Helix 3.7: The Freeman Update

[vino_buono]

Late to the "update" party... I must say I find 3.70 as well as the last few updates very disappointing
First, I purchase a high-end reverb pedal to compensate for the so-so reverbs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade the Helix with top-notch reverbs.
Then, I buy several IR packs to upgrade from the so-so stock cabs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade to a new and very likeable set of cabs.
And finally, just a couple of months ago I purchase a top-notch Marshall-in-a-box pedal to improve on the cr*ppy plexi and JCM models. What does Line6 do? Upgrade with a fantastic 2203 and even better Voltage amp model.

Now why do these guys not have any respect for my hard-earned money?

 

[James Freeman]

Clip of where I'm at with the new 2203. Boosted high gain, crunchy rock, spanky and clean single coil sounds all in one amp model.

Rumor has it that it's the best amp ever. They say everything before it sucked and everything after it is pointless.

 

[ragingplatypi]

Rumor has it that it's the best amp ever. They say everything before it sucked and everything after it is pointless.

View attachment 14810

 

[DieSchmalle]

Late to the "update" party... I must say I find 3.70 as well as the last few updates very disappointing
First, I purchase a high-end reverb pedal to compensate for the so-so reverbs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade the Helix with top-notch reverbs.
Then, I buy several IR packs to upgrade from the so-so stock cabs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade to a new and very likeable set of cabs.
And finally, just a couple of months ago I purchase a top-notch Marshall-in-a-box pedal to improve on the cr*ppy plexi and JCM models. What does Line6 do? Upgrade with a fantastic 2203 and even better Voltage amp model.

Now why do these guys not have any respect for my hard-earned money?

Blame it on your mom - she got pregnant two years too early.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

Rumor has it that it's the best amp ever. They say everything before it sucked and everything after it is pointless.

View attachment 14810

You know what, I’ve actually heard that too. Can’t remember where, but it really echoes in the dusty cobwebs of my memory

 

[SwirlyMaple]

Late to the "update" party... I must say I find 3.70 as well as the last few updates very disappointing
First, I purchase a high-end reverb pedal to compensate for the so-so reverbs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade the Helix with top-notch reverbs.
Then, I buy several IR packs to upgrade from the so-so stock cabs. What does Line6 do? They upgrade to a new and very likeable set of cabs.
And finally, just a couple of months ago I purchase a top-notch Marshall-in-a-box pedal to improve on the cr*ppy plexi and JCM models. What does Line6 do? Upgrade with a fantastic 2203 and even better Voltage amp model.

Now why do these guys not have any respect for my hard-earned money?

Just be glad you weren’t around when everyone was buying squirrel cages!

 

[vino_buono]

Just be glad you weren’t around when everyone was buying squirrel cages!

I was around, and I was indeed buying squirrel cages, in the form of IR packs. I was considering to buy an FM3, then came the oversampling update and a better "FRFR". I am now very glad I stayed with Helix.

 

[Los-D]

Just be glad you weren’t around when everyone was buying squirrel cages!

 

[Humberd]

I'm gonna still a few licks ^^^^^

 

[BahamaDada]

Rumor has it that it's the best amp ever. They say everything before it sucked and everything after it is pointless.

Why not every amp builder of this world just builds their own JCM version is beyond me. /s

 

[vino_buono]

Yes, seriously. I can't get your fantastic tone from clean to dirty with just my guitar volume knob with the new custom amp models, unlike what I get from my usual favourite amp models (Matchstick both channels, Placater, Ventoux, Litigator) or from the new 2203 and through some od models, too. Maybe it depends on my guitar, my technique or on how I adjusted the amp parameters. I even got a bad impression, reminding me of the Digitech RP dirty amp models, when I adjusted the guitar volume or my pick force and I got lower volume but with the same amount of gain/grit instead of a clean(er) tone. Maybe it's my fault...

I have tried the Voltage amp (my new “plexi” of choice), and after I set the amp to the gain level I like (AC/DC or Kiss level of crunch) it does clean up nicely for me. However, the first time I tried it I had the same impression you are reporting— I was using a higher level of gain because I had forgotten to turn off an OD block. So, the cleanup ability might depend on the amount of saturation. Just saying.

 

[CakeEater]

I have tried the Voltage amp (my new “plexi” of choice), and after I set the amp to the gain level I like (AC/DC or Kiss level of crunch) it does clean up nicely for me. However, the first time I tried it I had the same impression you are reporting— I was using a higher level of gain because I had forgotten to turn off an OD block. So, the cleanup ability might depend on the amount of saturation. Just saying.

I'm a huge fan of the new Voltage. The only slight snag for me is that switching the Boost from 0 to >0 flips the phase. Since the voicing between Boost 0 and even 0.1 is quite different, I thought it would be a good footswitch assignment, but I've since left my boost value static.

EDIT: This phase flip will be fixed in 3.71.

 

[holoholo]

Helix DSP Allocations

The values in the tables below are the upper limit of DSP reserved for each block. The numbers are not an indication of the processing horsepower required but only describe how much DSP is “b…

benvesco.com

Updated to 3.70

 

[vino_buono]

I'm a huge fan of the new Voltage. The only slight snag for me is that switching the Boost from 0 to >0 flips the phase. Since the voicing between Boost 0 and even 0.1 is quite different, I thought it would be a good footswitch assignment, but I've since left my boost value static.

Yeah, to my ear it’s similar to a plexi, but better. It is tight and defined in the low end, but still punchy. Maybe a bit too mid-heavy with the default settings (and I love mids!). Cuts like a knife in the mix. It had dethroned the brit trem brt and my (otherwise awesome) Tsakslis pedal. I haven’t tried the boost though. Isn’t that just an extra gain stage?

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Germanium fuzz face running in front of the Line 6 Kinetic into the effects return of a JVM and controlling the whole thing with the volume control of a strat or a tele

 

[CakeEater]

I feel like it adds a whole new gain stage, like it's the jump with an adjustable level in. I've also just heard back from @Digital Igloo , the phase inversion on the boost is a bug and will be fixed in 3.71! This is great news, footswitch assigning the boost pretty much makes the Voltage a 2 channel amp!

Does the Voltage amp's boost invert the phase by design/necessity? I had originally footswitch assigned it with a 0 min 3 max, but the phase inversion was something I didn't want to deal with. It's still my number one amp, though I might take a second look at the 2203.

First I've heard of this. Will ask Ben.

EDIT: Ben's confirmed. Fixing now for 3.71...

 

[kartikg3]

Just tried the 2203 for the first time yesterday and yes, that's the sound I have been chasing since forever, multiple gear and pedals bought and sold as a result of this chase, and Helix has ended it for me in 3.7.

 

[dk_ace]

Just tried the 2203 for the first time yesterday and yes, that's the sound I have been chasing since forever, multiple gear and pedals bought and sold as a result of this chase, and Helix has ended it for me in 3.7.

 

[ejecta]

Line 6's complement of pedal models is unmatched by any of its competitors, IMO.

Yep…. even with other platforms revamping some of their stomp drive models L6’s still kick their ass imho.

 

[holoholo]

Just tried the 2203 for the first time yesterday and yes, that's the sound I have been chasing since forever, multiple gear and pedals bought and sold as a result of this chase, and Helix has ended it for me in 3.7.