LINE 6 Helix

The Helix is a groundbreaking device from the visionary workshops of Line 6. It is a completely new approach to the electric guitar and the technologies associated with it. It offers a range of tools that will allow any guitarist to get any guitar sound into their hands. And without compromising on sound quality.

In terms of sound quality, the Helix represents the ultimate in authenticity and thus marks a huge technological shift. The dual DSP engine delivers massive power to accurately create the dynamics of a tube sound, for example. The HX Hybrid Cabs represent a new approach to loudspeaker modelling. Now the sound is much richer in the lower frequencies. Line 6 Helix can model even the smallest components. Every part of the amplifiers circuitry has been precisely measured and compared to the original to ensure the result is as true to life as possible.

Helix is a new kind of guitar processor: it's not just a multi-effects pedal with a true-to-life sound, it's also the most comprehensive master controller for guitar systems ever created. You start by setting up your sound in the new HX modeling core with lots of new amps, combos, mics and effects with familiar controls. If you already have your own set of boxes, then it's no problem to plug them into the Helix system thanks to the sophisticated I/O and routing system. Just plug them in once, prepare your user settings, and you'll have the sound created with the external boxes at your disposal at any time. Whether you're playing in the studio or on stage, the latest generation Helix guitar processor is what you've been waiting for.

When it comes to authentic sound and feel, Helix represents a huge step forward in guitar technology. The dual DSP processor delivers tremendous power to accurately recreate the dynamics of tube amps, not just mimic them. Every part of the amplifier's circuitry has been thoroughly tested, as have the connections between the elements, so that each model responds just like the original original amp. This level of circuit detail also extends to the power supply circuits, individual tubes and B+ control voltage. By accurately capturing the characteristic behavior of all circuit elements, you get classic lush and subtle compression on some amps and a powerful punchy sound on others. Helix also allows you to load the user's impulse response to customize the entire setup.

Massive power is usually associated with the need to gradually learn to exploit its possibilities. Helix, however, completely changes this way of thinking. Touch-sensitive footswitches let you select an effect block for editing simply by touching it. With a large 6.2" LCD display (800x480 dots), there's no need to click through menus and submenus, and you have the level of control you'd expect from an external editor. Color LEDs and customizable designs complete the user interface, so you have an instant overview of what each switch is doing. When it comes to sound creation, then Helix is as fast as you are.

One of the goals in developing Helix was to allow guitarists to connect with technology in a much more intuitive way for even easier tone creation. This means that for the first time, you don't have to stop playing to turn a knob. In Pedal Edit Mode, you can edit various parameters using the footswitches: you simply choose the block you want to edit and its parameters are automatically assigned to each footswitch. You choose a parameter and set its value using the expression pedal.

It gives you the ability to quickly adjust parameters or assign and learn individual controllers with just a touch of a switch. Helix is the fastest tone creator in its class in the world. However, that's only part of its strengths - it's also the most flexible. Helix has four stereo buses per preset, allowing for complex routing options. Creating variations of signal routing with effect (wet) and without effect (dry) is as easy as loading templates or turning a joystick. And using the built-in effect patterns in conjunction with the 4 freely assignable effect loops means that the tonal possibilities of this device are very rich indeed.

As the most advanced guitar processor ever made, the Helix can become the heart of an entire guitar system. You can easily integrate traditional effects pedals and other hardware into your system, creating a seamless hybrid system that takes advantage of the best the world of hardware and software has to offer.

Helix has the most flexible audio routing you've ever seen in a guitar processor. And that's thanks to its dynamically allocated DSP. You can use the four effects loops to connect four separate pedals, or you can split them up and assign them to inputs and outputs at will. Combined with the four stereo buses, this means you can process and control multiple instruments at once, sending wet and dry signals to different locations to create large-scale integrated systems and enjoy the benefits of both digital and analogue inputs and outputs simultaneously.

If you need to incorporate some external equipment into your system via MIDI, then the Helix offers much more flexibility than any other multieffects. In addition to its rich real-time MIDI control capabilities, the Helix can send up to six separate commands when a preset is recalled that are not assigned to switches, so you can use them to change a preset on a synthesizer, trigger a sequencer, or move a fader on an external digital mixer, for example - all with the flick of a footswitch. By adding three expression pedals, a CV/Expression output and an external AMP switch, the Helix can become the control centre of any sized system.

The Helix is a guitar pedal like you've never seen before. It embodies a new way of thinking about guitars and technology, providing musicians with a tool to quickly create the sound of their dreams without compromise. Line 6's Helix guitar processor is also available in a rack-mount version (Helix Rack) with an external controller (Helix Control).