Update: the reveal will be posted tomorrow (Friday). Get your votes in before then! Let me know what your guess is! I will only count the guesses in this comment section for the reveal!
Both great, can't go wrong with either. Amazing, I started out with a Zoom606 multi back then, we have come a long way! Maybe B is the Axe? I have an FM3 and the way B sounds is a tiny bit more familiar but I wouldn't bet my life on this guess :)
A is the Axe FX III with a 5150 blockletter sim, and B is the Helix with a Mesa Rectifier sim. Not so sure about A's amp, but i believe i got B right 😂. Helix low end is generally loose...
I like A the best, but there really is no discernable difference especially in a mix. Can't go wrong with either. I'm an idiot and would go with the one that is "easiest" to use.
John, both sounded awesome I don’t have a preference between the two. However, I’m gonna guess that the York IRs you’re using is what makes them sound great and so similar. I wonder what those tones would sound like using their own default cabs and if there’d be a few a greater difference between the two? On that note (no pun intended!), you’ve sold me on York. I’ll be downloading a couple of those IRs today
A= Helix, B = AxeFX. The low-end is what is making me think that. Usually in the clips I've heard the Helix sounds a little polished while the Axe is a little more amp like. I prefer A here. It has a mid-forward thing going on that I really like.
Funny how people are like "Ya for sure this one is this brand". The only difference I hear is B has slightly more low mid/low end...on the isolated examples. Other than that...quality-wise...identical. Neither sounds "better".
Dude, I can’t say I like one more then the other. They both sound great and glad you did a true blind test. It’s easy to have a cognitive bias based on other opinions and what’s being pushed as ‘pro level’ if that makes sense.
I love blind tests because it only comes down to your ear, can't rely on preconceived notions, brand name etc I prefer A. No idea what it is, maybe some sort of EVH? B is maybe a boosted recto?
agree with the full mix!! people gets often confused by isolated tones not sounding like the record but they need to know that the tones works well into the mix
Did you move around which one was A and B on different samples? At the very beginning I swear A and B were the exact same but then in the last half of the video I could notice a very obvious low end thump from B. I'm going to say A was the axe fx because that one to me has always kind of glided over mixes. I'm a quad cortex guy it just sound the most realistic to me along with the fractal and then helix.
Man...they both sound great...Makes me want to go pick up an HX Stomp (..found one for under $400)..Run it thru some 3rd party IR's, and BOOM!..Great tones!
The biggest difference I noticed was in the low end. It’s hard to say which was which, but I feel like Axe FX normally has more accentuation in the upper mids, so I guess it might be A for Fractal? Really hard to tell. I’d be curious how each would sound after using a HPF in the mix! Like, would B have more lower mids than A or would they sound the same after high passing both up to 90 Hz?
Not gonna lie been playing and recording for 30 years I closed my eyes when the A, B swap started and couldn't pin point a spot when they varied enough tonally to identify one from the other.
Awesome comparison. Hooked on this channel and your riffing always brings the best out of your gear. Have a helix and made the decision to go for it based on multiple A/B comparisons so this one might surprise me. Both sounded huge but: A = better clarity especially in chords, more sag/tube real feel B = tighter, fizzier, better high note clarity but sounds like the release on notes/chords is "short" so needs more sag Going with: A - AxeFx B - Helix
A = Axe; B = Helix Honestly, I can't tell a difference. When I close my eyes I can't hear anything switching back and forth. But I'll play along. Look forward to seeing the results.
I've said it on other videos of yours, but without the A and B flashing on the screen I wouldn't even know you where changing between platforms. That may be due to my 51 year old ears, or maybe my studio monitors are sub par? I know they both sound great and I would be fine with using either. Thanks again for the awesome content!
Through my crappy laptop speakers they kinda sound the same.... but I have a Helix Floor and Axe III and I usually find that the Axe III sounds noticeably better. I think maybe A is Helix from the isolated tracks but I'm not sure to be honest. I should probably grab some headphones and then I could hear better.
This kind of content that’s kept me back to your channel Jon, the amazing modeler shootout Either is really good, you never fails me The fun part is the guessing those tones So my answer is: A = Fractal B = Helix More than happy to be wrong 😄
I've been using helix for years having different iterations of it for different use (Rack, Stomp, and pod go), I learned a lot from your channel. Once in a while I think, hey why not getting an axe FX 3. And then I go on youtube to hear comparisons and never felt the need to go fractal. Here they both sound great, in the mix context I think A sounds better than B, outside of the mix I think I prefer B (which if find having a bit too much low end, but nothing that an eq can't solve I think). On this riff at 2:55 or 4:53 I alway prefer B.
These days you just can't go wrong with the different options! I found them booth sounding very convincing and really don't care which one is which unit 😁 But... I slightly prefer tone A over B.
🤣🤣🤷♂️👍 All I could do was laugh after hearing the first two examples. They sound great, very similar. We are so lucky to have such amazing gear at our fingertips. It sounded to me like the resonant frequency in "A" was a little higher, and that made it sound a little clearer to me, whereas "B" was a little warmer sounding, and was a little less distinct. I think Helix was used on "A." I have an HX Stomp. I hope you give details regarding the guitar you used and pickups. FYI - The recent Line 6 Helix Firmware 3.15 Update was freakin' amazing, and the Ventoux Amp sounds to me like a "real" Amp. I'd never guess it was a digital creation. Do you have any insights why it sounds so amazing? I think it's the best/most realistic Helix Amp so far, and is loads of fun to play. It's also super easy to dial in, and pairs beautifully with the Minotaur Distortion. Thanks 😎
I prefer the details of 'B' way a lot more. The sagging(compression) is so much different. I can hear that 'B' has more drastic tonal structure changes between palm mutes and open strings at 5:17-5:24. So even though 'A' has more presence overall throughout the entire song, 'B' gets more bites when hitting open strings. In other words, 'A' doesn't change the tone as much as 'B' does when switching articulations.
I prefer B by quite a bit, but I won’t try to guess which is which. In the isolated clips, A sounds like it’s been low and high pass filtered. It’s missing the openness/high treble clarity of B.
I'm too distracted by how awesome of a song you wrote to even notice tone differences in the mix. 😂 Seriously dude, you are the king of heavy riffs in my mind. You NEVER disappoint! Closing my eyes, the only place I could hear a clear difference was in the maj9 chords at 2:57. I could hear the chord extensions, especially the 9th, more clearly from amp B. I cannot possibly pick a favorite because they're both amazing tones!
Which do you prefer for just studio work? Ease of adjustments/tweaking and workflow. I no longer tour. Happily retired. I'm always worried about "digital noise" in the signal when recording. BTW, I absolutely love your channel. :)
4:00 - Wise words. There are benefits to hearing a tone in isolation, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will translate the same way within a mix. I think A is Helix, but not with any notable certainty. I also prefer the Helix in general, but there are certain aspects to the Axe FX that I prefer. As far as modelling and recording quality go, they’re both phenomenal.
Great vid John. A sounds a bit richer and wider in the spectrum. But I’m listening through the phone I might bemistaken. Btw, You are not using Ownhammer IRs in your vids anymore. Why is that?
absolutely no idea I will say that A is the helix and B the axe fx but the difference is minor the B has just a little fuller low end and the A some grind in the mids but they sound similar to me.
In the mix I preferred tone A as it seemed to cut through the mix a little better so I was very surprised when I heard the isolated tracks and it was tone B that seemed like the brighter tone , or at least had more high end fizz… I have no idea which is which but I preferred tone A in the mix.
I'm guessing the amp is Peavey Invective as it has that 5150 mid range but sounds more polished than the 5150. And my guess on the blindtest is: A - Axe FX B - Helix From watching other comparisons in this channel, I've realized that the Fractal has this upper mid range peak around 2k, certain boominess and lack of highend air. So it sounds harsher and unnatural. The B one on the other hand, had more of a hifi sound which was more natural and amp like to my ears. You immediately hear it especially on the isolated parts.
Both tones are fucking incredible. Having both the helix and FM3, I can say that both are everything is guitarist can ask for. The REAL question is, how did you track these glorious guitars? Just a simple hard panned double tracked guitar? Or something more? Would like to know!
I like both of them but for some reason I feel like a is more for me. Because B have this sound when you place a speaker inside a box or bucket. And B little bit more stereo.and A sound a little bit more tight or compress
I can't say I preferred either but I'm going with: A = Axe FX / B = Helix. Axe FX usually sounds more defined and Helix a bit less focused esp. at the top end. I have to say that I had to listen a few times to hear any difference at all - esp. in the mix.
It's very hard. I prefer the A, more open and trebly and less fuzzy. I don't know which one is the Fractal or the Helix. Impressive because they are very close !
I hear what I think of as the Helix signature on B. I hope I'm wrong so I can be sure that I'm imagining it. If I'm right, I'm back to not knowing. Both sound great and would work in any situation that requires that kind of sound.
I’m gonna guess A is Fractal. No idea what model and B is Helix Badonk. Just the video I needed. Been contemplating getting a Fractal and already have a Helix. Better stick with my Helix for now. Would be interested to hear this same type comparison with some lower gain edge of breakup/classic rock tones.
I don't have any experience with either of the modelers in this test so I'm probably way off base, but based on what I've read about each modeler over the years I'm going to guess that A is the Helix and B is the Axe III.
I'm not going to even try to guess which is which, but A sounds more mix ready and B more natural. A has less low end and lower mids and B sounds more honky, with more low end and lower mids. As a result, B sounds smoother but A has more clarity. Honestly, I guess you could use an EQ to make one sound like the other very easily. I would be very happy with any of those units.
I have no idea which is which, but I think I like A more. A sounds smoother and has more of the lower mid content that pushes a guitar forward in the mix. In the mix, B seems a bit less saturated (almost like there's a little bit of dry DI in with the signal), but isolated, I think the upper mids and highs are pushed in an unhelpful and slightly unpleasant way, but a simple low pass filter would go a long way to correct that. A sounds more like my Kemper and B sounds more like a VST. If I had to guess (and I have no faith in my ability to tell), I'd say A was the Helix and B was the Fractal because the former might add a bit more filtering to make it more plug-and-play, and the latter sounds a bit more modern and full-range, even though I don't like that as much in the mix.
I know you like the Line 6 Badonk model, so I am guessing that is the one used for the Helix. As for whether or not that is A or B in this test, I am not sure. I am guessing A is the Helix, but that is just a guess.
i think A is Helix because it has more immediacy to the attack to my ear, and B sounds spongier and slightly less aggressive which is how i generally hear fractal.
I prefer A, because it has a more controlled / tighter low end and clearer highs. I think A is the Fractal, but if it's the Helix, I definitely need this preset. :D
My guess is A is the Helix and B is the Fractal. They are extremely similar but I think I hear more low end presence on B which is one of the biggest things I hear when using both devices. B is also a little clearer in the high end but I couldn't hear that in the mix, only isolated.
Its damn near impossible to tell within a mix tbh. So I THINK A=Helix and B= Axe fx. Only saying this because the Axe tends to get the low end correct on amps just loading the amps up with their default states. I find the helix tends to lean more towards the less low lend brighter sounding, which sounds good on its own but can cause issues in a mix. I am totally guessing as you could have put more bass in the axe fx patch to mess with us lol.
I preferred the low end of A (tighter, more defined), but preferred the high end of B (more musical to my ears). Hard to say which one is which since I have no experience with the Helix, but they both sounded great.
Wow, both sounded great John! You are a master at getting slamming tones! I loved them both but I'm going to guess A was the Axe Fx. I have a Helix and constantly struggle to get a great high gain tone and would be thrilled with either of these. One quick question, did you track one guitar per side or two per side? I'm very anxious to see the reveal video to see how you came up with these tones! Well done and keep these great vids coming!
I can barely tell the difference but I preferred A over B by a tiny amount. A sounds a little bit more clear (less muddy) to me than B. They both sound really good for high gain metal.
Both sounded great, I liked A slightly more. I'm guessing A is the Helix, only because there's some low end smoothness I think I'm hearing in the lows that I've heard in your other shootouts including the Axe Fx. But I could very well be wrong. Countdown until a bunch of people who didn't put in their guesses before the reveal jump in and declare how much better the Axe sounded only after we know which is which.
I thought B sounded a bit "bigger" in the mix, more rounded. I also thought I could hear individual notes slightly better in B. However, B was also a bit boomy when chugging, which is a big component of this type of music but only really heard in isolation, I didn't pick it up in the mix. Because of the boominess of the chugging, I favor A. If it wasn't for that I would have picked B. I'm not going to say which is which modeler because human nature is to say you own the one you liked better.
I’m torn because I own one of them. I like the riff and muted section with A, because B is too boomy for me, but the half note chords sound like the guitar really sings out with B. A/Helix B/AxeFx
I prefer A : it has a high-mids presence which can help in the mix but even more during live. No mud overlapping bass guitar and less-likely to have a bad room resonance
Great riffing! B has better stereo separation than A, probably because extends more in lows and in the highs, therefore I prefer B in the mix. I have no idea which is which. I go for B Helix, A Fractal because I love my helix.
A = Helix (I don't know helix very well, but it always sounded close to FXII) B = Fractal (I remembered the sounds I have in Fractal FX II) It's a guess based on the experience I've had with Fractal FXII, but I'm told the new Cygnus firmware left things more mid-scooped, so I wouldn't be surprised the B is the FXII Make more Blind Test
I hope A is the HELIX as I own the platform and preferred that tone :-D The days of very noticeable quality differences among modellers are long gone. Even the budget alternatives can offer incredible tones!
I feel like B is tighter a little more full but overall, I think I like A better. It’s just got a vibe to it, especially in the mix! I’m gonna guess A is Helix and B is Axe FX?
I'm permabanned. A few sad individuals don't want me there and moderation judgement is light and swift with execution, so be it. Thank you all for the petition on the 3.2 thread, I was deeply moved to read that people care about me being absent. Aside from that, I'm totally fine. 😀
I'm gonna go with A = Axe Fx and B = Helix. Having played them both for a few years I know I prefer both sound and feel of the Helix. Plus, every time Jon has both an Axe Fx and a Helix in a test, the Axe Fx tends to have less high end.
A has less muddiness, maybe you can chalk that up to being less realistic, but I think it sounds better in a mix. Guitar doesn't need that much bottom end. On the other hand, B at 5:20 has the best isolated sound. More punchy.
Haven’t used them so I’m not sure which is which but I think I like A slightly more, a bit warmer and less fizz; however I liked the bottoms end in B a bit more 🤘🏻
Great comparison. In my humble opinion A is superior. It’s much more forward sounding due to its clarity and lack of flubby low mids. Since I’m using the Helix platform I’m hoping and guessing that A is the Helix and B is the Axe fx. Both are great tones though.
Update: the reveal will be posted tomorrow (Friday). Get your votes in before then!
Let me know what your guess is! I will only count the guesses in this comment section for the reveal!
Both great, can't go wrong with either. Amazing, I started out with a Zoom606 multi back then, we have come a long way! Maybe B is the Axe? I have an FM3 and the way B sounds is a tiny bit more familiar but I wouldn't bet my life on this guess :)
A: Helix B: Axe Fx III
A is the Axe FX III with a 5150 blockletter sim, and B is the Helix with a Mesa Rectifier sim. Not so sure about A's amp, but i believe i got B right 😂. Helix low end is generally loose...
I like A the best, but there really is no discernable difference especially in a mix. Can't go wrong with either. I'm an idiot and would go with the one that is "easiest" to use.
A: Helix B: Axe Fx III
I think I speak for everyone who´s watching... we want a blind test between axe fx III and pod hd500+ir! Great vid btw ;)
John, both sounded awesome I don’t have a preference between the two.
However, I’m gonna guess that the York IRs you’re using is what makes them sound great and so similar.
I wonder what those tones would sound like using their own default cabs and if there’d be a few a greater difference between the two?
On that note (no pun intended!), you’ve sold me on York. I’ll be downloading a couple of those IRs today
A= Helix, B = AxeFX. The low-end is what is making me think that. Usually in the clips I've heard the Helix sounds a little polished while the Axe is a little more amp like. I prefer A here. It has a mid-forward thing going on that I really like.
and the high but they are both kick ass for sure.
Funny how people are like "Ya for sure this one is this brand". The only difference I hear is B has slightly more low mid/low end...on the isolated examples. Other than that...quality-wise...identical. Neither sounds "better".
Jon, what made you switch from Ownhammer to York Audio IRs?
I definitely prefer tone A as it was tighter, more present and upfront and less fizzy!
Dude, I can’t say I like one more then the other. They both sound great and glad you did a true blind test. It’s easy to have a cognitive bias based on other opinions and what’s being pushed as ‘pro level’ if that makes sense.
They both sound good and perfectly usable. No reason to debate it at all :) excellent work
price range
I love blind tests because it only comes down to your ear, can't rely on preconceived notions, brand name etc
I prefer A. No idea what it is, maybe some sort of EVH? B is maybe a boosted recto?
agree with the full mix!! people gets often confused by isolated tones not sounding like the record but they need to know that the tones works well into the mix
Did you move around which one was A and B on different samples? At the very beginning I swear A and B were the exact same but then in the last half of the video I could notice a very obvious low end thump from B. I'm going to say A was the axe fx because that one to me has always kind of glided over mixes. I'm a quad cortex guy it just sound the most realistic to me along with the fractal and then helix.
Can you run the Helix and the Axe Fx 3 simultaneously together? If so, how is the best way to do that, Axe Fx 3 through the Helix send/return loop?
Man...they both sound great...Makes me want to go pick up an HX Stomp (..found one for under $400)..Run it thru some 3rd party IR's, and BOOM!..Great tones!
Great Video Brother!
I really didn't hear a resounding difference, but there is a big difference in price! Now a days that is the determining factor!
The biggest difference I noticed was in the low end. It’s hard to say which was which, but I feel like Axe FX normally has more accentuation in the upper mids, so I guess it might be A for Fractal? Really hard to tell. I’d be curious how each would sound after using a HPF in the mix! Like, would B have more lower mids than A or would they sound the same after high passing both up to 90 Hz?
Not gonna lie been playing and recording for 30 years I closed my eyes when the A, B swap started and couldn't pin point a spot when they
varied enough tonally to identify one from the other.
The best in all of this is the production
Put me down for helix A, fractal B? I preferred B in the mix, but solo there was a definition to mid of A that I found appealing.
Love these!!
I noticed some difference in even order harmonics on B. Top end sounded a bit more airy as well.
Awesome comparison. Hooked on this channel and your riffing always brings the best out of your gear.
Have a helix and made the decision to go for it based on multiple A/B comparisons so this one might surprise me.
Both sounded huge but:
A = better clarity especially in chords, more sag/tube real feel
B = tighter, fizzier, better high note clarity but sounds like the release on notes/chords is "short" so needs more sag
Going with:
A - AxeFx
B - Helix
Surprisingly it's the other way around. I think the Helix amp was the Badonk (Line 6 modern high-gain model).
A = Axe; B = Helix Honestly, I can't tell a difference. When I close my eyes I can't hear anything switching back and forth. But I'll play along. Look forward to seeing the results.
I've said it on other videos of yours, but without the A and B flashing on the screen I wouldn't even know you where changing between platforms. That may be due to my 51 year old ears, or maybe my studio monitors are sub par? I know they both sound great and I would be fine with using either. Thanks again for the awesome content!
B is Axe FX. When you pluck with the pick, you can hear the articulation clearer.
Through my crappy laptop speakers they kinda sound the same.... but I have a Helix Floor and Axe III and I usually find that the Axe III sounds noticeably better. I think maybe A is Helix from the isolated tracks but I'm not sure to be honest. I should probably grab some headphones and then I could hear better.
This kind of content that’s kept me back to your channel Jon, the amazing modeler shootout
Either is really good, you never fails me
The fun part is the guessing those tones
So my answer is:
A = Fractal
B = Helix
More than happy to be wrong 😄
None of the ‘A is heads and shoulders above B’ crew shows up in these videos
I've been using helix for years having different iterations of it for different use (Rack, Stomp, and pod go), I learned a lot from your channel. Once in a while I think, hey why not getting an axe FX 3. And then I go on youtube to hear comparisons and never felt the need to go fractal. Here they both sound great, in the mix context I think A sounds better than B, outside of the mix I think I prefer B (which if find having a bit too much low end, but nothing that an eq can't solve I think). On this riff at 2:55 or 4:53 I alway prefer B.
These days you just can't go wrong with the different options! I found them booth sounding very convincing and really don't care which one is which unit 😁
But... I slightly prefer tone A over B.
🤣🤣🤷♂️👍 All I could do was laugh after hearing the first two examples. They sound great, very similar. We are so lucky to have such amazing gear at our fingertips. It sounded to me like the resonant frequency in "A" was a little higher, and that made it sound a little clearer to me, whereas "B" was a little warmer sounding, and was a little less distinct. I think Helix was used on "A." I have an HX Stomp.
I hope you give details regarding the guitar you used and pickups. FYI - The recent Line 6 Helix Firmware 3.15 Update was freakin' amazing, and the Ventoux Amp sounds to me like a "real" Amp. I'd never guess it was a digital creation. Do you have any insights why it sounds so amazing? I think it's the best/most realistic Helix Amp so far, and is loads of fun to play. It's also super easy to dial in, and pairs beautifully with the Minotaur Distortion. Thanks 😎
Is this the updated Helix firmware with the increased fidelity ?
I prefer the details of 'B' way a lot more.
The sagging(compression) is so much different. I can hear that 'B' has more drastic tonal structure changes between palm mutes and open strings at 5:17-5:24.
So even though 'A' has more presence overall throughout the entire song, 'B' gets more bites when hitting open strings.
In other words, 'A' doesn't change the tone as much as 'B' does when switching articulations.
I prefer B by quite a bit, but I won’t try to guess which is which. In the isolated clips, A sounds like it’s been low and high pass filtered. It’s missing the openness/high treble clarity of B.
I liked how A sounded to my ears. B was more mid present but A felt more well rounded and full. I am looking forward to the reveal!
Hey John, I’ll tell you which one I thought sounded like which, if you tell us which felt better…
Deal?
A = Sounds better by a touch - Helix
B = Sounds great also! - Axe Fx III
I'm too distracted by how awesome of a song you wrote to even notice tone differences in the mix. 😂 Seriously dude, you are the king of heavy riffs in my mind. You NEVER disappoint!
Closing my eyes, the only place I could hear a clear difference was in the maj9 chords at 2:57. I could hear the chord extensions, especially the 9th, more clearly from amp B. I cannot possibly pick a favorite because they're both amazing tones!
Which do you prefer for just studio work? Ease of adjustments/tweaking and workflow.
I no longer tour. Happily retired.
I'm always worried about "digital noise" in the signal when recording.
BTW, I absolutely love your channel. :)
A - Helix
B - Fractal
"A" was my fave one.
4:00 - Wise words. There are benefits to hearing a tone in isolation, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will translate the same way within a mix.
I think A is Helix, but not with any notable certainty. I also prefer the Helix in general, but there are certain aspects to the Axe FX that I prefer. As far as modelling and recording quality go, they’re both phenomenal.
Both sound great and I thought both sounded the same once in the mix.
Great vid John. A sounds a bit richer and wider in the spectrum. But I’m listening through the phone I might bemistaken. Btw, You are not using Ownhammer IRs in your vids anymore. Why is that?
Both sound amazing but only because you are making them sound so GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD/
p.s.
bandcamp link ? :)
Model A seemed brighter,clearer,more articulate. Curious to hear which was which.
absolutely no idea I will say that A is the helix and B the axe fx but the difference is minor the B has just a little fuller low end and the A some grind in the mids but they sound similar to me.
In the mix I preferred tone A as it seemed to cut through the mix a little better so I was very surprised when I heard the isolated tracks and it was tone B that seemed like the brighter tone , or at least had more high end fizz…
I have no idea which is which but I preferred tone A in the mix.
I thought blind test was more intended for tube amp vs amp sim 😁.
Great efing sound as usual btw.
A - Axe-fx (not 100% sure)
B - Helix (more bass)
Either way they sounded great, can we have both presets?
I'm guessing the amp is Peavey Invective as it has that 5150 mid range but sounds more polished than the 5150.
And my guess on the blindtest is:
A - Axe FX
B - Helix
From watching other comparisons in this channel, I've realized that the Fractal has this upper mid range peak around 2k, certain boominess and lack of highend air. So it sounds harsher and unnatural. The B one on the other hand, had more of a hifi sound which was more natural and amp like to my ears. You immediately hear it especially on the isolated parts.
Both tones are fucking incredible. Having both the helix and FM3, I can say that both are everything is guitarist can ask for.
The REAL question is, how did you track these glorious guitars? Just a simple hard panned double tracked guitar? Or something more? Would like to know!
I like both of them but for some reason I feel like a is more for me. Because B have this sound when you place a speaker inside a box or bucket. And B little bit more stereo.and A sound a little bit more tight or compress
I can't say I preferred either but I'm going with: A = Axe FX / B = Helix. Axe FX usually sounds more defined and Helix a bit less focused esp. at the top end. I have to say that I had to listen a few times to hear any difference at all - esp. in the mix.
It's very hard. I prefer the A, more open and trebly and less fuzzy. I don't know which one is the Fractal or the Helix.
Impressive because they are very close !
I prefered A. It sounded somewhat clearer than B, which was too boomy for my taste. However, I really liked how B sounded when you played full chords.
I hear what I think of as the Helix signature on B. I hope I'm wrong so I can be sure that I'm imagining it. If I'm right, I'm back to not knowing. Both sound great and would work in any situation that requires that kind of sound.
I’m gonna guess A is Fractal. No idea what model and B is Helix Badonk. Just the video I needed. Been contemplating getting a Fractal and already have a Helix. Better stick with my Helix for now. Would be interested to hear this same type comparison with some lower gain edge of breakup/classic rock tones.
I don't have any experience with either of the modelers in this test so I'm probably way off base, but based on what I've read about each modeler over the years I'm going to guess that A is the Helix and B is the Axe III.
I'm not going to even try to guess which is which, but A sounds more mix ready and B more natural. A has less low end and lower mids and B sounds more honky, with more low end and lower mids. As a result, B sounds smoother but A has more clarity. Honestly, I guess you could use an EQ to make one sound like the other very easily. I would be very happy with any of those units.
I have no idea which is which, but I think I like A more. A sounds smoother and has more of the lower mid content that pushes a guitar forward in the mix. In the mix, B seems a bit less saturated (almost like there's a little bit of dry DI in with the signal), but isolated, I think the upper mids and highs are pushed in an unhelpful and slightly unpleasant way, but a simple low pass filter would go a long way to correct that. A sounds more like my Kemper and B sounds more like a VST. If I had to guess (and I have no faith in my ability to tell), I'd say A was the Helix and B was the Fractal because the former might add a bit more filtering to make it more plug-and-play, and the latter sounds a bit more modern and full-range, even though I don't like that as much in the mix.
I know you like the Line 6 Badonk model, so I am guessing that is the one used for the Helix. As for whether or not that is A or B in this test, I am not sure. I am guessing A is the Helix, but that is just a guess.
If I don't watch I can't tell when they are changing. Enough said I would suggest.
i think A is Helix because it has more immediacy to the attack to my ear, and B sounds spongier and slightly less aggressive which is how i generally hear fractal.
I prefer A, because it has a more controlled / tighter low end and clearer highs. I think A is the Fractal, but if it's the Helix, I definitely need this preset. :D
It's the Helix!! I also thought it would be the Fractal.
My guess is A is the Helix and B is the Fractal. They are extremely similar but I think I hear more low end presence on B which is one of the biggest things I hear when using both devices. B is also a little clearer in the high end but I couldn't hear that in the mix, only isolated.
In a mix they both are great! Doesn't matter the gear - ears and hands are much more important for great tone!
Its damn near impossible to tell within a mix tbh. So I THINK A=Helix and B= Axe fx. Only saying this because the Axe tends to get the low end correct on amps just loading the amps up with their default states. I find the helix tends to lean more towards the less low lend brighter sounding, which sounds good on its own but can cause issues in a mix. I am totally guessing as you could have put more bass in the axe fx patch to mess with us lol.
I preferred the low end of A (tighter, more defined), but preferred the high end of B (more musical to my ears). Hard to say which one is which since I have no experience with the Helix, but they both sounded great.
As a Helix user I hope A tone is from this unit because I like it more but I'm afraid it's opposite.
Wow, both sounded great John! You are a master at getting slamming tones! I loved them both but I'm going to guess A was the Axe Fx. I have a Helix and constantly struggle to get a great high gain tone and would be thrilled with either of these. One quick question, did you track one guitar per side or two per side?
I'm very anxious to see the reveal video to see how you came up with these tones! Well done and keep these great vids coming!
I can barely tell the difference but I preferred A over B by a tiny amount. A sounds a little bit more clear (less muddy) to me than B. They both sound really good for high gain metal.
Both sounded great, I liked A slightly more. I'm guessing A is the Helix, only because there's some low end smoothness I think I'm hearing in the lows that I've heard in your other shootouts including the Axe Fx. But I could very well be wrong. Countdown until a bunch of people who didn't put in their guesses before the reveal jump in and declare how much better the Axe sounded only after we know which is which.
I thought B sounded a bit "bigger" in the mix, more rounded. I also thought I could hear individual notes slightly better in B. However, B was also a bit boomy when chugging, which is a big component of this type of music but only really heard in isolation, I didn't pick it up in the mix. Because of the boominess of the chugging, I favor A. If it wasn't for that I would have picked B. I'm not going to say which is which modeler because human nature is to say you own the one you liked better.
I’m torn because I own one of them. I like the riff and muted section with A, because B is too boomy for me, but the half note chords sound like the guitar really sings out with B. A/Helix B/AxeFx
Nice vid again. Watching it from Ukraine. Just to relax for some time :)
Sounds awesome SDS,
both sound great
A ------------Axe
B ------------Helix
B sounds warmer to me. Doesn't really matter which is which. B is definitely more comfortable to my ears.
B has more bottom end. A is tighter and fits better in the mix.
Just guessing: A is the Helix, B the Axe Effects.
Both are killer! either one would work for me!
I prefer A : it has a high-mids presence which can help in the mix but even more during live. No mud overlapping bass guitar and less-likely to have a bad room resonance
Great riffing! B has better stereo separation than A, probably because extends more in lows and in the highs, therefore I prefer B in the mix. I have no idea which is which. I go for B Helix, A Fractal because I love my helix.
A = Helix (I don't know helix very well, but it always sounded close to FXII)
B = Fractal (I remembered the sounds I have in Fractal FX II)
It's a guess based on the experience I've had with Fractal FXII, but I'm told the new Cygnus firmware left things more mid-scooped, so I wouldn't be surprised the B is the FXII
Make more Blind Test
DONE
They both sound good. I prefer A, it's a bit tighter. No idea which is which.
My guess is based on full mix sound test. A = AXE, B = Helix. On isolated test, I'm not so sure since both sound equally good.
I think that
A is the Helix
B is the Axe Fx
I hope A is the HELIX as I own the platform and preferred that tone :-D The days of very noticeable quality differences among modellers are long gone. Even the budget alternatives can offer incredible tones!
I feel like B is tighter a little more full but overall, I think I like A better. It’s just got a vibe to it, especially in the mix! I’m gonna guess A is Helix and B is Axe FX?
No idea which one is which but i prefered the A..more clean/clear/articulate/defined.
A=Helix
B=AxeFx3
B has this big dynamic oomph in the palm mutes so I'm guessing it is the AxeFx.
Where're you, man? TGP miss you!
I'm permabanned.
A few sad individuals don't want me there and moderation judgement is light and swift with execution, so be it.
Thank you all for the petition on the 3.2 thread, I was deeply moved to read that people care about me being absent.
Aside from that, I'm totally fine. 😀
@@james-f1802 Good to know you're fine! But we still miss you...
I'm gonna go with A = Axe Fx and B = Helix. Having played them both for a few years I know I prefer both sound and feel of the Helix. Plus, every time Jon has both an Axe Fx and a Helix in a test, the Axe Fx tends to have less high end.
They both sounded almost identical, but I preferred A.
A has less muddiness, maybe you can chalk that up to being less realistic, but I think it sounds better in a mix. Guitar doesn't need that much bottom end. On the other hand, B at 5:20 has the best isolated sound. More punchy.
A is Helix, but they both sound pretty rad! 🤘🏻
Haven’t used them so I’m not sure which is which but I think I like A slightly more, a bit warmer and less fizz; however I liked the bottoms end in B a bit more 🤘🏻
so which is it?
We will never know!
Okay, I found the "Reveal Video" A is Helix B is Axe FX. Here's the link ruclips.net/video/NamrY-flDt8/видео.html
I‘m guessing Fractal A, and Helix B. Both sound very similar, A is a tad clearer.
Guessing A is helix and B is the fractal. I like A more. Both sounded great tho. Couldn’t really tell a difference in the mix
Great comparison. In my humble opinion A is superior. It’s much more forward sounding due to its clarity and lack of flubby low mids. Since I’m using the Helix platform I’m hoping and guessing that A is the Helix and B is the Axe fx.
Both are great tones though.
B I think is the axe, and my preference. I think it models the lows more lively.
I think A is Axe FX. B is Helix. But I hope I'm wrong bc I have the Helix and HX Stomp. And I like A a bit better but both are amazing!
The two sound practically the same to me.