Also, what I REALLY wasn’t expecting was for my Helix to be so good at bass. The Cali 400 Channel 1 is ridiculous. I’ve actually been playing more bass than guitar lately just because I am enjoying the tone so much.
Got a Helix floor a couple weeks ago, and I am loving it. I don’t miss my pedals at all, and because I go direct most of the time, I definitely don’t miss hauling and mic’ing amps.
Just got my floor model yesterday. So far, very impressed. The UI kicks Fractal's ass in terms of ease of use & getting what you want to get done quickly & effortlessly.
This is one of the few reasons why I'm seriously considering buying the Helix Native plugin. There is no other Darkglass B7k simulation. Period. And there is no good reason why that is, so Line 6 will probably be getting my money. Sure, some SansAmp plugins are aight (POD Farm's Bass Driver, the one from Kazrog, TSE BOD), but 9 times out of 10 I will use FabFilter Saturn before them unless I'm going for that Sturgis/Mizell/Brian Hood-style dual channel metalcore bass tone.
I was so surprised and stoked to see that you spent some time dialing in a bass tone. That is really a neglected aspect of the helix and just that portion alone was worth a ton. Nice!!
If you're looking for impulses, get the official Celestion ones. They are really good and so much easier to use than the other ones. (because they give you a selection of "tones" for each mic and some very nice mixes instead of 7861923 individual mic positions)
There is absolutely 0 reason.to spend any money whatsoever on a cab ir when 7deadlysins pack of floating around for FREE. Most of the best IR'S ever made are in there (God's Cab, sneaps, etc). It just doesn't have catharsis which is the best BEGINNER ir pack IMO. YMMV but 7deadlysins has about 3000 IRs
I went to a guitar store a couple months ago to try out an 8 string guitar. and when i asked to play it, they plugged me into a Helix and even though I just left it on a clean tone, I was still super impressed with just how good it sounded. I had the guitar in drop E (tuning the 8th string down to the same note as the lowest note on a bass guitar) and the lowest notes on the low-low E string still sounded as clear and precise as the highest notes on the high E string. Didn't even go there to play it and honestly found it cooler than the Ibanez RG8 I went there to play.
It sounds incredible to be completely honest. And that song is awesome. It sounds like something Rabea would write. 2 thumbs up. I've finally found a Line 6 product that I like
Fluff is the reason I got Helix Native and it was so worth it. My tone has never sounded better. Seriously considering the helix floorboard with some IR’s. Thank you fluff. You can do no wrong, tone guru.
Hey man, can you a review a more affordable unit, like BOSS GT-100. I mean, there are a lot of high end gear reviews out there, but on the cheaper end there are vrey few to none. Would really enjoy a review made by you!
I've been using the Helix (primarily for bass) for several months, and it's probably the best purchase I've ever made. Super easy to tweak with the software, and if you're craving presets made by others, the Line 6 Custom Tone database is incredible. Users upload new presets constantly, and they are rated by users, and show the number of downloads to give you an idea of popularity.
HamOnTheCob yeah man it’s all so easy to use! I agree that maybe it’s not 100% on par with the competitors that are like €400 atleast more but to me it’s hardly noticeable with custom IR’s, I used a PodHDPro for a long time and loved seeing and hearing what people made
I have a dozen friends with a Helix (they heard mine) and 3 of them are bassists. Pull that trigger! You won’t regret. Also join the Helix group on FB or hit us up on TheFriendlyGearFreaks.com. Forum started by Helix users. It’s new.
For bass distortion, try the Rectifier preamp model in front of a bass amp model, or just run the whole Rectifier model. Several years ago at band practice, I plugged a bass into my Triple Rec for shits n giggles, and it sounded pretty good. So when I got my Helix, it naturally became one of my go-to for bass.
Great Vid RB. I’ve been a helix user since June of 2016 and run it all 3 ways. 4CM into an Archon 100, single 1/4 out Helix to Return of Archon, and just Direct to FoH (using Friedman ASM12 for stage) and all 3 make my musician gear snob friends set aside their trendy hate for L6. You MUST try a Shuriken with the Helix. I have 20 guitars and only touch my Shuriken. Stevic nailed it with Yamaha on that guitar. It’s awesome.
I've said it before, but it's worth saying again - Your riff writing ability is SOOOO under appreciated. You're easily in my top 10 all time riff writers. EVER.
Can anyone confirm wether or not I need to buy a variax cable with this? I purchased both the rack head and the pedal controller separately, they’re en route but I don’t know the contents of the packaging. Do I need to buy a cable now or does the pedal controller come with the cables I need to connect it to my helix rack?
Hey Fluff, how well does the Helix take pedals? I have heard that the Kemper and Axe FX take pedals like a "real" amp would, is the same true for the Helix? Looking forward to more videos! Thanks!
The only reason I can really think of is if you are going to use the 4 cable method and run it with an amp. Doing the 4 cable method with the rack would keep all those cables within your rack and you would only run 1 cable out to your foot controller. If you only have the helix floor you must run 4 cable back and fourth from amp to helix floor.
I’m hoping to get a line 6 but I’m worried it won’t connect to my amp. I have a boss katana 50 mk2 amp with a guitar cable port and a power amp in port. Someone told me I need a line in and line out port. Will I be okay or not?
i have a real important question someone help me please. I use a mesa triple rec with no effects and I play a PRS GEN 3. I am not wanting to steal the sound of my current raw setup but only want to use a few effects with it like reverb and chorus etc. will this line 6 let me taylor my sound without taking away my mesa sound ?
Can I get a legit answer from someone? I have a kemper and love it. I really want a practice rig that’s small, I was looking at the HX Stomp.. I play pop punk music and want to know if this amp can handle it just as well as my kemper can.. If you have videos or tone samples of pop punk sounds from a helix please let me know also!
Hey fluff, I am currently in the market for either this or the AXE FX 2 (used of course.) I love my dual rectifier, but living conditions can't allow me to have it anymore. Which of these would you recommend for someone who plays mainly guitar, but in a band I play bass. I plan on using either of these as a "pre-amp" and running it into a power amp and cab for live situations, or direct in. please let me know what you think!
Question for the Helix pros: Say I have a 5150, which has a shit clean channel. Can I somehow bypass the 5150 preamp using 4CM, and use, say, a twin reverb preamp to go to the 5150 poweramp?
Hey fluff. I’m looking for a dirty pedal. One with screaming creamy leads with high gain and will work with my amp and push it to its limits. But have no idea exactly what to look for. Sound wise I want rich thick creamy rhythm tone. And high gain soaring leads similar to a Steve Vai or Joe Satriani kind of sound but yet also very versatile for other tones as well. Any hints or suggestions you might have?
Timothy Mueller ok it’s been 10 months and he didn’t respond. So I’m a distortion pedal addict. Hope u don’t mind but what about the jhs Angry Charlie line? There’s always Joe’s Vox pedal that u can now get for about $50. The Mesa Boogie throttle box. The Weehbos r very expensive and a bit harder to get. Some are on reverb. The JVM and the morbid drive are great. There’s so many great high gain drives. Friedman be od pedal. There’s an internal trim pot inside to lower or increase the gain. Good luck. Buy where u can return maybe that way if ur not happy u can try another. Forgot the Suhr riot and riot reloaded.
If you could only have one right now, real tube amp or a Helix Rack,which would you pick?I am about to buy either a 5150III and a 2x12 cab ,or a Helix Rack...whichever one I get, it will be a while before I can buy the other....Will the Helix be a comparable substitute for a real amp?
Helix for sure. I'm getting rid of my bias head. With bias, too many options (I feel) are a negative because there's more that can can adversely affect the tone. Helix is more straightforward with the amp sims, plus there's some of the best digital effects on board.
Yes. I use a powered cab, personally. I have heard the Seymour Duncan PowerSate is a good option if you're using the floor model. If the rack, then there're obviously a ton of solid state rack power amp options.
Trevor Anderson Music i tried the headrush at guitar summit (with headphones beyerdynamic 770 pro to be fair) and it sounded horrible ... I stoped after 30 minutes since all tones i made sucked, some of the presets were 'okay' but not better than any other digital modeller.
"Dialing tone w/ Fluff" is a GOOD idea, your comments Ryan are priceless, no matter the gear
Also, what I REALLY wasn’t expecting was for my Helix to be so good at bass. The Cali 400 Channel 1 is ridiculous. I’ve actually been playing more bass than guitar lately just because I am enjoying the tone so much.
Got a Helix floor a couple weeks ago, and I am loving it. I don’t miss my pedals at all, and because I go direct most of the time, I definitely don’t miss hauling and mic’ing amps.
Just got my floor model yesterday. So far, very impressed. The UI kicks Fractal's ass in terms of ease of use & getting what you want to get done quickly & effortlessly.
So the lesson I learned is that you don’t need to tune your guitar if you cover it with insane amounts of distortion
Sounded terrible don't it
I realize I'm kind of off topic but do anybody know a good website to watch new series online ?
@Anderson Finnegan Ehh lately I've been using flixportal. Just search on google after it :D -preston
@Preston Kaiser thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service =) I really appreciate it !
@Anderson Finnegan you are welcome :D
I'd recommend the "Obsidian 7000" Distortion for dialling in bass tones, it's a Darkglass B7k replica, sounds mean!
shit, how did I miss this?!
I'm so glad they have that pedal on there. Definitely beats a Sansamp in my opinion.
Cant wait to try it out!
This is one of the few reasons why I'm seriously considering buying the Helix Native plugin.
There is no other Darkglass B7k simulation. Period. And there is no good reason why that is, so Line 6 will probably be getting my money. Sure, some SansAmp plugins are aight (POD Farm's Bass Driver, the one from Kazrog, TSE BOD), but 9 times out of 10 I will use FabFilter Saturn before them unless I'm going for that Sturgis/Mizell/Brian Hood-style dual channel metalcore bass tone.
I do hope other amp sims follow along or even darkglass making a vst/aax version of the plugin.
I was so surprised and stoked to see that you spent some time dialing in a bass tone. That is really a neglected aspect of the helix and just that portion alone was worth a ton. Nice!!
This is a great video - live that you did loads of drop ins and outs, and then BONUS added on a from scratch walkthrough. MORE OF THIS KIND OF THING.
If you're looking for impulses, get the official Celestion ones. They are really good and so much easier to use than the other ones. (because they give you a selection of "tones" for each mic and some very nice mixes instead of 7861923 individual mic positions)
Joris Griffioen rosen digital
...not to forget the ones from Ownhammer! \m/
There is absolutely 0 reason.to spend any money whatsoever on a cab ir when 7deadlysins pack of floating around for FREE. Most of the best IR'S ever made are in there (God's Cab, sneaps, etc). It just doesn't have catharsis which is the best BEGINNER ir pack IMO. YMMV but 7deadlysins has about 3000 IRs
I went to a guitar store a couple months ago to try out an 8 string guitar. and when i asked to play it, they plugged me into a Helix and even though I just left it on a clean tone, I was still super impressed with just how good it sounded. I had the guitar in drop E (tuning the 8th string down to the same note as the lowest note on a bass guitar) and the lowest notes on the low-low E string still sounded as clear and precise as the highest notes on the high E string. Didn't even go there to play it and honestly found it cooler than the Ibanez RG8 I went there to play.
It sounds incredible to be completely honest. And that song is awesome. It sounds like something Rabea would write. 2 thumbs up. I've finally found a Line 6 product that I like
Fluff is the reason I got Helix Native and it was so worth it. My tone has never sounded better. Seriously considering the helix floorboard with some IR’s. Thank you fluff. You can do no wrong, tone guru.
Hey man, can you a review a more affordable unit, like BOSS GT-100. I mean, there are a lot of high end gear reviews out there, but on the cheaper end there are vrey few to none. Would really enjoy a review made by you!
You, sir, are correct
Thank you!
I agree with you 100%, i have boss gt-100 and its amazing!
would really like to see what fluff thinks about it
Yes! Totally, dude!
It would be interesting to see some kind of shootout featuring "budget" multi-fx. Like Boss GT-100 vs Vox ToneLab vs Zoom G3Xn and so on...
line 6 has really stepped up their game
Ah thank you, I’m a bassist and getting a helix, you just made me want it even more!
I've been using the Helix (primarily for bass) for several months, and it's probably the best purchase I've ever made. Super easy to tweak with the software, and if you're craving presets made by others, the Line 6 Custom Tone database is incredible. Users upload new presets constantly, and they are rated by users, and show the number of downloads to give you an idea of popularity.
HamOnTheCob yeah man it’s all so easy to use! I agree that maybe it’s not 100% on par with the competitors that are like €400 atleast more but to me it’s hardly noticeable with custom IR’s, I used a PodHDPro for a long time and loved seeing and hearing what people made
I have a dozen friends with a Helix (they heard mine) and 3 of them are bassists. Pull that trigger! You won’t regret. Also join the Helix group on FB or hit us up on TheFriendlyGearFreaks.com. Forum started by Helix users. It’s new.
Great demo for just getting it. I'd love to see what you can do with more intricate amp setups, multiple signal paths, etc.
No one in these 166 comments noticed the major problem.
Fluff... Did you review an amp with a guitar out of tune right in the first seconds?
Goddamn.
Gigi I was waiting for someone to say something
For bass distortion, try the Rectifier preamp model in front of a bass amp model, or just run the whole Rectifier model. Several years ago at band practice, I plugged a bass into my Triple Rec for shits n giggles, and it sounded pretty good. So when I got my Helix, it naturally became one of my go-to for bass.
Eric Ritter won’t that blow the cab?
How's the Blackstar model?
We all know how much Fluff loves them Blackstars. 😂
Can’t wait for a comprehensive review video.
Great Vid RB. I’ve been a helix user since June of 2016 and run it all 3 ways. 4CM into an Archon 100, single 1/4 out Helix to Return of Archon, and just Direct to FoH (using Friedman ASM12 for stage) and all 3 make my musician gear snob friends set aside their trendy hate for L6. You MUST try a Shuriken with the Helix. I have 20 guitars and only touch my Shuriken. Stevic nailed it with Yamaha on that guitar. It’s awesome.
I still need the Glenn Fricker seal of approval;)
I've said it before, but it's worth saying again - Your riff writing ability is SOOOO under appreciated. You're easily in my top 10 all time riff writers. EVER.
You definitely gotta demo the Archon amp in the Helix. It’s just ridiculous how metal it is.
Could you possibly do a video of 4 cable method into your mesa and go in depth about setting up a patch
Excluding Henning, this is the first decent review/run through of the Helix hardware.
Sounds much better than I would have guessed honestly! I wonder how native is 🤔
well, if you follow basic laws of logic, loading IRs into Native must be even easier.
You can try Helix Native for free on L6's website.
Coitus interruptus! You were messing arround with bass not a guitar :)
Can anyone confirm wether or not I need to buy a variax cable with this? I purchased both the rack head and the pedal controller separately, they’re en route but I don’t know the contents of the packaging. Do I need to buy a cable now or does the pedal controller come with the cables I need to connect it to my helix rack?
The Guitar looks great !!
Dat patch name! "SLOride" *mindblown*! xD
I like this video. Does fluff has more videos of how to get a good bass sound?
Josh RiffMonster i wouldnt want to watch those judging by the bass mix on rest repose stuff
Hey Fluff, how well does the Helix take pedals? I have heard that the Kemper and Axe FX take pedals like a "real" amp would, is the same true for the Helix? Looking forward to more videos! Thanks!
Is a Kemper demo next? Would love to see it. I know it's not a cheap item to get a hold of though.
l23 O24 Fluff used to have one but got rid of it... if I'm not mistaken.
Finally, Helix review.
It's decent, but I'll keep my Kemper. Damn, I wish my kemper had an computer interface like that.
Subscribed! Awesome review man! I am so excited to get mine tomorrow! Cool riffage too!
Why prefer this than the helix floor?
The only reason I can really think of is if you are going to use the 4 cable method and run it with an amp. Doing the 4 cable method with the rack would keep all those cables within your rack and you would only run 1 cable out to your foot controller. If you only have the helix floor you must run 4 cable back and fourth from amp to helix floor.
I’m hoping to get a line 6 but I’m worried it won’t connect to my amp.
I have a boss katana 50 mk2 amp with a guitar cable port and a power amp in port.
Someone told me I need a line in and line out port.
Will I be okay or not?
Does this guy EVER responds to any comments?
Own a rack as well, would have gotten the floor board version but didnt want to get it dirty xD
That bass grove is fucking sick
Awesome guitar. what was the manufacturer again? scale length?
Dunable Yeti
Hey man great video but i do have a question for faq monday.. Why are bass players needed in metal thanks mang
Is it possible to connect Classic Wah (cry baby for example) and classic volume pedal to helix rack and helix controller?
hey) the presets link is unavailable(( can you, plzplzplz, reupload them?)
Can you run guitar and bass at the same time with one rack unit?
Great video, finally a bass demo,
What do think line 6 or fractal axe FX II?
Doesn't the helix have a simulation of the b7k? How could you not use that?
Is this dude oppie from sons of anarchy?
What are you using for drums in this video? Love, love, love the channel. Fan from Mexico here.
i have a real important question someone help me please. I use a mesa triple rec with no effects and I play a PRS GEN 3. I am not wanting to steal the sound of my current raw setup but only want to use a few effects with it like reverb and chorus etc. will this line 6 let me taylor my sound without taking away my mesa sound ?
What are these orange rubber things underneath the Helix called ?
Hi Ryan, Great video and review! I'm pulling the trigger on the Helix Rack myself. What is the brand of the Red Rubber rings under your Helix? Thanks
Fluff have you tried the Boss GT-1? If so maybe a review in the near future?
Yeti specs? Review? Pleeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!
What was that first song you played?? It was sick
Can I get a legit answer from someone? I have a kemper and love it. I really want a practice rig that’s small, I was looking at the HX Stomp.. I play pop punk music and want to know if this amp can handle it just as well as my kemper can.. If you have videos or tone samples of pop punk sounds from a helix please let me know also!
Drinking game. Take a drink or shot every time he says awesome.
Who makes those orange feet your helix is sitting on?
Would it be overkill to use this with a Boogie Mark v 25?
Song reminded me of August Burns Red’s Christmas album
Hey fluff, I am currently in the market for either this or the AXE FX 2 (used of course.) I love my dual rectifier, but living conditions can't allow me to have it anymore. Which of these would you recommend for someone who plays mainly guitar, but in a band I play bass. I plan on using either of these as a "pre-amp" and running it into a power amp and cab for live situations, or direct in. please let me know what you think!
Did you use USB from the Helix to get the audio into your Computer or some other method? ie SPDIF into your interface. How was latency?
Fluff .which high gain amps and clean amps do you like in helix ?
Loving the Helix 🎸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hey Fluff! How you liken the Dunable? I heard about those guitars from my favorite band Deafheaven, do you plan to do a review?
Question for the Helix pros: Say I have a 5150, which has a shit clean channel. Can I somehow bypass the 5150 preamp using 4CM, and use, say, a twin reverb preamp to go to the 5150 poweramp?
Umm the 5150 is one single channel. Can you be more specific on what you want? Do you have an Actual Peavey 5150? Or is it an EVH?
If the helix is good enough for fluff, then it's good enough for me.
Travis McCulloch it's clearly not. How often do you see him use it since this video?
Multiple times since it's attached to his current live rig
That guitar is killer
Sounds like Kutless's first album.
signal chain? guitar > helix rack > pc?
Hey fluff. I’m looking for a dirty pedal. One with screaming creamy leads with high gain and will work with my amp and push it to its limits. But have no idea exactly what to look for. Sound wise I want rich thick creamy rhythm tone. And high gain soaring leads similar to a Steve Vai or Joe Satriani kind of sound but yet also very versatile for other tones as well. Any hints or suggestions you might have?
Timothy Mueller ok it’s been 10 months and he didn’t respond. So I’m a distortion pedal addict. Hope u don’t mind but what about the jhs Angry Charlie line? There’s always Joe’s Vox pedal that u can now get for about $50. The Mesa Boogie throttle box. The Weehbos r very expensive and a bit harder to get. Some are on reverb. The JVM and the morbid drive are great. There’s so many great high gain drives. Friedman be od pedal. There’s an internal trim pot inside to lower or increase the gain. Good luck. Buy where u can return maybe that way if ur not happy u can try another. Forgot the Suhr riot and riot reloaded.
I definitely want a Helix Rack to use it in a 4 cable method with my amp :)
Please do a review of boss gt 1 multi fx unit...
Helix sounds great, but I really hate the editor software. Fractal's AxeEdit kills it IMO.
If you could only have one right now, real tube amp or a Helix Rack,which would you pick?I am about to buy either a 5150III and a 2x12 cab ,or a Helix Rack...whichever one I get, it will be a while before I can buy the other....Will the Helix be a comparable substitute for a real amp?
Scott Peters amp.
You had me at the chuga chuga
The only piece of Line 6 equipment worth buying.
Damn that sounds amazing!
Ryan what do you think about the Avid Eleven Rack?
Do you have links to the IR's that you used?
Wheres glenn fricker?
So the helix rack or bias rack? Trying to plan out an updated rig.
Helix for sure. I'm getting rid of my bias head. With bias, too many options (I feel) are a negative because there's more that can can adversely affect the tone. Helix is more straightforward with the amp sims, plus there's some of the best digital effects on board.
Getting mine in two weeks.
Does that program come with the helix?
is there a way to use this with a stereo synth? I see it got only one analog input
You can, actually it is 8 in 8 out, 24bit/96khz audio interface. There is even mic input
@@savanaviolenta Thanks much
Yay for Dunable and Stingray
Everything this dude plays sounds like Deftones
Wow... That's an awesome compliment...
To run this into a cab, do you need a power amp?
Yes. I use a powered cab, personally. I have heard the Seymour Duncan PowerSate is a good option if you're using the floor model. If the rack, then there're obviously a ton of solid state rack power amp options.
Your drums sound just like "Can't Believe" by Staind.
Cool. Moderate beard envy too.
Drop C? Even my MS-50G would sound super fat :-)
Maybe a dumb question, but can you run this through a cab without a head? 🤔
Nope, but a PA will suffice
Are you using USB into your DAW for the recording?
Compare it to the axe fx 2
That tone holy fuck!
Cool but the drum kick it's orrible
Good thing you noticed that! That was the main point of the video too!
How do you feel the Helix compares to the Headrush Pedalboard?
Trevor Anderson Music i tried the headrush at guitar summit (with headphones beyerdynamic 770 pro to be fair) and it sounded horrible ... I stoped after 30 minutes since all tones i made sucked, some of the presets were 'okay' but not better than any other digital modeller.
Damn. It looked really promising in Fluff's video about it