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Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
View my feedback at www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1201922
I did an a/b of the looper between the FX8 and Helix; bearing in mind the Helix is ridiculously short and the FX8 is something like 4 mins...
The FX8 was noticeably clearer than the Helix, tbh. But again, when not comparing, the Helix was good enough
And the Axe FX II did not work nicely in 4-cable-method with my amps. It was way worse than the Helix is. At which point I had a very expensive home recording box. I tried to make it my main audio interface too, but it couldn't handle midi streams from an electronic drumkit, so that use case was not as good as it should have been either.
And at the time I'd convinced myself that real microphones and my cab sounded better for recording, so I did a whole bunch of recording with my 4x12 and my SM57 at home at the old flat! I never even questioned it to be honest. (In reality I actually think IR's sound better at the moment!)
So the Axe FX became this option I had, but was never really using and every time I did I'd fall into a rabbit hole of trying to cure minor issues with the bass response, and at the end of the day I didn't make much music with it.
TLDR; I'm very nitpicky, don't make much music anyway, am a complete waste of space and over-compensate for that fact by being a dickhead on the internet, and all in all it doesn't really matter what gear I own coz I never use it anyway!!
That said, I guess Waz's point is that we accept that they may not be as spot on as a real amp, but that's not really the goal.
The latest Fractal FW is incredible and worth trying.
View my feedback at www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1201922
Your critique is validated by the fact that you have so many options and experience of different amps,modelling tools etc
People are obsessed with this " does it sound the same " yardstick ......No it doesn't
Does it sound good ? .....Yes it does...........it's just different but in a good way. Porsche and Ferrari are both a fantastic drive but they look different ,sound different and handle in a totally different way ..........still both great but the Porsche is a lot more useable and practical for going down to Tesco ;rather like Helix.
In the real world ,sat in a band mix alongside another guitar,keys,bass,drums,vocals etc it is totally irrelevant in the same way that not even a conductor would notice if the 4th Violin in the strings section was the finest Stradivarius.
I'm pleased you have found something that works for you- I'm sure the Helix is a stellar bit of kit.
I should spend some more time with one, although I don't fancy changing my setup right now.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
For the exact same subject matter and lighting conditions, transparency always looks more stimulating than a print from negative. Some viewers will choose the heightened version. Advertisers, in particular.
Back fully on topic. At the King Crimson concert I attended on the last UK tour, Fripp was using modelling stuff and sounded like Fripp. So, at times, did Jakszyk. I cannot recall whether they both use Fractal, both use Kemper or one of each.
I get put off by the digital crowd when they try to convince you they sound just like your anolog set up.
I like to think I'm a tweaker, until I start going down that rabbit hole and then hate it. What inspires me personally is not limitless options, but getting the best out of well chosen simplicity and ultimately having the very best tone I can. Great tone is more inspiring to me personally than options.
Each to there own and all, and I haven't ruled out owning a Helix LT at some point in the near future.
There are so many myths regarding all gear, as we know...
Here's one; you have to have a FRFR speaker to use with modelling, because it IS full frequency and reveals ALL of the nuances of the original amp model !
Not so. My Kemper has proved to sound as good, and as revealing and interesting, with the Zilla 1x12... as with the excellent DXR10.
Likewise, the later sounds ace linked to a preset with NO amp/cab.
I think the secret is to experiment and just have fun.
The Helix LT is wonderful. And I think Ive got 'good' ears, and have been fortunate to try a lot of 'high end' (for what its worth) gear. And its dirt cheap at £849, it really is.
I've got a Helix Full Fat Floor on order from GAK (who I bought the LT from) and Im waiting for new stock. It's killing me mate - Im missing it that much
Opinions are opinions but at least mine is borne out by having spent a long time gigging and recording both
In a blind test with well set up equipment I guarantee you would be guessing. Gaurantee it.
So you can hear it in a comparison sometimes - but in isolation it's a lot harder. And live or in a mix it's almost impossible.
That moment right there impressed me - and this was day one - no idea how to get the best out of it or how to use IRs well etc
and pedals definitely tick my small objects of desire box. Some of them have a unique tone that the modeller hasn't modelled. But that's no different than trying to make a tubescreamer sound like a KOT or a tape delay sound like a DD3
With pedals you can buy what you like. With the digital platform you have what you are given
Seriously dude, I don't care how much you gig, I don't rate your opinion so stop trying!
This is it really.
Valve amps and simple effects are all (genuinely) much of a muchness. Yeah, some prefer a Carr to a fender or a Louis to a... Carr, lazy J, whatever, but they all sound pretty similar and do a particular thing.
Digital can pretty well do that too. But it can also make it sound much bigger, equally as compressed and with a few choice eq, delay, reverb and drive blocks make it do something you'd never manage with a "normal" set up.