Watch "Rig Rundown" on youtube with Chris Squire and Steve Howe. Steve shows a Line 6 HD500 and a Variax and explains why it works for him and the headaches using one avoids.
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The HD500 and 500x had a surprising amount of artists too. I'm betting that most have or will move to the Helix platform at some point.
Thanks for all the responses guys! I was at Disneyland with the family the past week and just got back. I was pretty bummed to be across the street from NAMM and not be able to go, but that is life.
I ended up ordering the AX8, mostly due to a friend having one locally that can show me the ropes in more detail than he has. I dont know of anyone near me using a Helix and being in a small town the odds are great that nobody has one.
As far as the FRFR cabs, as mentioned before I use IEM's. If I am at a gig where I need a cab I do have some RCF 4PRO monitors that could fill in and do a good job. Worst case I steal a K12 for a night from the production company I work at.
Great info. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get it in hand.
I ended up ordering the AX8, mostly due to a friend having one locally that can show me the ropes in more detail than he has. I dont know of anyone near me using a Helix and being in a small town the odds are great that nobody has one.
As far as the FRFR cabs, as mentioned before I use IEM's. If I am at a gig where I need a cab I do have some RCF 4PRO monitors that could fill in and do a good job. Worst case I steal a K12 for a night from the production company I work at.
Great info. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get it in hand.
Having a local helping hand is always great, for each platform. That's a big reason I run a group up here in the PacNW for modeler fans. We get together every few months to just talk shop and demo gear, but also have constant discussions about presets, tweaks, tips/tricks and so on. If you run into any questions at all, please just let me know - either in a thread or via PM. I'm always glad to help - Helix, AX8, Axe-Fx II are all ones I feel comfortable helping with. I'm hoping to get my hands on a vPed and maybe a Headrush as well.
After talking with some folks at Namm this weekend I am very excited about the helix update... I just picked one up 2 weeks ago and have been very happy.
Some of the details about this update has not been released yet.. but its good news.
Some of the details about this update has not been released yet.. but its good news.
Here's why I would (theoretically) buy a helix over an ax8:
The helix is the pinnacle of line6s efforts in both modelling AND effects. It's all in there - and it all sounds great to me.
The ax8 (which sounds superb) doesn't have all the effects.
Dredge through the gear page threads, everyone with extensive experience with both have favourites on both sides of the aisle.
Helix has more bass models. Way more routing options and full stereo options for dual rigs. My 2c
The helix is the pinnacle of line6s efforts in both modelling AND effects. It's all in there - and it all sounds great to me.
The ax8 (which sounds superb) doesn't have all the effects.
Dredge through the gear page threads, everyone with extensive experience with both have favourites on both sides of the aisle.
Helix has more bass models. Way more routing options and full stereo options for dual rigs. My 2c
Fractal Audio is soo good for bass players that guys on their forum are offering their pedals/amps to Fractal modeler those stuffs hahahaha.....
The level of "fan boys" of the brand there is something to be studied....
They don't accept that Fractal gives a fuc** to bass players and that's the end of the history there....
The level of "fan boys" of the brand there is something to be studied....
They don't accept that Fractal gives a fuc** to bass players and that's the end of the history there....
Curious - what FX are missing in the AX8? I have an AX8 and a Helix and the only good one that is really missing on both is a very good pitch shifter. We may also be talking a bit past each other - I do feel that specific pedals are missing, but not general types of effects (which in both the Helix and Fractal - you aren't limited to using bass FX as a bass player. I use a lot of "guitar" effects and amps with *very* great results).
Considering the outcome of that thread, I think it goes to show that Fractal DOES care. They're a small company, I think 6 total employees. It's no easy task to divide the time between the huge artists and the little people, and keep up the continuous development that they do. Just as there are "fanboys", there are haters. I get it - you somehow didn't have a good experience with your Fractal products, that sucks. I also get that you are super happy with your Kemper gear. I'm truly happy you found one that works for you. But your attitude here isn't very welcoming or advancing the discussion in any kind of positive manner. I politely suggest that instead of hating on Fractal, you keep us up to date about the Kemper offerings - they're not talked much on this board at all.
I was under the impression that the fx8 contained all their effects, with the ax8 missing some- hence the nearly identical price points. I might be wrong about that though.
I would love either of these products to be honest.
There is absolutely no competition about how the companies stick to their guns and support their products with updates over the years- fractal slays line6 in this regard.
Also- line 6 has used some of the nastiest, cheapest and prone to breakage switches I've ever used. The M-series switches are deplorable. The helix has great switches, but I wonder about a company that would make the decision to use them in the first place...
Now look what I've done- talked myself over to the other side of the fence- that tends to happen when comparing and deciding between two basically equal products.
I would love either of these products to be honest.
There is absolutely no competition about how the companies stick to their guns and support their products with updates over the years- fractal slays line6 in this regard.
Also- line 6 has used some of the nastiest, cheapest and prone to breakage switches I've ever used. The M-series switches are deplorable. The helix has great switches, but I wonder about a company that would make the decision to use them in the first place...
Now look what I've done- talked myself over to the other side of the fence- that tends to happen when comparing and deciding between two basically equal products.
It has the ability to do pitch shifting, but it's not as good as some dedicated pedals. It's tracking leaves a bit to be desired.
The AX8 and FX8 (And Axe-Fx II) have the same FX available. The difference being how many of each instance can be run simultaneously. The FX8 does not have Amp or Cab modeling in it, but it does have relays - so you can switch channels on an amp that you're plugged into.
The difference between Fractal and Line6 (prior to Helix) is that Fractal's sole product was modeling. Line6 was all over the place in product offering, and viewed a lot of their stuff as disposable, basically. I'll admit, when the Helix first came out, I was worried about them keeping up with development on it. So far, they've done a great job keeping things moving forward. We'll see how they go, but, so far I feel confident that they may continue that.
Fractal has always had the philosophy of using the best, without going off into the weeds (so, no $1000 power cords). I love their switches - they are smooth and silent. But, any good switch would do, and the Helix ones are fine, IMO.
The best thing you can try to do is get your hands on both, but being in New Zealand that might be pretty difficult.
Hmmm I low key want a helix now that they've added more bass stuff however it wouldn't make my setup any easier so I doubt I'll ever do it haha
I super happy with my purchase, but $1k for the Helix makes the choice even harder imo.
Hi everyone,
I appreciate this civilized and very informative thread about competing brands and units!
I was wondering if you can help me out. I play NS/Stick Invalid Link Removed and process the two sides of my instrument separately (4 bass strings through a Boss GT-6B and 4 gtr strings through a Boss GT-3, then into a rack mixer and power amp; the bass strings go through an old Peavey rack preamp first prior to the mixer). As you can guess the setup is quite complicated and bulky. I am considering on upgrading to either a Fractal or Line 6 unit for simplification purposes and better sounds, and was wondering which one you would recommend and why.
I primarily fill a bass+ role in my bands, here is a link to give you a better idea: ZinngeschreiInvalid Link Removed
My goal is to go through either unit straight into a power amp and bass cabs (know about FRFR cabs, but they are currently out of my budget). It would be important to me to be able to process two parallel signal chains in one unit (I know I could use the Helix's aux input as a second instrument input). Also, how good are some of the often used bass effects: octaver, wah/filters, ODs, bass comp?
Please let me know if this post is too much of a derailment and I will start a separate thread. Thank you for your time!
I appreciate this civilized and very informative thread about competing brands and units!
I was wondering if you can help me out. I play NS/Stick Invalid Link Removed and process the two sides of my instrument separately (4 bass strings through a Boss GT-6B and 4 gtr strings through a Boss GT-3, then into a rack mixer and power amp; the bass strings go through an old Peavey rack preamp first prior to the mixer). As you can guess the setup is quite complicated and bulky. I am considering on upgrading to either a Fractal or Line 6 unit for simplification purposes and better sounds, and was wondering which one you would recommend and why.
I primarily fill a bass+ role in my bands, here is a link to give you a better idea: ZinngeschreiInvalid Link Removed
My goal is to go through either unit straight into a power amp and bass cabs (know about FRFR cabs, but they are currently out of my budget). It would be important to me to be able to process two parallel signal chains in one unit (I know I could use the Helix's aux input as a second instrument input). Also, how good are some of the often used bass effects: octaver, wah/filters, ODs, bass comp?
Please let me know if this post is too much of a derailment and I will start a separate thread. Thank you for your time!
Helix due to the larger amount of processing available and the fact that it's routing is easier to visualise more than one signal path with.
The Helix and the AX8 have very similar processing capabilities - they use the same SHARC DSPs.
I don't know that I'd say the Helix routing is easier to see. They both present the same information in very similar fashion. The AX8 and Axe-Fx II show it on a grid rather than with a fancy looking UI.
Where the real differentiator would be is if @evil1603 is looking at the Axe-Fx II (XL+). It has far more processing power than the AX8 and Helix. But, it's in a 2U rack format rather than the floorboard format. If he's looking at the Axe-Fx II, there is absolutely no contest, it blows the Helix out of the water. The AX8 and Helix are more on par with each other. The new Helix LT looks interesting, though... but I won't get a good chance to play one anytime soon to compare it directly.
