30 days with a helix. Time to decide

Teetonetal

So, my 30 days is nearly up and it's time to decide should I keep it, or send it back...

Plus points:

Audio interface replaced.

Favorite pedals still in the loops

Twin paths for my student / teacher setup

Patch for Acoustic guitar + vox, means acoustic shows have just become a breeze.

Some of the fx are great, delays, vibe, vibrato and tremolo are pretty good.

Convenience - no more computer required when I want a five min noodle.

Editing really complex patches is a doddle.

Minus points

I find the sound a touch aggressive in headphones but fine through a monitor

I'm really not keen on any of the drives. But then I don't really like pedal drives much anyway...

After quite a lot of use, the reverb are poor. 

So, here's the thing: Overall I think I am playing more than I was before, which has to be a good thing. The couple of annoyances I have, there are ways around, My Neunaber Wet will become the reverb until L6 update (if they ever do) - although I am tempted to shift the neunaber and plunge into the Empress Reverb / Bigsky / Space.. with midi control. Given Helix is mainly a home device for me, taking up a bit more floor with extra pedals really isnot a problem.

So, yes, it's going to stay . it's an awesome bit of kit that has really helped me to just sit down and play and maximize my time

Won't be replacing my live rig though.

kjdowd

Agree on the key point here @teetonetal which is that the helix got me playing more. I'm using it live, but with a tube amp and will replace it when funds allow with an fx8 (although I really don't need to - it's great, I just find the fx8 delays and verbs really inspirational). For home and recording, though, it's staying.

Really, really great bit of kit.

Sporky

You did seem very happy with the twin path stuff for teaching.

Can  you address the harshness with some EQ? I used to have a link that gave the frequencies to adjust for lots of things like "it sounds harsh" or "the vocals are boxy". I'll see if I can dig it out.

Teetonetal

Sporky said:

You did seem very happy with the twin path stuff for teaching.

Can  you address the harshness with some EQ? I used to have a link that gave the frequencies to adjust for lots of things like "it sounds harsh" or "the vocals are boxy". I'll see if I can dig it out.

The ability to have a twin path with completely separate processing is seriously awesome and possibly for me, the game changer part of the helix.

I mean it enables me to get the student to create their own loops, we can both solo over the top. I can record fast passages and slow them down to half speed. But we both get a decent independent sound over the top. 

Last night I was teaching whole lotta rosie. Had a few mins at the end, so I setup a loop of the main riff, then we just traded licks. Great for the student to get some experience. But the point is, it took me a couple of seconds to setup, no time wasted, no computer hassle etc..   

Sporky

Here's the link - I think. Looks similar but nothing quite "on" for what you need.

http://www.recordingeq.com/Subscribe/tip/tascam.htm

Teetonetal

Sporky said:

Here's the link - I think. Looks similar but nothing quite "on" for what you need.

http://www.recordingeq.com/Subscribe/tip/tascam.htm

Thanks, will have a read

Wazmeister

The website to order the new FX8 mate

fx8-waitlist@g66.eu

FelineGuitars

Remind me why you've had it 30 days to play with and decide...I may have missed a previous posting

Teetonetal

Bought it from a shop that agreed to give me a 30 day right of return

Wazmeister said:

The website to order the new FX8 mate

fx8-waitlist@g66.eu

Decided that the FX8 doesn't do the things I need it to do - no audio interface and no dual paths / amp modelling and ( I think no external loops?)

it might sound better, but I still have my main giging rig and I don't feel I need to replace that with FX8

Sporky

Teetonetal said:

it might sound better

It might not!

Teetonetal

Sporky said:

Teetonetal said:

it might sound better

It might not!

True, but I don't have enough money to do a side by side comparison. Ignorance is bliss

Sporky

As with many things, I think the trick is to pick something and get on with it!

jellyroll

Sporky said:

As with many things, I think the trick is to pick something and get on with it!

I tried that with my first wife. It wasn't a winning strategy...

Danny1969

jellyroll said:

Sporky said:

As with many things, I think the trick is to pick something and get on with it!

I tried that with my first wife. It wasn't a winning strategy...

Me too, there were some good patchs but overall the effect wasn't great

Bridgehouse

Danny1969;1100981" said:

jellyroll said:



Sporky said:

As with many things, I think the trick is to pick something and get on with it!





I tried that with my first wife. It wasn't a winning strategy...










Me too, there were some good patchs but overall the effect wasn't great

We always have a 'current' amp or a 'current' guitar..

...just like a 'current' wife

jellyroll

Danny1969 said:

jellyroll said:

Sporky said:

As with many things, I think the trick is to pick something and get on with it!

I tried that with my first wife. It wasn't a winning strategy...

Me too, there were some good patchs but overall the effect wasn't great

Mine was too loud.

Cabicular

Mine has too much feedback

johnonguitar

Mine was being strummed by other guitarists behind my back