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

[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.

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.

you know, i have to agree with this technically.

i would only add the fx8 was not hard - I'm a moron when it comes to this stuff and it 'maybe' took a minute or two longer to figure out how to navigate around the fx8 - assuming, of course, we are not talking about getting deep into the tweaking (i.e. keeping it an apples to apples comparison).

in fact, the helix took longer for me because I'm only setting it up into a real amp and the fx8 doesn't have the amp/cab block or having to put in a send/return block to worry about in this use

 

[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.

you know, i have to agree with this technically.

i would only add the fx8 was not hard - I'm a moron when it comes to this stuff and it 'maybe' took a minute or two longer to figure out how to navigate around the fx8 - assuming, of course, we are not talking about getting deep into the tweaking (i.e. keeping it an apples to apples comparison).

in fact, the helix took longer for me because I'm only setting it up into a real amp and the fx8 doesn't have the amp/cab block or having to put in a send/return block to worry about in this use

I understand. Just an FYI there are templates in the Helix that make setting it up with an a real amp 4cm even 8cm really easy.

 

[sonofiam]

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?

Haven't used the Helix I've always found Line 6 stuff pretty easy to navigate. The FX8 can take some time to get the hang of. The PC editor, FX8-Edit, makes things very easy. However, I don't think you'll find a better effects unit than the FX8. I've had a few Line 6 products (POD 1.0, 2.0, XT Live, M9) over the years and they never seem to completely deliver for me. With the M9, the closest comparison to the FX8, I only ended up occasionally using one delay and a reverb or two. I've yet to find anything lacking in the FX8 and I've used it for 4 months now. Not trying to slam Line 6, I used the XT Live for years, just relaying my experience. If you can live with the quality of effects and need something easy, the Helix might be the way to go.

 

[uglyfuzzface]

Well I have kept the Helix . It has some down points and good points imo .
It's amazingly easy and fast to edit once you get your head around it .
It has great routing options.
It didn't seem to suck tone in the fx loop , though it added a small amount of compression.
I wasn't amazed by the modulation fx though they were still good , but the good thing is you can still use stomp boxes in its fx loops , 4 in total but only 3 if you use 4 cable method .
The harmoniser wasn't great either , hopefully it's early days and will be improved in updates .
I think it can adapt to most people's rigs and needs .
I haven't used the amp modelling side of it but it's great to know I have some kind of back up if my amp should fail at a gig .

 

[journeyman73]

after more extensive playing back and forth (using just fx) ive sort of come to these highly personal (ie everyone will have their own opinions) conclusions:

Helix advantages:
- extremely flexibly routing options
- excellent user interface and display (cant emphasize this enough)
- able to run more complex/intensive number of fx
- excellent build quality (though, was a little nervous with the play in some of the knobs

Fx8:
- in general, i found the fx sounded better
- deeper ability to tweak effects
- perfect build quality (wouldnt change a thing)
- once you get used to it a bit, the interface is actually really linear and logical to use

i found neither unit completely transparent to use - they each changed the tone and/or feel slightly when going in front or in the loop. its very minor but i think the fx8 actually impacted feel a tiny bit more (especially once i found the guita impedance setting on the helix).

you'd be completely happy with the transparency of either unit if you didnt do direct A/B of amp with/without unit.

i actually ended up returning both units!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

i actually ended up returning both units!

 

[journeyman73]

i actually ended up returning both units!

yep! lol

i said f'it...im going to build a glorious 80's rack

 

[mniel8195]

This is what it comes down to for me. How many effects do i really use and how often do i use them? The quality of the effect is super important for me because i usually like just one sound "tape delay..phase 90 etc". Also do i want to deep edit, use pedal switchers, and build presets?

Im a clean and dirty guy with a bit of delay or reverb. Maybe a wah or phase and that about it besides a boost pedal. I like the simplicity of the individual pedals, no presets, and no editing. I don't play live either so it makes very little sense for me. I just want to plug in and play. I have come to the conclusion that even though i love computers i just don't want to feel like I'm working on one when playing guitar.

 

[Bronco]

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

Just got mine yesterday and I am completely blown away...and yeah, I got it strictly for 4CM purposes as well, but damn, some of the amp models were a real pleasant surprise. The SLO lead channel is basically dead-nuts on.

But yeah man, even if all you want out of it is 4CM, then $1500 is a steal.

 

[sgill72]

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

Just got mine yesterday and I am completely blown away...and yeah, I got it strictly for 4CM purposes as well, but damn, some of the amp models were a real pleasant surprise. The SLO lead channel is basically dead-nuts on.

But yeah man, even if all you want out of it is 4CM, then $1500 is a steal.

It's nice to have those amp models in case the amp goes down. Nice part is, I have a bank for 4cm and a bank of direct presets.

The interface and options are ridiculous. Very pleased with this unit and Line 6 definitely upped the ante. Hell...Pete Thorn just build a board around it.

 

[ejecta]

I've had my Helix for several months and couldn't be happier. Works great with real amps and pedals and it has some of the best modeled tones I've played. I put an AX8 up against it and kept the Helix and sold off the AX8. Nothing against the Fractal as I'm sure a lot of guys like it but for me and my tastes the Helx sounded better and way more versatile. I'm right now using a Blackbird tube preamp pedal in a loop on the Helix and mixing in some modeled Park 75 tones for various flavors into a real amp and cab. Sounds great and the FX are seriously nice.

Barzini just sold off an AX8 too and got a Helix. He said he hated the Marshall tones from AX8 but really likes the ones in the Helixso much so he hasn't even explored many of the other amps since he is having a great time with what he has dialed up.

People can bag on Line 6 all they want but the helix is a really great piece of gear.

 

[Bronco]

It's nice to have those amp models in case the amp goes down. Nice part is, I have a bank for 4cm and a bank of direct presets.

The interface and options are ridiculous. Very pleased with this unit and Line 6 definitely upped the ante. Hell...Pete Thorn just build a board around it.

Yeah I saw that...I did the same with my setup as well. One for 4CM, one for loaded amps, and one for HELIX sims. Like I said, I'm really digging the SLO...

 

[geetarmikey]

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

Lend us a tenner, mate?

 

[Bronco]

Just an FYI there are templates in the Helix that make setting it up with an a real amp 4cm even 8cm really easy.

Hey man, can you point me out to where those templates are?

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I put an AX8 up against it and kept the Helix and sold off the AX8. Nothing against the Fractal as I'm sure a lot of guys like it but for me and my tastes the Helx sounded better and way more versatile.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've had my Helix for several months and couldn't be happier. Works great with real amps and pedals and it has some of the best modeled tones I've played. I put an AX8 up against it and kept the Helix and sold off the AX8. Nothing against the Fractal as I'm sure a lot of guys like it but for me and my tastes the Helx sounded better and way more versatile. I'm right now using a Blackbird tube preamp pedal in a loop on the Helix and mixing in some modeled Park 75 tones for various flavors into a real amp and cab. Sounds great and the FX are seriously nice.

Barzini just sold off an AX8 too and got a Helix. He said he hated the Marshall tones from AX8 but really likes the ones in the Helixso much so he hasn't even explored many of the other amps since he is having a great time with what he has dialed up.

People can bag on Line 6 all they want but the helix is a really great piece of gear.

Hmmmm, interesting. The Helix to me is ahead of the game because of the scribble strips! Yes, I think they are pretty cool, no more stick on magnets. And 4cm application and whatnot. I still have to play with one some more as far as modeled amp tones.

 

[Bronco]

Just an FYI there are templates in the Helix that make setting it up with an a real amp 4cm even 8cm really easy.

Hey man, can you point me out to where those templates are?

Nevermind...figured it out.

 

[IntenseJim]

bump

 

[mudf00t]

I have had my Helix for about a month and I still haven't found anything I hate about it

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Resurrecting this thread!

Currently using an FX8 with Friedman BE100. Works well but I'm rethinking it now and may want to grab a Helix instead to have the amp models as a backup rig. I carry an amplifire now to gigs but the Helix would allow my backup rig to be ready to go should something happen to the amp during a show. The FX are more than fine in the Helix for what I use. I'm wondering if it will change all 3 channels on the Friedman with the relays?