the presets is that people from all over Latin
America can buy them and install them
immediately. I’ve heard chatter from fans and
fellow musicians that say that they have friends
that have purchased my presets and use them
while playing live. I’ve even had the pleasure
of running into opening acts on the road and
seeing them use my patches on their multi
effects pedals. The Helix and the Helix LT seem
to be the most popular though.
[WM] Is there anything else you'd like to add?
[Chris] I would like encourage guitar players
to use the Helix and integrate it into their setup.
There’s nothing better than having a consistent
rig day in and day out on the road or at church.
Alex Strabala
I’ve had so many problems with amps while
traveling and using the Helix has eliminated all down your strategy for crafting tones that not [Alex] I’ve always liked learning how things
of that. My sound engineer is very happy with only take the 'guitar player's experience’ into work – it’s part of why I was an economics
me and witnessed the change and wouldn’t view but also what happens when they end up major in college. So, when I picked up the Helix
have it any other way. Also, the software that front of house? in 2016 I dove in and wanted to learn as much
Line 6 is using is the best in my opinion. Not
as I could about the unit and how I could pull
only do you have great modeling but the reverb [Alex Strabala] I try to make my stuff plug the best tones out of it. A lot of the techniques
and delay options you get are unbelievable! and play out of the box, so FOH has to do little you’d use in the studio apply to Helix, you just
Also, the software that Line 6 is using is the to no tweaking of my EQ, except for the room. have to figure out how to implement them in
best in my opinion. The key here is to listen to the tones through Helix’s framework. A few classic examples
good speakers at live volume. Make sure you’re are using a ribbon and dynamic mic together
thinking about how the tones will fit in a mix, on a real guitar cab, blending multiple amps
ALEX STRABALA
not just how they sound in isolation. A really together, putting EQs pre and post amp,
It would be next to impossible to be on one of scooped tone may sound big on its own but in parallel compression, etc.
the Facebook Helix groups and not see Alex’s a dense mix it will likely disappear. Helix makes posts or those about his Helix patches. When this really easy since it’s also an USB audio [WM] One of the things I was fascinated by
Alex isn’t playing at church, he’s touring the interface, so when I’m at my computer tweaking on your presets page was the suggestion that
globe with the Lovely the Band. This experiential tones with the editor I can pull up a song and people use the Input Pad, which lowers the
depth of field combined with Alex’s “How can I play it through Helix, which automatically routes amount of signal that Helix sees. I see you
help?” attitude have been a priceless addition the USB audio to all outputs. This lets me primarily playing P90s and 'traditional' single
to the Helix family! quickly check how the tones are fitting in a mix pickups. Your suggestion mentioned that this
and you’re any adjustments as necessary. was akin to running into the Low/Input II jack on
[WM] One of the things I love about your
an actual amp, which is traditionally designed
POV is that you're coming at things from a [WM] I see you on the various Helix user groups for higher output instruments. What is the
church, recording, and a touring musician's all the time answering people's questions, so strategy behind this and what are the benefits?
perspective. On the Helix Presets page on your it was nice to see the Line 6 folks name you web site, you reveal a number of things the as one of the official Line 6 CS Ambassadors - [Alex] Personally, I just like how my guitars hit
speak to that like your use of high and low pass congratulations! Your knowledge base is quite the compressors, drives, and amps with the
EQ on a preset basis, but no use of global EQ, extensive given the range of questions I've input pad on. It’s not a night and day difference,
so the FOH engineers can work their magic. seen you reply to. What was your approach for but when I’m playing edge of breakup style
Especially for those who don't have the depth learning the ins and outs of the Helix world? tones, I like to leave some headroom available
of your professional experience, can you break
106
on the amp, so I can boost it without the amp
August 2019
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