Applying the Sag, Hum, Ripple, and Bias controls

Applying the Sag, Hum, Ripple, and Bias controls - Line 6 Helix Tips

Рет қаралды 52,645

Күн бұрын

Free download of this preset at www.AlexPriceMusician.com/helix
Tone is Cumulative! Don't forget to dial in the Sag, Hum, Ripple, Bias, and Bias X controls. In this video I'll be showing you how to approach these subtle, yet effective parameters in the Helix amp blocks. It can be confusing what the technical speak behind all of these controls are, so I'm going to try to articulate more on the guitar to give you an aural breakdown instead of a verbal one. Don't worry about what the numbers say or what the controls are intended for - if it sounds good, it IS good!
▶️ Highlights
0:00 - Intro
2:04 - Sag
4:30 - Hum
5:42 - Ripple
7:58 - Bias
9:04 - Bias X
#Line6 #HXstomp #Helix
=================================
Hi! My name is Alex Price. I’m a professional musician based out of Pittsburgh, USA. I make a living between touring, performing on cruise ships, and while I’m home, teaching. Check out my new uploads every Tuesday and Friday for gear demos, lessons, and performance clips.
🎸 You can learn more about me at www.AlexPriceMusician.com 🎻
=================================
👨🏻‍💻 Store (Albums, Presets, etc.) - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/store
🎼 Lessons, Courses, and Free Resources - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/study
💰 Donate - www.paypal.me/AlexPriceMusician
If you’ve found value in this video, you are more than welcome to make a donation to help fund the channel. Drop a note and let me know how I can be of help in the future! I appreciate your support.
=================================
🎹 My Favorite Gear - amzn.com/shop/AlexanderPriceMusic :
| Pedals I Can’t Live Without - amzn.to/2W58t9e
| Strings & Picks - amzn.to/35un2qc
| Essentials for Your Music Studio - amzn.to/2Yz9qIB
| Essentials for Your Guitar Case - amzn.to/2W6MyPj
| Pedalboard Building Supplies - amzn.to/2KYdMB1
| Camera Equipment - amzn.to/2Yz97xG
[Affiliate Links]
=================================
🎛 Line 6 Helix / HX Stomp presets - www.AlexPriceMusician.com/helix
Use the coupon code TAKE5 to get $5 off any order over $20.
The presets I offer for download are the same presets that I personally use live. I've developed them over the course of hundreds of hours at home on my studio monitors and in empty venues testing them out on different professional sound systems. They've been developed and further refined throughout the 1,000+ shows I've played with my Helix unit and I know that they'll perform reliably for you on whatever device and amplification system you are using. Please explore all of the packages I have to offer and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
=================================
🎥 Playlists:
| Building a Pro Pedal Board from Start to Finish - bit.ly/3c59fsp
| Gear Demos - bit.ly/3b1B5V9
| Lessons - bit.ly/2L0ysZk
| Free Line 6 Helix Presets - bit.ly/3fk6ANA
| Jazz Guitar - bit.ly/2A0a4Vt
| Solo Guitar - bit.ly/2z5yTPj
| Gear for the Contemporary Violinist - bit.ly/2L00Af9
| Ambient Compositions - bit.ly/3df9Zvq
| The Inner Urge (my band) - bit.ly/3dfPyhR
=================================
⭐️ Social Media - @AlexPriceMusician:
| FaceBook - / alexpricemusician
| Instagram - / alexpricemusician
| SoundCloud - / alexpricemusician
| Twitter - / alexprice_music
🎧 And my other projects:
| The Inner Urge - / innerurgeband
| Resolute Vibration - / resolutevibration
=================================
📫 Contact - AlexPriceMusician.com/contact

Пікірлер: 145

@briansardinha5396 4 жыл бұрын

Came for the tips, stayed for the cat

@bones2532 3 жыл бұрын

Finally a demo that makes the difference in sound of those parameters clearly noticable. Theoretically I already knew a lot of the technical background of those parameters and how they effect the way power tubes work in real amps, but playing around with them in the Helix the changes always were quite subtile to me. I think I have to spend some extra time with the bias-x settings. This was really helpful.Thanks a lot!

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear that! Thanks for commenting

@steveliberty 3 жыл бұрын

I love the kitty playing with your stuff.

@rubenbarbosa4635 3 жыл бұрын

Dude you are awesome! Perfect way to talk, be humble, nice playing, straight to the point, you have a cool real vibe. And we can notice the love for music, guitars and amps... youre not here just for the likes and shares! Congrats, youre a real one.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ruben! That compliment means a lot.

@josuesamaniego182 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect explanation. I love how you got to the point and explained what each setting means in easy to understand terms. I have the HX Stomp and it’s amazing. I know my tone can only get better with these tweaking tips. Thank you!

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Glad this was helpful Josue!

@vurnt22 3 жыл бұрын

Sag -YES Hum - NO. Ripple - MAYBE Bias & Bias X - YES Cat - YES

@onionpierogi3038 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect video. Thanks for spending the time being so detailed. It was worth watching

@angrybuzzy 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful, Alex. Love that you were quoting classic blues rock riffs.

@weedeeeter Жыл бұрын

Most useful video on HX Stomp XL so far

@sboy1955 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely some food for thought here, thanks. In the past, per my ears, I typically bump the bias up a bit on most of my presets… but don’t touch the the other controls discussed here.

@dwightpeters 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! This video has some great tones that are more convincing than most any other video I've seen

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! This preset is free on my site if you want to pick it up.

@steveo44 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this. After quite some time fiddling I didn't really realise what exactly they were doing,!

@randysmith7682 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you, it was very helpful. The Sag, Hum, Ripple, Bias, and Bias X controls I really haven't messed with much because the individual functions weren't very evident to my ears. I love the Stomp and I think this will help me take my tones to a better place.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Randy! Thanks so much for commenting

@Intraphase1 4 жыл бұрын

I was hoping to learn these controllers yesterday and found this today. Very helpful, thanks Alex. Bookmarked.

@AlexPriceMusician 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!

@jackprice7828 3 жыл бұрын

Good video Alex. One of the best I seen on the amp parameters. Sometimes people talking about HX tweeting get way too much into the technical weeds.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jack! My goal with a lot of these videos has been to keep them focused solely on the end result and precise enough to be worth your time

@rickschneider3887 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tutorial. I have the POD HD500X and this helped me alot trying to dial in the right Amp tone for me!

@AlexPriceMusician Жыл бұрын

Glad it was useful!

@greglake7069 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Alex!

@ghost79ish 3 жыл бұрын

These all sound a bit more modern at lower settings. That's a huge simplification, I know, but that's the best way I can describe the overall characteristics. Thanks, now I have several hours of experimenting to do that no one else is going to notice. Joking, great vid as always... I'd actually be pretty stoked if you revisited this sometime in a bit more depth. Cheers!

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea! I’ve been slow on the helix videos lately since it seems like firmware 3.0 is so close. Once that comes out I have a bunch of ideas to share 😎

@DanielTorres-dz1oi 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video, now i understand a little more about that parameters. Only remais to try now. Thanks

@chronicmango 3 жыл бұрын

Easily the most helpful Helix vid I’ve seen. Also, lol’d cause of your cat at the end of the video.

@bulldogzzzify 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this, very informative and helpful 😀

@n.mcdaniel6658 2 ай бұрын

Very helpful…thank you Alex. Jackie you kick ass!

@craigharper3941 4 жыл бұрын

Great video Alex

@emg8581 3 жыл бұрын

Jackie : "peep" *adorable

@amaurychavepeyer1114 4 жыл бұрын

Very well explained :) Thanks !

@MJCGuitar 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! Great explanations😺

@derrickm5013 3 жыл бұрын

you rock and you're a good teacher. You seem nervous, understandable. No need homie.

@stevefearon9337 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video, so much quality info and well explained, I thought I new most things about my helix .... but NOOOOO! Thankyou

@Kinskis-Eyes-music Жыл бұрын

Great explaination of this things…. Thanks a lot for this

@mahmam3128 6 ай бұрын

Thanks man, really appreciate it

@MusicdocMT 3 жыл бұрын

Nicely done ...

@Weily_Alcequiez 4 жыл бұрын

great tips!! thanks

@barebones3892 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing video

@robertstapleton3598 3 жыл бұрын

Helpful, thanks. Love the kitten.

@johanndaart7326 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid and a funky cat!

@dy6697 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for this video

@alpertuncer1583 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Clear great explanation, good content

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@OliverReviloTheReal 3 жыл бұрын

Very GOOD Video!!!

@joshualove6586 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vid and info!

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@kjrimple 3 жыл бұрын

The cat is hilarious. Good tips

@Steve_the_Bastard 9 ай бұрын

Great video man…

@BassBaseBerlin 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! I'm not a good guitarist but playing bass and doing mixing. So for the latter understanding amp simulation is great. So it was clearly audible when you played that one well-known riff - and you put the settings sound "like a real driven tube amp" ... and then turned them down and it sounded like a "pedal into a transistor amp" ... in comparison. Great, will try that with my HX! Got a new subscriber, see you soon. Thanks again! Stefan

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Stefan! I appreciate it

@alvaroaguirreguitarrista6625 3 жыл бұрын

great job man!

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alvaro! Glad it was helpful

@guitarjonn7103 3 жыл бұрын

Late to the party for this vid, Alex, but well done. This is quite helpful and I'll come back to it for reference purposes, I'm sure. Like your Magnatone and Dumble presets, as well. Wishing you well, sir.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the support John! Glad it was useful

@EdBMetal 3 жыл бұрын

Your cat is hilarious🤣. Great video man. You explained it well. Much appreciated! 🙏

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! (and entertaining, lol)

@ModernGuitar 2 жыл бұрын

Great! Very informative

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you !

@rockkstah2550 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing this...

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

glad it was helpful!

@Snookidoo1 2 жыл бұрын

greetings to ur cat. My cat earlier ever tried to attack me, when I was playing guitar...Ty for explaining these points, helped a lot.

@mattg1094 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks foe a great great great video!

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@JoshuaSkaja 3 жыл бұрын

Damn, that Ripple control is probably what’s driving me nuts about some of the things I hear when using in ears. Thank you.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

It’s weird for sure if you key into it! Probably not something we’re supposed to hear so much as “feel” if you know what I mean

@RonEMarks 3 жыл бұрын

“Sag” is not in preamps tubes. It’s in the power section of a tube amp. Specifically the rectifier and transformer.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Correct

@nofuneral1790 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Appreciate the timestamps and amount of playing vs talking.

@nofuneral1790 2 жыл бұрын

Okay, honestly, this video completely changed the game with my Helix, which I already liked, but these controls go SO far towards matching real amps tones holy shit.

@KristohanongBisdakMusic 2 жыл бұрын

Great content! Very informative. I was wondering why you didn't use a mouse, then a few moments later Jackie came. 😆

@johnkruton9708 3 жыл бұрын

Great content. Thanks for the Helix tips. Kitty needs to learn some licks......(lol)

@thedavegoodman 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! This video also made me like cats more... I’ve always had dogs. So, good job with that too 😆

@StratsRUs 3 жыл бұрын

I usually raise the Sag to around 7 and slightly lower the Bias for a nice slightly spongey driven sound. Initially I thought Bias would have to be raised to sound 'hotter' but it doesn't seem that way. I still can't hear much difference when playing with Bias X.Hum and Ripple are very cosmetic too. I love the Helix but feel a bit dumb when it comes to the controls outside of Sag and Bias. Thanks for showing me that the subtlety can be _very_ subtle.Still very happy with my sounds.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful. I’ve also noticed that depending on the model, sometimes these controls seem slightly different or actually work backwards from this model

@xxstevenicholxx8732 2 жыл бұрын

Great video.. Cat is to cute!!

@robmlisanti 4 жыл бұрын

Nice PRS too ;)

@lillone0 4 жыл бұрын

very helpful video. thanks Alex.

@picksalot1 3 жыл бұрын

I'm a new HX Stomp user, and I think your video tips will help me dial in a more present, immediate, punchier tone. I find a lot of the Presets sound weak and distant. Thanks

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! It’s definitely a skill, learning to work with modelers. With a bit of practice, I think the Helix can be incredibly powerful

@theweazel 4 ай бұрын

One thumbs up for you, 50,000 thumbs up for Jackie

@tombauer6751 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this! I haven't really experimented with these controls yet because I didn't understand what they did but I'm going to give it a shot this weekend. Cheers.

@AlexPriceMusician 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting Tom

@IndyRockStar 2 жыл бұрын

I have 594 McCarty too. It's my favorite guitar.

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

They're incredible instruments! This is actually an old standard model McCarty. Scale is slightly longer than the 594.

@srenfriisalexandersen9423 3 жыл бұрын

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing! Hopefully, curiosity didn't kill the cat! :-D

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

She’s actually become a pretty chill cat! Still likes to sit between my laptop and the wall though - that’s her favorite spot in the house. Must be warm

@srenfriisalexandersen9423 3 жыл бұрын

@@AlexPriceMusician Yes could definitely be the warmth from the laptop. And probably like the vibes all around 😊

@rickygomez2316 4 жыл бұрын

LOL THE CAT

@artcamp7 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Alex. I really appreciate your content. Have you tried the Two Notes Torpedo Cab M? I'm getting that or the Helix for recording. Already have the Captor load box

@AlexPriceMusician 4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, no direct experience with that particular piece of gear but I've heard good things! I'm sure you'll experience great results with either. My suggestion would be to get the 15-day trial of Helix Native (plugin version for your DAW) and see if you think spending the extra money to have access to the Helix effects would be worthwhile to you.

@alexhelemskyy1432 6 ай бұрын

Also need to be noticed that ripple's subharmonic addition also affects that ground tone that comes over with ''hum'' involving. So you need to be carefull tweaking those parameters

@jazztitch8286 Жыл бұрын

Not bad - but you need to turn the gain down to demonstrate sag. I'd like to know if Line 6 will accurately emulate a Fender Deluxe 5e3 where the sag initiates, I think, just around breakup. That sounds more like AC/DC.

@greek42069 2 жыл бұрын

in hx edit on your amp settings to the left of the drive 1 setting there is a number 1 icon , what is that icon ?

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

It’s showing that there is a parameter change assigned to footswitch 1.

@streamofconsciousness5826 Жыл бұрын

The ripple sounds like the reverb tank has bottomed out when you crank it. The Sag and Bias are very important, good lesson. Going from Zero to 100 is the best way to find out what things do. they threw a commercial just as you went for the cat the second time... 7:22

@tano5401 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful but here is the best part 10:53

@tothefinlandstation 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a good video that does go in to the technical details?

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Yes! John Cordy posted an excellent one 3-4 months back. It’s long and detailed.

@justin.johnson Күн бұрын

😻

@leehanson1416 3 жыл бұрын

kitty knows who's boss. Don't they all.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

She really does run the place 🐱

@user-sn3cs2hd8r 2 жыл бұрын

Alex my issue that I can’t solve is the sound/tone that I hear at home is not what I get when live - volume is off as it is compared to other presets - help bro!

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

I always like to leave the final volume control in the output block that is always there for adjusting preset volume to match others. I just try to compare the preset volume to the volume of the HX Stomp when it’s bypassed. Also keep in mind that out of context, distorted and compressed tones tend to sound louder than they actually are. The best thing to do is to create the preset at least 85db, then bring it to band practice and make fine adjustments before you use it live. I also like to advise that different guitars with different output levels will affect the gain stages differently. So although my presets always have a humbucker and single coil version, if someone is using humbuckers that are good deals hotter than what I had designed the preset with, they’re going to find that the cleaner sounds are louder than the overdriven ones.

@TheDilligan Жыл бұрын

My understanding... Sag Low = More compressed. Faster response. Less Dynamic. High = Less compressed. Slower response. More Dynamic. Hum Literally the volume of 60hz hum from an amp. Ripple The amount of undertones and extra harmonics generated from a cranked tube amp. Bias Low = Lighter sound. Thinner. sharper. More fizz. Tight High = Darker sound. Rounded high end. Smoother. Loose. Bias X This seems similar? But a google search says it effects the bias when the amp is driven much harder.

@user-ev6fi1yh2y 4 жыл бұрын

That was a very good video. what is the song at 9:29??

@monkisaurus6374 3 жыл бұрын

Variation on "The Lemon Song" I think. Zeppelin II

@user-ev6fi1yh2y 3 жыл бұрын

@@monkisaurus6374 Thanks!!

@danielvought1802 3 жыл бұрын

So bias sort of sounds like switching between 6L6 to EL34

@JohnSpo 3 жыл бұрын

Sag, hum, ripple, bias, and bias x go a long way in making stock cabs as usable as IRs; especially when trying to make a natural sounding slightly overdriven tube amp.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

Even more useable than IRs in my own opinion 😎 I actually prefer to use stock cabs because they can be modified so easily

@JohnSpo 3 жыл бұрын

@@AlexPriceMusician I didn't know how much DSP IRs ate up until I got a Pod Go, which forced me to think economically in terms of DSP and learning to use these last 5 or so parameters in the amp settings, along with the early reflections in the cabinet settings has really helped satisfy my ear. Now I mostly use stock cabinets when building presets in my Helix because I do like the control.

@funkystudiocat 3 жыл бұрын

The cat is awesome!

@Glensully 2 жыл бұрын

would I be safe to assume the POD GO would work the same way?

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Yep! Exactly the same

@Glensully 2 жыл бұрын

@@AlexPriceMusician thanks i am tossing up buying one. i keep my tones pretty simple so i dont need twin routing and heaps of pedals in a line.

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like the Pod Go is the perfect choice. The UI is incredibly intuitive

@themikeporter 3 жыл бұрын

Thumbs up for the cat :)

@PickDifferent 2 жыл бұрын

In some way, the Cat parameter is boosting the high end 😊

@StressfulMusicOfficial 2 жыл бұрын

don't know why i didn't look this up a year ago, ffs, always wondered what ripple is. I like ugly darker distorted tones so like... yeah... i'll be fuckin with that ripple now hahaa

@chrisparker5278 2 жыл бұрын

Bias X is a mystery to me

@EATSHITDIERecords Жыл бұрын

😺

@christianboddum8783 3 жыл бұрын

To my knowledge sag is Not preamp but poweramp behaviour, tight or loose bottom end control.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

That’d be correct

@jerbear1601 Жыл бұрын

That isn't a clean sound, that is actually breaking up actively. Clean is sparkly and pristine. What you have there is cranking pretty good.

@AlexPriceMusician Жыл бұрын

Your definition is practical, mine is relative. It’s not a big deal really

@gwvest 2 жыл бұрын

ya the cat was more entertaining

@AlexPriceMusician 2 жыл бұрын

Yes

@vivz5075 3 жыл бұрын

I don't like muddy/vintage tones, can't imagine fitting in a mix with keyboard, a second guitar with that kind of tone. I always set my amps like that : SAG : 10 HUM/RIPPLE : 0 BIAS/BIAS X : 10 Cleans up my tone and helps me to cut thru the mix. I don't say I'm right, it's just the way it works for me.

@GtrMan863 3 жыл бұрын

That amp sounds too muddy no matter where you have the parameters set

@Timrobrus 3 жыл бұрын

This video, whilst laudable, would have been much more helpful with clean tones as well as heavily overdriven ones.

@swardmusic 3 ай бұрын

They effect mainly driven tones. Pay attention. 😂

@Tiler-ju9zl Жыл бұрын

They must Think every one is rich. I mean really have alook at these prices. And still come no where to compare to a real Valve amp

@paulschlachter4313 3 жыл бұрын

"this is a really useful way to tune the digital amps and make them feel and respond a little bit more like an actual tube amp would" -Wrong! This implies that by tweaking those controls you increase the realism of the simulation. But in fact you just alter the behaviour.

@davidbourne4912 3 жыл бұрын

Isn't a simulations behavior the single determining factor in its "realism"? Unless you're going hardcore realism in that only the "analogue" or physical world in front of me is real. The mind hallucinates reality to your awareness, you see it through the doorways of your senses and have an image presented to you. You never see "true" reality. In fact your brain constantly filters out erroneous information and only presents to you what is deemed "important" Because of this we can be easily misled and fooled. Which is exactly how these amp simulations fool us. If you can alter its behavior in a way that fools the listener, then its an accurate simulation of "reality" - that is, its doing what your brain does in simulating reality accuratly. I encourage you to go listen to "real vs modeled" and do your best to do a fair blind test and see just how well you can pick "real" amps again and again. You may be suprised

@paulschlachter4313 3 жыл бұрын

@@davidbourne4912 My point is: A real amp consists of electrical components such as capacitors, transformers, resistors etc. These were measured by the Line6 engineers in their lab. Changing bias voltage on a real amp is normally changing a resistor value (most amps have trim pots for this). Changing the sag is more complicated. It would need a redesign of the amps power supply, at least changing the transformer to one of a different size. Changing the ripple would probably force one to change the sizes of the bypass caps. So changing those values in the Helix gets you away from the sample amp Line6 has (objectively) measured in the lab - the one that physically exists in reality.

@AlexPriceMusician 3 жыл бұрын

In my opinion, the stock settings that come on certain amp models can sound pretty cold and lifeless. The concept I tried to present is that we’re focusing on the end product - the sound - and not so much on what the parameters are trying to simulate. If I find that the digital amp simulation is missing a certain degree of compression that a real amp would have for example, I will aim to achieve that feeling with whatever controls are available to me. I’m not really worried about what the fine controls are trying to simulate so much as I am about the end product. At the end of the day, digital amp simulation and physical tube amps are entirely different beasts. They’ll never be completely indistinguishable, but we can do our best to come up with the best possible tone on each platform.

@paulschlachter4313 3 жыл бұрын

@@AlexPriceMusician @H Kay Take a listen to this clip kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gNyalbODup29nKM.html That bit is pretty much what the Helix stock settings on the Devided Dou sound like. You may call it cold and lifeless, but it is what that actual tube amp sounds like. You may tweak it to become more like the tube amp sound you desire which is awesome, but that was not my critique.

@paulschlachter4313 3 жыл бұрын

@H Kay See my anwer to Alex.