What do you think? Does singular "better tone" take precedence over having completely individualized Snapshots?

I started with a Helix in 2015 and it’s just gotten better and better over the years. Love mine.

I agree that Fractal needs to rethink the Scene Controller setup. Very clunky and limited coming from a Helix, and honestly the only thing I missed about Helix products when I first switched to FM9. On the other hand, Fractal has 4 channels in each block. While this isn't perfect for everything since the amp block doesn't change channels seamlessly, this does work well for reverbs and delays, which is honestly the only thing I needed scene controllers for anyway.

Regardless of what you choose, the audience will never know the difference.

My takeaway is that while Fractal has a slight edge in the tone department, that edge is negligible enough that many won’t walk away from the superior ecosystem of the Helix. I’m on the waiting list for the FM9 but I’m thinking I may decline when it’s my turn as I’m totally happy with my LT. Would rather wait for Helix II at this point.

Snapshots definitely for the win. Especially if you are playing a diverse range of music. It's a game changer. I "think" the take-away from this video boils down to this: workflows. I've "grown up" with the Helix and when you describe all those workflow gymnastics on the FM9 it sounds terrible. But the Helix is all I know. I play with a guy that has only ever used Fractal and he doesn't say one negative thing about workflows and how he sets up his presets. And when we play together nobody says "oh, that guys Fractal/Helix sounds better than the other guy". Most people are completely clueless. It's just us nerds that like to debate. :) Great video Steve!!!

The FM9 is obviously a very powerful and robust unit, but if the complexity takes you out of the "musical" frame of mind, then you're fighting with your equipment. That's not good. This video has given me a new appreciation for my HX Stomp. Thanks

I suppose I get your point, but with the multiple channels per effect/amp I would just set those different settings to channel, A, B, etc on the effect so you can get after those different tones.

I began with all the common boards. The Digitech RP 500 was the first, then the Boss GT100, then the Line 6 M13 and so on. Probably 10 different boards from 2010 until I decided to go back to stomp boxes and mix/match to my heart’s content. Then I acquire a Helix. It wasn’t even planned but a guy I jam with was in a desperate situation and I got it for just $800. Still in the box just as it came from the store. And then the pandemic hit and the quarantine. I had nothing but time and did a deep dive into all the little nuances and cool things you can do with it, especially when hooked up to a PC and Reaper DAW software. With Toon Tracks drum software and all the other instrument plug-ins I had a poor man’s recording studio. All centered around the Helix. I am sure all the other units like the Nural and the Fractal could do the same thing, maybe even better. But is it worth it to relearn every thing? Can my Marshall ruined ears really detect a better tone? At this point, it will take a major breakthrough device to make be break up a rig that works and sounds so good. Liked and subbed

Every video I see for the fractal pedals is a great advertisement for my helix!

Steve, I commented on your earlier video that I have Line 6 Helix floor, and I have a Fractal Audio AX8. I am running a four cable method into one Tube amp and running a 1/4 out to the back of the return of another tube amp. I know fractal sounds really good. However, I keep on going back to the Helix. I find that it's just so much easier to control the parameters and snapshots. I put a 10-band EQ in the chain and it really sounds good. I use Jason Sadelites presets mainly, and some of the factory presets of Helix and modified them. I was settling on getting a fractal fm9, but I'm hesitating. The Helix is still a very good unit. It bothers me though that they haven't done an update in awhile and they're probably going to release a helix 2 soon.

The Fractal stuff (FM9, FM3, Axe FX family, etc.) is by far has the closest sound/tone and feel to a real amp of any modeling device available. That said, what the Helix give up in sound/feel quality it makes up for in the UI. Will those tone sacrifices be noticed in a live setting? In a setting like a bar, probably not, people are there to hang with their friends and see some live music, not to critique your tone. Additionally, on the up side of that it's much easier if you have to tweak something on the fly. I have an Axe-FX II but I typically use one amp setting with always on delay and pitch detune (think 80's pop-metal tone) and all I'm switching is an OD on and off. I wanted the best sounding unit I could find and something that would save me from lugging an SLO half stack to a bar/club gig. It's like everything else in life, what compromises are you willing to make.

Handy shortcut for assigning things to snapshot like at 14:09 is Alt + Left Click the parameter

Great to hear a balanced view, take care of that wrist! Snapshots for me...

Excellent analysis Steve!

You just saved me a lot of money I am a helix user and I use it in 4cm with a mesa boogie tc50 plus a midi cable for amp channel switching and turning reverb on and off on the amp etc.. And I have setlist ready in there for direct out. I wanted to switch to the fractal fm9 only for the quality of there effects. But I can't go without snapshots they are so incredibly powerful.

This is a complex issue. I have finally switched over to fractal. It is much harder to use for sure and you are right that scene controllers are just too brutal to use. Also some of the scene switching is not seamless on the fractal which is terrible indeed. But I can’t resist how amazing the fractal sounds. There are so many amazing subtle changes one can make. It is an amazing unit for recording. For me where the fractal falls down the most is it did not allow one to seamlessly edit any parameters of any setting like the helix does with the foot. The fractal drives me crazy. I have to mentally prepare every time I want to make a new preset. But again, it is an amazing unit when it comes to sound. Also there are certain ways in which it is easier to use than the helix. Making complex drive noises and acoustic presets is far better. This is a hard call but I have made the move to fractal. But great review Steve.

You just quelled my FM9 GAS. I've got an HX Stomp and it's just such a well thought out device and you are totally right about the drives. I've stopped using my pedalboard with my band and now just use the Stomp for all of my effects.

What is more usable to me than either snap shots or scenes is just simply allowing any number of parameters be assignable to any MIDI controller and either to the same MIDI controller or over multiple ones. The reason for this is because there are going to be some parameters where I need to vary them over an entire range of minimum and maximum values that I set vs simply toggling them between two states. Snap shots will not allow for this completely variable state. I don't own either Helix or the Fractal units, but my interest in them got me to read their manuals and from what I gather parameters are assignable to MIDI controllers the way I'd like for them to be. Fractal's units are particularly interesting for their modifiers in which you can assign parameters to those modifiers for variation by them, much like with Guitar Rig. Modifiers can be an LFO or step sequencer or envelope filter. This facility allows for some really creative tones that vary over time or some set rate much like synthesizers.

Hi Steve, I have a Helix for 5 years, a Kemper for 4 years and a FM3 for 2 Weeks. I never could the Helix sound great. I mean great, not good. For me the pure Amp tone is the most important. I tried all the tutorials (putting a compressor behind, using shelf EQs...) but i was never totally happy with the Helix..The I bought the Kemper. BOOM the tones were there. One week tweaking and finding the right profiles (this is the most important with Kempers) I was happy and never used any of my really expensive amps. After watching your channel, and some other Channels I gave the Helix one more chance. The features are outstanding as the UI! Same problem. I couldn't get it sound to my likings. Then I bought the fm3. After 2 days, all was like I wanted. I never was an effects guy. A simple Reverb and a delay, a wah wah in the front and one or two effect and I am happy. So in conclusion, I am going to sell my Helix. It's a great unit, but not for me.Like you always say. There is no good or bad, there's the right for you. In my case it's not the Helix but Kemper and fractal. FM9 is not available in my country for the next 6 months, so I went fm3. I'm fine with that. Please keep going with the great video contend. Greetings from Germany Thom

100% agree with you, the main reason why I bought the Helix is the UI (way better than Fractal and others!) But the main problem I have with my unit is it's reliability...I have already changed 2 times the 12 switch components and now this is the rotary selector on the left of the screen which has problems...did anyone has the same type of issues? BTW: great content!

Years later, HELIX IS STILL RELEVANT. That’s how good the product is

Hi Steve, Axe and Helix user here. You forget the Channel Feature where you can dial in 4 Channels for any effect with ALL settings. You actually rarely use the Scene Controllers at all. And when, I alway use the Min and Max Values. For Example, you know on a particular amp that your lowest Gain setting will be 1,5 and the highest you ever go 8.2. So you tell the Axe that, and the percentage on the scene controllers will reflect that. Still, I wish fractal would do it like Line6 ;) Great video nonetheless ;)

Preset spillover and have all the snapshots needed, swap amps and effects, add in external control of ANYTHING. FLOOR all the way, more DSP, keep adding it. Native! Just goes on and on and on. Gotta love helix because helix links everything! So what does the fm9 do for discard and recall in scenes ?

You know it's funny. My first amp was a tiny Lil create maybe a 15 watt at best, which i found in the street. Once I was able to save up some $$ at 16 i personal bought my line6 spider IV 75. I still have it for the nostalgia of my line 6 roots. To think that only had 16 amps and 20 fx options over 12 years ago. Look at how far Line6 has come. Truly amazing to be apart of the family.

I have recently gotten a AX8 just to try out the sound of what Fractal provides. I agree it is very daunting to edit anything. Being a Headrush user for years and a Hx STomp/HX Effects user they are so much easier to use than the Fractal. Fractal sounds good but its too much of a headache and I won't be upgrading to a FM series. I only record in my studio and play at church so I will keep the AX8 as a studio tool with very basic presets so I can access tones quickly.

Helixe's snapshots are a killer feature!

The scene controllers honestly aren’t that much of a limitation. Within the context of the reverb mix you could just set different channels within the reverb block to accomplish that same thing. The scene controllers are particularly beneficial within the amp block if you want to have different settings for the same amp without needing different channels since there’s a dip in volume changing amp channels specifically. I will agree however that making edits on the unit itself sucks. I have an FM3 and one time needed to make changes during a soundcheck to one of the controllers, ironically enough, to adjust gain on the amp. It took me ten minutes to find out how to do this on my own. The way things are labeled or organized on the unit itself is different from how it looks on the editor. I finally found it and made the adjustment I needed, but it was a complete hassle. Fractal’s ecosystem is very thorough, but also extremely complicated and not user friendly at all. I shouldn’t have to memorize 253 terms and menu navigations to edit my unit without carrying my max book everywhere. In the end it does sound incredible when it’s dialed in well, but dear lord can it be a pain.

I agree 100% . Love my Helix

I went to an FM3 from a Boogie Mk4 and an extensive pedalboard with a couple of H9’s and some Strymon stuff. I’d tried a few of the multiFX’s over the years and just couldn’t get into editing and playing around but the FM was great straight out of the box. As for moaning about the the onboard editing its one of the easiest I have ever used, admittedly I have never used a Helix so maybe thats simple. There is always going to be latency in communication between a box and a computer, I just use it when getting my basic sound setup, when Im actually using it live I change stuff on the fly onboard. I tried a kemper and a friends AxeII but the FM3 just sounded so much better, and with a front house side by side comparison with my MkIV the FM was every bit as good. I’ve ordered a FM9 but that’ll be a long wait here in the EU.

Has anyone noticed a huge difference between the two in the context of a mix? I’m using a Stomp and I’m a knob tweaker so I liked the sounds I ended up with, especially with IRs. I’ve noticed the difference when playing alone but not enough in a full mix.

Great if having them is gonna make you get better at playing, thats it !! That ll depend on the things you re looking for, I like tweaking and exploring new sounds, and having deep options, and manny amps, I enjoy that. It s great that you have found something that satisfies you !!

It would be awesome to have you somehow blind test yourself on these three units

One thing I do know , in a mix you will not be able to tell a difference in any of the big modelers. When I was purchasing I spent some time trying to figure out which unit I wanted , between the fm9, quad, helix- my fav plug ins are neural dsp, all the “big bands lol” use fractal like Metallica and devin Townsend or Misha Moonsor( only uses his sig amp as a power amp lol) and then the helix. I had a bad taste in my mouth for line six from the bean days! But now with IR you can make that thing rock, anyway I then noticed the flexibility and routing in the helix- I wanted to rout and control a synergy syn 2 preamp- for a hybrid rig, so I chose the helix and it’s been perfect- being able to set the loops to line or whatever guitar level is - is awesome (though I have to use 2 loops). Anyway now I have a one touch machine that can with yes one touch go from the tube preamp modes with or without IR so I can rout into computer and power amp cab without moving and then have all the effects and pedal options- it midi-ed together without having to do anything lol just 1-4 with my first 4 presets all being synergy then with snap shots that’s a million options just there, also all my cleans are helix- my synergy modules don’t even come close to clean (bogner uberschall and Engl savage lol) my long winded point it took maybe 10 min to set the whole hybrid rig up and I could add changing my power amp types with the relay options (boogie mk5 using just as an overpriced power amp - has 3 power amp modes from class A to AB to simulclass) it’s just insane what the helix can do just as a controlling unit! And not spend hours figuring out midi channels- and then the flexibility inside the flexibility is easy to use. Now I’m still intrigued by the quad core and will watch that vid next!

You seem to ignore that scenes can also change block channels which can change all the parameters at once inside the block and also (unlike the Helix) the Amp/FX model. Basically scene controllers are meant to be used only for parameters for which you need more than 4 different values in a preset

Hey Steve! For footswitches, make a layout where all buttons are per preset. That essentially makes an empty preset a fresh start for the switches. At least, that's how it works with my Axe FXIII with FC12.

It's all about the sound for me and the fractal smashes in that department. Line 6 stuff sounds too light and airy like the tone if floating in the ether. I think fractal options for tweaking are a little excessive. Confusing many times.

Helix is more intuitive but…. It can’t compare in quality of amp modeling AND you can’t have multiple channels per block in the Helix which is also a big frustration.

I'm still trying to figure out how we were supposed to remind you not to save that snapshot 😂🎸🤘

I see you're on FW 2.00 Beta, so I feel the need to comment on the slow/lagging FM9-Edit. It's a known issue/bug on the Beta and the devs are working on it.

Hi Steve. Sorry - I only just caught up with your Helix v FM9 videos. Thanks for the excellent summary. I have used the Helix for more than 5 years, and I was thinking of getting an FM9 when they become available in the UK. I am very interested in your Snapshot v Scenes comparisons, and the parameter controllers in general. I also use snapshots and the foot pedal to control amp parameters. Obviously, just increasing percentages across the board as you cycle through snapshots/scenes (or depress an expression pedal) is pretty useless. A lot of the time, as you increase amp gain, you will need to simultaneously reduce Channel Volume, and possibly reduce Bass, Presence etc. On the Helix, you can set any number of values and assign them to Snapshots, and they can go down as well as up. I use the expression pedal to increase amp gain on many presets, and I can also set the Max/Min pedal travel in reverse to adjust specific parameters to Min/Max. This means I can use my pedal to increase gain whilst correspondingly reducing volume to maintain levels, and also change EQ settings in both directions. Am I right in thinking that this sort of control is not possible in the FM9, either via Scenes or any other control mechanism?

Little late to this but it was an interesting video. I have no experience with the Helix stuff but like most things there are always going to be trade offs and trade ups on both sides. In this video and in the comments that I did read, I did not hear you talk anything about using dual amps even though I see you have them in your preset. If you are not using both amps at the same time switching between them is seamless. As long as it is loaded up it will switch seamlessly. So unless you are blending two amps in your presets, gapless switching is there for amps on the FM9. I have not tried this yet, but you can also assign a footswitch to change channels, so you might even be able to switch the channel on a muted amp and then turn it on seamlessly. Personally I can get every sound I need for a single song on one preset with gapless switching but everyone has different needs.

Steve this video hits! I just got an FM3 (had Helix for last 5 years). Right away, I was like "OMG THE SOUND"...I dunno, maybe it is just recency bias or something, but I feel like it sounds better? The ironic thing is the conventional wisdom is that Fractal just sounds better, less tweaking from the main presets...BUT....if you have to tweak? My god - super complicated. I guess I don't understand the workflow. Thinking of taking this thing to a band jam/tryout and having to change my sounds on the fly seems like a nightmare?

FM EDIT looks so so confusing. So glad I got the Helix LT. Hey Steve. Long time... God bless.

Hilarious to me that fractal doesn’t let you change parameters in scenes (yet). Lesson learned, I sold that shit, and if I get another modeler to complement my amp it would definitely probably be Helix. Fractal isn’t worth the money to me. They’re on some Apple shit.

Hi Steve, thanks for that great review which is very valuable to me as I am heading down the same path and on the Australian wait list for an FM 9. Like you I’m a gigging muso and love the Helix snapshots. But I remember the long learning curve to get on top of it and get t our whole setlist loaded in the Helix. Even after 5 years of having a Helix I still tweak them. The FM9 I am hoping will be the replacement, as I hear from lots of videos it’s got a great set of sounds loaded. Do these standard presets come with scenes loaded so you can edit a scene controller , if there is some overall preset controller that’s going to override that it seems it will be a monster to use live. I am switching snapshots all the time you know, intro , verse, chorus, solo etc. I hope you find a solution otherwise it won’t do the job. Thanks again for making the videos they are very, very, helpful. Mike

Very informative video man! I would suggest using Channels instead of scene controllers. That way you can set 4 variations of each block.

I use the AxeFX in Helix Rack loops. Ultimate flexibility.

Hi Steve, this is great, and you did touch on it, but isn't Fractal's primary method the ABCD channels with the sceen controls as an extra/secondary feature? 100% of parameters can change with channels + sceens. I own both AX8 and HX stomp, so I am familiar with both. I didn't know about the amp switch gap, doesn’t happen on my AX8; I'm still on the FM9 wait list...interested in selling me yours if you don't need it?!?

On the waitlist for the FM9 currently. Helix UI certainly looks superior but I will take the time with the FM9 to decide which one works better for me. I also happen to think that snapshots are the greatest thing to happen to guitar tone ever, so we shall see :).

The more I look at this the more I love the simplicity of my Headrush....

Steve, I noticed you are using the FW 2.0 Beta which has a known lag issue with FM9 edit. This was the not the case with the current FW 1.0. Latest update on the forum is that a major overhaul is coming soon. Also, why would you use scene controllers instead of just creating a different scene changing all the parameters that you want?

Hey Steve… One other drawback on the FM9 is if you set a control function to say, The Pitch block…I like to control the harmony interval with the expression pedal….when you change scenes, or even pitch block channels, you are stuck with that same control function for all the channel blocks. It’s frustrating….when I go to Channel B of the pitch block, I may not want the control function to be the same….but you can’t change it. I hate that.

Nice vid Steve. Take care of the wrist. If you need someone to babysit your Suhr while your hurting. I'll drive to New York and pick it up. Get well my friend.

Atm I use axe fx 2. I have used helix then headrush and headrush has the best workflow even compared to helix. I had little difficulties with scenes in fractal for few days but got hang of it. Overall, the tone made me choose over other. axe fx 2 still sounds better than anything out there except compared to 3.

"I have all the things. Why? Because I have problems!", whahahhahahahhaha, awesome! I'm currently on the fence AGAIN between the feel of the tones on my FM3+FC12+EV1 vs the form factor and user interface on the Helix.

I wish I had these problems, I can't afford any of them😂 BTW. Great video

Hi Steve, your videos are excellent. I would like an opinion please. Do you think that in view of the advantages that the FM9 has over the Helix (better amp's sounds, reverbs and delays) do you think someone who does not have any of the 2 units, choosing to buy the Helix in 2022 would be a bad deal? In your case, for example, I believe you have owned Helix for some time. And now you also have FM9, right? But in my case that I don't own either, I'm afraid to spend the money they still charge on a Helix and Line 6 then launch a new modeller. I even thought that in the last Namm, line 6 would release something new. But they only made suspense. But now with the year 2022 passing by, I want to buy Helix.. but I'm not sure if it would be a bad deal. Or if the best thing would be to buy the FM9 and make an effort to learn the adjustments and be happy hahaha. If you could give me an opinion it would help me a lot!

Nice video as always Steve. Question please: Did you actually pay for your FM9 in advance while on the long waiting list? I ask because I am on the waiting list for the FM9, but have not paid Fractal anything yet. I'd have to check Fractal's website again to see if it is even possible to pay in advance while your on the waiting list. This would be helpful to know. Thanks. Phil NYC Area

I had modelers in the 90’s and they sucked. I finally got an fm9 and it’s rather complicated, but really cool. Everyone says the helix is way easier. And yes, there is a lot of redundancy in the fm9 to the point I wouldn’t even use 70% of the presets

Changing the scene is instant

Yaaaaa heavily dislike the work flow and scenes of the fm9 vs my Helix. I think its one of those things, where if you start with Helix and move to fractal it feels like such a step back in many ways when it comes to UI and work flow. If you instead started with fractal it's probably a lot easier to pick up and work with.....almost like android vs iPhone, if all you've used is one the other can feel pretty perplexing to use.

Heh Steve, your issue with the arm and hand may be similar to what I experience. Found out that I have the radial nerve that runs down the back of the arm from the armpit to the hand is the main issue. Not sure this is your problem but you might check it out. I go back a few years where most guitarist in famous bands had one amp with sometimes multiple cabs and possibly a few pedals. I own an FM9 and get what Steve is saying about how extremely in depth the control you have over the final output. But in reality how much do you really need? I bet most do not use 80% of what the FM9 offers. If you are in a cover band, a modeler like the FM9 or Helix could be a god send. But again would mostly boil down to changing presets between songs not necessarily scenes or snap shots. Within a single song yes scenes and snapshots can help. The other thing is that the FM9 has what are called performance pages, somewhat similar to assigning parameters to scene controllers but instead you can assign each to one of 5 knobs on the FM9. You have two rows of 5 knobs assignments in each of two pages. It is very easy to get to the parameter wanted especially in a live situation. It is kind of analogous to going to a real amp and adjusting a knob etc. In any case, I really think these modelers are somewhat overly complex for the average guitarist in a band. One reason why Kemper and Tone IR systems are somewhat popular. Still I am planning on keeping the FM9 but would not mind trying out the Helix too.

I agree the scene controller setup in FM9 is clunkier and there are some issues with seemless switching on some things, but I also think Steve has the wrong approach to using them. Each block has multiple "channels". Each scene can change the channels of each block. Each channel can have ANY AND ALL parameters be different per channel. So I think the best approach is to think of controlling your parameters first by defining channels for each block, and then using scenes just to change channels. Only next use "Scene controllers" when you feel you need to go further than the 4 channels per block give you. I think he is trying to use Scene Controllers as the main thing, which is understandable due to it sounding like it should be the thing used to control scenes, but in reality, you should start with channel switching to change parameters for each scene as the main control over params. Please see the FM9 manual. Here's an excerpt about Channels: " Scenes record the current Channel of every block in the current preset... CHANNELS Most blocks have some number of channels (typically four). This feature will be instantly familiar if you’ve ever used an amp or effect with channels. Each channel of a block allows you to set every parameter of that block to any setting. It’s like having multiple blocks in one. For example, Channel A of a Drive block might be dialed in as a “clean boost” while Channel B is dialed in as a heavy overdrive. Remember, Scenes can’t change individual parameter values, but they CAN change the channel of any block, and every channel has its own fully independent parameter values. " THEN there's an additional control over parameters called "Scene Controllers" "SCENE CONTROLLERS Remember that parameter settings cannot be changed by a scene. A Scene can change the Channel, but this isn’t quite the same thing, and it’s also possible that all of your channels are already in use. The Scene Controller system bridges the gap between these worlds" So I think a Scene is more akin to a snapshot. Scene controllers is more of a type of automation applied over a scene.

Rest that wrist! I personally love snapshots too

Great video. If they resolve the issue of lagging software, will you replace your Line 6 Helix with the FM 9? It might be better to show snap shot etc on the pedal itself. How will it affect the way you use the FM 9 live? Pls show the same for the Helix. I am in the process to buy a new multi pedal and have to choose between the FM 9 and the Helix. One concern is that the Helix is a very old model and I don't know if it is better to wait to see if they manufacture a new one.

Thanks for the great video. It sounds like you value interface over tone. I am the opposite, I tried the helix suite and I could not dial in the highs I expected without serious ear fatigue. I would trade all of the ease of use on HX edit for one or two great scenes that have clarity, highs, and less compression. In your opinion, can the fractal deliver that?

My favorite guy!! Awesome Awesome video! I think you can reset your own layout to start fresh.. I’m learning everyday about this thing…. Helix has been a treat for us though…

+++ hi Steve i am wondering why it is so quiet around Line6, no Updates no roumors and there are new Competitors every month. I am hoping line 6 has something big coming+++ this would be cool+++ lets see what is coming.... if there is something coming+++ maybe 4x times of Processingpower what make the models much more original+++ btw. nice Video as always, stay healthy and take care of your arm+++

Because I have problems hahahahahahahaha same bro. Great video

The FM9 sounds incredible right out of the box, which is not the case with the Helix. So, if you are not a tweaker, you'll be happier with the FM9 and be less discouraged to dig in because it sounds really great from the start. That's just my experience from owning both.

Instead of scene controller for your Amp use a different channel. Select same Amp but different settings. Or choose a different amp that gets you closer to you want. You can have fender clean, dumble crunch, diezel roar, and a EVH Lead. It's different than the helix for sure but I've found some really fantastic results on the FM platform.

I'm a long-time Helix/Stomp/HXFX user and I am relatively new to the FM3. I'm must be missing something. I set up the scenes on the FM3 to change block settings and it's exactly analogous to snapshots on my StompXL. I don't need to use scene controllers and I'm changing a number of settings simultaneously on different blocks...just like I do on the L6 gear. You do have to save the scene each time (just like you need to save snapshots when making L6 edits). With regard to the slowness...my Mac takes about 2.5 seconds to update when I load a preset and about 1 second to react when switching scenes. The StompXL reacts about twice as fast. The Fractal UI is still frustrating and I don't get why they don't take advantage of the nice screen to make the unit more usable while gigging by making the font readable while standing.

Fractal by default does a high filter and boosts some mid and bass frequencies, this generally gives a better "feel" for the player.

I think it’s more intuitive to use channels when changing between scenes rather than scene controllers. That way, you can edit all the block parameters, not just four.

Snapshots yes !

I wish they would combine clean and drive and lead channels of each amp and make them footswitchable like the real amps, so we don't have to switch between snapshots to change tones and use it purely for changing multiple parameters of our effects at once. I tried making 2 snapshots A/B/able with one footswitch and used it to switch between amp clean and amp drive tones but quickly realized that I'm pretty much confined to using only those 2 snapshots. So I currently use the volume knob of my guitar to go from drive to semi clean but it never sounds the same as having the guitar volume on 10 and using the fat and real clean sound of the amp and I miss it. Next firmware pls Line 6?

Dear Steve, I am totaly agree with you. I play with the FM3 and in my side it is a horrible foot controller. I am very disappointed of Fractal company who created and built those sound equipment in which all guitar and bass players wast their time to built theirs sounds. For me, Fractal is OK for playing in studio, in your living room, in your bedroom... but never, never, never on stage !!! With FM3 you cannot change quickly and very fast any parameters on live performance on stage than a POD HD PRO X can be. Few seconds for the POD HD PRO X instead 4 hours for the FM3. Except the great sounds from Fractal, it is crystal clear that the AXE FX3, FM9 and FM3 are completely gaz factories for bass and guitar players. All my best, Kind regards Phil from Dunkirk

Can you compare whammy models of helix vs FM9

With Helix programming an entire show making all changes in to presets and snapshots via midi is completely safe. My question is, It is very possible that with Fm9 it could be a mess? referring to the final result, not to the difficulty of the process. Tks

I’ve tried them all, the fm9 blows them all away. Not one bad preset.

Helix continues to improve with the firmware upgrades. I wonder when there will be hardware upgrades so the dsp will match the Fractal. Assuming it is behind. I don’t know for sure..

The perfect modeler? An Helix with power and reverbs of fm9 or an Fm9 with Helix ease of use and drives?

I have a question. i am french. When looking at video like yours on youtube from american and english people I understand everything like if you were speaking french. but man, listening to a film in VO (english language) i dont get a bloody word lol. silly

Helix for Church! 🙏☝️🎸🎸

why? because i have problems... jaja , you are not alone brother!

So....what exactly then is the edge of the FM9 over the Helix? Cos it seems in terms of usability, Helix has the edge. Smooth workflow, Helix again. Tones...I have heard Fractal's amps sound better than the Helix but tbh, I think both being digital, you could do tweaking and finding IRs to one-up the other? Would the FM9 be more of a recording musician's tool? Given that for recording, you do need specific control over all parameters as compared to lives where you prioritize seamless transition from set to set and the bulk of the tones are dialed in during rehearsals.

I understand presets are miles better on the fm9. If I dial my tone I’m will it sound relatively close to an fm9?

Lower your string gage and action. I know it sucks but it saved me from having to quit playing permanently.

Too much analysis is paralysis! workflow ,workflow , workflow. I love my helix and my podgo wireless. As always thanks much Steve. Gale

Good video but neither can replace a real tube amp!! Nothing has that feel.

Do you have any insight about a new potential firmware update for the helix? I've been waiting for a new update for a while now and they haven't put any updates out since 3.11. Is it time to upgrade units if they don't put out any more updates?

Throw a Variax and Powercab in the mix and Helix is hard to beat. Sure Variax and Power cab aren't ideal, wouldn't be useful for recording or a professional guitarist that has his own tone. But for club bands doing covers, its an ideal solution.

I find snapshot unuseable due to the clunk noise when going from my clean ( princess amp ) snap 1 to my dirty amp ( Placater ) Snaps 5-8 its pretty bad at gig volume , any suggestions ?

My same thoughts fractal is good but the helix is way better on most all levels

I think the Helix is better hands down.

As far as I'm aware, this has always been the case. Fractal mind fog.

What about Helix vs Quad Cortex?

You can do everything your saying on a fractal I literally do everything How many things do you need for one song and if your song has more than 8 settings then I’m sure you’ll find time to change preset

dude....i saw videos of why you should buy fractal..now you say why line 6 cannot replace fractal... its taste..all of it..