Should I buy a Helix, Amplifire, AX8, ...

handsomerik · March 2016

I'm very pleased with my helix even though it was a huge gamble selling my entire pedalboard to fund it.

If you'd like to come round one evening to have a more comprehensive go on one you'd be most welcome.

I have various amps to try it through as well as an frfr monitor to give you a good idea of how it can be used.

Just pm me if interested. :-)

Sporky · March 2016

I think it might be nice to have a modeller show & tell.

digitalscream · March 2016

monquixote said:

digitalscream said:

The problem I've always had with units like these - particularly for pub gigs - is that you've got a very expensive piece of equipment on the floor, right in the drunk-asshole-who-thinks-he's-funny firing line. For that reason, I'll always prefer something that's behind me with a relatively cheap (and replaceable) controller at the front.
Having seen a pint dumped over a pedalboard on more than one occasion I must say that is a concern to me as well.

I would quite like a separate rack and MIDI box, but that's always in the realms of the insanely expensive.

It's the main reason I'm so obsessed with patch-switching latency (and the inevitable gap-of-silence). I use the simplest MIDI controller possible - an ART X-11, which is a) absolutely bomb-proof and b) stupidly cheap (you can pick them up on eBay for about £30). It's not too much of a stretch to carry two of them, and I'm pretty sure you could probably pour a gallon of beer over one and it'd still work.

The modelling rack/controller option doesn't have to be expensive. An ART X-11 and a Digitech GSP1101 would sound pretty good and cost about £200 second hand. If it's for rehearsals, then does it have to be absolutely perfect?

monquixote · March 2016

You would think not but when I've tried a blackstar ID, amp1 or zoom g3 my band mates have moaned it sounded shit and got lost in the mix and I would tend to concur.

My ideal would be something I could use for live and practice.

rossyamaha · March 2016

I'll just be in the back if you need me. ;-)

monquixote · March 2016

rossyamaha;989510" said:
I'll just be in the back if you need me. ;-)

Cheers Ross . you were a total gent at the show.

Roland · March 2016

Sporky said:

I think it might be nice to have a modeller show & tell.

That's an excellent idea. Are you volunteering to organise it?

monquixote · March 2016

Roland;989667" said:
Sporky said:

I think it might be nice to have a modeller show & tell.

That's an excellent idea. Are you volunteering to organise it?

Indeed it would be

sweepy · March 2016

I'd be up for bringing my helix and active wedges along if possible

Cabicular · March 2016

Helix all the way even despite the issues I've had with mine
If you are running your favorite amp then FX8 might be a better choice
To be fair I haven't tried an AX8 yet but I have and have had ....
M13 great workhorse but showing its age
G System - great sounding great idea ... Too damn heavy
HD500 - hated it
Amplifire - sounds good if you play about with it enough and currently my helix back up but a boot in the knackers to edit and operate
FX 8 sounded great but just too footery for me and I wasn't sold on the drives
For sheer flexibility and useabilty you can't beat the Helix

Sporky · March 2016

Roland said:

Sporky said:

I think it might be nice to have a modeller show & tell.

That's an excellent idea. Are you volunteering to organise it?

I'm certainly volunteering to turn up!

sgosden · March 2016

Sporky said:

Roland said:

Sporky said:

I think it might be nice to have a modeller show & tell.

That's an excellent idea. Are you volunteering to organise it?

I'm certainly volunteering to turn up!

Anyone fancy filming some of this helix party?

who knows you guys could be the next 'the pedal show' :P

monquixote · March 2016

Cabicular said:

Helix all the way even despite the issues I've had with mine
If you are running your favorite amp then FX8 might be a better choice
To be fair I haven't tried an AX8 yet but I have and have had ....
M13 great workhorse but showing its age
G System - great sounding great idea ... Too damn heavy
HD500 - hated it
Amplifire - sounds good if you play about with it enough and currently my helix back up but a boot in the knackers to edit and operate
FX 8 sounded great but just too footery for me and I wasn't sold on the drives
For sheer flexibility and useabilty you can't beat the Helix

Ah that's really interesting that you've tried both.

So would you say the amp simulation was similar in quality on the Amplifire and the Helix?

I really don't like things that require a lot of arsing about so that's a black mark for the Amplifire.

skink · March 2016

I borrowed my mate's Helix and compared it to my Kemper and was very disappointed to be honest. It wasn't in the same league. I was pretty dead set on getting one too.

As someone else mentioned I wouldn't fancy a pint landing on it or something being dropped on it. I'll stick with my Kemper and £80 Behringer FCB1010 out front to catch the beer!

siremoon · March 2016

I'm not convinced that comparing a Kemper with a Helix is comparing like with like tbh.

digitalscream · March 2016

siremoon said:

I'm not convinced that comparing a Kemper with a Helix is comparing like with like tbh.

In terms of technology, it's not. In terms of usage - it replaces your whole signal chain - it is.

monquixote · March 2016

Having it behind you is a big tick for the Kemper and I think it's fair to say they should sound as good as each other even if they work in vastly different ways.

Drew_TNBD · March 2016

Nick you're like me, you've been round the houses with gear and you keep coming back to your known setup. At least that's how it looks like from my perspective.

monquixote · March 2016

Drew_fx said:

Nick you're like me, you've been round the houses with gear and you keep coming back to your known setup. At least that's how it looks like from my perspective.

You are right, but like you despite being told I still go round the loop again

EricTheWeary · March 2016

I am not very familiar with any of these but I'm fairly sure this is the same @monquixote who has said things about not liking to have to deal with sub menus, etc, on guitar stuff when the day job is computers.

I guess a Helix, etc, is like buying a transit van for the company. Functional but you don't love it and you understand that in a few years it will need replacing and you'll have lost most of the value. Whereas a big valve amp and a bunch of pedals is like that classic sports car you keep tinkering with in the garage and you know one day you'll drive it down to Sardinia (even if it rarely gets as far as the shops) so you keep it even if it means you can never get the tumble dryer in by it.

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Should I buy a Helix, Amplifire, AX8, ...

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