Line 6 Multi-Effects: Helix vs HX Stomp vs HX Effects vs Pod Go: What's The Difference? 

This is really a top notch overview resource for these products. Great explanations and real world application examples! Thanks

awesome, real-world review and analysis. Super well-done! thank you. I think it is HX Effects for me.

I have been looking at these for months and this was by far the most useful comparison I have seen. THANK YOU!

Fantastic review! Add in the extremely powerful software that controls every function with the click of a mouse (or touch) and these are seriously powerful music-making machines!

This is extensive and informative, thanks. I started with the full floor model and an Amp. But now I am a kitchen player/recorder and find the HELIX NATIVE app is perfect run on Logic.

I recorded an album using the POD Go and additional pedals, it’s a FANTASTIC unit! I also have purchased the HX stomp, it’s an amazing, compact unit. There’s so much that you can do with these units 🖤

This was very helpful, thank you!

Thank you!! 🎉🎉 Love my HX Effects!,

Amazing explanation. The use case breakdown was incredibly helpful. I'm very likely going to sell my 9 pedals and switch to the HX Stomp XL with an expresion pedal for live shows. For recording I feel more comfortable just tweaking on my computer so I'll probably just use Helix Native as a VST.

The Stomp is an incredible value. With any kind of unit like these, you do need to spend some time with them. They aren't as complicated as you might think.

It's very unusual to find an effects review put across from the live/studio point of view - excellent, really excellent. I come from an era when 'distortion' units picked up taxi cabs - I've played a lot of stuff, but have always been a box with knobs and switch sort of person. Nowadays though, I think I want something that's a bit more tweakable, but doesn't require me to move through tons of menus - I hate that about cameras too. It needs to be as simply simple, or as simply complex as I want. Whilst I'm not there yet, this has certainly made a big dent on my thought process - thanks Joe.

So informative! Thank you!!

This was probably said before but you don’t NEED to use the amp modeling in the HX Stomp, you can turn off the amp models and use it like an HX Effects, but the Stomp gives you the option to use other pedals given it’s form factor and also use the amp models later if you did not want to bring your amp.

I have purchased the HX Effects as I wasn't needing all the bells ans whistles from the Helix and then I felt a bit frustrated when Line 6 released the HX Stomp that had basically all the features of the HX Effects plus the amp and cab simulations... That beeing said, I have used the HX Effects at numerous live gigs and really appreciated its switching capabilities and snapshot features. Distortions are not the best emulations in the world (but you can get pretty good overdriven sounds by stacking 2 or 3 boost/overdrive effects) so it's a good thing to have two loops to integrate your favorite pedal effects into the HX Effects presets. Today I might try the Pod Go (especially the one with wireless capabilities) to simplify rehearsals and eventually plug directly to our PA. That video should have been produced by Line 6 as it's quite difficult to understand their line of product. Thank you Reverb for taking the time to publish that video, it is very helpful.

nice way to approach reviewing these units (ie: "how will they be used?")...in the end, this is the prime consideration...i've seen a Worship Leader at a church using the Helix, and using less than 1% of its capabilities each morning (complete overkill for that unit in that context)...on the other hand, those of us who are trying to reduce the amount of gear we take to gigs (ie: a smaller package with all the same power and functionality, etc) will look at this unit in a different light, with cost probably being the second consideration...

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the line 6 Helix Models. Cost, functionality, style of play and cost are all real world considerations for every player. After months and months of research I chose the Helix Floor model so I can grow with the functions. That said though, having something as small as the smaller HX models may be all you truly need for a gig and is very convenient in every aspect and low cost. If I were going to step down in size, HX Effects would definitely be my #2 choice. Your point about "flow" is very accurate and a real consideration. Well done!

Since the HX Stomp has midi I’m thinking of adding it to my pedalboard and setting up midi program changes to control the Stomp thru my Musicom EFX MK-5 controller. I can get rid of a few pedals…chorus, OD, and HOF reverb. I switch between Les Paul and Telecaster so the Stomp can be customized for BOTH guitars. Cab and Amp modeling is one of the selling points for me. 🎶💚🎶💚🎶

The HX stomp is an incredible value in both price and size.

I have the pod go. It sounds good especially with IR’s… it’s just the dsp is so limited & I wouldn’t recommend taking it to a show where you haven’t preprogrammed sounds according to each song you’re playing. Takes pretty long to edit especially snapshots

great video....well thought out!

Their user interface is really easy to grasp, whether on the pedal or HX Edit. When you think of what's going on under the hood, they're pretty easy to control. They have the same disadvantage as any switching system: all the hard work is done on the front end, so all you have to do is hit one switch, later. Right now, I'm going into the HX Effects, using 1 loop for the output of my load box. It costs me a block, but I can put effects before or after the amp. That, and an expression pedal (that I can also use as a wah), and I'm good.

the Pod Go seems to be the best bang for your buck in my opinion. i actually just ordered an older Pod HD500x used for $250, seems like a pretty awesome piece of gear for that amount of money. i’m stoked for it to arrive!

Anyone remember the Line 6 Pod XT Live? I used it once for my band back in the day and never used it again. It was difficult to get a good sound, and that pushed me to buy a tube amp (Mesa Mark IIB) and then build a pedal board instead. How far we have come! Modeling has gotten so good that I question whether to use my tube amp these days. Technology has really made things more accessible and it'll be so much easier to make music now. Good job, Line 6! And this was a great breakdown, REVERB!

Very helpful…thank you!

A really well made vid. Thanks man

Great comparison! Thanks

Great video thanks for all the info and the different scenarios! I've been using the Helix LT for 2+ years now and it's great, but it's way too big for my use. I work in the studio a lot and gig abroad about 2-3 times a week, and airport security is not happy when they see me carrying a guitar and a helix at the check-in counter. I'm definitely going to go for a lighter/smaller version hence it would be the HX Stomp XL. I'm wondering if I'll get the same sound and if I can transfer all my Helix presets into the Stomp XL, and I really hope the 8 block DSP will be enough for me!

Excellent analysis.

Dude your Hair rules! Mine looked like yours before i became a bald eagle lol..........Awesome vid and playing man!

great review

I have an M9 and love the thing. :)

Really considering ditching my modulation, delay and reverb pedals and going for a wah and drive pedals + hx stomp XL (I would totally like to use it as 6 different pedals that I could simply turn on and off), while still needing the amp modeling for some home recording. Let’s see

Al time favourite line 6 😍

Cool video and all, but why aren't we talking about that "But Does It Doom" preset?

Well done!

Great info

The scribble strips make everything sound better…since we are all a little crazy naming a strip exactly what u want it to say makes all the difference

I have a pod go and love it with acoustic guitar

That was awesome

I’m an old pro and am completely n;own away with pod go! Having said that I am currently in love with boss katana 100 mkii…and software…amazingly great and affordable…we’re living in great times!!!

Why are you NOT wearing some 90's cargo shorts?!

You have glorious hair. I have serious hair envy. Lol

There is no link for the giveaway

new helix should have hx effect size, and all effect include amps sim.

With Kantana and Mustang GTX100 etc it would seem that these multi-s are getting a lot of competition from the Amps themselves - and you get an amp free..

I guess $325.00 is a good price for a Line 6 HX?😅

FM3 is better...by a country mile IMHO. I have the FM9 which is in a whole other league in terms of 2x power, 6 MORE footswitches and several other benefits. It lacks the small form factor of the FM3 and the sub $1,000 price (I paid nearly $1,800 all in) but it's worth every dime. I won't be selling it for years and it has everything most would ever need so the value proposition is strong. The FM9 shares much with the AxeFXIII- with pedals, you are spending about $3k. The FM9 can do almost everything the Axe can in one easy floor unit. I have hundreds of amps and super high quality effects all in one package- saves me money and my back from breaking! Is it a REAL AMP. Will I get the same feeling- not really. It is not meant to. That said, I can still connect it to my amp via 4 cable method. I do that and my two studio monitors- so three speakers. The FM9 has I/O for days. One thing I noticed immediately was that backing track drums (via my RC500 loop station) sound very good with studio monitors vs. amp. It is because they have tweeters- you hear the cymbals clearly. If you are low on cash- yes, the HX Effects will do the job. When you are ready to get serious, get a Fractal FM3 or FM9...if you can get one. The FM3 used is not much more than the HX Effects and far better. *It's a great time to be a guitar player!"

IK Multimedia ToneX Pedal plus L6 HX Effects wins

AFFECTION

first

REVERB THE PARADISE OF THE SCAMMER!!! just this week and week has not end yet, I have 25 scammers only selling Helix, HX Stomp Unbeliveble!!

Line 6 is the company I never bother with :)

Iron your shirt, bro!