Line 6 HX Effects / Helix Reverbs vs our favorite reverb pedals (Strymon BigSky & Boss RV-6)

We compare the new Line 6 Helix and HX Effects Reverbs to their favorite reverb pedals (Strymon BigSky and Boss RV-6). We play through all 5 of the new reverbs from Line 6.

It's important to remember that Line 6 did not model these reverbs against the ones we compared them to from Strymon and Boss. They are just the ones we thought they sounded most like. The line 6 verbs will not sound exactly the same (nor should they). We also found that the HX reverbs could not get as 'wet' as the Boss and Strymon verbs - on many of the HX verbs, we had the mix set well above 50% and the level maxed at +6.

You could, however, stack multiple reverbs in the HX effects or Helix to get a very complex reverb sound that would easily sound as big as those from Strymon or Boss (and this is not something you could do with those pedals).

Guitar we used: MJT VTL (Thinline tele with Porter pickups)
Amp: Kemper Profiling Amp using the Ace Sonic Pope profile from Tone Junkies

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CURRENT GEAR (this is the stuff I currently use to create videos)

Cameras:

Lenses:

Lighting:
The Sun :)

Acoustic Guitars:

Electric Guitars:
MJT Thinline Telecaster
MJT Strat
Home-made parts-casters

Amps/Pedals:

Bass Guitar:

Recording Interface:

Microphones:

Software & Virtual Instruments
Recording software: Apple Logic Pro X
Video editing software: Adobe Premiere CC
Video editing - color correction: Davinci Resolve

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[worshiptutorials]

Thanks for watching! It's important to remember that Line 6 did not model these reverbs against the ones we compared them to from Strymon and Boss. They are just the ones we thought they sounded most like. The line 6 verbs will not sound exactly the same (nor should they). We also found that the HX reverbs could not get as 'wet' as the Boss and Strymon verbs - on many of the HX verbs, we had the mix set well above 50% and the level maxed at +6.

You could, however, stack multiple reverbs in the HX effects or Helix to get a very complex reverb sound that would easily sound as big as those from Strymon or Boss (and this is not something you could do with those pedals).

[mybiggrin]

The main difference that Im hearing is just that the Helix is basically mixed quieter than the other pedals in a lot of the examples...

[AndiKravljaca]

The Ganymede is my favorite Helix reverb. The way the trailing ends pitch up in the end is just magical. It's all you could ask of a reverb sound.

[calenmoerman]

Best shimmer is currently Digitech Polara. It's got so much diffused air added that it's just as smooth as can be. The setting is called Halo.

[TheJeffcurran]

I just got a used HX Effects for less than the cost of a Big Sky. I can get close to the Big Sky yet still have all of the modulation and delay effects as well. Many of which are just as good as the real deal. The Overdrives in the HX leave a lot to be desired, but OD is hard to model. I think it's best to use HX Effects in the effects loop if you have one.

[Tolbiny]

You guys have a lovely manner, great demo. Thank you.

[paramediccpo]

Sky sounds better- I want a multi effects for everything so I’m going with helix !

[karymwillemsen]

wow some really great tones. And really really really nice playing. Also very inspiring.

[matthewwinter]

I use the plateau setting for my swells, with a plus 7(a 5th) and a plus 12 shimmer, with the shimmer set to less than 20% it's usually like 17, it's subtle it sounds huge, it gives that spacy kind of cloud sound!

[JesseKoroteyev]

I know that this video is a little outdated, but the new strymon bigsky mx allows you to stack or run reverbs in parallel. In my opinion it is necessary to if you have a bigsky, (even the 2016 version) since it gets super wet way before it reaches 50% on the mix. But this makes sense; after all, the hx has more than just reverb so some compromises were made. Keep up the good work guys! Your vids help out a lot!

[austinsmith]

You could also midi up a big sky or eventide if you want to keep the favorite Reverb and then get the flexibility of the HX effects, you could also put big sky and h9 in a stereo loop to have anywhere in mix per preset.

I have an h9 and want an HX and planning on doing this approach.

Also with HX effects, you can add more blocks of effects to really craft a unique delay. Love all the sounds and I don’t think you can go wrong nowadays with Reverb pedals

[andrewsweeney]

Thank you guys for this comparison video! Really insightful.

[murillojules]

Why didn't u use the Octo reverb on the legacy file, it sounds more like a shimmer than the plateaux

[BradleyMcCarty]

Hey! This video made the Line6 Soundbytes email! Nice job guys!

[AlexStrabala]

Great video. Haven't missed the BigSky or my other reverbs at all since I got the first 2.5 beta a few weeks ago.

[s.alexander]

This thing sounds amazing. Great demo - definitely putting this on my to-buy list.

[richardhighsmith]

Great video. I love the simplicity of running everything through the Helix Floor, but felt the Strymon pedals were so much better that they showed a weak spot in the Helix system. Hopefully they 2.5 firmware patch will roll out for all systems soon.

[careywebber]

You gotta try the GFI specular tempas. Amazing reverbs and delays, small footprint, easy to use.

[arejayhelton]

Hey Brian It's crazy hard to see your settings for each of the new reverbs from line 6. Any chance you'd share those specs on a list when you have some free time? Thanks again for this video cheers!

[mkrd]

Tasteful playing that reveals the characters of all the reverbs (HX algos could use a bit more brilliance overall), and insightful comments/dialogue - first video I've seen of yours, but looking forward to your next HX Effects comparison discussion.