NPD: Helix HX

[HazBeen]

Have waited a few days before writing this up until I was able to use if at home and out in a gigging situation.

So what is the Helix HX? It is basically all the effects you get when buying a full fat or LT Helix, plus some more added from the big 4 button and M series pedals, minus the amp and cab modeling in it’s bigger brother.

In addition the HX can be used to control your pedalboard switching and routing needs. It has 2 FX loops to incorporate and switch existing pedals.

There are 2 basic settings, stomp box mode and scene mode. In stomp box mode you switch individual pedals/loops on and off with the foot switches, in scene mode 1 button would switch on/off a specified group of pedals and loops. Very flexible and both settings give you real control of your pedalboard.

At 43 I have one foot in the analogue era, but have been exploring DSP based effects for years. I am happy, although a little melancholy at the same time, to confirm the hype is real. Line6 have cracked component level emulation and the end result is that the HX delivers 117 or such emulated pedals that can fully compete directly with their stompbox (often analogue) brethren.

There is a lot on BC and other forums on Helix, so it makes sense to not spend too much time on the technical aspects and focus on what it does for me as a frequently gigging, sometimes depping and periodically recording part-time musician.

How have I set it up? Bass goes to my preferred compressor the Keeley Compressor Pro (the onboard compressors actually are very good, but I own the Keeley so might keep using it), into the HX. Loop 1 has my Future Impact and a COG Octaver (the FX loop has a blend function which is so handy), loop 2 has my long time favourite low gain Bearfoot Blueberry BOD and a DG Duality.

These loops can be allocated to any position in the FX chain, so e.g. the Dirt loop can be the latest in the chain or earliest as required.

My main issue with DSP effects WAS that dirt, octave and filters were generally okay but not a viable alternative to my stompboxes. I am amazed to report that I would be perfectly happy for Helix to cover my dirt. It is that good. So much so that I no longer have a B3K in loop 2 and use the emulated B7K instead. I simply cannot tell the difference in a real world situation. The Duality and BBOD are still on as I prefer them over equivalent emulated pedals, but if Line6 would emulate the Duality and BBOD I am comfortable they could be replaced.

There is a really good Octaver in the HX, but I doubt the COG (or FI for that matter) will ever be replaced. But I have 2 switchable loops so who cares right?

The envelope filters are very good. I use filters only in combination with octave and fuzz. Built in are more than acceptable for my application. Other may feel they still need a separate filter pedal, difficult for me to judge. 

All in all the HX is a compact (slightly larger than an M9) multi that doubles as a control centre for your board. Sounds great, is intuitive, is flexible and appears to be built as a tank.

Some Zoom B3(n) users might think, why pay so much more for getting rid of the amp and cab emulations etc? Understandable question: I own a B3n, great fx unit in it’s own right, but totally and utterly put to shame by the HX on application, flexibility, sound quality (especially dirt and filter) and construction.  

DSP is here to stay and I am fully bought in.

[Al Krow]

Nice review, thanks!

The Helix HX is very much on my radar (and yet another great member Yamaha stable of products!) as something to upgrade from the Zoom B3n. Just picking up on your comment:

3 hours ago, HazBeen said:

Some Zoom B3(n) users might think, why pay so much more for getting rid of the amp and cab emulations etc? Understandable question: I own a B3n, great fx unit in it’s own right, but totally and utterly put to shame by the HX on application, flexibility, sound quality (especially dirt and filter) and construction.  

But you're right there is a big question mark over whether it makes sense to upgrade from my B3n? In particular, as you say the Zoom has amp and cab sims, (plus also importantly for me aux in and headphone out which the Helix doesn't), neither have a DI out and the Helix doesn't quite cut it in terms of filter and synth compared to e.g. SA Manta or FI nor is it going to be eliminating my COG T16 from my board from what you're saying. Net result: it will probably eliminate the SA Aftershock on my board, but I'd then need to add a headphone amp...

So as a Zoom B3n user I'm kinda struggling to find a rationale to upgrade to the Helix HX as much as I'd really like to! 

Edited May 20, 2018 by Al Krow

[HazBeen]

Actually I get the comment re B3n to HX if you need a headphone, aux in and amps/cabs. So probably good to add the caveat to my comment: “in regards to fx and switching in a live /gigging environment”. I am keeping my B3n for at home.

Edited May 20, 2018 by HazBeen

[dannybuoy]

If comparing the two it really comes down to which FX you need. Helix doesn't have a lot of bass drives on offer but you can put a crossover anywhere in the chain and a compressor on your lows for example, so there's a lot of mileage to be had from the guitar drives. The Zoom has some very good filters in it too, plus some more specialist bass drives (BB Preamp, Bass Muff, Blueberry, Sansamp BDDI etc). Then there's the amp models of course - I've not tried the B3n but I'd like to, as I didn't find an amp model in the full fat Helix that I preferred over my analog preamp pedals (VT Bass, Tonehammer etc).

I have been tempted to pick up a HX though! The analog delay modelling is amazing, sounds just like my Carbon Copy when pushing it into crazy noise making territory. Plus being able to put a crossover in at 200Hz, compress the lows and only apply FX (including physical pedals) to the highs has become something I'm very interested in since owning the dUg pedal.

[Al Krow]

37 minutes ago, HazBeen said:

Actually I get the comment re B3n to HX if you need a headphone, aux in and amps/cabs. So probably good to add the caveat to my comment: “in regards to fx and switching in a live /gigging environment”. I am keeping my B3n for at home.

+1^^ Actually I can live without the amp / cab sims on B3n; for me they're a nice bit of flavour to have (I particularly like the SMR400 and the MX sims). But with kids at home an aux in and headphone out is a definite 'need' if I'm to get any practice time in! 

The other thing I really like is the HPF on the B3n for when I do get a chance to put a bass through my rigs at home at volume. What's the Helix like on that score? 

[HazBeen]

50 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

+1^^ Actually I can live without the amp / cab sims on B3n; for me they're a nice bit of flavour to have (I particularly like the SMR400 and the MX sims). But with kids at home an aux in and headphone out is a definite 'need' if I'm to get any practice time in! 

The other thing I really like is the HPF on the B3n for when I do get a chance to put a bass through my rigs at home at volume. What's the Helix like on that score? 

It is superior, but to be fair to the B3n the Zoom’s HPF is good. 

[tonyclaret]

Are there decent synth/organ type effects on the HX, there is a pretty decent on the Boss GT-1B. Whats the tracking on the octaves like?

Cheers

[HazBeen]

23 hours ago, tonyclaret said:

Are there decent synth/organ type effects on the HX, there is a pretty decent on the Boss GT-1B. Whats the tracking on the octaves like?

Cheers

Octave tracking is very good, generally digital means better tracking than analogue. The synths/organs are decent, if they are right for you I clearly cannot say.

For my personal taste the Future Impact has the upper hand, so I kept it on my board. Same with the COG Octaver and the dirt pedals I kept, could the HX replace them? Yes. But sounds and settings are personal, for my taste some pedals were simply a better fit and I kept (and will keep) them. Others (B7K e.g,) had a direct HX alternative or I found a comparable sim (chorus e.g.).

Almost convinced the Keeley can be taken off too.

[Kebabkid]

I have a thread up about the HX and was looking to see who'd dipped their toe in the water with this one and it's good to read this and to see you're impressed. I play both bass and guitar and it this just makes sense.

Whilst I try to sell some items, which also includes a Zoom B3, to get one of these, I've decided to keep my B1xon exactly for the purpose of home use as that has an aux and headphone inputs and they're as cheap as chips.

Incidentally, I'm over on another UK forum and the first used HX just came up for sale - £350. Keep 'em peeled!

Glad you're enjoying it :)