DEMO

00:00

var srp_player_params_6ac7f37226729 = {"title":"","store_title_text":"","albums":"lateralus","hide_artwork":false,"sticky_player":0,"show_album_market":0,"show_track_market":0,"hide_timeline":0,"progressbar_inline":"true","orderby":"date","order":"DESC","use_play_label_with_icon":"false","main_settings":"||"} var srp_player_params_args_6ac7f37226729 = {"before_widget":"

","after_widget":"","before_title":"

","after_title":"","widget_id":"arbitrary-instance-6ac7f37226729"} if(typeof setIronAudioplayers !== "undefined"){ setIronAudioplayers("arbitrary-instance-6ac7f37226729"); }

Hands down the best Justin presets. I just bought them today and have been in love with them. […] I just dropped them into my Helix and it was perfect.

Andrew V.

FAQ

What presets are included?

The pack includes one preset for each of the following songs:

The pack covers all the songs on the album in Stompbox Mode. To optimize ergonomics and reduce confusion, each preset includes only the necessary effects and amp settings for that specific song.

*** This song was recorded without any effects. The preset serves as a “default” patch that consolidates each of Justin’s Lateralus-era pedals in one place, featuring useful settings that are ready for you to jam along with or to use as a starting point for building your own patches.

Are they compatible with HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX Effects, HX One?

Unfortunately, no. Each preset uses four audio paths and employs multiple amps and effects, which require more processing power than HX units can provide. The HX Stomp and other HX models feature a single DSP and support a maximum of two audio paths, therefore this pack was designed for multi DSP Line 6 units: Helix Floor, Helix LT, and Helix Rack. Additionaly, the pack can be used with Helix Stadium XL and Helix Stadium, as they support all Helix presets.

What’s your return policy?

Unfortunately, because the products are digital downloads, returns are not allowed as stated in the End User License Agreement (EULA). I published videos of my playing so that you can trust your own ears and judge for yourself before purchasing. I have spent hundreds of hours trying to get these patches as close as reasonably possible to the real thing, but keep in mind that results will vary depending on your bass, strings, and playing style. That being said, if you like what you hear in the demos, I’m confident you are going to be happy no matter what instrument you play. The bass used in these demos is a passive Mike Lull V4 with Lindy Fralin Split Jazz pickups. If your bass is equipped with humbuckers, the sound is going to be closer to Justin’s.

Will I have to make adjustments depending on the bass I use?

These presets were designed with a passive Jazz bass, so with most modern passive instruments you should be ready to play right out of the box, and with only some minor adjustments any bass will work. If you have another kind of instrument, you might have to make small adjustments to the first block of each preset. It’s a 90-second calibration that only needs to be done once after the installation and requires no technical knowledge. The included user manual details the necessary steps to help you with the process.

Can I use this pack if I don’t feel like tweaking settings?

Yes. The goal of the pack is to take complex patches and make them accessible even to those with little experience with the Helix. The only adjustments you might have to make are mentioned in the answer above, but even those might not be necessary. If you feel like digging deeper, the included manual highlights extra features and performance tips to take full advantage of the presets.

Will your Lateralus bass presets make me sound exactly like Justin?

The unique characteristics of your instrument will always come through, so these presets can’t give you a tone that’s identical to Justin’s. However, they capture a very similar vibe, perfect for any Tool cover band, as well as for playing your own music with a beautifully aggressive and dynamic rock sound. It’s ready out of the box—no need to spend hours adjusting pedals and amps—and most importantly, it’s a blast to play with! To find out how close you can get to Justin, I strongly encourage you to check out the demos so you can make up your own mind on whether this is right for you.

As to why Justin’s tone can’t be matched 1:1, there are a few reasons, the main being the unique nature of Wal pickups and electronics. If you have ever heard a Wal straight into a DI you probably know what I’m talking about. Also, I had to find a substitute for pretty much every single piece of gear Justin uses, as the Helix doesn’t model any of it other than the Whammy and the Boss DD-3 (to a certain extent).

On a purely anecdotal note, when I was about 70% into the creation of this pack I had a gig with a Tool tribute band. As soon as I played the first notes through the PA my bandmates looked at me like they had seen an E-Motherfu#%ing-T.

Who designed these presets?

My name is Andreas Russo, a Berklee College of Music graduate with over a decade of experience as a sound designer, composer, and engineer for music and film. I’ve been playing bass for more than 20 years and Tool is my favorite band. This pack is a labor of love, and I worked hard to blend my skills and passion to craft something special.

You can go to andreasrusso.com to check out my film scoring work, or follow @andreasnoises to stay in touch.

Will they receive updates?

Yes, if needed. I’m completely open to incorporating feedback if it improves the experience for most users, especially in the months following the release. Updates will always be free, within reason—meaning unless future firmware or hardware versions require a complete overhaul of the patches.

What can I do to improve the dull tone of my old strings?

Fresh strings are crucial for achieving Justin’s tone—he often swaps strings mid-set just to maintain peak brightness. I can’t stress this enough: a $300 Squier bass with new strings will get you closer to his tone than a $10k Wal with rusty ones. However, most people can barely afford a new set of strings every couple of months, so here’s a magical technique to revitalize old strings I wish I had known in my teen years: heavily down tune each string till it barely holds tension; wiggle the spots resting on the bridge saddles and the nut to allow the core of the string to re-settle; pull and release each string as if you’re slapping, multiple times, across its entire length; tune up again, and you should now have a considerably brighter set of strings. I’m not sure why, but it just works.

Are you going to publish packs for other Tool albums?

If all goes according to plan, I’m going to release 10,000 Days by the end of January. If that’s well received, I might take on Ænima next.