Real. Smart. Control.

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.

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. Helix 2.0 firmware includes five new amp models based on the legendary Mesa/Boogie® Mk IV and Marshall® JCM® 800, as well as new distortion, EQ, modulation and delay effects.
*Mesa/Boogie is a registered trademark of Mesa/Boogie, Ltd. Marshall and JCM are registered trademarks of Marshall Amplification Plc.

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.

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 800x480-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.

INSTANTLY RECALL YOUR TONES

The new Snapshots performance feature in Helix 2.0 firmware enables you to instantly recall, switch, and control selected elements of your tone within individual presets. Snapshots can act as eight variations of the same tone, eight drastically different tones, or any combination thereof—all within the same preset.

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.

VARIAX CONTROL ENHANCEMENTS

Helix 2.0 firmware features new Variax® control enhancements that open up new performance possibilities. Toggle between two guitar models with a footswitch, control the Variax tone knob with an expression pedal, assign a momentary footswitch to drop D, and more.

AS EASY TO USE AS HELIX

Helix Edit features the same accessible and intuitive user interface as Helix itself, so there’s no need to learn a new workflow. Reorganize your patch list, rename patches, edit tones, and customize footswitch labels quickly and efficiently. Drag and drop amps, cabs, and effects to build complex signal chains with ease. And adjust settings and parameters using dedicated sliders and knobs.

COMPUTER-BASED EDITING

Helix Edit software provides a convenient way to edit tones on your computer. Stay focused on your creative work when you’re recording with a DAW—Helix Edit is available when you need it. Simply leave Helix on the floor or in the rack and keep working at your computer. You’ll also have the advantage of viewing complex patches and intricate signal paths on your large computer screen.

SEE EVERY DETAIL

Helix Edit lets you visualize every detail of your tone editing workflow on your computer. See a comprehensive visual overview of your tones and settings in the Main Editor panel. Quickly browse banks, presets and impulse responses in the Librarian panel. Easily dial in the perfect live sound with the Global EQ panel. And quickly assign commands for your external gear in the Command Center panel.

Dual DSP-Powered HX Modeling Engine With up to 4 Discrete Signal Paths, 56 Amps, 30 Cabs, 16 Mics, and 95 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

Real. Smart. Control.

REAL TONE

IT FEELS AND SOUNDS LIKE YOUR ANALOG GEAR

AUTHENTIC TONE

HX CABS

COMPONENT MODELING

SMART INTERACTION

SO INTUITIVE YOU ALREADY KNOW HOW TO USE IT

INTELLIGENT INTERFACE

PEDAL EDIT MODE

CAPACITIVE TOUCH FOOTSWITCHES

FOUR STEREO SIGNAL PATHS

INSTANTLY RECALL YOUR TONES

CONTROL YOUR ENTIRE RIG

INTEGRATE AND CONTROL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DEVICES

THE CENTER OF YOUR RIG

FLEXIBLE AUDIO ROUTING

POWERFUL MASTER CONTROLLER

VARIAX CONTROL ENHANCEMENTS

HELIX EDIT

EDIT HELIX TONES ON YOUR COMPUTER

AS EASY TO USE AS HELIX

COMPUTER-BASED EDITING

SEE EVERY DETAIL

PRODUCT FEATURES

56 Amp

30 Cabs

16 Mics

95 Effects

HELIX

Filters

$2,000 to $3,000

Line 6 Helix Multi Fx Floor Processor