Line 6 Helix

NUMBER OF MODELS: 62 amps, 37
cabs, 16 microphones, 104 effects
KEY FEATURES: effects modelling,
amp modelling, recording interface,
expression pedal, Line 6 Variax and DT
connectivity, 6.2" screen
SOCKETS: Input, 2x outputs, 2x XLR
outputs, 2x send/return, headphones,
digital out, Variax, MIDI in, MIDI out/
thru, USB, expression pedal
CONTACT: Yamaha UK
01908 366700 ; www.line6.com
at a glance
ToTal GuiTar summer 2017
98
Line 6 modelling? We’ve been here before...
Line 6 is the company most associated with
consumer-grade modelling. Some e orts
have aged better than others, many have
become workhorses and benchmarks for the
industry, like the DL4 delay and looper. The
Helix falls into the latter category.
How easy is it to program?
Most of the functionality of the unit can be
accessed with a few footswitch presses and a
combination of the joystick and the six
parameter controls underneath the screen.
Although more complex functionality will
require a bit of trial-and-error, or indeed
reading the manual, there’s also a helpful
photo cheat-sheet included in the box that
covers the more common functionality.
How does the user interface stack up?
The pixel screen is crisp and clear and,
crucially, Line 6 seems to have spent a lot of
time thinking carefully about how the
interaction with blocks should work for the
player. Navigating them and assigning
routing for simple setups is a breeze, while
power users will quickly suss out the advanced
options on o er. The colour coding from
screen to footswitches is clear and memorable
once learned and the ‘tap to select, press to
actuate’ double-function footswitches speed
up editing and feel solid underfoot.
How good are the effects and amps?
The clean amps are fantastic and the JTM
45-style British amp was a particular favourite
at mid-gain settings. Roll the gain up,
however, and there’s a bit of the ‘ zz’
traditionally associated with digital modelling.
Tweaking the mic and cab settings can
mitigate this somewhat and third party
impulse responses (IRs) are also an option –
Line 6 o ers a free pack via its website, in fact.
Nevertheless, stereo setups are a breeze and a
lot of fun can be had with the arsenal of
e ects when run through these. Hours were
lost during testing to a Roland Jazz Chorus and
JTM-45 setup and the ping-pong delay in this
context is nothing short of a revelation.
Can you use it to record?
Besides the usual XLR outs, there’s also a USB
option to use the Helix as an interface, DI and
re-amp box.
Come on, there must be some negatives...
Some of the most interesting functionality
lies in its deep integration with L6’s DT amp
series and Variax guitars, for which there’s a
dedicated input on the back of the unit. In that
sense, you’re missing out on some features
unless you have all the kit, which is a bit of a
shame but unavoidable.
LINe 6 HeLIX Lt
With great power comes great responsibility
TH
E G
AS
S
T
A
T
I
O
N
£932
The Helix LT integrates with
the L6’s DT amp series and
Variax guitars; the dedicated
input is at the back of the unit
TGR296.gear_test.indd 98 20/07/2017 11:34