Representing a new way of thinking about guitarists and technology, Helix is like no other guitar processor that you’ve seen before. Immense care was taken to assemble a palette of tools that would let musicians quickly recreate the sound they hear in their head, without sonic compromise.
REAL TONE
IT FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE YOUR ANALOG GEAR
AUTHENTIC TONE
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.
Click to hear Helix sound samples
HX CABS
The new HX Hybrid cabs represent a new approach to the speaker cabinet capture process. Not only do they provide the resolution of a 2048-point Impulse Response at lower DSP usage, they also provide a far more accurate low-end response than previously possible, as the proximity effect of the microphone is accurately captured at 12 different distances. Helix also lets you load custom impulse responses, allowing you to personalize your rig setup even further.
COMPONENT MODELING
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.
SMART INTERACTION
SO INTUITIVE YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO USE IT
INTELLIGENT INTERFACE
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 or other item for editing simply by touching it. In combination, the large 6.2 inch 800×480-pixel LCD display all but eliminates menu-diving and provides the same level of control you might 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.
PEDAL EDIT MODE
Helix was designed 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 amp or effect 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.
CAPACITIVE TOUCH FOOTSWITCHES
Helix is the fastest tone creator of its kind, giving you the ability to touch a footswitch and quickly tweak parameters or easily assign or learn controllers. Instantly jump to any block simply by touching the associated footswitch. It’s so fast you can comfortably assign any item to a switch in 3 seconds.
FOUR STEREO SIGNAL PATHS
With FOUR stereo signal paths per preset, Helix allows you to design complex routing scenarios. Creating variations on 4-cable method and wet-dry-wet routing schemes is as easy as selecting a template preset, and using the onboard effects models in conjunction with the 4 freely-assignable effects loops means that the tonal possibilities are truly huge.
CONTROL YOUR ENTIRE RIG
INTEGRATE AND CONTROL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DEVICES
THE CENTER OF YOUR RIG
As the most advanced guitar processor ever made, Helix can become the nerve center for your entire studio or touring 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.
FLEXIBLE AUDIO ROUTING
Helix has the most flexible audio routing ever seen on a guitar processor. 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 discrete signal 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.
POWERFUL MASTER CONTROLLER
When you need to incorporate external devices via MIDI, Helix offers more flexibility than any multi-effect ever. 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 digital mixer, all with one press of a footswitch. Add two additional expression pedal inputs, CV/Expression out, and external amp switching, and Helix can be the command center for any size rig.
PRODUCT FEATURES
HELIX
Dual DSP-Powered HX Modeling Engine With up to 4 Discrete Signal Paths, 48 Amps, 30 Cabs, 16 Mics, and 91 Effects
Imports User and 3rd Party 1024/2048 Cab IRs (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
Ultra-Fast Footswitch and Controller Assignment
Up to 3 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 FX Loops) Plus 8-In/8-Out USB Audio Interface
AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and Variax VDI
Industry-Leading 123dB of Dynamic Range on the Guitar Input, for Tremendous Depth and Ultra-Low Noise
Tour-Grade Construction
HELIX RACK
Dual DSP-Powered HX Modeling Engine With up to 4 Discrete Signal Paths, 48 Amps, 30 Cabs, 16 Mics, and 91 Effects
Imports 3rd Party 1024/2048 Cab IRs (Impulse Responses)
Large 6.2-Inch 800×480-Pixel Color LCD Display
Extensive I/O for Seamless Integration With Your Entire Rig—10 Inputs/12 Outputs (Including Four FX Loops) Plus 8-In/8-Out USB Audio Interface
3 Expression Pedal Inputs, Expression Toe Switch Input, CV/Expression out, External Amp Switching, and Deep MIDI Control
AES/EBU and S/PDIF Digital I/O With Wordclock In
Industry-Leading 123dB of Dynamic Range on the Guitar Input, for Tremendous Depth and Ultra-Low Noise
Tour-Grade Construction—3RU Enclosure With Optional Foot-Based Controller
HELIX CONTROL
Adding Helix Control to Helix Rack gives you the same functionality as the floor-based Helix, opening up a new world of function and creativity
Sturdy Metal Chassis Cuts Weight and Takes up Less Floor Space
Touch-Sensitive Footswitches With LED Rings and Customizable Scribble Strip Displays
3 Expression Pedal Inputs Allow Maximum Control Over Your Tone
Select blocks for editing by touching a footswitch
Create custom labels for the scribble strips
Edit parameters hands-free using Pedal Edit Mode
Single-Cable Connection Provides Data and Power
Click Here: to watch a tutorial
