Which Line 6 Helix (or the Pod Go) is right for you?

[@nelsonrivera6575]

Thanks Chad for that easy to understand video ,i myself a total beguinner and i only play at home (my studio)so no gigs for me just for my entertainment ,but i would like to explore so the Pod Go sounds fantastic to me ,thanks again for that great beguinner friendly explanation ,Subd,

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Truth be told I’d be wayyyy more into the pod go but, I got an hx stomp like a month or two after it came out. If I’d have waited then I would probably still be waiting for the “right one” but, the hx stomp has taught me a lot about more complex routing options and expanded pedalboards so it now feels like the right choice after a few months of second guessing because the shiny new thing is out.

[@gabbagabba321]

Thanks for this Chad, I’m considering a pod go for home and then dipping a toe into getting a cover band together. BTW you deserve more subs. Your reviews are really great, easy to understand, informative and even at 22mins this stays interesting. Cheers. Stay safe.

[@jenaviveh6973]

Great video to help those who aren’t sure which Line 6 product is best for them! Thanks Chad!!🤘🤘🎶

[@ShineDawg]

New sub, I really like this format and your video. Very clear audio, wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@micwalt]

Nice overview. I have the Stomp and Pod Go, and I really prefer the Go. I'm an all-in-one kinda guy, and it really fits the bill.

[@johnong2655]

have you ever ran out of DSP on the Go?

[@pratyulmusic]

Hi can Pod Go do parallel signal with external pedals ?

[@micwalt]

@@johnong2655 Not yet.

[@micwalt]

@@pratyulmusic Not really, but you can put external pedals in the loop.

[@Sauce1919]

Great video brother! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@ritupabankotoky]

Nice presentation.

[@GearStuffandThings]

Excellent video!

[@markcastrillon7539]

Nice job man. New to your channel. Just bought the JT-59. Very informative and thoroughly explained for some of us tech dummies!! 👍🏾

[@KyleWalz]

I just wish some of these were smaller in chassis size. I use and RK5 for tone, size, and function.

[@ChadHuskey]

I had a Flyrig 5 and liked it a lot. I ended up selling it once I got the HX Stomp, but I really loved the form factor. I'm a big fan of the Flyrig series of pedals. I did find I missed the extra control and presets of the digital units, but man that thing was light and compact. Kind of hated to sell it, but I wasn't using it and thought it would be better to sell it to someone who was going to use it.

[@paulsturgill8848]

My LT arrives on the 25th! Super excited!

[@jorgeguevara.21]

Congrats dude 🤘🏽

[@jorgeguevara.21]

I got a pod go

[@paulsturgill8848]

@@jorgeguevara.21 I have the POD HD500X right now and was thinking about the POD GO but xhanged my mind just before placing the order.

[@justinTime077]

The Helix LT is dope dope DOPE compared to the Pod Go. If you have the money to decide, go with the LT!! Save for it if you must. The extra DSP is so nice. I swear it sounds better too. I tried both, I could be wrong, but I got such better results with the LT all around.

[@paulsturgill8848]

@@justinTime077 I snagged it, along with a James Tyler Variax!

[@JohnNugroho]

i gotta say, HX Stomp is great. i got it recently right when the update firmware 3.01 already out, so i instantly update after purchasing the unit. I brought along with it a "cheap" meloaudio midi commander 10 footswitches + meloaudio expression pedal. they work great and seamless plug and play immediately.

[@pratyulmusic]

Does that increase footswitches to 10 ?

[@JohnNugroho]

@@pratyulmusic 8 effectively can be used to be assigned as patches, the other 2 are for scroll up and down. The way i use it, i use 8 midi commander switch to control patch, and i use 3 switches on the hx stomp itself for 3 diff snapshots for each patch.

[@dolfan058]

Appreciate this video! I started with a Pod Go Wireless that I got for Christmas, added a Powercab 112 Plus, and am now getting a Shuriken Variax. It sure feels like a Helix Floor is in my future so I can hook all this up via the Variax + L6 Cables! Question - For someone who won't record, will only gig occasionally, and will use the Helix as their all-in-one (the goal is to use Variax+Helix+PowerCab fir everything), is there any major benefit to the Helix Floor over the Helix LT? I'm leaning Floor admittedly because of the Scribble Strips, but I'm struggling to justify spending an extra $500 for "just scribble strips". Hopefully there are more non-recording differentiators between Floor and LT to justify paying up.

[@ChadHuskey]

Sounds like you're on your way to a great rig ;) To me the Helix is worth the extra $500, but it comes down to your needs. The main things you get are: Scribble Strips (I'm totally hooked on these to be fair) The ability to have 10 button stomp mode (only 8 on the LT) Four FX loops instead of 2. Surprisingly I've managed to use all 4 at certain times. And a mic pre. I've used the Helix to do guitar and vocals at the same time, as well as record the mic audio for my KZbin videos through the Helix as well. If you don't think those things will be that useful to you then certainly the LT is a killer deal. I don't think you'll go wrong with either choice :)

[@dolfan058]

@@ChadHuskey thank you so much for the detailed response! Given I won’t be using vocals, the mic input is lost on me, I think I’ve whittled down the “meaningful upgrades to me” to the following: - Scribble Strips vs no strips - 10 stomp switches vs 8 stomp switches - Aluminum Construction vs Bent Steel - Headphones volume knob vs no knob - Pedal Edit on the fly vs Pedal Edit in Performance View only (I don't see when I'd edit pedals on the fly, as I expect to have everything planned out well in advance with snapshots, etc, but worth calling out nonetheless) I still think I’m leaning Floor, but want to make sure I’ve got a complete picture so I don’t end up with buyer’s remorse because I neglected to consider something. Thanks again for all the help!

[@ShineDawg]

I'm about to get another line 6 product! I have the stomp XL and love it. I was gonna use it on a board, but its now a small stand alone. Now for your advice. I was gonna purchase a Helix or a Helix LT. Price difference isn't a issue, which one would you go with, or would you get a POD Go? Prob. last multi effects/modeler for a while, I want that Power Plus cab you got in the background next! Plus or not? Stereo would be cool in the future, is it possible with one of each, Reg cab and a cab Plus? Thanks for your time and channel. I have prob. watched this video 10 times, LOL. Al l the best

[@ChadHuskey]

Glad you like the videos! If price isn't a factor I get the Helix Floor all day every day. The ONLY reservation would be some might find a unit that size a little big/heavy. Otherwise it's my absolute first choice. And if this is the last one you're going to buy for a while I'd go for the most you can get. I love the Pod Go for what it is. It is much smaller and lighter, but has a lot of flexibility due to the footswitch layout. And while patches are simpler, you still get Helix level tones out of it. But you just get a lot more of everything with the Helix. The Powercab I have is the stereo version. I think if you know you want stereo that's a great way to go. I've seen people chain to singles together, but I haven't tried that, so I don't the particulars about how to best hook that up. Or if both need to be the plus models. At the end of the day a Helix and Powercab make for a pretty great rig!

[@mstclair]

is the screen big enough on a Pod Go to compensate for no scribble strips (I assume you can put the same customizable labels in the squares on the screen)?

[@defacedmusic]

Might he a dumb question but I know the helix LT can be used for guitar and bass patches too, is the Pod GO good for both guitar and bass patches too?

[@ChadHuskey]

Not a dumb question, yes the pod go is good for bass as well. It has the bass amp models from helix 👍

[@defacedmusic]

@@ChadHuskey cheers man!

[@olivierrossi5295]

perfect video, as every time ! Variax guitar => Helix or Helix LT Helix LT is perfect for saving some money, all the Helix except the little screen i think ? why use for Native when we own a Helix ? thank you

[@ChadHuskey]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you like the videos!! For sure to use the VDI input with Variax you need LT or Helix Floor. I would have a HARD time adjusting to not having that as it is such an integral part of my live rig. Of course it could be done, but once you have the luxury it's hard to go back ;) LT is a great middle ground for sure. The main differences between the LT and Floor are: 4 FX loops vs 2 Mic input/pre Scribble strips above every footswitch Option to have 10 stomp footwitches in stomp mode vs 8 on the LT I think that's everything off the top of my head. I use Native mainly for recording and re-amping. I like recording a dry guitar signal along with the processed signal so I can go back and tweak the tone, or completely change the tone, with Native. Plus since it's a plug in you can use it on all types of tracks such as vocals, drums, keyboard, etc. It's a very powerful plug in.

[@olivierrossi5295]

@@ChadHuskey thank you Chad !

[@BCThunderthud]

It's a bummer that they only include the Variax port on the top-of-line stuff, I really can't justify a Helix but I'm discouraged from buying any of the other products since having that power and preset management would be so nice.

[@ChadHuskey]

It's a trade off for sure. If Pod Go had VDI input it would be an awesome thing! It's less convenient, but I wouldn't let it keep you away from Pod Go. You could also look for a used Helix LT. I don't know what they are going for now, but that would be the cheapest way to get into the Helix realm with VDI.

[@JonnyLeeguitarist]

great stuff brother

[@ChadHuskey]

Thanks brother!

[@AzraelXBlacklegion]

Can i use line 6 pod go like audio interface? Or just have a helix?

[@ChadHuskey]

Yes you can.

[@rsvette123]

Chad I believe you can use Podgo to send midi to your daw to change functions - at least thats what the manual said - that said changing snapshots in helix native is not easy - thanks

[@ChadHuskey]

If I'm not mistaken the pod go only receives midi over usb, it doesn't send it. That's the way pages 38 and 39 of the manual read to me. And I didn't see a way to set this up on pod go when I tried it. I'm I'm wrong please let me know. That would be a cool feature 👍 One funny thing I did find at the bottom of page 39 of the manual that I didn't see before, it says midi cc 128 does the following: "Takes that curiously strong mint tin you insist on keeping on your pedal board and fills it with fermented Baltic herring" 😂

[@rsvette123]

Ah crap Chad well thats not good between helix native being a real pia to change snapshots and now this come on line6 your killing me lol even Bias can change things on the fly with a basic midi board - also what good is only receive not sure what good that would be - sorry for rant

[@rsvette123]

Ah Chad see page 34 Pod Go uses for both receiving and sending midi communications via usb - I think it does work - so confused lol

[@ChadHuskey]

To be honest I haven't really used MIDI a lot with Helix Native. Mostly just using Native on tracks for re-amping. I don't think I've ever used snapshots in Native, only on my Helix. So I'm FAR from an expert on how that is setup. Hate to hear it's a PIA. I need to mess around with it sometime and see how it goes... No worries about the rant, very mild as rants go ;) From what I read on page 34 it can send a program change message when recalling presets. Looks like it's a fixed PC value per preset and the chart is on page 38. Not sure how useful that would be in terms of controlling Native. I just think the Pod Go was designed to be very simple to use and straightforward so they didn't do much with the MIDI aspect of it. The Stomp has much more robust MIDI functionality. Just fewer physical switches. I know it's a big jump in price, size, complexity, etc, but the Helix Floor/LT are super flexible as MIDI controllers. Also the new command center functions after firmware 2.90 is pretty awesome for onboard controls.

[@rsvette123]

Thank you Buddy - Ill keep you posted but doesnt seem like you would use it much - thanks for your time

[@Apuat]

Does the Pod Go have the ability to save Variax guitar custom presets as well as FX like the Helix?

[@ChadHuskey]

It does not since it doesn't have the VDI connector on it.

[@jakeyboy2929]

If you can’t use parallel paths on ‘Go’ then how do you go dialling in reverb mix or fuzz mix with a bass guitar etc?

[@JoshyyJay]

What do you think about the Hughes kettner floor

[@ChadHuskey]

I wasn't aware of it until you asked. Looked at it on their website and it looks pretty cool. Seems to be focused primarily on getting good basic amp tones from the 4 different channels. It does say it has fx, but isn't very specific on the product page about them. Also has a built in power amp. I think this is a bit different of a product than helix. Helix is designed to model different amps and effects and has SO many features in terms of signal chain, snapshots, routing, etc. And more models are added every firmware. The h&k seems more geared to classic tube sounds with fx as an added feature. Plus it has a power amp built in. I think they both have a place in the market and just slightly different target audiences. I obviously haven't heard any tones from the h&k having just found out about, but I'm sure it sounds great. That's the cool thing right now. Everybody's gear sounds good. A great time to be a guitar player! Mainly comes down to what features you are looking for IMO

[@markgardiner1767]

Is the POD HD 500 Ideal for a Variax ? (I'm new to ALL this ). Thanks Chad.

[@ChadHuskey]

The HD500 is good for the Variax. It's not as advanced as helix, and won't receive any future updates, but it's still a good unit for the money.

[@EnmandsBand1]

don't get the HD 500, you will NOT be happy with the overdriven sounds of it - I sold mine after a week!

[@ChadHuskey]

@@EnmandsBand1 I had a HD500 for years and loved it. Wasn't the easiest unit to dial in good tones for, unlike the helix line of products. But if you take your time good tones are in there. Having said that not every unit is for everyone. It's fine that it wasn't for you, but making the definitive statement to someone else that they won't be happy with it is inaccurate. They might love it or they might hate it, but that will be based on their own experience with the unit. I've played units before that I didn't like, but other people did. Just because I didn't like it doesn't make it a bad unit. Now do I think the HD500 is a good buy in 2021? Not really because that was a unit designed in 2010 and the modeling and feature set are well behind the current crop of modelers. But if you want the absolute least expensive option to pair with Variax over vdi that's what's available.

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

Is the M series the same FX algorithms as the HX?

[@ChadHuskey]

The HX algorithms were built from the ground up. However in one of the firmware updates Line 6 did add all of the M series FX algorithms to the Helix. So they are in there too if you want to use them.

[@vejichan]

Which is best for recording

[@frankmills5459]

Hey Chad can you connect line 6 guitars to the Go

[@ChadHuskey]

You can't connect the Variax to Pod Go via the digital VDI cable. You can connect it via standard 1/4" cable as you could with any other device, but only Helix floor/LT/Rack has the option to control the Variax remotely.

[@cpamiseso]

Hey man, I already use Zoom G3Xn, should I switch?

[@ChadHuskey]

In my opinion, and I used to own a G3, is that the line 6 products are better. The zoom is great value for the money though. If it were me I'd be looking to switch. But if the zoom meets your needs and works for you that's cool too. Whatever keeps you making music is the right piece of gear 👍🙂

[@cpamiseso]

@@ChadHuskey Honestly I've been thinking HX Stomp for months, but never knew this POD GO; despite the processor capacity difference; for me who managed to live several stages with FlyRig5 only, I think POD GO is good enough, but I'm not sure whether it's that good to have me switch. I make my needs fit the Zoom actually LOL. I like your approach btw, whatever keeps mme making music is the right one indeed. Zoom is then for a while.

[@UnklePecos]

Are you really Derek Trucks? 😂

[@ChadHuskey]

Shhhhh, don't tell anybody 🤣

[@chrishalstead4405]

The POD Go sounds perfect because I like to actually play my guitar rather than sit in a dark bedroom making my five-thousandth dual-path user patch.

[@ChadHuskey]

I agree about the Pod Go. I've enjoyed mine as well. And the simplicity is nice. The way I combat the tendency of making preset after preset on the Helix is that I basically built one preset I like and I use that one 99% of the time. My main preset I've tweaked over the years in terms of changing some of the effects from time to time, but the core preset and the amp model I use (litigator) hasn't changed since 2016. I used the Matchless before the litigator was added, but after it came out I've stayed with it. Basically I just found "my sound" and I don't mess with it. It's too easy to get caught up in the endless possibilities of any of the high end modeling devices. I enjoy building presets for my KZbin channel a lot, and it's cool to see what I can come up with. But in terms of what I use when I'm going to make music I always go to my main preset. Unless I'm recording and need something specific.

[@sjsphotog]

Chad did you forget you use your Variax guitars live so the PodGo would NOT be an option?! Also the plastic case on the PodGo would not be able to stand up to the strains of a real live pro touring musician over the long haul. The Helix LT fits the bill for best of both worlds in price and features where the POdGo and HX Stomp are very prohibitive in what they can do (without some compromise on I/O or blocks) and where the Full Helix floor is cost prohibitive for most except pro musicians who make $$ weekly with their gear, the LT is a nice mix of being advanced amateur to let you grow into your unit, have the full capabilities of the full $1500 helix but not be constrained in not being able to use the all the blocks not having dual amps or dual paths like on the PodGo but still have the same UI interface and editing capabilities. The LT (which is what I own) is great. Surprised you didnt give the LT its own section in your video to talk about the FOUR product categories/price levels, not just the 3 that Line 6 provides. Anyways Keep it up.

[@ChadHuskey]

Do you really think that I forgot that I use Variax live? ;) The lack of VDI would make things much less convenient for me for sure, not least of which remembering to keep batteries charged lol. But push comes to shove I could definitely gig with the Pod Go and make it work. Would I like missing all of the features of the full sized Helix? Of course not! That's why I won't be getting rid of my Helix any time soon. As I said in the video it's the best piece of gear I've ever bought. The only negatives I could come up with was that it was bigger and heavier than the other units. That's just because I needed something to put in the negative column :) As far as durability it's still early to tell with Pod Go, but it feels solid to me. The top of the chassis and the expression pedal are metal. The back and sides are molded plastic. It feels much more rugged than I expected it to. Particularly the expression pedal. When I first saw the Pod Go I thought the expression pedal didn't look very robust at all. I've been pleasantly surprised in how solid the expression pedal feels once I got to use it. It's smaller and doesn't have as much travel as the LT/Floor expression pedal, but gets the job done. I don't feel like it's going to break when I use it. As far as using it touring I could actually see that working. I know Chris Robertson from Black Stone Cherry has said that's what he's going to take out on the road with him when they go back out. I don't know if his plan is to use it as a back up or his main rig, but when he was on the Helix Hour he talked about how he could easily get by with it for touring. Is it as tough as the LT/Floor...no of course not. Wasn't designed to be. But still I think it's capable of taking it's fair share of abuse. Time will tell how they hold up, but for what it is I'm really impressed. We'll have to see over the course of the next couple of years how they hold up "in the wild". I could have put the LT in it's own category instead of just mentioning some of the feature and price differences between it and the Floor in the video. I did consider it. But I was already looking at a 22 minute video and I felt the main question people have been asking (based on what I've had people talk to me about) is whether it's worth the price jump to look at one of the "bigger" Helix models, or can the Stomp get them by. With the addition of the Pod Go I think it really ramped up the question of which sub $1000 unit will fit most people's needs. Also while the price difference between the Floor and LT isn't insignificant, I think the gap between people willing to spend $450-599 vs over $1000 is WAY bigger than the gap between having to decide to spend the extra $500 on the Floor over the LT. Someone looking to spend around $500 could maybe be persuaded to go $599 if the Stomp fist their needs much better. And very happy to save $50 by getting the $450 Pod Go. But if their budget is in that ballpark they aren't likely to look at units over $1000. This is just my own personal experience, but I know that was the position I was when the Helix first came out. I had always bought the POD floor units (XT Live, X3 Live, HD500) and kept it to $500 or under. So $1500 was a HUGE jump. I had decided to stay with the HD500X as I couldn't justify the purchase of a Helix since I don't make any money playing music. But I slowly put money away for about 6 months and then picked up a Helix. I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't get one until I had saved enough "extra" cash to buy one. No financing or using bill money to buy it. At least that's how I talked myself into spending the money. We have a way of rationalizing the money we spend on our toys ;) But for many reasons I'm SO glad I did!! Not least of which the Helix community, where I've met some of the coolest people and made life long friends. And with the way KZbin ad revenue pays another couple of hundred thousand views and the Helix will have paid for itself lol. This of course was before LT was even an option, but I will say for me personally there are some options that I would miss between the 2 of them. I use the mic pre quite a bit on the Floor, I've probably become a little too dependent on the scribble strips, there are times I've used more than 2 fx loops, and in stomp mode I LOVE having the option of 10 stomps as I almost never leave my main preset live. Being used to these features I'd likely hold out and spend the extra if I had it to do it all over again. If I didn't have a Floor and for whatever reason I couldn't replace it then of course the LT would be the obvious choice. Without question, it's not even close. As far as the LT goes I don't have any direct knowledge of the numbers, but I would venture to guess that it's probably sold the biggest numbers. Or at least sells the most per year (the Floor had a head start on sales before the LT was launched.) Again, that's just my guess. But I seem to see more LT's on stages than anything else. And for many, if not most, the extra features on the Floor may not be worth the $500 extra. That's why I think the LT was a BRILLIANT product for Line 6. Just comes down to personal preference and budget. As I stated in the video if I had to choose one of the sub $1000 units for live use it would be the Pod Go hands down. I use my Helix for every bit of DSP and capabilities it's got in it. My live patch has 25 blocks, I use 10 pedal stomp mode, and all 8 snapshots. There have been some gigs I've made copies of my main preset not because I needed to change blocks, but because I was using 16-32 snapshots. With being able to change everything on Helix AND Variax I can get out of hand with the snapshots. I've reigned it back in a bit lol. And it would SUCK to not have VDI control over the Variax live. Makes life so much easier! Having said all of that most of everything I mentioned is a luxury. Could I make Pod Go work for me in a live situation? I think I could for sure. Would take a little more forethought in laying out presets as you have so many less options per preset. But there is something fun about the limitations. Kind of like the feeling of going camping. You wouldn't want to be without the comforts of your house for long, but it's a neat feeling sometimes to get back to the absolute basics. Just realized how much I've typed in this response...and some people complain about how much I talk on my channel!! :)

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

If paying an extra $500 will make you feel better for years to come then suck it up and pay the upgrade from the LT. If you only need an amp and some basic effects then go with Pod Go. I will say 4 quick switches live isnt ideal. I need a full clean, a slight overdrive, a heavy overdrive, a clean delay, a heavy solo delay, the occasional tremelo and phaser, so LT is the minimum for quick switching live. Its annoying when you hit that 5th category and have to hit up and select the switch on the Pod Go while playing live. Kills a solo. And you can hear the slight pause as it mutes very briefly when switching.

[@jacksongilbert8644]

holy shit its derek trucks

[@ChadHuskey]

😂