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Firstly, I've been reading Waz's posts for years now and he seems to know his stuff and his posts are pretty entertaining, usually.
Secondly, unlike you, he doesn't come across as a tit. And within almost every post he's made, he's stated that his opinion is just that, his opinion. He prefers Kemper. He has no issue with anyone else that doesn't. That's kind of how the forum works - opinions. He's also outlined that the Helix is fantastic in every other way. It seems to be you that has an issue with him - I'm not really sure why.
I actually don't have any problem with your view that Helix can sound as good, if not better, than the Kemper. I've never tried a Kemper so I have no idea. I've also never (yet) owned a Helix of any kind other than the Native demo, so I really have no idea! I'm deciding just now whether to get the LT, the Stomp or just stick with Native. I can't afford (well, justify really) a Kemper.
Generally, in life, I like to take on board the opinions of people who come across as reasonable and engaging. I usually ignore people who come across as very opinionated and antagonistic.
And with your blessing, I'll now move on.
Thanks to the people who replied to my questions about DSP capacity a few pages back.
The reality is that both the Kemper and Helix are superb devices; we are really spoilt, in this day and age, with the options that we have.
I dare say it'll come around again mate !
I feel kinda naked not owning a 'real' amp.
I reckon as soon as a Matchless Lightning or Redplate raises its head, I'll be in like a tramp on chips...
PS - the 'voices in my head' have told me that Jesus would definitely have chosen the Kemper...
Hmm. Depending on how seriously you apply the second paragraph...
I think it depends on how complex you want to get. I regularly max out the DSP on the full Helix, because I keep adding stuff to see what I can build. I've never done that with any sensible, regular-use patch, but when I recreated my old pedalboard and amp setup I did use both paths and got close to the limit.
If you're happy always having the PC on and working out a way to control snapshots and so on then Native is cheap and very powerful.
If you want all the control and routing then the LT (or the full-fat) wins.
If you want something small to lug around then the Stomp.
My only regret with the full-fat is that I didn't get the Rack and Floor instead to save all the sitting on the floor when I'm twiddling more than playing.
But Kemper is the only modeller I've ever seen consistently impress people who might otherwise not even need to go down that route - including a producer who's opinion I respect, the owner of one of Birmingham's high-level studios, and several great guitarists in bands I've played alongside over the years. None of those people needed to not use real valve amps, so for them to switch to Kemper modelling means something to me.
My own POV is that the Helix sounds great and is a very well thought through bit of kit. I'm delighted with the recordings I've made with it so far. I just put up a new video single on the plug my stuff section, it's all Helix guitars.
I did find IRs essential though. I think the amp modelling is great, but the cabs let things down a bit. They're almost... cartoony? I can't really explain it any better. More specifically, I think the mic modelling is the area that doesn't work as well because no SM57 I've ever used has sounded as thin, boxy and scratchy as the Helix SM57 model. But load up, say, an Ownhammer Bogner OS 2x12 with V30s miked with an SM57 (my fave IR), and it sounds, to my ears and speaking as a mixer, totally like a real amp being miked up.
Bandcamp
Spotify, Apple et al
Thanks for the info - its a dilemma but I'm having fun deciding. In reality, I've ditched / am ditching my amp and pedalboard. I only play at home these days and 95% of the time sitting at my PC. I don't really need anything as fancy as a Helix or a Kemper - a GT100 or HD500 would probably do me rightly.
But the Helix is just so sexy. Even the little Stomp - like a foxy little dwarf in suspenders.
Native sounds great to me so far through my system - its the thought of paying a fair whack of cash for software that is stopping me just shelling out. There's 30% discount (thanks for the head's up @rossyamaha ) until this weekend so I've a decision to make!
As far as I'm concerned, it's not about "Does it sound like a real-world amp?" any more. It's "Does it sound good in its own right?". I find I can get great sounds out of the Helix family that I couldn't get anywhere else, whereas the Kemper will only ever sound like a specific amp on specific settings.
Wait... so the guy that doesn't own any of the devices has decided to chime in and call me a tit in the process and then the guy who can't work Helix but can work online returns have a backpatting session and I'm the bad guy here?
ive got a feeling neither of your opinions on Helix (this is a Helix thread after all) are worth the forum space they're been printed on but have fun in your clique
Can someone recommend some decent free IRs that are worth trying?
Teach us your ways, and tell us how you get it to work.
Thousands out there use Helix live, and I guess we just need a bit of guidance and coaxing.
(The Kemper is the same; in fact, it is more complex imho than the Helix).
I'd be happy to learn more about it...
- The profiles in the Kemper sounded amazing at times.
- The Helix sounded amazing at times, though the amps never quite blew me away like the Kemper did. They just didn’t.
- HX Edit made the Helix much more fun to play around with and tweak.
- On balance I had more fun with the Helix than the Kemper.
- The sheer number of options with both is slightly overwhelming, yet immense fun.
- I struggled with both in a live setting (getting them to cut through like an amp does).
- I’ve struggled with amps in a live setting too.
- Some of that is down to not having the time to tweak and test at live volumes. Some of it is because there are so many variables.
- I find an amp easier to get sounding good live.
- Waz you have the patience of a saint (as well as being a great source of Kemper and Helix real world insight of course).