Help me decide: Axe FX II XL+ or Helix

  • Thread starter Thread starter PhloridaMan
  • Start date Start date
PhloridaMan

PhloridaMan

Active member
Hey guys...

Getting a bonus this week from work and have been wanting to add a modeler to my little home studio.

Looking for something that has good flexibility to cover any type of music I or my friends want to record, while also having an intuitive and easy to use User Interface.

I already had a Kemper in the past but just wasn't feeling it but I have continuously been intrigued by Fractal and Line 6 products, just never had the opportunity to try them.

Appreciate any insight and suggestions. I understand that "sound" is subjective so I'm not worried about that, as I know they both sound fantastic. I just don't want to spend endless hours trying to reach those great sounds.

Thanks!
 
Ive owned a kemper and an HX stomp. I really loved the Stomp BUT for me the amp models take some tweaking. Like I couldn't just dial in an amp like I would if it was physically here. Some guys can do it very easily but I didnt appreciate it as much until I actually bought some presets(kinda like getting a pro kemper profile). The effects are really nice on the line 6 stuff.

Im using a quad cortex now which is kinda like having a marriage of the Kemper and HX stomp but the effects arent as nice on the QC yet. I mean they suit me fine for my purposes but if you are a big modulation user or like really crazy reverbs and delays its not there.

The HX stomp was very easy to use. Ive heard the Axe isnt as user friendly. The QC is pretty much the easiest thing in the digital realm Ive used. I can put an amp and cab in and be set.
 
I can't speak on the AXE but I had a Helix and I liked it quite a bit at first. After a while it grew stale to me. I have 4 buddies that had them at the time as well and we have all went back to tube amps.
 
Get the Fractal FM3. It's butthead easy to dial in amps just using the actual basic knobs from the real amps on the 'authentic' page of the editor.
The authentic page only shows you the knobs that the original amps have.

The factory presets just got fully updated with the new Cygnus firmware update, & they sound killer. Many of the factory presets are just basic bare bones pure amp+cab.

Of course dialing in your own shit is easy as well. Pick your amp/cab & dial in the basic tone stack knobs. Done. Killer tone! Add any basic effects to taste if you like:thumbsup:

Anybody who says it's hard to dial in great basic tones on the Fractal AXE3 or FM3, is basically talking shit or they have other issues:loco:

 
BYTOR said:
Get the Fractal FM3. It's butthead easy to dial in amps just using the actual basic knobs from the real amps on the 'authentic' page of the editor.
The authentic page only shows you the knobs that the original amps have.

The factory presets just got fully updated with the new Cygnus firmware update, & they sound killer. Many of the factory presets are just basic bare bones pure amp+cab.
Click to expand...

I'd second this. If the FM3 isn't an option though, I think you'll get great sounds more quickly with the Helix than the Axe II, plus the Helix is getting ongoing updates. I think you'll find more authentic-sounding amps/pedals in the FM3 though.
 
Last edited:
Haven't played a line 6 but I had an Axe FX 2. I really liked the Axe FX 2 but like said above I always found myself constantly tweaking patches. It sounded absolutely great and it did take a while to learn how to use it but I got caught up in the I can make this patch sound better rabbit hole.
 
I REALLY wanted to like the helix, and found some cool tones, but like was said before, after a short while, was just kinda stale. I'm a tweaker when it comes to stuff like that. And would go back to the fractal before going back to the helix. Honestly got better more satisfying tones from the original pod pro with a boost, than what I got out of the helix.
 
I hated the AFXII but really like the AFXIII. I've heard clips of the latest Helix firmware that sound the same/just as good as what I get from the AFXIII.

So that's a roundabout way of saying I'd choose the Helix over the AFXII of those are my choices.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top