Fractal owners...how do I kill my gas for a Helix?!

cbellanga

For me the size is a big annoyance. Don't really understand why a multi fx needs to be so big..

guitarfishbay

cbellanga said:

For me the size is a big annoyance. Don't really understand why a multi fx needs to be so big..

A 2U rack unit too big?

Rack sizing is standardised which is helpful for casing and integration with other rack gear. IIRC both Kemper and Helix racks are 3U, which I think is still completely fine. Racks are commonplace in Studios and in touring rigs.

Any floorboard unit is also going to be subject to practical limits for sizing. For example if it needs 10 foot switches, it's going to be at least big enough to space those out plus a screen.

sgosden

just to put temptation in peoples faces... there was a Helix rack and floor board on one of the facebook groups this morning...

sgosden

cbellanga said:

For me the size is a big annoyance. Don't really understand why a multi fx needs to be so big..

For Helix rack you wouldn't want it any smaller or you'd be squishing down the UI screen, which is its biggest selling point. Also the huge amount of I/O on the back of the unit, there's not really any space to shrink it.

cbellanga

sgosden said:

cbellanga said:

For me the size is a big annoyance. Don't really understand why a multi fx needs to be so big..

For Helix rack you wouldn't want it any smaller or you'd be squishing down the UI screen, which is its biggest selling point. Also the huge amount of I/O on the back of the unit, there's not really any space to shrink it.

Was referring to the floor unit. I'm on a 9 piece band, that thing on the floor is asking for someone to step into it (apart from me ) I'm happy with the AX8's size..

Sporky

cbellanga said:

Was referring to the floor unit. I'm on a 9 piece band, that thing on the floor is asking for someone to step into it (apart from me ) I'm happy with the AX8's size..

You do know the Helix has an expression pedal, right? That's a decent chunk of it. Plus the extra footswitches (12 vs 10+1).

John_P

cbellanga said:

For me the size is a big annoyance. Don't really understand why a multi fx needs to be so big..

I agree - it's handy having plenty of footswitches but there is definitely a market for a smaller unit - I'm toying with getting another amplifire as the size is so convenient for some gigs.  

Moltisanti

the built in pedal being on the wrong side would do my head in though, I like my wah/volume under my left peg

Moltisanti

it's been ages since i used real pedals since owning the FX8 so this week I got out my trusty Blues Driver, a Tubescreamer Mini and a Friedman BE-OD. After a bit of nostalgia and faffing about with cables and power i got round to A/Bing them with my FX8 and it reminded me why I bought it in the first place.

I can get 99% of the tone and feel of the real pedals, and the added simplicity easily makes up more than that last 1%.

Lot's of people selling FX8s for cheap money at the moment, they are the bargain of the century for £800...

firepaulmusic

gibsongretschfan said:

Slartibartfarst42 said:

What put me off the Helix was simply prejudice. I've never yet tried anything from Line6 that didn't sound digital and horrible so I found it almost impossible to believe that the Helix would be as good as the opposition for the quality of tone. I suppose I might feel differently if I wanted endless options but I don't so I bought an Atomic AmpliFIRE instead and I have no regrets at all. It doesn't give me the options on a Helix but it's cheaper and any comparisons I've seen suggest the quality of the tone is better but it's always a balancing act. What suits me best won't be the best option for everyone.

The sooner you drop your prejudice and buy a Helix the better life will be for you 

I kind of felt the same way having had HD500 etc. Got my Helix hooked up to a 1x12 active cab today and had 4 great sounds programmed within an hour, all footswitches assigned and volume boosts sorted. I could honestly go out tonight and gig it direct. 

Cabicular

firepaulmusic said:

gibsongretschfan said:

Slartibartfarst42 said:

What put me off the Helix was simply prejudice. I've never yet tried anything from Line6 that didn't sound digital and horrible so I found it almost impossible to believe that the Helix would be as good as the opposition for the quality of tone. I suppose I might feel differently if I wanted endless options but I don't so I bought an Atomic AmpliFIRE instead and I have no regrets at all. It doesn't give me the options on a Helix but it's cheaper and any comparisons I've seen suggest the quality of the tone is better but it's always a balancing act. What suits me best won't be the best option for everyone.

The sooner you drop your prejudice and buy a Helix the better life will be for you 

I kind of felt the same way having had HD500 etc. Got my Helix hooked up to a 1x12 active cab today and had 4 great sounds programmed within an hour, all footswitches assigned and volume boosts sorted. I could honestly go out tonight and gig it direct. 

And I just did again... sounded and felt amazing
the best thing I can say is I dont realise I don't have an amp onstage. I forget about all that and just play the guitar 

Drew_TNBD

If Line 6 ever do an updated version of the M9 and M13, with Helix effects, I'd be all over those!!

Drew_TNBD

Cabicular said:

firepaulmusic said:

gibsongretschfan said:

Slartibartfarst42 said:

What put me off the Helix was simply prejudice. I've never yet tried anything from Line6 that didn't sound digital and horrible so I found it almost impossible to believe that the Helix would be as good as the opposition for the quality of tone. I suppose I might feel differently if I wanted endless options but I don't so I bought an Atomic AmpliFIRE instead and I have no regrets at all. It doesn't give me the options on a Helix but it's cheaper and any comparisons I've seen suggest the quality of the tone is better but it's always a balancing act. What suits me best won't be the best option for everyone.

The sooner you drop your prejudice and buy a Helix the better life will be for you 

I kind of felt the same way having had HD500 etc. Got my Helix hooked up to a 1x12 active cab today and had 4 great sounds programmed within an hour, all footswitches assigned and volume boosts sorted. I could honestly go out tonight and gig it direct. 

And I just did again... sounded and felt amazing
the best thing I can say is I dont realise I don't have an amp onstage. I forget about all that and just play the guitar 

What kind of music are you playing Cabicular?

menamestom

Drew_TNBD said:

If Line 6 ever do an updated version of the M9 and M13, with Helix effects, I'd be all over those!!

I've kept my pedaltrain junior, If I build it up again I'd happily base it around an updated M9.  As long as it loses the A/C power requirement.
I'd love source audio to do a multi as well, that would be great!

Cabicular

Drew_TNBD said:

Cabicular said:

firepaulmusic said:

gibsongretschfan said:

Slartibartfarst42 said:

What put me off the Helix was simply prejudice. I've never yet tried anything from Line6 that didn't sound digital and horrible so I found it almost impossible to believe that the Helix would be as good as the opposition for the quality of tone. I suppose I might feel differently if I wanted endless options but I don't so I bought an Atomic AmpliFIRE instead and I have no regrets at all. It doesn't give me the options on a Helix but it's cheaper and any comparisons I've seen suggest the quality of the tone is better but it's always a balancing act. What suits me best won't be the best option for everyone.

The sooner you drop your prejudice and buy a Helix the better life will be for you 

I kind of felt the same way having had HD500 etc. Got my Helix hooked up to a 1x12 active cab today and had 4 great sounds programmed within an hour, all footswitches assigned and volume boosts sorted. I could honestly go out tonight and gig it direct. 

And I just did again... sounded and felt amazing
the best thing I can say is I dont realise I don't have an amp onstage. I forget about all that and just play the guitar 

What kind of music are you playing Cabicular?

Teh rock
and some singer songwriter Gretsch twangy background 
and a Chilli peppers tribute
and occasionally play mandolin, blues harp and guitar in a wedding band
usual bollocks after I binned my originals band

sgosden

menamestom said:

Drew_TNBD said:

If Line 6 ever do an updated version of the M9 and M13, with Helix effects, I'd be all over those!!

I've kept my pedaltrain junior, If I build it up again I'd happily base it around an updated M9.  As long as it loses the A/C power requirement.
I'd love source audio to do a multi as well, that would be great!

I'd snap one up too. Though its been suggested a fair bit and the L6 guys on forums seem to deny it happening. I imagine for the pricing they're aiming people at the LT for a while now.