Eric Klein: At Least Half of Your Modeler’s Sound Is Determined by Your Playback System
The Helix mastermind details the pros and cons of seven popular playback options and explains why your choice is critical to your tone.
Tom Salta: Mental Fitness for Creatives
The celebrated AAA game, film, and TV composer shares his strategies for enhancing creativity and personal well-being.
Devin Townsend – From Extreme Metal to Ambient Explorations with Helix
The radically eclectic guitarist discusses his creative process, crafting “massive clouds of sound” with dual Helix processors, and much more.
Jas Obrecht: Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Texas Flood” Sessions
The inside story of the making of the landmark blues album and the gear used by SRV as told by people who were there.
Peter Hook—Revisiting Joy Division and Factory Records
Barry Cleveland interviews the legendary bassist in celebration of Record Store Day—plus Hooky shares his HX Effects touring preset for free!
Dr. Molly Miller: Four of My Favorite Contemporary Women Guitarists
Model Citizens spotlights Arianna Powell, Carmen Vandenberg, Emily Elbert, and Madison Cunningham in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Dave Hunter: Tone in a Box Part 2 – Tone Tweaking Via Speaker Swapping
Take a deep dive into the history of guitar speakers and explore how speaker swapping—physically or virtually—can reveal a treasure trove of tones.
Dave Hunter: Tone in a Box Part 1 – Tone Tweaking Via Cab Swapping
Learn all about speaker cabs and how they affect your tone—then explore the new cabs and cab parameter options in Helix 3.50 “The Cab Update.”
Jas Obrecht: Jeff Beck the Fusion Years, Part 2 – Keep Your Ears Wide Open or Music Will Pass You By
Beck’s Wired and There and Back albums further broadened the horizon for future instrumental guitarists such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
Jas Obrecht: Jeff Beck the Fusion Years, Part 1 – A Guitar Hero Reinvents Himself
When Beck’s monumental Blow by Blow album was released in 1974 minds were blown and both rock and jazz guitar playing were changed forever.
Sarah Lipstate – Crafting Cinematic Soundscapes with Guitars, Bows, and Pedals Galore
Whether performing solo as Noveller, or collaborating with the likes of Iggy Pop, Lipstate evokes majestic waves of sonic splendor.
Jeff Schroeder: Ambient Sounds Pt. 1 – “Frippertronics”
The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist offers insights into ambient guitar playing and shares his “Frippertronics” Helix presets. Free Download!
Jas Obrecht: How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar Pt. 3 – Becoming “The Most Compulsive Player Ever”
Jimi Hendrix took the world by storm, but where did he come from? We trace the iconic guitarist’s origins in this epic three-part series!
Jas Obrecht: How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar Pt. 2 – Seattle Bands, Betty Jean, and The Blues
Jimi Hendrix took the world by storm, but where did he come from? We trace the iconic guitarist’s origins in this epic three-part series!
Jas Obrecht: How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar Pt. 1 – Earliest Music, First Guitars
Jimi Hendrix took the world by storm, but where did he come from? We trace the iconic guitarist’s origins in this epic three-part series!
Paul Richards – Guitar Craftiness, Shepard Tones, and Echoes (plus free Helix/HX presets!)
The California Guitar Trio guitarist talks about Robert Fripp, using effects with acoustic guitar, covering Pink Floyd’s “Echoes,” and more.
Dave Hunter: What’s Behind the Sag, Bias, and Bias X Controls in Helix Amps?
Sharpen your Helix and HX tone-crafting skills by better understanding these critical tube amp parameters.