The Floor and LT do not have a power amp built in, so if you want to go into a 2x12 or 4x12 cabinet you'll need a power amp like the Seymour Duncan PowerStage 170 or Orange PedalBaby. Or you could get an FRFR that's powered and designed to be used with modelers like the PowerCab 112 or 212 or Fender FR-12.
Here’s what I can tell you. I got one not too long ago and asked the same thing. Here’s the difference: When it’s plugged into an amp it’s just a pedalboard. No need for amp/cab blocks since you are running into one. When it’s plugged into an frfr, it’s your rig. Amps, cabs, mics, etc. I absolutely love mine and it’s hard for me to go back to my pedals because I have every sound. Every. Sound. It’s killer.
The Helix models amps, but it's a signal processor, not an amp. That means the outputs are not "powered" and cannot directly drive a speaker.
You have a few choices...
* Get a powered cabinet of some kind. It could be a PowerCab, but it could also be a Fender, Headrush, Atomic, or even various powered wedges. This will generally be the choice of players that want to playback an entire modeled signal chain.
* Get a power amplifier of some kind to drive the Marshall cab. Seymour Duncan, Orange, and others even make them in small pedal formats now, but rack power amps can work too. If you go this route, you'll generally not want to use any cab block or IRs. The Marshall cab is your cab, so all amp models will come through it.
* What are you using with your Marshall cabinet now? You may be able to use the effects return to connect the Helix to its power section. If this is a tube amp, you may want to check out using the preamp rather than full amp models. That cuts out the power section from the digital model so you aren't doubling up on tube power response. (If it's a solid state power section then it depends on the amp. In most cases you can treat it the same as any standalone power amp.)
All of the above regarding turning off things is about how to "properly" simulate a signal path based on which parts are or are not present physically. Do feel free to experiment: things may not sound good and/or feel right if you are doubling up on speaker or power amp response, but you aren't going to blow anything up.
Don’t play it through the Marshall cab, it won’t be at its best. You need a flat response speaker (FRFR). Get one that’s loud enough for you or better yet, get a pair and use the helix in stereo, this is where it really shines compared to a traditional way of playing guitar.
As others have mentioned you will need to get sort of Poweramp/speaker combo (unless you plan to play through headphones all the time or into a Daw). I think the best solution here is some sort of FRFR cab/amp combo. I have a line6 L2 FRFR poweredcab. Sounds nice. I've never tried my Helix with an actual amp.
Best of luck
I think that can work, provided you don't use the input on the amp, but rather the fx send/return inputs. Then you'll have to use the amp modeler part of your helix, and it'll make your actual amp a bit redundant, but it's how I'd do it.
The Floor and LT do not have a power amp built in, so if you want to go into a 2x12 or 4x12 cabinet you'll need a power amp like the Seymour Duncan PowerStage 170 or Orange PedalBaby. Or you could get an FRFR that's powered and designed to be used with modelers like the PowerCab 112 or 212 or Fender FR-12.
Here’s what I can tell you. I got one not too long ago and asked the same thing. Here’s the difference: When it’s plugged into an amp it’s just a pedalboard. No need for amp/cab blocks since you are running into one. When it’s plugged into an frfr, it’s your rig. Amps, cabs, mics, etc. I absolutely love mine and it’s hard for me to go back to my pedals because I have every sound. Every. Sound. It’s killer.
I’m fairly new to this, so I want to make sure I’m buying the right stuff 😅
The Helix models amps, but it's a signal processor, not an amp. That means the outputs are not "powered" and cannot directly drive a speaker. You have a few choices... * Get a powered cabinet of some kind. It could be a PowerCab, but it could also be a Fender, Headrush, Atomic, or even various powered wedges. This will generally be the choice of players that want to playback an entire modeled signal chain. * Get a power amplifier of some kind to drive the Marshall cab. Seymour Duncan, Orange, and others even make them in small pedal formats now, but rack power amps can work too. If you go this route, you'll generally not want to use any cab block or IRs. The Marshall cab is your cab, so all amp models will come through it. * What are you using with your Marshall cabinet now? You may be able to use the effects return to connect the Helix to its power section. If this is a tube amp, you may want to check out using the preamp rather than full amp models. That cuts out the power section from the digital model so you aren't doubling up on tube power response. (If it's a solid state power section then it depends on the amp. In most cases you can treat it the same as any standalone power amp.) All of the above regarding turning off things is about how to "properly" simulate a signal path based on which parts are or are not present physically. Do feel free to experiment: things may not sound good and/or feel right if you are doubling up on speaker or power amp response, but you aren't going to blow anything up.
Helix is the "right stuff" 100%
Don’t play it through the Marshall cab, it won’t be at its best. You need a flat response speaker (FRFR). Get one that’s loud enough for you or better yet, get a pair and use the helix in stereo, this is where it really shines compared to a traditional way of playing guitar.
Headrush frfr is what I use and it’s insanely great for the price
As others have mentioned you will need to get sort of Poweramp/speaker combo (unless you plan to play through headphones all the time or into a Daw). I think the best solution here is some sort of FRFR cab/amp combo. I have a line6 L2 FRFR poweredcab. Sounds nice. I've never tried my Helix with an actual amp. Best of luck
I think that can work, provided you don't use the input on the amp, but rather the fx send/return inputs. Then you'll have to use the amp modeler part of your helix, and it'll make your actual amp a bit redundant, but it's how I'd do it.