3 Tips for Gigging with a Helix
When it comes to guitar gear, I’m old school. Give me a factory Tele (or a solid 335), a Crybaby, a Tube Screamer or RAT, and a Fender Twin with a good spring reverb—that’s my comfort zone.
Over the years, I’ve used various Helix units for function gigs—weddings, pit bands, corporate cover gigs, you name it. And let me tell you, I’ve had plenty of shows where my sound fell flat because of those units.
That’s why I want to share 3 tips that will make your gigs smoother and keep your stress level low when working with these high-end modelers.
Tip #1: Rebuild Your "Real" Setups
Tip #2: lower your expectation & Embrace Imperfections
Tip #3 : Stage Monitor is important
Tip #1: Rebuild Your “Real” Setup
This might sound obvious to some of you, but when I first got the Helix LT, I made a rookie mistake. I was so excited to try every amp tone, effect, and routing option—and I even started tweaking the global settings (yikes). The problem? I ended up showing up to gigs with sounds I wasn’t comfortable with, and it cost me(Thank God I didn’t actually lose the gig!).
The lesson: start by rebuilding the rig you already know works in real life. Take your favorite amp-and-pedal setup and recreate that inside the unit. Keep it simple, and stick to one main patch.
Here’s my real-life go-to rig:
Amp: Fender Twin Reverb or Deluxe
Mics: SM57 plus a ribbon mic
Pedals: Tube Screamer-style overdrive, RAT, a couple of modulations (Boss Chorus, MXR Phaser), and a good spring reverb
From there:
Choose YOUR Amp & Microphone
Pick an amp model that’s close to what you’re used to playing. Stick with gear you already know and like, and pick a mic model that feels natural to you. If your unit doesn’t have the exact match, choose something in the same ballpark. Build your virtual pedalboard the way you’d set it up on stage—keep it familiar.Stay on One Patch / Create Backups
At most gigs, you don’t drag in two amps and three pedalboards—you bring one setup. Just because the Helix can do more doesn’t mean you should. Stick with a single patch for the whole gig. And here’s a pro tip: always create backup copies of your presets. If something goes wrong—a corrupted file, accidental overwrite—you’ll be glad you had a safety net.
Tip #2: Lower Your Expectations & Embrace Imperfections
Here’s the truth: amp sims and modelers are amazing, but they’re never going to be exactly the same as your real rig. Think of them more like a really well-cloned version of your setup—close enough to get the job done, but not a carbon copy.
The trade-off is worth it:
You don’t have to lug around heavy amps and pedalboards.
If your unit breaks, just grab another one at a music store, load your saved presets, and you’re back in business.
One thing I learned the hard way: getting a true, sparkling “clean” tone out of a modeler is tough. You’ll often need to push the volume a little higher than you expect, which naturally adds a touch of overdrive. I spent way too much time chasing the “perfect” clean sound. But the moment I stopped obsessing and accepted a bit of grit in my tone, everything got easier.
The point is: don’t fight the imperfections—embrace them. That’s where the magic (and your sanity) lives.
Tip #3: Stage Monitors Matter
I’m the kind of player who likes to feel an amp pushing air from behind me. That physical sound is part of the experience. But with modern units, your signal usually goes straight to the PA, and suddenly you’re relying on stage monitors or (worse, in my case) in-ears. I never felt fully locked in that way, so whenever possible, I make sure there’s at least a physical monitor for myself—and ideally for the rest of the band too.
The takeaway: invest in a good stage monitor. It’ll make your life on stage a lot easier. Try different options until you find the one that fits your style. I’ve experimented with FRFR speakers, amps, and standard wedges, but my favorite so far is the Henriksen Bud/Blu. It delivers a very amp-like feel in a tiny, lightweight package, and it’s surprisingly loud—more than enough for a party gig or moderate-sized show. (Of course, you can also just use a small guitar amp if that works better for you.)
And here’s a pro tip: always build and tweak your patches using the monitor you’ll actually use on stage, not just headphones.