Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Gear Aquisition Syndrome is a serious disorder.... FX etc

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Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by nztim »

Hey all, I have long since left the HD500 but getting back into doing covers again and seriously missing the ability to dial in random effects when needed. Just wondering if any of you have added one of these to your board, even m13 or the likes, just wanting to know if it worked as you expected or not.

what I imagine my setup would be if I got this route,
Wah > Boost > TS9 > Big Muff > Helix FX > Amp

Thanks!
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by bluesierra »

I'm just in the process of finishing up a small board comprised of a Helix Stomp, a few drive pedals and a RJM PBC/6X.

I have 3 drive pedals (via the PBC) running into the loop of the HX Stomp. I can then use midi functions on the PBC to change presets and add functionality. Super versatile setup and sounds great. setup a Wet/Dry rig last night and it was super easy and sounds awesome. So many options available. And if you don't want to drag an amp around, no problem.

I have previously had a Kemper, AX8 and FX8 and have been super impressed with the sounds and functionality in that little HX Stomp box. Highly recommend.

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by nztim »

Hadnt considered the HX Stomp, mainly as I dont need an amp sim. But will have a look into that tonight to add to the mix.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by bluesierra »

nztim wrote:Hadnt considered the HX Stomp, mainly as I dont need an amp sim. But will have a look into that tonight to add to the mix.
I mainly use it without the amp sim also and think it works great that way. But I do have a few amp presets that I use with headphones when I feel like it.

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by Kris »

seems like if you need moar buttonz the FX is better.

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by KNNZ »

bluesierra wrote:
nztim wrote:Hadnt considered the HX Stomp, mainly as I dont need an amp sim. But will have a look into that tonight to add to the mix.
I mainly use it without the amp sim also and think it works great that way. But I do have a few amp presets that I use with headphones when I feel like it.
I’m with bluesierra on this one. I also have the HX Stomp on my pedalboard and when your amp fails you one day, you’ve got an amp sim right there to go straight into FOH

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by GrantB »

I went HX FX mainly for a more familiar feel. I do like it, but there is tone suck. It's minor, but it's real.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by nztim »

KNNZ wrote:
bluesierra wrote:
nztim wrote:Hadnt considered the HX Stomp, mainly as I dont need an amp sim. But will have a look into that tonight to add to the mix.
I mainly use it without the amp sim also and think it works great that way. But I do have a few amp presets that I use with headphones when I feel like it.
I’m with bluesierra on this one. I also have the HX Stomp on my pedalboard and when your amp fails you one day, you’ve got an amp sim right there to go straight into FOH
Yea the more I think about it the more this feels the sensible option
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by nztim »

GrantB wrote:I went HX FX mainly for a more familiar feel. I do like it, but there is tone suck. It's minor, but it's real.
Ah, this is what I was concerned about. I play with small wattage amps cranked up. And with the HD500 the was quite a difference with it in the chain. But was hoping technology had moved a bit since then.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by GrantB »

Yep, people who say it doesn’t exist either don’t care or have other things making it less of an issue (like an average amp). My best tone is still guitar straight into the amp....but covers ain’t gonna hit the mark without some fancy schmancy tones.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by Mattallica »

GrantB wrote:I went HX FX mainly for a more familiar feel. I do like it, but there is tone suck. It's minor, but it's real.
Even with all the bypass and dry through options?

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by GrantB »

Mattallica wrote:
GrantB wrote:I went HX FX mainly for a more familiar feel. I do like it, but there is tone suck. It's minor, but it's real.
Even with all the bypass and dry through options?
Yep. It’s not a deal breaker...and live at higher volume it’s not really going be heard.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by Reg18 »

GrantB wrote:
Mattallica wrote:
GrantB wrote:I went HX FX mainly for a more familiar feel. I do like it, but there is tone suck. It's minor, but it's real.
Even with all the bypass and dry through options?
Yep. It’s not a deal breaker...and live at higher volume it’s not really going be heard.
I noticed a difference in this when switching from
An M9 to Strymon, the tone seemed less altered with the Strymon in bypass, but with all the pedals I have it’s always a compromise. Would be handy to have a pedal at the start of the chain to fine tune the impedance or something. I know a buffer does this to a degree but some more fine tuning of the note attack etc would be handy.

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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by jeremyb »

Reg18 wrote: I noticed a difference in this when switching from
An M9 to Strymon, the tone seemed less altered with the Strymon in bypass, but with all the pedals I have it’s always a compromise. Would be handy to have a pedal at the start of the chain to fine tune the impedance or something. I know a buffer does this to a degree but some more fine tuning of the note attack etc would be handy.
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Re: Swapping out half the pedalboard for a Helix Effects or similiar?

Post by GrantB »

i have good buffers pre the unit. If I run it in bypass or DSP it makes no difference. There’s something the Line 6 stuff does to your signal that alters it...albeit slightly.
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