LINE 6 HELIX VS FRACTAL FM3 | RESULTS REVEALED | Just How Good IS The Line 6 Helix?

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In this video, I reveal the results of my Helix vs. Fractal FM3 from a few days ago along with giving some further audio examples. I also give my thoughts on comments, opinions and the modelers themselves. I really hope you enjoyed this look at these 2 amazing modelers. Stay tuned for some more similar videos in the near future.
Original Blind Test Video: • LINE 6 HELIX VS FRACTA...
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Igor Stolarsky Video: • Your Ears Are Lying Ab...
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[@Schlumpf.Meister]

Jason, don’t get fed up by these negative comments, you are doing good things, you are doing it well, and you provide me with a lot of solutions.

[@Sabbath877]

Both sounded amazing and either would be a solid choice. I've gone with helix because I'm old and its super easy to use and has a great interface.

[@the_average_guitarist_]

I'm very happy with these results and that I was wrong because I tought that more organic tone must become from Fractal. So I voted for tone A as a Fractal. My choice based on well-worn opinions about thoes two units and now I see that they not necessarily are truth. This is great for me as Helix user.

[@bones2532]

Thanks Jason! That lesson in psychology of aural reception was way more interesting to me than the comparison of the amp models. 'Confirmation bias' as you called it, has such a huge influence on one's opinion and belief, that's what this comparison really showed me once again. I really hope, I can keep this in mind when I listen to some new gear and I'm pretty much convinced, that it sounds so much better than my own stuff (no matter if it''s the instrument, fx-unit or some other kind of equipment) and I think "Yeah, I really need this". So many times I made the experience - when having bought some new piece of gear - that the old stuff I had wasn't that bad at all in direct comparison and the new one didn't bring me so much improvement. Bottom line: Everything works fine for you, as long as It gets the job done properly. And that's exactly what both units do in their own way.

[@feedbackbro]

As a Helix owner, I've always had the sense that the Helix is slightly inferior (at least tonally) to the Fractal and Kemper - in part because it's less expensive and also by reputation. However, I've seen a few of these blind comparison videos and I'm always surprised that I rated the Helix at the top each time. In this test....yeah, the Helix had a little more oomph in the bottom end and was a little brighter/detailed in this comparison....both of which I liked. But otherwise...they're both so close. Personally, at this point, I'm more interested in how the features of these units make them easier to use or better in some way when comparing them in a performance situation.

[@sainvol]

agreed. I assumed that the first one was Fractal due to punch and clarity. The second one was more familiar and I use the Helix. Pleasantly surprised to find out that Helix holds it's own with regard to quality. Also agree with Jason that it is a great time in guitar tech history.

[@hanshol5399]

the same..only for me that is rhe fractal

[@hanshol5399]

more mids in the fractal..my opinion

[@johnnytwo-shoes9798]

I'm half way through this video... You're very thorough. A good blind test sorta thing might also be to run the FAS amp modelling through HX stock cabs and HX amp modelling through FAS stock cabs, just for shits and giggles.. and curiousity, and a blind test on that might quash some myths or verify them.

[@pauljsmith2113]

When I started looking at digital modelers, I found myself actually leaning towards the Headrush unit. It was a price point thing, as they all sounded pretty good to me. Then, Billy Sheehan noted that the fine folks at Line 6 had modeled the Pearce BC-1 preamp, my all-time favorite bass sound. As my Pearce unit had perished in a basement flood several years ago, this made the choice simple for me; Helix. As a bass player, I just want usable guitar tones. With help from your videos, I get that and more. Yes, I have user bias. But, that doesn't preclude me from enjoying these videos anyway. If nothing else, they serve to confirm my initial impressions about all of the modelers and profilers sounding pretty darn good. All are excellent tools. However, only the Helix has the Pearce BC-1. That sold it for me.

[@DragonBiscuit]

I was spot on with my choices - I don’t want to say guesses because I have repeatedly been able to tell the difference between my Helix and Axe FX II/III. To me, the Helix does something to the top end that distinguishes it from the Fractal. Hard to describe in words, but I’d say it sounds “fizzy” to my ear. It’s something I have to address when creating presets on the Helix. Cool Vids - I love to geek out on this stuff :) Also - very cool that you address confirmation bias (I’m a clinical psychologist and witness people disregard this all the time)

[@profd65]

Why do you own and use the Helix when you obviously dislike it? Before you bought it, weren't your amazing ears able to detect how horribly flawed the Helix was and how utterly superior the Fractal was?

[@picksalot1]

Thanks Jason, I really enjoyed this, and all your videos. I appreciate your attention to detail and approach in showing how the tests and the results were arrived at. I particularly liked the "Match EQ" plug-in. I think that would be the easiest solution for end users to get a near perfect tonal match using their own personal gear, instead of having to try and "dial it in manually." I'd like to see something like that included in Modelers and/or their desktop software. It's clear that a number of Modelers have proven they can do a great job in recreating the amp tones and effects so closely that the differences are insignificant.

[@paulu2taylor]

Hey Jason, great video and results turned out very close. I believe you've hit the nail on the head once volumes are matched and some eq applied both units are just amazing. To have all this at our finger tips, has to make this the best time to play guitar. Keep up the good work.. one love✌️

[@paulu2taylor]

Ps I struggled to choose which was what and liked both tones tbh

[@johngentertainment1141]

Have you done any comparisons lately since Fractal Audio has released several updated firmwares since this video was done almost 1 1/2 years ago. Just curious and thank you!!!

[@RyanChansler]

I listened through my in ears and I liked A better. It sounded like it had more body or depth. I don't really get caught up in which unit sounds the best, but I do enjoy seeing the plethora of modelers that are out. Lots of awesome choices! Regarding testing new tones, I find the best way for me to see if a new modeler, amp, or amp model makes the cut is to audition it with my band at gigging volume. At least for my live tones anyways.

[@petedean4705]

Really great video Jason! It is truly amazing how far digital modelling has come. I think you hit the nail on the head when you say you can get useable tones out of either of these modellers. I bought the Helix a few years back and have not regretted it at all, but one always wonders whether there was a "better" option (should I have bought an Axe or Fractal - buyers remorse?). In the end this just confirms, they are all good. It really comes down to which one has the features, functions and price point that fits what you are looking for. Thanks again for putting together these terrific videos Jason! Love your channel!!

[@softwareengineer8711]

I said both tones are muddy was not a dig at you, just said my view of those tones. I think it was the IR as both sounded equally muffled in the low end. I am surprised to find out that B was the fractal, had a bit more clarity to my ear, I'm sure Helix could be tweaked to sound as clear or even better. Very insightful info on Igor's channel. Cheers

[@jshoenfe]

Amazing video, thank you for taking the time on this.

[@alvarofelipe_sepu]

Excelent video Jason, as usual 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. I prefer Helix with OH or York Audio IRs, but you just has showed us how good stock cabs can sound. Cheers!

[@BlackWolfTribe]

One thing that kind of stood out to me was the Helix sounds like it’s in your face. I chose A correctly, the helix really sounds like your hearing it directly from a Mic rather than hearing it from a recording which what the Fractal sounded like. Nothing against Fractal because both sounded amazing, I just think Helix does the mic’ing the amp better than most modelers.

[@kennywiegman]

Check your video @ 29:04 I’m seeing an orb. Maybe I’ve been watching too much travel channel but I’m seeing a ghost up by the door headed down to the floor. Great video, the ghost enhances the experience

[@johns2969]

I chose A as Helix B as Fractal. As I said in the last video. I've owned the Helix for 4 years and I know what it sounds like. I'm not bragging that i got it right. I know the sound of the helix. And It always bothered me that it sounded a little flat. I believe that when you use IRs with the helix you have to turn the volume down and turn the IR volume up or you get a flat sound. This doesn't happen with the stock cabs . The reason I prefer IRs is I can Choose from a huge library of cabs. So I experimented and found this quirk. I turn the volume down to 2.4 then compensate by turning the volume up in the IR. Again this doesn't happen with the stock cabs. The stock Cabs sound the same regardless of volume settings. I preferred B in the last video only because I could hear that quirk in the IR with the helix. When you added the stock cab in this video its sounded better to my ears. As always you rock and are so generous with your knowledge :)

[@Stratman5150]

Fun video! I chose A but wasn't sure which one it was. It just seemed a tad bit brighter, in a good way, to my ears.

[@88grinder]

Fantastic video, Jason. Lots of great points all around.

[@faeteedah]

Thanks for all your amazing videos Jason!

[@andrewschatz3259]

There is also something I will call "the Golden Ears" bias- Critical comments for one product or the other to display how a persons amazing ability to hear aspects of a tone (which may or may not be there) that only dogs could hear. This makes them superior to the average person and therefore the authority on what "good" tone is. I used to fool clients in the recording studio who claimed that a particular mic was "terrible" sounding, then put up another mic as a dummy, and play back the track using the original mic. 8 times out of 10 the client would say the 2nd mike was much better sounding. Yikes!

[@LivinginLosAngeles-re5yx]

Everything today sounds good.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

I love my Helix and if I had a Fractal I'd love that too.

[@foxmeisteruk]

“Yeah, but if Leon Todd had dialled these in, you would see that the FM3 totally owns the Helix!” “Yeah, but, you’ve only had the FM3 for a few days/weeks, but you’ve been using Helix for like a million years!” Simple facts are there are great products out there from a multitude of companies and everyone is correct when they say their modeller of choice is the best, because it is purely subjective - if there was any objectivity here, there would be no discussion!

[@bjarnedahlberg5361]

No Leon couldnt make it sounds better there is countless of tests on the internet that proves that the ampmodelling on both units is pretty similar Only fanboys can't accepty that fact!! But Fractal has better reverbs thats for sure and high resolution IR's Helix can only handle 1024 2048 16 bit's IR's.

[@foxmeisteruk]

@@bjarnedahlberg5361 Sigh... never mind. ;)

[@jestre700]

Well done. You hit the important issues that have been known for years but folks who'd rather voice an opinion than actually learn something ignore. Volume matching, double blind testing, confirmation bias, etc. And the basic understanding that human perception is so fallible for so many reasons. Add to that the modern trend of replacing "I prefer x to y" with "X DESTROYS Y!" and you get... well, typical KZbin posts and comments. ;-)

[@crownironman]

Home Depot wants to use this lick for their next commercial

[@JasonSadites]

I sure hope so 🤣

[@brownhueman7468]

That hit different! 😂

[@brownhueman7468]

Whew I’m still laughing 😂! That was funny!!😂😂

[@sainvol]

Sam Elliot is doing the voice over, I heard.

[@RadMedia402]

8:15 Jason hates Line Sex! But seriously, I appreciate your honest reviews. I have both units (well an AxeIII) and straight out of the box Fractal wins. Tweaked, they are both damn close.

[@profd65]

Fractal users always have to twist the facts (whatever they may be) so that Fractal ends up being the winner.

[@mk2445]

Awesome video..I would prefer the title not as VS instead. The IRs is the one that makes the difference. I have tested Fractal and Helix with a custom IR, they sound great on both.

[@HotRats73]

I really enjoyed this video. Great work and thoughts

[@dannyharris6067]

Jason you're doing a great job, haters are going to hate. and you're right the stock cabs do sound great if you set them up right. I honestly wonder sometimes if people have forgotten what a good guitar sound is.

[@sumithramachandranwatchyou5045]

Super demo Jason 👍👍🎸🎸🎼

[@philippehellouin63]

So it's like with computers, the issue often come from 16 inches in front of the machine.

[@sainvol]

just between the keyboard and the chair somewhere..

[@BarBasov]

Thank you for your work.)

[@JonnyLeeguitarist]

Nicely done brother . Blind test for the win .

[@tonepilot]

So I guessed correctly. May not have mentioned it but I genuinely preferred B. No confirmation bias as I didn’t know which one was which for sure. I do have an FM3 and have played the Helix so I did have an idea of the capabilities of each. In case it matters, I listened through large FRFR speakers.

[@profd65]

This doesn't change the results of the test. Sorry.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Yei. Got it right. And I said I prefer B over A, although I'm a Helix user. Not ganna let my love for Helix plague my judgement. Let's do the cab comparison next. Maybe load up an amp sim and go back and forth between the Helix cab and Axe cab? If possible. It was a fun test non the less.

[@andrewrwhitfield]

Enjoy all your videos. Agree 100%

[@scottpeters4401]

I think EVH was the ultimate example of taking “cheaper”equipment and getting phenomenal tones from it.....he played mostly a guitar that was built from pieces parts,and Jerry rigged pickups and an old beat up Plexi.......pick something and play it and don’t worry if something else is “better”.....we have an incredible amount of choices......you can get a great tone out of both these units..

[@wariedl12]

So much truth in what you say. Great vid.

[@constantine412]

Excellent video

[@El_Maycol]

Could the issue of the Helix stock cabs "not sounding good" being based on the fact that you're using two cabs to sound as good as the IR? how much DSP are two cabs using compared to one third party IR?, I'm just trying to find the logic behind that comment... as an HX Stomp user I'm quite happy with stock cabs and having the ability to throw some other IRs to spice things up is just another way to get a good tone out of it.

[@somebodyelseuk]

You're dealing with 'KZbin Mom's Basement Players'. Back in the real world, we're asking, "Which one is easiest to learn? Which one takes longest to setup at a gig? Which is least likely to be still working after five years of gigging?" If you can't get identical tones out of this level of equipment, the problem isn't with the gear.

[@bobbypols1096]

I was right. The Helix was A. The way I differentiated was the note seperation with chords was a little better with The fractal. Line 6 tends to be a little more fuzzy (I can't tell on single notes). What you prefer is all on opinion. If anyone can offer advice on how to get better note seperation with distortion on the Helix, please give me some hints.

[@steveg.9556]

Love your videos. 👍

[@kenthhamner2641]

Well since of both modelers you can install IRs i don't see any issues with test. I chose B as a preference but didn't listen with headphones either so there's that. I have the Helix LT and its pretty darned easy to use and at the time was the lowest price high end modeler available. And coming from Engineering the term "better" is a poor choice because its undefined and means different things to different people.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

So what does audio engineering mean to you then?

[@adrianscarlett]

I went for the helix purely for variax compatibility. I used to have a digitech gsp1101, it took me ages to get a sound on the helix that came close to the jcm800 on the digitech.

[@chrisnaishguitar]

Here's a shocker - I preferred Tone B because I thought I detected an extra little bit of note definition compared to A...but based on having owned both units within the last 5 years, I thought Tone B was the Helix! LOL...You just never know...

[@adrianscarlett]

I think using an IR is essential in these tests. Doesn't matter which one, as long as it's the same on both rigs. Might be worth comparing each modeller with each the major settings with low, mid and high values, not looking for a good sound, but just to get a baseline of how it responds

[@eddiecarrizales]

Man tbh all three sounded identical to me while listening on my custom in ear monitors (dual driver). 🤷🏽‍♂️ play what you like.

[@MrCgar18]

you can believe me or not but I usually pick out what the helix is in video comparisons even before I hear the unit they are comparing it to.There is a certain sound that imo I hear in the helix when compared to amps and other modelers.Its something that has to be adjusted but imo once again the helix isnt as airy as the other modelers or amps it was compared to in this video and others.Not that it cant be but it needs a bit of adjustment to get that more airy sound. THe helix kind of slightly chokes out.Once again Jason thanks for the great videos!!!!!!!!

[@Cymbaline713]

My ears like the Helix with stock cabs best.

[@teopetran237]

Haters be hating, Jay be making more of this videos :)

[@MikeC-cm7pc]

Fantastic Jason as always your content is always top notch, for the Guy that said your team helix lol maybe it should be team Helix Jason versus team Fractal with Leon Todd lol both you guys are awesome and professionals so like you i laugh at these comments, and your so right both Helix and Fractal are awesome Units not one better than the other sound different? yes better? no all about preference

[@adammanwill7834]

I couldn’t really tell much of a difference in the blind test. 😂 that being said I love my AXE FX III, but the other guitar player in my band has a Helix and both units are AMAZING. 😊 it’s a great time to be a guitar player, so many great options.

[@bjarnedahlberg5361]

I guessed wrong (as i always do) But i was right about the setting on the precence when heard that one was being more in your face and the other a little more back. And the precence on the Helix was set at 7 and on Fractal at 4 I dont know if it will make it sounds more "closer" if you set the precence on fractal a little higher? But still one sounded like it was more in your face (That was the Helix) than the other.

[@Abelvilleify]

After years of playing the Helix i know my tones.

[@burtosu86guitar]

Great vid and perspective. As i allways say: 99% of us are listening with our eyes. In a blind test ppl get confused. My 15k Nissan is eating lambos and other supercars, same thing when i tested an ampero, the slo was wey better then line6 and fm3, but its a 350 dollar pedalboard, wtf

[@KimStenberg1975]

The BE model in the Fractal is based on the old Marsha model. It’s darker and more bass heavy. The BE V1/V2 model would be the more «correct» current Friedman model. Just fyi.

[@celticbattlepants]

I found the preference result interesting. 10% is quite a big difference. I would suspect selection bias is playing a role in that. As you are so well known for your helix content, you are more likely to have viewers who are used to listening to helix tones. This may mean there is a preference for those times and they have picked it out as their favourite due to familiarity. The only way to rule this out is to have a truly random sample. Might be overkill for a music channel though! Fun series this one.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Not me. I did get the answer right. A helix and B Fractal, but I did write that I preferred B, Fractal,knowing that A was the Helix even though I'm a Helix user and I like it. Not everybody falls victim to confirmation bias and preferences. Well, fun test non the less.

[@celticbattlepants]

@@Eric-dd8bk there is a difference between bias and prediction.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

@@celticbattlepants Nope. I know how the Helix sounds. And I kinna know how Axe FX sounds. So I made a judgement based on that knowledge. Even though I do like the Helix and I would really like to prefer the Helix over Axe as a Helix user myself. Not all Helix users are biased, that's what I wanted to say.

[@celticbattlepants]

@@Eric-dd8bk My comment was not a prediction of the individual respondents choices, so please stop telling me what your choice was; If I understand your point, your are actually illustrating the phenomenon I described. I was trying to provide some input on the overall results, there is a big difference between the preference result; the 'selection' is because Jason has not got a truly random sample. Do you understand that point?

[@profd65]

100% chance you're a Fractal user.

[@mastermachetier5594]

I hated his so much I watched till the end and gave it a like

[@r.llynch4124]

Line 6 always as this fizzy thing going on which I cant stand and Fractal just sounds great to my ears and I have played both still have fm3. Just my op

[@lukather1]

Hi fractal user for 11 years ! Yes but you can dial it out or in ! Now on helix rack from fM3 😎🎸❤️

[@bobbypols1096]

@@lukather1 if you don't mind, how do you dial out that "fizziness"?

[@jimmcdougall9973]

You were cheating because you’re a guitarist 🤣😂🤣😂 Seriously, great channel, great guitar playing. Thank you. I own a HX Stomp and a Kemper. All these units have their strengths, and all sound great. As new to the Stomp, I must say, it’s a lot of fun. I would love to take it back to 1980...

[@JimsMusicJourney]

Yay I guessed right. Did I win a prize? Lol. Cool video.

[@dan_perry]

My 2 cents....all these modelers are just tools, like a hammer. Any hammer can drive a nail. Some hammers may have some extra functions like pulling the nail out or may have a more comfortable grip. In the end it falls back on the user and their skill and preference to get the work done.

[@davidforbes72]

That is how I see it too. You can get great results from all the top brands. Jason's message is just when comparing, then apples with apples by respecting certain parameters like level, etc.

[@jamesglacken6170]

Im a helix man through n through

[@patrickmoore3672]

The FM3 more comparable to the Stomp. More expensive than the Stomp, but the FM3 is to the AXE FX III as the Stomp is to the Helix.

[@profd65]

The Stomp sounds the same as the Helix.

[@normt6226]

I own both...And i'll tell you...I can make the Helix sounds great and make the FM3 sounds bad...and i can also make the FM3 sound great and the Helix sounds bad...So basically it is up to you to make either unit sound great...Nowaday...any modelers sound great...If you know how to tweak it...which may take some time...

[@Donfleebie1]

In a month, the Quad Cortex will be the best, hands down.😜.

[@joeysixstring2442]

This comment did not age well

[@MrCgar18]

Im not gonna apologize for what I wrote but Im sorry im angry,and its because you are always trying to help the guitar community and someone is always trying to shit on it for no reason,thumbs down for what explain yourself trolls!!! You have great instructional videos and you never ever made it sound like your word is law you guided us and showed us what is what and why and you came off with now you try it adn I hope you will succeed its what a good instructor would do,thanks again.P.S. no trolls I dont want to get a room with him!!!

[@Steve-qn8gn]

Yeah, sounds like you ignore them all right…lol

[@steverushforth7009]

1st, good vid as per.

[@geoffpeters5802]

whole video a response to comments? i dont wanna find out

[@eman7422]

Not good