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

[LP Freak]

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

Trust me, me too but I got through it. Just read the manual about 100 times and ask questions on the forum...... then you'll learn how to turn it on

 

[crankyrayhanky]

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

Oh yeah, this thread just ramped and it's on...digital pedalboard WAR

 

[Finnster]

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

You got lucky. FX8's have been "out of stock" for quite some time now.

 

[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

You got lucky. FX8's have been "out of stock" for quite some time now.

yes, I've been on the waitlist...i actually had my name come up before but i was sure whether i wanted the fx8 or helix so i wasn't sure to pull the trigger - and i didn't. so, this is the 2nd time I've come up and i decided to just try it with the Helix

 

[thenine]

Loving my FX8 as well. I am running it with a Fortin Mod JVM and using buttons 1 - 4 to switch channels and modes (green, orange, red) then the bottom 4 buttons for individual FX on/off. Super killer setup. This gives me 4 channels available on one-click plus everything else I need. I do run an outboard wah though, but I couldn't have hoped for a better board.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

oh that sounds like a lethal combination^

No issues with the midi?
Which wah are you using?

 

[LP Freak]

Loving my FX8 as well. I am running it with a Fortin Mod JVM and using buttons 1 - 4 to switch channels and modes (green, orange, red) then the bottom 4 buttons for individual FX on/off. Super killer setup. This gives me 4 channels available on one-click plus everything else I need. I do run an outboard wah though, but I couldn't have hoped for a better board.

I think the wahs sound great. What made you use a separate wah?

 

[thenine]

I have a Wilson wah that I think is simply the best wah Ive heard or played. Sent my Dime CFH to the pile, no kidding. The onboard wahs are OK, but nothing compared to the Wilson IMHO. I also have a spring loaded Mission pedal which I use to push in and out some different things (add mid boost, etc).

No issues with midi whatsoever. JVM is super easy to program. Cable from midi thru (FX8) to midi in (JVM). I setup the FX8 for Program Change messages 1,2,3 etc and program the JVM for each of those. Then when I create any patch I just load the Program Change to a scene to correspond to the channel and mode I want. If you know the JVM each program also contains reverb 1 or 2 on or off, master 1 or 2 and Loop on or off. With this new firmware v3.00 the 8 buttons on my base patch looks like this (I have the 2 channel JVM

Scene1 (clean/green, loop on)----Scene2 (OD green, loop on)----Scene3 (OD orange, gate)-----------Scene4 (OD red, loop on, master 2)

Drive (hold for X/Y)----------------Phaser (wildcard per patch)----Delay (hold X/Y)----------------------Boost (FAS filter +3dB)

Each scene is saved with or without junk as well. So for instance with one click of top left button I switch to my dreamy clean tone (amp clean/green) with chorus, delay and reverb on, one click of button 3 and I am in dry metal mode (OD orange with just a gate), click button 4 ripping lead (OD red) with delay. And at any time I can add boost (button 8) with one stomp, or add drive for a little more hair (button 5) and so on.

Thats probably more than you were asking or wanted but I just wanted to illustrate how amazingly versatile the FX8 is. Really the best thing I've bought in quite awhile. If you like any kind of wet tone and have an amp or amps you love I can't recommend the FX8 enough. I could go on but I wont,... i.e. if you have other amps you love like I do, just save different patch banks for each of those, etc, etc.

 

[journeyman73]

well, like i thought - i seem to be a complete moron and can't get the helix to work into my amp.

i have a less than straightforward set up because I'm going from amp, to power station, to my cab....and i was hoping to somehow do 4CM...when it wasn't working with that i just decided to go straight into the power station loop but that wasn't working either.

so, now i just tried to go guitar into the Helix - 1/4" out to the front of the amp - even that is not working. when i say not working i mean loud high pitched screeching when trying to do 4CM to just anemic sound when trying to go straight into the amp.

maybe all i can handle are a few pedals daisy chained together

 

[LP Freak]

well, like i thought - i seem to be a complete moron and can't get the helix to work into my amp.

i have a less than straightforward set up because I'm going from amp, to power station, to my cab....and i was hoping to somehow do 4CM...when it wasn't working with that i just decided to go straight into the power station loop but that wasn't working either.

so, now i just tried to go guitar into the Helix - 1/4" out to the front of the amp - even that is not working. when i say not working i mean loud high pitched screeching when trying to do 4CM to just anemic sound when trying to go straight into the amp.

maybe all i can handle are a few pedals daisy chained together

You're giving up way too soon. Take a breather, read the manual and come back to it. You obviously have something hooked up wrong. Start basic then hook up all your goodies once you get it figured out.

 

[journeyman73]

well, it was an issue with my PS loop.

luckily, i have a metro-plex with its own loop so....after a freaking ridiculous amount of time (even after figuring out i had a problem with the PS) - i got noise (pleasant noise) to come out of both the Helix and the fx8!

of course, now its late so it willhave to wait until tomorrow....but i think i may have an early preference

 

[luther910]

Curious to hear what you think. At first I had a GAS for the FX8, but after seeing the Pete Thorn video I had second thoughts...

 

[ejecta]

well, like i thought - i seem to be a complete moron and can't get the helix to work into my amp.

i have a less than straightforward set up because I'm going from amp, to power station, to my cab....and i was hoping to somehow do 4CM...when it wasn't working with that i just decided to go straight into the power station loop but that wasn't working either.

so, now i just tried to go guitar into the Helix - 1/4" out to the front of the amp - even that is not working. when i say not working i mean loud high pitched screeching when trying to do 4CM to just anemic sound when trying to go straight into the amp.

maybe all i can handle are a few pedals daisy chained together

 

[journeyman73]

well, like i thought - i seem to be a complete moron and can't get the helix to work into my amp.

i have a less than straightforward set up because I'm going from amp, to power station, to my cab....and i was hoping to somehow do 4CM...when it wasn't working with that i just decided to go straight into the power station loop but that wasn't working either.

so, now i just tried to go guitar into the Helix - 1/4" out to the front of the amp - even that is not working. when i say not working i mean loud high pitched screeching when trying to do 4CM to just anemic sound when trying to go straight into the amp.

maybe all i can handle are a few pedals daisy chained together

thanks bud - yeah, i was using that video as my guide...but what i realized i wasn't doing was activating the send/return loop (even though i had put it in the chain)

once i did, of course, i was good.

 

[agbiggs]

I've got the Helix -- love it. The tones are great, but what's really key is how easy it is to use, so you can get YOUR tone without tearing your hair out.

I've run the Helix in 4 cable method through my 5150 lbx and my 3rd Power British Dream (AC/Plexi). Nailed them all without a ton of tweaking, so you can be confident it's going to get the tones you want.

 

[sonofiam]

I can only speak from the viewpoint of pedals to the FX8. I sold several pedals in order to buy my FX8 and haven't even thought of going back to a pedalboard since I've had it. My board consisted of EB Volume, Modded VOX Wah, VOX Ice 9 OD, Homebrew Germania, Xotic BB, MXR GT-OD (modded), Line6 M9, EHX Micro POG, TC Electronics Alter Ego X4 (great delay by the way!) and Hall of Fame Reverb and an Eventide Timefactor. The FX8 has replaced every single one of these pedals and the tone is superb, no tone suck at all. I have noticed a slight volume drop (2-3db) using an effects loop but no loss of tone. I am finding that I'm enjoying the FX8 the more I use it, it's very inspiring. The learning curve is a bit steep for me but the time spent figuring it out has been well worth it. If you're going to be using an amp, the FX8 is very much worth your consideration. If you're looking for a modeler, I'd really consider looking at the Fractal AX8. I've had Line6 products for several years and have always found them to be a bit lacking in the tone and effects department. Nothing most audiences will notice but as a player I can hear it. I have no Fractal affiliation in any way, I've just found what seems to be the perfect solution for me and am finally getting the best bang for the buck.

 

[journeyman73]

man, I've been going back and forth back and forth between the fx8 and the helix...

checking out fx in both...figuring out which is more transparent in the loop/in the front/in 4CM...back and forth bak and forth...

and the only thing I'm sure of so far, both of these units are just ridiculously good - i can't imagine someone picking either of these up and somehow not being satisfied.

of course, I can't speak to the Helix amp/cab sims as i really am not going that route as of yet.

 

[journeyman73]

quick question for Helix or FX8 users - do any of you guys happen to be doing 4CM though the Power Station fx loop and using for attenuation?

 

[sjk]

man, I've been going back and forth back and forth between the fx8 and the helix...

checking out fx in both...figuring out which is more transparent in the loop/in the front/in 4CM...back and forth bak and forth...

and the only thing I'm sure of so far, both of these units are just ridiculously good - i can't imagine someone picking either of these up and somehow not being satisfied.

of course, I can't speak to the Helix amp/cab sims as i really am not going that route as of yet.

Which one is easier to dial in for the technically challenged guys such as myself?

 

[ejecta]

man, I've been going back and forth back and forth between the fx8 and the helix...

checking out fx in both...figuring out which is more transparent in the loop/in the front/in 4CM...back and forth bak and forth...

and the only thing I'm sure of so far, both of these units are just ridiculously good - i can't imagine someone picking either of these up and somehow not being satisfied.

of course, I can't speak to the Helix amp/cab sims as i really am not going that route as of yet.

Which one is easier to dial in for the technically challenged guys such as myself?

IMHO the Helix...... I've owned several Fractal units and actually on the list for an AX8 but the Helix is so much easier to use and sounds phenomenal. When I come up for an AX8 I'll get it to try but it has a huge mountain to climb to make me keep it over the Helix.