Helix

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Helix

I liked the responses that Fractal had to my questions. And I talked to many owners of both. Fractal owners seemed a lot happier. Also, more big touring bands are using Fractal products. I also didn't like the customer service I got from Line 6. But I still like a lot of their older products...just not their newer flagship modelers.

Hear anything on that side of the fence about a possible Axe FX III since the Tiger Sharc processors are no longer being made? I read about some rumors awhile back, but nothing conclusive.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

I addressed this before, but in talking to a friend who is a fractal user it sounded like a much steeper learning curve. I've used L6 products for 17 years, so I thought it would be an easier transition. I don't have mincer's experience with equipment, so I'd expect programming to be more difficult for me. The Helix is easy to program; however I am learning new things nearly every day since I bought it, and I don't even like to tweak pedals.

As far as the number of pro- users, that is rapidly changing. First, Fractal has been in the professional level modeling business since their inception. Fractal started with that target market, so I'd expect more users. I gave some examples of recent Helix customers in a previous post. That number grows daily.

Second, the Helix was released in 2015. The Axe-FX was released in 2006. Line 6 hasn't had time to really generate those customers yet.

Line 6 made an attempt to enter the market with the POD PRO, but it was never at the level of the Axe-FX.

Since I became interested in the Helix several months ago I have seen nothing but good reports regarding customer service. Even when someone has a complaint it is rapidly addressed. For example, the users requested the ability to create "scenes" a la Fractal. Line 6 responded by updating the firmware to allow "snapshots". I've seen company reps encourage users to add their suggestions for future updates to the "ideascale" page. The suggestions with support from other users are considered for the updates.

One of of my favorite guitarists uses Fractal, so I have nothing against it.

My recommendation is to use the device that works for you. There is an interesting ut008 video that discusses Helix, Axe-FX, and Kemper using three studio/touring musicians from the U.K. (I can't find it at the moment). All three units have merits.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Helix

Hear anything on that side of the fence about a possible Axe FX III since the Tiger Sharc processors are no longer being made? I read about some rumors awhile back, but nothing conclusive.

Nothing. The AX8 doesn't use them, and I usually don't run into walls as far as capability goes. I don't really have a need to run 2 amps at once or that many effects at once.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Helix

Nothing. The AX8 doesn't use them, and I usually don't run into walls as far as capability goes. I don't really have a need to run 2 amps at once or that many effects at once.

Ok, thanks. I'm curious because it seems like Line 6 is showing Fractial up in some respects, so it stands to reason that they may be working a new flagship unit. I hope so, because a good modeler war will benefit we end users in the long run.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Helix

I agree that the Helix is prettier than any Fractal unit. But that isn't why I buy gear.

 

[Despair]

Re: Helix

Ok, thanks. I'm curious because it seems like Line 6 is showing Fractial up in some respects, so it stands to reason that they may be working a new flagship unit. I hope so, because a good modeler war will benefit we end users in the long run.

I don't know that Fractal Audio needs a new flagship unit so much as a better UI... A new floorboard controller would do that. Or even a tablet-based editor.

For user interface on the device themselves, Line 6 is crushing Fractal Audio. If Axe-FX didn't have an enormous lead on models, and continuing process of improvement in modelling quality, it'd be worrisome. Line 6 having to slow to refactor is giving Fractal Audio time to respond, it'll be interesting to see how that turns out.

Though really, the only situation Fractal Audio has an issue with is live tweaking. At home/studio, I haven't seen a vlogger who doesn't use the editor software on either.

Helix Native is likely to change the picture, too, though. Reamping no longer dependant on hardware, ease of integration into production workflows...

I used to be much more worried about differences in audio quality, but I've since found many, many examples of Helix hardware producing sounds I like without the artifacts that bothered me in some early clips. Seems some people are just bad at recording with digital devices and manage to get digital clipping still... But even many new users don't have problems with that.

Other big sonic difference mostly comes down to IRs... And both are improved to more even standing with 3rd party IRs. Celestion's IRs are getting all kinds of praise as better than stock IRs from large numbers of users of almost every modeller, even outside the modern high end.

If I had the money, I'd want an Axe-FX, but for the money, I have to get my hands on Helix Native. Only huge gaps in amps I see are maybe Trainwreck & Budda. There's a few missing effects that are more major, particularly the lack of treble boosters. Need a germanium for Beano, need a silicon for Tony Iommi tones... Though it's possible you could get close enough by combining an overdrive [or germanium fuzz face] model with an EQ.

A Line 6 rep has stated that Helix Native "soon" means before September, barring any unforeseen ugly surprises. Apparently final beta testing is going very smoothly.

 

[devastone]

Re: Helix

Okay, so probably a stupid question, but here goes. I currently use my GT-100 mostly in manual mode with a Twin in one chain and a Plexi in the other then have one footswitch that switches between the amps for clean and dirty, then just assign effects to the other footswitches so it's kind of like a channel switching amp and pedals. Can you do that in the Helix? I'm assuming so, it's so far ahead of the GT it's insane.

The weird thing about the GT-100 is that the clean models sound great direct, but the dirty models have some weird quality to them.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

Yes, here is one way.



you can control it through foot switches. You also could assign the amps to the expression pedal and blend them--put one at "off" and one at "on", and blend them as you move the pedal.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

I have presets with two amps and I use snapshots that engage the amp I want. For example, I have one that uses a Marshall and Engl. I have clean and dirty Marshall snapshots, dirty Engl, and engl lead snapshots.

 

[devastone]

Re: Helix

Thanks Les, I'll check this out. I need to download the manual and read through it. I'm simple, just want a couple of models and some basic effects. I miss an amp, but we run direct at church so it's not practical. I was happy with my GT-100 when I first got it, but I was programming it running through an ISP Stealth power amp into a cabinet. Running through my interface into monitors (older M-Audio BX8s), it just seems really lacking for modeling. Clean models are great (surprising) but the higher gain models seem woofy in the lows and kinda nasally or something. But, I can find videos of people getting good sounds out of them, so I keep thinking it's me, so I'm really hesitant to spend the $ on a Helix or similar.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Helix

Checking in for the first time in a while.

Back in April, I sold the AxeFx and got a Helix. Despite my 8 years of experience playing Fractals, I chose not to go with the AX8. After all those years of using the AxeFX Ultra & II, I was pretty tired of the onboard UI. It's not the only reason but the big deal breaker for me was lack of USB audio on the AX8.

Surprisingly, it took me a week or so dial things in. The Helix has different tricks for getting me where I want to go tonally so I had to unlearn some things I did on the AxeFx. Also, I was dialing things in with my eyes instead of my ears. Once I started listening critically to my presets, I was quickly able to find what I was looking for.

At this point, I have no regrets. My rig sounds great. Recording is as easy as ever via USB...and I can now record at 96KHz if I'm so inclined. When I find myself playing out again, i'll have a great sounding, super portable rig that'll make load-out a snap. When they release Native, it'll remove some of the last excuses I have for not finishing my current recording project.

None of this is a dig on Fractal. The AxeFx and AX8 are great products. Helix just fits my needs better. YMMV.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Helix

Thanks Les, I'll check this out. I need to download the manual and read through it. I'm simple, just want a couple of models and some basic effects. I miss an amp, but we run direct at church so it's not practical. I was happy with my GT-100 when I first got it, but I was programming it running through an ISP Stealth power amp into a cabinet. Running through my interface into monitors (older M-Audio BX8s), it just seems really lacking for modeling. Clean models are great (surprising) but the higher gain models seem woofy in the lows and kinda nasally or something. But, I can find videos of people getting good sounds out of them, so I keep thinking it's me, so I'm really hesitant to spend the $ on a Helix or similar.

Here's another way to look at it. Each of the blocks can be turned off and on, just like a stompbox. And you can turn multiple blocks off and on with snapshots. You can also change parameters with snapshots, which would allow you to change gain, volume and eq settings with the push of one button, for instance. And you can have up to 8 snaps per preset (I run 4 myself). And programming snaps is easy. Go to the snap, set things how you want them, hit save twice, done.

Also, if you want to fade between amps, you can run each of them on their own path, and either link their master volumes to the expression pedal, or put put a volume block after each one linked to the expression pedal. I think there may also be away to also do that with the merge mixer, but I can't remember.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

Alec, you would know from experience. I'm speaking from second hand Fractal knowledge.

The UI on the Helix makes it easy to program from the unit. I mainly use the PC to back up my efforts. In fact I have St figured out how to program from the Helix Edit software. It's so easy on the unit and I prefer to program at about 90dB. I don't have a PC in my studio, so any computer work has to be done in the living room.

You can program on the fly if necessary. As I understand it, the Axe requires the software for significant editing.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

It looks like Helix Native will go live this week.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Helix

It looks like Helix Native will go live this week.

I've been following this topic because I'm pretty curious about the Helix (lots of great info here by the way), and I hate to sound like an idiot, but what the heck is "Helix Native?" I've seen it mentioned several times, and I've been meaning to look it up, but keep forgetting. How about if someone gives me the quick version?

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Helix

I've been following this topic because I'm pretty curious about the Helix (lots of great info here by the way), and I hate to sound like an idiot, but what the heck is "Helix Native?" I've seen it mentioned several times, and I've been meaning to look it up, but keep forgetting. How about if someone gives me the quick version?

Native is the DAW plugin version of Helix.

 

[Despair]

Re: Helix

It looks like Helix Native will go live this week.

Which according to Line 6 employees means tuesday to thursday.

They also mentioned that while number of installations is limited, you can run as many instances of it at a time as your machine can handle.

And that monday's meetings were all concerned with the next two ROM releases [software updates for the plugin version].

Should also point out, plugins aren't just for DAW, can be run with any sort of VST host software, some host software is designed for live use. Though few musicians like using a fullblown computer live. Ruggedizing them for stage use is an odd niche outside most system integrators expertise.

Helix Native has a few shortcomings in the initial software release, no support for snapshots, but those should be in the next update, IIRC.

They also mentioned how many amps/cabinets/effects were coming in the next update after the Helix Native release, but google is being slow and I can't refind the post.

Ignite the GAS!

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Helix

Well, fixing bugs and coming up and coming up with new features (or adding them) are 2 different things. I have no doubt they will squash bugs. My doubts are in adding new features. At least that wasn't the case when I owned the HD500 for 5 years.

When L6 entered the high end modeling market, they entered a game where you have to play on a higher level because of the cost of owner buy-in. They're not going to treat it the same way they did the POD series. You're basing support for the Helix on your past experience with support for the HD500. That's understandable. But I believe that L6 knows that the Helix is the big leagues and that they have upped their game to support and develop it. The mere fact that it's being chosen by many (who can afford either unit) over the Fractal says that they believe that too.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Helix

When L6 entered the high end modeling market, they entered a game where you have to play on a higher level because of the cost of owner buy-in. They're not going to treat it the same way they did the POD series. You're basing support for the Helix on your past experience with support for the HD500. That's understandable. But I believe that L6 knows that the Helix is the big leagues and that they have upped their game to support and develop it. The mere fact that it's being chosen by many (who can afford either unit) over the Fractal says that they believe that too.

Oh I get that. Line 6 is also part of a much bigger company now, so they can devote resources to it. While I still own a lot of L6 gear, the way the HD500's updates were handled (and the connection to their customers) made me buy and stick with Fractal now.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Helix

If you are happy with the Fractal, you should continue to use it.

Ive been hearing opposite regarding snapshots on the Helix FB page. There are L6 reps as well as users who participated in the beta tests on the page.

I'll be getting Native, especially since it can be loaded on up to 4 computers. I won't use it often, but it would be great for it to be on the computer used to mix our band's recordings.