Browse Helix Models and Effects

Helix currently supports 111 amplifier models, 276 effects, 56 speaker cab models, and 16 microphones. On top of all that you also have the ability to load Impulse Responses (IRs) that you can grab from free or paid sources. Go have fun.

The most famous Hiwatt within the line was the Custom 100 DR103 amplifier. Its 100 watts of output compared to a Marshall Super Lead is quite different to say the least. The Hiwatt DR103 is notably louder and can also run much cleaner than100 watt Marshalls when needed and they also have tremendous headroom available. Playing a Hiwatt at a loud volume is well… an experience. When I played through one for the first time (a DR103 made in 1972), all of a sudden, my Marshalls felt very "thin" in tone in comparison. Hiwatts are loud, punchy, and rich with even-ordered harmonics and I should add the politically incorrect term, "ballsy as all hell!". I can think of no better example of the epitome of clean and lush tube tone. Overdrive is certainly available when the Hiwatt is pushed, but it must be acquired by use of the higher-gain "brilliant" channel (more on this momentarily) and certainly a high-output pickup helps further. The "normal" channel is voiced to stay clean and powerful at all levels. An additional benefit to the Hiwatt DR103’s tone and design was its inclusion of tone controls that actually seemed to respond with a much wider range than other amplifiers of the time. Bass response could be bassy, mids added strong punch and a wide range of the treble and presence controls would deliver all the upper frequencies and sibilants desired.

This model is for the amp's preamp stage only.

Description source: legendarytones.com
Image source: vintageguitar.com

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