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Line 6 | Helix | HX 3.70 Firmware Updateplay button

Line 6 | Helix | HX 3.70 Firmware Update

Line 6 | Helix Floor | Overviewplay button

Line 6 | Helix Floor | Overview

Line 6 Helix Bag - Is It WORTH it?play button

Line 6 Helix Bag - Is It WORTH it?

Discovering the Helix Backpack!play button

Discovering the Helix Backpack!

Line 6

collapse expand iconDescription

Helix is a new kind of multi-effects guitar processor: it’s not only a tour-grade multi-effect pedal that sounds and feels authentic, it’s also one of the most comprehensive master controller for guitar systems ever built. Start by recreating the tones in your head with the new HX modeling engine—the new amps, cabs, mics and effects will feel familiar to anyone who has ever spent time in the studio getting the best guitar sounds from both vintage and modern gear. Have a pile of oddball pedals that you rely on for your personal sounds? No problem. Take advantage of the most comprehensive I/O and routing capabilities ever built into a multi-effect and easily integrate them into the Helix environment. Once connected, create custom setups and footswitch labels that make your external pedals feel like they’re all under the hood. Whether you spend your time in the studio or on the stage, Helix is the next-generation guitar processor you’ve been waiting for.

Real Tone that Feels and Sounds Like Your Analog Gear

When it comes down to authentic sound and feel, Helix represents a giant leap forward for guitar technology. The dual-DSP engine provides massive power to accurately recreate the dynamic feel of tube amplifiers, not just their sonic fingerprint. Each stage of an amp’s circuit has been measured and matched back to the original, so that each model reacts and interacts just like the real thing. This level of dynamic circuit detail extends into areas like power supply ripple, individual tube sag and control over B+ voltages. Once these elements are captured, you get classic bloom and gooey compression on some amps, and a powerful gut punch on others. Helix also lets you load custom impulse responses, allowing you to personalize your rig setup.

So Intuitive, You'll Already Know How to Use It

Massive power traditionally comes with a steep learning curve, but Helix challenges that way of thinking. Touch-sensitive footswitches allow you to select an effect block for editing simply by touching it. In combination, the large 6.2" 800x480-pixel LCD display all but eliminates menu-diving and provides the same level of control you would expect from an external editor. Colored LED rings and customizable scribble strips complete the user interface, letting you know what each footswitch is doing at a glance. When it comes to creating tones, Helix is as fast as you are.

Part of the goal in developing Helix was to allow guitarists to interact with technology in ways that are more intuitive, making the creation of tones easier. This means that—for the very first time—you won’t have to stop playing to tweak a knob. With Pedal Edit Mode, you can edit any parameter you like using your foot: simply select the block that you want to tweak, and its parameters spill out onto the footswitches. Select a parameter, and tweak the value using the expression pedal.

Giving you the ability to touch a footswitch and quickly tweak parameters or easily assign or learn controllers, Helix is the fastest tone creator of its kind on the planet. But that’s only part of the story—it’s also the most flexible. Helix has four stereo paths per preset, allowing you to design complex routing scenarios for each patch. Creating variations on wet and dry routing schemes is as easy as loading a template or tweaking the joystick, and using the onboard effects models in conjunction with the four freely-assignable effects loops means that the tonal possibilities are truly huge.

Control of Your Entire Rig—Integrate and Control Internal and External Devices

As the most advanced guitar processor ever made, Helix can become the nerve center for your entire guitar rig. Easily integrate traditional effects pedals and other hardware into your environment, creating a seamless hybrid rig that incorporates the best of what software and hardware have to offer.

Helix has the most flexible audio routing ever seen on a guitar processor, thanks to its dynamically allocated DSP. Use the four effects loops to connect four separate pedal chains, or split them up and use them as freely-assignable inputs and outputs. In combination with four stereo paths, this means that you can process multiple instruments at once, send wet and dry signals to different places, and create large integrated systems that take advantage of both digital and analog I/O at the same time.

When you need to incorporate external devices via MIDI, Helix offers more flexibility than any multi-effects. In addition to powerful real time MIDI control, Helix can send up to six separate commands at patch recall that aren’t assigned to a footswitch, which means you can change a patch on a synth, start a sequencer and turn up a fader on an external mixer—all with one press of a footswitch. Add three expression pedals, CV/Expression out and external amp switching, and Helix can be the command center for any size rig.

Helix Backpack

The Line 6 Helix Backpack is a rugged, go-anywhere custom-designed carrying case made especially for Helix floor processor. The same care and attention to detail that went into Helix’s design is reflected in the backpack. From its luggage-grade construction and closed-cell foam padding to its rugged, molded rubber carrying handles and water-resistant zippers, Helix Backpack will protect your gear for years to come. For the ultimate in convenience, Helix Backpack provides ample room for additional items such as sheet music, cables, small pedals, power supplies and other accessories.

Helix 3.6 firmware update (as of April 24, 2023), is free to download by any owners of this product.
Amps
• Grammatico GSG - based on* the Grammatico GSG100
• Line 6 Elmsley - Line 6 original
• Agua Sledge - based on* the Aguilar Tone Hammer
Guitar Cabs (Single and Dual versions)
• 1x12 Blue Bell - captured from* a 1x12" VOX AC-15 Blue Alnico
• 1x12 Open Cream - captured from* a custom 1x12" open-back cab G12M-65
• 1x12 Open Cast - captured from* a custom 1x12" open-back cab EVM12L
• 2x12 Silver Bell - captured from* a 2x12" VOX AC-30TB Silver Alnico
• 2x12 Match H30 - captured from* a 2x12" Matchless DC-30 custom G12H-30
• 2x12 Match G25 - captured from* a 2x12" Matchless DC-30 custom G12M-25
• 4x12 Greenback 20 - captured from* a 4x12" Marshal “basketweave” G12M-20
Bass Cabs (Single and Dual versions)
• 1x12 Epicenter - captured from* a 1x12" Epifani Ultralight series
• 4x10 Ampeg Pro - captured from* a 4x10" Ampeg PR-410HLF
Effects
• Dark Dove Fuzz (Mono, Stereo) - based on* the Electro-Harmonix Russian Big Muff
• Triple Rotary (Mono, Stereo) - based on the Yamaha RA-200 rotary speaker

*These third-party product names are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.
Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal With Backpack
Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal With Backpack
Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal With Backpack

collapse expand iconFeatures

Helix Backpack
  • Luggage-grade construction
  • Stowable backpack straps
  • Quilted airmesh backing for comfort
  • Closed-cell foam padding for maximum protection
  • Rugged, molded rubber carrying handles
  • Water-resistant zippers
  • Ample room for accessories and sheet music
  • Includes Velcro straps for organizing your cables
  • Includes Helix Firmware Update 3.6 free download
warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

collapse expand iconSpecs

Helix Multi-Effects Floor Processor
  • Dual DSP-powered HX modeling engine with four discrete stereo signal paths, 45 amps, 30 cabs, 16 mics and 70 effects
  • Imports third-party 1024/2048 cab IR (impulse responses)
  • 12 capacitive-sensing footswitches and customizable scribble strips—touch to edit, hold to assign, press to engage
  • Hands-free Pedal Edit mode lays out effect parameters across switches and expression pedal
  • Near-instant footswitch and controller assignment
  • Up to three expression pedals, CV/Expression out, external amp switching and deep MIDI control
  • Extensive I/O for seamless integration with your entire rig—10 inputs 12 outputs (including four FXloops), plus 8-in/8-out USB audio interface
  • AES/EBU, SPDIF and VDI interfaces
  • Industry-leading 123dB of dynamic range on the guitar input, for tremendous depth and ultralow noise
  • Tour-grade construction

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.75

4 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

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  1. Experienced1

Reviewed by 4 customers

  • Pros and cons...

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byPDX Guitar Freak

    fromPortland, Oregon

    I've been playing guitar since 1983 and primarily play 70s/80s hard rock/metal. I bought the Helix strictly for use in home recording/YouTube projects. I've owned it for roughly 7 months and bought it to replace my POD HD500, which I used for 7 years. To start off, the Helix is easily a step up from the HD500 and is capable of much more natural sounding tones. However, if you do not have experience with amp modelling processors, the learning curve can be steep. The basics are easily mastered, but really understanding some of the critical tone-shaping factors such as the amp models' sag/bias, and fine tuning in general, take time and commitment. There are plenty of people selling patches for it but beware - what you hear on YouTube is not always what you get LOL, and finding good tones for free on the Line 6 CustomTone site is challenging too. I also don't care for the built-in presets, but still much better than the HD500. Back to the tone shaping, the low-end response and feel is GREATLY improved over the HD500 but they may have over-compensated there as the low-end can be overbearing. Fortunately, it's nothing some EQ'ing can't fix. The bigger challenge is replicating that wonderful crunch and responsiveness you can only get from an actual high-gain tube amp. For reference, my real amp is an EVH 5150iii. The blue (crunch) channel on that amp is what I strive for. While again we see improvements over the HD500, the Helix doesn't quite get you that crunch perfectly (but it's close). For my direct-recording purposes, I'm happy enough with it, but in the end simply nothing compares to a real tube amp. As for the effects, I have no complaints there and really like the versatility allowed. If you can do without the LCD labels (or "scribble strips") next to the footswitches and don't need a lot of output options, I highly recommend checking out the LT version. You get the same tone for quite a bit less money. All of that said, I'm excited to see where Line 6 goes next.

  • Fantastic

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted6 years ago

    byAlfred

    fromUndisclosed

    Everything I wanted and more...

  • I would recommend this pedal board to anybody who plays.

    5

    submitted7 years ago

    bykenneth

    fromUndisclosed

    This is an outstanding piece of equipment and a must for any Moderat too serious guitar player. It is very easy to operate but has so many facets it's like an Alice in wonderland adventure for guitarists. Many effects thousands of settings you can dial in to do whatever you want or any sound that you need, and it is very very easy to operate and get the hang of. You can make your guitar sound like everything from AC/DC to Zepplin. I would recommend this product to anyone who is thinking about buying an FX pedal.

  • Another great product from Line 6

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 years ago

    byMICHAEL

    fromundisclosed

    Got this fine effects board with case and was able to use a 20% off coupon with the help of my local Guitar Center! All I can say is that I didn't waste my time and it was well spent money.... It does what they advertise and more, use your imagination! Get one for yourself, you won't be disappointed....

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byJay

    fromundisclosed

    Can I control this one android and iOS and does it have the tone matching capabilities as the firehawk?

    Can I control this one android and iOS and does it have the tone matching capabilities as the firehawk?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    We need a little more information to better answer your question. Please give us a call 877-687-5403

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byTodd

    fromColumbus

    How much does it weigh?

    How much does it weigh?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    10 lbs.
    Open Reply - Ronald
    11 lbs.
    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Item Weight 6.39 pounds Product Dimensions 6 x 13 x 24 inches

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byFemi

    fromBowie, MD

    Is line 6 Helix guitar processor and bag on sale? What discount can you offer so I can stop waiting?

    Is line 6 Helix guitar processor and bag on sale? What discount can you offer so I can stop waiting?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    We can't discuss pricing over this conversation medium, but you can email us at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com and we can get you in contact with a product specialist that can get you the best deal possible.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byRavi

    fromBoston

    What are the dimensions of the equipment and bag

    What are the dimensions of the equipment and bag

    Open Reply -
    6 x 13 x 24 inches