It also helps to use an EQ to boost the mids along with a volume increase, so not only is your guitar louder, it cuts through the mix more. Before I got my Helix I used to do this with a Boss GE-7 in the effects loop and it worked great.
Using the output block does work, BUT if you play live, you may be asked by the sound guy to lower/raise your output, and then you have to fiddle with more settings to adjust everything. I use the volume in my speaker/IR block which lives at the end of the chain.
I can tell this was a perfect video for me because at the start, I have no idea what you're going to say, but by the end, I'm like: Yeah, makes total sense.
Nice video. I actually went back to some of my old Placater patches and lowered the channel volume while raising the level in the output block. Sounded a little clearer and nicer since I wasn’t hitting the post amp effects quite as hard. I had never considered this before. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks as always Jason. I just started using my output block assigned to a foot switch a few weeks ago. also link the delay to the same foot switch so they engage together.
Before I learned that the output block itself could be footswitch or snapshot controlled, I had been boosting the level parameter on whatever the last block in the chain is (usually final compression). Seemed to achieve the same effect. I like the output block technique better though because it seems more appropriate for logical organization of the preset.
Probably when going for a solo maybe a distortion gets acivated/ given more gain /output, so the whole tone might be designed to become more overdriven/ pointed; but it is a very nice tip nonetheless that whatever blocks after the boost if they are not "linear" might not have the desired effect. Some people also boost via the amp shaping the whole tone as a result using snapshots
IMHO, there is another important subject - if the volume goes up, there is an EQ issue. More often than not, if all frequencies go up, it does not sound pleasant - Fletcher Munson and all that. I think an EQ at the end that rolls of a bit of high and low end while boosting volume is better than just making everything louder. The Tube Screamer has been such a big success partially because of that (IMHO). Of course, it is also a gain boost and usually runs into an overdriven amp - but the high and low end roll off is certainly a significant component in the formula.
A couple of my patches have a boost right before the amp and the one at the end to get more gain and the vol boost. They are both assigned to the same switch...sometimes the delay will change too for solos....all on the same switch...
After a lot of trial and error I came to a similar outcome as you explained. Your video sums it up perfectly! Thanks 🙏 But I would have one question: boosting the sound is one part making it overall louder, but sometimes it still doesn't cut through the band context. Could you give some tips on how to shape EQ to give the solo part more room? I know it depends greatly on the music style and the whole band setup, but maybe there are some general rules that can be helpful
One thing I would add or clarify is that you dont always need a boost at yhe end of your chain if you are using an OD pedal pre-amp. It depends how much "headroom" the amp has in it. Thats probably not the right term...but if you did yh3 same experiment with a low/medium gain Fender or Vox.... or add a TS808 to get a little dirt on a cleanish tone... youll get a volume boost too. I've had to actually reduce my output block setting to compensate for that louder signal. Great content though. Is there a better way to reduce that style of boost on a lower gain sound? As you mentioned boosting ore amp like you did trickles down into other blocks/effects. Something I have not looked into in my presets yet.
Hi Jason, maybe you can help me out with a problem. I was studying as I do every single day and suddenly some of my presets just stopped working. No sound at all, have you been through this before? I think half of them isn’t working.
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It also helps to use an EQ to boost the mids along with a volume increase, so not only is your guitar louder, it cuts through the mix more. Before I got my Helix I used to do this with a Boss GE-7 in the effects loop and it worked great.
Using the output block does work, BUT if you play live, you may be asked by the sound guy to lower/raise your output, and then you have to fiddle with more settings to adjust everything. I use the volume in my speaker/IR block which lives at the end of the chain.
I can tell this was a perfect video for me because at the start, I have no idea what you're going to say, but by the end, I'm like: Yeah, makes total sense.
Still learning from you sir after all these years . I will use this right away. It actually has been a problem for my edits.
I use an mxr micro amp in the external effects loop. It has a large rubber rotary control knob which I adjust with my foot if I need to
Nice video. I actually went back to some of my old Placater patches and lowered the channel volume while raising the level in the output block. Sounded a little clearer and nicer since I wasn’t hitting the post amp effects quite as hard. I had never considered this before. Thanks for another great video.
Fantastic tips/tricks tutorial as always Jason. Great advice. Keep it up. You rock!
I finally just got my Helix yesterday that tone of yours is what am searching for can you tell all of the devices you are using I really love it
Thanks as always Jason. I just started using my output block assigned to a foot switch a few weeks ago. also link the delay to the same foot switch so they engage together.
Before I learned that the output block itself could be footswitch or snapshot controlled, I had been boosting the level parameter on whatever the last block in the chain is (usually final compression). Seemed to achieve the same effect.
I like the output block technique better though because it seems more appropriate for logical organization of the preset.
As usual, great illustrations and suggestions!
Very, very helpful!! Thanks Jason.
Very helpful. Thanks!
Probably when going for a solo maybe a distortion gets acivated/ given more gain /output, so the whole tone might be designed to become more overdriven/ pointed; but it is a very nice tip nonetheless that whatever blocks after the boost if they are not "linear" might not have the desired effect. Some people also boost via the amp shaping the whole tone as a result using snapshots
IMHO, there is another important subject - if the volume goes up, there is an EQ issue. More often than not, if all frequencies go up, it does not sound pleasant - Fletcher Munson and all that. I think an EQ at the end that rolls of a bit of high and low end while boosting volume is better than just making everything louder. The Tube Screamer has been such a big success partially because of that (IMHO). Of course, it is also a gain boost and usually runs into an overdriven amp - but the high and low end roll off is certainly a significant component in the formula.
A couple of my patches have a boost right before the amp and the one at the end to get more gain and the vol boost. They are both assigned to the same switch...sometimes the delay will change too for solos....all on the same switch...
After a lot of trial and error I came to a similar outcome as you explained. Your video sums it up perfectly! Thanks 🙏
But I would have one question: boosting the sound is one part making it overall louder, but sometimes it still doesn't cut through the band context.
Could you give some tips on how to shape EQ to give the solo part more room? I know it depends greatly on the music style and the whole band setup, but maybe there are some general rules that can be helpful
Sometimes I use the Neil Young method using snapshots
One thing I would add or clarify is that you dont always need a boost at yhe end of your chain if you are using an OD pedal pre-amp. It depends how much "headroom" the amp has in it. Thats probably not the right term...but if you did yh3 same experiment with a low/medium gain Fender or Vox.... or add a TS808 to get a little dirt on a cleanish tone... youll get a volume boost too. I've had to actually reduce my output block setting to compensate for that louder signal.
Great content though. Is there a better way to reduce that style of boost on a lower gain sound? As you mentioned boosting ore amp like you did trickles down into other blocks/effects. Something I have not looked into in my presets yet.
What if you’re not using the distortion on the amp.? Can u put it in front of the amp, like a traditional pedal board in the helix?
"Tonewise," what are the pros/cons of riding the volume knob on the guitar versus using an Expression Pedal?
Hello Jason and all. How can I know if a certain block is linear or not? Thank you in advance.
Hi Jason, maybe you can help me out with a problem. I was studying as I do every single day and suddenly some of my presets just stopped working. No sound at all, have you been through this before? I think half of them isn’t working.
I just turn my amp up.