Helix Talk

[Sascha Franck]

Btw, one thing that already crossed my mind ages ago for the first time: I'm wondering whether it'd be possible to add some embedded "patch information" to each patch.
As the HX family units are so flexible, I sometimes just forget what scenario some patches were made for. I'd like to have that covered in some kinda info box you could call up.
It's also that with some more complexed patches I created on the Floor, I had a pretty tough time "reverse engineering" them, simply because lots of controller assignments (often controlling multiple things at once), all snapshots and all stomp switches (including some set up via Command Center) were used. For some of these patches I actually created a dedicated patch text file with the most relevant information in it, but obviously that was saved on my computer - sure, could've taken it with me on a mobile device, but it'd be quite comfortable to have that information available straight in the patch.

Logic has such an information editor built in, and while I thoroughly ignored it for ages, after I got used to it some 3-4 years back, I really don't want to miss it anymore.

I know, it'd be tough to edit such an info text on the unit, but you could even come up with something generic and just add checks/unchecks to it. Apart from that, this obviously is what the editor would be for.

 

[dronerstone]

Long day of work, now riding home using public transport. The sole idea that's been bugging me for the last 8 hours:

Has anyone tried using the Tilt EQ as a wah?

(Auto on/off and center freq. sweep via expression)

From what I understand, it should act similarly to the Dunlop 105Q, since it creates a variable-frequency center/peak, while anything higher/lower is being attenuated.

 

[DieSchmalle]

Long day of work, now riding home using public transport. The sole idea that's been bugging me for the last 8 hours:

Has anyone tried using the Tilt EQ as a wah?

(Auto on/off and center freq. sweep via expression)

From what I understand, it should act similarly to the Dunlop 105Q, since it creates a variable-frequency center/peak, while anything higher/lower is being attenuated.

No, a Tilt EQ is a different thing. The Filter -> Q Filter in Bandpass mode can be used like the Dunlop though.

 

[dronerstone]

No, a Tilt EQ is a different thing. The Filter -> Q Filter in Bandpass mode can be used like the Dunlop though.

Thanks so much, I'll have to try that this weekend!

 

[pipelineaudio]

I dream of something the DSP power of the HX Stomp half the size of the HXone. No switches, just a knob to pick the preset. MIDI in, spdif in and out, analog in and out. Just to add more DSP to the helix itself

 

[molul]

That would be a HXzero XD

 

[GuitarJon]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

 

[JiveTurkey]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

I enjoyed watching this! I have only owned 3/8 of these devices myself, so it is not for me to contradict the ranking. I found what you said about the devices I know absolutely correct and reasonable.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I like that the Boss ME-wtfever is ranked above the TBP and the Headrush stuff

 

[EOengineer]

It’s so bizarre to see Helix remaining so competitive as a nearly decade old device in such a crowded space.

As a consumer I’m floored by the value I’ve received from Helix, but the gear addict in me is getting frustrated. Im sick of looking at this hardware. I keep trying to convince myself pedals and tubes are the way. Then rehearsal rolls around and I’m shoving the Helix through a Superlead, basically using it as a big pedalboard. The thing is just so damn practical I can’t shake it because everything I try to replace it with feels like a hassle.

Kudos, L6.

 

[ian_dissonance]

The thing is just so damn practical I can’t shake it because everything I try to replace it with feels like a hassle.

Kudos, L6.

This is where I’m at right now. There are a few things I wanna do that it doesn’t right now, but anything that does do it is either more expensive/more hassle or would require multiple additional pieces to take the place of it without losing any ease-of-use.

 

[LCW]

It’s so bizarre to see Helix remaining so competitive as a nearly decade old device in such a crowded space.

As a consumer I’m floored by the value I’ve received from Helix, but the gear addict in me is getting frustrated. Im sick of looking at this hardware. I keep trying to convince myself pedals and tubes are the way. Then rehearsal rolls around and I’m shoving the Helix through a Superlead, basically using it as a big pedalboard. The thing is just so damn practical I can’t shake it because everything I try to replace it with feels like a hassle.

Kudos, L6.

Probably helps to be owned by Yamaha... I'm sure they have ample resources vs some of the smaller players.

 

[Lysander]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

How DARE you not pick my favorite modeler at #1?! j/k you totally did

I don't know if it's just me, but i've been noticing a (well deserved!) renaissance of appreciation for Helix lately. What Line6 has achieved with this family of products is remarkable.

 

[molul]

It’s so bizarre to see Helix remaining so competitive as a nearly decade old device in such a crowded space.

As a consumer I’m floored by the value I’ve received from Helix, but the gear addict in me is getting frustrated. Im sick of looking at this hardware. I keep trying to convince myself pedals and tubes are the way. Then rehearsal rolls around and I’m shoving the Helix through a Superlead, basically using it as a big pedalboard. The thing is just so damn practical I can’t shake it because everything I try to replace it with feels like a hassle.

Kudos, L6.

It would be funny doing the math on how much all of the effects, amps and cabs would cost if we had them as physical amps and pedals.

I'm glad I moved to Helix, and fortunately, it has everything I need (the last pedals I got rid of were EHX Pitchfork and a shimmer).

A friend of mine asked me for advice on some gear. He was about to buy a few pedals (whammy, overdrive, big muff, reverb, etc) and I told him "dude, those pedals separately will be like 650€. For a bit more you have dozens of pedals, amps, easier way of switching effects...". He got the Helix LT and he was really happy.

Helix is a beast.

 

[Foxmeister]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

I'm disappointed you didn't post this over at TOP - I'd already prepared some beer and popcorn for the ensuing meltdown!

When you said that the top two could have been in either position, I genuinely expected Fractal to come out on top in your list, but ultimately, your entirely subjective choice of the top two matched my own. FWIW, I could have been perfectly happy with my FM9 when I had it (or my FM3), but tonally, I could get what I wanted out of the Helix, and I simply preferred the Helix workflow.

What is interesting though is that you are a high-gain player, and it seems like the group-think over at TOP is that Fractal *objectively* crushes Helix on high-gain...

 

[GuitarJon]

I'm disappointed you didn't post this over at TOP - I'd already prepared some beer and popcorn for the ensuing meltdown!

When you said that the top two could have been in either position, I genuinely expected Fractal to come out on top in your list, but ultimately, your entirely subjective choice of the top two matched my own. FWIW, I could have been perfectly happy with my FM9 when I had it (or my FM3), but tonally, I could get what I wanted out of the Helix, and I simply preferred the Helix workflow.

What is interesting though is that you are a high-gain player, and it seems like the group-think over at TOP is that Fractal *objectively* crushes Helix on high-gain...

Maybe someone else will share it there... If I make a thread about it it will be moved or deleted quickly anyway. I was expecting people to get pissed but so far the response has been great! Some people are bummed out that the Kemper wasn't included but I don't have one (I only wanted to feature devices that I currently own) and it obviously has no amp models in it.

 

[norminal]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

No A/B comparisons. Reported.

 

[BahamaDada]

Verrrryyyy carefully dropping this here. I tried to be as fair as possible and be as honest as I could:

I am no big fan of this stuff. IMO it's always... Meh, 17 min video talking. Just talking.

That being out of the way: I watched it the whole way through. It was fun. It was informative. Great vid, Jon.

 

[laxu]

No A/B comparisons. Reported.

I think that's actually great about this video, because the real differences in the boxes shown are in workflow, features, effects etc. I think a short demo clip of each device at its best would have been cool tho.

There's such a huge overemphasis on the amp modeling comparisons. Even if something is not accurate, it does not mean you can't get good tones out of it. I got good tones over 20 years ago from a Yamaha DG combo, even if it wasn't accurate, tended to make all guitars sound a bit samey etc. Obviously if I'm buying, I'd rather buy something that does sound the best.

There's also the expectation from the price point, like I don't expect an Ampero II Stage to be the same as some of the pricier units.

I do agree with GuitarJon's thoughts here. I really liked the Helix Floor I had as an overall package. It was easy enough to use, it had everything in one box, sounded great etc. I still use Helix Native, probably will use it more now that I sold the Axe-Fx. I just wish it scaled properly as it's a bit small on my 4K screen.

I could see myself using the Helix Floor even now if I could still use floor modelers. I have a hiatal hernia that makes bending over to adjust things on the floor for any longer length of time really uncomfortable, so it has to be desk/top of cab unit and the HX Stomp does not pass muster because of its severely gimped UI. For rack, I'd rather have the Axe-Fx 3. So Line6 just doesn't make the right product for me - which would be more along the lines of the QC.

I had high hopes for the Quad Cortex and loved the form factor and UI, but it was too raw when it released 3 years ago. Now I don't want to buy another one, because I expect we will see a Boss "GX-1000 Core", Fractal "FM4" or Line6 "Double Helix Stomp" within 1-2 years.