LINE 6 HELIX VS. HEADRUSH PEDALBOARD. WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?

In this video, we compare and contrast the Headrush Pedalboard with the Line 6 Helix.
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[@DareBear2099]

Been playing with my Line 6 HX Stomp as the brains of my entire rig for two years now and everything you described about the Helix is true man. I use mine in a worship context but yeah, the feel of playing the Helix is great

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

You can lower the threshold of the input gate so your notes don't cut off. I am testing an AX8 and a Helix is getting delivered today. All the units are great and can work for any situation.

[@Bjornsguitarspecials]

Awesome bro! I have the line6 helix too and it’s the best unit I have ever purchased. Love it so much🤘🏼

[@Tognar]

I’ve owned both. HR is for players who want to plug in and play - dial in a great tone within minutes. The UI is really that good and it’s super easy and fast to get a good tone. The Helix is for the player who wants all the parameters, who wants to deep dive on a desktop editor, and who might want to go all in with PowerCab and Variax to unlock some pretty insane features.

[@moroboshidan7960]

I have the same impression, it looks like Headrush emphasized the easy of use, it's practical and most of it is intuitive. Except the noise gate on the input block. Not so flexible on parameters, but I guess 90 perfect of the users won't want to adjust the bias of the amps or how many tenths of an inch the mic is from the speaker.

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

So easy

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

​@moroboshidan7960 those are important

[@Esignam32713]

I’ve been using my buddys helix for a bit and I’m definitely going to buy my own. So so so much easier showing up to gigs, easily getting stereo sound without pissing off the sound guy, and sound check is so so so much easier. And my tone is consistent at every single gig. I found taking a 10 band EQ block and cutting 4K and 2K on it makes the helix sound a million times better instantly too!

[@Mikesosa75]

Thanks for your opinion! helps a lot!

[@chauncysmind]

I had the headrush full pedalboard, although I rocked many shows with it, I never really bonded with it or felt like I was achieving the sound I was after. So ended up going back to tube amp (now have a Revv generator 120) but I got a Helix stomp recently and it's awesome, I was able to get some good modern metal tones and djent vibes out of it. I believe the Headrush is just as good but I didn't know what I was doing at the time (as far as IRs ect). I'm going to try to get Neural DSP quad cortex soon and give it a whirl

[@alessandroamicoprovv]

Honestly, i prefere the Headrush

[@TVoltG]

I had the Headrush. I liked it but damn my Helix and how I use it with real cabs and tube power. It just sings. I also love the REVV Purple and Red channels as my mains. But the other amps just feel better to me. But the Headrush was not so bad. Just different.

[@justinTime077]

The only modeler I could tolerate with real cabs was Fractal stuff. Helix and especially Headrush had all these ear-shattering frequencies in there. EQing that shit doesn’t render what you would have from an amp itself.

[@fabricedufour5325]

Thanks for doing this!

[@bobwalters9151]

Dang Ray getting good at them arpeggios my brother!

[@muzerino]

What pickups are they? They look awesome and sound great! I chose the Helix over the Headrush too. The touchscreen would have been nice but the online support and KZbin videos pushed me toward the LT. I’m so happy with my decision.

[@AndrewStonerock]

I had an eleven rack, which the headrush was based on. i sold it and bought a helix in 2019. im so glad i did. it has helped in my studio work, and live work so much. also, the helix doesnt have as much dsp as the other units. it atill competes.

[@synonyx]

I own both after having just upgraded my HX Stomp to a Helix. Each has its pros/cons. What I love about the Headrush is it's quick and easy to learn and pick up very quickly. Using a headrush FRFR-powered speaker with it made it easy to just dial in an amp/cab add some effects and go! But, I feel my Helix w/ Powercab plus has a big edge in the terms of building more complex signal chains. It has a learning curve though. Not to mention the helix community is HUGE and Line6 supports it well. The HX Edit software is great for tweaking too. Headrush is lacking in that. My recommendation would be that more advanced players that are tech savvy pick up a helix w/powercab and the beginners or home-only players pick up a headrush with a headrush FRFR. I'll probably still be keeping both for now.

[@Rocktalk101]

So I had the Head rush MX5 the first one I got did not work as the touch screen was not working at all so I returned it and had them replace it and the second one I got did not work right as well. So I replaced it with teh Boss GT 1000 and I love it. it would be cool to see you compair the Boss GT 1000 against the Helix and head rush as well as all 3 are the top pedal boards out there right now. Great review though Ray keep the videos coming.

[@thepresidentslab]

I had a headrush and switched over to the helix in October, and I’m so glad I did. They headrush is a great unit, but for myself I found the high gain tones kinda meh, and I don’t feel that way with the helix.

[@rod-abreu]

On Headrush, I think I know what you mean by cutting the sound a lot, but I believe that sort of dynamics is achievable by controlling the input (send) options in a given effect, if we're talking about the same thing. I'm thinking about migrating from Headrush basically because Eleven will never create a controller software for the Unit and will never release an SDK for us at least dig in and create a tool ourselves.

[@dnottis]

I had a Line Helix LT and bought a headrush. You must have the gate set too high in the input of the headrush. Its way more dynamic than the helix and it never gets fizzy. I guess why these videos will always exist and why the buyers will have to play them both to make their own personal choices. I gigged them both, the helix always required tweaking at sound check. The Headrush Ive never had to tweak with the sound guy to make it sound great. I bought an MX5 as a backup to my headrush and after a/b ing back and forth for months finally sold the helix. Demo them both before you buy, they arent cheap and you want to make sure you get the one better for your play style and your ears.

[@gregbowie8002]

Did you plug them straight Into the PA or were you running them through an amp?

[@AbeldeBetancourt]

He wasn't talking about that. You didn't get it. Helix is an exact modeler which isn't giving any hype to its analog counterparts, it just represents the sound the way it is. Headrush (although marketed as a modeler) is actually an emulator. If you like how it sounds, more power to you.

[@kimberlygaeta7205]

@@AbeldeBetancourt wrong.

[@gmmakesmehurl]

@@AbeldeBetancourt He did get it. Youre just mad someone has a different opinion

[@collierpj]

I had the Headrush, it went in for repair (USB carrier board) the customer service was excellent, all done free of charge even though the unit was secondhand and out of warranty, but, they couldn't provide an ETA for the chip set, not their fault but I bought a Helix floor whilst I waited... Once I got the Headrush back I sold it. I agree with your take, the Helix just feels more 'dynamic'.

[@moroboshidan7960]

I wonder if you disabled the noise gate that's always on by default in the Headrush input. BTW, they should revise this.

[@MuckingAboutWithMyHeadrush]

I've got both, I make videos about the Headrush, I love modelling technology, but I'm doing a gig tomorrow and I'm taking a real plexi and a 4x12.

[@formercakid]

Thx for your service.

[@marekgitarzysta5193]

As a Helix owner I'm not gonna argue as far as your conclusion, but maybe Headrush cutting the signal on and off was a bad noise gate setting? Just saying ;)

[@MFKitten]

As long as you have the same impulses and the modelling isn't whack, it's all a matter of what you actually genuinely need. I'll be honest though. I have the Helix LT, but for guitar I'd be 90% happy with the Pod Go. It's actually insanely good.

[@tanchokdewan9020]

Pod go is better with price actually...

[@_The1whoknocks]

The POD go is awesome. You can work around the limited number of blocks with a jailbreak. Thing is killer for the price!

[@loweffortyu-gi-oh7008]

As some who's incredibly meticulous with tone I found the axe 3 to be my best friend. I've spent a tone of time with line 6 products and none with a head rush, I imagine it's similar to line 6 in the sense where it doesn't take long to dial in a nice tone. That being said the axe 3 certainly has massive learning curve.

[@billyturk8117]

I have the pod go, and I've noticed what you said about the headrush with dynamics. I pick pretty hard anyway and play rhythm 99% of the time, so it's not a huge deal. I've also noticed i have to do a pretty severe high cut at gig volumes, or it's pretty shrill in the top end.

[@MistaSnowman28]

Had a Headrush and didn’t bond with it as much as I would have liked. The sound and feel was just ‘off’ to me. I did love the touchscreen which was the best feature of the unit. I have to admit that I’m a bit intimidated by the Helix, Kemper, AxeFX, etc because of a) how pricey the units are and b) how much tweaking one has to do. As an older player, so much tweaking can be overwhelming but I still would like to try a Helix. Hopefully, I will find a modeler I would really like.

[@dryanbuchanan]

I think there’s a part of us that wants to have the “respected” unit in the industry, and it can kind of sway our opinions. The helix is definitely the more respected of the two. I owned both units in the past and actually preferred the hesdrush. It wasn’t by a mile or anything though, and the helix definitely has more options and effects. You should watch al Joseph use the headrush. He records with it and uses it live. He sound incredible!

[@777ZEETAL]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@craigharrison5406]

Agreed. I've listened to many comparison videos and they all bring me to the same conclusion...the Headrush models sound the most like an actual amp with no digital fizzle sound. The Helix definitely has some of that artificial sounding digital fizzle that I don't really like.

[@Jstall7543]

Combined with the Variaxe Shurikn and the Helix! WooHoo! You need to try the SR270 Baritone Shuriken!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey nice video! Also, I believe Line 6 is the only company that phone support. If you have a problem you can reach out to them if you have questions. They know their stuff! They're really good!! Thank you for posting this.

[@joshvanzanten1502]

Im about to get an LT as my all around rig! ive had a few tube amps but sold them off due to me using my pod go more. Line 6 really hits the nail on the head when it comes to Guitar and even Bass tones!

[@smashallpots1428]

ive had a helix for almost a year i exclusively use it plugged into my laptop to control it i legit havent learned the controls on the devices yet

[@Crabfather]

I love the helix. In fairness though, a lot of ppl really like the headrush so it must have something. Never tried one personally. What are those nutso pickups!?

[@Will-sg1qq]

I got the pod go and I couldn’t be happier comein from a tiny 100 dollar line 6 combo from 2010 😂

[@MattGarwood777]

What’s the cool hum bucker in that Les Paul? Great sound but crazy look - I’m intrigued lol 👊🏻🔥

[@jeremiahgentleman8097]

Those are Railhammers, same brand as the shirt he was wearing. They are the most articulate HBs I’ve ever used. I have them in both of my Reverends.

[@aaronhiggs]

@@jeremiahgentleman8097 thank you. I was looking for what brand they were. I love how punchy they are.

[@ikestoddard2458]

I have to replace my studio after massive theft. Could you compare the Helix to a POD GO ? I know the comparison is like comparing a gallon vs a half cup for thirst quenching. But do both do the same amp model the same justice?

[@marekgitarzysta5193]

I upgraded from a POD Go to Helix *** only *** because I got myself a Variax guitar. Tone wise: I can't tell a difference PROVIDED you understand the POD constraints: only 4 freely assignable blocks, limited DSP (40% of Helix power more or less), some DSP hungry effects and synths are missing. For simpler patches though they are identical - no surprise as they both use the same modeling. The same POD go patches sound identical to me as the same Helix patches. People will tell you stories like input impedance is not adjustable on POD, or input dynamics are different etc - I did not notice this in real world. You asked specifically about amps: again this is THE SAME modeling in both units.

[@nipulkradmsinatagras8293]

*Headrush FTW!!!*

[@piotrrubin9713]

OH! What did you make with your arms?

[@jonmicheals621]

All this Amp simulators don't really have that killer amp sound out of the box. BUT... If you play them and tweek them, you can get amazing sounds. This is why my HeadRush Pedal board has replaced my Mesas, Marshalls and Fender amps in the studio. It is because you dont have to go through a ton of menus, you can just drag a pedal off the board or adjust its settings like a real pedal board and that I understand after playing guitar for a very long time, the 80s. And if you are a studio guy and you need to have different sounds quickly this is the way to go. Spend time creating your rigs making them sound great through good studio monitors and when someone says I need a sound like this... you are ready for hire.

[@johnhart79]

What model is your helix, floor , LT or ?

[@southerncross936]

Had a headrush..great rock tones.but the helix wins at high gain. especially with the revv,engl,and the badonk...I was sold

[@52Lio]

I don't wacth the video yet, but i like it!

[@gauravlama2079]

You must try Fractal audio once bro just the fm3 if not axe fx III The dynamic response and touch is so damn good that helix feels bad after you play the fractal unit.

[@777ZEETAL]

Imo, the user friendly interface of the Headrush is landslides better than the Helix whereas the tone of the Helix is only a little better than the Headrush and yet everyone picks the Helix in every KZbin video based on tone that will go unnoticed in every live and recorded setting. These reviews have become hilariously biased. Grow some balls and just say “overall, the Headrush is better.” The ability to change your setting on the fly using only your foot with the Headrush is priceless.

[@andoletube]

Not only that, but he adds ambient effects to the Helix, but plays the Headrush very dry. It's not an apples to apples comparison. He even plays worse when he's playing the Headrush just to illustrate his point. Not that he's much of a player. btw, I own neither of these pedals and have never played them. Just a comment on how this review is presented.

[@bciecko1]

Maybe Im wrong here but im at just after the 5:00 mark and you're mentioning the dynamic response of the two units and hiw the HR nwwds to be hit hard to get something and the Helix just always responds. Im thinking its because there is more dynamic reposnse with the HR to how hard you're actually hitting the strings, like in a more traditional amp-usage scenario. This would make it more dynamic actually. It also seems your genere/style music uses technique variances; sweep pickingz alyernate picking, muting, tapping tonget varied sounds versus a more nuanced approach of picking strike by varying how hard you pick to adjust the sound coming out. I think this is a genre type approach. Watching orher viseoa because I'm trying to delve into this more before I get my first unit, I'm finding many say rhr HR reaponds more to rhe dynmaics if cleaning up rone woth thr vokune knob on your guitar and reaoonss to pick attack more naturally as well. This might be rhr issie youre having wjwre for tour heavier style you need aomwtjing that reponds no matter how you hit it. Hmmm. Gets me thinking.

[@VentureNW]

IMO... Line 6 has to be getting close to putting out something new - Its years older than HR or Boss GT-1000, but its quality. Now I am imagining a Helix with touch... hmm.

[@user-dx1fi8uk4p]

Head rush wins

[@danc3746]

I am a Helix owner and just picked up the HR Prime which has all the same amp models as their prior units, I agree with you 100%, the Helix sounds better. Allot better imo.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

The amp captures is where the Prime shines on tone. While the modeling is solid, the amp captures is what it's about.

[@justinTime077]

Isn’t that bullshit? They release a “new gen” and put the same garbage in? They added tone capture, whoop dee doo. TONEX is better and does it for less. Plenty of others do.

[@Jstall7543]

I Have Both Headrush and Helix. I Prefer the Helix my self! But the Headrush is pretty good!

[@craigharrison5406]

I love my Headrush. When he said the stock tones weren't metal enough for him I laughed because I use exactly zero factory presets. The only presets I use are ones I have made. Once you learn how to dial in the amp sims and use the IR's properly you can get crushing tones with the headrush.

[@knives9487]

which is bigger in dimension helix or headrush pedalboard?

[@xanderraymondcharles]

I think they’re about identical honestly

[@TenzinRigsel007]

Do headrush comes with wifi ?

[@johnhart79]

Never seen pick ups like that Cool

[@doctoribanez]

I have a pod go wich is a little baby helix. Same sounds anyway. Sounds good but I get carried away with tweeking shit instead of just playing guitar.

[@theegg-viator4707]

Sounds about right

[@moroboshidan7960]

That's a problem with these things.

[@spasehorse8524]

Helix Forever

[@moroboshidan7960]

Well, you're experienced with the headrush, so I'm probably talking sh#t here, but since you mentioned cuts.... Did you turn off the gate in the input block? I think that was a bad decision, but every preset has that thing on, and it cuts long notes, it's annoying. I rather hum and buzz.

[@robertlozada2909]

Team Headrush!

[@CasualProductionsGuitar]

Bro! I’ve been looking into the helix lt…any thoughts on that over the full fledged helix?

[@joshvanzanten1502]

really the only difference between the Floor and LT is more ins and outs, and text strips under the pedal buttons to tell you what is what. Otherwise, same amps, cabs, mics, and processing power.

[@CasualProductionsGuitar]

@@joshvanzanten1502 sick man thanks for the feedback

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Took me longer than it should have to find where Headrush was hiding their always-on and very aggressive noise gate. No idea why they made it default.

[@kodywhiting]

still looking where is it lmao seems like I can't get a good tone out of this thing

[@joshuaadams4030]

Double tap on the in at the very beginning of the signal chain and you will find the noise gate options there

[@mrk4510]

I've never watched a video where the head rush sounded better than what it was up against. It's a shame cause it does look easier to use.

[@jac25412]

Headrush is great, but helix is just better sounding imo

[@AJbassist]

get that quad cortex best of both world or better :)

[@cashway0420]

axe fx 3 allday

[@thomasvallee555]

I lost my Helix Floor and couldn't afford a new one so I got the Headrush Core and compared to Helix it just does not hold up. There is latency in the DAW when recording with the core none with Helix. You can only use the headrush ASIO. I have a 20 year old Digitech RP 1000 that has zero latency. The tone of the Helix are far better,

[@metallion0738]

The new Headrush prime blows away the Helix easily.

[@johanjotun1647]

the HeadRush CORE half the price QuadCoretex/FM9/Kemper but looks to do all the same things IDK how Helix is asking the price without a touchscreen of capture amps and peds..... I'm sick over trying to shop these damn things

[@powerfunk6588]

I guess I won't be trying a headrush then. After trying a Helix and not being impressed, I won't bother waisting my time. I've yet to find a modelling rig that feels like a real valve amp.

[@kimberlygaeta7205]

I used Helix for over a year until I tried out the Headrush Pedalboard. Almost immediately sold the Helix and have loved the Headrush ever since... going on 18 months now. Better sound, feel, ease of use, dependability... I'll never go back to Helix.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Do you think the Headrush excels more at less than high gain stuff, and the Helix better at high gain stuff. Line 6 stuff for me leans brigh and more mid high kinda like Soldanos do, and Headrush stuff tends to lean lean more low mid like Bogner stuff does. Any truth to my take on this?

[@kimberlygaeta7205]

@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide I can't understand what you're saying. Repeat it in english, please.

[@dizzyastr989]

I've owned the Headrush about two years now, used it for live and studio. I've been lucky enough to be able to play two different buddies' Helix as well. I think the Helix has badass options for metal, especially since they offer more of what the "modern" metal player is after. Like Maxon pedals, Horizon Devices, Bogner and Diezel amps, etc. But the Headrush just always does it for me. Both units offer a TON of diversity, don't get me wrong, and I may be in the minority here, but I will NEVER part from my Headrush! One day there will just be "THE UNIT", lol, which is the only thing that every guitar player uses, that has every possible piece of gear you could ever imagine!

[@MrFirerobb]

Does it plug into any amplifier? Or does it need a special speaker?

[@dizzyastr989]

@@MrFirerobb it has the ability to go into any amp, but to get the best sound and expanded use out of these units you'll definitely need a good powered, flat frequency speaker.

[@NathanSidF]

Team Quad Cortex here! 😂

[@aaronhiggs]

Team Valeton Gp-100 in the house!!

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

Not impressed by either one honestly. I understand the convenience, but I will stick to my OR15 and 4x12.

[@joshvanzanten1502]

i mean to combat that for me, i like running my unit into a power amp into a 4x12. Real big sound. But hey if an amp an cab is what works for you, then i support that.

[@moroboshidan7960]

It's about flexibility, man. If all you need is your amp and a cab, yeah, of course the real deal is better than any emulation. But if you aren't rich to the point of having all the main amps and cabs and pedals and pro mikes and a great audio interface, a multifx with amp/cab/ir/audio interface is a nice tool.

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

@@moroboshidan7960 - It’s not about being rich enough to afford the gear. I was able to trade-up to get my amp, 4x12, and most of my pedals. It’s used stuff and it sounds good. You don’t need to spend a fortune. The amp sim stuff can be pretty expensive, too. Just saying.

[@jorgea.9988]

Helix.

[@barryjones690]

greyling

[@666sade]

It doesnt help at all :( of course its a very important point how "organic" it feels, but its only an opinion. I really hope to watch a more deep comparasion :/

[@hybrydsanity5857]

I don't hear the difference it seems all subjective

[@jeanjoelkapula5681]

Why does every reviewer always go straight to heavy distorted sounds

[@Turbo-D]

smoke weed all day ray!

[@majuilyacob6842]

I dont prefere anything,

[@mauricerichard3371]

You play guitar too much versus providing factual data of the products you are commenting. Your an awesome player but that not the goal of the video.