Helix 3.50 Update | Cabs, Amps, Drives, Modulation & More

[@LeonTodd]

Happy STRATurday!

[@newcomer87]

Great video, Leon. You're really skilled! Haven't gotten around to updating yet, so don't know how much I'm going to use the new cab tech. But even for people who only use IR's it's nice to be able to use dual IR blocks and also having IR's now taking up waaaay less DSP. That's going to make a big difference, especially for Stomp users. Either way, it's nice that Line 6 and Fractal et al are continuously updating and improving their devices. They just keep getting better!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah the extra room to add blocks is awesome. Excellent update.

[@Claimjumper55]

This is the best run through of the new update I've seen so far. The tones were stellar. I really loved the Trower stuff with the Flexobive.

[@_mysilentblue2227]

I'd never get rid of my Fractal (so ahead of everyone else) but I have been continually impressed with the Helix stuff.

[@stevensrp2music985]

I’ve only got to mess around with the 3.5 update for an hour or so, but so far I’m really impressed. I’ve been using the stock cabs instead of my trusted impulse responses in comparison and it’s pretty good. Way to go Line 6

[@picksalot1]

Just one day in, but I'm lovin' the new Cabs, Mic positions, tones, and Effects on my HX Stomp. Everything sounds more dynamic, and it's much easier and faster to dial in awesome tones!

[@TobiasJust]

I love how it reacts like the real Invective in terms post gain. More post gain = less fizz on the actual amp. So you can use post gain and master volume for tone, then use channel volume to change volume only. They also emulated the real amp with master volume boost turned off, which is the most neutral setting. If you turn it on on the real amp and adjust the amount of master volume boost to 0, it removes fizz, when you crank it above 4, it adds fizz. I own both the Helix and Invective and when I run the Helix Invective Preamp into the power amp section of the real Invective 120, it sounds and feels extremely similar. Solid work by Line 6!

[@PurpleBulbous]

Just stumbled across your channel, while looking for news in Helix-land. Really great job, mate. Subscribed. When you broke into Robin Trower to perfectly show off the "Vibeyness," I was sold.

[@LeonTodd]

much appreciated mate!

[@ConstantineM]

Man, your playing makes it even better! :)

[@Thr3-Words]

11:41 note to self: copy this sound!

[@bestboy897]

u always find the best tones on this

[@chrispygingerpie]

Haha love when you started playing Marigold! Great demo, I think the dynamic Ambience was a great addition.

[@AnthonyBullock1968]

Skeumorphic. Great name for a band. This update is pretty great - the freed up processing will help balance out the recent 'processor-hefty' models that were added.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah dubbing 8 blocks on the stomp is a treat now

[@frankritchotte5411]

Awesome stuff Mr. Todd!

[@injuredcold1]

Just finished updating my rack , lots of stuff to go through, Thanks for all the new info , I liked the fingering pattern you did from 15:09 to 15:20 .. almost got it fingered out now ,,

[@LeonTodd]

That's "Marigold" by Periphery

[@heavybrett-al4082]

Although I'm pretty new to all this tech, when these big audio companies drop firmware updates for your unit of choice, it feels like Xmas morning present massacre. Very cool new toys to play with 😁

[@LeonTodd]

Right?!

[@frankritchotte5411]

Dude killer playing

[@azharkhan8796]

My entry level FRFR sounds much better with some settings on the mics now than before. I've always been adjusting mic combinations, but the new combinations sound really good. Congratulations :)

[@dimerocks123]

Previously I was using the MIKKO plugin from ML Sound Lab to make my impulses. I really don't think I'll be needing that anymore. I love these new cabs. It has definitely kicked the HX stuff up a notch. Personally, I think this is the only spot where they were lacking against fractal, besides the deep editing and number of models. I do not have any fractal gear and have never played through any, so I'm only going off blind tests and stuff I've seen on KZbin, but I personally can not tell the difference between HX and Fractal amp modeling. So this has fully satisfied me with staying on the Line 6 train for the foreseeable future 🤘

[@colelewis9940]

Man you have no idea how much you are missing out

[@LochNessAnthony]

I disagree. I’ve had several helix products, two axe fx iii’s and an fm3 with the headphone output, a Kemper and uafx (both pedals and the one plugin) and I’d say that while anything you don’t try you’re essentially missing out out of all of those products the only thing I chose to keep was the hx stomp. Everything is else is far more expensive and large without much improvement. Yes there’s an improvement and I can’t decide for anyone else the significance of those improvements but in my extensive experience they’re pretty much the same. A lot of things can’t be compared either. The pitch shifting algorithms are so different. Fractal uses an Eventide style pitch shifting while HX uses something ive never heard before. It’s really up the original commenter whether he’s “missing out on so much” or whatever and I have to agree he’s not missing out on anything. I switched back to amps and pedals and outboard compressors/mixers (far more expensive but skiable over years of collecting) and I have to say this is far superior to everything except maybe the kemper. Helix is perfectly fine for modeling aside from amps and the original gear youre emulating.

[@mightyjb5261]

Some great sounding stuff there. I was hoping for a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver too, but maybe next time...

[@otisotis5016]

Strong Peruvian Skies vibe with the Flexovibe demo 🤘

[@deans.4705]

I appreciate the video Leon. I think the mindset of having one IR that fits all needs is a bit of stretch. I understand that you like your own cabs (I like your cabs too) and that's fine but a cabinet engine within the AXEFX would be 1000x better. Randomly clicking on arbitrary IRs until you find one is dated. If only, the AXEFX had a speaker/mic tool that incorporated a similar strategy it would be such a time saver. I see there is a thread already going on the Fractal Forum for many showing interest with Cliff also engaged. Cliff seems to have spilled the beans and stated that they are already working on it but you probably knew that. :)

[@LeonTodd]

Cliff is definitely up to something!

[@JonathanKillstring]

Ahhh, they finally ported the Metallurgy stuff over! Delightful!

[@DefconClark]

The haitchX stomp sounds fantastic

[@gauravlama2079]

Hi Leon great video Could you also please demonstrate some hi gain tones with Hx stomp or helix with the Fractal axe fx 3 or fm3 I have been using helix Lt for the past 3 years now but I haven’t been happy about the Tone feel on the helix Wana know what’s your opinion on the Tone feel and tone quality between helix and Fractal. Please 🙏🏻 make one video on this

[@Scott__C]

I think the big story is how much less DSP is used even with dual cabs. I've never personally gotten too far into the IR thing. Bought a few and they didn't such a big difference to to me to abandon the stock stuff. Plenty of other rabbit holes to go down.

[@garethmontanarello684]

That Vitriol is something else...

[@vejichan]

What are your favorite amps/cabs/mics etc for hi gain/clean?

[@slicbaldy]

I tried your IR on my PodGo and while it sounds great, I had to raise the level to 0db to match the output of the cabs & just wondered what the .ir file was for.

[@LeonTodd]

.IR files are for fractal devices. You can drag the WAV file into your DAW and normalise the level if needed.

[@FredBloggs919]

Cool Robin Trower riff! Was it a toss up between that and Machine Gun?

[@LeonTodd]

You know it!

[@FredBloggs919]

@@LeonTodd difficult choice lol!

[@drockny]

Type O Negative Style at 11:07. Didn't know you played Gothic/Doom metal Leon.

[@LeonTodd]

I love that stuff!

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

The FlexiVibe sounds great.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah that's my favourite new mod effect in there. Sounds great in stereo too.

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

@@LeonTodd Yes! The EQD pedal sounds super filth as well! Good stuff \m/

[@LeonTodd]

@@TrumpetsInMy4x12 yeah that makes me want to try the real thing, sooooo good

[@HanzmannA]

Great tones Leon! What's the song at 07:10? I've heard it before but I just can't place it.

[@LeonTodd]

Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower

[@HanzmannA]

@@LeonTodd That's it, thanks!

[@jeffshirkey3085]

You are on a road trip, staying in a hotel, and can only take one guitar, some headphones, and either the HX Stomp or the FM3. Which modeler do you choose?

[@TheRealChetManley]

If you’ve watched enough of Leon’s videos you know the answer is FM3.

[@Proganaut1989]

Are the mics being pulled if axis or just further away? Thanks Leon

[@tiagoandrade5826]

Hey Leon! What"s the best way to connect my Ada mp1 with my HX Effects, considering that I have a jcm800 20 watts as power amp?

[@Milton_Andrew]

Surely that Strat is your favourite? It’s hogging the air time!

[@LeonTodd]

Oh yeah it's top 2 with my PRS.

[@vejichan]

​@@LeonTodd is that strat alder body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard? And what amps do you like in the helix?

[@ulasbarantomak]

Hi Leon, I need your advice and ideas on a topic. I am someone who uses analog pedal setup, carrying the huge pedalboard while going to rehearsal and stage has become a huge burden for me. For this reason, I decided to buy a portable processor in terms of ergonomics and lightness. But at this point, I am quite confused... I have 3 devices in mind, Line 6 hx stomp, Mooer GE300 or GE300 Lite and Headrush Gigboard. Which of these tools would you recommend? I want to send it directly to the system (like XLR output) on stage, I don't want to mess with the amp. For this reason, I want both the amp cabin simulations to be good and I want to get quality sounds by using the effects and pedals such as distortion and drive. I also want to use it like "Snapshot". If you had to choose between these three products, which would you choose? and why ? I would be very grateful if you could help me answer. I just discovered you on youtube and your contents are amazing!

[@LeonTodd]

I'd pick the stomp from that list

[@ulasbarantomak]

Thx for your attention 🤘🏼

[@theiranxican7412]

Can't wait to update mine! However I would like to know if I was to switch my LT for the stomp if I'm going to be missing out on some aspects of the update. If anyone has any knowledge of this I much appreciate the response!

[@chebrneck]

So do you prefer Fractal Axe-FX 3 over Line6 Helix as a general overall experience?

[@LeonTodd]

Yes

[@peterharvin2775]

Unlike many, I always found the stock cabs adequate if not stellar. But the new cabs really open things up and now rival the IR's I've used, imo. It's good to see Line 6 listening to its user base and critics. Nice demo. Thanks.

[@pclindholm]

There's that live, open feeling on my FM3 that always sets it apart. How close do you think Helix gets with the new cabs?

[@LeonTodd]

The new cabs are way better than what was in there before, but I'm a lot more at home with the fractal amp modelling.

[@pclindholm]

@@LeonTodd thanks Leon!

[@tincupmike32]

I always thought the fractal stuff was more compressed sounding than the helix. Just my opinion

[@pagl3120]

Do you prefer this over a Axe fx ultra?

[@frankfrank7921]

I'm the first comment again! Yes 3.5 is great. The new cabs sound really good especially compared to the old stock cabs. Nice to see some Earthquaker Devices on board and I welcome the Model T. Good overview Leon on the new release.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah the old cabs did nothing for me so it's nice they've overhauled it.

[@kye903]

I've never seen you make faces like that with a Fractal product...

[@kennbart]

Before running the 3.5 firmware update, make sure to update HX Edit first!

[@LeonTodd]

Yes, I should have mentioned this!

[@kennbart]

@@LeonTodd yeah bro.. I forgot and it bricked my unit. Solvable tho thank God.

[@azaryamanasye3033]

my HX Stomp freeze and wont turn on after failed update. How to fix this ? 😭

[@kennbart]

@@azaryamanasye3033 Best to jump onto the Line6 forums, but this is how I was able to update mine. (Hope you backed up the unit first!!) - disconnect device from computer - download newest HX Edit & HX Downloader - Unininstall both apps completely - Install new version of HX Downloader - Connect device - Install 3.5 update (again) - Reinstall HX Edit This is what I did for my Helix. It may be different for the HX Stomp. But good luck to you either way. Again, check the forums too.

[@azaryamanasye3033]

@@kennbart Thanks, man 👍🏻👍🏻 My HX Stomp already working as usual.

[@mikegoodwin1498]

We have achieveth stanketh

[@FullCircleguitar]

Marigold!

[@Stringprodigy]

Why not use the new cabs? They are IR’s.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah I know. I find it easier to use one of the IR's I made of my personal cabs as I know their ins and outs.

[@Niksounds]

Free placement mic = bruteforce point

[@Bigjunk9999]

Did you do this cold? The look on your face when you first heard the Vitriol was priceless.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah first play through! That's one filthy amp