One of the biggest challenges users face with advanced modelling systems like the Line 6 Helix is knowing the best setup with their amplifier. Line 6 Helix + Powercab 212 plus = Heaven!
For decades, the formula was easy. Find an amp you like, plug in your favorite effects, play. Today, players are posting inquiries on forums for minor to major issues they are encountering with their Helix/Amp combination as they battle the learning curve of this new-age technology. Many classic-rig enthusiasts are convinced that nothing beats their old classic setup. However, players are posting all over the internet saying that they LOVE Helix and their YouTube channels are showing some pretty solid tone.
So what’s the deal with modeling?
The reason there’s a learning curve is that when you’re dealing with amp modeling you have to remember that the processing unit is modeling a real amplifier. When you set it to your favorite Fender-style classic amp, it’s imitating that amp in feel, tone, and responsiveness. Helix provides every possible parameter to make each amp model as authentic as possible. Now think about this… would you plug an amplifier into another amplifier? Of course not! The sound would be horrendous (and you’d probably get feedback galore.)
So how do we get a great tone out of Helix with an amp?
If you’re married to your amp’s natural tone, Helix is best used for only effects and not modeling. I’ve previously discussed some of the elaborate but powerful 4-6 cable setup methods. If you are in love with Helix’s modeling, then you might want to go straight into your amp via the effects return. This will bypass some of the amp’s tone shaping and allow you to use the amp as more of a powered speaker.
Full-range, full-response.
People are finding that even with the best setup, they are still not getting the most out of their tone. So they are going out and investing in FRFR speakers which allow for a full range of frequencies outputted from their Helix. But what if they don’t want the FRFR option all the time?
Line 6 created: The Powercab.
Line 6 Powercab provides players with a powerful FRFR speaker system that can also be turned off and used more like a traditional speaker/amp cabinet. Additionally, Powercab models many different speaker types giving the users plenty of flexibility to shape their tone to their heart’s desire. Powercab does sound GREAT! It’s the perfect partner for Helix, and it provides far more options than any other FRFR speaker system on the market. No other speaker will allow the users to customize the speaker itself.
In FRFR (flat) mode, you can take any of your favorite patches and just plug-in and play. Additionally, you can bypass your speaker cabinet or IR blocks in Helix and use any of the Powercab speaker emulations. Having used them myself, I found I was able to find a complimentary speaker to go with each of my favorite amp models in the Helix.
The next level: Line 6 Powercab 212 Plus
With the success of Powercab 112, Line 6 listened to the players out there and designed the 212 Plus. The features we love are there, but now in stereo and with a lot more options! Players can now combine speaker models and mix between any 2 of their favorite speaker types creating a whole new tone experience. The 212 Plus is a stereo FRFR speaker system, so a wide range of speaker modeling combinations are now possible.
Stereo part 1.
I’m a big fan of stereo effects. Sure, when you run into the PA for a live show stereo isn’t an option. We all run mono, right? But the playing experience on stage is very important. In the past, I’ve used two cabinets to create a great stereo experience. Helix is more than powerful enough to provide great stereo effects. I’ve run many of my post-effects (chorus, delay, reverb) in stereo to create fullness. Each amp is affected separately creating a very wide feeling in the room. However, is it worth setting up 2 amps? Well, with Line 6 Powercab 212 Plus that’s no longer an issue. The cabinet is relatively light (just under 50 pounds) which is great coming from having to shlep my incredibly heaven Marshall twin around all of these years. I don’t need to carry 2 amps, and my stereo Marshall has just been upstaged by the stereo power of Powercab.
Stereo widening creates a whole new experience in a single speaker system.
Go into the home settings on Powercab 212 Plus and you’ll notice a little feature towards the bottom which reads, “Stereo Width”. This feature defaults at 100%, which is a fantastic stereo experience in itself. You can decrease it to 0% if you so choose (which essentially renders the cabinet into a mono state.) So anything between 0-100% gives users plenty of freedom to shape their stereo tone without having to tweak and tweak their presets. In many cases, I’ve found my presets sound great at home, but then not always one-size-fits-all at each venue. Some venues are too echoey, others absorb sound beautifully. Who has time to tweak presets during soundcheck? No one. With the stereo width option Helix’s stereo effects can be shaped to suit the venue without changing any of the presets. This is HUGE. Imagine loving your presets and trusting they will work fine in most venues so long as you just tweak your speaker cabinet. Separating the physical cabinet from the Helix itself allows us to practically snap our fingers and be ready to go at any venue.
Full stereo unleashed.
The stereo power of Powercab isn’t finished at 100%. The stereo width option can further be expanded to as high as 200%. I used this ultra-wide setting in a studio for rehearsal. The room was, of course, padded for sound. The result: My guitar felt like it was everywhere. I loved it! So truly, when you arrive at the venue to do soundcheck you can adjust that stereo width from 0-200% which means your presets will be pretty much fine and dandy for any gig. I believe that’s the true purpose of effects processors vs. pedals: Set it and forget it!
We’re players. We want to set everything up before the gig, show up ready to go, and simply PLAY. Who wants to constantly tinker with settings? No one. Powercab has given users a great solution for a quick setup that works.
Now, there are additional cable settings and options with the Powercab 212 Plus that you’ll never really experience with an amp or other external FRFR cabinets. Run XLR out to the PA or monitor instead of quarter-inch cables and you can experiment with things like microphone types and distances simulated right from the settings in Powercab. That’s another big thing! For years, mic setup has been a very important part of getting your sound into the PA. No longer is that a challenge! I like to tweak my mic settings from gig to gig and it’s nice to not have a physical mic on stage. All of the effectiveness of a mic, none of the hassle of the hardware itself. Additionally, you can use the Line 6 link cable (or any high impedance XLR/data cable) to control all of the speaker settings right from the Helix. Now you have more customizing options! Each patch can utilize a different speaker cabinet. Imagine being in a cover band that plays a wide array of songs … and you show up to a gig with 12 different amps. That’s not right, is it? Powercab allows for full-control of tone so that you can seemingly have 12 amps, but without all that clunky hardware. The perfect jack-of-all-trades rig.
Again, the weight is wonderful, I’ve found Powercab to be very, very light for its size. Much lighter than my Marshall, as I mentioned. Sometimes the little things make a big difference for us. The weight is one of them. Another little magical detail is the little kickstands on the back of the Powercab. Just pop them out and you have the option to tilt your cabinet on stage. When I’m playing gigs on a high stage or a room that carries sound well I’ll leave the amp flat on the stage. If the room is prone to eating sound and we’re playing on the floor level with the audience then tilting the speaker allows me to hear much better. For years I would tilt my amp by either resting it against a wall or having it up on an amp stand. With the simple pop-out kickstands Powercab avoids the hassle of carrying an amp stand and rids us of the worry of the amp slipping as it vibrates braced against the back wall.
Now, if you’re a true IR ninja, you can download and install your own custom IRs into the Powercab and get even MORE options for cabinet tones. What’s the difference between using an IR on the Helix vs. on the Powercab? Well, from the Helix you’re IR is going into post-amp effects (most likely) and it’s built into your effects chain with little room for adjustment. Using IRs in the Powercab will allow you to use those mic settings and other features that aren’t available with in-chain IR placement.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “I look up Helix on YouTube and it seems like most users are crazy shredding metal-heads. That’s not me.” Remember, this is an all-purpose speaker system. You can go back to flat FRFR mode (no speaker modeling) and plug-in an acoustic guitar. Bam. Instant acoustic heaven! I have the Headrush 112 and it’s fantastic for acoustic (and Variax acoustic, I’d like to add.) The Powercab 212 Plus is also great for acoustic, but it adds powerful stereo options as well. No acoustic amp will sound as bold as Powercab 212 Plus. Just a simple stereo reverb can make your acoustic sound full and tonally gorgeous on stage. With 500W of power, you might not even need to run into the PA for that acoustic gig!
Conclusion.
With kickstands, mic settings, and other features Powercab 212 Plus is a problem solver for many musicians. Less hardware to deal with, less to carry, and so much flexibility in tone. Powercab provides full FRFR and stereo that’s ideal for clean sounds, heavy rock tones, and acoustic alike. With so many options, the combination of any of the Helix family units and Line 6 Powercab 212 Plus could very well be the last rig you’ll ever have to buy. (Naaaah, we all love new gear!) All kidding aside, even the Powercab 112 is great. Whether you’re using the 112 and a Helix stomp or the full-size Helix floor with Powercab 212 Plus it’s safe to say you’ll love the tone. I’ve brought the Powercab 212 Plus to gigs at many different types of venues. Large rooms, small rooms, high ceilings, low ceilings, crowded rooms, rooms with the bar right in the middle of the room. A little tweak here and there and my rig is always ready to go for any gig. That’s all we ask for from our gear, right?
I’ll be following up with a video demo of how I use the Powercab 212 Plus and Helix for my originals, covers, demos, and just having fun. Stay tuned!
View the full spec @ Line 6.com
More from Niko Lalangas @ The Blogging Musician