Questions while thinking about buying a Helix

[Leeoo]

Hi guys,

I'm now selling my ENGL E650-AMP in the pursuit of getting a AMP Modeler Guitarpedal. I want to take the leap to switch to a digital AMP, because it is just more convenient to carry to gigs and I just have a ton of options when building my tone.

Because I want an all-in-one footpedal plus the ability to record demos using a VST-Plugin PLUS using the same sound during bandpractice&live, Helix is pretty much my only option.

I'm still having some questions that I can't find an answer to on the internet, though. Hopefully you guys can help me out :)

 

1. Thomann offers B-Stock Helix Boards for a reduced price. Will I still be able to get the 200€ discount for the Helix Native-Plugin with this device? Or do I have to worry that someone already redeemed it?
2. How do you synchronize Presets between Helix Native and the Helix Board? Does Helix Native recognize my Board via USB and simply displays a "Sync"-Button? Haven't seen this in action anywhere.
3. Can I simply plug my Helix to my 2x12" Cabinet (120W)? I need some sort of output stage before that, right? Any recommendations on what to get there? Something else I need in order to play live with this?
4. Do you think it is a good time to invest in digital AMP-Modelers? The Helix is 3 years old now and I don't want to pay 1200€, when the next "Revolution" is right around the corner. 
5. Is there a date when the Helix will hit it's End-Of-Life Cycle? How long are we guaranteed to get support and further updates?

 

Hopefully this does not sound all too negative.

1200€ (+100€ for the VST-Plugin) is a LOT of money for me and I don't want to make a step in the wrong direction.

 

Thanks for reading and have a nice day :)

Leo

[cruisinon2]

19 hours ago, Leeoo said:

Hi guys,

I'm now selling my ENGL E650-AMP in the pursuit of getting a AMP Modeler Guitarpedal. I want to take the leap to switch to a digital AMP, because it is just more convenient to carry to gigs and I just have a ton of options when building my tone.

Because I want an all-in-one footpedal plus the ability to record demos using a VST-Plugin PLUS using the same sound during bandpractice&live, Helix is pretty much my only option.

I'm still having some questions that I can't find an answer to on the internet, though. Hopefully you guys can help me out :)

 

1. Thomann offers B-Stock Helix Boards for a reduced price. Will I still be able to get the 200€ discount for the Helix Native-Plugin with this device? Or do I have to worry that someone already redeemed it?
2. How do you synchronize Presets between Helix Native and the Helix Board? Does Helix Native recognize my Board via USB and simply displays a "Sync"-Button? Haven't seen this in action anywhere.
3. Can I simply plug my Helix to my 2x12" Cabinet (120W)? I need some sort of output stage before that, right? Any recommendations on what to get there? Something else I need in order to play live with this?
4. Do you think it is a good time to invest in digital AMP-Modelers? The Helix is 3 years old now and I don't want to pay 1200€, when the next "Revolution" is right around the corner. 
5. Is there a date when the Helix will hit it's End-Of-Life Cycle? How long are we guaranteed to get support and further updates?

 

Hopefully this does not sound all too negative.

1200€ (+100€ for the VST-Plugin) is a LOT of money for me and I don't want to make a step in the wrong direction.

 

Thanks for reading and have a nice day :)

Leo

 

1. "B-stock" doesn't necessarily mean "used"... unit might have been a store demo,  in which case it shouldn't be an issue, as you'd be the first owner. I'd check with the store on that one. 

 

2. I use them separately, and Native  rather sparingly thus far....and when I have, I just used templates that I set up during my free trial period, before I bought the hardware. But I'm pretty sure you can just drag and drop patches between Native and HX Edit...somebody will chime in though.

 

3. No. Helix has no power section... you'll need either A) a power amp, B) a head you can "slave", or C) separate powered speaker(s). There are plenty of options out there now . Search "FRFR" threads... you'll read for days. 

 

4. It's 2018... at this point, the next tech revolution is always right around the corner, and that's not gonna change. That's why NAMM happens every 6 months. If you allow that to affect your decisions, you'll never buy anything. But don't think of this kind of gear as an "investment", because it just isn't. As good as Helix is, it will eventually be dethroned by something better...and probably a whole lot sooner than you'd find a genuine "need" to upgrade. If you don't want to buy anything else for the next 10-20 years, stick with an amp you like, and a bunch of pedals. Those will still work "after the blast", and you don't have to worry about firmware updates keeping up with newer operating systems, etc etc. 

 

5. There are zero guarantees.... and L6 isn't gonna tell you what their plans are...they never do. There hasn't been an update for the HD series in quite a while, but they're still selling them.  Similarly, I would expect Helix to still be on the shelves for some time after it's replacement arrives and updates have ceased...whenever that may be. But I wouldn't worry about for a while yet...we just got new firmware a few days ago. But exactly how long till the gravy train runs dry is anybody's guess. 

[RD1967]

Cruisinon2 is spot on with his answers.  I would like to add that if you're just making the leap into digital modeling you might be disappointed or even frustrated at first.  Don't give up and don't allow yourself to 2nd guess your purchase.   If you've used 1 amp and the same pedals for years digital modeling isn't the same thing as plugging in your amp and having all your pedals ready to go until you know how to use it.  While the Helix does sound great right out of the box every player I've ever known is a "tone" junkie (digital modelers or the real thing) and will never use an "out of the box" tone.  You need to be prepared to spend a lot of time learning how to tweak and how everything works.  There is no shortage of video's to help and there is a lifetime of information in this forum.

I'm not trying to be negative at all or discourage you from making the purchase.....but $1200 is a lot of money and I would hate to see anybody spend that kind of money just to make it easier to go to your gig.  The Helix is absolutely great but does require patience.  Most of the haters I've seen never really gave it time to get used to a new way of getting to the same end result - a great friggin' tone with more options then you'll ever need. Good luck!