a lot of YTubers.
As far as neurotic I don’t understand that all. Like most gearheads he’s curious and tries lots of things. I’ve been through it. It’s fun and if you are smart about your purchases it won’t cost you that much in the long run.
Brother Jon Nathan is THE least Manipulative TH-camrs out there - he's just showing that use the right tool for the job and being honest. His Tone Packs are for life ( sort of ) and charges a reasonable price compared to everyone else. He's always struck me an a really honest bloke
Just get Fractal already. FM9 is 1000 times better than Helix. I have used both, no contest, Fractal hands down.
He has one and makes Fractal videos for the UK distributor.
What is better about it, for you?