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Did the Helix get OLD?
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
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only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together - www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
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Try my patches for Pod GO using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnath... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
I’d much rather have older hardware with software from a dedicated company that know what they’re doing and keep rolling out updates for free
EXACTLY!
I AGREE!! Especially since it seems as soon as you buy something it becomes outdated. I mean I’m still using a Katana MK1, and it is still fine.
@@JohnW335andTelei mean if people still use vintage pedals then nothing can truly be outdated unless you fall victim to marketing campaigns.
@@JosePineda-jn8jk yeah, it's annoying when people say modeler X is obsolete now. It's a tool for making sounds and it sounds exactly the same as the day you bought it. If you liked the sounds and it wasn't obsolete the day you got it then it's not now.
I got my Helix in 2019 and since then it's been upgraded at least 1/2 a dozen times. It's now a (far!) better unit than when I bought it! Definitely not getting old!
As usual, great video, but one thing I'd like to point out is that L6 is doing an _extremely_ good job not letting the HX line seem 'old' by doing exceptional firmware upgrades even these many years after releasing the device. The new Grammatico amps, including their Dumble take, are examples of where they are continuing to add real, serious value to the platform, all gratis for all users. They're getting to the point where almost by definition they are looking at more and more niche features to add to the unit, but it's a point in their favor that they keep on doing that. They could basically cut/copy/paste their current plexi into another amp, change a few params and give it a new name and probably get away with it. But instead they are building in new amps (like the Gramms) and fun werido delays and new, fancy univibes and so on. I will happily buy a Stomp2 when one is released, but with the way they updated the current series, the Stomp I have now is the opposite of 'old' to me. And still the smartest $500 bucks I've ever spent on guitar gear.
I can think of so many features that a new Helix model should have. Glitch effects (think along the line of Chase Bliss but without directly putting them out of business), more classic drive emulations, vintage and modded versions of said drive/pedals types.. a meter for those compressors to help with peak and rms. Better audio interface options with a physical knob to separately adjust the guitar in without compromising CPU, better CPU. The current Helix is amazing but we're heading into a new frontier.
I’ve had my LT for going on 6 years. It’s way way better now than when I got it. The 2203 that just came out is really good. The effects are great. I can dial in a sound from scratch in two minutes flat on the unit itself. I keep trying to leave and they keep releasing great updates that pull me back.
I still play it everyday, I still absolutely love it and if it broke, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Can't live without it. Maybe someday I'll buy something else like a QC, but for now, I'm more than happy with it!
Cheers John ✌️
Totally agree.
It cant get better than Helix
The Kemper is also considered 'old' and as a recent purchaser of a Kemper Stage.... it's the best sounding unit I've ever owned.. including a Helix LT... as they say age is just a number
I actually really like the form factor or the helix. As someone with larger feet, having all those switches available with decent spacing is awesome. New updates have incrementally improved the unit a great deal. Helix 2 with double the DSP, built in wireless and load box capabilities would be unreal. I don’t really care about or even want a touch screen. It’s already so user friendly
After 12 months they are all considered old. Nice intro.
I’m a 68 year old guitar player and guitar builder. I’ve heard and seen a ton of guitar players in my life. I think Nnjohn is even better than sone of my old favorites. I’m not going to name the others because I don’t want to start a fight here. Every stinking time I open one of John’s videos he’s always got a magical beginning section that always blows me away.
I’ve had mine for 7 years now. Scribble strips, the general size I still really like. One thing I really like is the spacing between the footswitches.
I just really want more processing power from it. I use mine for a specific style of P+W. To be able to have the helix run pads and still have enough DSP to run some of the bigger delays and verbs would be ideal.
Yeah I'd love to be able to run a split into 4 different amps, each into 2 cab types, create a big, panned guitarsound thatway.
I had a Helix years ago; been using a HX-Effects for a few years now. been using Helix Native for a few years now.
Most used Helix are still holding value unless they're in good or worse condition - used gear is fine, not into abused gear.
My new Helix Floor and backpack are scheduled for delivery tomorrow.
In blind tests, top of the line Fractal, Helix, QC, Kemper, etc. Modelers sound nearly identical when dialed in by a skilled used. The "Sonic Drive Studio" YT Channel is a great place to hear comparisons.
The Helix Floor seems big to me, but depending on the venue and the need for many different connections, it could be the perfect all-in-one unit.
10 year tech and still kicking hard. Im a huge fan of the format and size. Though it would be nice to have a hardware update to support usb-c, bluetooth, and more processing power
I totally agree on the dated Loop. I ended up buying a Boss just for basic looping, but if the Looper in Helix just had more memory and better integration in the board. Right now you basically needs to go into looper instead of having 2 buttons allocated on the main buttons (could be great to be able to use bank up/down for rec+start/stop)
Soundwise the last amp updates with the Emsley, are the best amp I've had, and an amp i can't get anywhere else, so this makes me stay in the Line6 universe. I'd never imagine that it was an amp that vender locked me :)
Thanks Johnathan! Awesome presets!
Congratulations John for the 100k!!
They just did a major update. Can the hardware get better? Because they seem to constantly support the software. Which is exactly what you want to see. If the hardware is solid. And I think it is, the software can be updated indefinitely.
Only if you have to have the latest and greatest. Still sounds fantastic to my ears. More so when you play through than when I do
Bought my Helix last Summer. I think even though it's been around for a long time, it was the right move for me to get one. All i really wanted was a multi-EFX unit and got SOOO much more than i thought i was getting. Im still learning how to use it and how to apply each if it's features for workflow purposes.
Helix was the best investment I ever made. Downside is no midi on looper
Those small OLED displays above the footswitches were a really smart idea. If every switch does something totally different in every preset they are essential in my opinion.
I'm pretty sure they're LCDs, not OLEDs... OLED strips would make the helix unreasonably more expensive.
@@larryblankenship8202 I don't think that's still the case. Small displays are mostly moving towards OLED now. You can get OLED modules for less than a dollar. As long as they are monochrome there's no big difference in price.
Helix is the best money I ever spent on gear. I started with Stomp XL, got Helix Native on top and upgraded my Stomp to the big Helix. I have sold my tube amp a few months back, Helix was all I've been using live for the past 2 years. I even took it to the recording studio last month to lay down the guitar parts for my Indie/Rock group. I didnt even consider using any kind of analog amps/pedals. I'm never looking back.
I actually love that the helix has the expression/volume pedal built in. I wish kemper and quad cortex made units with that built in. Easier to carry an all in one unit than having to either carry a seperate volume pedal or mount the whole thing on a huge pedalboard. I think the helix hardware (and the UI) is incredible, despite the tones being far behind kemper, quad cortex, and fractal.
Me too. I have an external pedal with HX FX but this (plus having a backup rig) is one of the reasons I'll go Helix LT eventually. I don't honestly hear that huge difference in tone from Kemper et al either ... not enough to buy 2 units anyway
Hey thank you for this video. I'm planning to move from PodGo to Helix LT and this video was really helpful :D
Hows the lt going? This is what im gonna do!
I would like to see a new Helix that’s smaller , just as powerfull as the floor with most of the I/O as the floor. Have thought about the XL stomp but I don’t think it has the processing power of the floor. If it did, it would be a no brained for me. I love my Helix though, it’s my go to, stopped using my pedalboard after I got the hang of the Helix, only use a small one for fly dates because I not a fan of running through airports with it even though I have the backpack. Someone mentioned in the thread something along the line of Fractal stuff being easy to dial in than the Helix and that’s just not true. I like my FM3 except it’s way more difficult IMO to dial in tones on it. I do like the fact though that with my FM3 along with the FC6 & 2 expression pedals will fit in a rolling computer case, nice to transport, but I still use my Helix the most. Your tones and playing are always on point btw.
Purchased mine in early 2017 and I use it for all kinds of live and studio situations. The size is perfect for me and my feet and I have never been missing a touch screen; editing presets is done lightning fast on both the unit and the HxEdit program. To me, this is the best purchase ever. And it even has a double-functioning expression pedal built in!
The idea that hardware has a lifecycle that only lasts a few years strikes me to be inherented from phones. For music gear look at synths and samplers. Roland took about 15 years between the sp404 mark I and mark ii
I had a Peavy rage and a Washburn explorer copy learning in the late 80's. We have spectacular gear now.
If they could take the LT and shrink it down physically by about 25% and leave the expression pedal on it, i would never need another modeller
I think this is why I'm going to buy a second hand LT and keep my pod go!
On rare occasions they just get it right on the 1st shot. Perhaps the Helix, as far as all in one solutions, is the telecaster of the modeling world.
I went through that whole reflexion process before I got my Helix floor in June 2023. I don't regret it one bit. That meant I already could upgrade it to 3.60 so I started with the new cabs.
Since then I went through multiple iterations of my presets and I love the Helix for that because it really enables me to "sculpt" the tone.
I play in a neo-prog band where we play our originals but we also have an 80s era Marillion tribute project where the tones to emulate have pretty clear and specific parameters. Both our original set as well as the Marillion stuff require me to have two amps presets (one for pristine clean, the other for crucnh to higher gain and lead).
So, after finding and dialing the amps (the JC-12 for the cleans for Marillion and the Cali Texas ch 1 for the cleans for our originals and the Revv Gen Red for any gain), it became a search for the best cab solution for my needs and that has led me to use mostly IRs. As good as the cabs are since the 3.50 firmware update, I prefer to use dual cab blocks to mix two microphones and, for Marillion, this also requires two separate cabs (one fore the JC-120 and one for gain). But this would use up too much DSPay too much DSP.
So I use IRs which make it easy to use snapshot to change to the appropriate IR depending on the amp used between JC-120 cab IRs and V30s cab IRs (always mixing a 57 IR with a Royer 121 IR.
For our own material, the reason I use IRs as well is again, not because the Helix cabs are not good enough and I would not need to use different cabs. It's just that Line 6 has not yet included my favorite speaker in the Helix ecosystem which is the G12H-75 Creamback, I just love that speaker and my Revv 1x12 has one in it. My main cab is a Marshall 1960A 4x12 that has two V30s and 2 H75 Creambacks in X pattern in it. I love that combo so I use IRs of a Zilla FatBoy 2x12 with these two speakers in it (the H75 is the actual mic'ed speaker) and again, mix a 57 and a 121. That works for me and enables me to get a tones whit just the righ mids I was never quite able to achieve with the built-in cabs.
The Helix not having my favorite speaker in it really is my only caveat with it. When I do use the built in cab, I usually use the Uber V30s 4x12 which I much prefer to the other V30s speakers in there.
In conclusion though, I knew when I bought the Helix that it was an older modeller. But but I loved the flexibility, I knew the quality of the effects having used an HXFX in my tube amp rig for nearly 3 years and the connectivity and I/O made it a no brainer. I think the drives are bit hit and miss but there's a few truly great ones in there. The software updates are really keeping the Helix relevant and it seems the hardware is still pretty powerful even by today's standards. Yes, some blocks are DSP intensive and more DSP would be nice, but I don't think the Helix is obsolete yet. It really does hold its own still.
Fantastic jam!
I loved my helix, used it for 7 years but I picked up a tonex and it honestly feels more like an amp to play. The limited flexibility was a huge issue, so picked up an hx stomp and now I have a hybrid board that can go direct. Wish I could have helix form factor with tonex feel.
Line 6 holds up really well for all that i have done for years. Even my old bass line 6 pod still works fantasticly.
I just sold my LT and got the HX stomp, still loving it the LT, but it's getting old and wanted to jump to another rig but keeping helix effects. I have been using Line 6 modeling forever, but certainly, for me, it's a better business sold and bought to try to avoid losing the less money possible.
The expression "cold, dead fingers" comes to mind. The best money I've ever spent (back in 2016) in the guitar realm. And they keep making it better.
Years ago when I owned the old flextone, line 6 head people would come up to me at gigs and rave about my tone. It didn’t sound particularly great compared to a tube amp. It’s all in who plays it.
Just found this channel. Fantastic playing and I really like the laid back and honest approach you have. Just wondering, do you include backing tracks and transcriptions to the songs played in your intros on your patreon?
Thanks for making this video...i have been umming and ahhhhhing for ages about whether to get one. I play live a lot ( bass) and was going to settle for the stomp, but when i found out about the 3 note pad creator through your video it just opened up a host of possibilities for adding simple synth lines to existing songs...but in order to run it the way i want i need all the IOs on the full helix... So what to do.....pull the trigger at £1100 ( which is about all i can spare at the moment) or go for a used unit... But then i have already had 2 ebayers lie about the quality of their units ..so your into that whole trust thing....and i am very wary about electrical glitches... I've bought used digital gear before and the piece of gear showed no signs if issues...until live when it cut out completely.... Hard to mend this stuff when it goes wrong.
I think my issue at the monent is ..if i buy new for peace of mind and its not what i want, or doesnt quite do what i need live, and i need to chop it in and a new one is suddenly released...used values could plummet.
I wish that line 6 did a garuntee upgrade trade in value, or they should be more forthcoming with potential release dates... I really dont think it woild have an impact on sales... For me .....if it is going to be 6 months or longer until a new unit...i buy now...no problem.. ...but i could wait a month or 2 if there is new unit coming...
Or maybe i should just get on with it....at the end of the day i dont care if there is new unit out there if the support for this unit continues.
Still using my LT but through a guitar speaker (V30) and leaving the IR on. I don't have to futz with the eq to remove spikey sounds. My live set up is a Tonex/Helix Stomp combo again through a V30 which I prefer to the LT but I miss the amount of snapshots.
I got my Helix Floor about a month after it got released. I had one repair I needed to get done on it but in general has been the most robust and ever evolving and supported piece of gear I've ever had. I agree that some of the newer effects like Poly Pitch and the Feedbacker are almost too DSP intensive for the hardware but you can make some creative concessions to if you really need to. I would get a next generation unit in a heartbeat if it included at least 50% more power. I'd absolutely consider the same unit DSP wise but if it had a smaller footprint for better portability including removing the expression pedal so I can do my own thing with that. In terms of the footswitch layout, I hope they don't mess with that too much if they make a smaller unit. Something like the QC footswitches are too tough to navigate, but not impossible. And while the spacing difference is minor when I compare it my Pod Go, if I'm singing and needing to make a verse/chorus/ solo change, I mis-hit all the time ( top row is a bit closer to the bottom row) but never seem make that mistake on the Helix.
Im looking at getting into modeling just mainly for practice and church, i almost pulled the trigger on a fractal fm3 l, but i think im going with the stomp xl. The price is unreal for what you get. If i can make it sound half as good as you I'll be fine.
Having recently purchased a Quad Cortex my answer on this is...kind of in the middle. I feel the Helix has a lot going for it and it comes in so many variants that can suit most needs and as an owner of both an LT and a Stomp I'm pretty happy with their performance and I don't feel limited in a way. Comparing them with the Cortex I noticed that, when recreating my usual presets in it, I was merely scratching it's power when even the LT would already require the occasional DSP saving compromise; and that's where the age is actually felt, especially with the poly effects which are life savers just as much as DSP hogs. But other than that I feel the Line6 is doing a great job keeping the unit in par with the competition through some solid quality updates (I've been recently running a combination Oblivion/Clarity preset and it sounds fantastic).
So to me what Line6 needs it's not a revamp, but maybe a hardware update with new chips that maybe give the stomp line the same power of the current top end hardware and to the floor and rack units something closer to the newer kids on the block.
Other than that I don't see much that actually is needed. For sound quality the only criticism I have is that Line6 consistently botches factory presets and default amp/cab settings. With the QC what impressed me was that just by putting the amp and cab blocks I was a couple of tweaks away from the classic sound that amp did, while with the Helix (and pod before it) it always needs some broader strokes to me; which might be off puting for a new user who wants to setup and go fast.
Maybe capturing capacities could be a thing too, maybe. To me it's a bit of a gimmick unless you have an amp you want to profile and the equipment to do so properly. AS for the drive pedal profiling, even that to me is a bit of party trick. It doesn work well with fuzz and more esoteric stuff (even a QC evangelist like Rabea Massad uses a real fuzz instead of profiling it) and for run of the mill drives it is kind of pointless. I profiled my favorite tubescreamer clone which I use for the stomp and yeah, it did the thing; however it just became a snapshot of a drive pedal losing the dynamic touch an analog drive gives to the modeller and, lets be honest, how many drive variations do you really need?
Speaking of which, the FX on the Helix are still so many and great sounding. One thing I miss in the QC is just that, for FX it has the basic stuff but nothing with the extra spice stuff like the Heliosphere has on the Helix. And one thing I love about Line6 fx that I have a hard time finding elsewhere is that, even with a low mix that doesn't get in the way of your playing, you feel and hear them enhance the sound rather that having a tight sweet spot between chaotic and non existent. So yeah, I feel the Helix is reaching it's power limits but I believe it requires just a hardware facelift than a full fledged new unit
There is still nothing on the market that can replace the size, functionality, and price point of the Helix floor. When you go smaller you give up foot switches and scribble strips and connection options. The only step up is the Fractal Axe FX III but the dollar/value increase is not worth the budget and you are having to deal with the rack and footswitch separation so it's more to lug around. You can put your entire song list as presets and go through it easily at a gig. It still today is the best dollar/value in the market.
The price difference between Fractal and Line 6 is even bigger in the UK. Fractal works out at $1400 more than the price of LT in the UK.
same in Australia @@ianwillo, the Fractal units are very expensive here
I get that software and hardware in the digital realm moves quickly, but we're mostly all still playing guitars that were designed in the 50's & 60's or at least were derived from those designs. If you're an acoustic player, it was even longer ago. Most desirable amp and pedal designs (including most of those that the Helix emulates) are all ~50 years old as well.
I'm not throwing shade by any means, but the Helix works, and sounds fantastic. The continual support from Line 6 has been fantastic. I couldn't possibly care any less that the Helix is 9 years old. That being said if they came out with a new Helix I'd drool over it just like i did for this one.
tried using helix native and i just couldn't get tones that sounded as good as tonex or ampero with the amps i like to use (jcm-900 triple rec blend). there are undeniably good sounding amps and effects in there, i particularly like the Line 6 Kinetic amp, but it is like a decade old and that's noticeable both with the sound, hardware and software.
I bought the hd500x about 5 years ago and the salesman was confused I didn’t go for the helix. The helix did sound better, but imo it didn’t sound 700 usd better. Besides I have a house full of the amps and effects that these units model, and the audience can’t tell a difference. Hd500x is still more than capable for my use case and I am more than sure the helix is still absolutely great
I just bought a Helix. I sense a lot of fun coming up!
If you look at something like the H90 it’s both cutting edge technology & contains loads of legacy effects that still sound superb. The stuff in the Helix sounds great and will still sound great years from now.
I sold my Helix gear not because I thought it was outdated or bad sounding but because the Tonex pedal a) was cheaper b) did what I wanted a modeller to do and c) fitted better into my rig and workflow. Now, I do also think the Tonex sounds better than the Helix, but those differences are small enough to genuinely not be a big driver.
I think the Line6 stuff is great and a very safe investment to boot.
The Quad Cortex hardware is good (aside from power supply, which is simply not a professional solution imo) but a much riskier investment based on its history of updates, features promised but not delivered etc.
John’s favourite Abba song is “Waterloo” because alongside a catchy melody, it reminds him of war.
I thought it was because he thinks it's 'Waterpoo' due to his dyslexia.
Although it’s not where Napoleon did surrender so ABBA have been lying to us all these years.
@@Dantespeako _no, that’s the issue he has with Chiquitita_
Mine's Gimme Gimme Gimme. I have no shame in it lol
I thought it was because it reminds him he needs to call a plumber.
Thanks!
I got a Digidesign Eleven Rack a couple years after it came out (around the time Avid took it over). One of its main selling points was upgradeability, and there was one very good upgrade. I loved it, and still use it. But Avid dropped it like a hot potato (some of the team went on to form Headrush, I believe); the upgrades stopped well before it reached its full potential. Support is crucial! That's been a main drive for me re: Line 6. I've had similar experience with audio interfaces; I started with interfaces by M-Audio and then Mackie, and they sounded and worked well at first, but both companies failed to support their devices beyond a couple years. I then invested in an RME interface that I'm still using nearly 14 years later, still with full support from RME. Gear from a solid manufacturer offering good support has some up-front cost, but there are significant long-term savings-not just the money saved by not having to upgrade every few years, but also the time saved (and headaches avoided) by not having to deal with hardware changes. -Tom
As you've just demonstrated, the Helix still sounds great and they keep coming up with stellar updates. My only complaints with it is that it's not powerful enough and like you said, it's really way too big. Also I don't like the expression pedal. I much prefer to use a 3rd party one. The Quad Cortex, while super powerful, doesn't have scribble strips and gig view in my opinion sucks. Also I hate the fact that you have to use an external power supply because as I've found through years of gigging, sooner or later they fail. NAMM is this week so we'll see if they come out with a Helix II. I love my AxeFx III for my studio but the thought of using that live would be a nightmare. I don't own an FM9 but I wonder if that's underpowered too. They all have their pluses and minuses so it's just best to use what's best for you.
A Helix is a complete pedal board and pretty much the same size. People love giant pedal boards. I agree about knobs. Nobody has figured this out yet.
You sound like my ex-wife
I laugh at people say it is too big and then use a pedal board with a Stomp on it that is actually often bigger.
i truely believe its the perfect size and amount of buttons and the scribble strips and built in exp pedal are just amazing for a LIVE GIG guitarist, i wouldnt really change a thing, maybe more dsp power? physically i think its perfect, Iv tried to use just the hx effects and i always have to sacrifice something cuz of lack of dsp and buttons....helix floor is imo perfect
i use real tube amps as well so the helix switches channels and adds boosts and fx, few times amp didnt work but i have a backup at my feet, back up and running in 30 seconds or less
Look to history for the answers to this one... It took Kemper and Fractal to force Line 6 to make a technology jump to where they're at today. That leap was all made possible by improvements to DSP chips. If you follow that space, you'll get the feeling that the industry has mostly lost interest in audio-specific DSP products - so another leap like we saw with the Helix will not likely come from hardware, but will have to be better software algorithms which are much more expensive to develop. Unless someone like Neural, Kemper, or Fractal come out with a showstopper, don't expect to see the Helix go anywhere soon!
Dude, it would be awesome if you could do a John Frusciante board. A “sounds like” series, if you will. I have a frusciante board but thinking strongly of buying a helix (back & forth) but can’t make up my mind. Little worried about dsp, as you mentioned, since John uses a lot of effects and runs two amps.
PLEASE make this happen. Your channel is great and I think it would help grow it even bigger.
i have a tonex hx effects amp academy boss katana two note opus blackstar amped 1 I had a headrush mx 5 nux mg 30 boss ir 200 boss 1000 core boss ME90 hx stomp and I got once again a helix lt.I had to sell it 2 times because of moneyissues and i hated selling it both times but man I just keep going back to it because imo its the best one.Im thinking of an axe fx but i will keep the lt and hopefully never have to sell it.with all the firmware updates it has stayed head to head with all other modelers and imo surpassed them.
My dream is at NAMM they announce amp capturing for the unit. I’d buy another one the next day. I love everything about the unit except the weird feel when your chugging. I still have Native and have kinda fixed some of that with the 3 Band Comp but not completely.
Did you change your shared Helix folder organization? I don't see some folders that were there before. Also having a hard time finding some mentioned in the video. Thnx!
I have enough newer pedals like the Eventide H9 and de Keeley Halo. But! Still use the Old Boss GT3 once in a while. Still sounds ok! What exactly is wrong whith older pedals/multi-effectboards? Would be Nice to compare a bunch of old and New multi-effects.
So I just downloaded your entire bundle.....which preset would cover a set based around a 60s 70s set? Love the 80s stuff
Regarding portability, the gig bag you can buy for the Helix is great and overcomes most of the objections about being able to easily carry it around.
Controversial opinion: the Quad Cortex is too small. The scribble script is a "quality-of-life" must for me, so anything modeler without it gets a hard pass.
I've been using the Fender Tone Master Pro almost exclusively since it came out. Loving the ease and speed with which I can dial in sounds, which is unmatched by any other product out there at this point. I'm ok for now with its current limitations. I'm also defaulting to using Helix Native or Neural DSP plug-ins in my DAW when I want/need to use what those products do that the TMP can't.
Like my 58 year old Pro Reverb, the Helix gets the silent stage thing done for me. When either of them become unable to do the job, I'll think about replacement.
I am waiting for a device similar to the HX Stomp XL but with scribble strips and no wall wart please.
Hey there! Have you tried the Ampero Stage as yet? I see a bit of press starting to come through about this one. Be very interested to know your thoughts. Am an avid Helix user and love your channel! Cheers, ANgus
I haven't yet Angus, I was just considering grabbing one for some vids
We all go drop $1000 on latest iPhone every 2-3 years with no return, but we act like a $1600 pedal is supposed to last a lifetime 😂
Im considering buying a helix but i've never use any kind of modelation amp only tub amp or combo could someone help me or give advice on what to buy with it like a frfr/pa speaker ? I would like the smallest set up possible but i play live not to much bedroom play thank you !
Get a HeadRush FR108 - small but loud enough to practice with a drummer (plus stick a bit through the PA if necessary) . I have several sets of good headphones, but I'd still recommend something like this.
I have a Q about using it with pedals. I play my tube amps very clean. But if I plug my pedalboard into my helix, my overdrive pedals have about half the amount of gain, than they have when I use it with tubeamps. Confusing to me. If I put a low gain overdrive between helix and pedalboard, its getting closer to the real thing. I want to have the helix as a backup, but dont want to fiddle with my overdrive pedals if I have to switch
its just too big, thats always been my problem with it, i went for a gt1000 instead, which is still big but not helix big, lately i pickd up a headrush mx5, havent gigged it yet but its tiny size power and ease of use is great, its ac30 sim is also very impressive
It only appears old when compared to the interfaces being offered from the Headrush Prime or Fender Tone Master Pro. That being said, if you spend the time and add specific pedals in the effects loop you can still get great tones. I keep looking at upgrading from my trusty Line 6 Firehawk FX but I just don't see there being a £1200 improvement in effect or modeling quality to justify changing.
I’d like to see these companies ditch the onboard expression pedal. I’m goofy-foot, so I use my left foot for wah/expression anyway. The space they would save on the overall size would reduce the huge footprint.
John I haven’t heard you comment on pickups . Are you the kind of player that just plays the pickups in what ever your playing, certainly over 35 years of guitar building and doing tech work , I’ve had all kinds of fellows come in saying “ I’m stale” I wonder if you can help me with a set of pickups that can help my inspiration. I’m always thinking to myself Pratice. Yeah I do believe in the stomp boxes since the very first pod came out or the vetts III. Playing with effects can help you accidentally come up with something different so you practice your neee sound more there ya go inspiration . ! John has such a natural touch that I think his fingers have a little AI in the tip of each finger. I can predict that when John is shredding all those creamy licks that he may say to him self now I’ll play x y or z but there’s no way he thinks about Ravi and every note . If he did he’d screw up every other note c no he gets an idea plays it over and over not as much as I’d have to then it goes into his data base?.
Speaking of some things that have been an inspiration to me are my twin Line DT 50 amps. Actually one is a 312 combo and one is a head.
A month ago I as replacing a set of strat pickups for a friend who I built a couple strats for him. He’s never happy with his bridge pickup . and I’ve never been crazy about full humbuckers at the bridge pod. Until he came in with a set of SEYMOUR DUNCAN SJBJ1 JB JR, Stratocaster set . So I finally just bought. A set for myself. The pickups come pre wired to do your typical coil taps . Oh I’m just listening to you playing an Eric Johnson type thing, delisous. I know you love guitar and lrsticed a lot but tell us. Did you have to practice 12 hours a day or did electric rainbows just flow out of your finger tips and start playing all those delisous sounds. Thank you I really enjoy your music. John do you have any albums for sale ? Definatly gifted like Eric Johnson , etc. I hope they have pratice studios set up I heaven. So while you’re entertaining God we can listen to . He did give you that talent so I guess He always gets in free. 😊
So i assume no Helix replacement was announced at NAMM 6 weeks ago? My Helix Rack is on deaths door - so I am in a bit of a bind at this point in time. Any suggestions?
I maintain for the average rocker guitarist who isnt building spaceship style signal paths the hx stomp xl is perfect in size...capacity and sound quality. Not one of the newer devices has enticed me to change especially regarding their prices.
Old or not...with the help of the Helix LT I found my "own" sound which many would describe as very modern. Even tho there are devices with more DSP I still would pick the Helix cuz it has a couple of FX that I heavely rely on and I cant risk not having them at all or them sound different cuz the Helix itself became a big part of my sound.
Line 6 surely must have a more compact version coming out soon.. That would make a lot of sense.
Periphery’s last album I believe was the first album they switched to the axe fx iii but they still recorded the album with their axe fx ii xl+. If you can get a good sound out of it then I think you’re fine. I can see the line six helix being a thing for a long time especially since when you buy a helix you get a discount on the helix native plugin or get it for free which I got. So even if the hardware becomes outdated the plugin will still be updated. Just recently olly Steele started using the line 6 helix as well. So I’d say it’s still fresh.
Is my Helix LT large-ish? Yes, but that is what is required to have an all-in-one unit with lots of footswitches that are reasonably spaced apart. Line6 is cranking out new models that sound fine on a regular basis. Do I need more processing blocks? No. Would new, more powerful DSPs allow the models to be even better? Maybe. Would more DSP power allow the Helix to also support tone capture type amp tones in addition to models? Probably. At this point, I see no need ( for my usage ) to jump to anything new.
I think Line6 (yamaha)'s interface and effects are outstanding, but I do think those things feel like they're buried beneath a noticeable more 'digital sounding' set of hardware than from the likes of Strymon or UAD, etc. I have a HX stomp on my board as the 'jack of all cards' random effect utility player, a role it plays well, but when I compare it to a Strymon Dig or a UAD Dream/Ruby, the Line6 'sounds much more digital' than those products, even though I recognize they're all DSP based pedals. I notice the same thing with the Mobius. Not sure if it's the JFET input or what, but I don't think there needs to be a Helix/HX Stomp 2.0, but I would love to see a 'pro' line of units with the same stuff just an upgraded input or AD/DA (whatever is causing that) etc. to take away that 'digitalness' and/or up the processing power. If anything makes the Helix sound 'old' it's that 'digitalness' it has. Just an observation, perhaps global EQ tweaking etc could alleviate some of this.
I’m a professional player, and I’m getting the best tones ever with my 7 year old helix, and I love the new Aristocrat model. BTW, I use 2 external exp pedals too, and a Boss SY200.
I love my Helix.
I feel like with things like Tonex now in play, you could reasonably ask for a capture mechanic in at least the high tier unit.
I still can't bring myself to sell my old TC Nova System. I have a Stomp, and I also have pedals (and I sold my old Korg AX300 last summer.... hard decision since that got into "oldtimer" status...)
Because they have kept up with Updating and Upgrading, it is still very Good unit, you prove that. It will be interesting to see if the Fender TMP can even come close to Catching up. The ui is nice on the Fender or appears to be, but it is not There for the Money. There is 1 fellow on CZcams who has embraced the Fender.
the other day someone posted in /r/Fender a TMP with a cracked screen, 2 months old and hasn't even left the guy's house. there is no way it will hold up on the road lol
@@christopherfidler3019 Ah that is another MARK against the Fender which I had not known about. I really do not think Fender will be Updating and Upgrading it, For that factor I would not even consider it for the MONEY it sells for, now a cracking screen. YIKES.
@@ksharpe10 I hope Fender keeps it updated for the sake of TMP owners. I have a feeling Fender will come out with a smaller, more rugged sub $1000 unit.
As awesome as everything is with quad cortex and the fender tonemaster and just all the other modelers, it makes me even more excited that Line 6 is seeing all these trends and will not only implement them but will improve on them for helix 2 or whatever they will call it. I know it’s gonna be sick and I’m waiting patiently
Could potentially be a long wait from what I understand.
If I step on a Quad Cortex I'm stepping on at least 3 switches
my quad cortex died on me last week, neural have been great and really quick with their customer service but still extremely annoying that I have to send it off to be fixed. Kinda raises questions about the reliability of the unit, at least with helix you know the hardware is tried and true after all this time
If anything I'm going to add a tonex or real amps to the mix but the helix is the heart of it all for its modeling, effects, routing and switching capabilities. I'll buy a new one if and when they release one but in my opinion helix is nowhere near outdated. A little more dsp, absolutely, but it's a great system, still!
you play amazingly. i don't think any of these processors make you sound any different. You're sound is your sound and in a recording no one would know the difference between these machines.
Perception is reality. We may not like it, but it is what it is.
I love my Helix. Period.
However, I was watching a recent Studio Rats live feed and both Paul and Drew when asked which modeler they would recommend stated that the Helix is old tech and to stay away from it. That is the perception and for many people it is their reality. No matter what you or I say that is the perception/reality for many in the guitar universe.
Line 6 has led us to believe that they aren’t coming out with a new gen Helix in the near future. If that is true, it is a huge mistake. Unless, they are planning something so transformational that it will change the modeling world as we know it. I believe they are best positioned to do just that. Their track record is stellar as well as innovative. We will see.
What they really need is an upgraded model. All they’ve done since it came out was made models that stripped features. Make a model that adds features. I’d love to see gear captures, expandable storage, WiFi, more processing power, and guitar training tools like playing backing tracks/music and slowing down their speed. Oh yeah, and a touch screen.
I own Fractal FM9, Kemper Profile Stage, and the Helix. I dig them all and put them all in a gig rotation. Definitely NOTHING wrong with Helix there's always lots to learn and its NOT getting old at all.. with todays modelers, we guitar players of today are just plain spoiled... As always, Mr. Legato's great playing is inspiring...
Just a point of reference from a subscriber of your channel. Your playing is by far the highlight so more insight into your playing is to me way more interesting than videos that are these incessant “is this modeler?” click baity types. Just want to offer some constructive feedback. So please more of the playing and tip videos like the levels plugins etc.
I would want the following changes with Helix Floor.
1. Better quality non metal switches, metal rust over time.
2. Type C for interface.
3. Bigger Screen, Touch screen if possible.
4. Separate switch for Looper.
Overall I just want a more solid build, less prone to rust.
The Helix on the other hand seems to be treating it like an Apple Mac, to freshen up an apple product Apple releases all new operating systems for the Mac’s , the iPhones, the iPads etc, I may get a new iPhone in 3 years stupidly spending -500 bucks because Apple tells us you’ll need the latest and greatest to enjoy your new software . Since I’ve retired a few years back cash isn’t always as easy to come by so I have been hanging on to my pod Hd Rack x because I was sure it helped me control my dream rig, boy that one kind of pissed me off, I bought a dt 50 head right away and played with it a lot, didn’t see a lot of excitement for the DT amp systems even though I personally think they are the best amps I’ve ever had, btw if you’ve got a Strat like guitar and you’ve got a line 6 DT 50 buy a set of Seymour Duncan SJBJ Jr Stratocaster set. You get 3 mini humbuckers tuned for each of the 3 positions on a Stratocaster in addition they come pre wired in a 4 wire setup so you can fine tune to your taste. Briefly I just finished installing just the Bridge pickup , plugged it into my Dt 50 and set the tone switch to 4 which is my mesa boogie dual rectifier. Grabbed the strat again by the neck, naturally that guitar is very playable , I’m very fussy when it cokes to setup . It’s seemed to start playing itself. Without using a pick I ran through a couple of licks just using my left hand kind of hammering in and pulling off, the speakers cane to life with all the notes coming out better than I remember it going plus a delicious amount of harmonic feedback, I don’t often pay a ton of attention to midrange but with these mini humbuckers I couldent my hand naturally went to that spot on the neck again it was like it was playing itself. I’m gonna leave it here. If you’ve got an amp of playing cleanish high gain like the dual rectifier on my DT 50 position 4 , you’ll just have too much fun to stop !
any recommendations for Daws and interfaces for recording? trying to start recording a bit.
I use Reaper - Focusrite are pretty good from what I'm told - I've got a Steinberg UR RT4
Appreciate it
Helix is not old. Just proof that it can stand the test of time better than any other modelers.
I don't think its size is a problem. Contrariwise I think most of guitarists prefer this big size on stage rather the small size of the Quad Cortex.
Yes, it's old. The DSP at least. It was barely able to fully utilize all the chain paths and I/O it had when it was new. Example: why include a mic input if you can barely handle having a dedicated path for fx on the vocals? If the DSP had been more powerful from the start it wouldn't be as old as it seems now. The external hardware form factor is great, but they need to seriously upgrade the DSP and converters. It should be operating at 96khz 24bit with ease.