Helix LT is now available for order. Cut down version - ish.

stratman3142

I've only had it a couple of days but I'm already impressed by how easy it was to recreate the effects order of my previous pedal board set up with an output to the front end of my amp. Then create another path with amp cab emulation routed to Send 2 and the XLR output to give two options for a direct out to a desk. (Pic 1)

Plus I can organise the switches in stomp box mode to suit what's best for quick switching live use, as opposed to having to match the effects order in the signal path. (Pic 2)

http://i.imgur.com/ZKOHhcZ.png

http://i.imgur.com/Kp2xxPt.jpg

Freebird

Is this LT unit going to impact on the new & used prices of the other premium Amp/FX modellers that are already out there?

LoFi

Freebird said:

Is this LT unit going to impact on the new & used prices of the other premium Amp/FX modellers that are already out there?

Helix (full-fat) has already dropped by £150 since the LT was announced.

digitalscream

Freebird said:

Is this LT unit going to impact on the new & used prices of the other premium Amp/FX modellers that are already out there?

Yeah, the Headrush will be found in the bargain bin at Morrisons...

Sporky

digitalscream said:

Freebird said:

Is this LT unit going to impact on the new & used prices of the other premium Amp/FX modellers that are already out there?

Yeah, the Headrush will be found in the bargain bin at Morrisons...

Or in a Mexican landfill with a load of Atari cartridges... 

Voxman

Saw the LT (didn't have time to try it though) at Yamaha Music last week.  The display was bigger and clearer than I thought (I was worried about it not having the scribble tabs of the 'Fat' Helix, but the performance display lay out for what each pedal does seems quite clear) so it might be something I'd consider buying.  But prices would still need to drop quite a bit before I'd be seriously interested - not a criticism of it re value for money, merely that at the moment I'm not playing enough gigging wise to justify me buying any MFX unit at this price.  It's far too new at the moment of course, but if new prices dropped a bit in 12 months time and if I could pick a used one up at say £500 in year or so, then I'd go for it.  

From a gigging perspective, aside from the lack of scribble LED labels,there is one key difference as between Helix & Helix LT and that is in Pedal Edit mode you can only edit in performance view on the LT, whereas on the Helix you can edit on the fly.  I'd have to look at the Helix & LT to better understand this before deciding if it was a problem. 

dindude

I'd really like to see the LT in desktop format, I.e remove the switches and replace with preset buttons, remove the expression pedal, but keep the screen, make the whole thing smaller. Almost like a homage to the good old POD.

Voxman

dindude said:

I'd really like to see the LT in desktop format, I.e remove the switches and replace with preset buttons, remove the expression pedal, but keep the screen, make the whole thing smaller. Almost like a homage to the good old POD.

Do you perhaps mean something a bit like the original Vox Tonelab 'DT' ('Desk Top')?

guitarfishbay

dindude said:

I'd really like to see the LT in desktop format, I.e remove the switches and replace with preset buttons, remove the expression pedal, but keep the screen, make the whole thing smaller. Almost like a homage to the good old POD.

Given there's going to be a plugin very soon I'm not sure there's a market for this any more. Anyone who needs to gig will want a foot switch of some sorts, anyone who wants to play at home will probably already have a computer and the plugin will be cheaper than a hardware unit.

Voxman

guitarfishbay said:

dindude said:

I'd really like to see the LT in desktop format, I.e remove the switches and replace with preset buttons, remove the expression pedal, but keep the screen, make the whole thing smaller. Almost like a homage to the good old POD.

Given there's going to be a plugin very soon I'm not sure there's a market for this any more. Anyone who needs to gig will want a foot switch of some sorts, anyone who wants to play at home will probably already have a computer and the plugin will be cheaper than a hardware unit.

That makes perfect sense 

dindude

guitarfishbay said:

dindude said:

I'd really like to see the LT in desktop format, I.e remove the switches and replace with preset buttons, remove the expression pedal, but keep the screen, make the whole thing smaller. Almost like a homage to the good old POD.

Given there's going to be a plugin very soon I'm not sure there's a market for this any more. Anyone who needs to gig will want a foot switch of some sorts, anyone who wants to play at home will probably already have a computer and the plugin will be cheaper than a hardware unit.

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

Sporky

dindude said:

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

I run my plugins on a Commodore 64 to get that warm, gritty 8-bit vibe. The latency is staggering but that's part of the charm, right?

dindude

Sporky said:

dindude said:

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

I run my plugins on a Commodore 64 to get that warm, gritty 8-bit vibe. The latency is staggering but that's part of the charm, right?

Ha indeed. For me though a plug in would mean confining my evenings to my man cave, where my Mac is, which is unacceptable (wife's view not mine). A desktop would mean being in the lounge sat next to my wife, yet ignoring her with cans on, which somehow is more acceptable!

Sporky

Would Helix Rack not suffice for such? Stick some rubber feet on it and you're away.

dindude

Just seems total overkill, I'd be better having a dedicated laptop and interface if I went that route.

guitarfishbay

dindude said:

Sporky said:

dindude said:

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

I run my plugins on a Commodore 64 to get that warm, gritty 8-bit vibe. The latency is staggering but that's part of the charm, right?

Ha indeed. For me though a plug in would mean confining my evenings to my man cave, where my Mac is, which is unacceptable (wife's view not mine). A desktop would mean being in the lounge sat next to my wife, yet ignoring her with cans on, which somehow is more acceptable!

Tell her that her buying a TV for the mancave is cheaper than you buying a Helix Rack for the living room

dindude

guitarfishbay said:

dindude said:

Sporky said:

dindude said:

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

I run my plugins on a Commodore 64 to get that warm, gritty 8-bit vibe. The latency is staggering but that's part of the charm, right?

Ha indeed. For me though a plug in would mean confining my evenings to my man cave, where my Mac is, which is unacceptable (wife's view not mine). A desktop would mean being in the lounge sat next to my wife, yet ignoring her with cans on, which somehow is more acceptable!

Tell her that her buying a TV for the mancave is cheaper than you buying a Helix Rack for the living room

Women not allowed in man-cave!

Voxman

dindude said: not

guitarfishbay said:

dindude said:

Sporky said:

dindude said:

Yeah but man, plug in just ain't retro enough.

I run my plugins on a Commodore 64 to get that warm, gritty 8-bit vibe. The latency is staggering but that's part of the charm, right?

Ha indeed. For me though a plug in would mean confining my evenings to my man cave, where my Mac is, which is unacceptable (wife's view not mine). A desktop would mean being in the lounge sat next to my wife, yet ignoring her with cans on, which somehow is more acceptable!

Tell her that her buying a TV for the mancave is cheaper than you buying a Helix Rack for the living room

Women not allowed in man-cave!

Surely it depends on the women?! 

Digital_Igloo

Sporky said:

Would Helix Rack not suffice for such? Stick some rubber feet on it and you're away.

I really pushed to make Helix Rack in a wedge-like form factor—3RU, but angled up when placed on a table, kinda like this. It would've also made it the new Helix bean. Was outgunned at the time.

Voxman

If you haven't already seen this, here's a full comparison of the specs between Helix and Helix LT, which also includes a more detailed .pdf:

http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/effects-controllers/helix/helix-lt-comparison-r857

http://line6.com/support/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=5051