The RESULTS!! First of all, thanks again everyone for playing, joining in and commenting! The results are once again quite interesting! Let me state first that most of you said that both the platforms sounded excellent. A lot of you thought that the differences weren't very big. Despite the fact that these amp models weren't based on the same amps! There were around 193 comment when I'm typing this but not everybody made a guess. Hopefully the next time more of you will chime in because of the 4.7k views as of right not not many of you actually chimed in here. And remember, in order to keep this honest I only want to count the guesses in the comment section of the actual video. So not on other social media platforms because that way it's hard to keep track of duplicate votes etc... Ok, here we go! 66 of you guessed it right! A was indeed the Helix (Badonk) and B was the Axe Fx (Das Metall). 64 of you guessed it wrong! Not everybody gave a preference but these were the preferred modelers to those who did answer: 54 preferred the Helix 10 preferred the Axe Fx Make of these results what you will. Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are! Thanks again everybody! I appreciate you!
I was correct - I thought I could hear something familiar in the Helix clip. I used to have a Helix, now use an FM9. I liked both tones (and both platforms) but have to hand it to the Axe stuff after using both, just works better for me
You’ve once again proved what most people should consider… almost all of these devices are incredible sounding and perhaps just making music with what you have instead of focusing on what the other guy has may be for more constructive and productive. Great video Jon! These types of videos are eye opening to the lay person. You better believe I guessed the correct device and you KNOW I recognized that Badonk. Love ya bud
I was right, but we described the sounds quite differently. 🤷♀️ I'd be happy with either unit - I have an HX Stomp. It's crazy that I can get these monstrous tones out of this little unit that sits on my desk. I enjoy your videos, and am glad you have the real Amps, and excellent Modelers to provide us with such excellent comparisons. It's clear that the days of Modelers that couldn't hold their own, are well behind us. Thanks 🤘😎 Thanks for showing closeups that settings you used!
Blind test is a very interesting thing. I dont like Helix so much. I could sware that A was Fractal because sounded more polished to me. "Listen" the tone with your ears, not your eyes.
Owning Both the Axe III and Helix rack, it wasn't all that difficult to tell the difference. Not slamming the Helix at all. I use it for Bass, Vox ,some ambient stuff and as my radio pre.
Ha, I was right - the Helix has a certain distinct sound to it which I like a lot! And I have to agree - the Badonk amp model still kicks major ass regardless of its age...
The wild thing about the Axe FX is how well it manages to replicate the low-end of an actual Tube Amp. I have an HX-Stomp I use live, and it's one of the things where I have the feeling, that it doesn't seem "real". A real tube amp kinda breathes in the low-end which really comes out, when you use palm mutes. The thumping of the palm mutes are spot on with the Axe FX! Doesn't really replicate that well on Helix products.
The guy who designs the AxeFX is a freaky mad genius who designs the models at a *component* level, and has seemingly pulled apart every amp ever made (I'm exaggerating a little , but it feels like it lol) and can tell you the design flaws in every single one (not "Its a little too harsh in the highs" but "the pull up resistor used pushes the bias current too much for that blah3331 tube" type design flaw) . Its been joked that if the man ever designed a tube amp, it'd probably the be the most ...correctly designed maybe?... amp ever built. The advanced mode on axefx's are wild, you can get right in and modify the settings of individual components in a modelled amp. Way too advanced for me, but others who understand it have made some savagely good presets.
@@shayneoneill1506 Justifies the price, if he put that much effort in designing and developing the whole platform :D still have to give it to line6 for keeping the helix platform alive so long and it still holds up really well! Maybe someday I'll switch, but as of yet, Its enough for my needs. Got to love the workflow with helix native
the differences are EQ related. The Helix is dialed in with less bass, and some more mids. The Axe, a little less presence/top end. Axe might also need the SAG adjusted to sound more like the Helix preset.
I have a couple Helix racks and couple HX stomps. I played with the tones for years now to get them to sound right so much stuff in them to play with. It took me a bit of listening before I thought I knew which was which but got wrong. Ha just goes to show you can be fooled even when you are certain you know. Good job!
I think since hearing the first Helix comparison(and being wrong) and I'm 100% on picking it out since. It has a distinct sound, and that's not a bad thing it just sounds polished.
Something about the way the gain is and the mids are. Lends itself very well for some things and less so for others. Slight breakup isn't done well in it, but strong distortion or even just crunch is pretty good if a mid heavy tone is what you're going for.
I knew it. I’m also sad because I was planning on getting an axe fx maybe this week but I still love the helix sound better 😓. I just don’t think the helix has anywhere near enough stuff in it for me to justify the price but it sounds better to me so I don’t knoooooow
Lol. Well I guessed wrong. That's a good thing to me. I own the helix and have had a bit of a challenge coming up with tones that I really like. But this makes it look like it would be fairly simple to do, providing my guitar sounds good coming into the chain. I've. Ren using some own hammer irs but looks like I'll need to try out the York now.
I thought B had more depth to the overall sound, like it was hitting more frequencies with dynamics, slightly more clarity. So I thought that was probably the AXE effects, and it was. Now keep in mind, I have a Helix, and use it all the time, when doing these comparo's, even the slightest difference in the settings details can make a noticeable difference.
Yea, once people find out the true identities of the amps everybody claims to know have known which was which, and everybody claims to have preferred the Axe FX.
I missed the blind test but I was able to distinguish some important differences for me in the tones. Helix seemed more open and clear. Axefx had a bit more haze to the tone and seemed to compress or was sagging noticeably on my headphones.
Nice! So the hollow/spacious sound I hear as a Helix thing is just down to model selection. Fractal has hollow sounding models if you want, and Helix has thick sounding models if you want. All of these gizmos are pretty much A-OK these days.
That low end thump was the axe fx that's nuts. I'm listening with dolby atmos though so I think that's why it stuck out so much. I really want to learn more about what each modeler brand does to give the tones more realism.
I got it right! Woo! I mean, I had a 50/50 chance but I felt pretty good amount my guess so I still count it as a win. Did not guess that the Helix model was the Badonk though, but I shouldn’t be surprised!!
Goes to show why I have been stuck with my Helix for a couple years now. I even have tried to go away from it back to amps..and then I realized why if the Helix sounds fantastic!
I would love to know how you got a decent sound because I wasted six months trying to, even following other RUclipsrs settings and IR's and never getting anything decent. I took one back to the shop because I thought there was something wrong with it. Just sounds wierd and never got a decent tone in all that time. Rant over!
@@stephencollins6278 treat the models like the amps they say they are modeled. I run mine into into real cabs with power amps... I do a mono wet/dry setup, 2 412's... love it! I can cover any genre of music. As for IR's and speakers when recording, I use good monitors, that is a must. FRFR's suck. I have one good IR based on my 412 but.... All of the FRFR's don't sound and feel the same or project like real speakers me. As for recording, I would rather mic my cabs over IR's. Most youtube vids are mixed good with these IR's. Overthinking these units is what makes people dislike them. I love my tones and so does many who have heard my setup. And I am happy.
@@70mcnevin not really. I got four of my friends to try out your video just in case I was unjustified in my comment, and they have also said they could not see the figures for the settings because the video quality is not good. I don’t think that is a personal problem. I was only pointing it out for future videos as the image of your computer screen is too blurred and you don’t describe your settings. I am not trying to cause offence, just giving a little critique. I have noticed that people get quite defensive if someone says something to try and help them do better videos. They also try to insult as well. That shows a personal problem. Take the criticism in the way that it is meant… as a constructive viewpoint and not just criticism. All the best to you.
I think while they both do sound great, the Axe has "more" to it, i guess the word would be it has more bloom? I especially noticed in the isolated tracks.
Hey @Sonic Drive Studio, Both tones appear to be stereo guitar tones (unless my ears deceive me) - where is the stereo width coming from? Is the Cab IR you used actually a stereo cab IR? I tried find more info on the "mix" IR's of the MESA cab packs but can't find anything that mentions whether they're inherently stereo or not. Great video, thanks!
I'm a Helix user and guessed right but honestly preferred the Axe FX. There was a touch less of the high end digital sizzle characteristic of the HX that I usually EQ out. That said, it was so close I'll just keep with my EQing vs the cost of getting a whole new rig haha
It's absolutely hilarious how many people in this comment section are now claiming (1) to have guessed right, and (2) to have preferred the Axe FX when in fact half the people guessed wrong and and a large majority preferred the Helix.
I think they are really close. The Axe FX sounded a little more rounded and smoother overall, but not by much. Considering the price difference, the Helix would probably fool people pretty well for how close it can sound. Totally agree with your "less is more" approach to getting tones as well.
I dunno, I'm wearing studio headphones and I couldn't tell the difference. And considering the Helix LT is $1990 aud compared to the Axe FX III which is $4885 aud (Australia), I think I'll be going with the Helix LT and a Powercab Plus.
@@sqlb3rn I got the Helix and I'm really happy with it, but I wasn't overly fussed with the Powercab, so I just got a set of 12" active PA speakers and they work great.
2 года назад+1
Guess right. Helix has to my ears like a kind of limiter and some high-mids that I don't like. However, I think that the difference with fractal in terms of sound is a few millimeters, but at the same does not happen with the prices, so, in relation to quality-price Helix is the best. Thanks John for these videos 😃 make more please
Yea, everybody guessed right and everybody preferred the Fractal after they're told which was which. Funny how in reality half the people guessed wrong, and a large majority preferred the Helix before this video was posted.
I think this just goes to show you that the IR does most of the tone shaping haha. The tones sounded nearly identical. Maybe a smidge of difference in the low end responses, but not perceptible in the mix at all.
I like the low end of the helix better but the high end on the fractal better. I did end up guessing right, but it’s usually the low end I immediately notice. Listening through headphones now though, I’d rather have the Fractal tone. A low cut on the Fractal would clean it up a tad and it’d be perfect.
Both sound great! No difference in sound IMO (in my listening Helix was a bit more aggressive in the midrange and FX III a bit more bassy - but that can be dialed to be exactly same).
At least I got the IR right, the rest was way off. Both tones are great. I love the das metal amp too, it's one of my go to amps. Is the helix badonk a 5150 type amp?
I must admit I realy like your tone philosophy. Do the right things right... and of cause great tones from both devices but I prefer the Axe-Fx 3 a bit more
Yea, everybody does after they're told which amplifier is which. Funny how the Helix was preferred by a wide margin before the identities were revealed though.
Love comparison videos like this. Would love to see a true comparison of amps that both modelers have vs a real amp. Also, did you use Helix Native to record this? Or the Helix unit? Just wondering what the signal path was. Great video!
@@colelewis9940Wow, didn't know about it! Thx. But i've tried everything (york, ownhammer) and a bunch of others but still like stock impulses much more)) Even if they were made by these companies)))
Helix tones are tight and compressed. They may not sound "real" in solo but they sit pretty good in the mix without any post processing since they have tight mid-range and less overall dynamic. Fractal tones sound more "realistic" and they are great in solo. But you'll need more post-processing to make them fit in the mix.
I've had both (Helix and FM9). The FM9 easily beats the Helix when it comes to stock IRs and presets. It also has way more. I feel like if you only stick to one sound, than an IR with the Helix will get you close to the Fractal. But since the price of the FM9 is basically the same as the Helix, you're getting better stock IR cabinets, presets, tuner, more effects (chorus, reverb, delay), more IR cabinets and amps, and a better feeling/responsive unit. What this blind test can't show you is how each of them feel. I thought the Helix was a huge improvement in terms of feel over the Axe FXII, but the FM9 is also a huge improvement over the Helix in terms of feel as well. By feel I mean responsiveness while playing individual strings, chords, sweeps, and string to string definition. I ended up selling my Helix and now I just use an FM9 for my digital modeling needs. Not to say that the Helix is bad, but if you can get an FM9, its a better value than the Helix. The Helix is probably a better value over the full sized Axe FX III + foot controller though.
@@profd65 wtf are you talking about? I highlighted the good points of both units. But at the end of the day, the FM9 has way more going for it than the Helix. The Helix UI (along with Quad Cortex) is much easier to use though than Fractals. I'm sure you haven't used either and are just commenting to start stuff.
@@JJDon5150 The good points of the Helix are that (1) it's not bad, and (2) it's better than an old modeler that came out over twelve years ago? What a flatterer you are!
@@profd65 dude, you're arguing over a video that's over a year old. I don't care which one you use. You probably don't have either or even play guitar by the sounds of it, just an online troll.
My guess was correct, but honestly the difference was not that of a big of a deal but the price is! I would choose helix any day because of the price in india! Helix cost 2000 USD in india and axe fx cost around 3300 usd.
My cousin made a hip hop album. He sent it to me. I loaded a song into my cubase and afterwards it was a djenty rhythmy metal number. He said "WTF DID YOU DO" Me: I gave it some sonic drive (no joke, presented my work to him today at a family fair)
I had zero doubts. If you crank the volume on a good sound system the nuance expose themselves just as they would playing live at a higher volume. I’ve been playing on a cranked dual rec for 2 weeks now, my tone ear is on point rn.
I am not familiar with either product so I only listened to find out which I liked better. I’m in the market. Both great sounding. In isolation, it seems A had a couple digital clipping issues. Tiny little non-musical clicks on a few pick attacks. Anyone else hear those? So maybe I’ll buy a “B”.
I've never had the Axe Fx III but i can definitely say that the Helix was a pile of sh#!. Nothing but issues. I have had two racks and both of them had issues. I also found that I could never dial in anything like the tones that I found on RUclips even if I had the same IR's, same amps and effects. The reveerbs are absolutely dire and I wouldn't touch the stock presets with a barge pole. I was thinking about getting the Axe Fx III but I don't think I will bother. From what I am hearing (admitted, both sound brilliant) it will just be a more expensive version of the Helix. One thing that I hated with a passion with the Helix was the amount of EQing and messing around to get anything like a decent sound. Then putting it through a flat EQ amp which made everything sound like I was playing through a tube no matter what I did to the EQ and effects. I still have the Helix and I never use it. I get a better sound out of an old Zoom Palm Studio PS02 than I have ever managed to get out of the Helix. Everyone says how great the sound is, but I have only been thoroughly dissapointed with my expensive peice of crap. I am either doing something very seriously wrong, or these things are not what they are cracked up to be. I can't see how I am doing something wrong when I follow some else's video and get dire results, not even close to the sounds of the RUclipsrs on here. It leads me to just one conclusion... serious manipulation through the recording software. I don't believe these sounds are from the Helix from my experience. PLEASE don't tell me I should play around with it some more. I spent six months wasting my time trying to get anything decent and failed miserably to do it. I returned one because I thought that there was something wrong with it. There was... it was crap!!
You are overthinking how to use it.. IR's and that rabbit hole is what makes people mad. They are looking for that recorded and mix tone. Helix kicks ass once you don't overthink it.. I guess all the people who use them like me must be tone deaf compared to you. 😂. Having fun..
Either you're doing some wrong, or the Helix sucks? How about a third possibility: you have a tin ear, or at least have tastes that are out of the ordinary.
I have hear enough Helix review in youtube which sounds so good. Yet, when I try helix native, I find it difficult to dial a nice hi gain tone. Difficult means I can easily dial a good tone on other amp sim such as Neural DSP, but not with Helix. I still don't understand why it happens. On side note, ever since I use York Audio IR, I manage to make many good hi gain tone. Even from amp sim that I consider lesser than neural DSP. There is something in that brand that really resonate with me. Maybe I should try using it with Helix.
@@0megalul309 and the Axe FX is for middle age men with too much free time and not enough guitar skill, but enough money to play bedroom rockstar and who like to turn virtual knobs and ask “I wonder what this does?”
I’ve had the Axe FX for 4 years. Honestly, so many of the virtual knobs seem repetitive and EQ could provide same or similar results. I’ve actually become more interested in what Boss, Line 6 and Headrush are doing these days. The Helix Rack offers a simplicity that is helpful. The people saying they knew the Fractal was more rounded or whatever are grasping for straws and trying hard to justify their Fractal purchase price, when the vast majority of folks preference is the Helix sound. Could it be the 24/96 sample rate of the Helix? Better DAC’s? Could it be that the latest firmware update to the Helix is everything people are saying it is with regard to making a massive leap forward in the companies modeling algo’s? I think Fractals day as top dog has run its course. The larger companies have far and away more resources, newer chip technology, and better prices. Fractal will always sound good, or even great. But they’ll always have to over-charge from this point forward for a product that can only change incrementally at best, and continue to pay RUclipsrs to endorse their gear and claim monumental gains to keep sales up. Kemper will be gone in a couple years if they’re not dead already. What percentage of users care about modeling a specific cab anymore really. 5%? Maybe? It’s kind of insignificant with thousands upon thousands to choose from in cab-packs. And EQ makes more of a difference than all else combined with a little phasing (phase modeling? Why not) The point is that the larger companies will squash out the smaller ones when the small ones can’t offer anything new and still charge inflated prices for past glories. Prices will continue to fall on 3 button modelers. If the next Boss GT1000/Core successor has a 7” touchscreen, lookout. It’ll be a hot, hot commodity. As would a Stomp/Helix.
The RESULTS!!
First of all, thanks again everyone for playing, joining in and commenting! The results are once again quite interesting! Let me state first that most of you said that both the platforms sounded excellent. A lot of you thought that the differences weren't very big. Despite the fact that these amp models weren't based on the same amps! There were around 193 comment when I'm typing this but not everybody made a guess. Hopefully the next time more of you will chime in because of the 4.7k views as of right not not many of you actually chimed in here. And remember, in order to keep this honest I only want to count the guesses in the comment section of the actual video. So not on other social media platforms because that way it's hard to keep track of duplicate votes etc... Ok, here we go!
66 of you guessed it right! A was indeed the Helix (Badonk) and B was the Axe Fx (Das Metall).
64 of you guessed it wrong!
Not everybody gave a preference but these were the preferred modelers to those who did answer:
54 preferred the Helix
10 preferred the Axe Fx
Make of these results what you will. Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are! Thanks again everybody! I appreciate you!
Wow 54 preferred the Helix that’s awesome 👏
@sonic drive studio I have none of these products but everyone would assume Fractal is king so I would not know whether to buy an FM9 or a HELIX!🤔
I was correct - I thought I could hear something familiar in the Helix clip. I used to have a Helix, now use an FM9. I liked both tones (and both platforms) but have to hand it to the Axe stuff after using both, just works better for me
It could be down to some familiarity with both modelling platforms.
I was right! NOICE
You’ve once again proved what most people should consider… almost all of these devices are incredible sounding and perhaps just making music with what you have instead of focusing on what the other guy has may be for more constructive and productive. Great video Jon! These types of videos are eye opening to the lay person. You better believe I guessed the correct device and you KNOW I recognized that Badonk. Love ya bud
and now Helix has firmware 3.50, which has improved all stock cabinets so many have even stopped using IRs.
I'm impressed how good and close these products both sound. Nothing bad to say about either. Also, I own the Axe FX III.
I have nothing bad to say about either. I have had both and liked both. I am more of a simpleton so I stayed with my Helix.
I was completely wrong! That's a great result for the Helix - especially considering the prices difference.
Thanks!
I was right, but we described the sounds quite differently. 🤷♀️ I'd be happy with either unit - I have an HX Stomp. It's crazy that I can get these monstrous tones out of this little unit that sits on my desk. I enjoy your videos, and am glad you have the real Amps, and excellent Modelers to provide us with such excellent comparisons. It's clear that the days of Modelers that couldn't hold their own, are well behind us. Thanks 🤘😎
Thanks for showing closeups that settings you used!
great as usual Jon.
Blind test is a very interesting thing. I dont like Helix so much. I could sware that A was Fractal because sounded more polished to me. "Listen" the tone with your ears, not your eyes.
You can tell the tone changed for B after the first run. B had more Mids at first, then it changed for the other examples.
Love the tune, tones, playing, and that guitar. Would love to see you do this again with your favorite "rock" tones.
Owning Both the Axe III and Helix rack, it wasn't all that difficult to tell the difference. Not slamming the Helix at all. I use it for Bass, Vox ,some ambient stuff and as my radio pre.
Ha, I was right - the Helix has a certain distinct sound to it which I like a lot! And I have to agree - the Badonk amp model still kicks major ass regardless of its age...
Badonk itself isn't that old tbh but I know what you mean since it came from the Big Bottom
@@SonicDriveStudio I wonder what the next big ass model name will be lmao
@@Metaljonus Thicc Drive
thanks for this video, it makes me feel alright when I took the stomp over the fm3, saving some bucks!
The wild thing about the Axe FX is how well it manages to replicate the low-end of an actual Tube Amp. I have an HX-Stomp I use live, and it's one of the things where I have the feeling, that it doesn't seem "real". A real tube amp kinda breathes in the low-end which really comes out, when you use palm mutes. The thumping of the palm mutes are spot on with the Axe FX! Doesn't really replicate that well on Helix products.
Interesting point! I haven't used an Axe Fx but that is definitely something i've noticed with Tube amp vs. Modelers
The guy who designs the AxeFX is a freaky mad genius who designs the models at a *component* level, and has seemingly pulled apart every amp ever made (I'm exaggerating a little , but it feels like it lol) and can tell you the design flaws in every single one (not "Its a little too harsh in the highs" but "the pull up resistor used pushes the bias current too much for that blah3331 tube" type design flaw) . Its been joked that if the man ever designed a tube amp, it'd probably the be the most ...correctly designed maybe?... amp ever built. The advanced mode on axefx's are wild, you can get right in and modify the settings of individual components in a modelled amp. Way too advanced for me, but others who understand it have made some savagely good presets.
@@shayneoneill1506 Justifies the price, if he put that much effort in designing and developing the whole platform :D still have to give it to line6 for keeping the helix platform alive so long and it still holds up really well! Maybe someday I'll switch, but as of yet, Its enough for my needs. Got to love the workflow with helix native
the differences are EQ related. The Helix is dialed in with less bass, and some more mids. The Axe, a little less presence/top end. Axe might also need the SAG adjusted to sound more like the Helix preset.
I have a couple Helix racks and couple HX stomps. I played with the tones for years now to get them to sound right so much stuff in them to play with. It took me a bit of listening before I thought I knew which was which but got wrong. Ha just goes to show you can be fooled even when you are certain you know. Good job!
I think since hearing the first Helix comparison(and being wrong) and I'm 100% on picking it out since. It has a distinct sound, and that's not a bad thing it just sounds polished.
Something about the way the gain is and the mids are. Lends itself very well for some things and less so for others. Slight breakup isn't done well in it, but strong distortion or even just crunch is pretty good if a mid heavy tone is what you're going for.
I knew it. I’m also sad because I was planning on getting an axe fx maybe this week but I still love the helix sound better 😓. I just don’t think the helix has anywhere near enough stuff in it for me to justify the price but it sounds better to me so I don’t knoooooow
sound really close to each other I did like the A (helix) a bit more
Lol. Well I guessed wrong. That's a good thing to me. I own the helix and have had a bit of a challenge coming up with tones that I really like. But this makes it look like it would be fairly simple to do, providing my guitar sounds good coming into the chain. I've. Ren using some own hammer irs but looks like I'll need to try out the York now.
I thought B had more depth to the overall sound, like it was hitting more frequencies with dynamics, slightly more clarity. So I thought that was probably the AXE effects, and it was. Now keep in mind, I have a Helix, and use it all the time, when doing these comparo's, even the slightest difference in the settings details can make a noticeable difference.
I agree… the bottom end was just that little bit more pronounced in B, making fuller and deeper sounding.
Yea, once people find out the true identities of the amps everybody claims to know have known which was which, and everybody claims to have preferred the Axe FX.
Simply Awesome Tonez both are great and as I mentioned on TGP thats some great priff playing
Thanks Mike!
Ah! Awesome, I was wrong! I clearly prefer the Helix here and I own it already, so money saved here! Thanks!
I missed the blind test but I was able to distinguish some important differences for me in the tones. Helix seemed more open and clear. Axefx had a bit more haze to the tone and seemed to compress or was sagging noticeably on my headphones.
Fractal sounded muffled by comparison, however, I know to take RUclips demos with grains of salt*
This proves that sound wise neither is superior. If you bought either be happy in your purchases
Nice! So the hollow/spacious sound I hear as a Helix thing is just down to model selection. Fractal has hollow sounding models if you want, and Helix has thick sounding models if you want. All of these gizmos are pretty much A-OK these days.
Holly Molly, excelente video!
That low end thump was the axe fx that's nuts. I'm listening with dolby atmos though so I think that's why it stuck out so much. I really want to learn more about what each modeler brand does to give the tones more realism.
I got it right! Woo! I mean, I had a 50/50 chance but I felt pretty good amount my guess so I still count it as a win. Did not guess that the Helix model was the Badonk though, but I shouldn’t be surprised!!
Goes to show why I have been stuck with my Helix for a couple years now. I even have tried to go away from it back to amps..and then I realized why if the Helix sounds fantastic!
I would love to know how you got a decent sound because I wasted six months trying to, even following other RUclipsrs settings and IR's and never getting anything decent. I took one back to the shop because I thought there was something wrong with it. Just sounds wierd and never got a decent tone in all that time. Rant over!
@@stephencollins6278 treat the models like the amps they say they are modeled. I run mine into into real cabs with power amps... I do a mono wet/dry setup, 2 412's... love it! I can cover any genre of music.
As for IR's and speakers when recording, I use good monitors, that is a must. FRFR's suck. I have one good IR based on my 412 but.... All of the FRFR's don't sound and feel the same or project like real speakers me. As for recording, I would rather mic my cabs over IR's. Most youtube vids are mixed good with these IR's. Overthinking these units is what makes people dislike them.
I love my tones and so does many who have heard my setup. And I am happy.
@@stephencollins6278 with thousands of happy users of the product I’d chalk it up to a personal problem.
@@70mcnevin not really. I got four of my friends to try out your video just in case I was unjustified in my comment, and they have also said they could not see the figures for the settings because the video quality is not good. I don’t think that is a personal problem. I was only pointing it out for future videos as the image of your computer screen is too blurred and you don’t describe your settings. I am not trying to cause offence, just giving a little critique. I have noticed that people get quite defensive if someone says something to try and help them do better videos. They also try to insult as well. That shows a personal problem. Take the criticism in the way that it is meant… as a constructive viewpoint and not just criticism. All the best to you.
I can't definitely hear more bass/low end in the Axe FX. I have the Helix and am always on the fence between the 2.
I think while they both do sound great, the Axe has "more" to it, i guess the word would be it has more bloom? I especially noticed in the isolated tracks.
Hey @Sonic Drive Studio,
Both tones appear to be stereo guitar tones (unless my ears deceive me) - where is the stereo width coming from? Is the Cab IR you used actually a stereo cab IR? I tried find more info on the "mix" IR's of the MESA cab packs but can't find anything that mentions whether they're inherently stereo or not. Great video, thanks!
I'm a Helix user and guessed right but honestly preferred the Axe FX. There was a touch less of the high end digital sizzle characteristic of the HX that I usually EQ out. That said, it was so close I'll just keep with my EQing vs the cost of getting a whole new rig haha
I'm trying to get rid of this digital sizzle. What are your eq parameters? Thanks!!
It's absolutely hilarious how many people in this comment section are now claiming (1) to have guessed right, and (2) to have preferred the Axe FX when in fact half the people guessed wrong and and a large majority preferred the Helix.
@@profd65 neat
I think they are really close. The Axe FX sounded a little more rounded and smoother overall, but not by much. Considering the price difference, the Helix would probably fool people pretty well for how close it can sound. Totally agree with your "less is more" approach to getting tones as well.
I dunno, I'm wearing studio headphones and I couldn't tell the difference. And considering the Helix LT is $1990 aud compared to the Axe FX III which is $4885 aud (Australia), I think I'll be going with the Helix LT and a Powercab Plus.
the axefx preset he is using has more bass and fizz
@@sqlb3rn I got the Helix and I'm really happy with it, but I wasn't overly fussed with the Powercab, so I just got a set of 12" active PA speakers and they work great.
Guess right. Helix has to my ears like a kind of limiter and some high-mids that I don't like. However, I think that the difference with fractal in terms of sound is a few millimeters, but at the same does not happen with the prices, so, in relation to quality-price Helix is the best. Thanks John for these videos 😃 make more please
Yea, everybody guessed right and everybody preferred the Fractal after they're told which was which. Funny how in reality half the people guessed wrong, and a large majority preferred the Helix before this video was posted.
I think this just goes to show you that the IR does most of the tone shaping haha.
The tones sounded nearly identical. Maybe a smidge of difference in the low end responses, but not perceptible in the mix at all.
I like the low end of the helix better but the high end on the fractal better. I did end up guessing right, but it’s usually the low end I immediately notice.
Listening through headphones now though, I’d rather have the Fractal tone. A low cut on the Fractal would clean it up a tad and it’d be perfect.
BOTH SOUND GREAT .
Both sound great! No difference in sound IMO (in my listening Helix was a bit more aggressive in the midrange and FX III a bit more bassy - but that can be dialed to be exactly same).
Both sound fine!
how can it be comparable when it is two different amps?
At least I got the IR right, the rest was way off. Both tones are great. I love the das metal amp too, it's one of my go to amps. Is the helix badonk a 5150 type amp?
Big bottom was originally a dual rectifier inspired model turned into badonk
it was so obvious lol. That low end and certain growl. helix sounds great too but that fractal aounds noticeibly better
It was obvious that 80% of listeners preferred the Helix until the answer was given and the Fractal Fanboys showed up.
I was right, not that the axe fx sounded better, its the depth of the tone on B, both sounded good though
I must admit I realy like your tone philosophy. Do the right things right... and of cause great tones from both devices but I prefer the Axe-Fx 3 a bit more
Me too. You could hear each note better.
Yea, everybody does after they're told which amplifier is which. Funny how the Helix was preferred by a wide margin before the identities were revealed though.
Love comparison videos like this. Would love to see a true comparison of amps that both modelers have vs a real amp. Also, did you use Helix Native to record this? Or the Helix unit? Just wondering what the signal path was. Great video!
I have a bunch of blind test videos with real amps vs these modelers on the channel. Check them out!
ahaaa, I was right... the Axe has a weird mid thing and the helix is fizzier
Good is good! Who give a $hit what name it has on it.
Great test and sounds though dude. Cool channel
Hey! I have an Axe fm3 and i have a question? Don't you think that the stock Axe fx impulses sound better than the external?
I prefer external IRs myself
About half of the IRs in the axe stock are made by external brands (ownhammer, ML, york, etc)
@@colelewis9940 yeah but most of them are single mic files etc
@@colelewis9940Wow, didn't know about it! Thx. But i've tried everything (york, ownhammer) and a bunch of others but still like stock impulses much more)) Even if they were made by these companies)))
3.5 is a game changer for Helix
Helix tones are tight and compressed. They may not sound "real" in solo but they sit pretty good in the mix without any post processing since they have tight mid-range and less overall dynamic. Fractal tones sound more "realistic" and they are great in solo. But you'll need more post-processing to make them fit in the mix.
Fwiw, my real amps never really require any post processing aside from a low cut.
@@SonicDriveStudio yeah true, sometimes I need more focused mids to make the tone cut through the mix. Helix does the job pretty good.
Totally agree.
I've had both (Helix and FM9). The FM9 easily beats the Helix when it comes to stock IRs and presets. It also has way more. I feel like if you only stick to one sound, than an IR with the Helix will get you close to the Fractal. But since the price of the FM9 is basically the same as the Helix, you're getting better stock IR cabinets, presets, tuner, more effects (chorus, reverb, delay), more IR cabinets and amps, and a better feeling/responsive unit. What this blind test can't show you is how each of them feel. I thought the Helix was a huge improvement in terms of feel over the Axe FXII, but the FM9 is also a huge improvement over the Helix in terms of feel as well. By feel I mean responsiveness while playing individual strings, chords, sweeps, and string to string definition. I ended up selling my Helix and now I just use an FM9 for my digital modeling needs. Not to say that the Helix is bad, but if you can get an FM9, its a better value than the Helix. The Helix is probably a better value over the full sized Axe FX III + foot controller though.
In Europe the FM9 will cost around 2100€ according to the website; the Helix costs 1350-1450€. I don't know how much in North America.
A Fractal user disappointed by the results of the test.
@@profd65 wtf are you talking about? I highlighted the good points of both units. But at the end of the day, the FM9 has way more going for it than the Helix. The Helix UI (along with Quad Cortex) is much easier to use though than Fractals. I'm sure you haven't used either and are just commenting to start stuff.
@@JJDon5150 The good points of the Helix are that (1) it's not bad, and (2) it's better than an old modeler that came out over twelve years ago? What a flatterer you are!
@@profd65 dude, you're arguing over a video that's over a year old. I don't care which one you use. You probably don't have either or even play guitar by the sounds of it, just an online troll.
OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE "A" IS THE HELIX!!! WOOOOOOOO!!! YEAAAA
My guess was correct, but honestly the difference was not that of a big of a deal but the price is! I would choose helix any day because of the price in india! Helix cost 2000 USD in india and axe fx cost around 3300 usd.
My cousin made a hip hop album. He sent it to me. I loaded a song into my cubase and afterwards it was a djenty rhythmy metal number. He said "WTF DID YOU DO"
Me: I gave it some sonic drive
(no joke, presented my work to him today at a family fair)
Shit I thought A was Axe fx. My FM3 just arrived and I am blown away and super happy but in this video Helix sounded better
The FM3 is great man. Just enjoy!
Helix for the win!
I had zero doubts. If you crank the volume on a good sound system the nuance expose themselves just as they would playing live at a higher volume. I’ve been playing on a cranked dual rec for 2 weeks now, my tone ear is on point rn.
Suena mejor la helix vamooos genial aguante helix carajooo gracias por mostrarlo abrazo grande desde argentina que tengas un muy buen día hermano
Fractal souneded a little lower output to my ears. Clearly the helix is the winner due to the price difference and of course the warranty.
i was right, by saying, both good...:) unexpected how easy the shown settings are...
I was wrong, but now I don’t have to buy the Fractal…………….this week ;-)
Sorry, don't speak inglish,. A - is Helyx. And. B - is fractal 3 ?
That's what the video says. I'd be nice if they had shared the patches to check it.
I am not familiar with either product so I only listened to find out which I liked better. I’m in the market.
Both great sounding. In isolation, it seems A had a couple digital clipping issues. Tiny little non-musical clicks on a few pick attacks.
Anyone else hear those?
So maybe I’ll buy a “B”.
HE DID IT. HE USED BIG BOTTOM!! I cant believe I actually got it right.
How could I not?
A sounds better, doesn’t tell me which unit is better, just which preset is better…
"Sometimes I prefer the helix model to real amps, because is sounds REAListic"
Isn't this kinda a contradiction lol
You twisted my words a bit but perhaps I should have worded that a little bit differently
@@SonicDriveStudio No worries I just noticed that haha
I've never had the Axe Fx III but i can definitely say that the Helix was a pile of sh#!. Nothing but issues. I have had two racks and both of them had issues. I also found that I could never dial in anything like the tones that I found on RUclips even if I had the same IR's, same amps and effects. The reveerbs are absolutely dire and I wouldn't touch the stock presets with a barge pole. I was thinking about getting the Axe Fx III but I don't think I will bother. From what I am hearing (admitted, both sound brilliant) it will just be a more expensive version of the Helix.
One thing that I hated with a passion with the Helix was the amount of EQing and messing around to get anything like a decent sound. Then putting it through a flat EQ amp which made everything sound like I was playing through a tube no matter what I did to the EQ and effects. I still have the Helix and I never use it. I get a better sound out of an old Zoom Palm Studio PS02 than I have ever managed to get out of the Helix. Everyone says how great the sound is, but I have only been thoroughly dissapointed with my expensive peice of crap. I am either doing something very seriously wrong, or these things are not what they are cracked up to be. I can't see how I am doing something wrong when I follow some else's video and get dire results, not even close to the sounds of the RUclipsrs on here. It leads me to just one conclusion... serious manipulation through the recording software. I don't believe these sounds are from the Helix from my experience.
PLEASE don't tell me I should play around with it some more. I spent six months wasting my time trying to get anything decent and failed miserably to do it. I returned one because I thought that there was something wrong with it. There was... it was crap!!
You are overthinking how to use it.. IR's and that rabbit hole is what makes people mad. They are looking for that recorded and mix tone. Helix kicks ass once you don't overthink it.. I guess all the people who use them like me must be tone deaf compared to you. 😂. Having fun..
Either you're doing some wrong, or the Helix sucks? How about a third possibility: you have a tin ear, or at least have tastes that are out of the ordinary.
I have hear enough Helix review in youtube which sounds so good. Yet, when I try helix native, I find it difficult to dial a nice hi gain tone. Difficult means I can easily dial a good tone on other amp sim such as Neural DSP, but not with Helix. I still don't understand why it happens.
On side note, ever since I use York Audio IR, I manage to make many good hi gain tone. Even from amp sim that I consider lesser than neural DSP. There is something in that brand that really resonate with me. Maybe I should try using it with Helix.
Yay, got it right. What do I win? 🤣
You win a breath of fresh air! Just open up your window and cash your win! Congrats!
@@SonicDriveStudio oh so sweet it is, cheers🍻
I would actually buy an analog Badonk amp
Me too!!
Man the axe fx sounds HUGE
Helix sounds like a modeller
Can't afford either lol
You clearly aren’t hearing well
Helix is superior, easy to setup tone patches and half the price....
It's priced very well for a toy that's for sure.
@@0megalul309 🙄 “toy” OK. No pro’s use the Helix at all.
@@0megalul309 and the Axe FX is for middle age men with too much free time and not enough guitar skill, but enough money to play bedroom rockstar and who like to turn virtual knobs and ask “I wonder what this does?”
I’ve had the Axe FX for 4 years. Honestly, so many of the virtual knobs seem repetitive and EQ could provide same or similar results. I’ve actually become more interested in what Boss, Line 6 and Headrush are doing these days. The Helix Rack offers a simplicity that is helpful. The people saying they knew the Fractal was more rounded or whatever are grasping for straws and trying hard to justify their Fractal purchase price, when the vast majority of folks preference is the Helix sound. Could it be the 24/96 sample rate of the Helix? Better DAC’s? Could it be that the latest firmware update to the Helix is everything people are saying it is with regard to making a massive leap forward in the companies modeling algo’s? I think Fractals day as top dog has run its course. The larger companies have far and away more resources, newer chip technology, and better prices. Fractal will always sound good, or even great. But they’ll always have to over-charge from this point forward for a product that can only change incrementally at best, and continue to pay RUclipsrs to endorse their gear and claim monumental gains to keep sales up. Kemper will be gone in a couple years if they’re not dead already. What percentage of users care about modeling a specific cab anymore really. 5%? Maybe? It’s kind of insignificant with thousands upon thousands to choose from in cab-packs. And EQ makes more of a difference than all else combined with a little phasing (phase modeling? Why not)
The point is that the larger companies will squash out the smaller ones when the small ones can’t offer anything new and still charge inflated prices for past glories. Prices will continue to fall on 3 button modelers. If the next Boss GT1000/Core successor has a 7” touchscreen, lookout. It’ll be a hot, hot commodity. As would a Stomp/Helix.
Line 6 models just have a certain "hair" in the top end I can pick out pretty quickly.
Yes! Finally guessed it correctly! 😁
Axe so much richer/
Is it now? Let me look up your guess in the initial blind test... :) (just messing with you btw)
Wow the Helix killed the Axe
And the winner is ... whatever modeller you use that is going into a quality IR.
1st com !!!
Thanks!
Thank you!