Fractal fx8 vs Line6 Helix vs Pedals??????

[uglyfuzzface]

Hi I'm about ready to gig again and my pedal board is dismantled and needs re building , I have some great pedals and looper too , but I fancy something simpler and an all in one solution .
I have tried tc rack units etc and found they suck the tone from my amps in the fx loop, so started using pedals but it's going to be a chew on sorting it out again .
Since then I see fractal has a good quality fx unit and seems to be a great solution to my needs , only thing I'm worried about is the tone suck , has anybody noticed any ?.
I have also noticed people seem to like the Helix too , normally I would dismiss this as line 6 isn't really known for Quality ,but it's getting reviews on how well made it is and easy to use , but nobody is really saying about the quality of the fx .
I'm using a Friedman be100 and also need some volume boost through the fx loop for solos as the Friedman has no second master volume for some reason .
So has anybody tried both ? , I'm not bothered about the modelling side of the Helix though that would be a bonus as the Helix is cheaper . I just want good sounding fx without tone suck in the loop or should I stick with pedals and go through the hassle . Cheers

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I went through the same questions a month ago
I never tried Helix, but the FX8 sounds damn awesome in 4cm
I think I see others using your BEamp with success too.
I loved my pedals, but sold most off.

Still curious about Helix as the FX8 is not transmitting midi to my DMoll correctly which sucks. But the relays work perfectly with my OR100 so I can be patient for now... Especially since the tones are stellar

The FX interface kind of sucks but the cpu software is very good for programming and setting it up. The new 3.0 features are impressive too with added footswitches flexibility

 

[uglyfuzzface]

Ahhh thanks for your reply , yes the fractel is known for quality so probably can't go wrong , the helix seems like it could be good too but I think with the line 6 name I'm a little on the fence , but if it is good then the price tag would be great and also the choice of using the amp modelling if required .

 

[ejecta]

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Ahhh thanks for your reply , yes the fractel is known for quality so probably can't go wrong , the helix seems like it could be good too but I think with the line 6 name I'm a little on the fence , but if it is good then the price tag would be great and also the choice of using the amp modelling if required .

Between FX8, AX8, and Helix, they are all around the same price point. Great times to be a guitarist as they all offer something really cool.

 

[LP Freak]

I run the Fx8 through my BE100 and it works flawlessly. No tone suck at all. It'll switch channels on your amp and you can set up a patch that'll boost your volume for solos. The effects and drives sound awesome. I haven't tried the others so I can't comment.

 

[uglyfuzzface]

So can you set that volume boost in the fx loop ?

 

[sleewell2]

I just love pedals. I hate wasting time getting lost in menus and endless tweaking. So many variables and then it doesn't sound the same at the venue. They are great tools but fuck all that noise.

My new motto that works, "keep it simple stupid"

 

[uglyfuzzface]

Well I suppose we could speculate all day , fractel has a waiting list so I ordered the helix , it has a 24 day money back guarantee so I will report back next week . Just hoping it has no tone suck and decent fx .

 

[LP Freak]

So can you set that volume boost in the fx loop ?

Yes. I use the 4CM. OD, ect, in the front and time based fx and boost in the loop. Works perfect.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Well I suppose we could speculate all day , fractel has a waiting list so I ordered the helix , it has a 24 day money back guarantee so I will report back next week . Just hoping it has no tone suck and decent fx .

What's the verdict?

 

[sgill72]

Been playing the Helix through 4cm and couldn't be happier. The interface is super intuitive. Sold off the pedalboard...

 

[JerEvil]

I am really looking at the FX8. I have a ton of pedals I love but I am damned intrigued by the Fractal unit.

 

[LP Freak]

I am really looking at the FX8. I have a ton of pedals I love but I am damned intrigued by the Fractal unit.

It's an awesome unit

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

Not to hijack, but have you guys looked into the AmpliFire Pedal yet ?

 

[JerEvil]

Not to hijack, but have you guys looked into the AmpliFire Pedal yet ?

Not really. I've heard some decent sounds out of it for sure but it is officially off my radar.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I am really looking at the FX8. I have a ton of pedals I love but I am damned intrigued by the Fractal unit.

It's an awesome unit

Yes, LP Freak was the final nail in my FX8 GAS coffin. I took the FX8 to practice last night and it slayed. Super easy set up, I have it on a Novo 24

 

[JerEvil]

I am really looking at the FX8. I have a ton of pedals I love but I am damned intrigued by the Fractal unit.

It's an awesome unit

Yes, LP Freak was the final nail in my FX8 GAS coffin. I took the FX8 to practice last night and it slayed. Super easy set up, I have it on a Novo 24

Nice! I gotta get one for sure. Don;t need it at all but just really want to see what it all does.

 

[LP Freak]

I am really looking at the FX8. I have a ton of pedals I love but I am damned intrigued by the Fractal unit.

It's an awesome unit

Yes, LP Freak was the final nail in my FX8 GAS coffin. I took the FX8 to practice last night and it slayed. Super easy set up, I have it on a Novo 24

Sweet I've got quite a few gigs on mine now and couldn't be happier.

 

[journeyman73]

screw it - i just ordered both the fx8 and the helix to try them for myself.

arrive in a couple days. I'm a moron when it comes to these things, though, so it should be an interesting weekend