Cool man. I just got mine today. Give the cab sims a try again but this time disable the cab blocks in your Helix first so you're not double-dipping. I found the Powercab's V30, Greenback, Whowatt 100, and Alnico blue to be surprisingly good for classic rock and 80's hair metal tones. That v30 settings sounds shockingly close to how my old Marshall AV1960 4x12 loaded with Marshall branded Celestion V30's sounds. Most of my presets I built using the Placater (BE100) and plexi or JCM 800 heads. I'm really digging my powercab 112 plus, so far. Keep the videos coming, us old dudes got to stick together on this journey.
Is that a yellow Dunlop Flow pick?! Those picks do EVERYTHING amazing. Best tone ever. Only problem is they last me about 4 days before the edge gets dull and they're useless after that. Still, highly recommended. If you're a straight rhythm player, the James Hetfield "black fang" is AMAZING. It's not a good lead pick though, for sure.
I like the Dunlop Flex .73 as an alternative to the yellows, much more durable. Also just started using the Dunlop Flow Ultex .73 as well, I like the point and grip.
You use the Simple Pitch in the Helix? I got rid of my whammy DT because I actually think the Simple Pitch didn’t mess with the tone at all in the first slot for drop tuning. Tracks slightly slower but no time change. Also, the poly capo and stuff in the helix stinks. The old original simple pitch rules.
@@jameslugo Move the amp and cab blocks to line 2A with all the reverb and delays. I use to just make a giant chain of pre effects on line 1 and fill up every block available for 2 lines and never hit DSP limits. I know all those poly effects kill all the DSP now. Don’t know if that’s a possibility for you but that’s what I did with it.
good on you James I lost 100 pounds 20 years ago and slowly gained 2/3 of it back. Now I have maybe 1/8th to get back down to where I want to be. It's definitely a lifestyle not a diet. I hate that word or people ask what did you do??
Was totally not expecting that thing to sound like that. I was thinking it was gonna be Marshally, but it sounds more towards Mesa or Soldano. That CAA is a thicky but still has clarity!
I think they are very similar but I’m using 2 totally different amps. I will say I think I like the pod go amp better. Gonna work on switching out the gain amp in the helix. The plexi thing isn’t really my bag.
This is cool. Listening to this thru my headphones, it sounds to me like after the tweaks, you've got the PodGo crunch sounding slightly better than the Helix crunch as this Helix preset sounds a little flubby. It definitely got better after you pulled back the bass back and pushed the treble a bit on the Helix. I have the PodGo, Helix and Fractal FM9. Curious why you didn't just go back to the FM9. Maybe just trying to simplify?? Really enjoying seeing you make these types of videos.
I uploaded a vid tonight retooling the preset with a Mesa mark iv. I like gigging with the helix more than the fm9. And I like the rack axe better in the studio.
Hey James , question for you ( not related to this video ) I've recently went thru many long post that you did years ago on GearSlutz , about a big mic preamps shootout. I'm curious to know after all those years and all your experiments what would be your top 5 mic preamp to get if you had to restart your studio all over ? Thanks !!
That thing sounds phenomenal! I kinda struggled with a lot of regular guitar cabs because sometimes they don't have the proper low end I want to hear (without getting too loud), so I've been really interested in the FRFR stuff ever since I got a Helix. Theoretically, I imagine the FRFR is going to reproduce low end a lot more accurately than a regular cab at various volumes...is that what you hear in the room?
Great video James. I have to say I thnk after moving that massive cab around to a few gigs, you'll be done with that. I would look at the 1X12 FRFR options. Maybe get two of those and if you really need 2 x12 you can daisy chain them. Simpler to move around.
I hear that but I can’t ever get inspired with a 1x12. I had the PowerCab Plus 1x12 and it was cool but I never felt like it would hold up with a rock band. We’ll see. If you see the Laney up for sale then you’ll know I threw in the towel. Lol
I hear ya about the solitary musician these days. I haven't been a professional for many years now, but I'm still quite active. But it's all just me sitting here in my room doing my thing and sometimes trading files around to build up a tune. Definitely not like how it was when I was with by musical brothers all the time and we were always building and creating TOGETHER. There's really nothing like a small group of like-minded folks tapping into the same part of the universe and having the same piece of music flowing through the group simultaneously. Magical moments that don't happen nearly as frequently working alone. Be well, everyone!
@@jameslugo Interesting...i want to replace my bridge pup in my LP and was thinking 2nd degree blackbelt. The WCR seem much hotter? but sound great here. Best-Chad
@@user-qb6pq1yf8uyeah I had that pickup. It’s cool. Stringier sounding. More paf. The Godwood is 14k. It’s a paf style but a little hotter and maybe darker. Kind of more my thing.
Mesas…come at you like a brick, but stop on a dime! That’s what made me fall in love with those amps. They make the cleanest tracks yet so filthy at the same time. I used to be a Marshall type guy, but they have a certain sliminess I’m not into as much anymore. I like it dryyyyyy. Rectifier, MK V, Uberschall all day!
Mesa Mark V is favourite modern amp. James I've been following you since your LA SSL console days. I still watch those early videos and it taught me so much about recording great records! Your right about the industry not being fun anymore. Its like this in society in general now. Everyone is isolated. For culture you need a community. You used to have your mates come over have a beer after work and do amp shootouts and Reinhold Bogner would show up with his latest amps. Thank you for the inspiration James. -Kurt from Sydney Australia
I see that your FM9 pedalboard is a Temple Audio board, but I can't place the size. The DUO 24 isn't wide enough for the FM9 and the expression pedal. Currently, the only wider option is the DUO 34, which is much wider than what you have. Is yours customized? Thanks!
my biggest advice on the MKV is keep the Channel Master Volumes around 8 or 9 oclock, and turn the global master volume higher, the more volume i throw on the channel volumes the flubbier it gets!
Hey nice channel! I came across here cos of the proacs and yamaha ns10 video. I see in this video you have change to adams, I am thinking in buying proac sm100. I wonder why you changed to the adams? Do you like them better?
I sold the FM9 and went back to a rack version Axe but here is everything from my last backup and all IRs etc. You should be able to find the preset in here: we.tl/t-UL1g88vyuS
@@jameslugo Oh man, thanks for sharing that. Hope your hand is still on the mend. I had a trapped nerve in my left elbow that I ignored and ended up needing surgery but lost feeling in my pinky and ring finger. That was 7 years ago and I still don't have complete control of those two fingers.
Did you record all of this song / instrument into Protools or tape if you don't mind me asking ? I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you recorded it all on tape and had it transfer to ProTools so you can edit it ?
