WSA: Amplify my Helix

JonHosker · August 2023

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding. They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

digitalscream · August 2023

JonHosker said:

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding. They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

The SD Powerstage fans are not loud - in fact, they're barely audible. They're also excellent, and the EQ is very good for getting a bigger sound at low volumes.

Helix -> SD Powerstage -> Guitar cab is exactly how I ran mine, both at home and gigging, and it sounded excellent no matter where I was. Best rig I've ever had.

Musicwolf · August 2023

How much volume do you need (as you state home use)?

At home I run my Helix and Kemper through my studio monitors. I have Neumann KH80's but you don't need to spend as much if you are not attempting any serious mixing.

flying_pie · August 2023

If it's for home use and not dead loud then a small pair of monitors like Presonus Eris 3.5 takes up hardly any space

Sporky · August 2023

I have Eris 8s for mine, because more = better

guitargeek62 · August 2023

I use(d) an AMT Tube-Cake 3w pedal amp for my HX, into a Zilla Fatbaby for home use, it was a bloody perfect combination and had no extraneous noise at all!

I've since reverted to 'real' amps again, but I've kept the TC3 just in case I ever go back to this type of rig.

I see they've now released a very neat version that could easily be integrated under a pedalboard, or even into a cab directly. That said, I'd rather not send monies to russian companies right now so I would look for used ones if this appealed to you (your politics may vary!)

NickB · August 2023

I use a Fryette Powerstation and a 1x12 cab. Great for home use and gigging.

Musicman20 · August 2023

guitargeek62 said:

I use(d) an AMT Tube-Cake 3w pedal amp for my HX, into a Zilla Fatbaby for home use, it was a bloody perfect combination and had no extraneous noise at all!

I've since reverted to 'real' amps again, but I've kept the TC3 just in case I ever go back to this type of rig.

I see they've now released a very neat version that could easily be integrated under a pedalboard, or even into a cab directly. That said, I'd rather not send monies to russian companies right now so I would look for used ones if this appealed to you (your politics may vary!)

Man that Zilla looks amazing! Nice and compact as well it seems?!

guitargeek62 · August 2023

@Musicma20 Thanks! Yep on both counts, the TC is crazy small, and the Zilla (vertical Fatbaby 1x12) doesn't take up much room either, but lifts the speaker up a bit too - no idea if that helps/hinders the sound, but I like it in action!

I'm still using the Zilla with other amps, it's loaded with a Celestion G12H Creamback and covers a lot of ground - highly recommended.

JonHosker · August 2023

That Zilla looks gorgeous!! Ta for the advice all

fretmeister · August 2023

I have a pair of Yamaha HS7 monitors for home use.

Sounds great.

jaytmon · August 2023

Those GR Guitars ones look very nice and have a price tag to match, especially the carbon fibre ones!

I’ve been using a Laney LFR112 which I also use for gigging. Not exactly compact but sounds pretty good. Also been considering the DV Mark Powered cab, mainly as it’s quite a bit lighter than the Laney.

robinbowes · August 2023

JonHosker said:

WSA (Wanting some advice!)
I have recently moved back to a Helix and wanting to power it at home rather than always using headphones.
Mono is fine and have no space for powered stereo speakers anyway.

GRGuitars powered amp: Had a Redsound powered amp for a Kemper about four years ago which was great sounding. They now appear to be sold as GRGuitars, made in Italy and back control panel looks identical to the Redsound I had.

Any thoughts? other options?

Line 6 Powercab - physically big, and sound?
Seymour D. power stage amp and Zilla Cab? - noisy fan?

Ta Jon

As others have already said - what sort of volume do you need?

I use my Helix at home (both the Rack and Helix Native embedded in Logic) through my desktop monitors, which are Genelec 8040Bs.

Live, I use it through the PA with a HK Audio LINEAR 5 112 XA for monitoring. I sometimes bring one home if I want to dial in sounds, or be loud!

R.

JonHosker · August 2023

I don’t need loads of volume, use a Spark 40 as well. Prefer a mono ‘amp’ solution, but quality sound and lightweight.

NelsonP · August 2023

Laney LFR112 ot IRT-X

MtB · August 2023

I have the helix on my office desk (80cm x 160cm) wired up to a pair of Presonus Eris 3.5 speakers and then a Sony SRS-XB13 bluetooth speaker linked to my laptop so I can play along to a backing track or recording.

Jetfire · August 2023

I have an LT I use with Presonus Monitors at home. I tried the Sd170 and cab thing and via the fx loop of a tube amp, both weren't very good in my opinion

Bod · August 2023

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home. My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Jetfire · August 2023

Bod said:

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home. My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Ummmm... Surely direct to desk from the helix would have been an option there?

Bod · August 2023

Jetfire said:

Bod said:

I use the EHX 44 Magnum, works really well for home. My lad even used it for a gig once, though the cab was miked

Ummmm... Surely direct to desk from the helix would have been an option there?

It was a college gig - 2 songs and something in the region of 12 acts. It was easier to do it his way.

Lestratcaster · August 2023

Not a Helix user but I normally run my Kemper through studio monitors (The Yamaha HS8's). I have a bit of a luxury I can turn them up quite loud and it sounds great. Having said that I plugged into my 1x12 cab for the first time in 2 years yesterday and I missed how good moving air sounds through a speaker cabinet!

bloodandtears · August 2023

Laney lfr-112 for me too

Lewy · August 2023

Not with a Helix, but I’m enjoying the Powerstage 170 into a Thiele cab to amplify my Revival Drive Hor Rod. Fan is all but inaudible and having an EQ on the power amp is super useful.

guitargeek62 · August 2023

Lestratcaster said:

Not a Helix user but I normally run my Kemper through studio monitors (The Yamaha HS8's). I have a bit of a luxury I can turn them up quite loud and it sounds great. Having said that I plugged into my 1x12 cab for the first time in 2 years yesterday and I missed how good moving air sounds through a speaker cabinet!

I ran my first Helix into HS7s and, while that was a great setup, it was drastically different from bypassing the cab modelling and running into a ‘real’ one. After trying it, I never went back to monitors or an FRFR rig!

I’ve not tried a HX into the L6 PowerCab, but I imagine that would be a pretty impressive combination too.

Jetfire · August 2023

I like the Powercab, I'd like to experience it again but they are Megabucks. Why line 6 haven't done more with the power can speaker emulation in that, I have no idea

willo · August 2023

I play my Helix in 4 situations (home practice, garage rehearsal, studio rehearsal and live) and gave this lots of thought recently.

I went for the Headrush FR108 for live and at the moment it's doing double duty at home. Home will eventually be monitors, like the Kali's.

The Headrush is good. It was fashionable, then it wasn't, but in reality the sound is good if you raise it off the ground and it's super portable and cheap so perfect for my live monitoring needs. But for home use, the most you'll use is about 10% of the available power.

Musicman20 · August 2023

willo said:

I play my Helix in 4 situations (home practice, garage rehearsal, studio rehearsal and live) and gave this lots of thought recently.

I went for the Headrush FR108 for live and at the moment it's doing double duty at home. Home will eventually be monitors, like the Kali's.

The Headrush is good. It was fashionable, then it wasn't, but in reality the sound is good if you raise it off the ground and it's super portable and cheap so perfect for my live monitoring needs. But for home use, the most you'll use is about 10% of the available power.

I bought one of the Headrush FR cabs - the 112 - when they were crazy cheap on Amazon. I was shocked at the overall build quality etc (IN A GOOD WAY!)

I've still not used it live - I should try it asap.

DrJazzTap · August 2023

I run into the effects loop of a peavey studio amp.

Lestratcaster · August 2023

guitargeek62 said:

Lestratcaster said:

Not a Helix user but I normally run my Kemper through studio monitors (The Yamaha HS8's). I have a bit of a luxury I can turn them up quite loud and it sounds great. Having said that I plugged into my 1x12 cab for the first time in 2 years yesterday and I missed how good moving air sounds through a speaker cabinet!

I ran my first Helix into HS7s and, while that was a great setup, it was drastically different from bypassing the cab modelling and running into a ‘real’ one. After trying it, I never went back to monitors or an FRFR rig!

I’ve not tried a HX into the L6 PowerCab, but I imagine that would be a pretty impressive combination too.

Yeah it took me ages to get used to the monitor sound with a cab sim. I started to like it and as I use in ears too it was my default but just using the cab again the other day sounded so good. Low end and body. Felt natural and real to me so I may have to go back to using it! I wonder if they make any isocab boxes for it go inside....

Grumpyrocker · August 2023

I have a couple of power amps - an EHX 5mm and Laney Loudpedal.

But I actually get my best sound using my HX Stomp into the effects loop return on my Diesel VH4 Mini. Those little mini amp heads are great little power amps for home.

guitargeek62 · August 2023

^ This is true! I did the same with my VH Mini(/Micro?) too - just be aware the volume is fixed with those to 100%, so you have to change the master level from the HX itself.

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