Should I get a Helix Stomp XL or a Noble?

[LOVTHEBASS]

I was thinking of getting a Noble pre amp but I see that the Helix Stomp has modeled it. Right now I’m using an Aguilar DB659 as a pre out. It sounds great but it’s on my pedalboard and takes up a lot of space and is a little fragile. I would like to make my pedalboard smaller so I was looking at the Stomp XL as the pre-out plus replace all my pedals. It looks like it will be way easier to carry but will I be disappointed in the digital tone or has this been corrected by modern technology at this point?

 

[Micha84]

Well, I guess you are aware that those two are completely different animals, so I'm just going to say this:
People buy a Noble because they perceive it as some kind of almost magical tone sweetener. I guess that being an analog tube box plays a huge part in that. And though I am a huge fan of modelers myself, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to model a noble. It is not like it has that signature sound of an SVT, where it is okay for the modeler to get you into the ballpark of that and everybody understands it is not going to be exactly like the real deal.

If you know what a Noble DI does and you are sure want that, then get a Noble DI. I don't think a modeler will give you exactly what makes the analog box so special.

 

[LOVTHEBASS]

Well, I guess you are aware that those two are completely different animals, so I'm just going to say this:
People buy a Noble because they perceive it as some kind of almost magical tone sweetener. I guess that being an analog tube box plays a huge part in that. And though I am a huge fan of modelers myself, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to model a noble. It is not like it has that signature sound of an SVT, where it is okay for the modeler to get you into the ballpark of that and everybody understands it is not going to be exactly like the real deal.

If you know what a Noble DI does and you are sure want that, then get a Noble DI. I don't think a modeler will give you exactly what makes the analog box so special.

I do realize they are different animals but this will be just for my live rig. I’m using the tube Aguilar 659 preamp out live now, would the Noble be noticeably better?

 

[fhtagn]

How about getting the best of both worlds and getting a Sushi Box FX Nobelium (or Neptunium) AND the Stomp XL at approximately the same price as the actual Noble?

 

[gtirard]

I do realize they are different animals but this will be just for my live rig. I’m using the tube Aguilar 659 preamp out live now, would the Noble be noticeably better?

I would buy the HX Stomp in order to emulate the Noble, and the Noble as a high-end power supply for my other pedals

 

[Jazzjames]

The DB659 is one of the nicest preamps around and I’m sure the DI out sounds just great as is. I don’t see how the Noble is going to improve your DI sound meaningfully in a live context.

If however you want to transition away from using rack gear live and have a high quality DI on your pedal board, then it’s a great choice.

 

[BaltBass5]

I tried a Nobel after GAS'ing forever and found that it wasn't "All That". It had a decent warmth for my IEM's but between the price and the CRZY LONG wait time IMO not even close to worth it. Depending upon what you are trying to do take a look at the Crucial Audio Dub-1.

 

[Micha84]

I do realize they are different animals but this will be just for my live rig. I’m using the tube Aguilar 659 preamp out live now, would the Noble be noticeably better?

I'd be skeptical. Apart from the fact that "better" means something else to everybody, my impression is that these kind of boxes have a very subtle effect compared to other means to shape your sound. A lot of great and professional players absolutely swear by the noble, I myself would not replace what I have if I was happy with it.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I’ve disliked digital modelers since the beginning of my bass playing. I’ve tried quite a bit and never been satisfied. It wasn’t until I tried the PodGo that changed my mind. I went ahead and purchased the HX Stomp and haven’t looked back.

I do run a SB UA and Neptunium with mine. The Regal model of the Noble in the HX has the same sound and response as my Neptunium.

Either way which ever you choose, if it doesn’t work out for you, you should be able to sell without much of a loss on either unit.

 

[gt96g]

The Nobel is A LOT! of money for a box that does one thing. The Stomp is significantly less and does significantly more.

Yes, they are different animals but as others have said, you can by a stomp + a more affordable tube DI box and probably get a sound that closely approximates the Nobel.

 

[baileyboy1]

For live use, Stomp XL would be amazing. The tones are fantastic and you will not regret the purchase. It has a lot of different use cases. No brainer unless you REALLY want the Noble.

 

[el murdoque]

I bought a Noble just before the hype started. The waiting period got longer and longer, and I low key hoped I would not be satisfied with mine because used units went for about double the price back then - but when it arrived, it was all that and then some.
I tried the Noble in the HX Stomp for fun and yeah, it does emulate it somewhat.
However, the "thing" about the Noble that gets people raving is how the tubes create a tone that has more of a third dimension and more sonic sparkle with unicorn dust. This is something the HX is not able to transport. At all.

Does one need that, though? You'll have to answer that for yourself. I would say if you have high end gear and no tonal bottleneck anywhere else in your signal chain and want to swap the Aggie for something more pedalboard friendly, then you'll be fine.

If you have the feeling your tone stinks and suspect the Noble will produce a perfect result, then no. The Noble cannot polish turds.
It can take a fine signal and give it the last touch - the sonic equivalent of using 6000 grit paper.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

I use my Ampero II Stage to capture preamps like the Noble and Genzler

I'd never use a Stomp from my experience with Helix Native

 

[backin82]

I was thinking of getting a Noble pre amp but I see that the Helix Stomp has modeled it. Right now I’m using an Aguilar DB659 as a pre out. It sounds great but it’s on my pedalboard and takes up a lot of space and is a little fragile. I would like to make my pedalboard smaller so I was looking at the Stomp XL as the pre-out plus replace all my pedals. It looks like it will be way easier to carry but will I be disappointed in the digital tone or has this been corrected by modern technology at this point?

I purchased a Helix LT not long ago, and experimented with tones for a few weeks before settling on my core sound. The Noble is named the "Regal DI" in Helix world, and it does "something" to the sound. I tried the Noble, and it didn't do enough to the sound or feel to justify having it in my chain. I use a little bit of EQ, an LA Studio Compressor, and sometimes add a dialed-back Darkglass B7K (called the Obsidian 7000 on the Helix). You can get a LOT of different tone options within the amp and cab modeling that were fun to play with, so that alone might be worth considering the multi-fx.

As mordoque mentioned above, the Noble probably adds "something", but it's a very subtle "something", and it costs a LOT.

For live music, there are probably less than 100 people on the planet who could tell if you're using a Noble or not, and certainly couldn't differentiate between the real thing and a digital model.

Unfortunately, nobody on here can know what your preferences are, so you'll just have to play with all the options yourself, and see which setup you prefer.

 

[prndltech]

I had both at the same time. the hx stomp was running into the noble.


I still have the stomp.

 

[Fat Bottom Kyle]

Helix and the Ian Martin Allison presets have blown my mind and I have no need for any other type of pedal. You will be stoked to have one.

 

[chadhargis]

Easy answer. Get the HX Stomp and run the "Regal DI". It's an emulation of the Noble.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Just a side note - if you decide to get a Noble and an HX Stomp, the Noble will power the HX Stomp, but the current required is over the recommended amperage for the Noble. So don't risk blowing out your Noble's power supply running an HX Stomp with it. I'm not sure if the HX Stomp XL would even power up as the footswitches draw most of the power on a Helix or HX. HX ONE is fine. I've had a HX Stomp, HX ONE and a Noble. I still have the Noble and flipped the HX's.

 

[RGerhart]

I'm confused--you have your DB659 on your pedalboard? How does that fit?

And to answer your question, as others have pointed out, these are two different animals. I went the modeler route--I have a Quad Cortex that I've used to model my Noble, and my Aguilar DB680. The difference between the real thing and the modeler is probably 0.01%, honestly. The thing that the real tube preamps do, though, is add that extra special "something." It's something you have to experience for yourself. I still prefer the DB680 live. It just has that magical tone.

 

[Altitude]

To me the Stomp is a tool for players who want their instruments to sound different all the time and maybe from song to song. Probably good for people in cover bands that address a lot of ground so you can go from “I Want You Back” to “Surrender” to “Uptown Funk” to “Don’t Stop Believing” and effortlessly sound authentic on all of them.

A lot of us are set and forget people; we find a sound we like and tend to run with it. If the Noble gives you that sound, it might be a better place to spend your $ since it does what you want it to do extremely well.