Axe kemper helix

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ianson36

New member
Hi guys so I'm looking for some input from experienced people in these amps. So I'm not saying I'm going to buy one of these but I certainly want to look into these territories.
So what I want in a modeling amp is simplicity this is probably most important behind tone, I don't want to have to spend forever tweaking tones and stuff on a PC program, the kemper really has an upside to it with tone knobs and it looks a lot simpler than the axe but without being able to try any of these products out I'm judging books by their covers.
I don't have good amps accessible to plug into the kemper, does this matter? Will it's downloadable tones be as useful as axe? Then there's the helix the thing looks good but it's not an amp it's a floorboard interface which is only a small downside but is still one none the less and I wonder if it's tones and feel stack up as I've had a tone port and well.. Yea that thing is basically the reason line6 have a bad name.
Anyway I'll get to the point I want tone simplicity the ability to play quietly/record and through a cab for practice so swing away with any positive or negative for any of these products you've tried. At the moment for me in this order I would have
Kemper: can basically use it like an amp with amp interface
Helix: the thing looks the goods but like I said is it on par as the others cause it's not a whole lot cheaper in australia
Axefx: hear great things about it but that **** looks like a lot of effort to dial in

HELP! sorry for bad format and wording I'm posting from my phone. What an effort

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Re: Axe kemper helix

I love the Fractal AX8. They update it frequently, something Line6 doesn't really do. Fractal is also really engaged with suggestions for updates, and it is a small company. I have never played with a Kemper, but it is a slightly different kind of device that really comes into its own when you load it up with profiles or make your own. The AX8 comes with all the amps and cabs of the Axe-FX. You can't use as many instances of effects, but that isn't really limiting. It has knobs like an amp on the front. The Helix looks beautiful, but after owning an HD500 for 5 years (and many other L6 products), they are not really engaged with the customer like smaller companies. Suggestions rarely make the updates, and updates are few and far between.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

Can you plug the fx8 straight into cab? Or left and right studio monitors? And just had a bit of a look but can't find a reasonable reason why it's $1000 cheaper than the axeii ?
The other thing I didn't mention is I don't gig I'm simply a bedroom warrior.

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Re: Axe kemper helix

ianson36 said:
Can you plug the fx8 straight into cab? Or left and right studio monitors? And just had a bit of a look but can't find a reasonable reason why it's $1000 cheaper than the axeii ?
The other thing I didn't mention is I don't gig I'm simply a bedroom warrior.

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The Fractal FX-8 is simply for guys who want to use their same amps and cabs but want to model pedals. The AX8 is more like a POD HD500, where everything is in the floorboard unit. It's cheaper because, IIRC the processing power is a little less than the regular Axe-FX.

I have a Helix Rack (just bought it about a month ago) and I think it's a great system. I like the way it sounds, I like the variety of models and effects, and I like that I can dial it in easy. Line 6 does make some of their modelers as a rack unit and that is the version of the Helix that I have, because I'd rather stomp on a $400 midi switcher than a $1500 floorboard unit.

The being said, I also bought it because I'm going to school for audio engineering and I will be playing live for the jazz bands at my college. For a bedroom warrior, I'd really take a look at the cheaper Line 6 alternatives. The POD HD Pro X is a rackmount modeler and is very good for what you pay for. I used the HD500 for about three years before I finally upgraded and even then I used it live no problem. For the amount of money you would spend on any of the units you mention, you'd definitely want to get your money out of them, and personally, I don't see it happening if you're just a bedroom player. It's totally your decision, but my advice would be to get a decent cab, a power amp, and the POD HD Pro for your needs.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

The one that has me most intrigued especially at the price point, is the atomic amplifire... the demos are really spectacular. .. and it seems relatively easy to use as things go ... and seems to get updated by the company and has a seemingly active user community

Good luck
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

If you prefer simple functional stuff...

2016-07-16-3611.jpg

The analogue AMT M1 preamp has 5 simple typical tone tweaking knobs, 1x functional cab sim out and 1x line out for the pocket power amp. This green box can get really close to a JCM800/900 SL-X (had both, have only the SL-X now). Can't be more simple than that.
 
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Re: Axe kemper helix

OK looking into the amolifire and it also looks good, to be difficult I'm looking to use a bunch of great guitar heads in one unit. Play it through my cab as a head unit

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Re: Axe kemper helix

ianson36 said:
OK looking into the amolifire and it also looks good, to be difficult I'm looking to use a bunch of great guitar heads in one unit. Play it through my cab as a head unit

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Click to expand...

Then I'd definitely look into the POD HD Pro.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

From what I'm seeing the ones mentioned Are miles ahead of the podhd series.. Ugh looking at prices and the kemper is actually cheaper than the helix... Welcome to Australia

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Re: Axe kemper helix

These might be overkill for bedroom play, i normally tend to gravitate to select few amps mostly just one clean & dirt. Beyond that things tend to start to overlap here & there. If ya get the kemper then the paid profiles are worthwhile, the free user submitted one are in hundreds, you may find it limitting in FX where the AX8 & helix are both feature rich.

Another option is to use a eventide H9 or zoom ms70cdr for fx variety with the kemper or atomic amplifier. Also the helix, atomic & fractal can make you go through the IR cabinet rabbit hole down the road.

Whichever you pick should work great, expect a lot of time tweaking things every once in awhile, its an acquired obsession with a purchase of these lol
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

ianson36 said:
From what I'm seeing the ones mentioned Are miles ahead of the podhd series.. Ugh looking at prices and the kemper is actually cheaper than the helix... Welcome to Australia

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Click to expand...

They are, but you do get plenty of worthwhile tones out of it. And as you said, you're just a bedroom player. I'm looking at this as cost over return. As I stated above, in the end it's totally your decision and you'll love whatever you get I'm sure, but personally, I think a good power amp and the POD would be a better investment currently.

Once again though, totally your decision.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

I hated the HD500. I hated that every model had an inherent particular sound that was common to all of them. I hated the terrible, overtly expensive, fragile AC adapter. I hated that Line6 didn't make the looper more functional by making the playback volume adjustable with the exp pedal, and I hated that Line6 never really interacted with their customers.

The AX8 can't plug into a guitar cabinet. No power amp. And to be honest, it would sound terrible. It is made for plugging into a full range/flat response system (PA or studio monitors). And it sounds spectacular. So while the Helix might sound and look great, I see no need to give them any more money for their modeling.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

Mincer said:
I hated the HD500. I hated that every model had an inherent particular sound that was common to all of them. I hated the terrible, overtly expensive, fragile AC adapter. I hated that Line6 didn't make the looper more functional by making the playback volume adjustable with the exp pedal, and I hated that Line6 never really interacted with their customers.

The AX8 can't plug into a guitar cabinet. No power amp. And to be honest, it would sound terrible. It is made for plugging into a full range/flat response system (PA or studio monitors). And it sounds spectacular. So while the Helix might sound and look great, I see no need to give them any more money for their modeling.
Click to expand...

I agree that the POD HD500 wasn't the best by any stretch of the imagination, but it was good enough for me when I went to college and I needed something that didn't take up a lot of room and that I could just play. The Helix on the other hand is every bit as good as the Kempers I've tried. It reacts just like a tube amp when you roll off the volume on the guitar (something the HD500 didn't do). The routing options in the Helix are incredibly diverse and you can do a lot with them (something you couldn't do on the original HD500, and even the 500X still lacks comparatively). And the best part to me is that Line 6 is finally learning from their mistakes and interacting with customers. Plus updates are more regular (like the Fractals) and new amps are free when they release them, unlike the POD where you had to pay $50 for a new amp pack or $100 for all three when they were finally released 5 years later.

To me the Helix is worth every bit of money that the AxeFX or the Kempers are worth.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

Line6 had their chance with me before. I refuse to support a company who (even in the past) didn't answer emails, or even in person (at NAMM) act like an end user was important enough to talk to. I am very happy with my Fractal, and my money goes to a US company that appreciates and addresses their customers.
 
Re: Axe kemper helix

Mincer said:
Line6 had their chance with me before. I refuse to support a company who (even in the past) didn't answer emails, or even in person (at NAMM) act like an end user was important enough to talk to. I am very happy with my Fractal, and my money goes to a US company that appreciates and addresses their customers.
Click to expand...

And that's your choice man. I never had those bad experiences with Line 6, so I don't know about any of it. For me it came down to a mixture of features and price. Overall I'm happy, and I'm glad you are too.
 
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