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Line 6 Helix: Why Did I Wait Until 2024 to Try It?
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Күн бұрынWhy did it take me so long to try the Line 6 Helix? Hear my honest review after my first 30 days of using it. Find out what took me so long to finally try out this legendary amp modeler/guitar effects processor! #line6helix #review #first30days
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After 30 days of trying out the Line 6 Helix for the first time, I'm ready to share my review! Find out why it took me so long to try this powerful guitar effects processor, and see if it meets the needs of my home recording studio. I don't play live. I record guitars and bass in my studio and I'm always looking to improve my workflow. How well does the Helix work as a recording device, audio interface and signal router? I re-amp real tube amps, add guitar pedals into the signal chain, record amp models and share an overview of how to do all of that. This is my honest look at the Line 6 Helix and its features.
Discussing the relevance of the Helix in 2024:
• Line 6 Helix: Relevant...
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Index
00:00 - Start
00:50 - Behind the scenes footage
00:59 - What took me so long to get a Helix?
02:08 - Setting up the Helix in a Studio
04:39 - Recording Example 1
06:10 - Using the FX Loops
11:44 - Recorded Example #2
12:40 - After 30 Days, what are my thoughts on the Helix?
21:00 - Wrap up
21:12 - Please Subscribe!
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@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
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@ryanreeves8931 5 ай бұрын
I've owned one for the past 9 years and I purchased it with the very 1st batch of production models. Everytime the product gets a firmware update, feels like Santa brings me tens of thousands of dollars of free gear! Best 1000 bucks I've ever spent in my life on musical gear.
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Awesome! Great to hear it still has that mojo for you...
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
That is exactly what I was thinking back in 2016 when I bought one used. Still going strong. I did finally have to abandon my win 7 computer because the latest firmware updates needed win 10/11. I guess I am just stubborn.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker - as I think you realize, it goes far beyond just the mojo. This thing just makes sense.
@Dubble_Bubble40 5 ай бұрын
I just pulled the trigger myself after fawning over it for many years. I haven't done much more than mess around with the presets, but wow, this thing sounds great!
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Sweet!! Enjoy it!
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
Don't hesitate to build different versions of pedal boards you would have assembled if you had the money to do so. It is really satisfying to just rearrange the fx chains at will.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
Great video - better thought out and presented than 99% of the other YT heroes.
@LonelyRocker 4 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! That means a lot. Thank you. 😎🤘🏽🎸
@audiobunny1767 5 ай бұрын
I just picked up a Helix LT at a great price. Having sold my HX Stomp a few months ago I found that I missed its functionality and versatility, although the larger LT and flagship versions are fantastic and provide more options. I have been using Neural Plug ins to get most of our bands guitar sounds which are awesome. Even though with the new 3.71 update I decided to replace all the Neural plug in with Helix Native and honestly the Helix sounds just as good! Overall the Helix platform has proved itself over and over, endured many years of new comers to the market and imho remains a very strong contender for anyone after a extremely versatile great sounding and easy to use product its respective market sector. No brainer and a definite safe bet even in 2024.
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Glad it's working out for you...I'm enjoying mine too. Still a very solid solution.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
The biggest reason I pulled the trigger on this years ago was my plan to quit buying gear. If you aren't a gear snob and have to spend $500 on every fx pedal, you can save (and I have) thousands of dollars using those near equivalent fx built into the Helix - not to mention the $'s I would have spent on the devices required to do all of the routing that is available in the I/O's.
@santyormeno1012 2 ай бұрын
I bought my helix in 2020. I came from the TC electronics g system. I use to love the G system but it was so heavy. the helix gave me a solution for internal distortion , effects in general and amp modelers. 2024, I still loving my pedalboard and each time know it better.
@LonelyRocker 2 ай бұрын
It’s still a great system. Glad it’s still working out for you.
@davebops2478 6 ай бұрын
Wow Dan, these videos just get slicker and slicker!
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much Dave!
@kendutchess 6 ай бұрын
Dan, thank You so much for your insight and advice. I picked up my Helix Lt a few days ago. It has the latest update and sounds phenomenal with my hand wired Vox ac15. I am sure that we aren’t late to the party. I’m also using it in an effects loop with my ToneX pedal.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like you have a nice setup there. Enjoy it!
@dannyharmelink6473 6 ай бұрын
Great vid as always Dan! I use a HELIX LT in 4 Cable Method to get the best out of both real amp (power amp & cab) and sim recording & it's ace! Grabbing a DI plus the HELIX outs as well as the mic/cab gives great flexibility as well as useful feedback. The accompanying HELIX EDIT makes fine tuning sounds on your computer fast and the NATIVE plugin compliments the recording process in your DAW - so a great studio all round ecosystem. We are truly spoiled 😋
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Sounds like you got your setup down. I’m actually using a 4 cable method with the Tonex Capture box. That’s a topic I have coming up. Pairing Tonex and Helix for great amp capturing. Stay tuned!
@ryanreeves8931 5 ай бұрын
Getting the DI clean w/ the processed sounds is the only way to record!
@harrisondvargo72 6 ай бұрын
Hey Dan! Definitely noticing way better production quality in the videos! Well done! Great presentation, rad playing, and well laid out. Take care!
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Oh thanks so much!! I'm always trying to get better...glad the odd person notices! Cheers!!
@SonicDriveStudio 6 ай бұрын
Another great video man!
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! 😎🎸🤘🏽
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
You have to look at the numerous (free) updates over the years and see how the Helix is still relevant. They proved to be good for their promise that they would keep it relevant. I didn't have to buy anything new + I can still use any of my old gear I want in the fx loops. I'm finally about to dive into making full use of the stereo circuit in the 345. What more can I ask?
@LonelyRocker 4 ай бұрын
I really respect Line 6 for the longevity they built into this product. As someone who adopted it late it still feels like new gear to me.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker - The Helix is he closest thing to the cure for GAS anyone has come up with - other than total bankruptcy :)
@wilssantos2 20 күн бұрын
I bought the Helix way back when it still didn't even have snapshots as a feature, I think it was 2015 or 16 at most. It has come a LONG WAY from back then, and all these updates made me love the device more and more. I always used it live and to record, and it NEVER let me down even once. So yeah, switching back to "real amps" or to other modelers is not something that is in my expected timeline right now haha
@LonelyRocker 20 күн бұрын
Their are certainly keeping the Helix interesting..and in an error of planned obselecance they have really built life into the Helix. Good on them!!
@nigelsmith721 Ай бұрын
Enjoyed the video - great!! When did you last clean that bass btw??? 😆
@LonelyRocker Ай бұрын
Thanks!! That dust contributes to the tone...it's not going anywhere!!
@nigelsmith721 Ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker 🙂
@TNTGoBoomBoom 2 ай бұрын
My band loves our helix products
@LonelyRocker 2 ай бұрын
For good reason!
@DavidBurgess1 2 ай бұрын
Hi - thanks for this video it was super timely for me. I just crawled out from under a rock and was wondering which modeler to get and whether the Helix was (still) the way to go.
@LonelyRocker 2 ай бұрын
My pleasure! Hope it offered you a good perspective.
@Shadowcruise99 Ай бұрын
You should be able to control some of the features on your Revv amp and a number of other products via MIDI with instant messages on the Helix.
@LonelyRocker Ай бұрын
You know I’ve never tried that. I should!
@Robbie28 Ай бұрын
I love the tone ya are getting. If/when i get my helix, would you come to TX and help me set up? lol
@LonelyRocker Ай бұрын
Ha!! That would be a fun trip! At the very least I should upload some presets to my Patreon :)
@Fl4ppers 6 ай бұрын
Love the riffin'!! My Helix is set up with a couple of "pedal platforms" for me to directly plug in various pedals ready for recording.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Yeah just so many ways to sue this thing...having a blast!
@Fl4ppers 6 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker another thing I've done is a couple of patches to simulate a bass, or detuned guitars to make life easier.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
@@Fl4ppers - and there is that.
@mixodorians12 6 ай бұрын
With Helix Native, you can have unlimited DSP (limited oniy by the power of your PC). It is hard to know where the Helix can go.., when Line 6 gives you the software to run on your computer, and it will just be updated. There is no noticeable latency in the Helix Native plugin.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
It's great for sure...but latency may still be present if you try to record into it. It's more to do with the individual interface and/or computer....the beauty of the hardware is direct monitoring with ZERO latency....
@mixodorians12 6 ай бұрын
I have zero latency indirect monitoring...through a focusrite 4.4 (version 3), when recording. My PC system isn't that special. I also have a fcb1010 midi foot controller to control snapshots etc. I have a line 6 helix LT, a HXFX, and a Boss GT1000 core, and I barely use them. With the Focusrite interface you can do loopback, (so you can loop backing tracks off KZfaq, straight into your DAW).
@skylork1990 5 ай бұрын
Careful with the mic input. Don’t turn it off with the phantom power still on. Learned it the hard way
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Oh really? What happened?
@skylork1990 5 ай бұрын
It fried whatever pre amp chip that is that makes it work. I discovered that it happened on my device at the start of a sound check :/. There’s multiple reports on Google about the same issue.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
I've always been leery of using the mic/phantom power feature. I just can't wrap my head around mic's, phantom power, and that whole interaction with the Helix (or any other mic related uses for that matter).
@400_billion_suns 4 ай бұрын
I’ve never heard of an issue powering it off with phantom power enabled, but the earlier hardware builds indeed had a problem with plugging or unplugging a mic while phantom power was enabled and the Helix was on. TL;DR: Don’t plug or unplug things to the mic input with phantom power enabled when the Helix is on. Either turn off phantom power first or turn off Helix first. Also, afaik, this was fixed with a hardware revision on more recent units, along with a noise that was produced if you had phantom power going *in* to the XLR outputs.
@MrJingles021 Ай бұрын
Does the Helix work as a load box? I know the Revv amps don't need a speaker connected to operate, but if you were to use the JCM 800, you'd still need to connect to the speaker, wouldn't you? Update: just saw you mention load boxes.
@LonelyRocker Ай бұрын
Glad you saw that...yeah, you need an external load box...You have to be careful with that. No modeler will have the load necessary to support amps. But some load boxes are not that expensive and are well worth the investment if you have at least one tube amp and you like recording....
@tomblankinship4750 6 ай бұрын
You could use the aux input with a mic with a 1/4 plug and run a second mic.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Yes but I need phantom power for the condensers. I have an external mic preamp. Would just be nice to have two mic preamps on board. Not a biggy though.
@JohnShalamskas 5 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker You can use the tube preamp block in the Helix as a mic amp. That's what I do with an SM57 on my HX Stomp XL. Also needed an impedance transformer on the mic cable to match the low-Z XLR cable to the high-Z HX Stomp XL 1/4 inch input.
@GoreGrid 11 күн бұрын
So... which do you prefer personally for your setup if you had to choose? Fm9 or helix?
@LonelyRocker 11 күн бұрын
My opinion may not be the best because I have both and I use both. My FM9 has become my day to day modeler that is setup as my main audio interface. But I LOVE routing amps though the Helix and especially doing captures using it as my interface. I find the routing so simple on the Helix. I would have a tough time choosing...
@gelderlandproduction 6 ай бұрын
Great bass guitar skills!
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! And that was kind of an afterthought for this video. I could do a dedicated bass video for the Helix. That might be fun.
@lizthegaywiz5599 Ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker That would be awesome to see! 😄
@adamwilcox6405 6 ай бұрын
Great choice.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Indeed. Did you see the other one? 😂
@adamwilcox6405 6 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker ah, more digging. Leave it with me. 😁
@emelle1283 5 ай бұрын
Nice vid. Does anyone got any info on he price drop (referenced at 15 mins in this video)?
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Thanks! The price drop was announced by Line 6 officially. It should be reflected in retail prices but may be different depending on where you live...
@LoveIsWhoWeAre 5 ай бұрын
Cool music!
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!
@steveandrushko75 4 ай бұрын
I just finally got my Helix 3 days ago
@LonelyRocker 4 ай бұрын
Saweeeet! Enjoy it!
@steveandrushko75 4 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker having a lot of fun with it
@dsarlis 6 ай бұрын
Awesome video - with the routing - how is the gain staging? Instrument vs. Line vs. in between signal levels - good flexibility to adjust?
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! Actually setting levels is really good. Every stage has a gain/volume adjustment. Even the send/returns have their own level adjustment. And the final output stage also has a level adjustment. I’ll dive into this when I tackle specific topics but flexibility with gain staging is really good.
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
..... what he said. 👍
@jnixo9900 6 ай бұрын
All the modellers are great at this point and quite honestly i doubt the tones will get much better in future ones. Pick the one that suits your application not the one that some youtuber told you is better. (in their opinion)
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
What seems to be improving are the size and features. You’re right. And as I said, in a mix, no one will know the difference. Always best to choose gear that suits your personal needs.
@jnixo9900 6 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker yup. I reread my answer. I wasn't having a go....lol. I've been on the modeller merry go round and honestly they all sound good so the deciding factor is the one you will get along with.
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
I was actually agreeing with you. The growth in modelers has become a bit dangerous because some feel they always need the latest. I got my FM9 barely two months ago and already there will be a new one soon. It’s hard not to feel a bit left behind. But I will resist temptation! 😂
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker - line6 hasn't left my me behind with the Helix in the last 8 years (well except when I finally had to give in and update my computer to win10/11 - that should tell you something @#*!). I still haven't close to reaching it's limits. I'm a little less complicated than most I guess.
@MOAB-UT 6 ай бұрын
Do you like THIS or the FM9 and why?
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Now that I have both I actually enjoy each of them for different reasons. I will make more videos about this but there is definitely a greater simplicity with the Helix but the FM9 is such a versatile device. They both sound great. But I will likely dive into comparisons soon here...stay tuned!
@MOAB-UT 6 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker Thanks. I hated the UI- sold it. No loss. Will buy when they update it to be more like the QC, TMP or even the new Ampero II.
@robertbrown1778 6 ай бұрын
@@LonelyRocker It's usually acknowledged - even by many Helix advocates - that the quality of Fractal effects is superior and that it's easier to get better amp tones out of it, especially out of the box. One hears of people spending months/years immersed in the darkest arts of tweaking the Helix and it still falling slightly short of the Fractal amp simulations. That said, the HX Stomp has the same sounds (notwithstanding DSP limitations) as the full Helix at a fraction of the cost. All a bit of a head-scratcher depending on ones budget and usage scenario I suppose.
@400_billion_suns 4 ай бұрын
I own both a Helix Floor and an FM9, and as an overall package, I would give the nod to Helix. The only thing the FM9 really has on the Helix is the fidelity of amp modeling, but it is a subtle difference that you aren’t likely to notice unless you’ve used both extensively. It’s not night and day, but some of the finer subtleties of distortion texture and decay are a bit better on the FM9. For effects, I don’t know why people often say Fractal is superior in that regard. I disagree; Helix has a bigger selection of 1:1 models of real-world pedals while Fractal has some real world models supplemented by generic effect types. And the pedal models in Helix, when tested against their real world counterparts, tend to be very accurate. In the comparisons I’ve heard, Fractal often differs more from the real pedals with its effects vs. Helix. They’re both great units and I like both of them a lot, but I think the “best” choice for people depends on your priorities. If your decision is based only on amp modeling, get the FM9. For just about any other priority - ease of use, flexibility, mic input, easy customization of complex parameter changes with snapshots (Fractal’s implementation of Scenes is awful in comparison), and more - the Helix spanks the FM9.
@StratsRUs 3 ай бұрын
@@400_billion_sunsYou made the best comment out of all
@adhaskym.a9536 Ай бұрын
9 years is a very long time, so the question is, what will come next from Line6? BOSS GT1000 has also been updating firmwares and softwares.
@LonelyRocker Ай бұрын
Everyone wants to know! So far it’s been the HX One! But we want the big boy!!!!
@foreverjulybass85 5 ай бұрын
Help!!! So, I just bought a brand new Purple Helix from guitar center and it arrived this weekend. I tried to mess with it last night with headphones that I know work and I got absolutely no sound. I know I have signal because I tuned my guitar with it. But I just have my guitar plugged in and headphones. That's it. Any suggestions? I'm hoping I'm dumb and missed something and that the headphones jack isn't broken. Thanks!!!!!!
@LonelyRocker 5 ай бұрын
What is the output path set to?
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
I'm sure you have checked the PHONES volume on the deck so that could be in the GLOBAL settings. Also the "quick start guide" can be helpful.
@DanielKraemerMusic 6 ай бұрын
Great video! The size might be an issue, if you're travelling around a lot in airplanes....you can easily bring e.g. the Quad cortex or the Mooer GE 300 as hand luggage. And the processing power can be an issue, especially with the high end units using complex algorithms. Like the Fractal audio FM9. Try using a reverb, Multiplex delay and some modulation effects + drive block with your amp and cab.... you'll overload that thing pretty quick. Even with the Axefx3. these things are not terribly efficient imho. Some units like the Boss GT1000 or the Neural DSP QC don't seem to have these problems though...
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
Thanks! Yeah, I mentioned that the experience will be different for each player. And I get the travel bit. Though back in the day we didn’t have these options so it’s still a bit funny to me 😂
@wilssantos2 20 күн бұрын
I've never had any problems with DSP using the Helix. By using two signal paths, I can easily have a volume block, a pitch shifter, a wah, an overdrive, TWO amp models on split paths, a cab or IR block, a chorus, a delay, a "feedbacker", a reverb, an EQ and a final compressor to glue things up (following John Sadites' tip). And it all works beautifully within 8 snapshots and stomps switching with no delay... I mean, there IS a DSP limit, but it has never been a problem for me.
@jessewest2109 4 ай бұрын
24 is when I traded my helix for an fm3.
@LonelyRocker 4 ай бұрын
Fractal is great too. I have an FM9 and a Helix.
@hartlee1160 6 ай бұрын
If its not called "double helix" and double the dsp... i think i be mad to be honest 😂
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
I think you might be on to something 😂😂😂
@protoolsfanatic7276 6 ай бұрын
9 years? ADA still sounds great if dialed in correctly. It's not how big its how you use it 😂
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
You got that right! 😝😝
@78tag 4 ай бұрын
👍👍👍
@vaughanmacegan4012 6 ай бұрын
By why are you trying it out, you made your decision to use the Fractal FM9 exclusively only a couple of months ago. So what are you doing? Ohhh, I get it, with you being tied down to one modeller you can't grow your channel, it will stagnate to only fractal users, then contract and eventually die. So you have made a decision to try and keep yourself current by using other modellers to stop that from happening - very clever. Will it work? Probably not as more and more viewers catch on to what you are doing and releasing more and more FM9 videos. You can fool some of the users some of the time, but you can't fool all the user's (of different modellers) all of the time. Prepare to go niche!
@mehegama 6 ай бұрын
Hahaha what a ridiculous comment. How old are you? Not even 10yo make arguments like these
@hartlee1160 6 ай бұрын
Not as many people are so amp Sim tribalist as you make it out to be. More people watch comparisons avidly, like me, more than you think as well
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
@@hartlee1160Thank you for the assist. Not to mention I’d be a pretty boring channel if I just talked about 5e same thing every time…appreciate the support!
@LonelyRocker 6 ай бұрын
I never said I was exclusive. I said right in the video there would be others. And in my second FM9 video the Helix was there and I mentioned it 😂😂😂
@hartlee1160 6 ай бұрын
@LonelyRocker I love the fact you switch around. It's not just hx or fractal. You had the me-90 on and stated a parametric eq would take its tone way up. Which I thought was a good video to put out. Loneyrocker helps the starving artist make good decisions buying gear, and running it. That seems to be the main point and a legitimate reason for making diverse gear videos. Thanks so much
@BuckwheatPlatypus 4 ай бұрын
Video starts @6:13
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