Prospective buyer with a question..

[Rushfan76]

So I'm very interested in buying the Helix after reading countless reviews and watching numerous YouTube videos, both biased and unbiased!

 

Despire seeing some great videos I've read numerous comments from people who've purchased the Helix stating how underwhelmed they are with the tones, particularly the gain tones. At over £1k this isn't a casual purchase for me and I'm worried ill get it home and realise the tones are no better than I'm currently getting on Amplitube.

 

I would be using the Helix at home and playing through my Presonus monitors, my question really is whether I'm unduly worrying and that in reality I will be fully justified in buying the unit?

 

Should also mention I'm a bit of a technophobe, although the Helix does look very intuitive, I'm worried that I haven't got the knowledge or technical nous to figure out any issues if I can't get the Hellix working the way I intend or expect.

 

Sorry for the vague question, appreciate there's no straight answer but just interested to hear from existing Helix users, particularly those who might be using it as a 'bedroom' player like I will be.

[amsdenj]

Helix is easy to use and has a wide range of great tones. You should give it a try.

[ricksteruk]

I've not heard Amplitude for many moons now and it's been vastly improved since then so bear this in mind....

 

But from what I've heard the new Amplitude is very good.

 

I think the amp tones in Helix are good - and I don't really like amp modelling - for me it's a good tool for people who haven't got the space or place to turn a real amp up loud.   I have managed to dial in my Helix using a Brit 2204 amp so that it sounds pretty much identical to my old Laney AOR - (hot rodded JCM 800 style amp).    When I A/B between the real amp and the Helix Brit2204 it is almost impossible to tell the difference.

 

Now cabs are a different thing - and you'll probably want to use the IRs you already have?

[cruisinon2]

So I'm very interested in buying the Helix after reading countless reviews and watching numerous YouTube videos, both biased and unbiased!

 

Despire seeing some great videos I've read numerous comments from people who've purchased the Helix stating how underwhelmed they are with the tones, particularly the gain tones. At over £1k this isn't a casual purchase for me and I'm worried ill get it home and realise the tones are no better than I'm currently getting on Amplitube.

 

I would be using the Helix at home and playing through my Presonus monitors, my question really is whether I'm unduly worrying and that in reality I will be fully justified in buying the unit?

 

Should also mention I'm a bit of a technophobe, although the Helix does look very intuitive, I'm worried that I haven't got the knowledge or technical nous to figure out any issues if I can't get the Hellix working the way I intend or expect.

 

Sorry for the vague question, appreciate there's no straight answer but just interested to hear from existing Helix users, particularly those who might be using it as a 'bedroom' player like I will be.

Well on the L6 forums, you're only gonna see two kinds of negative comments: 1) The guys who bought Helix and hated it, who drop in for a quick drive-by "this thing sucks, I'm going back to Fractal" post, and 2) the guys who basically like it, but endlessly harp on the one weak point that they've managed to identify. Pretty much everyone else is here because they worship the thing, so truly unbiased opinions are gonna be hard to come by. ;)

 

Either way, whether it's your bedroom or a stadium, it really doesn't make any difference. You'll either like it, or you won't. Price is almost irrelevant. Pick any piece of gear in the known universe, go online and read the reviews. Some will whine about being "underwhelmed". Others will claim the unit is the best thing since indoor plumbing...welcome to the Internet. If you ask me, you shouldn't listen to either side. There is only one way to know if you'll bond with any piece of gear...and that's to buy it, and use it. I've gambled on every amp/fx unit/modeler I've ever purchased. Even fiddling with it in a store isn't going to tell you much. Some I liked and used for years, others I parted with quickly. Such is the ongoing curse of the musician....

[nippyjun]

Is there anyway you can try one out before you buy it?

 

Or can you purchase it from a retailer who will allow you to return it if you're not satisfied with your purchase within a certain period of time?

[spikey]

Despire seeing some great videos I've read numerous comments from people who've purchased the Helix stating how underwhelmed they are with the tones

 

 

There are people who would gripe if you hung them with a new rope.  ;) Helix sounds EXCELLENT but YMMV as always.

 

Like Ricky Nelson said,  "You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself."

[roscoe5]

Most online retailers offer a 30 day or so return policy.  I'm not sure if a restocking fee is charged.  I do see some open box ones come up 10-20% cheaper sometimes.

 

Overall I'm a Helix fan.  It was a few bugs and maybe a little room for standard updates and improvements, but Line 6 seems to be very responsive and proactive.  But Helix has had a huge positive impact on my studio and live workflows.

 

I think you will love the way it integrates with your computer setup with a single USB 2.0 connection to your computer for 8 channels of IO, complete MIDI control of your DAW or other sound apps, and new new beta PC editor.  If you are using PC, the Helix ASIO drivers are MUCH better than ASIO4ALL.  Helix's USB (and DIN) MIDI functionality and customization are second to none.

 

I think the amp models and effects are stellar, and future updates will likely add more and more.  One of the things with Helix that seems to really affect the tone are the current built-in HX cabs.  This could be a factor in the "less than stellar" high gain tone reviews you've seen.  Many users prefer to use 3rd party impulse responses (IR's) of cabs instead. But even some Fractal Axe FX users and DAW users use these same pro IR's. There are free IR's available as well as some really reasonable pro ones from Ownhammer.  

 

I would bet Line 6 is hearing the user feedback loud and clear though.  I think maybe a few additional mic position controls and options could bring the Helix cabs on par with the pro IR's.  

[Rushfan76]

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

 

It really is a case of trying it out for myself, unfortunately none of my local guitar shops have it in stock so it would be an online purchase. I'm literally 50/50 with this as I'm not very good with the technical aspects on this sort of stuff, I mean I've never even heard of IR's yet I see it quoted often in relation to the Helix.

 

I'm going to check the return policy on my favourite online retailer and it might be a case of buying it and giving it a proper run through before deciding if it's something I can get on with.

 

Cheers

[nippyjun]

Look at videos on you tube that show making patches. That will give you an idea of what's involved with "programming" a patch.

 

I thing all the settings can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning (as there are so many tweakable things) but you can start simple and just use the included presets and make minor adjustments to those before venturing out and making your own from scratch.

[fretmeister]

I've only had mine for a week and I'm very impressed.

 

Usual rules apply - bin the presets and start from scratch.

 

I've got 3 or 4 patches I'm very happy with indeed and I haven't opened the manual yet. The custom tone download of used made tones is a great place to get ideas too.

[MelThorpe]

I think it depends on your expectations and the tone you are going for. I play in a modern country band, a classic rock band and I jam with a bunch of guys that goes from Eagles, to Metallica to Wild Cherry. I am getting absolutely fantastic tones. It is "modeling" and for me there may be something that is slightly off and doesn't quite feel exactly like a tube amp with an overdrive pedal in front of it cranked to 8. 

 

But, for me there is such a negligible difference that having so many tones at my toes is worth the very slight difference in feel/sound. 

 

Also keep in mind that once you dial in a good sound you may come back to the the next day and tweak it a bit more. Then the next day you tweak it a bit more. Rinse. Repeat. 

 

I used the POD HD Pro for years and it took me quite a while to dial in stellar tones, but once I got it dialed in with my guitar, my hands, my pick, etc I had tube snobs coming up to me asking what I was using. They thought I was using the POD for effects and I had a tube amp as well. I even had POD users coming up to me wanting me to send them my patches. Mixer settings, SAG levels, BIAS adjustments, etc. It all made a difference.

 

My point is, going into it knowing that 8 times out of 10 you will find a tone that you really dig, but you may need to spend some times tweaking to get it to sound right. Even if it is moving a tone setting 1% one day, 1% more the next, 1% more the next until you get it where you want it. if you think about it you would do the same thing with a tube amp, every day tweaking a couple knobs here and there until you get it dialed. Its no different with a modeler. 

[Leftzilla]

cruisinon2 pretty much nailed it I think, the nature of these forums since they are really for asking questions and support will be mostly filled with people having problems.

 

You would spend as much on a top line guitar head and cabinet (or more) as you would for the Helix.  And you wouldn't get any of the effects, other amps, control options, or routing options.  The youtube videos should give you a good idea how the unit sounds (and it is a spectacular sounding piece of equipment) and the Glenn Delaune videos alone should convince you.

 

As far as ease of use it is very easy to setup and use and edit patches.  It comes with stellar company patches that are a very good starting point.  (vs the HD series where the patches were more there to show off effects and routing than being truly something you could perform with right out of the box.)

 

Personally I don't know what I would without it.

[mileskb]

I think I can supply a somewhat unbiased opinion.  I love my Helix, but I have a very diverse background and what struck me is your comment that "I would be using the Helix at home and playing through my Presonus monitors."   Now I don't want to talk anyone out of gear, and you haven't elaborated on your setup, but just based on that statement, if it was me, I'd have a hard time justifying the Helix.  Imagine the plugins or even just upgrades you could get for your DAW, including a powerhouse MIDI controller (like the FCB1010 or an older X15 for $150-ish bucks) if you need footswitches to stomp.  You could upgrade your monitors, your computer, your A/D and get some amazing IR's too.  

 

Yes the Helix sounds great, and the "realism" of the simulations (the way playing affects the drive/tone just like a real tube amp) is it's #1 attraction.  However, if you are not playing music that has those dynamics as a requirement it may not be important to you.  Additionally, Helix is so much more than a multi-effect and modeler.  The routing and I/O capabilities are mind boggling.  But, you have a DAW.  Are you ever going to need the 4-cable-method, are you ever going to need to send outputs to Front Of House, Backline, personal monitors and recording desk?  Are you even going to be playing backing tracks and singing while playing along, at the same time you send outputs all over town(the rooom)?

 

The choice is yours!!   I hope this helps.  

[electricfactory]

... There is only one way to know if you'll bond with any piece of gear...and that's to buy it, and use it. I've gambled on every amp/fx unit/modeler I've ever purchased. Even fiddling with it in a store isn't going to tell you much. Some I liked and used for years, others I parted with quickly. Such is the ongoing curse of the musician....

I would add to this a thorough review of the HELIX YouTube clips, of which there are some pretty good ones.Looking beyond all of the inherent limitations [ poorly recorded, compressed etc] these clips are very helpful in deciding if you're hearing something you dig.

That's what I did, first read everything I could find and then listened to almost all of the HELIX clips/ reviews/ tests I could find. I decided I liked what I was hearing and calculated that if it sounded good to me under less than optimal conditions, I could get some very cool sounds of my own once I was hands-on. 

It's been 12 days now and I feel like I'm just beginning to get familiar. Am very much digging the HELIX.