Helix Talk

[pipelineaudio]

Is there a way yet in HX edit to move or swap Snapshots? Or do you still have to use a blank slot or the touch method on the unit itself?

 

[norminal]

Have spoken about this before, but a standalone HX Amps pedal would also require cabs/IRs, and likely at least Dynamic Ambience reverb for headphone use. And a headphone amp, main volume knob, and a 4-channel USB audio interface. And because people would want it at the end of their chain, it'd likely need to be stereo (like Iridium and UA amp pedals), which means two amps (even if they're identical), two cabs/IRs, and a stereo reverb—for us, that probably means SHARC instead of HX One's ARM. You'd also need two switches for preset up/down, a display to select models, and a stereo effects loop independent of the stereo ins and outs.

So... we've now basically created a new box that's juuuust under HX Stomp: One less switch, a smaller B/W display, matte paint instead of sparkle, and maybe one less push encoder? $599 instead of $699? That's a hard sell.

I probably sound like a broken record, but the HX Stomp is the best in class in its price range. IMO, nothing else comes even close.

Pleeese don’t fuck up the next iteration.

 

[Exluthier]

I probably sound like a broken record, but the HX Stomp is the best in class in its price range. IMO, nothing else comes even close.

Pleeese don’t fuck up the next iteration.

Not sure about that. Or at least it might depend on what you prioritize when you have something like the Headrush Flex Prime out there that allows you to capture and has a built in expression pedal for $500. Obviously the HX is going to trounce it on availability effects but that (and Line 6's support history) is kinda getting to be it's only selling point now.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Not sure about that. Or at least it might depend on what you prioritize when you have something like the Headrush Flex Prime out there that allows you to capture and has a built in expression pedal for $500. Obviously the HX is going to trounce it on availability effects but that (and Line 6's support history) is kinda getting to be it's only selling point now.

Well, that and the HX amps sound better.

 

[Lysander]

Obviously the HX is going to trounce it on availability effects but that (and Line 6's support history) is kinda getting to be it's only selling point now.

I think you underestimate how much of a (big) selling point those are.

Headrush launched the MX5 in 2021, and killed it with the launch of Flex Prime in 2024.

 

[mikah912]

Not sure about that. Or at least it might depend on what you prioritize when you have something like the Headrush Flex Prime out there that allows you to capture and has a built in expression pedal for $500. Obviously the HX is going to trounce it on availability effects but that (and Line 6's support history) is kinda getting to be it's only selling point now.

Tones still better, even out of the box.

 

[Exluthier]

Tones still better, even out of the box.

Really? I've seen enough head to head demos of modelers that, running through the same IR there's damn near parity these days, and then you throw in that it can capture, and capture VSTs, including NDSP's, I don't think that's something quantifiable.

 

[Exluthier]

I think you underestimate how much of a (big) selling point those are.

Headrush launched the MX5 in 2021, and killed it with the launch of Flex Prime in 2024.

But the Flex Prime incorporates new technology, the Stomp is the Stomp and is not going to do anything new in the foreseeable future, which goes back to my statement that it'll depend on what people prioritize. I own an LT and I'm sure the Stomp is a great product but I don't see it as so vastly better than the other modelers at that price point. A few years ago? Sure. Not so much now.

 

[mikah912]

Really? I've seen enough head to head demos of modelers that, running through the same IR there's damn near parity these days, and then you throw in that it can capture, and capture VSTs, including NDSP's, I don't think that's something quantifiable.

It is to me being that I gig and/or record in a band with both (Headrush Core and HX Stomp) pretty much every weekend. I've only tried capturing once as it comes with zero from Headrush, and it was....fine. Nothing notable.

 

[mikah912]

But the Flex Prime incorporates new technology, the Stomp is the Stomp and is not going to do anything new in the foreseeable future, which goes back to my statement that it'll depend on what people prioritize. I own an LT and I'm sure the Stomp is a great product but I don't see it as so vastly better than the other modelers at that price point. A few years ago? Sure. Not so much now.

Just so you know, very little on it is new. Even the clone tech is rebranded from the Revalver ACT module from many, many years ago. The models are a combo of ancient Eleven Rack and Revalver models with a few "new" variants thrown in.

 

[Exluthier]

It is to me being that I gig and/or record in a band with both (Headrush Core and HX Stomp) pretty much every weekend. I've only tried capturing once as it comes with zero from Headrush, and it was....fine. Nothing notable.

Just so you know, very little on it is new. Even the clone tech is rebranded from the Revalver ACT module from many, many years ago. The models are a combo of ancient Eleven Rack and Revalver models with a few "new" variants thrown in.

Yes I know all that but it's new as in incorporated into a small floor unit. And how old are the original Helix models at this point? Hell there are still guys touring with Digitech GSP1101s. That's hardly an indication of anything.

 

[Digital Igloo]

But the Flex Prime incorporates new technology, the Stomp is the Stomp and is not going to do anything new in the foreseeable future, which goes back to my statement that it'll depend on what people prioritize. I own an LT and I'm sure the Stomp is a great product but I don't see it as so vastly better than the other modelers at that price point. A few years ago? Sure. Not so much now.

Ugh. Helix/HX's underlying architecture, engine, capabilities, and model complexity/granularity/nuance has been radically improved over the past 9-1/2 years. If not the DSP equivalent (although its code efficiency allows it to hold its own against many other boxes), Helix 3.80 is the sonic equivalent of buying Helix II—or even Helix III—hardware.

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

Ugh. Helix/HX's underlying architecture, engine, capabilities, and model complexity/granularity/nuance has been radically improved over the past 9-1/2 years. If not the DSP equivalent (although its code efficiency allows it to hold its own against many other boxes), Helix 3.80 is the sonic equivalent of buying Helix II—or even Helix III—hardware.

And this is what makes it so easy to support the Helix platform as a conscious consumer! Really appreciate the business model and continuous improvements. I’ve been on a journey through an HX FX + Native, then an LT and now to suit my needs a Stomp. There are compromises of course but in the grand scheme of things the value is hard to beat.

 

[Exluthier]

Ugh. Helix/HX's underlying architecture, engine, capabilities, and model complexity/granularity/nuance has been radically improved over the past 9-1/2 years. If not the DSP equivalent (although its code efficiency allows it to hold its own against many other boxes), Helix 3.80 is the sonic equivalent of buying Helix II—or even Helix III—hardware.

Ok? It doesn't change functionally what the Stomp does. And why would that matter to someone buying one new?

 

[pipelineaudio]

I wish we could get something like the LT view on the floor that shows what snapshot it’s currently on.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Ok? It doesn't change functionally what the Stomp does. And why would that matter to someone buying one new?

The point is that HX Stomp's 3.80 engine is newer than that of any Headrush product (and several other relatively recent boxes). Any implication that it's old hat is either misinformed or disingenuous, particularly in a Helix-centric thread.

And its form factor—that is, being an actual stompbox for pedalboard guitarists and not reeking of "micro flagship," which precludes a built-in expression pedal—is but one reason why it continues to be so successful.

 

[the-trooper]

Any implication that it's old hat is either misinformed or disingenuous

Or it's because you (L6) never advertised the upgrades so people don't know about them and think it's the same old engine on the same old hardware (don't trust people will hear it).

 

[Lysander]

But the Flex Prime incorporates new technology, the Stomp is the Stomp and is not going to do anything new in the foreseeable future

MX5 and Flex Prime are, quite literally, the same hardware platform. And in those three years, the HX line has gotten substantial fimware updates - there's a reason why everyone raves about the new cab engine, for example.

Vote with your wallet, but vote wisely.

 

[norminal]

MX5 and Flex Prime are, quite literally, the same hardware platform.

Weren’t the Headrush models carried over from the old Avid Eleven Rack?

 

[Digital Igloo]

Or it's because you (L6) never advertised the upgrades so people don't know about them and think it's the same old engine on the same old hardware (don't trust people will hear it).

That's fair. We discuss engine improvements on forums, sure, and Helix Core, Poly Pitch, increased oversampling, and the new cab engine were big-ish engine-centric messages, but yeah, we haven't been trumpeting "Helix 2.5 with HX engine 16.78b" or whatever. Perhaps we should.

Guess that's why I'm in Products and not Marketing.