MatchLit – Line 6 Helix Patch

In this demo Brad is playing an Elliott Tonemaster and Brian is playing a Jennings Voyager.

Please note: This demo is using version 1.0 of this patch. We’ve made upgrades and it sounds even better now. See the changelog below for updates.

P&W patch for the Line 6 Helix based on the Matchless DC-30 and Litigator amp models.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. UPDATE YOUR FIRMWARE: Please upgrade the firmware on your Helix and the HX Edit software from Line 6 to the latest before installing this patch. Even if your Helix is up to date, the ‘HX Edit’ app needs to be updated as well. If you get an error importing a patch, the problem is most likely outdated firmware on your Helix/HX Edit.

2. REVERBS: The 2.6 Firmware update changed the mix levels of the new (HX) reverbs. This patch accounts for those changes, so if you are not updated to 2.6 or later on your Helix, the reverbs will not sound right.

3. IR CAB INCLUDED: This download includes a premium IR from Tone Junkie. We matched this specific IR to this amp, but feel free to experiment with other IR’s for different tonal options. We’ve also included a stock cab version of the patch, but we urge to try the IR – it really does sound better – and it’s included for free :).

Here is the specific IR included, and its location in our Helix:

• TJ 26 MATCH25 Fathead 2 . In our Helix, it’s in IR slot 26 (this will always correspond with the number after ‘TJ’ in the file name).
• To purchase more IR packs, visit the Tone Junkie store here: https://tonejunkiestore.com/

HOW TO IMPORT THIS PATCH AND IR

1. Connect your Helix to your computer using a USB Cable
2. Download and instal the ‘HX Edit’ app from Line 6
3. In the ‘HX Edit’ app, drag and drop the patch into a slot in the ‘PRESETS’ column
4. To import an IR, switch to the ‘IMPULSES’ column (next to the PRESETS column), and drag & drop the IR into the appropriate slot (see note above). The image below shows the specific IR location for this patch.
5. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have the IR loaded into the ‘IMPULSES’ column, the patch will not sound correct, even if you have the IR block on – you must drag and drop the IR into the IMPULSES column.

SIGNAL FLOW AND EFFECTS

Here is the signal flow and effects:

1. Input
2. Volume (log curve) – mapped to EXP 2
3. Deluxe Comp – not mapped to a switch, always on
4. Chorus – not mapped to a switch (used in snapshots)
5. Minotaur – Klon OD – mapped to switch labeled ‘Klon’
6. Teemah – Timmy OD – mapped to switch labeled ‘Timmy’
7. Scream 808 – Tube Screamer OD – mapped to switch labeled ‘808’
8. Amps – Matchstick CH1 & Litigator
9. Cab/IR – 4×12 Cali V30 (in the stock cab versions) – see above for IR info
10. Vintage Digital – Dotted 8th note delay – mapped to switch labeled ‘Dotted 8th DLY’
11. Transistor Tape Delay – Quarter note delay – mapped to switch labeled ‘Quarter DLY’
12. Mod/Chorus Echo – 8TH note delay – mapped to switch labeled ‘8th DLY’
13. Plate verb – subtle ‘always on’ type reverb – mapped to switch labeled “Short Verb’
14. Glitz Verb – big modulated verb – mapped to switch labeled “Long Verb”
15. Multitap 4 Delay – big ambient delay mapped to button labeled “SWELLS’
16. Glitz Verb – big ambient verb – mapped to button labeled ‘SWELLS’
17. Plateaux Verb – Shimmer Verb – mapped to button labeled ‘SWELLS’
18. Cali Q Graphic EQ – Always on EQ
19. Looper

USAGE

This patch is meant to be used in either stompbox or snapshot mode. We recommend setting up your Helix to use all ten stomps (stompbox mode) or all eight snapshots (snapshot mode).

DRIVE TONES – DIRT PEDALS:

Feel free to stack drive pedals for bigger sounds. We like turning on all the gain for solo tones.

DELAYS:

The dotted 8th is running in parallel with the quarter and 8th note delays, which creates a patterned type of delay.

SWELLS:

Hit the ‘Swells’ button to turn on the Cosmos echo with big ambient reverb.

SNAPSHOTS:

There are eight snapshots included in this patch to get different sounds.

They are:

• Snapshot 1: CLEAN. This is the base clean tone with delay.
• Snapshot 2: DRIVE. Light overdrive.
• Snapshot 3: DRIVE+: Bigger overdrive.
• Snapshot 4: LEAD: Big drive with dual delay and ambient verb
• Snapshot 5: CLEAN AMBI – Clean tone with big reverb.
• Snapshot 6: 80’s clean – Chorus!
• Snapshot 7: 80’s dirt – Dirt and Chorus!
• Snapshot 8: BIG SWELLS – this uses the ‘Swells’ stomp button plus more verb and delay.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR YOUR SETUP

SETTING THE PATCH UP FOR YOUR GUITAR

All guitars are different, so you may want to make changes to suite your playing style and guitar. We set this up with a variety of guitars, including both single coils and humbuckers (primarily a Telecaster style guitar). If your guitar has humbuckers, please refer to the suggested settings below.

We recommend making a copy of the patch and changing the copy just in case you want to revert back to the original.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS FOR SINGLE COILS:

The version of this patch you initially download is voiced more toward single coils. We built it primarily using a Telecaster style guitar. If you have a humbucker equipped guitar with low-output humbuckers, it should be perfect for your uses too.

Feel free to adjust the amp EQ and the settings of the Cali Q Graphic block (at the end of the patch) if you’d like to make the patch a bit brighter or darker.

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS FOR HUMBUCKERS:

If your guitar has traditional output Humbuckers, try the following changes (we recommend making a copy of the original patch)…

MATCHSTICK CH1 AMP SETTINGS:

• Drive: Change to 1.8
• Cut: Change to 1.1

LITIGATOR AMP SETTINGS

• Drive: Change to 1.6
• Bass: Change to 2.1
• Mid: Change to 5.7
• Presence: Change to 4.1

Cali Q Graphic block settings:

• 240 Hz Slider: Change to +0.7
• 2200 Hz Slider: change to +2.3
• 6600 Hz Slider: change to +1.9

VOLUME CHANGES

If you would like to make this patch louder or quieter without affecting tone, the following adjustments can be made:

“Ch Vol” control on the amp module. This will increase or decrease volume without affecting the tone of the amp. This is the primary level adjustment tool I use for changing patch volumes.

Output block level. Changing the level control on the output block (the very last thing in the signal chain) will increase or decrease overall volume. We typically have this set at zero, but feel free to adjust this as you see fit.

CHANGELOG

Version 1.0 (Initial Release): 2019-03-04

Version 2.0: 2019-04-19

• Added: Tone Junkie IR (included for free with update)
• Tweaked: Amp settings (to optimize with new IR)