LarryUK Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 All of these new multi effects have me baffled. They have amp modelling and are supposed to be great. I follow Larry Mitchell and he uses an AX8 straight into his PA. no amp. Now. I have a Hughes and Kettner Matris SS combo with built in effects. I have valve amps too, but my Matrix sounds great. It just doesnt punch live. So. A 4x12 sorts that. My question is. What have these multi effects got that my Matrix hasnt? Surely if youre with a band they can be odd to use with no amp? Are they really that good? I have a friend that has just got the Helix and he loves it. Is it worth it? Who has this stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megafrog Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I don’t see the value in a Helix. I use a Line 6 HD500 X Pro with a Line 6 DT50 and it works quite nicely. That setup is similar to what Steve Howe from Yes uses (he uses the DT25 not 50). If it is good enough for him, it should be good enough for me since I suck in comparison. My HD500 X Pro cost about 1/3 the price of a Helix. Is a Helix better? Probably but I can’t justify a Helix when I have hardly scratched the surface of my HD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I also have a Line 6 Pod HD400. I have considered a Helix, but like Metafrog, I am more than happy with what I am getting. I have a better sound now (since 2014) than I ever had in the previous 44 years. It took me best part of a morning (around 5 hours) to build my perfect sound. That is saved digitally on my laptop, so if the Pod blew up tomorrow I could buy another one and import it back in again. The Helix is not just an upgrade, but a whole new tech set. But even if I could tell the difference I'm not sure I would trade up because it couldn't be that much of an improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brytam Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I have been using the Line 6 XT Live through the PA for years, using an Aviom system for monitors (in-ears). I was content with the sound but wanted to upgrade, so last month I bought the Line 6 HD500X. Now, a whole new learning curve! Finally had the XT Live figured out & could create, modify & adjust the sounds to my liking. Back to square one in creating, modifying & adjusting sounds. I do like the crisp sound & attack response in the HD500X plus the options available within the unit, but I have to create the sounds at home playing through a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp & then try out in the PA (sound man likes complete control). The tweaking is all a part of the modeling world, but it is sure a learning curve when changing over to a new unit. I tried out the Helix a few months ago at a Sam Ash music store in my area. The price tag did not justify the unit in my opinion. I knew it was time to upgrade my XT Live since it was "old" technology, but not at that price! I am happy that I upgraded to the HD500X (Great price on like new unit on Ebay) but still in the fog learning to maneuver through the unit. That's my story.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 I have been using the Line 6 XT Live through the PA for years, using an Aviom system for monitors (in-ears). I was content with the sound but wanted to upgrade, so last month I bought the Line 6 HD500X. Now, a whole new learning curve! Finally had the XT Live figured out & could create, modify & adjust the sounds to my liking. Back to square one in creating, modifying & adjusting sounds. I do like the crisp sound & attack response in the HD500X plus the options available within the unit, but I have to create the sounds at home playing through a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp & then try out in the PA (sound man likes complete control). The tweaking is all a part of the modeling world, but it is sure a learning curve when changing over to a new unit. I tried out the Helix a few months ago at a Sam Ash music store in my area. The price tag did not justify the unit in my opinion. I knew it was time to upgrade my XT Live since it was "old" technology, but not at that price! I am happy that I upgraded to the HD500X (Great price on like new unit on Ebay) but still in the fog learning to maneuver through the unit. That's my story.... A couple of years back I thought about getting a TC Electronics G System, but the cost was too prohibitive. I’ve seen the red version for about $400 recently. I still wonder about getting one. Sheep will rush out and buy one of the new systems now and the market will be flooded with multi effects that are just as good for a fraction of the price. A buyers market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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