Axe Fx II VS Kemper VS Helix (WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?) 

dont make a video comparing sounds if youre going to half ass it then.

@@drack1997 Just be grateful for posting it!

@LameUFO ?

@LameUFO oooook

I bought a Helix right when this video was posted, January 2017. Over two years of experience with it now. I love it! Best money I ever spent on guitar equipment. This video doesn't reflect what the Helix can do in terms of tone. My usage is playing with a cover band ('80s/'90s rock), and modern P&W on Sunday mornings. So tons of live playing, with heavy effects usage. I run a single XLR cable straight to the soundboard. I show up to play with nothing but my Telecaster in its case, and my Helix in its backpack. That's it! Sure beats all the years dragging around a huge pedal board and 35lb tube amp. As Jordan says in this video , the Helix is designed and built for live playing. I really see it as unbeatable in that area compared to the Kemper setups I've seen. The Kemper guys I see usually only use it as an amp, and are still running a full size analog pedal board into it. They always sound great, no doubt. But not great enough to spend more money, let alone give up the Helix convenience. I definitely would also complain about the Helix tones in this video if that's what I was getting. But the tones in this video are not reflective of what the Helix will do. Thanks to Jordan for specifying that he was using a stock Helix preset in that video. Fair enough. Line 6 should have better stock presets. But from my experience just a little effort is required to get stellar tone from the Helix. The tone may not be quite equal to the others, but close enough that it almost comes down to personal preference as to which is preferable. The tone quality is at least close enough to the other devices that it becomes a non-issue when playing live in a mix. Also, Line 6 releases updates to the Helix every few months. They are still updating it. They keep adding more amps and effect pedals. It's like getting new amps and pedals for free every few months. The Helix is far more heavily equipped now than it was when that video was created. There is no reason to run down the other devices here. I've never played through them. They sound great. But for ease of use, convenience in setup, and with nearly indistinguishable tone quality, the Helix is more than a viable option. That doesn't even get into the question of price. I've never owned any other piece of Line 6 hardware. Didn't like how they looked, and wasn't impressed with how they sound. That changes with the Helix. It's really beautiful. When I play out people often comment how cool it looks. That's icing on the cake given how great it sounds. My favorite thing about the Helix is, it's completely cured me of GAS. I was on the new pedal/new amp merry-go-round for too long, always feeling like I needed something else to really have a complete rig. With the Helix the rig is complete. Nothing else is needed. There is nothing else I want. When I go to Sweetwater in person, and stare at that walls full of effect pedals and amps, walking away with no GAS is sublime!

lol ...

I just bought one! I'm so excited!

@@xxdemonshitxx the PC software is there www.kemper-amps.com/downloads i think it gives you editability of Profiles.....not sure

Kemper is amazing, no video on RU-vid does it justice.

@@xxdemonshitxx kemper is bad ass, Axe FX,, even 3, does not beat it in any way.. good choice.

:D

I agree^^ :-D

LMAO

yup! LMAO

Exactly why I got rid of my Helix and bought a GT-1000. Line 6 laid a HUGE turd with the Helix

I'm interested in Your opinion now, when Kemper has a lot better effects and also there is a Kemper Stage unit :)

Thanks

Thinking the same as you. The actual listening comparison is lacking the quality of he beginning to say it mildly...too bad.

Bryan Hamilton yeah I think you guys are right. I had the approach of explaining who each unit would be best suited for and not so much which is better as they're all great so I didn't put as much effort into the sound comparison, and i only had a couple days with all 3 units. I think you're right though and I should've spent more time on this part! I'll definitely take that into account if I make more of these videos in future, thanks

If you do an updated version of kemper vs axefx vs helix, can you please add in a 4th option for Bias fx?

some people are voicing constructive criticism and the uploader seems to be positive and open for constructive criticism. so yeah...all peace here and no need for a cock fight attitude like "do your own video" :)

thanks man, but i rather enjoy this guy here improving his vids than watching one of yours if i would ask the same thing from you. but keep up the work and maybe you will get good content like this dude here. peace

mezsh I've been struggling with these 3 and the headrush. To my ears, the Kemper sounded the best with great clarity closely followed by the axe FX. Maybe Jordan can do another great video on the headrush. Great job Jordan!

the point is to compare the sounds out of the box. anyone can mix and process something to sound good. the point is to already sound good lol

I have one and after spending a few months with it I can tell you this. Importing IR's is a must. The unit sounds good but if you try a patch with stock cabs and A/B it with imported IR it's night and day. This way it comes really close to the Axe FX in sound and feel, especially with clean, crunch and gainny sounds but...I think it lacks a bit in over the top Metal high gain tones. Don't get me wrong it sounds awesome but not all of it's high gain amps are perfect so you're stuck with a few models and it needs some tweaking to get it just right. I went with the Helix because A) I wanted a Audio Interface B) a good versitile amp modeler C) a floorboard unit that I can record with and gig with on the spot and D) Ease of use. If I was only concerned about the core amp tone I'd go with the AXE FX or would have kept the Atomic Amplifire (rediculous amp tones but lacks in OD/FX).

I have the Helix as well, feel the same about IRs. I'm very satisfied after IRs. Plus, it's $800 cheaper. I'm new to listening to heavier music, so I don't have too great a feel for the high gain amps. Which ones sound right to you, and which ones are off sounding?

yr kettelhake thanks! I used the Kemper for that but have been using the Axe Fx to track my bands upcoming album :)

which irs? and where do i get them?