Another great video Scott! 6:00 Quick story… when I told a friend of mine that I'd switched to a Helix a few years ago, he said, "Oh man, that's a shame, since I loved your tube amp sound for a long time!" when I told him that I hadn't used tube amps for over two decades, he had to admit that he'd never noticed.
Such an amazing combo! I know there is a guy who was able to make a wireless adapter from the CME Pro widi master in order to wireless have the helix change tuning/tones on the variax. He then also had a wireless guitar system for audio, so his variax was completely wireless 🤯
I really appreciate your perspective. It totally makes sense for you given your touring level, traveling, and playing on professional stages. From my perspective, which is not yet touring or playing professional stagess, I know that direct routing requires decent monitors or for the entire band to be invested in in-ear monitors. Rehearsal rooms and venues at my level often have substandard PA systems and monitors. The PA might be passable for just vocals but not be able to handle the rest of the instruments. Bringing an amp lets me perform comfortably in these situations. So I might as well use my tube amp if I have to bring an amp. I love the edge-of-breakup sound of my tube amp and analog pedals. I did explore using a modern modeler (Zoom G6). It has great effects, but I am not thrilled with the low-to-medium gain experience. I'd appreciate hearing from those who like this sound and whether any modelers excel here. By the way, when you said you played in the snow, I thought, good for you but I'm not doing that. Playing with gloves on? Impressive! That said, if I was to land a pro gig with good staging monitoring (or if the band was all in-ear) and snow/rain on stage was a possibility, then I would be inclined to switch to a direct rig like yours! I'm not keen on destroying my gear.
Great content Scott- Im going thru this exact dilemma now, downsizing and figuring out how to get my sound direct. I'm a bass player and am starting to hate lugging 2-50lb bass cabinets. The "swappable" amp system you mentioned sounds like the Synergy amp (synergyamps), where you can snap in various preamp modules from builders like; Friedman, Bogner, Engl, Diesel, etc into a host amp.
Yup! It is the Synergy, that’s definitely what I was. I knew my subscribers would know what it was. I couldn’t even figure out how to google that lol. But yeah, especially for bass amps, it’s really tough to bring those again and again when you can pull it off with a direct rig. Bass does feel weird the first few times not having the sound waves blasting from behind you, but you do get used to it 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic Finneas uses a gaming vibrating vest to get that bass feel in lieu of amps. The P!nk bass player stands on a platform, underneath which reside a battery of ass kickers normally used on drum thrones. Now ... Neither of these are going to be particularly viable at a local bar gig but sometimes, like Formula 1, the technology trickles down to the rest of us over time. And ... You know ... Tech is just good :)
Best advice I can give is - go with an ultralight bass cab. I use a GK Ultralight 2-10 combo (33 lbs) for most of my gigs. Our PA is usually compact, so I don't subject it to a direct feed. but the amp has one if needed. I have a 1-15 bottom cab if I need to stack up for a large room or an outdoor gig. Signal chain went from a Boss ME-50B (for rock with The Window Panes) or just a tuner (classic country with the Mission Road duo). If i have room to move around, I will use one of three inexpensive wireless units (thanks Scott!) and I can ham it up.
Well…I’ve had my Stomp for a year and half and now have an FM9. And I’m about to sell all but a few of my pedals And two amps. That’s a big deal for me. I love my gear. And these are some great pedals. But yeah: the modelers are really THAT good. I’m blown away.
The system you referred to is from Synergy Amps, there's lots of different amp modules for them. I'm right there with you on modelling rigs. Might be nice to have an FRFR for live tones. Just going through Indianapolis now. Hopefully NAMM has some fun new gear
@@ScottUhlMusic Too late for me, already spending it all. I am seriously considering selling my amps too though. I've got an apartment and I'm trying to find bands to join in Europe so you know...travel + big heavy gear = not very smart
I can guarantee that even people listening for the sound, including an individual instrument, cannot hear the difference in a live setting. I know people who have their own studio full of pedals and amps and say, “I just don’t like the sound I get from my HX Stomp,” spend more time doing A/B comparisons than playing music and don’t play live.
100% and that’s an excellent point! And yeah there is nothing wrong with playing at home for sure, but once you start playing live you start to value ease of setup even IF you lose 5% of your tone (which again I don’t think these do). Very good point!
@ScottUhlMusic Just found your awesome channel yesterday 👍 Already watched a bunch of your videos. Have a question. I'm 100% interested in minimizing my gear for convenience but I'm totally new to midi and anything programmable like ( hotone ampero II) which I just bought. In this video you mentioned how you automatically turn effects on and off in certain parts of the song based on what the original guitar parts are using. Can you guide me to which videos I should be watching to learn about that? Thanks
Absolutely spot on! Even amps need to be DI capable these days…the Tone Masters are phenomenal split of the difference for us full time gigging musicians.
Great video @Scott Uhl. I would only add that going direct doesn’t have to be an all-digital experience. Some of the amp in box solutions like the Quilter Superblock and the DSM Simplifier amps sound great with just a couple of pedals added.
I had the Simplifier and got rid of it for Superblocks as the Quilters are actually amplifiers not just a sim. Also the ability to run a Superblock off a pedalboard PSU at 1watt is fantastic.
Well said Scott, I was the same and now using a fractal Axe III set up and thinking of going with the new fractal smaller paddle setups they have out now. When you're gigging often and don't have help, you need to make it work, especially with all the new toys out there today that sound amazing.
My band decided to go with the Captor X for live gigs, using real amps and cabs. At first we wanted less stage volume to hear better in our IEM,s. But, we noticed at smaller shows the volume from our gear had a better FOH sound then rather depending on small local venues with Smaller PA’s. So for our metal band having a real amp with a DI signal thru our IEM system, we mix our own FOH with our rig sending a L/R/SUB to FOH This works for us well and is manageable with minimal amount of issues. Bringing the gear on a road could be a lot easier but at the same time the stage presence of cabinets let’s the crowd know this band is going to fun. Every band has to decide what works for them - We do have a sound guy that travels with us Thanks for the content as always - good stuff
Oh nice! That’s a good way to do it. I’ll have to look into that Captor X. I haven’t heard of that. Thanks for the info. And you are 100% right, every band will figure out what works best for them, and that’s the important part 🤘
great arguments :) I'm 17 right now and I think I just have to get through a few years of lugging way too heavy amps around before I not only see but feel the upsides of such rigs. I just love feeling the air moved and feeling the pressure in your body a bit too much right now. Also I wanted to add that especially in todays world with the given possibilities it can be quite nice to have a finite amount of options to choose from and not always be overloaded by what tones you can get so I really like the process of finding the analog gear that does what I want it to and leave it at that- not constantly stressing about getting my tones one extra bit nicer and trying the 20 amp sims I haven't tried yet.
Do you still use your Variax? I am using the CAT5 cable so my Helix can control the guitar as well - which is really cool. However, that leaves me with no backup since none of the other Helix devices have that Variax input. I don't trust the Variax battery since mine died and I have to buy a new one.
I do still use the variax sometimes, but the GTRS does do my main heavy lifting for sure. I always have a spare battery with my variax though! Just in case. I know I’ve been seeing that a guy was able to convert a Widi Master to wirelessly be able to control his variax from his helix 🤯🤯 I’m definitely going to buy one if they release it!
Hey Scott - love all your videos! Thanks for all your hard work putting these presentations together for us folks. Just went to a Valeton GP200 ( I'm not a pro and don't need very expensive gear) I love the tones I'm getting and love the direct ability which to my ears sounds really authentic (after setting Global EQ in the range of a "real guitar" amp). I doubt I'll ever go back to hauling a tube amp around again.
Thanks for this video. I did the same a few years back. My buddy thinks im crazy, but he loves my sound. Im down to GT1000 Core, and Bose S1s. My buddy still has "His Wall" and is always on one knee, making adjustments. lol
i still absolutely love my amp, but since using my helix going direct i definitely wouldn't go back to taking the big amp out (unless i had mega money to get someone else to do it) I've been able to walk home after a gig with my guitar and the helix on my back, i wouldn't recommend walking 45mins like that but it 100% wouldn't be possible with the amp and cab... i've noticed so many more sound guys loving the fact there's less on stage too... currently putting together the in ears and trying to convince my bassist to try out a helix or similar so we can go even lighter and use that space for more fun show type things (lights etc)
Couldn’t agree more! And you nailed it “I still absolutely love my amp.” Being pro amp modeling isn’t being anti amp. It’s just saying the convenience of direct rigs out weighs bringing your amps. Great comment 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic absolutely... i toyed with modellers before all the lockdowns but being in lock down with a then 9 year old really cemented how much more useful it really was, i could play until 2am and she wouldn't even know, was a total game changer
This is awesone info, Scott. Found it on your channel and loved it 'cause I was thinking of doing the same. What's the use of an amp any more. I use it as my guitar monitor on bigger stages, but now you can get a good sound going through normal wedges or in-ears... Thanks for this!
Love your videos!! You’ve got me re-thinking my live approach for sure. Scott, my question for you is - can this setup work even when playing dinky bars that have a small PA and no sound guy? I’m intersted to find out the exact setup needed. Thinking that would require us to bring our own mixer output to the venue PA.
You would plug directly into the PA or get a FRFR speaker if you really wanted to. Sometimes there can be a plus to have an amp on stage in situations like that… that is if the guitarist doesn’t blast his amp too loud haha
Totally agree. I run an Epiphone ES-335 through a Hughs and Kettner pedal amp with a built-in DI out. I never bring a cab any more and I haven't put the H&K through a venue backline for about a year. I get exactly the sound I want. Monitoring can be a little tricky in venues that don't have good monitors, but as I tend to run around with a wireless headset mic and wireless guitar setup, I can usually hear myself in the FOH mix anyway. I play fairly basic punk rhythm guitar live (over my own original backing tracks), so I only have a tuner and an acoustic pedal on my pedalboard. Very simple setup. I love it. I can carry everything (iPad with backing tracks, synced backup iPad, mic rig, pedalbag) in a rucksack.
Love this - I use just my Mac and MainStage with Izotope's Amplitude, added a bluetooth pedal and can tweak and customize my sound any way I want. I use a small behringer interface, for in/out. I am a full time audio engineer and the these are the sounds we use for recordings as well - MOST players will have a hard time matching the tone you can get through these plugins - whether in-studio or live.
@07:33 Love that mic pointed at the amp head. Hey, Scott, do you keep a low-power amp in your living room for plinking around at night? Say, a tall-boy with a 6V6 final?
@@ScottUhlMusic off topic, but have you ever found a midi solution - basically an alternative to a Boss OC3 - that tracks the lowest note in your chord and triggers the bass octaver, rather than only acting within a certain pitch range (as the OC3 does). I’m asking around…
I got hooked on your channel and bought quite a lot of gears but right here I'm gonna make a huge saving as I was going to buy a very expansive Fender Stratocaster. I'll finally go for the GTRS. Not sure which one though. Thank you loads 🙏
I fully understand your decision Scott, I purchased a ENGL FB25 just for the real amp feel and it does sound great but since I've bought it I still find my self on my Helix most of the time and that's not a convenience decision just a simple sound and clarity of effects and so on , it's hard to beat a good modeler if it's setup correctly
Nice. Keeping a few of my tube amps, nothing like them, and I can play them loud. I've used modelers for many years (currently using my Boss SY-1000); I use HX Effects for effects with a Catalyst 100 in 4CM and MIDI to control the amp channel and amp boost. I've been using Blue Cat Audio's Axiom plugin for years, before that their Destructor plugin - which is part of Axiom. Recently released, PolyChrome DSP McRocklin Suite is my favorite guitar plugin. FWIW, your channel convinced me to try the Mooer Prime P1, and it works great and sounds great though dialing in the sounds on my iPhone gets tedious. I have the F4 footswitch, and use wireless in/out (two wireless systems) and a wireless in-ear system; the P1 is mounted on my mic stand with a phone holder. Best of all, this all fits in lunchbox sized bag including a USB hub or my Tech21 PSA 2.0. TL;DR: plenty of options that sound good, having many rigs for different situations is great if you can do it!
Absolutely spot on as usual Scott! I am using a Helix LT straight to front of house. Singers love the it as well!! I’ve never had anyone in the audience ask why there isn’t an amp on stage. Why… because they don’t care! Sounds good and that’s all that matters! Thanks for another great video 👍
@@ScottUhlMusic yeah I completely agree! Nowadays technology give us endless possibilities so every approach is more than respectable. Everything that can boost our creativity is more then welcome as well. Thanks to you for the amazing content.
15:57 the cartridge amp you're talking about is by Synergy and they are cool as hell. Check out the Synergy SYN1 sometime. Basically it's a (solid state) power amp that you can put in a whole bunch of interchangable tube preamps made to be used as modules in cooperation with a bunch of different amp brands. They've got genuine Friedman's and Mesas and Bogners and all sorts of stuff. If I wasn't super thrilled with my Helix LT then that would probably be the direction I'd go next, but my Helix just does everything I need without issue so why change it?
Hey Scott, another thoughtful video, thanks! How do you achieve guitar feedback (INTENDED guitar feedback... or the interplay of speakers on stage with your guitar) when going 100% direct? I play hard rock/metal and there are (brief) times in our show where guitar feedback can be desirable. I've been loving my Fractal FM9, but have always also ran live 4x12s on stage, too, just to have the option of leaning in for feedback, or swells. Not necessarily for volume, because I use IEM's, but for that guitar/cab interaction. Just curious about your thoughts on that. Thanks!
Thanks! And yeah I don’t really worry about feedback when playing live, i would need a cab or wedges and I don’t use either live now. So no feedback for me, which is okay in my book personally 👍
Another informative video, Scott. Thank you. I'm almost to the point of giving up my amps but not quite. I used to use an old Digitech GSP-1101 modelling preamp and power amp in a small rack that sat on top of a 4x12 Marshall. I used the Digitech foot controller to change between patches as needed. I'm almost 64 years old now and have back problems that make moving a 4x12 difficult. What I've done is purchased a Headrush FRFR-108 powered speaker and run my preamp into that. I also just recently picked up a Digitech RP-1000 and a RP-500 that will take the place of my rack preamp. Definitely easier on the back and takes up a lot less room in the car. Will probably upgrade to the Helix or the new Headrush floor modeler at some point. I also use Phenyx Pro wireless IEMs and wireless guitar systems thanks to your recommendations.
Truth be told... I used to like playing with real amps onstage when playing with my band but the convenience that comes with the fact of using something like a Helix or even a laptop as I did last time it's simply unmatched. The last show I did I ran TH-U Overloud on my MacBook and the show went great. No one noticed if it was real or not. If the venue has an amp to use then, why not? But if it doesn't, at least to me it isn't a deal breaker anymore. Great video. I must say that I'm currently working on towards a mobile rig that's based on a Helix. Mainly because, even though computers are more powerful than ever; these aren't free of failing onstage.
Yeah that’s true, I did a Europe tour in 2019 and they had a Backline amp, so it made sense to use the amp. That’s probably the last time I’ve used an amp live though haha
For the last few days I've been using your videos to set up my HX Stomp. Great video and a complete description. I'm 74 YO and having on heck of a time understand and getting what I "thought" I wanted to hear. BUT it is one heck of a ride.. Thanks
My band moved to amp/cab sims in the last year. The biggest benefit is the load in and out. We used pedal platform amps anyway so we switched out for 3x Behringer GDI21 and 1x BDI21, all set to clean, total budget £150. Never looked back. Great channel, great video, as ever! Thanks.
I like effeciency and have done 100% the same! I see no reason to carry around heavy amps and dealing with microphones. A modeler with XLR cable to the PA is everything the audience needs to hear what I do :)
Side question: What gloves were you using to play that outdoor cold show? I have 1-2 of those per year and would love some "playable" gloves understanding the challenges fully. Thanks!
Love this! While I haven't sold my one remaining tube amp and some pedals, I've not used them at home or gigging since I got a Kemper in 2016. Thank you for sharing YOUR experience!
Ive started playing out live through a JBL PA system, an iRig2 and an iPad....Absolutely love it!! Still, Im old and stubbornly hanging onto my tubes and pedals though. lol
Thank you! Very useful. If you sold all your gear, how do you rig when you come to a gig? Do all venues have their own PA that you can just connect to? So you basically only carry a computer or a tablet to a gig and plug it into their PA? I'd love to see a rig rundown video with you!
Great video, I used to run my 5150. Now I have a boss katana 100watt head which I run direct to front of house. Sounds killer with the foot switch I have programmed 4 channels. No stage sound an with inears we can hear everything crystal clear.
More reasons to go direct: 1. Easy stereo tone with usually sound very big live and you can only do that with two amps. 2. I use my HXstompXL to control my other pedals as well as my computer for playback. also, other then a guitar player I'm a sound engineer and I definitely prefer a quiet stage
I’m approaching my third year of switching to an amp modeller, and I couldn’t be happier. Sold every piece of gear (amp,pedals, etc), and haven’t looked back.
@@ScottUhlMusicame. The band I tour with had been doing it for years before I switched. I came to the realization that my amp rig was limited to one style, since I only had certain pedals. Now with the Headrush, I can do different types of sub gigs with no worries about what I can do.
LOVE IT! I like to use my laptop with my rig too, but I am so afraid to take it to shows. Laptops are so fragile. What do you do to protect your laptop from the elements at an outdoor show? From heat, dust, rain, snow, etc
Laptop is scary for sure because it can crash. Always have a backup. Mine is in a case and the top comes off to reveal the laptop. I can’t remember what company makes it, but that helps for sure
@@ScottUhlMusic ok! I would love to learn more about that case you have, I am just afraid of my computer getting ruined. A good computer is expensive to replace 😅
Thank you Scott for this video. I would like to make the switch but I have a few obstacles. First, does the entire band have to go to IEM or can I be the only one? Next, I go to a lot of open mic/blues jams and this would not work because they are not going to run me into the PA or their PA can’t handle it. Last, I am thinking the fox units sound good for rock and metal, but what about blues? Every demo I hear is with a distorted tone. Can you get a clean tone that will still feedback when you want it to like when you stack 3 overdrives with a clean tube amp? Great channel, I learn a lot!
You don’t have to be on IEMs, or it could just be you. That’s completely up to you. If I PA can handle a microphone, it can handle a direct guitar signal 👍 And basically almost all amp modelers come with clean and distorted tones. Just have to find the one you like!
@15:55 that's probably Synergy's amp modules, a lot of players that are anti-modeling are switching to those since they're smaller and you have lots of options to "swap" amps.
I'm with ya man. I stopped even bothering trying to tell the difference with modelers and amps anymore. It's just all good. That modular thing you mentioned was probably the Synergy system? (Synergyamps)
Welcome to the club. Though I do things a little differently. Purchased my first guitar processor in the late 80's, a Roland Gp8, glorified pedal board but sounded great. Ran a GT 10, then a GT 100, and now a GT 1000. However, I still like having an amp with me, that's not really an amp, I use basically a PA rack. A stereo peak limiter compressor, dual 31 band eq, an expander, to a crown stereo power amp to my stereo cabinet. Run 1/4" stereo outs from my GT 1000 to a direct box, to connect to the PA which passes through to my so called amp. The GT 1000 is a power house, not for those unwilling to spend time deep diving into all the crazy things you can do with it. Great sound, good to see you found your sound, your way.
I came back to revisit this after watching your video on iPads on stage. Gave me things to think about and a perspective I didn't consider before. I am trying to sell my amps, but lots of people are not buying. I can't sell my Laney I am to attached to it. LOL . I run my Helix all the time. Almost every-show, for my acoustic solo shows I have a different modeling pedal. The convenience of moving it in and out are just to good. I get almost the exact sound. Only other guitar guys hate on it. I love I have all these different amps at my fingertips and can just cycle through them and mess around all day if I want. I got 1 or 2 I always use for my shows and I stick with that. Bottom line I love it, makes my work life easier.
Really appreciate your videos. I have a 3 piece rock band. All amps and speakers and yea… pain to load. Also my drummer can never get a good mix. Went to IEM wired to my A&H QU-16 via headphone amp for the drummer. iPad control and he’s in heaven. So we are transitioning slowly to all direct. Do you play with live drums? How do you direct with bass? And don’t you need a good subwoofer for FOH? Just curious how to get a full metal and rock ballsy tone to the house. Thanks I bought the CCA-C12 and the NUX 5.8ghz wireless but haven’t received them yet. Can’t wait. Also I have a VOX Tonelab EX which is pretty old but love it. Let me know what you think of VOX modelers.
Yeah we have live drums sometimes, although other times we just play with an SPDSX sample kit. Bass can go direct too, and yes you’ll want a good subwoofer for that low end 🤘
I'm thrilled more and more folks are getting into the direct thing. As a sound tech and a drummer, I was an early adaptor of edrums specifically for the idea that 80% of stage volume is usually dictated by how loud the drums are, and 20% by how loud the guitar amps are. The vast majority of us play in small spaces where silent stages would be the best. I've only had the opportunity to do sound for a few bands on IEMs and even that was a massive improvement on what I had to work with. I'd love the idea that up to 100 person venue is silent stage, and beyond that acoustic drums and amps.
I’ve done a few shows with all direct and an electronic drum kit. It’s amazing. When my wife and I are fortunate to travel to resorts in Cancun/Bahamas and stuff like that, we have our drummer bring an SPDSX sample pad. It’s amazing to have everything on stage direct and have complete control over the volume
@@ScottUhlMusic Absolutely! I use a variety of drum kits from Superior Drummer 3, and when I'm playing a gig with a sound tech, I hand him a labeled snake right out of my Apollo 8 so they have control over the house. They always are impressed!
Thank you Scott, interesting video, specially knowing that I want to set up a solo project to play my songs, so I plan to use backing track I made without guitars and vocals on my Iphone and play over but I have a question, if I go for an all in one solution like the HX Stomp, I guess I should have a high quality PA, right? For now I have the 2 Behringer B212D and a monitor that I used with my blues rock band only to amplify the vocal, rest came from the Bass Amp, the Drums and my guitar amp. Do you think I can play live like that with a let say an 'acceptable' tone? Thanks
Yeah I definitely think you can. If you are providing sound for a solo set, I definitely think direct is a much better way to go, especially if you are providing PA 👍
Your points are all great, and for where you are at makes total sense, the bit missing is how you get the modelled sound to the audience when there’s no provided PA. Would love your thoughts on that. Cheers
That’s a fair point! But if there is no PA, that means you need to bring one right? If so, you’ll need a mixer. Plug directly into the mixer and send the signal out front of house 🤘
in my church we are a 3 piece band acoustic, drum and vocal, i'm using an analog behringer mixer, we get for each one one aux mix, we use kz iems works well we can ambient hear the drum kit so is fine. im waiting your gig vlogs my brother scott hahaha, do you put your drums into your mix or just ambient hear them as well? cheers from brazil
Drums are tricky. A lot of the bands I play in have multiple singers, so I get quite a bit of drum bleed from the mics. But if I’m standing beside the drummer and the show is a little more quiet I’ll turn the drums up. For the most part though I have it pretty quiet
15:45 The amp that your buddy is talking about is called Synergy Amps. They have different style amps like an SLO-100 and a bunch of other ones. The "amp cartridges" slot into "amp head" style things. It's kinda hard to explain but there are youtube videos on it.
Great video Scott! My band's a metalcore 4 piece with 2 guitars drums and vocals. We're on a fully automated setup with patch changes and basically everything's being done on my macbook pro and behringer umc1820 interface running reaper (Including running backing tracks, process vocals, run drum triggers) The only reason we would run amps/cabs live is when PAs are going above the first couple rows head (We're also on in ears and using Line 6 Helixs)
Great vid! I'm a homebody using just an MX5 direct to my scarlet, DAW and studio monitors.... My amp is awfully lonely these past couple years. I can see using modern modelers getting way more popular in the near future.
I don’t really need to ever do natural feedback. But that’s easier to get with an amp for sure. Is it worth it for that one thing though? That’s for you to decide 👍
@@ScottUhlMusic I’ve heard there are feedback pedals. Have you used them? We do use feedback musically, kinda Fugazi style. Would love to find a way to achieve something similar with a pedal. For now it’s been using an e-Bow and it’s not the same.
I had a Laney twin combo, and it still needed people 2 to lift it!! I have used a Boss GT10 since they came out, but as you say Scotty, there’s better stuff out in the last ten years. My GT10 is great but getting old. I know the reasons why I went with amp modelling , but your validation as a full-time pro is comforting.
@@ScottUhlMusic awesome, I'm glad it's working well for you! Last question: if you were starting over today would you get the same model or would you get the pro version? The s800 is down to about $400 depending on color choice, which is pretty compelling. I'm wondering if it's worth it for the upgrade and there are none in my area to test drive. Thoughts?
Scott, I have watched and subscribed and watched and watched. I am wanting some direct help from you. I have a complicated setup and need some one on one advice. Is this something you would do for compensation?
Excellent video. I switched to helix and powercab a few years ago. After numerous sound guys telling me my guitar tone sounds thin across the PA (but I thought it was fine in my ears) compared to the other guitarist using a full rig, I switched back to amp and shelfed the powercab but now I still use the helix in 4CM for FX only. The other issue is there are simply more practices than gigs and our PA is only a few small tops in the space with nothing mic'd up so no IEM for example during practices. My little powercab couldn't compete with the drums or the other 4x12 etc. volume or direction. Some could hear me, some not depending how close in firing range of my speaker. TIlt up, I was good but nobody could hear me. Tilt down and I couldnt hear but others could. Too much hassle. I have to rewatch your plugin portion, see whats up with that. I just use the HX edit. Anyway, when I switched back to amp, I just fell in love with the real deal again. Just something about a real amp that the amps in helix wasn't delivering. I will also add for many live festival local shows, we'd get literally 15 min to setup and go so there's no time to bother with IEM or bring them at all. Sound guys wont even let you. Mixing on the fly, thee end.
Yeah the IEM switchover is frustrating for sure for festival style shows. And some sound guys are just always going to be mogami cable/tube amps only guys. Helix does not sound thin in the PA if it’s setup right, I know that. Thanks for commenting!
Yup! That’s definitely it. You should have seen me trying to google it lol 😂 I had no clue how to even look that thing up. It is pretty cool for sure though!
Funny how it's always the guys with the least experience who pretentiously stick to their guns with old analogue gear. All the super experienced pros I've met are open to whatever tech will help. Love your videos Scott, you perfectly embody the humble, open minded spirit of all the best ppl I've worked with!
I couldn't live with the spongy response of the Helix on it's own so i added a Marshall DSL1HR head in 4 cable mode with a Two Notes Captor, no speaker, direct to PA and a stage monitor (IEMs coming next!).. Studio One controls channel and fx switching. A midi switch controls channel switching. Adding different preamps gives flexibility but generally i just need 2 channels plus tube screamer, compression, chorus and delay. Works beautifully.
How did I, a drummer, end up here? I mean, as a drummer there is so much shit you have to bring. Your tiny setup is a dream come true XD I do not recommend drumming for people with OCD! You will end up checking If you've brought all gear ten times and still feel like you've missed something. Because there's just so much.
I struggle with this because I love the flexibility of reaching down and turning knobs to change something when I'm at home or at rehearsal just tweaking and twiddling with things. It's so much easier to do with real amps and pedals. But when I'm playing live from experience just having a multi fx unit preprogrammed and ready to go makes life easier too. When you're practicing, especially in rehearsal, how do you get around needing to sound louder than the drummer?
We all have ears so that helps. But anytime I get that question, my response is: How does the same thing apply to the singer? Singer needs to be heard over drums right? She goes into a mixer and then a PA speaker. Same thing with direct rigs
@ScottUhlMusic thanks for responding! Gosh i feel dumb but you are so right. But I think your answer just proves another point: technology has come really far. I tried running my rig thru a mixer back in 2013 and i sounded terrible. But that was thru a cheap and old Behringer mixer and PA speaker and a Digitech RP1000. Tech has come a long way since then. I should give it another shot.
You do such a great job of giving economical, practical and attainable advice that is so helpful for new peeps. Very consistent. Subscribed. Thanks!
Thanks Rob!
Thanks! You make great videos, very informative.
Thanks man! I appreciate that 🤘🤘
Another great video Scott! 6:00 Quick story… when I told a friend of mine that I'd switched to a Helix a few years ago, he said, "Oh man, that's a shame, since I loved your tube amp sound for a long time!" when I told him that I hadn't used tube amps for over two decades, he had to admit that he'd never noticed.
Yes! Haha, that’s truly a way to tell how good everything is sounding now in the modeling world. Thanks for sharing 🤘
We are on the same boat. Portability is everything to me. Variax + Helix = all i need.
Such an amazing combo! I know there is a guy who was able to make a wireless adapter from the CME Pro widi master in order to wireless have the helix change tuning/tones on the variax. He then also had a wireless guitar system for audio, so his variax was completely wireless 🤯
I really appreciate your perspective. It totally makes sense for you given your touring level, traveling, and playing on professional stages.
From my perspective, which is not yet touring or playing professional stagess, I know that direct routing requires decent monitors or for the entire band to be invested in in-ear monitors. Rehearsal rooms and venues at my level often have substandard PA systems and monitors. The PA might be passable for just vocals but not be able to handle the rest of the instruments. Bringing an amp lets me perform comfortably in these situations. So I might as well use my tube amp if I have to bring an amp. I love the edge-of-breakup sound of my tube amp and analog pedals. I did explore using a modern modeler (Zoom G6). It has great effects, but I am not thrilled with the low-to-medium gain experience. I'd appreciate hearing from those who like this sound and whether any modelers excel here.
By the way, when you said you played in the snow, I thought, good for you but I'm not doing that. Playing with gloves on? Impressive! That said, if I was to land a pro gig with good staging monitoring (or if the band was all in-ear) and snow/rain on stage was a possibility, then I would be inclined to switch to a direct rig like yours! I'm not keen on destroying my gear.
Great content Scott- Im going thru this exact dilemma now, downsizing and figuring out how to get my sound direct. I'm a bass player and am starting to hate lugging 2-50lb bass cabinets. The "swappable" amp system you mentioned sounds like the Synergy amp (synergyamps), where you can snap in various preamp modules from builders like; Friedman, Bogner, Engl, Diesel, etc into a host amp.
Yup! It is the Synergy, that’s definitely what I was. I knew my subscribers would know what it was. I couldn’t even figure out how to google that lol. But yeah, especially for bass amps, it’s really tough to bring those again and again when you can pull it off with a direct rig. Bass does feel weird the first few times not having the sound waves blasting from behind you, but you do get used to it 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic Finneas uses a gaming vibrating vest to get that bass feel in lieu of amps. The P!nk bass player stands on a platform, underneath which reside a battery of ass kickers normally used on drum thrones. Now ... Neither of these are going to be particularly viable at a local bar gig but sometimes, like Formula 1, the technology trickles down to the rest of us over time. And ... You know ... Tech is just good :)
Best advice I can give is - go with an ultralight bass cab. I use a GK Ultralight 2-10 combo (33 lbs) for most of my gigs. Our PA is usually compact, so I don't subject it to a direct feed. but the amp has one if needed.
I have a 1-15 bottom cab if I need to stack up for a large room or an outdoor gig. Signal chain went from a Boss ME-50B (for rock with The Window Panes) or just a tuner (classic country with the Mission Road duo).
If i have room to move around, I will use one of three inexpensive wireless units (thanks Scott!) and I can ham it up.
Well…I’ve had my Stomp for a year and half and now have an FM9. And I’m about to sell all but a few of my pedals And two amps. That’s a big deal for me. I love my gear. And these are some great pedals. But yeah: the modelers are really THAT good. I’m blown away.
Love your channel man❤
I appreciate that Sami 🤘
The system you referred to is from Synergy Amps, there's lots of different amp modules for them.
I'm right there with you on modelling rigs. Might be nice to have an FRFR for live tones.
Just going through Indianapolis now. Hopefully NAMM has some fun new gear
I wanted to go to NAMM this year, but I would probably spend all my money there haha. And yes it was the Synergy!
@@ScottUhlMusic Too late for me, already spending it all. I am seriously considering selling my amps too though. I've got an apartment and I'm trying to find bands to join in Europe so you know...travel + big heavy gear = not very smart
I can guarantee that even people listening for the sound, including an individual instrument, cannot hear the difference in a live setting. I know people who have their own studio full of pedals and amps and say, “I just don’t like the sound I get from my HX Stomp,” spend more time doing A/B comparisons than playing music and don’t play live.
100% and that’s an excellent point! And yeah there is nothing wrong with playing at home for sure, but once you start playing live you start to value ease of setup even IF you lose 5% of your tone (which again I don’t think these do). Very good point!
@ScottUhlMusic Just found your awesome channel yesterday 👍
Already watched a bunch of your videos.
Have a question. I'm 100% interested in minimizing my gear for convenience but I'm totally new to midi and anything programmable like ( hotone ampero II) which I just bought.
In this video you mentioned how you automatically turn effects on and off in certain parts of the song based on what the original guitar parts are using. Can you guide me to which videos I should be watching to learn about that? Thanks
😢😢
❤❤❤❤by yÿ😮😂🎉
😊f 😂😂😂 0:01 0:01
Absolutely spot on! Even amps need to be DI capable these days…the Tone Masters are phenomenal split of the difference for us full time gigging musicians.
Agreed!
Great video @Scott Uhl. I would only add that going direct doesn’t have to be an all-digital experience. Some of the amp in box solutions like the Quilter Superblock and the DSM Simplifier amps sound great with just a couple of pedals added.
I haven’t heard of those, I’ll have to look into that. Thanks for the suggestion!
I had the Simplifier and got rid of it for Superblocks as the Quilters are actually amplifiers not just a sim. Also the ability to run a Superblock off a pedalboard PSU at 1watt is fantastic.
Hey Scott! Really appreciate your videos. I’m going look at your backing track video next.
Well said Scott, I was the same and now using a fractal Axe III set up and thinking of going with the new fractal smaller paddle setups they have out now. When you're gigging often and don't have help, you need to make it work, especially with all the new toys out there today that sound amazing.
My band decided to go with the Captor X for live gigs, using real amps and cabs. At first we wanted less stage volume to hear better in our IEM,s. But, we noticed at smaller shows the volume from our gear had a better FOH sound then rather depending on small local venues with Smaller PA’s. So for our metal band having a real amp with a DI signal thru our IEM system, we mix our own FOH with our rig sending a L/R/SUB to FOH
This works for us well and is manageable with minimal amount of issues. Bringing the gear on a road could be a lot easier but at the same time the stage presence of cabinets let’s the crowd know this band is going to fun.
Every band has to decide what works for them -
We do have a sound guy that travels with us
Thanks for the content as always - good stuff
Oh nice! That’s a good way to do it. I’ll have to look into that Captor X. I haven’t heard of that. Thanks for the info. And you are 100% right, every band will figure out what works best for them, and that’s the important part 🤘
great arguments :) I'm 17 right now and I think I just have to get through a few years of lugging way too heavy amps around before I not only see but feel the upsides of such rigs. I just love feeling the air moved and feeling the pressure in your body a bit too much right now. Also I wanted to add that especially in todays world with the given possibilities it can be quite nice to have a finite amount of options to choose from and not always be overloaded by what tones you can get so I really like the process of finding the analog gear that does what I want it to and leave it at that- not constantly stressing about getting my tones one extra bit nicer and trying the 20 amp sims I haven't tried yet.
I'll probably always be a "guitar > pedals > amp" guy, but I love watching you talk about your rig. Great video as always!
Hey, there is nothing wrong with that!! If you like your rig, use your rig 🤘🤘 Glad it’s working for you, and that’s the important thing
Do you still use your Variax? I am using the CAT5 cable so my Helix can control the guitar as well - which is really cool. However, that leaves me with no backup since none of the other Helix devices have that Variax input. I don't trust the Variax battery since mine died and I have to buy a new one.
I do still use the variax sometimes, but the GTRS does do my main heavy lifting for sure. I always have a spare battery with my variax though! Just in case. I know I’ve been seeing that a guy was able to convert a Widi Master to wirelessly be able to control his variax from his helix 🤯🤯 I’m definitely going to buy one if they release it!
Your right the new gear is there . I appreciate you !
Hey Scott - love all your videos! Thanks for all your hard work putting these presentations together for us folks.
Just went to a Valeton GP200 ( I'm not a pro and don't need very expensive gear) I love the tones I'm getting and love the direct ability which to my ears sounds really authentic (after setting Global EQ in the range of a "real guitar" amp). I doubt I'll ever go back to hauling a tube amp around again.
Thanks! And nice 🤘 once you can ditch hauling the tube amp around, it’s hard to go back
Thanks for this video. I did the same a few years back. My buddy thinks im crazy, but he loves my sound. Im down to GT1000 Core, and Bose S1s. My buddy still has "His Wall" and is always on one knee, making adjustments. lol
i still absolutely love my amp, but since using my helix going direct i definitely wouldn't go back to taking the big amp out (unless i had mega money to get someone else to do it) I've been able to walk home after a gig with my guitar and the helix on my back, i wouldn't recommend walking 45mins like that but it 100% wouldn't be possible with the amp and cab... i've noticed so many more sound guys loving the fact there's less on stage too... currently putting together the in ears and trying to convince my bassist to try out a helix or similar so we can go even lighter and use that space for more fun show type things (lights etc)
Couldn’t agree more! And you nailed it “I still absolutely love my amp.” Being pro amp modeling isn’t being anti amp. It’s just saying the convenience of direct rigs out weighs bringing your amps. Great comment 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic absolutely... i toyed with modellers before all the lockdowns but being in lock down with a then 9 year old really cemented how much more useful it really was, i could play until 2am and she wouldn't even know, was a total game changer
YESSIR! Direct rigs allow you to be so much more efficient and show-focused.
This is awesone info, Scott. Found it on your channel and loved it 'cause I was thinking of doing the same. What's the use of an amp any more. I use it as my guitar monitor on bigger stages, but now you can get a good sound going through normal wedges or in-ears... Thanks for this!
Glad it was helpful!
Love your videos!! You’ve got me re-thinking my live approach for sure. Scott, my question for you is - can this setup work even when playing dinky bars that have a small PA and no sound guy? I’m intersted to find out the exact setup needed. Thinking that would require us to bring our own mixer output to the venue PA.
You would plug directly into the PA or get a FRFR speaker if you really wanted to. Sometimes there can be a plus to have an amp on stage in situations like that… that is if the guitarist doesn’t blast his amp too loud haha
This video shows how far guitar tech has grown and how we can adapt to a much simpler guitar lifestyle.
Agreed. The tech is pretty wild, and I love anything that sounds good and makes my life easier 🤘
Totally agree. I run an Epiphone ES-335 through a Hughs and Kettner pedal amp with a built-in DI out. I never bring a cab any more and I haven't put the H&K through a venue backline for about a year. I get exactly the sound I want. Monitoring can be a little tricky in venues that don't have good monitors, but as I tend to run around with a wireless headset mic and wireless guitar setup, I can usually hear myself in the FOH mix anyway. I play fairly basic punk rhythm guitar live (over my own original backing tracks), so I only have a tuner and an acoustic pedal on my pedalboard. Very simple setup. I love it. I can carry everything (iPad with backing tracks, synced backup iPad, mic rig, pedalbag) in a rucksack.
Moving there as well...
It’s worth it 🤘🤘
When I record I use the line 6 . When I play live My Marshall half stack and my pedals
Interesting. But hey, if it works for you that’s all that counts! Do what works best for you. Thanks for commenting 🤘
Totally agree. I went 100% modeling 10 years ago. For all the reasons you cite.
💪💪💪
So did I.
Love this - I use just my Mac and MainStage with Izotope's Amplitude, added a bluetooth pedal and can tweak and customize my sound any way I want. I use a small behringer interface, for in/out. I am a full time audio engineer and the these are the sounds we use for recordings as well - MOST players will have a hard time matching the tone you can get through these plugins - whether in-studio or live.
Ok. You've completely convinced me. So glad I found your channel. I'll have an HX Stomp on the way soon, then watch all your setup/tip videos.
Nice! Enjoy, the stomp is amazing 🤘🤘
I did the same thing 4 years ago with the Fractal AX8.
Such a great system! Like I said, the teacher that I used to work with who had really incredible tone switched to that one. It sounds so good!
@07:33 Love that mic pointed at the amp head. Hey, Scott, do you keep a low-power amp in your living room for plinking around at night? Say, a tall-boy with a 6V6 final?
I actually use this: CARBON FIBER Electric Guitar w/SPEAKER + FX - Enya Nova Go Sonic
th-cam.com/video/k-zYa2wIVw4/w-d-xo.html
Just play, improve, and enjoy because everything changes. Great video!
I haven’t used a guitar amp for a year. My old pedals either. HX Stomp = whole rig
6+ years for me 🤘🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic off topic, but have you ever found a midi solution - basically an alternative to a Boss OC3 - that tracks the lowest note in your chord and triggers the bass octaver, rather than only acting within a certain pitch range (as the OC3 does). I’m asking around…
I got hooked on your channel and bought quite a lot of gears but right here I'm gonna make a huge saving as I was going to buy a very expansive Fender Stratocaster. I'll finally go for the GTRS. Not sure which one though.
Thank you loads 🙏
Nice! Enjoy 🤘 I love my p800. Just don’t get the super cheap one (s800)
Yep, went from half stack, to direct, and Loving it, I did Europe this way and it was better that I expected.
I fully understand your decision Scott, I purchased a ENGL FB25 just for the real amp feel and it does sound great but since I've bought it I still find my self on my Helix most of the time and that's not a convenience decision just a simple sound and clarity of effects and so on , it's hard to beat a good modeler if it's setup correctly
100%! Couldn’t agree more 🤘
Nice. Keeping a few of my tube amps, nothing like them, and I can play them loud.
I've used modelers for many years (currently using my Boss SY-1000); I use HX Effects for effects with a Catalyst 100 in 4CM and MIDI to control the amp channel and amp boost.
I've been using Blue Cat Audio's Axiom plugin for years, before that their Destructor plugin - which is part of Axiom.
Recently released, PolyChrome DSP McRocklin Suite is my favorite guitar plugin.
FWIW, your channel convinced me to try the Mooer Prime P1, and it works great and sounds great though dialing in the sounds on my iPhone gets tedious. I have the F4 footswitch, and use wireless in/out (two wireless systems) and a wireless in-ear system; the P1 is mounted on my mic stand with a phone holder. Best of all, this all fits in lunchbox sized bag including a USB hub or my Tech21 PSA 2.0.
TL;DR: plenty of options that sound good, having many rigs for different situations is great if you can do it!
Nice! Glad the P1 has worked well for you. It’s my main backup rig
Absolutely spot on as usual Scott! I am using a Helix LT straight to front of house. Singers love the it as well!! I’ve never had anyone in the audience ask why there isn’t an amp on stage. Why… because they don’t care! Sounds good and that’s all that matters! Thanks for another great video 👍
100%! And yeah singers especially love direct units for sure
It's a very interesting point of view, great argumentations. I'm having a sort of hybrid approach between traditional gear and technology tho
Nice! As long as you found something that works for you, that’s all that matters. Thanks for commenting 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic yeah I completely agree! Nowadays technology give us endless possibilities so every approach is more than respectable. Everything that can boost our creativity is more then welcome as well. Thanks to you for the amazing content.
As always great video but how did you play with gloves on ? When it was cold I used a hand warmer between songs.
Haha yeah I was really surprised that it worked! The gloves were just thin enough that it worked
I'm loving my Helix! So many different tones!
Helix is amazing!!
15:57 the cartridge amp you're talking about is by Synergy and they are cool as hell. Check out the Synergy SYN1 sometime.
Basically it's a (solid state) power amp that you can put in a whole bunch of interchangable tube preamps made to be used as modules in cooperation with a bunch of different amp brands. They've got genuine Friedman's and Mesas and Bogners and all sorts of stuff.
If I wasn't super thrilled with my Helix LT then that would probably be the direction I'd go next, but my Helix just does everything I need without issue so why change it?
Yup that’s the one! Thanks 🤘
I still have an Axe FX II and a Mesa Boogie MKV, but they just sit in a room in my home. All I use now are the Neural DSP plug ins.
Hey Scott, another thoughtful video, thanks! How do you achieve guitar feedback (INTENDED guitar feedback... or the interplay of speakers on stage with your guitar) when going 100% direct? I play hard rock/metal and there are (brief) times in our show where guitar feedback can be desirable. I've been loving my Fractal FM9, but have always also ran live 4x12s on stage, too, just to have the option of leaning in for feedback, or swells. Not necessarily for volume, because I use IEM's, but for that guitar/cab interaction. Just curious about your thoughts on that. Thanks!
Thanks! And yeah I don’t really worry about feedback when playing live, i would need a cab or wedges and I don’t use either live now. So no feedback for me, which is okay in my book personally 👍
@@ScottUhlMusic all good, thanks for your reply!
Another informative video, Scott. Thank you. I'm almost to the point of giving up my amps but not quite. I used to use an old Digitech GSP-1101 modelling preamp and power amp in a small rack that sat on top of a 4x12 Marshall. I used the Digitech foot controller to change between patches as needed. I'm almost 64 years old now and have back problems that make moving a 4x12 difficult. What I've done is purchased a Headrush FRFR-108 powered speaker and run my preamp into that. I also just recently picked up a Digitech RP-1000 and a RP-500 that will take the place of my rack preamp. Definitely easier on the back and takes up a lot less room in the car. Will probably upgrade to the Helix or the new Headrush floor modeler at some point. I also use Phenyx Pro wireless IEMs and wireless guitar systems thanks to your recommendations.
Nice! I’ve heard a lot of good stuff with the HeadRush for sure! It’s a great system. Glad you’ve found the iems and wireless to work well for you 🤘
Great video! I use modeler direct for worship set. When practicing at home, use my 1x12 tube amp.
Thanks! And that definitely is a great setup 🤘
once again.........super valuable information. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Truth be told...
I used to like playing with real amps onstage when playing with my band but the convenience that comes with the fact of using something like a Helix or even a laptop as I did last time it's simply unmatched.
The last show I did I ran TH-U Overloud on my MacBook and the show went great.
No one noticed if it was real or not.
If the venue has an amp to use then, why not?
But if it doesn't, at least to me it isn't a deal breaker anymore.
Great video.
I must say that I'm currently working on towards a mobile rig that's based on a Helix.
Mainly because, even though computers are more powerful than ever; these aren't free of failing onstage.
Yeah that’s true, I did a Europe tour in 2019 and they had a Backline amp, so it made sense to use the amp. That’s probably the last time I’ve used an amp live though haha
For the last few days I've been using your videos to set up my HX Stomp.
Great video and a complete description.
I'm 74 YO and having on heck of a time understand and getting what I "thought" I wanted to hear.
BUT it is one heck of a ride..
Thanks
Glad the videos have been helping you out!
My band moved to amp/cab sims in the last year. The biggest benefit is the load in and out. We used pedal platform amps anyway so we switched out for 3x Behringer GDI21 and 1x BDI21, all set to clean, total budget £150. Never looked back.
Great channel, great video, as ever! Thanks.
Nice! Excellent choices 🤘🤘
Very well thought not dissing real amps. Practical I agree with all your discussion points
I definitely didn’t want to make it seem like I dislike amps. I love a good amp! I just find the pros of direct rigs outweigh the pros of an amp 👍
I like effeciency and have done 100% the same!
I see no reason to carry around heavy amps and dealing with microphones.
A modeler with XLR cable to the PA is everything the audience needs to hear what I do :)
💯🤘
Side question: What gloves were you using to play that outdoor cold show? I have 1-2 of those per year and would love some "playable" gloves understanding the challenges fully. Thanks!
I have no idea. I think they were my wife’s that she found at the dollar store. Definitely want another pair haha
Thanks for the mention of my
Heavy fella the II II II II 🤜🤛
Any time man 🤘 such a killer amp plugin for metal tones!
@@ScottUhlMusic looking forward to chatting again in the future about live stuff!
Absolutely 🤘🤘
another informative, practical video...
Thank you!
Love this! While I haven't sold my one remaining tube amp and some pedals, I've not used them at home or gigging since I got a Kemper in 2016. Thank you for sharing YOUR experience!
It took a long time for me to finally sell my mesa, but I did it! Haha
And at home you use monitor speakers or a guitar cab if you want to hear yourself? Does your rig have impulse responses or cab sim ?
The GTRS doesn’t have impulse responses, at least I don’t think… but the Helix does. And at home I just use my home studio speakers (Adam Ax5)
You´re absolutly right!
🤘🤘
Excellent Info !! I stopped using guitar amps 6 yrs. ago. Running Everything FOH. From Old School.....Technology Is Wonderful...!!
Randall made a guitar amp with Modular Tube preamps you can change out
This one was Synergy, I had other comments tell me. But they mentioned that one as well 👍
Ive started playing out live through a JBL PA system, an iRig2 and an iPad....Absolutely love it!! Still, Im old and stubbornly hanging onto my tubes and pedals though. lol
Nothing wrong with that! 🤘
Thank you! Very useful. If you sold all your gear, how do you rig when you come to a gig? Do all venues have their own PA that you can just connect to? So you basically only carry a computer or a tablet to a gig and plug it into their PA? I'd love to see a rig rundown video with you!
If a venue does not have a PA, we provide PA. My pa is the EV 50s and I love them! One of these days I’ll do a rig rundown haha
Great video, I used to run my 5150. Now I have a boss katana 100watt head which I run direct to front of house. Sounds killer with the foot switch I have programmed 4 channels. No stage sound an with inears we can hear everything crystal clear.
You can’t go back once you go direct and IEMs 🤘
More reasons to go direct:
1. Easy stereo tone with usually sound very big live and you can only do that with two amps.
2. I use my HXstompXL to control my other pedals as well as my computer for playback.
also, other then a guitar player I'm a sound engineer and I definitely prefer a quiet stage
Yup! Both also great reasons 🤘
I’m approaching my third year of switching to an amp modeller, and I couldn’t be happier. Sold every piece of gear (amp,pedals, etc), and haven’t looked back.
Yup! I had amps and pedals that I loved, but ultimately this was the best decision for me 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusicame. The band I tour with had been doing it for years before I switched. I came to the realization that my amp rig was limited to one style, since I only had certain pedals. Now with the Headrush, I can do different types of sub gigs with no worries about what I can do.
LOVE IT! I like to use my laptop with my rig too, but I am so afraid to take it to shows. Laptops are so fragile. What do you do to protect your laptop from the elements at an outdoor show? From heat, dust, rain, snow, etc
Laptop is scary for sure because it can crash. Always have a backup. Mine is in a case and the top comes off to reveal the laptop. I can’t remember what company makes it, but that helps for sure
@@ScottUhlMusic ok! I would love to learn more about that case you have, I am just afraid of my computer getting ruined. A good computer is expensive to replace 😅
Thank you Scott for this video. I would like to make the switch but I have a few obstacles. First, does the entire band have to go to IEM or can I be the only one? Next, I go to a lot of open mic/blues jams and this would not work because they are not going to run me into the PA or their PA can’t handle it. Last, I am thinking the fox units sound good for rock and metal, but what about blues? Every demo I hear is with a distorted tone. Can you get a clean tone that will still feedback when you want it to like when you stack 3 overdrives with a clean tube amp? Great channel, I learn a lot!
You don’t have to be on IEMs, or it could just be you. That’s completely up to you.
If I PA can handle a microphone, it can handle a direct guitar signal 👍
And basically almost all amp modelers come with clean and distorted tones. Just have to find the one you like!
@15:55 that's probably Synergy's amp modules, a lot of players that are anti-modeling are switching to those since they're smaller and you have lots of options to "swap" amps.
Yup that’s what it was!
I'm with ya man. I stopped even bothering trying to tell the difference with modelers and amps anymore. It's just all good. That modular thing you mentioned was probably the Synergy system? (Synergyamps)
Yup that’s correct! And yes, me too. If it sounds good, I’m using it 🤘
Welcome to the club. Though I do things a little differently. Purchased my first guitar processor in the late 80's, a Roland Gp8, glorified pedal board but sounded great. Ran a GT 10, then a GT 100, and now a GT 1000. However, I still like having an amp with me, that's not really an amp, I use basically a PA rack. A stereo peak limiter compressor, dual 31 band eq, an expander, to a crown stereo power amp to my stereo cabinet. Run 1/4" stereo outs from my GT 1000 to a direct box, to connect to the PA which passes through to my so called amp. The GT 1000 is a power house, not for those unwilling to spend time deep diving into all the crazy things you can do with it. Great sound, good to see you found your sound, your way.
I couldn’t go back now!
I came back to revisit this after watching your video on iPads on stage. Gave me things to think about and a perspective I didn't consider before. I am trying to sell my amps, but lots of people are not buying. I can't sell my Laney I am to attached to it. LOL . I run my Helix all the time. Almost every-show, for my acoustic solo shows I have a different modeling pedal. The convenience of moving it in and out are just to good. I get almost the exact sound. Only other guitar guys hate on it. I love I have all these different amps at my fingertips and can just cycle through them and mess around all day if I want. I got 1 or 2 I always use for my shows and I stick with that. Bottom line I love it, makes my work life easier.
Really appreciate your videos. I have a 3 piece rock band. All amps and speakers and yea… pain to load. Also my drummer can never get a good mix. Went to IEM wired to my A&H QU-16 via headphone amp for the drummer. iPad control and he’s in heaven. So we are transitioning slowly to all direct. Do you play with live drums? How do you direct with bass? And don’t you need a good subwoofer for FOH? Just curious how to get a full metal and rock ballsy tone to the house. Thanks I bought the CCA-C12 and the NUX 5.8ghz wireless but haven’t received them yet. Can’t wait. Also I have a VOX Tonelab EX which is pretty old but love it. Let me know what you think of VOX modelers.
Yeah we have live drums sometimes, although other times we just play with an SPDSX sample kit. Bass can go direct too, and yes you’ll want a good subwoofer for that low end 🤘
Awesome and thanks for your videos. Very helpful.
Good info!!
Thanks!
I'm thrilled more and more folks are getting into the direct thing. As a sound tech and a drummer, I was an early adaptor of edrums specifically for the idea that 80% of stage volume is usually dictated by how loud the drums are, and 20% by how loud the guitar amps are.
The vast majority of us play in small spaces where silent stages would be the best. I've only had the opportunity to do sound for a few bands on IEMs and even that was a massive improvement on what I had to work with.
I'd love the idea that up to 100 person venue is silent stage, and beyond that acoustic drums and amps.
I’ve done a few shows with all direct and an electronic drum kit. It’s amazing. When my wife and I are fortunate to travel to resorts in Cancun/Bahamas and stuff like that, we have our drummer bring an SPDSX sample pad. It’s amazing to have everything on stage direct and have complete control over the volume
@@ScottUhlMusic Absolutely! I use a variety of drum kits from Superior Drummer 3, and when I'm playing a gig with a sound tech, I hand him a labeled snake right out of my Apollo 8 so they have control over the house. They always are impressed!
Thank you Scott, interesting video, specially knowing that I want to set up a solo project to play my songs, so I plan to use backing track I made without guitars and vocals on my Iphone and play over but I have a question, if I go for an all in one solution like the HX Stomp, I guess I should have a high quality PA, right? For now I have the 2 Behringer B212D and a monitor that I used with my blues rock band only to amplify the vocal, rest came from the Bass Amp, the Drums and my guitar amp. Do you think I can play live like that with a let say an 'acceptable' tone? Thanks
Yeah I definitely think you can. If you are providing sound for a solo set, I definitely think direct is a much better way to go, especially if you are providing PA 👍
I have the same philosophy with you. If it sounds good to me, makes my life and my music making easier, then I'm onboard. Cheers!
Thanks, couldn’t agree more 🤘
Your points are all great, and for where you are at makes total sense, the bit missing is how you get the modelled sound to the audience when there’s no provided PA. Would love your thoughts on that. Cheers
That’s a fair point! But if there is no PA, that means you need to bring one right? If so, you’ll need a mixer. Plug directly into the mixer and send the signal out front of house 🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic Yeah, the dusty village halls I play don’t have a FOH. Lucky if they have a 50 year old transistor radio 😂
@@seanhayes2998 🤣🤣
in my church we are a 3 piece band acoustic, drum and vocal, i'm using an analog behringer mixer, we get for each one one aux mix, we use kz iems works well we can ambient hear the drum kit so is fine. im waiting your gig vlogs my brother scott hahaha, do you put your drums into your mix or just ambient hear them as well? cheers from brazil
Drums are tricky. A lot of the bands I play in have multiple singers, so I get quite a bit of drum bleed from the mics. But if I’m standing beside the drummer and the show is a little more quiet I’ll turn the drums up. For the most part though I have it pretty quiet
15:45 The amp that your buddy is talking about is called Synergy Amps. They have different style amps like an SLO-100 and a bunch of other ones. The "amp cartridges" slot into "amp head" style things. It's kinda hard to explain but there are youtube videos on it.
That’s the one!!
Great video Scott! My band's a metalcore 4 piece with 2 guitars drums and vocals. We're on a fully automated setup with patch changes and basically everything's being done on my macbook pro and behringer umc1820 interface running reaper (Including running backing tracks, process vocals, run drum triggers) The only reason we would run amps/cabs live is when PAs are going above the first couple rows head (We're also on in ears and using Line 6 Helixs)
Nice! Can’t beat the midi changed patch changes and just focusing on the show 🤘
Great vid! I'm a homebody using just an MX5 direct to my scarlet, DAW and studio monitors.... My amp is awfully lonely these past couple years. I can see using modern modelers getting way more popular in the near future.
My poor mesa sat around for years before I finally sold it to a good friend. So I know it has a good home now 🥹
Haven’t used sims yet. Do you use intentional feedback in your music? It’s the one issue I don’t quite know how to solve if I switch.
I don’t really need to ever do natural feedback. But that’s easier to get with an amp for sure. Is it worth it for that one thing though? That’s for you to decide 👍
@@ScottUhlMusic I’ve heard there are feedback pedals. Have you used them? We do use feedback musically, kinda Fugazi style. Would love to find a way to achieve something similar with a pedal. For now it’s been using an e-Bow and it’s not the same.
I had a Laney twin combo, and it still needed people 2 to lift it!! I have used a Boss GT10 since they came out, but as you say Scotty, there’s better stuff out in the last ten years. My GT10 is great but getting old. I know the reasons why I went with amp modelling , but your validation as a full-time pro is comforting.
@ScottUhlMusic Thanks for the content! One year later, are you still gigging with the Mooer?
Yup! It’s still my main workhorse guitar 🤘🤘
@@ScottUhlMusic awesome, I'm glad it's working well for you! Last question: if you were starting over today would you get the same model or would you get the pro version? The s800 is down to about $400 depending on color choice, which is pretty compelling. I'm wondering if it's worth it for the upgrade and there are none in my area to test drive. Thoughts?
@@Phaedrus68 pro version, absolutely. The S is definitely a very cheap model and I upgraded a lot of it. I like the P model
You are my man! I have not owned an amp in ~20 years.
Team no-amp 💪
Scott, I have watched and subscribed and watched and watched. I am wanting some direct help from you. I have a complicated setup and need some one on one advice. Is this something you would do for compensation?
Yup! I do consultation calls which can be booked on my website (link in the description)
That mooer p1 system looks so awesome!
It’s a fantastic backup for me with my GTRS 🤘
th-cam.com/video/I18cSWc2vI4/w-d-xo.html
Excellent video. I switched to helix and powercab a few years ago. After numerous sound guys telling me my guitar tone sounds thin across the PA (but I thought it was fine in my ears) compared to the other guitarist using a full rig, I switched back to amp and shelfed the powercab but now I still use the helix in 4CM for FX only. The other issue is there are simply more practices than gigs and our PA is only a few small tops in the space with nothing mic'd up so no IEM for example during practices. My little powercab couldn't compete with the drums or the other 4x12 etc. volume or direction. Some could hear me, some not depending how close in firing range of my speaker. TIlt up, I was good but nobody could hear me. Tilt down and I couldnt hear but others could. Too much hassle. I have to rewatch your plugin portion, see whats up with that. I just use the HX edit. Anyway, when I switched back to amp, I just fell in love with the real deal again. Just something about a real amp that the amps in helix wasn't delivering. I will also add for many live festival local shows, we'd get literally 15 min to setup and go so there's no time to bother with IEM or bring them at all. Sound guys wont even let you. Mixing on the fly, thee end.
Yeah the IEM switchover is frustrating for sure for festival style shows. And some sound guys are just always going to be mogami cable/tube amps only guys. Helix does not sound thin in the PA if it’s setup right, I know that. Thanks for commenting!
Great video. Cheers 🎉
Thank you! Cheers!
15:48 ohhhh you're talking about a Synergy amp
Yup! That’s definitely it. You should have seen me trying to google it lol 😂 I had no clue how to even look that thing up. It is pretty cool for sure though!
Funny how it's always the guys with the least experience who pretentiously stick to their guns with old analogue gear. All the super experienced pros I've met are open to whatever tech will help. Love your videos Scott, you perfectly embody the humble, open minded spirit of all the best ppl I've worked with!
Thank you!
I'm considering it. I've been using my Amp modelers for about a year now. I haven't turned any amps on since.
That’s how it starts!
Thanks man. ❤
There advantages and disadvantages...If your Helix bites it you can pull a chord and keep it moving.But with Helix your loaded and set in 5-15 min.
I couldn't live with the spongy response of the Helix on it's own so i added a Marshall DSL1HR head in 4 cable mode with a Two Notes Captor, no speaker, direct to PA and a stage monitor (IEMs coming next!).. Studio One controls channel and fx switching. A midi switch controls channel switching. Adding different preamps gives flexibility but generally i just need 2 channels plus tube screamer, compression, chorus and delay. Works beautifully.
I think that swappable module thing you are talking about is the Boss Tone Casual that could be used with the Boss WAZA series.
It was actually Synergy! I had another comment tell me what it was. But I haven’t heard of that Boss one. I didn’t know there were more
How did I, a drummer, end up here? I mean, as a drummer there is so much shit you have to bring. Your tiny setup is a dream come true XD I do not recommend drumming for people with OCD! You will end up checking If you've brought all gear ten times and still feel like you've missed something. Because there's just so much.
I struggle with this because I love the flexibility of reaching down and turning knobs to change something when I'm at home or at rehearsal just tweaking and twiddling with things. It's so much easier to do with real amps and pedals. But when I'm playing live from experience just having a multi fx unit preprogrammed and ready to go makes life easier too. When you're practicing, especially in rehearsal, how do you get around needing to sound louder than the drummer?
We all have ears so that helps. But anytime I get that question, my response is: How does the same thing apply to the singer? Singer needs to be heard over drums right? She goes into a mixer and then a PA speaker. Same thing with direct rigs
@ScottUhlMusic thanks for responding! Gosh i feel dumb but you are so right. But I think your answer just proves another point: technology has come really far. I tried running my rig thru a mixer back in 2013 and i sounded terrible. But that was thru a cheap and old Behringer mixer and PA speaker and a Digitech RP1000. Tech has come a long way since then. I should give it another shot.