Line 6 HELIX vs TUBE AMP - Can You Hear The Difference??
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- Опубліковано 10 гру 2017
- We've got an interesting blind-test lined up for you guys this week!
We are comparing a Line 6 Helix lt vs a Mesa Boogie Blue Angel!
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Insane, erevy time I tought "yeah that one sound a bit more artificial" it turns up to be, the real amp lol. Amazed by the work line6 have done with the Helix.
I'm honestly in love
@@wyattguell2533 well, mic placement...EQ ..
Helix is perfect. It depends on your settings, IRs,... It is an absolutely fantastic universe of sounds.
Funny, I had the opposite experience
Haha same for me... I need to get a Helix
If I didn't already have a Mesa tube amp, dropping $1,000 on the helix might seem like a decent choice compared to getting a tube amp. I think I'd be better off improving my fingers.
You can get some Mesas on Reverb for around $1,000. Nomad 45 and 55 combos are around $800-$1000 and Blue Angels like his are there for about $1000
That said Helix did sound pretty good and for studio gigs may even be preferable
@@leovilla1857 what amp should I get for like $800 you think should I got for mesa or some sort of tube amp? Kinda newish to guitar looking for an upgrade from my Marshall Code 25.
@@killybilly685 Personally I use an EVH 5150 40 watt tube combo. It sounds great and you can get crystal clean tones all the way the metal overdrive. I've played gigs with it and it always does good 👍🏻
I got three out of five correct. On some clips the Helix sounded better and on others the Blue Angel sounded better. Lesson learned: You can make an amp modeler sound good and you can make it sound just OK; you can make a tube amp sound good and can make it sound just OK.
The tones were fairly similar but different enough for me to just decide to go with "Which one do I like better?" instead of "Which one is the modeler vs amp?". I ended up 4 out of 5 in favor of the Helix :O
I love your blind tests. It blows are the conventional "wisdom" out the window and forces players to confront their own biases.
Helix or Amp? Let me know!
Helix!!
Helix, a 4x4 for touring!!! Tube amps are lovely and nice for studio and analog playing pleasures...😻 I love the Princeton Reverb and Tweeds to play!
Nice video.
Greetings from Spain.
Digital stuff is getting really close to analog sounds, but i still could tell the difference between the two... For now i'd still go for the Mesa Boogie, the sound is more natural
I preferred the amp. It just had something more alive sounding, but in a recorded mix I doubt anyone can really hear a difference.
+ivansuarezguitar Absolutely! Good point ☺
I actually preferred the helix almost every time. The cleans are so rich and sparkly. The dirty sounds were muffled sometimes but like you said, you can dial that in to make them more like an amp. I was kinda on the fence of getting a helix but now I am sold!
Same here.
Getting around the muffled sound on the helix is really difficult. I loaded ownhammer IRs and it pretty much solved the problem, very open and present.
Talk is cheap… If he could have dialed them up to get them to sound more like an amp, then why didn’t he?
@@nsc217 maybe he doesn't have any hands
@@nsc217 I think he was trying to give the default sounds you can expect to get out of the box.
Dude this is a great comparison. Thank you for making this, as it really helps me with rig decisions.
Appreciate you taking the time for the video ... good stuff ... I actually liked both ...
The first gig I did with the helix was one of the best guitar sounds I've had in 35 years. I play a lot of small clubs and it's tough to get a good mic sound in some of these rooms sometime and still have a nice full tone. I also use it for my Van Halen tribute shows. The funny thing was the phase 90 and flanger in the Helix have an extremely smooth beautiful tone. It was actually to smooth it too beautiful so I had to go back to the original mxr phaser and Flanger to get eddies sound. I also have played in the Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band. The Helix did a great job with that as well. Bottom line is I believe that the digital equipment has caught up and even in some way surpassed old traditional amps. And of course the convenience totally outweighs using the old standard floor pedals and amplifiers.
yeah the differences are so subtle / but the convenience of the the Board is huge and also probably less maintenance as well
I have to admit...there were several times that I actually liked the Helix a bit better. Great video.
Ron Ruminski yea me to , I thought the helix sounded great
Same for me
I did too. I'm glad I've one.
Me too, shame on me :'( jj
I agree.. I amazed that the helix sounded so good. Tube amps always sound great. But they are heavy. Pain in the ass to haul around.
Great demo as always. I'm a big fan of Boogies ahd used one extensively for years in the 80s and early 90s. Absolutely brilliant engineering and tone. But I also used a Randall RG75, the one with the Celestion, a Marshall, several Peaveys, Fenders, Hiwatts and Laneys, etc. I learned long ago to keep an open mind regarding new technologies. I don't want to be the last man holding a buggy whip at the Indy 500. I am so blown away by the advances in the digital realm of amplification that I bought a Line 6 and it's become my main amp. The versatility, the tones you can get on the fly, are just amazing. This technology has inspired me to levels of creativity I haven't experienced in decades. It's a game changer.
I've always been a tube amp snob, but I have to say as a touring guitar player that began using a Line 6 unit about 8 months ago, I've never had a better touring rig. It's always dependable, quick setup/teardown, it sounds the same no matter the conditions and zero stage volume interfering with my bandmates or the soundman. I run a powered monitor straight out of the back and sit it side by side with my monitor from the front of house, aimed away from my bandmates, and it sounds fantastic. If I need to tweak the tone, or create new tones I have my laptop and it's super simple. I also use the JT Variax and I never have to tune or capo the guitar. Slide in open G? step on a button, then back to standard tuning after the solo. Crazy Led Zeppelin tunings? No problem. Drop B? No problem. Drop C#....you get the point.
I definitely preferred the Blue Angel for clean tones. With distortion, it went back and forth. Either way, the Helix sounded fine. If I didn't know what I was listening to, I don't think I would have known it wasn't an amp.
I agree. I heard Brett Kingman put it very well. the audience always hears the recorded or mic'd tone of amps, and the processors are so close, it's pretty hard to tell. It's also worth noting the valve amp you have may sound great, though pretty handy to dial in other great amp tones. I've a mesa and would love to have a ac30 tone at times. can't afford both and certainly don't want to take two amps to a gig.
That's true re: audience, however the player interacts with the instrument which interacts with the gain stages of the amp - tubes being very much their own thing. That interaction informs the player and accounts for much of the 'mojo' felt. @@MRxr400
I was opposite I thought the mesa sounded way better driven yet the very first test I thought the helix was the tube amp.
I could hear massive differences between the two, but I could never tell which was which. Both sounded good. So I don’t know what that means 😑😂
Bryan just means they’re different! Different doesn’t mean one is “better”. There are some tube amps that sound terrible to me and other perfect. Just a preference
Amen! I just commented the same thing before I saw yours... "Give me a tuba and I'll get you something out of it." John Lennon
I could tell the difference of a tube amp any day. Since I hardly use any effects I know the difference. I would agree that some tube amps sound terrible. However, I have an old Ampeg Jet that is in near excellent shape, and sounds great with a Strat, and a 1963 Fender Deluxe with 6v6 old RCA tubes that is the sweetest sounding amp.
Sweetest sounding to you. Tone is all subjective. One tone is not better than the other. Depending on what you're looking for a darker sounding amp vs a brighter sounding amp might be better for you. You can literally tweak any amp to give a specific type of sound within the dynamic range of the amp.
No. Tone is NOT subjective. There are CLEAR differences in tone between solid state (even modellers that cost more than the tube amps they "model" XD) and tube amps, and science has pretty much shown objectively that the human ear and brain find the sounds of tubes much more pleasing. It's one of the reasons why high-end audioplhile amplifiers still have tubes in them. There is no tone in an algorithm.
Great Video! I got a Hx stomp and an additional two button controller. Its been about 4 months or so and and it still blows me away. I actually sold most of my old gear, never been that commited to do that before. I heard rumors about a helix update in march that will bring 7 new amps and new effects, including King Of Tone. Great times for Helix users!
nice demo Darrell! thanks for making this comparison video.
Thanks! Anytime! ☺
I have a MB MarkV:35, but the Helix still got me on comparison #3. This is a great demo, not just production-wise but playing, too. Keep up the great work!
+Jeff Hazen - icenic_wolf Thanks Jeff!
Another great video, Darrell! I preferred the tone of the Mesa. Just wish I could afford it!
Good point on the late-night jamming. The headphone output on the Helix sounds AMAZING through a good pair of headphones.
Excellent demonstration! Thank you!
The Helix sounded great! Even if it was off by a tiny bit, the convenience definitely outweighs that drawback.
I vote for the Helix. I own one and with the new 3.06 update it is even more fabulous than ever. You can compare for ever but when it is mixed into a song either live or in a DAW the differences are not noticeable. Long live the Helix.
Loved how both sounded.
My Helix LT is on its way! Thanks for the awesome video which helped me to pull the proverbial trigger!
Congratulations! Glad to help!
My Helix LT is under the Christmas tree right now, wife bought it for me. I know when you played the Helix just from all the demo's I've been watching (which is a lot). The Matchless is a dirty amp right out of the gate. Another banger of video D.
+JamCave Studio Nice!! Congratulations 😀
Cong...ns you got the cool wife :)
i gig regularly with my LT and have presets built for 4-cable method for all my different tube amps and also for DI to the mixer. it's such a sleek, versatile, intuitive and excellent-sounding device. you'll love it!! merry Christmas!
Line 6 is junk
MetalLion 68 pods where good..wouldn't say the dl4 was junk either!
I missed three times. I thought the amp sounded best. To me it sounded more rich more warm and as it broke up it had a certain smoothness, like a good bite of chocolate, lol that made me know it was the tube amp. Thanks for all your work man, I love your content.
Picked the Helix on all but 1. That was well done and very helpful, thank you!
Each and every time I knew which one the tube amp is and liked it more, but at the same time I believe out there in the busy rock mix no one would notice that missing bit. Nice!
I love your atitude and advise! Keep making these
Thanks Nate!
Both sounded good, but in almost every case I chose the Mesa.. Thanks for the demo.
Great demo, kept me guessing. They both sound great
Great video! Thanks for sharing! I could tell there was a difference between the two, but they both sounded great! Both tones are very useable. I was looking at it more as if it sounded real vs which one sounds better. The Helix sounded real to me.
Somehow you can clearly hear the difference. Both sound great but the tube amp really has more of that warm natural sound to it.
That is incredible. It really at the point one can't tell the difference. the Helix definitely is a bit brighter and the distortion has a different quality. Truly fantastic.
I could hear that Amp 1 was the Helix right way. I do use Pod GO every day and I love it but the amp sims have a certain cold stiffness in the sound that is easy to hear when there are clean tones.
Great video, I could always pick out the tube amp, but I still use a Helix because I don't have room for 10 amps and pedals.
This is the first time I've ever gotten all of them right. I usually suck at this. ;) It seemed, to me, that the Helix lacked some of the overtones and detail that the Mesa Boogie brought. Even so, it still sounded great!
Hey! The crunch test was amazing for the HELIX. Do you still have the preset? Can I purchase?
Yea it was pretty easy for me personally to tell which 1 the amp was, but I'm betting with a bit more tweaking you could make that test a lot harder. The helix sounded good but Dam that amp sounds incredible, thanks for doing this review like this, it was fun
I was impressed with how nice the Helix sounded. Any chance you can run a Boss GT-100 through its paces?
I guessed wrong several times, especially with the Blue Angel comparison.
Helix sounded really great.
I have to say that I am a fan of tube tone (I have a Mesa 5/50 Express) but have to admit that the Helix sounded great. If I was still playing out I would consider a Helix as I know it has to be lighter than my Mesa. Great job!
Both sound great... there were some noticeable differences in the EQ which threw me off on a few samples.
Been a long time since I saw a video with one of those boogies.
I was actually able to pick out the Helix on all but one of those tests. But with that said, the tones were very close each time. Kudos to Line 6 for doing a great job with the Helix. I've been considering buying a Helix for a multi-purpose rig, this has just about confirmed my choice (on top of other videos and reviews I've been checking out).
Only question to answer now is whether to get the floorboard or the rack unit?
After using the Line 6 Helix for a year, I can recognize the fizzy sound at the end of each chord such as at 7:03. It is true that you must pay close attention but it is there. When the sound starts to fade, that fizzy vibration comes out of its hiding place
Surprisingly, I like the sound of the Helix better (it sounded brighter, more saturated). After test 1 it was pretty easy to tell them apart.
For most of the A/Bs I found myself preferring the Helix, but they were often quite different sounds, which makes things very subjective. They both sounded excellent, and within a mix I certainly think the benefits of the helix (versatility, direct input, quiet and cost) easily outweigh the cool factor of a classic tube rig.
Great video, thank you. There wasn’t as big difference as I thought. That digital stuff has gotten a lot better.
Very helpfull video like always thanks men!!
Just to add my 2 cents - I'm a vintage tube amp collector. Bought and sold many-many amps (and guitars). One of the NICEST tube tone solid state amps I heard (and own) is the Fender Princeton Chorus. I have the 210 cab version. And most ORANGE CRUSH solid states have a really nice rich tube tone as well. Just saying ...
I was 100% on which was which. This kind of made up my mind about sticking with the 3202 Marshall half stack and going with vintage pedal effects
I was 100% on which was which. This kind of made up my mind about sticking with the Line 6 products. :-)
(Not intended as a dig, just as a contrast. Love the Marshall half stack!)
G’day Darrell,
Thanks for this. I am seriously considering buying a Helix LT and what I heard here has certainly not dissuaded me. Tone is such a personal thing but everything I heard come out of the Helix sounded great.
👍 It's definitely a great piece of gear!
Sounds are both great, it’s the feel of the sound from a tube when you’re stood in front of it that’s the difference for me
Damn I'm in love with that blue angel !
I honestly like both Its an affordability issue. The Mesa Boogie amp sounded better on some comparisons and the Helix on some others. You can do with just one, but if you can have both in my opinion its better. Thanks great review
Thank you for this well thought out comparison. I use a Mesa Triaxis/20-20 and have a tricky Sound Sculpture Switchblade set up for my pedals. Have been considering the Helix for both: sketch pad and as my digital multieffects within the larger system.
Helix pitch shifters are reportedly not so good, which is a big deal for me, so I’ve held off. BUT....your video has me reconsidering it. Thinking that a good/quick sketch pad unit will help me focus when I have to menu dive on my big system.
Great channel man
I have been playing for over 40 years. As you can imagine, in that time frame I have owned more gear then I can count. I have been one of those "tube snobs" running expensive boutique pedal boards. I have owned and tried every modeler and couldn't stand them until the Helix showed up. at 51 years old with 29 major surgeries lugging 4x12's, 2x12's, heads, or even tube combo's plus a pedal board and all other gear was getting old. I strictly use my Helix now and I cannot tell the difference nor can my tube snob friends.
At home I run it through a vintage custom deluxe reverb. When I play at church I go direct into the board. My sound is better today then it has ever been. On top of that, the only noise I get is at home when I go into my tube amps. Now when I play out I grab my Helix bag and my Mono guitar bag and I am good to go. I can play progressive, rock, fusion, blues, and worship solely on 3 unique patch setups alone. Line 6 has finally done it.
Eric Oskanian you can definitely hear a difference, I'm like you been playing guitar for over 40 years I've used every amp you can buy over the years, solid state ,digital, tubes, hybrid of both ,after all the years theirs nothing better than your guitar straight into the amp, maybe a delay pedal, side-by-side it will blow away any digital amp Tube amps rule
You have a right to your opinion, its yours of course... I have owned more gear then I could ever list and I stand by what I say fully. I am certainly not alone either. I don't care to play anything else. Matter of fact go listen to Glenn DeLaune and his patches and be fully blown away....
Hooo no, you're not alone! I'm exactly like you. 45 years old, been playing since my 14, owned (and carried!) literally tons of gear over the years. The result: I now plug a cheap Zoom pedal (G1 XOn, incredible tone for that price) right into the mix console, and never had a better tone than now while playing with the band. It is also, FINALLY, consistent. No need to crank up the amp to get "the sweet spot", just play with some parameters and you'll manage to find it anyway at.the.same.volume. This fetish around tube amps probably inherits from the 90's and early 2000 when, that was true, tubes still ruled over crappy, cold, digital stuff. But times have changed, folks!
I totally agree. In the nineties I would take two heavy 15" cabs plus a heavy powered mixer and a Musicman RD 100 to my single gigs. I got tired of waking up with a sore back
after a gig. It's also more convenient to be able to turn everything up or down with one knob. Plus the guitar gets heard more consistently throughout the venue.
I love Line6 stuff, it sounds more than good enough for the places I've played. The one big advantage the digital stuff has over regular tube amp (other than small and light), is the fact you can do stereo stuff with no extra gear! If you're using in-ears or a decent stereo PA this is worth its weight in gold.
Also, no stage noise, which always makes the sound guy happy!
We are entering into a new era. Think of the tube amps as the “bag phones” and think of the Helix as the new Droid or iPhone. Which is more convenient to carry? Which is easier to use? Perhaps more versatile vs costs?
These new modelers are getting better by each manufacturer release.
If you are a working musician, would you rather carry a few pounds of equipment or a few hundred? 😳
The real question is tone! Both sound really good! At a bar or wedding after a couple of rounds of drinks, can the guests really “care to tell the difference?” or will they be out there dancing having a great time? Get my point?
Then you can load up your stuff in a smart car hopefully with your pay and go home.
If I played out any more, I would definitely look at a Helix or something similar. I have one nice tube amp setup and a Champion 20 modeling amp for cheap fun.
This was good test for our ears to see which sound we prefer. I preferred the Mesa in all except comparison 3; was close though.
i got it right every time (which I'm really surprised at). The thing i spotted was the clarity and note separation was "better" (what i like) on the boogie over the helix. To an audience, they would never tell or care as they are really similar.
In almost every instance, I guessed wrong. However, in every instance I preferred the Helix. I'd love to try one.
I think it also depends how you decide to record your amp. Different mics give you different tones.
The best comparison should be done in person with the real amp and the helix + an FRFR speaker.
Really interesting. Thank you. The Helix was very impressive.
Thanks for this comparison Darrell! In some of the sound comparisons I even liked the Helix more! The Helix is definitely a great solution to have amazin sounds at home! I'm really happy with my live rig, which consists of an EVH 5150III 100 Watt head with matching 4x12 cab with quite a few pedals, but it's just not possible to play that at home... neither when it comes to volume nor when it comes to the use of space :D
I want to check this one out in person. I haven't loved Line6 tone since the Spider 1 (I just got an old red trimmed Flextone II, loving it) but the HD500 sounded better to me, and this sounded pretty good as well! Thanks for the video!
I preferred and picked out the boogie in all but one comparison, the second or third test, with light overdrive I think it was.
Tough to decide which I preferred in mix though. I liked the smooth sound of the Mesa, but I think the Helix cut through better, had more of its own distinct space in the sonic spectrum.
good video....always interesting this stuff...hence why we all watch these type of vids! I have a lot of gear now and over the last 30yrs and also have had a few modellers and now have the Helix floor as well as my AC30 and Marshal DSL amps and a ton of pedals. The thing I find with the modellers is they're so good now its hard to tell one from the real thing (sometimes)...but that's over monitors (or a PA system) but for me they still fall WAY short when you listen to your amp live in the room moving some air and then a modeller over monitors...massive difference then.....i'd bet money it'd be a 1st round KO for the amp n pedals here if we was live in the room when this was recorded!
But on a recording or over monitors both sound great and hard to tell apart sometimes. On this vid (the 'jam') near the end when he did the amp and then bits of the Helix interspersed the amp seemed more direct and focused to my ears. On the flip side one of the higher gain moments in the video I actually preferred the Helix over the amp!! Best thing to do is (if you can) get both...and then its horses for coarses! Me...at home play or recording the Helix is just so easy to get a credible sound down so here I rarely get the amp and pedalboard out. On a gig its the total opposite!
Have you listened through the new Amps they updated? The new firmware allows you to move the mic around on the cab…they sound fantastic.
Thx, for this great comparison. I could so easily hear which were modelling and which were tube and tube amps still are the warmest and best organic tone.
Anytime!
Glad you enjoyed the comparison 👍
In my opinion, the Helix sounded richer. The technology has come a long way.
Mesa has much better dynamics. I could hear it in all 5 samples
I think this might be caused by the mic placement or the preamps
Agreed
@@borodinski8960 idk real amps are harder to eq in mix. The sound guy will do more eq to the guitar If you have a real amp. If you got a modeler then it will make the sound guy life easier. Real amps sound like 80 or 90 music not really that good for modern music. Modelers are now more efficient
@@albertogaspar7062 “real amps sound like 80s or 90s music” that’s an interesting take. I’d imagine that’s more to do with the genre(s) you’re into, as much of the circles I run in are all about vintage gear and analog pedals. We’re constantly looking for the natural warmth and tone of ‘ye olden days’ 😅 That said, Line 6 has certainly come a long way - their old modelers of the 90s-00s were really terrible.
Here is my follow up to this video. My wife and I went to visit her mother in SE Missouri. It was Sunday evening and she wanted to attend the “Cowboy Church” singing that night.
The group was pretty good, the guitar player was very good and he had some wonderful different tones for different songs.
What was he using? A Fender Mustang amp with a Helix 6...the audience loved the performance.
Tubes or no tubes? Nobody knew the difference.
One of my favorite local guitarists used a miked up Fender Champ. He said it saved his sore back and achy knees. There is so much variety in music there ought to room all. BB King used a Lab Series transistor amp. Greg Howe, Eric Gales, and Frank Gambale use DV Mark. Andy Timmons has used Kemper. I know many other who use just their laptops and software. It really comes back to the player's skill and his ability to move you. I'm to see there are opened minded folks out there.
Both amps sounded pretty good but you're playing on the track was phenomenal. Really bluesy and groovy keep up the good work
How does the Guitar feel when interacting between the Helix, and Boogie amps? Usually you can feel an interaction under your fingers with the strings/board . How does it feel ?the Helix?
+1 for the scientific testing!
You got me once with the Helix, I couldn't help it, Lol. Growing up having to use a multi-effects pedal and headphones there's just something about that overdrive that I gravitate to. Not that the Helix isn't a thousands times better than what I had for sure. Thanks for the comparison, they sure have come a long way and although not perfect, damn near it.
I hear you Godof - there is probably still no substitute for the "feel" of a tube amp even if it is just because you want it to be that way (no disrespect to tube guys, it is human nature to stick with favorites) it doesn't matter no one will convince you otherwise. When one piece of gear (tweaked properly) and the right power amp/speaker can cover everything that it takes a tube amp and all the related gear to do I can see why people are really starting to head in the Helix direction.
This was really interesting, I own a helix and it's great, but it does take a lot of tweaking. The main thing I noticed was to my ears when you were switching between them in the mix a the end I felt the Helix sound harsh, where the Mesa was so smooth a musical. The Helix just seemed to have a bit of what i think most people describe as that "digital fizz". I listened with head phone, but sure I'd even notice in speakers. Amazing how close the Helix comes to a real amp though.
It would be really interesting to see you repeat this test since the 3.5 update with the helix! The cab emulation is now completely unlocked, and you have full control over using 12 popular mics and their placement to either the helix cab or your own IR. I'm in the process of waiting for a helix and power cab to show up to demo it vs. a Mesa TC50 with mesa 2x12 with v30s and compare to hear the difference myself, but I don't have the production skills to share with the masses like yourself. Cheers 🍻 msi
I've played classical guitar for 45 years but being in my mid-60's, I grew up on classic rock from the 60's & 70's and still listen to and love it today. I have a POD X3 Live and a MiM Strat, but I don't use it much and have zero experience with other guitars or amps. I'm careful never to use the words bad, good, better, best and only say what I like personally. I am a fan of technology and Line 6 and was pulling for the Helix. So, I didn't try to pick which was which, but simply made a note of which sound I preferred for all the tests and was surprised that I picked the Mesa amp every time, even in the mix at the end. Darrell did allow that one could tweak the Helix settings to improve the sound.
What is interesting to me is that for the comments I read, people seemed split maybe 50-50 as to which they thought was "best" or preferred.
Were you in the woodshop prior to filming this video? hehe, your sweatshirt is covering in something! Really preferred the amp, I pretty much chose it every time. I was, however, wrong on the breakup-sustain test and surprised at how good the Helix sounded.
I found it surprisingly easy to tell which was which. But the Helix still sounded so good, that I'd see it as a very good option all the same. Within the jam session I even preferred it over the Mesa.
Can you please tell me what effect you used for the final or combos of effects if anyone knows please let me know thank you to all
I can see snow on your cloth. It means...Merry Christmas!😆😆😆
Or it's dandruff.... LMFAO
Semper Fi yep, I went there as well.
It's just lint. He dried his fleece hoodie with light-colored towels.
Astonishingly, I was surprised by the quality of the Helix, very inferior to my attempts. I use to play with Pod Xt and X3 live, and am less and less in love with those sounds. I may not put enough time working on the sounds, but it feels a bit dull, not alive enough. Very strange, as far as I am a Line 6 historical enthusiast. Maybe it is time for me to find something else. I still like the "all-in-one" concept, but Helix is far too expensive to be a good choice for me. Anyway, thanks for the blind test, I really dig that, because they force me to be honest ;)
If you're looking for a not to expensive multi effect. The zoom g5n is one of the best sounding cheaper multi effects.
(It had an update so it has more amps and effects than stated in most shops.)
This are two videos completely made with the g5n and no post processing. sounds rather convincing if you ask me ;-)
Rock sound
ua-cam.com/video/94iiH4IDGK4/v-deo.htmlµ
Hi-Gain sound
ua-cam.com/video/zQQaW0KtdG8/v-deo.html
And here is a video just to show how close you can get to real tones. Don't know if you listen to Steve Vai, but this is his tone.
ua-cam.com/video/zXrSS3ltDwk/v-deo.html
I don't even know if you want advice :-D. I'm was just so happily surprised with the Zoom g5n that i like to tell people ;-).
Thanks for the piece of advice, I'll go and check :)
@Luca Candela I heard good things about katana too, and I tried it for 2 days at my home, fiddled with all the knobs and all the settings in the computer, but I could never make it sound like a tube amp. It didn't sound bad, but it does have a transistor/digital quality in it, which just isn't there in a tube amp, and once you hear it you cannot unhear it. It's the quality of the tiny fizz that happens at the peaks or at breakup. Also it doesn't compress nicely as a tube amps does when you crank up the volume past a half. I tried to emulate that with a compressor but it just doesn't do it.
The same can be sad about bias FX. I WOULD SAY IT'S EVEN SOUNDS BETTER THEN KATANA AND IS MORE VERSATILE BUT IT STILL HAS THAT TINY FIZZ AND GRAIN QUALITY THAT I JUST DON'T CRAVE. Sorry for the Caps, that was an accident.
Great video. Thank you for doing the work.
I have found that the Helix sounds a great deal better in my home studio setting when using the XLR outputs directly into a mixer. I have a Line 6 DT50 and a Marshall Combo amp (both tube amps) and trying to get the banks dialed into the amps requires some constant adjustments to both the patch and the amp where the mixer output is seamless and consistent, not to mention more convenient. I know there is the 4 cable method and it might be good using that with the DT50 but I am not sure how to switch channels etc.
I still enjoy patching in my pedals into the FX Loops for even more diversity. With the caveat that Line 6 needs to improve on the FX Loops because it does introduce noise somewhat into the signal no matter what you do.
I hope the white white specs on your sweater are due to opening up new products in your studio where the Styrofoam was flying around a bit. Otherwise I might think that is some serious dandruff. :)
Of course playing on stage live would be an amp configuration for the best results IMHO.
I think another factor people forget between the two is the amp and microphones can be effected by placement in room, near wall, microphone placement, temperature, humidity and dew point versus the Effects processor which is based on a recording in a studio set up a certain way. It may be small but enough all together to make a difference. I think if I ever get better to perform live I would use Line 6 HX for ease of setup and moving. Great video.
I guessed every one of them. I liked the tube amps better. But I’m surprised how close they were.
The Helix really surprised me. Digital modeling has come along way. What is your opinion of the future of tube amps. Are they on there way out do to cost and fewer tube factories? That is what I have been hearing for years.
+Scott K I think eventually fewer musicians will travel with them and just use them for studio use.
It's sort of like the film vs digital revolution in the camera industry.
That makes sense. Great video again Darrell.
Yes, analogue will soon be for the museum, no question at all!
Artists now use tablets & software more, Photographers use 4k digital, and pretty much all musicians besides guitarists are using more digital technology (even pro drummers layer triggers into their acoustic rigs).
This doesn't mean people still don't use canvas, polaroids and tube amps, but they will face out of the spotlight. Its a good thing though, think of all the variety and flexibility you will get with future versions of the helix and variax, and how much less crap you'll carry round on tour.
john m if you have played guitar all your life going on 40 years playing, playing through a good tube amp is the only way to get the real sound, all digital tries hard but can't produce what tubes do naturally, so why wouldn't you want to sound the best you can ,its like a great chef using dull knives, if they are available you use what works best
good video, thanks for saving the reveal to after
Nice playing on the final jam!
I like the Helix for clean tones and the Mesa Boogie for distorted tones.
I was 50% fooled by the Helix, surprised.
They both sound good. I am amazed at how far digital has come.
After playing with a bunch of different amps over the years and decades, I found a great SET amp, which when paired in 4 cable method, or 7 cable with amp + FRFR speakers enables clean tone, edge/grit/growl, and high end swirl that rivals anything I have heard-- and then some. By itself, the Helix can be dialed in to sound either similar to very similar to a variation of most anything, however, that takes dialing in and pairing with an appropriate output chain. The one main difference between and amp and modeler that can trip one up is that the output system is still critical. To think you can make a mediocre quality FRFR of a amp-optimized cabinet sound right with a modeler is generally wrong. How far off the result is depends on the quality of the cab/FRFR. However, when paired with a great FRFR or a SET tube in 4 cable method it can be glorious.
I just won a Helix LT... amazing Tones in there...
+GrericPoperic7 Congratulations!
I hope you enjoy it :)
after 3 years nobody is going to mention all the lint Darrell has on his hoodie?! I could knit a shirt out of this :)
lol
I don't think anyone really cares, especially if nobody has mentioned it in 3 years but hey, you're counting!
Are you sure it's not dandruff?
@@ravencole2740 if it is then it's the worst case of dandruff i've ever seen in my life. looks like he walked outside in a snow storm then came back in to shoot the video :)
@David Speller yep and evidently the non melting kind :)
FWIW, if I were relying solely on this vid I'd definitely forego the Helix for the BA. I chose the BA every time except on test 3 but I'm confident with a tad bit of tweeking the BA could easily become my 1st choice there. Thanks!
At first I honestly thought you just somehow made the Mesa sound bad, but when you played the last part and it was put in a mix, the Mesa blue the Helix away. Goes to show that context is everything. Good demo!
I had a 100% accuracy on spotting the actual amp. Since I play mostly digital stuff myself for many years now I can spot the digital stuff relatively quickly when a track is solo'd. The real deal just sounds more "round", balanced, natural and pleasant. Your last jam is a quite emblematic example for my claim. The amp sound sits perfectly well in the mix while the Helix sound sticks out more. Having said that, the Helix sounds good on it's own and I consider it a good tool to work with but the Amp is still the superior option when compared directly.
Harder to tell the difference to my ears in clean patches than in non clean tones. Huge difference in dynamics and breaking points in slightly dirty tones. Could feel the difference more obviously to players. But this is just a difference or preference not either better or worse in my perspective. Thanks for sharing your nice review.
I guessed right every time but they both sounded good.
I also suggest that as soon as we add any type of gain or distortion, the subtleties disappear.
I think that the only pronounced variances would be in feel and response and how done you are with lugging around a tube amp LOL
They have come a very long way with modelling and the best uses I have found with them is to plug them into either a board or just a powered monitor.. Plugging into an amp is usually followed by disappointment LOL
I got so mesmerized by that melody you were playing at the end I didn't care about which was what lol. You could hear the difference between the tones but I kept getting it wrong and I've almost always used a tube amp over 40 years. Live I would use a tube amp because a small tweak can make all the difference when dealing with different sized venues. The helix would be to involved to do on the fly possibly