This is gold Jason. Most guys dont realize all this. Heres one further thought for those on HX Stomp who have the LED switches used for other things… if you boost your level with the output gain of the compressor, you have no visual feedback for whether or not the boost is engaged. This can cause issues when youre onstage and need a visual que before a song starts. I use a simple EQ block with a 3-4db level boost at the end of my chain. This way i can SEE if the block is on or off.
Good stuff, Jason! Elsewhere, I see videos with the "just do this" approach. I love that you take your time and explain the various options and the outcomes they will have. I like that I come away with a little more "Helix-smarts" when I'm done with one of your videos. Thanks!
You make all of our lives so much easier,,,thank you ,from me,this is something I wanted ,but couldn't figure out how,and why,,,,thank you ,thank you,thank you,,,love it...keep 'em comin'...!!!
I've been using the expression pedal as a volume boost for awhile now after the amp but before post effects. I assign the heel down as my rhythm volume, somewhere between 50% and 75% depending on the sound. I assign the toe down as my solo volume at 100%. I love this configuration because now I'm not limited to just on/off with my boost. I can "fade" the solo up and down to make it sound more natural, and I can put it part way up if I need a rhythm part to stand out more without ripping peoples heads off.
Great video Jason. This is the method that I always use where I put the gain block at the end. A lot of folks put their volume control at the beginning which I never do. If I want to do that, I do it with the volume knob on the guitar
I use the the output signal at the end, set to expression pedal 2. I’ve found that some songs need more or less boosting because of the other band members are constantly changing their dynamics. We play small venues with stage volume and no sound man.
Finally a video, where I knew the solution beforehand, something which happens rarely for me with your vids. To me, the best solution is indeed a mix of several different "boosts", such as a combination of output block level boost and amp's master volume + channel volume boost. A bit more gain and overdrive on a solo is (in my favourite music) almost always a "plus", while riding a rhythm is mostly better with less gain and cleaner sounds. Great work of yours!
I always have a "Lead" snapshot that not only gives a +7 dB or so boost in the output block, but also I increase the gain and boost the mids in the amp block.
Ambient snapshots have a different challenge. Boosting at the end of the chain will boost the existing reverb&delay trails. For example, play one big ambient chord, wait 1 second, then hit the boost and suddenly the trails kick up 6 dB. So, for ambient I like to boost before Delays & Reverbs; for subtly processed tones, I like boosting at the end of the chain.
At 2:16, have you switched to Stomp mode or are you still in Snapshot? I am not familiar with this technique, although I often set the range of my expression pedals this way.
What's about mid boost? We adding more of mid frequencies that are louder. Solo will be louder. But it will change the tone. P.s. ANGL Meteor model have mid boost button.
HELLO Jason with the output level boost can we edit a snapshot or can we just name a stomp, boost level? and +7 db is what you advice for a boost level? thanks a lot
I have a questin, it is necessarily boost volume after preamp if I am only guitarist in the band? I,m trying now to boost mids, cut bass and increase overall volume for more saturation in front of preamp , and just a littlee volume boost after preamp, also I want to know whats benefits are with compresor after preamp,
Excellent video. Any tips on how to do this with the 4-Cable method? I notice that if I do it on the outuput my power tubes get hit a bit harder and the sound is a bit dirtier. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all you do to help us! on that :) I recently bought your ultimate bundle 30 plus patches -- love them! but for live it seems like I should I boost the lead snapshot. they for the most part seem to be the same volume. if i boost i will boost in the end like you say :) thank you
@@JasonSadites 😃 do you think I should add a boost to the lead snaps for live? I've been using my own presets live.. only 2 months using my helix. But I want to use yours for next weeks gig but we will not have a rehearsal before the show. I've been using a lufs plug in for my protools. Running 15 for rhythms and 13 for solos. Wondering if I should do a boost for the solos on your ultimate presets for live. And maybe a video on the lufs meter plug-in? I'm using the free youlean version. :) thanks again. Very cool that you replied!!
Jason explains this in other videos. He, and a lot of other players like some light compression at the end of the signal chain to give the overall sound some polish.
🤣 Dude, I don't think people wanted to know about how to digitally raise the volume. This volume boost thing only becomes a real problem when playing real amps ...in bands ...live.
A video with over 12000 views and over 400 thumbs up with loads of positive comments and you are telling me what people "wanted to know"... BAHAHAHAHAHA 😂 Yeah you probably know best.
Nice. I was using a gain block at the end for long time as per your video teachings, but now to save that block I use the boost on the final output but I use it as a snapshot mode whereas if I want a 2 db boost for some mid song riffs that aren't lead-ish volume, I can tie that into a snapshot (and label said snap as "2 DB boost" for one of the 8 spots), but then for lead, I can set it higher to maybe 4 db for the actual leads with delay etc. Just a gain/volume stage system. Helix is versatile no doubt and so affordable compared to FM9 and kempers.
Can anyone explain why, when I drag my delay block down to make a split path so that it doesn't run into my reverb, I get quite a big unwanted volume boost. My signal chain is: Comp > Amp > Path 2 > Delay > Reverb > Output +8 into PC 212. I know it's sending a dry signal to the reverb, but can't understand the boost in volume.
I always go to the output block and boost there, either by assigning it to a footswitch or snapshot. This way you save a precious slot for an additional block😎
This is gold Jason. Most guys dont realize all this. Heres one further thought for those on HX Stomp who have the LED switches used for other things… if you boost your level with the output gain of the compressor, you have no visual feedback for whether or not the boost is engaged. This can cause issues when youre onstage and need a visual que before a song starts. I use a simple EQ block with a 3-4db level boost at the end of my chain. This way i can SEE if the block is on or off.
You saved my life! I have made many of these mistakes and may Solo’s have been too quiet for a year! My band and I thank you Jason. Brilliant!
Good stuff, Jason! Elsewhere, I see videos with the "just do this" approach. I love that you take your time and explain the various options and the outcomes they will have. I like that I come away with a little more "Helix-smarts" when I'm done with one of your videos. Thanks!
You make all of our lives so much easier,,,thank you ,from me,this is something I wanted ,but couldn't figure out how,and why,,,,thank you ,thank you,thank you,,,love it...keep 'em comin'...!!!
I've been using the expression pedal as a volume boost for awhile now after the amp but before post effects. I assign the heel down as my rhythm volume, somewhere between 50% and 75% depending on the sound. I assign the toe down as my solo volume at 100%. I love this configuration because now I'm not limited to just on/off with my boost. I can "fade" the solo up and down to make it sound more natural, and I can put it part way up if I need a rhythm part to stand out more without ripping peoples heads off.
Jason, one of your absolute best videos! Just enough time briefly touching on the elements to clearly and concisely explain them. Wonderful.
Great video Jason. This is the method that I always use where I put the gain block at the end. A lot of folks put their volume control at the beginning which I never do. If I want to do that, I do it with the volume knob on the guitar
Excellent video Jason! Yes, I always put a 3db volume boost at the very end of the chain for solos
Excellent timing, I’m about to tweak my solo patches so I’ll try some of those ideas. 👍
I always learn so much from you. Thanks for, yet again, a really informative tutorial.
Fascinating. Thank you.
I use the the output signal at the end, set to expression pedal 2. I’ve found that some songs need more or less boosting because of the other band members are constantly changing their dynamics. We play small venues with stage volume and no sound man.
Great too....I was struggling on these effect boards how to dial in a lead sound
Fantastic info video Jason. As always you ROCK!!
Just what I needed, thanks! Always wondered the best way to do this in Helix…
so useful, I'll try
Finally a video, where I knew the solution beforehand, something which happens rarely for me with your vids. To me, the best solution is indeed a mix of several different "boosts", such as a combination of output block level boost and amp's master volume + channel volume boost. A bit more gain and overdrive on a solo is (in my favourite music) almost always a "plus", while riding a rhythm is mostly better with less gain and cleaner sounds. Great work of yours!
Excellent! This is what I needed 👍🏼
I always have a "Lead" snapshot that not only gives a +7 dB or so boost in the output block, but also I increase the gain and boost the mids in the amp block.
More vids on how these blocks work.....thanks
Ambient snapshots have a different challenge. Boosting at the end of the chain will boost the existing reverb&delay trails. For example, play one big ambient chord, wait 1 second, then hit the boost and suddenly the trails kick up 6 dB. So, for ambient I like to boost before Delays & Reverbs; for subtly processed tones, I like boosting at the end of the chain.
At 2:16, have you switched to Stomp mode or are you still in Snapshot? I am not familiar with this technique, although I often set the range of my expression pedals this way.
What's about mid boost? We adding more of mid frequencies that are louder. Solo will be louder. But it will change the tone.
P.s. ANGL Meteor model have mid boost button.
Use an EQ block for mid boost
Y are u pulling 2db out of 650hrz and adding it back in again?
HELLO Jason with the output level boost can we edit a snapshot or can we just name a stomp,
boost level? and +7 db is what you advice for a boost level? thanks a lot
I have a questin, it is necessarily boost volume after preamp if I am only guitarist in the band? I,m trying now to boost mids, cut bass and increase overall volume for more saturation in front of preamp , and just a littlee volume boost after preamp, also I want to know whats benefits are with compresor after preamp,
Excellent video. Any tips on how to do this with the 4-Cable method? I notice that if I do it on the outuput my power tubes get hit a bit harder and the sound is a bit dirtier. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all you do to help us! on that :) I recently bought your ultimate bundle 30 plus patches -- love them! but for live it seems like I should I boost the lead snapshot. they for the most part seem to be the same volume. if i boost i will boost in the end like you say :) thank you
Thanks for the kind words! Also glad you are enjoying the presets 😀
@@JasonSadites 😃 do you think I should add a boost to the lead snaps for live? I've been using my own presets live.. only 2 months using my helix. But I want to use yours for next weeks gig but we will not have a rehearsal before the show. I've been using a lufs plug in for my protools. Running 15 for rhythms and 13 for solos. Wondering if I should do a boost for the solos on your ultimate presets for live. And maybe a video on the lufs meter plug-in? I'm using the free youlean version. :) thanks again. Very cool that you replied!!
Can i ask you why did you put The compressor after the Amp??
Jason explains this in other videos. He, and a lot of other players like some light compression at the end of the signal chain to give the overall sound some polish.
🤣 Dude, I don't think people wanted to know about how to digitally raise the volume. This volume boost thing only becomes a real problem when playing real amps ...in bands ...live.
A video with over 12000 views and over 400 thumbs up with loads of positive comments and you are telling me what people "wanted to know"... BAHAHAHAHAHA 😂 Yeah you probably know best.
Great tips Jason! Thanks. Very helpful. Which method do you generally prefer?
Simple solution. Effective solution. Thanks Jason.
Nice. I was using a gain block at the end for long time as per your video teachings, but now to save that block I use the boost on the final output but I use it as a snapshot mode whereas if I want a 2 db boost for some mid song riffs that aren't lead-ish volume, I can tie that into a snapshot (and label said snap as "2 DB boost" for one of the 8 spots), but then for lead, I can set it higher to maybe 4 db for the actual leads with delay etc. Just a gain/volume stage system. Helix is versatile no doubt and so affordable compared to FM9 and kempers.
Can anyone explain why, when I drag my delay block down to make a split path so that it doesn't run into my reverb, I get quite a big unwanted volume boost. My signal chain is: Comp > Amp > Path 2 > Delay > Reverb > Output +8 into PC 212.
I know it's sending a dry signal to the reverb, but can't understand the boost in volume.
I always go to the output block and boost there, either by assigning it to a footswitch or snapshot. This way you save a precious slot for an additional block😎