IDEA: Helix Lunchbox Amp Head

JiveTurkey said:
Footswitches feel crummy and those side controls are garbage. Next.
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The footswitches work great. You are stepping on it, not making love to it.
They've never failed and are clear on when they are on/off in all lighting.
I've been gigging one on and off for years without a single problem.
The side controls are small, sure, but also set and forget. I haven't touched them in months. No need.

So your hot take is silly, but you also avoided the actual question - does it sound good?
I say it sounds great. Euge Valovirta sold me on it and I'm glad he did.

 
FPFL said:
The footswitches work great. You are stepping on it, not making love to it.
They've never failed and are clear on when they are on/off in all lighting.
I've been gigging one on and off for years without a single problem.
The side controls are small, sure, but also set and forget. I haven't touched them in months. No need.

So your hot take is silly, but you also avoided the actual question - does it sound good?
I say it sounds great. Euge Valovirta sold me on it and I'm glad he did.

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It's fine totally. I'd play my Badlander and 5150 stealth over it all day long though.
 
Was a modellist for a long time. I slowly started accumulating some tube amps, starting with a HK GM40 which was a transition amp basically. Got a bunch of other amps but it wasn't until I got my BOSS TAE and could push dem output tubes that I had a revelation. Previously I knew that something was not right but couldn't tell what since I had no frame of reference. Now I know and I also know that something like an Orange CR is much better and closer to that tube thing than those pesky little class D bugs.
Never tried the blug but from what I've read on amp forums it's not that different than other class D amps.

And that's why Line6 HX50 must be at least class AB, big iron solid state if not tube.
 
JiveTurkey said:
It's fine totally. I'd play my Badlander and 5150 stealth over it all day long though.
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Those can be great I agree but I honestly don't think they are better, just different.
They are way bigger, heavier and more expensive, etc.

The point wasn't to compare, I like X vs Y amp that's taste, but to assert that all Class D isn't shite, and it seems you agree, so thanks.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Let's look at three different approaches to Helix Amp:

Helix Amp 1 has a similar UI cluster to Helix Floor (big screen, knobs, buttons, etc.), the same two DSPs, and presets are fully compatible with Helix Floor/Rack/LT/Native. Works with Helix Control (additional $449). On the downside, it's considered awfully expensive for a solid state amp, and amp customers really don't like the huge color screen on stage. Quite a few customers say "If I'm bringing an amp and Helix Control to a gig why don't I just use Helix Floor with whatever playback system I prefer?"
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I guess this is basically Helix "PowerRack" similar to Kemper's equivalent. It would probably have its fans as you don't have an extra rack unit for a poweramp, you have the "officially works great with Helix" poweramp built in and so on. I don't know how many people go for Kemper PowerToaster vs PowerRack but I assume the PowerToaster is more popular just because it doesn't need a rack case.

Digital Igloo said:
Helix Amp 2 is like Helix Amp 1 but has a "headless" UI with traditional tonestack knobs—no screen. It looks and acts much more like a traditional amp but the only way to edit anything beyond tonestacks and channel selection is to hook up HX Edit (or Pedal Edit from Helix Control). Quite a few customers ask "What happens in X years when Line 6 no longer supports HX Edit? I can use my Marshall for decades with no worry!"
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This probably depends on whether MIDI control can expand the control options or how small the Helix Amp 2 is by throwing out the Helix Rack UI.

I am not at all worried about computer editors - mobile apps are far more likely to be problematic over time as they become incompatible with the latest forced update iOS or Android. Or they get delisted out of app stores so you have to hunt down some .apk file from dubious sources.

Digital Igloo said:
Helix Amp 3 looks somewhat like Helix Amp 2 (also no screen) but adds a few extra knobs and buttons to access its limited number of simultaneous effects. It doesn't have the full signal path or block compliment of Helix Floor/Rack/LT, Helix Amp 1, or Helix Amp 2. You can tweak most of what you want from the front panel, but at least it looks like a real amp. Helix Amp 3 presets can be loaded into Helix, but not the other way around. Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."
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This would be my personal favorite. I find that I am pretty ok with things like fixed signal paths, or limited options when well executed. My pedalboard is pretty much set the way it is and I never have the urge to change it around.

It is definitely a bit like a "Catalyst XL" for sure. But as I said earlier, the Catalyst fx section was poorly executed, making it limited and inconvenient without using the editor.

For immediate fx control I'd probably want something like this as a baseline set of controls:
  • Boost/overdrive: gain/tone/level
  • Compressor: compression ratio/level (I'm a simple guy when it comes to compression!)
  • Modulation: depth/rate/mix/pre-or-post
  • Delay: time/feedback/tone/mix
  • Reverb: pre-delay/decay/tone/mix
Let's say these are encoders with LED rings for value, then we could get by with a model selector knob, 4 param knobs, and 6 push buttons for which of the 5 fx types you are editing + bypass toggle button.

Sounds a whole lot like the BluGuitar Amp X at this point, right? I expect that device's biggest blunder will be not using infinite rotaries for fx parameter control, requiring you to do the "wiggle until you hit the saved value" dance familiar from pedals with presets.

Digital Igloo said:
IMO, any of these might set the interwebz ablaze for a week or two but none of them feel like anything that would actually sell, especially long term. Prove me wrong.
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This would heavily depend on how they look (looks are important!), how much they cost and whether they fit into that sweet spot where they make sense to people who are otherwise overwhelmed by the options in a Helix, or who want something that is better than a Katana or Catalyst, but not dumbed down like the Fender Tone Master amps.

Helix Amp 1 would be probably the weakest option. A bit of a "why didn't you do this X years ago?!"
Helix Amp 2 is either hated by the "no apps" folks, or people accept that it compromises to be smaller and more portable.
Helix Amp 3 might have the most support just because at this point Line6 has a reputation for good amp/cab modeling and fx. There's other amp + fx type amps on the market from H&K, ENGL, Diezel etc but often the fx can be a bit "eh, it's fine" level stuff rather than truly competing with the best pedals like Line6 fx do.
 
JiveTurkey said:
Footswitches feel crummy and those side controls are garbage. Next.
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I AGREE by looking at them. I look at the ampx now and think" 10 yrs ago this would be cool but in 2024 its an antique" and its not even out. The design isnt robust looking at it.The flip up shield thing and tiny screen just dont cut it in 2024. And for $2k? nah
 
laxu said:
This would be my personal favorite. I find that I am pretty ok with things like fixed signal paths, or limited options when well executed. My pedalboard is pretty much set the way it is and I never have the urge to change it around.

It is definitely a bit like a "Catalyst XL" for sure. But as I said earlier, the Catalyst fx section was poorly executed, making it limited and inconvenient without using the editor.

For immediate fx control I'd probably want something like this as a baseline set of controls:
  • Boost/overdrive: gain/tone/level
  • Compressor: compression ratio/level (I'm a simple guy when it comes to compression!)
  • Modulation: depth/rate/mix/pre-or-post
  • Delay: time/feedback/tone/mix
  • Reverb: pre-delay/decay/tone/mix
Let's say these are encoders with LED rings for value, then we could get by with a model selector knob, 4 param knobs, and 6 push buttons for which of the 5 fx types you are editing + bypass toggle button.

Sounds a whole lot like the BluGuitar Amp X at this point, right? I expect that device's biggest blunder will be not using infinite rotaries for fx parameter control, requiring you to do the "wiggle until you hit the saved value" dance familiar from pedals with presets.
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laxu said:
Helix Amp 3 might have the most support just because at this point Line6 has a reputation for good amp/cab modeling and fx. There's other amp + fx type amps on the market from H&K, ENGL, Diezel etc but often the fx can be a bit "eh, it's fine" level stuff rather than truly competing with the best pedals like Line6 fx do.
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Thanks @laxu, this is what I was trying to express in my OP (and some following posts). Couldn't have explained better! I am saving your post, as I know someday if and when this amp becomes a thing, these would def. be features in it!

Yes, @Digital Igloo , HX Amp 3 is definitely my favourite, I am sure loads of people would love that.
 
JiveTurkey said:
Footswitches feel crummy and those side controls are garbage. Next.
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I love the footswitches! Zero issues, just as nice to press with a foot or a finger. LEDs that are not too bright but nicely visible.

I think the side controls get a bad rap from people trying the units because that's when you will mess with them the most. They are crap: fiddly to turn and impossible to see. I haven't touched mine in ages after dialing them to my liking so at least they are largely set-and-forget stuff.
 
JiveTurkey said:
I don't want an amp at my feet. Full stop. Oops I kicked the master volume no thanks.
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I love imaginary problems. It's the best kind of internet expertise.
Do you worry about kicking the knobs on stomp boxes too? It just seems like you have a grudge I don't understand.

FWIW, I've never kicked any of the knobs by mistake and I change channels on the thing all the time.
I also never did that with any of many kinds of pedals on pedalboards. I also play out sober.
I play in clubs and bars, aka on small to medium stages, most times. I'm no arena hero so I'm crowded for space as often as not.
 
JiveTurkey said:
I don't want an amp at my feet. Full stop. Oops I kicked the master volume no thanks.
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"I don't want a modeler at my feet because I keep kicking the preset selector knob." It is just not a real issue.

I just don't want to crouch to the floor to adjust anything. That's why I don't want a surfboard size Helix Floor, my pedalboard is a desk/stand board controlled via MIDI and my BluGuitar sits on top of my cab and is also MIDI controlled.
 
I'm not trying to convince anyone anything other than that all class D isn't shit.
I gave one example in Blug, there are others. This isn't hard.

The issue here is some chuckleheads here that need to say something else sucks to feel better about themselves it seems.
They aren't even on the same topic. Complaining about a form factor.

We already have TGP for this "fun", I was told this place was different, maybe it's just general gear forums that are hopeless.
People think there is a prize to be won for being a smart ass to strangers. I'm out.
 
FPFL said:
I'm out.
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oh-no-top-gear.gif
 
FPFL said:
I'm not trying to convince anyone anything other than that all class D isn't shit.
I gave one example in Blug, there are others. This isn't hard.

The issue here is some chuckleheads here that need to say something else sucks to feel better about themselves it seems.
They aren't even on the same topic. Complaining about a form factor.

We already have TGP for this "fun", I was told this place was different, maybe it's just general gear forums that are hopeless.
People think there is a prize to be won for being a smart ass to strangers. I'm out.
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Blug is good for a class d amp, man.
Nobody says it’s shite compared to other class d amps. It’s shite compared to non class d amps. Huge difference!!
 
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