Considering Helix, but not sure what model...

[Low Down Brown]

Been using a Stomp since they came out - never had any trouble with DSP for bass. Rhythm guitarist on one group I'm in is using one and he has added one or two extra pedals to free up DSP, but he's happy with it. As for signal to FOH, @micguy is right...line level works like a champ with the HX stuff, but I like to add some extra oomph, so I send it to a LBA TI Box then FOH. If you want to pull double-duty with the rig and money is no issue -- Fractal Axe FX III. The lead guitarist in one of my groups has one, and he and I both can play through it simultaneously. I have a super sick sounding Orange AD200B + 8x10 OBC patch dialed in. I just bring my bass and Effectrode LA-1A to put in front of it... good to go. TBH though, he has a relatively simple signal path, so I cannot attest to how much DSP we're burning with both of us playing at once, but I've never heard any latency, freezing, ect.

 

[SteveC]

I can't say enough good things about the Stomp. It's really versatile and small enough to put on a board with other pedals if you feel like there are effects you can't live without. Ian Allison's presets have really opened my eyes to how versatile it can be.

This is why I went Stomp.

I have been gigging with a QC for almost a year so far no problems. You do have to pony up for a better power supply CIOKs seems to be the best. Interface is awesome
For the money the Helix stomp is excellent. The interface is difficult for me though.

CIOKS is definitely where it's at for power supply. I have a DC7 and I only power a GLXD+ and my Stomp. Overkill but if I ever need more, I have it. And it fits under my Nano+ board. The interface is very cool. drag and drop and can do more on the device itself without a computer I think. I know some people can really get around on their Stomp, but I'm not one of them. Seems like there hasn't been anything really "new" for the QC? Lots of potential/promise, but not a lot coming out? That's what I read.

The Boss GT-1000Core is $100 less than the Line 6 HX Stomp, and dramatically more powerful. If you are not already invested in the Helix cult, you should strongly consider alternatives. Also, the Quad Cortex is 2.5-3 times the size and price of the GT-1000Core, takes more than 3x the power to run, and Boss’ effects are better.

The trouble with these digital multifx/modelers is that far too many owners of them are diehard fanbois of their chosen unit, and reflexively recommend them only to others, without accounting for the realities of what each unit can do, how large they are, how much they cost, and how much power it takes to run them, let alone an individual player’s actual needs.

I urge everyone considering buying any of these units to download and carefully read the owner’s manuals of all of them, so they understand the limitations of each of them, before making a very expensive mistake.

As for the DI situation, any good stage DI box will solve the problem of your chosen unit not having a balanced DI output, and it will more than likely be better quality than any built-in DI, if you buy a decent one, like a Radial or Countryman.

I looked at the Boss but I don't remember why I didn't go that direction. And yes, research. Of course one will reccommend what one uses - usually. And a good passive DI is never a bad thing to have in your bag.

 

[prndltech]

I will add that for the price of a cioks DC 7 and an hx stomp, you’re roughly $50 shy of a helix LT. Add in anything else like a pedal board, additional foot switch or tuner and money wise, it’s the same or more than an LT. If you’re only looking for one, do it all unit.


Man I’m making myself think I shoulda just gone with the LT myself!

 

[lamarjones]

I have the storm and the helix LT. Definitely the LT is a better device, but for minimal stuff (even though it's still a good bit) the stomp is a great tool. I definitely have banks that use a number of features but I have also run into limitations with the stomp vs the LT

 

[sawzalot]

I use a Stomp XL and it's perfect for what I need. Good amp tones, great eq and compressors, and I can set up parallel processing for different distortion and/or synth tones. Little-known fun fact is you can use many of the guitar amp models with low input drive settings to get really sweet bass sounds.

 

[robertusf]

I will add that for the price of a cioks DC 7 and an hx stomp, you’re roughly $50 shy of a helix LT. Add in anything else like a pedal board, additional foot switch or tuner and money wise, it’s the same or more than an LT. If you’re only looking for one, do it all unit.


Man I’m making myself think I shoulda just gone with the LT myself!

I am using a Sweetfoot power supply designed to work with Line 6: Much more economical and it works like a champ. Powering my Stomp and Shure GLXD wireless
Info from the website: Designed to work with the Line 6 HX Effects and HX Stomp and other high current devices.
Also works with the Line 6 Pod Go!

 

[prndltech]

I am using a Sweetfoot power supply designed to work with Line 6: Much more economical and it works like a champ. Powering my Stomp and Shure GLXD wireless
Info from the website: Designed to work with the Line 6 HX Effects and HX Stomp and other high current devices.
Also works with the Line 6 Pod Go!

Never heard of it… I already own a dc7 and I also have a truetone cs6 pro. I will say… cioks power supply’s are totally worth it!

 

[Solude]

For bass, LT or Effects depending on your needs.

I could easily get away with the Effects for bass since I don't need an amp and can use the variety of pedals available as the amp/di and you keep IR capabilities. Get a lot of switches, scribble strips, light carry etc.

The LT is only a little more money and gets double the DSP, amp models and cabs etc. Ideally L6 would release a dual core model that is smaller but just as powerful by losing the expression pedal.

 

[pflash4001]

So, honestly, I'm leaning heavily toward the LT. I would, however, like to have my Shure GLXD-16+ mounted on the same board to be able to just plug and play. I had considered getting the backpack or the Gator hard case, but I want to have the wireless in place, so now I'm thinking of a PedalTrain board with a rolling hard case. What are you guys using to protect and carry your LTs? Thanks!

 

[SteveC]

I am going to go against the grain. This is just me, but if I need a wheeled hard case for my pedalboard, I have too much pedalboard. Use a Stomp. It'll be plenty for church guitar. Plenty for bass. I have a GLXD+, my Stomp and a Radial Pro DI on a Nano+ board with a CIOKS DC7 underneath for power and a USB port so I can charge my Shure transmitter if needed. It's small, powerful (I have synth bass presets as well so I don't have to carry my Yamaha MODX6 around) and its so quick for load in/out. It would actually fit on a Nano, but the Pedalnetics button makes it just high enough where its a struggle to slide in the case. And the Nano+ has a side pocket that I keep my GLXD Transmitter in. Works great. I could actually fit another pedal on if I wanted.

 

[pflash4001]

The wheeled case is more for convenience than anything. I would like a hard case for protection, though.

 

[c-ba55]

stomp is great. I have that on a little board with a C4 (helix line is not useful for synth) and a wireless. Nice that it is so little and covers so much. Lack of XLR is huge miss, given all the other crap they managed to put on there instead. But I've never had an actual problem. Run a 1/4" out, or XLR adaptor, or soundguy has a DI, or I run it through a bass amp on stage anyway which has a DI.