One thing I noticed (as a helix, fractal, & Kemper owner…) is that the Helix sounds samples were significantly lower in volume. Due to the Fletcher-Munson phenomenon, this will inevitably cause the Fractal to sound “brighter” or “clearer” when that’s not NECESSARILY the case. Not that there’s not differences in the units, but I DO think that the differences would be much less pronounced if the volumes of the samples were more equalized. But, I’m not trying to be critical, I liked the video and, as always, your playing!! 🤍🤍
@@JonKaneshiroGuitar after doing that do you find them more comparable? Is there a way to modify the patches for the Helix to get closer to how the FM9 sounded in this video? Thx!
I’m going to try to dial in a dual amp preset soon that is the Grammatico and a version of my Fractal Dumble SSS workaround. Kind of a blend between the two. Only thing I’ve found is that it’s hard to simulate the bloom of a note. On the Fractal stuff you have output compression in the amp block. To me that sounds way different than adding a subtle compressor after the amp block. I’m always tweaking to get things close.
That’s awesome! Still like the Helix too but the FM9 is my go to. If you want any John Mayer presets, I have a ton of them for sale. Email me at jkaneshiroguitar@gmail.com if you’re interested. I’m working on getting my website up with an online store, but presets can be purchased via email.
@@hartlee1160i sold my Helix...that about sums it up....i really think the amp and effects are all just better in the Fractal....I'm enjoying my tones and playing more....i used to tweak endlessly with the Helix...always chasing something....
What people seem to ignore is since these are both digital devices it's technically possible to get near-identical sounds out of any unit given the right tools (EQs mostly). Comparison's like this are useful to compare out-of-the-box presets/captures, but for the people saying the helix wasn't as bright - add a parametric EQ, boost the frequencies you want to and it'll sound the same. Note: not a line6 fanboy getting defensive here, I don't own either unit.
Both sound good, but the high end on the Fractal sounds more present and natural. The difference isn't as noticeable on the Q-Tron preset which is darker in general anyway.
@@JonKaneshiroGuitar It sounds like not only the compression settings are incredibly different but even basic volume. That is not what my Helix sounds like. I would suggest people go play both of these effects monsters to see what they can each do. Don't take anyone's word for which is better. Go play them for yourself and find which one fits your need.
Have this new set of John Mayer presets available! 8 presets for his 8 studio albums. You can find them here: www.jonkaneshiroguitar.com/products/fractal-john-mayer-eras-bundle-pack
Helix stuff is used all the time by Nashville artists. Luke Combs guitar players use helix’s during the CMA’s. Fractal isn’t better, he purposely dialed them differently. Both units are very good, not 1 is better. Just because fractal got studio time doesn’t mean the helix doesn’t either lol
For some sounds, there is simply no difference. For the higher output sounds with drive however the Fractal is clearly winning out. Terrific video showing that if you can't afford a Fractal, you can still get similar wonderful sounds from the Line 6 Helix units.
I think overall there’s a feel thing. But I agree that even with most modelers it’s how it makes the player feel when they play it. There’s a high end thing with the Helix I always try to dial out that isn’t in the Fractal.
Yeah the fractal is a monster. Both sound amazing though. I feel like the fractal is more "live" and sounds a lot more detailed. I heard some of the harmonics and was like holy shit that is something else.
Great comparison video! Playing was inspired. The Helix only sounded better on that muted auto-wah effect. To put it simply the Fractal just has higher fidelity. Lows are rounder and the highs are smoother with loads of detail. I don't know if I'm selling my Helix but you just sold an FM9!
For the most part I think the Fractal has a little more clarity (and I own a Helix floor). However in a live situation or playing to some jam tracks you'd would be hard pressed to hear any difference. You can hear the compression in the Helix as opposed to none in the Fractal. That may change things, in a sound comparison, if you added one to the Fractal. Good video.
I don't usually comment, but after owning 3 fractals, Kemper stage and HX effects, I thought I would throw in my two cents worth. Curious, if you were trying to get them similar, why did you not dial out some of the bass on the Line 6 because it clearly has more bass in your clips, and that would have been easy to do and, therefore being more fair to the Helix. For me, the ease of use of the Helix wins out against all the units, and the Kemper, for me still sounds the most realistic. Can someone tell me how to easily get to the stomp controls on the Fractal without scrolling through menus!!!! On the Helix, I just touch the switch and all the controls for that stomp are right there. If Fractal could do that or have a very easy way to get to the controls of the stomp, it could be the clear winner for me. I find it interesting that both Steve Sterlucci and Nathan Cordy are using their Helix live considering they both have Fractals. I really do want the Fractal to win, for me, it sounds good, looks better than the rest, but unfortunately not easy to use for me and many others on the net-example. Rhett Schull. I hope I haven't offended anyone, it's just my opinion.😁
I have a new video comparing the two which I feel brings them closer together. In fact, I’m using a Tone Match of a real Two Rock in the Fractal and a Two Rock IR in the Helix. Nearly identical. Maybe a bit more immediacy to the notes on the Fractal. Speaking to your point, they’re just two different units for two different types of people. For me I find myself missing parameters in the Helix that are in the Fractal. Different strokes for different folks.
@JonKaneshiroGuitar thank you for the response. On the Fractal unit, can you please tell me how to get the controls such as gain, tone, volume of a Fractal pedal to show up quickly in the dusplay window with out have to scroll sideways in the dusplay window to show a different view. On the helix, I touch a switch with my finger, and the parameters show up. I think it should be obvious but I can't figure it out.
For me both units can’t be compared apart from pricing, I have been using helix for more than 3 years and I feel you need to invest a lot amount of time for a good tone, I never used fractal however what I believe is the sound and to get desired sound you have to spend some quality time with both these units. You need to understand the frequencies plus effects chain plus Eq and messing up with pedals, delay and reverbs. I feel when anyone is live then they cannot use all the tones what these pedals offer however all you can do is having rounded up to 7-10 tones that you may use in live situation. By the way nice video and explaination. ❤
Could you do a maybe a Robben Ford ODS Tone (talk to your daughter era)? Weird request seeing a large proportion of the audience is mainly about the John Mayer tone, but honestly I would buy that preset in a blink of an eye
Question for fractal users, that Openess, Crip Bright presence in high frequency that we hear in fractal unit comes from fractal amps simulation or Fractal Dyna Cabs? If you put Third party Ir, is it still there? Or Becomes dark and muddy like helix and most other modelers?
That’s actually a really good question. Hopefully someone can respond with something substantive to your question because I definitely understand that muddiness with Helix (and others). I was looking at an FM3 Mark II but those are going for the same price, if not more in a lot of cases, than the FM9. It’s just the FM9 would be overkill for me probably. Fractal’s got a great rep but I’m getting hung up on these vids like “why I got rid of my FM3” or the FM9 etc.
Yep! That’s also the magic of the room mic IR I use on the Fractal. I tried to replicate that with the dynamic ambience reverb at the end of the Helix chain. Both great sounds though.
I’m sorry I never responded. I could possibly run the same IRs for both units and maybe get a more similar result. For both units I’m using stock cabs/IRs so they can’t be transferred between each other. But a third party IR could maybe bridge the gap a bit.
So trying to figure out why you dialed them differently. Seems like you tried to make the fractal edge out. You made a comment that you don’t like something in the high end of the helix? I know there was a problem a few years ago that has been fixed awhile ago in recent updates. Helix does require you to dial stuff in more to get a great sound, guess what, that goes for the same way if you have an analog rig. Both units are fantastic, but not one is better than either. If you’re doing an A/B comparison test, actually dial both units presets the same. You’ll literally won’t tell a difference dude. It’ll come down to the effects, which l6 will edge in.
Both sound very nice. With the way you've got the cab block dialed in on the Fractal it had more of that room liveliness / space around the notes that I prefer. The Line6 sounded dryer and more direct in comparison.
Clean sounds good on a $200 processor (Hi MG30.) Fractal shines with kitchen sink presets over ALL other modelers on the planet especially FM9 or higher model. In a mix, you cannot tell the difference though. Play whatever you like. UI is better on Helix if that matters to you.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ASyQFzRcty0.htmlsi=iQkcYxQbJqsa2zMR This is the newest version of the Helix preset with a custom Two Rock IR.
Helix lack of presence or/and treble.. I'm wonder if adjusting will make it sound Helix like Fractal. Also wondering about organic feeling between those 2 units.
Well, when you're talking about being "brighter," you can always adjust both or any modelers. BUT...if Fractal is more natural like a real amp, and a lot cleaner (both on the tone and FXs) then I would agree. The Brighter-tone itself can be alittle lose - it comes to definition. 😅
