The Tone Lounge: Line 6 Helix LT In Session

Nev Marten and Richard Barrett welcome guest guitarist and Line 6​ demo man Paul Hindmarsh into the Lounge to lift the bonnet on Line 6's svelte Helix LT multi-effects unit, A/Bing it with the original Helix Floor and delving deep into its vault of tones and jamming as a trio to explore tricks and techniques for getting the best from it on stage or in the studio...Also on test are Yamaha's Revstar RS720B, the new BB bass and A Series electro acoustics.

[AlexVonCrank]

The politest gathering of guitarists the world has known.

[paulhindmarshmusic]

A pleasure to do this video guys. Thanks for inviting me. Lovely to just sit back and listen to you two play!

[btofan]

My favorite Line 6 video. Very informative. I'm ordering one today. Love the Brits - so polite.

[jerbear]

Finally someone playing some nice rounded tones instead of crushing metal only. I like harder sounds too but the clarity of sound and hearing the guitar is really nice.

[edouardosp-j]

A very helpful and interesting video, as a 71 year old guitarist and helix owner, it is taking me a while to get my head around things. This compared to other youtube demos I have watched is much more easy to digest and at a pace that is not intimidating too, especially for those who are not so technically minded like me. Thanks guys you have been a great help and saved me the headache of trying to understand the manual.

[stevelogan]

This, I’m aware, is from a while back but it’s still one of the best quick demos on how to use a Helix I’ve seen. The humility of Marten and Richard is partly responsible for the ease with which Richard can go through his paces. It’s not that often I want the playing sections of a demo to be longer, but Richard’s two solos were lovely and I’d have been happy to hear them worked out further. One question that has come into focus a bit more in recent years is to do with having a cab behind you onstage. It would be good to see a sequel to this demo with an explanation of how a Powercab could (if appropriate) complete a live Helix setup. Still, great work guys, that continues to be great as time moves on.

[digijams]

This has been the most pleasant and calming gear review I have ever watched. Paul is such a pro and unassuming guy that made the atmosphere that much better. Was not expecting this guy Richard who seemed very tame go into Gary Moore mode asking for a Soldano and just making that guitar melt, such beautiful phrasing . Top notch boys!

[digbyranford]

I am picking mine up tomorrow after trying one earlier in the week I was blown away at how good it was and how close it sounds to a real valve amp, Plus I have had enough of carrying around amp heads and cabs. This is a real no brainer!

[bodd]

I got my Helix quite a while ago and it just keeps getting better. I got it for live work (4 cable method) as I was sick of all the noise and tone suck I had to put up with using my pedal boards. The money I threw into those boards was way more than the Helix. The core effects sound so good. The Minotaur is an amazing boost. Anyway I now use it as my DAW and the amp mods are very good. Way better than the 11 Rack by Digidesign I was using before. I totally recommend it...plus it's built like my mother in law...tough!

[carlweiderick]

Great review, as always! Amazing gear. I think I'm gonna hafta get one.

[mattbirtwistle]

The Tone Zone where it's always 2 minutes to 12!! I've seen Paul do a few of these demos and it's always fascinating. So interesting getting Richard's reaction. He seemed absolutely genuine about hearing his sounds.

[martinscholes]

Great demo. I took the plunge and bought a Helix LT. it is incredible but I did worry about recording with it. What I found is that through studio headphones some of the higher gain sounds were very fizzy sounding, in my ears. When played back through studio monitors all of that goes away and it sounds ace.

I've only scratched the surface. Using it live is incredible, although to date I've only used it into the front end of my Blackstar Series one on the warm clean (plexi) channel and into a 2x12 vintage 30's.

Go into a store and try one out (nice and loud in a booth). Allow a long time!

[mollers]

Honestly I think the only reason for any resistance from guitarists now is just fear of change and an obsession with vintage gear. For practicalities sake and gigging, especially in a city, or if you're doing functions I think the helix is an amazing bit of kit.

[joecrowsantibanez]

The very best demo video yet, Thank you Paul. Amazing pedal. I still have my HD40. I think its time to upgrade.

[sjsphotog]

Great job everyone. Richard is a great player. loved his lead tone there. Just goes to prove even with the standard/stock settings it can sound good. You didnt even go over SnapShots which would have blown his mind. Line6 Helix and LT rocks!

[Cvweare]

What a fantastic review. I'm a HD500x owner, If i was on the fence, i don't think i am now. You guys are a pleasure to listen to. Awesome stuff. :)

[abduljabbaralhayyan]

Oh god lovely accoustic sound there at 34:24, this review is so so so easy to understand and to enjoy!

[michaelmilburn]

Don't miss -- 34:25 to 37:00. So nice. And the acoustic guitar sound through the Helix is so natural too.

[Tolbiny]

Wow, that Soldano sounded great. Really good demo, thanks a lot.

[TheGuitarModder]

I just picked my LT on Wednesday and it's fooking amazin