Helix 3.5 just dropped

[Rev2010]

So forgive me for asking but it's easier to do so then scroll through all these pages or research online. I hear they dramatically improved the cabs and some are saying you don't even need an IR anymore they're that good. Are these all the built-in cabs or just certain ones? Also, outside of new models are there some other major changes that have drastically improved it? I use Native and have upgraded to 3.5 or whatever the latest is but haven't really messed around with it in too much depth since I already have presets that I made and just go to when I want to work on something but of course there's always room for improvement. I wish they'd update the Recto model as I always use Recto and the one in there really isn't very good. I had to use a combination of the Line 6 Epic and the Recto into the same single IR to get a tone I was happy with but it could still be better.

 

[nickgray]

Are these all the built-in cabs or just certain ones?

There's a new cab section, the old one is renamed as legacy cabs. They are pretty good and there's an option to change the mic placement (continuously, so tons of possible positions), and a new angle option (45 degrees or straight). I still use the same old IRs I was using, but that's just what I'm used to. The new cabs are indeed dramatically better.

are there some other major changes that have drastically improved it

Other than upping the sampling rate (which didn't do anything, to my ears at least), I can't think of any. Maybe some minor under the hood tweaks, but regardless, the models sound the same as they did to me.

as I always use Recto and the one in there really isn't very good

It's a fun one to tweak, try maxing out the bias, try bias x either at 0 or at 10, and play around with the master volume in order to get some extra saturation and dampening the shrilly highs.

 

[AwakenTheSkies]

I am getting REALLY good tones with the Helix lately 😁 Maybe I have finally figured this thing out..

 

[CanserDYI]

I am getting REALLY good tones with the Helix lately 😁 Maybe I have finally figured this thing out..

Told ya

 

[Jon Pearson]

I've been really happy with the updated cabs in Native. It always bugs me having to load in separate IRs, I know it's commonly accepted but I've always thought it ought to be easy enough for Line 6 to give us some good stuff. With these new cabs it's getting to a point where I'm dialing stuff on Native that is very competitive with my Axe, like, do I even need the Axe kind of competitive 😂

 

[sleewell]

fucking love my helix so much. we were recording this weekend. studio engineer asked me to do another take with a different tone so he could pan left and right. went from the vitriol to the badonk and he loved it. its just so easy to do anything you want on the fly and sounds amazing. I wanna get another one just to have a backup and to be lazy and leave one at our rehearsal spot.

 

[CanserDYI]

Okay so for those more electronics minded than I am, how long can we expect something like the helix to physically last? I'm sure its obviously a case by case scenario, just wondering if were expecting these to last another 50 years, granted keeping the same firmware.

 

[Jon Pearson]

Okay so for those more electronics minded than I am, how long can we expect something like the helix to physically last? I'm sure its obviously a case by case scenario, just wondering if were expecting these to last another 50 years, granted keeping the same firmware.

It's a question I am interested in, though it doesn't seem like any of the updates have pressed the existing hardware too hard in terms of capping out the CPU capacity. That's ultimately the question I think, at what point do the updates begin to bog down the CPU?

Eventually it's going to make sense to bring something else out to market, but the R&D investment has to got to be humongous, so it's going to need to be a substantial advance to pull in sales sufficient to make a sizeable profit.

 

[AwakenTheSkies]

Depends on the storage and usage I guess... If you leave it unused for years in a humid basement it might die, like any other computer.. It has lots of things that can start failing eventually too, the joysticks, knobs, screen, touch sensitive stomps, pedal..

 

[CanserDYI]

It's a question I am interested in, though it doesn't seem like any of the updates have pressed the existing hardware too hard in terms of capping out the CPU capacity. That's ultimately the question I think, at what point do the updates begin to bog down the CPU?

Eventually it's going to make sense to bring something else out to market, but the R&D investment has to got to be humongous, so it's going to need to be a substantial advance to pull in sales sufficient to make a sizeable profit.

All I know is there is enough power in my helix LT to give me enough sounds to last me a lifetime. I just want to know about what year I'm looking at replacing this thing

 

[Jon Pearson]

All I know is there is enough power in my helix LT to give me enough sounds to last me a lifetime. I just want to know about what year I'm looking at replacing this thing

I suppose you could always stock-pile spares while they are available

 

[AwakenTheSkies]

fucking love my helix so much. we were recording this weekend. studio engineer asked me to do another take with a different tone so he could pan left and right. went from the vitriol to the badonk and he loved it. its just so easy to do anything you want on the fly and sounds amazing. I wanna get another one just to have a backup and to be lazy and leave one at our rehearsal spot.

Not recording DIs? Just marrying the tone you dialed in and hoping for the best?

 

[sleewell]

Not recording DIs? Just marrying the tone you dialed in and hoping for the best?

i had an XLR out from my helix and we also mic'd my orange 4x12.

 

[STRHelvete]

Okay so for those more electronics minded than I am, how long can we expect something like the helix to physically last? I'm sure its obviously a case by case scenario, just wondering if were expecting these to last another 50 years, granted keeping the same firmware.

I haven't heard reports of them going down or anything so they should last as long as they need to. I think most people would buy a backup anyways if they gig

 

[thebeesknees22]

The first thing to go down would probably be the switches from stomping on them so much, but those are replaceable/fixable.

My far left one doesn't always work super hot these days, but i don't use my floor as much anymore so i haven't bothered popping it open and seeing if it just needs to be tightened or whatnot yet.

I've had mine since they first released in 2015 or whatever it was so it's lasted a long long time so far without any real issues.

 

[ATRguitar91]

I hear they dramatically improved the cabs and some are saying you don't even need an IR anymore they're that good. Are these all the built-in cabs or just certain ones?

Since the update, I've exclusively used the built in cabs. Compared to my favorite IR's (York Audio), they sound better to my ears once you get them dialed in. And with the new additions, you have a lot more control with which to dial them in.

I've only really messed with the various 412s, but they all sound great to me.

 

[budda]

If you arent trying 112 and 212 IR’s you’re missing out imo

 

[Rev2010]

I've had mine since they first released in 2015 or whatever it was so it's lasted a long long time so far without any real issues.

The first footswitch on my HX Effects popped off while just making snapshots at home. I'm never rough with it and it's never been out of the house yet. Had to take it for repair which turned out it wasn't as easy as you'd think. Cost me $100.

 

[ErockRPh]

I just spent some time with the Stone Age 185 last night and I can't believe how I can get such gritty, crunchy tones out of this bad boy. Drop a Centaur in front of it for some extra push and you get some amazing heavy 70's rock/metal type sounds out of it.

 

[thebeesknees22]

I just spent some time with the Stone Age 185 last night and I can't believe how I can get such gritty, crunchy tones out of this bad boy. Drop a Centaur in front of it for some extra push and you get some amazing heavy 70's rock/metal type sounds out of it.

It's great right?

It's one of my favorites in the crunchy type of models.