I’ve owned my Helix LT for almost 2 years. Absolutely love it, and has simplified my life as a musician. No more heavy amps, I show up at my gigs with a guitar and the Helix. Direct to front of house, my setup time is 10 mins at the most. Snapshots are amazing. Helix all the way!!!
@@petarzdravkovic2253 it does translate well. You might have to EQ a bit for the room but usually the sound tech will take care of that. I also added a Line 6 Powercab to my setup which gives that amp in the room feel.
I own a Helix and wouldn't trade it for anything. The fact that I'm able to do a full wet dry wet rig for $1k is just awesome. I have sooooo much flexibility and control over my tone, so I can really get pinpoint accuracy with whatever I need.
You surprised me when you said you'd choose the Helix. I actually made the switch from Helix to Kemper Stage. Amp tone is the most important thing for me, which I think Kemper does way better out of the box. When it comes to effects, I try to keep it simple with delay and reverb. And I have never had any luck with digital overdrives, so I would just gain it up or switch to a dirtier amp. I love the effect options and routing flexibility of the Helix, but I almost never needed it. Kemper does what I need and the amp profiles sound amazing. Great video Rhett!
I totally agree with you men. The most important thing about all this Amp modeling is trying to get the Best Natural Tube Amp sound in a Digital world and for me The Kemper has that and also the Quad Cortes. Although the Helix and Boss GT 1000 does a great job also but when you compare for a Real Tube Amp feel, Kemper and Quad Cortes Win
The Helix I feel like is misunderstood. It has the curse of too much flexibility in a lot of ways. It absolutely can fool anyone in a blind shoot out when compared to any other profiler/modeler/recorded real amp rig, however it needs to be dialed in well and with all of the controls available, there is a lot of room for people to mess up their tone. You need to dive in to learn what everything does and how a recording engineer would set up a signal chain. A profiler like the Kemper makes it easy for people who don't want to learn what "sag," "bias," etc. mean to be able to just download a quick profile someone else made and run with it. You can certainly download Helix presets, but I've found that these usually need to be dialed in to taste and to adapt to your specific gear.
Same…I’ve owned the Helix Floor, Helix LT, and HX Stomp + pedals. The Kemper is absolutely fantastic. You don’t need the flexibility, because it just sounds great. I’ve owned a Fractal AX8 and an FM3. Fractal comes closer to competing with the Kemper than Helix, but that’s my opinion which is subjective. The FM3 was like the Kemper, everything just sounded great right out of the box. I hardly had to tweak amp settings. Same thing I’m now experiencing with Kemper. Just set it and play!
@@dr150 Yeah, forget these cancer patients with hospital bills or the family who lost their valuables in a home burglary, this guy needs a multi-effects board!
Quality piece again, Rhett. Impressed that you genuinely did 'pick one' too. It would be easy to sit on the fence for a comparison such as this.I'm not ready to move from amps and pedalboard, but if I did- based on your synopsis- I'd go for the Kemper!
Tried both using lots of different profiles and presets made for both. I prefer the Kemper above and beyond the Helix because the amp sounds on the Kemper just feel and sound a lot better.
@@matthewf9500 I go from Dwight Yoakum to black Sabbath , SRV, ZZ Top, Sultans of swing. All sounded better with the Kemper . I thought The Helix had nice FX, just not real enough amp sounds
Matthew F I do. I have to add a pedal for better feel and sound too. They’re great for gigging guitarists but for home nope. Not getting rid of the amp that took a lifetime to find.
@@matthewf9500 I have a kemper and play a lot of Metal through it, have some profiles I made myself that I love and also some other ones I bought that are great! I just got the Messhugah ones and they are killer as well!
Great, honest comparison. Love your atmospheric tones. I've had both, I'm a Fractal guy at heart but both of these units are fantastic. The Kemper can be instant gratification when you find the right profiles for your tones. Helix can get there too!
Whichever one you prefer and is easier to use live. Soundwise, the audience won't know the difference. Coming from the traditional amp/pedalboard, I found the Helix really easy and sounding great..
Great video, Rhett. I agree with your opinions except that my personal preference is to have a separate expression pedal that is not mounted on the main unit. Mechanical devices have components that fail at a higher rate than electronic ones and I don’t want my profiler shipped off to a repair shop because the onboard mechanical pedal had a failure when I can simply plug in a replacement external expression pedal and be good to go.
I used digital devices almost exclusively in the last 9 years and the Kemper is still unbeatable for the “amp feel” in my experience. If you know what you’re doing, you can get the job done with almost any digital device on the market imho, but Kemper got something right in the first place that others didn’t when it comes to amp tones in my opinion. On the other hand, Helix got a great set of fx, good amp tones (not on par with Kemper and they require some work, but definitely more than usable), tons of flexibility and one of the best features imho: scribble scripts! They can be a godsend on stage, especially for those who have multiple different gigs to play as the custom naming makes things a lot easier. Looking on the market, Fractal stuff is probably the best of both worlds at the moment: Helix flexibility and fx quality (well, actually even a tad more in my opinion, both from quality and flexibility point of view) plus “Kemper-like” amp tones (as I said, Kemper still wins for me, but Fractal comes really close). I don’t really like their new modular approach for their floorboard models and the price tag is quite high, but they pack a lot of stuff in there. A feature that’s often overlooked is the Controllers side: you have LFOs, ADSR filters, envelope, sequencer and all that kinda stuff that you can attach to fx parameters, which significantly expands the tone palette you can get from the machine. No other unit on the market offers this afaik and, paired with the quality and flexibility, makes this an amazing all in one unit. Getting back to the question, in my opinion it all depends on what you need to do with them: if you’re an “hired gun” that has different gigs and travels a lot on his own, I’d probably go with the Helix plus an HX Stomp as a backup; with this setup you’re pretty much set and done and - as an added bonus - Line6 has a quite bigger distribution network, which means that if you’re in the middle of a tour and something goes bad, you can probably get a replacement a lot faster than Kemper or Fractal. On the other hand, if you mostly play in the same context (band, church etc), if you’re an analog guy thinking about jumping into the digital world and/or if you like a more “old-school” approach to the hardware, you can’t go wrong with the Kemper unit for sure. Just my 2 cents obviously. Rock on Rhett! \m/
This. I simply do not see any value in gear reviews by players that get the equipment in, do a review and never touch it again. Getting an opinion from a player that has used the gear on tour for an extended period is gold.
When you pair a Helix and a Variax Guitar the couple go to the stratosphere!!!! Is unbelievable!!! The way it sounds, flexibility , and is absolutely noiseless , great for recording and live sessions.
Thanks for the comparison review! The only thing I’d disagree with is that being a traditional effects/amp guy for decades, I found the Helix very easy to relate to. The user interface, signal flow I found very intuitive. And liberating - so cool to be able to essentially perform previously studio only functions live.
@@officialWWM Headrush does have a cool touchscreen interface, but Helix is still the best unit for sure. I have all three and I'm trying to sell my Headrush. I never use it at all.
Chris Taggart depends what you want it for. I think Helix is great for recording or if your an endless tinkerer. For me, I just use it live. To be able yo dial up a great tone with a few basic effects in a few seconds makes the HR far superior for my needs. I also think is sounds better. I also have the Helix but it does my head in, lol.
it sounds like an extremely nitpicky thing, however the lack of scribble strips is really what kills them kemper for me. And the interface is fine for an amp, but if you want to quickly adjust something on the stage at a gig, you're there for a while
i had both devices.When it comes to sound quality and what brings us closer to real sound the kemper is unbeatable. I'm a guitarist who only does live gigs and plays with various bands of 3,4 and more members, all the way to acoustic gigs with only one piano and singer on stage, various genres from oriental music to blues and metal and regional and domestic music in Europe and I've tried everything . If things don't sound good in live gigs, I'm not interested in functionality, display, cosmetics .... with a kemper you get a healthy, big tone right at the beginning, small adjustments are needed and you are in the mix and everyone is happy band, soundguy, singer....... if you have a cabinet and a kemper with power you are very, very close to the real tone the difference is felt only by you as a guitarist while playing, and even that difference is small, the audience cannot notice the difference even those who understand the tone and sound of the guitar amplifier So, for live music the kemper is better checked because I had both devices . I will not enter the studio possibilities because when I go to the studio to record something I just connect the kemper and play ... again everyone is satisfied I never tried Helix in the studio because I sold it right away I am not in any way connected with the company that makes the kemper..this is just one honest answer of a musician who had both devices and who lives and feeds his family playing the guitar
I own a Helix Rack with the foot controller and the M-Audio expression pedals so I'm arguably somewhat biased. One thing the Helix does really well is act as a home studio interface. The mic input and preamp are great. The routing abilities are excellent. That said ... if I had unlimited money, I'll get an AxeFxIII now. It's way more tweakable than the Helix and the amp models sound better. It's about 30% more expensive here in Australia though so bang for buck, the Helix is still a good choice
For me its the Kemper. I have purchased the Helix full version later tried the Lt even the stomp. For me the gain tones just don't do it for me. Maybe its me maybe I'm missing something since I have heard great things from the helix.The kemper for me is as close to a tube amp guitar tone as one can get without using a tube amp.All in all its a great time to play guitar with the options one has !
yeah, the thing is that, with these modelers it's just time-consuming to get that punchy tone we want, I went back to hear my first preset ever made in my Helix, it's just crap, compared to the ones I make know that sound sooo good (not bragging about) but In retrospective, I just had to really add more things to my chains and tweak the things to have these tones. Kemper amps just sound great out of the box hahah!
I started with a Kemper toaster, and due to starting to do some gigs and playing with people, I switched to Helix. both of these were used with a QSC K8 pa speaker. Now I have the Helix floor, and a power cab. I do not like this setup at all... I believe it's the powercab that has broken the spell, but now a days I just play my real amps... IF the Kemper floor was around when I started my digital journey, I likely would have been perfectly happy. but I've always found that amping these units up has been very difficult to be satisfied with. I think that studio monitors are probably the best solution for home use, and real guitar cabs with no cab sim are best for performing, if you can get away with it. But overall, I just really love amps... almost more than guitars sometimes ; )
Great video! I have both but I choose the kemper. For me is way closer to the real thing and I hate the tweaking. I just like to start making music as quickly as possible without having to spend ages fiddling with knobs. I am also very pedantic when it comes to wah pedals so prefer some a bit more custom than just a one size fits all. The kemper for me is the closest thing to a real amp out there!
I chose Kemper. I had a power rack version and sold it to buy the stage. I really like the way it feels, how touch sensitive it is. I had a Helix for about a week and than I bought Kemper. For my ears it sounds more realistic and "alive". And btw FX is not bad at all. Delays and reverbs are great. one thing that i miss is good autowah or envelope filter. if someone of you Kemper users know how to adjust that john mayer "i don't trust myself in loving you" tone - I'll become the happiest man :)
Also if you own a Helix you can pick up Helix Native for $99. You can bring over your Helix patches unmodified and use them in your DAW with a dry signal and then make changes to your Helix parameters in the plugin.
Which of the two would I get? Hm... Quad Cortex :D Seriously though, I asked myself the same question when I decided to go full digital. I was leaning towards the Kemper even though the Kemper Stage wasn’t even announced yet, so it would have been Toaster + Remote. More stuff to carry, more expensive. But I knew the sounds would be there. Then Helix came on the scene and while a lot of people judged that its amp sounds were just a tad beneath Kemper, I scoured TH-cam for comparisons and found: if you know what you’re doing, you’re going to get great sounds out of both of them. I went with the Helix LT because of the super flexible routing options and integrated pedal and who would have thought: I use the routing options much more than I ever thought I would! So for me it was the right call.
Having owned all the modelers, I went Axe FX 3. Love the Helix interface, love the Kemper feel, but Fractal puts everything together with bleeding edge amp modeling and in my opinion the best effects. They're all fun toys though!
I live in the UK where the axe fx 3 is £1000 MORE than the Helix and £500 more than the Kemper. For a £1000 difference between the Helix and the Axe fx, it is a no brainer to get the Helix and the customisation it offers.
Hmm... I think I'm gonna have to go try them both out in person before buying. This comment section has me changing my mind back and forth. Great video Rhett
In my opinion Kemper Stage without any doubt, is small, light and the tone quality is embarrassing, the display does its job and does it very well, (it must be effective and reliable, for Netflix I use the TV)
You saved me some $$$! I have had a helix for a while and the flexibility, customization, and EASE OF USE is unbeatable. I had put about $3500 into a traditional pedalboard before the Helix, and it wasn't anywhere close to what I can do with the Helix. I have been looking at Kemper because every time I hear one the tone seems a step up from the Helix. Your video was very helpful though - no volume pedal, no software to control and create, limited effects. I want that tone, but I would get really frustrated being so limited. Thanks again!
I just made the switch from Helix Floor to KPA Stage and it is far better feeling than the Helix. Kemper does have editing software now and the effects are very comparable to Helix. After playing in the Kemper for just a few minutes I was blown away. So was my buddy who is all tube amp guy. I profiled his Morgan Dual 40 through his OX and it was pretty indistinguishable for him through our church PA. If you can, try and test one out. You won’t regret it. Now I gotta sell my Floor. 😬
I completely agree with your assesment on the helix. I've owned it since the beginning and haven't looked back on traditional amp rigs. I find that my friends, while they love their amp rigs, are a bit jealous of the swiss army like usefulness of the helix.
I really love my HX Stomp for integration with my pedalboard of analog effects. the Stomp's something that's far easier to take to a quick rehearsal or integrate into an existing rig. I feel like the Helix takes a bit of learning, regarding how the parameters work in each effect; you can't just put everything at noon and it sounds great. However, once you spend a little time with it, the stuff Helix can do is just wild.
I'm getting an HX Stomp...they look and sound badass. I'm tired of wrestling with tech. I don't wanna be a youtube tweaker star...I just wanna play guitar!
@@BagusWibisono I prefer it. Just because I like different pedals than are available in the stomp. There’s a number of youtubers who have videos on how they’ve integrated their stomp in with a full pedalboard and how all that sounds. Heck, I even have a couple videos on my channel about that. I love a good analog delay, and there’s an “analog” delay simulation in the stomp, but I like my real one. Situations like that are why I preferred to add the stomp to a pedalboard.
Someone tell me cause the stomp with external pedal will be fizzy or plastic sounding, better with internal pedal. But, it just someone preference. Another people olso said like you. I plan to buy Hx stomp with BB preamp external pedal (booster for my high gain amp simulator on hx stomp). How about you dude?
I've owned the Helix, Helix Stomp, Headrush Pedalboard and Gig Board, BOSS GT 1000 & Core, ZOOM G6, MOOER GE300 and keep going back to my Kemper Stage because IMO it sounds like a real tube amp and reacts to playing like a real tube amp would.
thanks for a useful video! Definitely a Helix for me. I am tired of my huge pedal board and complex assortment of effects, so I might sell it all for the smaller footprint, lighter weight, and flexibility of a Helix. But I'm keeping my Eventide H9 and Blackbird pre-amp! They are both just too amazing to part with.
Interesting video thanks for all the info. I bought my Kemper when they came out and after fiddling with it, I have put it aside. After 3 years the USB port failed on the Kemper being used only about 10 times . I called Kemper, it was probably 3 weeks after the warranty had expired. They sit about 30 mins away from me. It would not be covered under their warranty and I would sent it via package to them. Which I never did. There is no easy support for me and I never used my Kemper again. The reliability of this gear is not for me. If I was a Pro I would have no trust in such a behavior of the factory rep either. So they only sold me one product in my life. Build quality is important to me. Thanks again for your interesting comparison. Peace (also to Kemper)
@@jorgemauriciomercado288 - jees man, it doesn't have to be IOS vs. Android, or Apple vs. Windows. Fractal still doesn't have integrated volume/expression pedal either.
I’ve been using the Helix for more than 2 years now and was curious about the Kemper Stage when it was released. Thank you for making this awesome comparison video. Your video helped me confirm that for my tone tweaking needs, I’m good!
Great vid, as always. One quibble: I used to think an attached expression pedal was a plus, until I realized that - as the most moving part - it was doomed to fail long before the rest of the board. And also ridiculously hard to repair/replace (as opposed to standard footswitches). Yeah, it’s an extra cable/pedal, but much easier to swap out. Also, you can choose a “wah/short throw” controller or a linear “volume” pedal based on your needs.
Yea definitely a good point! Just look at how many Helix LT’s had failed expressions. BTW I’ve owned pretty much every modern modeler including all the Helix Variants minus the rack, Fractal AX8 & FM3, Headrush, and Boss Multis. I’m not partial to a brand. I get whatever gets the job done easiest. I recently bought a Kemper Stage and they must’ve really improved the efx section since this video? I’m thoroughly impressed with the effects, especially the delays and reverbs. The drives are as good as the fractal stuff. Also, they now have the phone app, that’s an easy win for me!
Great vid, but I have to say that you missed a thing about the Kemper. Kemper is for who want to take his own amps everywhere. I live in Italy and here there are many great amps manufacturers like Brunetti, Masotti/Mezzabarba, Cicognani, MadCat, BRBS, and so on... They make great amps that aren't just better copy of most famous names, but have personality and unique sound. Well you don't find a Mezzabarba in a Helix, maybe you can find a similar Amp, but not the same. If it take years to find your sound why should you use a everyday amp model? In this case Kemper is the one for you, Helix, Fractal and Headrush are great machines and I love'em. But Kemper give you possibilities in creating your unique voice that others just can't. That's my opinion and I think that all of the ultimate modelers sound great. Even Mooer Ge300...
I think you may be selling the Kemper short on "tweakability". The amp profile (essentially a model as the result of profiling) has some pretty deep editing capabilities that can seriously alter the tone from the base model. In the right hands, it's no less tweakable than a modeller. The virtually endless number of freely downloadable amp profiles gets you to a good starting point and the deep tone tweaking gets you dialed in quickly. I like the Helix tóo. My bandmate uses the Helix and the tone quality is comparable. Where I see the difference is in software/firmware. Kemper is constantly adding enhancements. The new acoustic sim and additional OD stomps and delays are really good.
To me, the fundamental difference is that Kemper replaces your Amps with the option of doing some effects and the Helix replaces your Pedal Board with the option to replace your Amps. If you want to replace your Amps, buy the Kemper but if you want to replace your Pedal board, buy the Helix. I know both can do FX and Amps but if you are using each to their strengths, then it makes more sense to buy according to what area you are looking to replace. It seems pointless to buy a Kemper if you still want the flexibility of using your favourite Amp(s) and you don't buy the Helix (Floor/LT anyway) to go with your large pedal board - even the Stomp or FX will be used on a small-ish pedal board with a few of your favourite Pedals. You could even run a Helix into a Kemper (although maybe the Toaster Kemper is better for that). As such, neither is a clear winner. Both are tools for a musician to use and what suits their needs and situation best. If you want to replace your Amps primarily - whether that's for home, studio or live use, the Kemper is the better option where as the Helix is more a multi-fx pedal to replace your pedal board primarily. Helix can be used to replace your amps too if you want - might be easier for gigging or home use for example but you also have the ability to use your amps too - even stereo amp set ups. I think the Kemper may be ok for a simple pedal board replacement but I think most will still run their Pedal boards into a Kemper.
The thing is - in 2019 - we 're all spoiled rotten. As Rhett says both the Kemper and Helix are just fantastic. Same as for beginners just starting out they can buy a really great guitar to learn on for a very low cost. Gone (almost) are the days of crappy gear as we're just swamped with awesomeness we're liable to take for granted if not careful. Especially as, lets face it, over the next few years Helix and Kemper (and the Fractals and Headrushes etc... etc...) are gonna get even better.
I saved for 8 months to get my Helix. I then spent every Saturday for a month in my local Sam Ash attending a special class that they provided when you purchased it to really learn it's depth and scope, and then I read every single page of the manual. I have owned all the major boards, the Boss lineup, the Fenders, Digitech, etc. and it's just so intuitive for me to keep that learning chain going. The Kemper is a worthy contender, but I will not relinquish my Helix. You have my vote. And the Kemper is a few hundred bucks more. I paid $1499 for mine, the Stage is retailing right now for $1700, then you have to buy the other shit to get to what the Helix already has. That's a the real deal breaker.
Hey Rhett! Love your vids, especially on the Helix and HX Stomp. I've been a Helix user for about 5 years now, and do about 200+ gigs a year. I mainly play Acoustic Blues, Soul, RnR, and instrumental Fingerstyle, and the Helix is amazing for all of it. Too bad there aren't many vids out there (that I've found) on Acoustic guitar sounds with the Helix. It can be done. :) Two things about the Helix I really appreciate along with everything you mentioned are A) the benefits of the scribble strips for each foot switch, and B) that each preset is like a new pedalboard. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for all you do! Later brother man.
Used to have the Line6 but my life changed after getting the Kemper stage. Profiling has been so much better than modelling. While you could spend a lot of time with the Helix and get things to sound great, there's a lot to be said about the feel of playing. The way Kemper reacts to subtle dynamic changes in my playing, changes in volume/tone knobs, Bright/Neck pickups, etc has been just like my previous Mesa tube amps. But to each their own.
Fabulous real world no nonsense explanation of these two devices and makes as good of information involving the best way to use these devices in a variety of settings. Everything Rhett says is right on the money. Thanks for your honest thoughts and expertise on this matter. The helix is more versatile overall in my humble opinion. The kemper is a little more specialized and better used/more practical in a studio setting. Both are amazing products.
I Had the helix for a few years loved it great unit but i decided to sell it to purchase the kemper (toaster version not stage) as i was blown over with its capabilities watching videos on youtube so i took the plunge...18 months with the kemper and i wouldn't be without it now. The two units are diffent in many ways as described in this video so its not a like for like comparison but for me the kemper takes the win when all is concidered. Love your videos by the way you have a real honest and unbiased approach that genuinely helps us guys out! Great respect for that
Great video! Love your playing and honesty. I’ve owned Line 6 gear since they first started in the late 90’s, and it all still works. Got the Helix a few months ago and totally love it. Never used a Kemper, but I’m not a huge metal player so I don’t see a reason to even consider it. Helix effects by far are superb and don’t regret my purchase.
Great comparison Rhett. I totally agree with everything you said EXCEPT the in built volume pedal. On of the reasons I didn’t buy a Helix is that it has a built in pedal. I use my wah, volume and morph with my left foot. Having a built in pedal on the right hand side is a major turn off for me. I think Kemper got it absolutely right giving users the option.
I'm team kemper all the way. But thats because I'm in it for the tones and limitless amp sounds. I could care less about a volume pedal and if I want effects I'd rather get individual pedals. In my eyes the kemper isn't designed to be an all in one solution anyways its simply designed to sound absolutely perfect and thats what it does.
Helix, but in a stereo rig using two tube amps, Helix in the wet side through a Victory V50 and Mesa MK V in the dry with a couple analog effects in the loop. The sound is huge and controllable
Now going Wet-Dry-Damp with three amps. Mesa MkV completely dry Victory V40D with analog effects, Victory V50 with Helix. Complicated but the sound is glorious.
Nice comparison. I didn't need a full blown Helix so I never pulled the trigger. When the HX Stomp came out it was exactly what I was looking for so I jumped on it. So far I love it as a home user. That's another Helix advantage. You can get in at several price points without sacrificing sound quality. You just get fewer features which some people may not need.
The thing I love about the Kemper is that you can control the sound with the guitar's volume control. The way the amps are profiled means that quiet sounds are as important as the loud sounds, so that the dynamics of the sounds change as you pick more quietly or turn the volume down. Overdriven sounds clean up so nicely and can give a tactile feel to your playing.
Helix. Better bang for buck, sounds great, all in one solution out of box. Endless possibilities. Kemper stage, lack of expression pedal. Sh*tty small LCD display, Not as many effects, Sounds GREAT but not miles above Helix. 1700 starting price, Less for more $. Great vid thanks.
Thanks! I had not considered the line 6 and now it seems like a better option for me. I’m really impressed by the preparation and organization of the information you provided! Really well done. Thank you!!
I bought the Helix 3 1/2 years ago and love it. I was using the Pod Pro with in-ears around 2001 and in the late 80s I was using an ADA tube pre with a midi foot switcher. With my band Blessid Union Of Souls I used Godin guitars on songs that I needed acoustic sounds and electric guitar at the same time so now I use a Variax guitar with a Helix connected with a cat 5 cable which allows you to run the modeled acoustic sound out of the Variax in the right channel of the Helix going through a preamp and eq and the magnetic pickups of the Variax going through the left channel of the Helix going through amp and guitar effects. Using snapshots to mute either one or have both at once. Line 6 all the way for me.
I'm really stoked on my HX Effects. It let me downsize my pedalboard, and gives me great drive tones to the front of an amp, and when I want to get more complicated it allows me to do 4 cable method so I can still use an amplifier as my main tone if I want/need. I think the helix range of Line 6 products offers a solution for every live guitar scenario. You want to add an amp modeler to your analog board? HX Stomp. Want to downsize/replace your analog board, but keep your tube amp? HX Effects. You want to do either of the previous two things and have an all-in-one floor rig? Full size Helix (or LT).
I've had them all. Kemper (toaster), Helix, sold the Kemper to fund a Fractal Audio AX8. I've just (re) bought the Kemper Stage and so far it's my favourite of the bunch. I've just got to the point where I'm done going down rabbit holes and endless tweaking. With the Kemper, I've simply bought a bunch of packs of my favourite amps from Michael Britt and Tone Junkie like you said and bam.....instant great tones with little to no tweaking.
This approach makes a lot of sense to me as I have already fallen down too many rabbit holes at this point in my life. You prefer the stage to the toaster? Thanks.
DAMN DUDE, i was leaning so hard for the kemper when i started watching this. but im selling my JVM410C and Pedals and going digital. Looks like you may have made line 6 a sale... Great Video
Thank you for this video! I've bought a Helix last year, almost didn't touch it since then....life was complicated. Now I want to start to get into it....and to be honest...I already have a headache when I think of how complicated it is....at least that's what many people say. I really hope I will learn to use it.
Just picked up a helix a few weeks ago. I debated picking up the kemper stage but ultimately it came down to price and the integrated expression pedal. I find the workflow incredibly easy considering all the things that you can do with your signal flow. I’ve also downloaded a few killer presets that have helped give me ideas on how to create my own presets and make them sound amazing. I’ve also downloaded a few impulse responses that have really made this thing sound killer! I’ve never owned or played a kemper, but all in all I have no regrets.
The Kemper sounds great. I tried it several times in the shop. But for me the usability was very confusing. I like the flexibility of my Helix. The cab simulation / IR selection can be intensive to model your favorite sound. But you are able to tweak many things.
Use to be a traditional pedalboard and amp guy, switched to the Helix a few years and never turned back. Between my Helix and amazing amp modeling plugins, sold all my pedals and amps at this point.
I got my Helix just over a year ago now 2nd hand and it's just fantastic So intuitive and sounds beautiful For someone who simply doesn't have the resources ie shops for vintage amps and gear nor the cash flow to acquire them the Helix is a fantastic facsimile All in all a Helix all the way for me
Helix all the way! You cannot beat the flexibility of having just one piece of gear to take to a gig and not having to drag your 4x12 through the crowd or in and out of your car. I have built tube amps commercially for a couple of years and still love the nostalgia of those glowing bulbs but it just isn’t worth it any more. Digital is the future imho and the Helix is my goodbye to the tube amp world.
Hi Rhett, great channel. I subscribed several months ago. Great info on lots of things gear and touring related. BUT, with much respect, doing a Kemper vs Helix video without sound comparison, is moot. (Sorry, but it's true) It's the same as reviewing pizza from 2 different places without tasting it. Again, love the channel, thanks for the great content. I've learned a lot here.
I'm a Kemper Guy, had the toaster for years and love it! Will be getting the Stage very soon.. But I agree with you 100%, I am a more traditional guitar player in the sense that I want my rig to resemble an actual amp and pedal board control setup, so for sure it's the one for me, but the Helix is very very good as well as well as the Fractal..
Rhett, all of your videos have a certain cinematography to them. A feel. Almost like a Rhett Shull filter if you will. I really dig your videography. Almost as much as the video content. Great job friend.
I've learnt almost as much about videography as I have about music from rhett. So much care and attention goes into making great content for us to enjoy
I prefer the Helix over the Kemper.. Tried both Kemper and Helix as well as an Fractal when I went to replace my Pedals and rack gear being controlled by a Voodoo Labs Switcher and Controller ... actually now have a Helix Floor and a Helix Rack .. Helix floor for quick jams and practice away from home and Rack with my other gear for actually playing gigs.. Helix is so much easier to work with , sounds amazing and cost wise no comparison to Kemper or Fractal .. SO YES HELIX GOT MY VOTE !!!! and money.. lol
I have personally owned both and I can say the kemper beats the helix hands-down. No matter how much I tweak I can never get rid of that digital grind that the line 6 products have. The kemper simply sounds better. I have used both extensively but constantly found myself going back to the kemper for the sounds that I need, And I used a pod pro for years
Great review that folks can actually use! I would agree fully. After 2 years living with the Helix, it's been a fantastic rig. The only issue was stage volume when playing in a traditional band which can be solved with the MIssion IO powered cab. Then I bought a used 20th Anniversary Bogner Shiva (KT88) - now everything has changed including my stage set up and wow, I get all kinds of compliments on my sound now and how balanced my tone is at just about any volume level. I actually have folks that are not guitar players come up to me and say how the sound of my guitar gave them chills. That's pretty dang cool...
Having had both, I got rid of the Helix and currently have the Kemper Stage. I use it for all my effects except that I have a Strymon Deco running in the X-Slot for stereo separation. I just feel like it sounds and, especially, feels closer to the real thing. And, I have to spend far less time setting up the Kemper than I ever did with the Helix. Thanks for making the video!! All great points!!
Great analysis Rhett. I have just recently started using the Helix lt for bass. A great unit.... Like you mentioned per signal path.... So programmable. I use one xlr to feed front of house, the other xlr to feed our x32 for in-ears, and a jack out to feed any on stage backline (obviously without cab sim etc) . Works amazing for me!!! Keep up the good work 👍
I think that just some years ago they all were telling that they would never change their perfect old Fender/Vox/Marshall/etc amps/speakers for this soulless digital crap.
@@copych Have you seen the Andertons video where they compare the real amps, to the Kempers modelling with a blind test? A lot of times the Kemper won. I wouldn't call all digital solutions crap.
That is definitely what I have seen as well. Most of the professional musicians I have contact with have a Kemper. Most prefer real amps, but kemper is their choice otherwise.
All my professional musician friends don’t really care what gear they use ,they just like playing music and use anything that sound good .They are amazing players,got paid doing what they love to do so go out and play don’t let gear contemplating your passion for music.
My first video course, The Tone Course, is available now. Check it out below!
flatfiv.co/collections/rhett-shull/products/the-tone-course
Do you have a Line on :BASS Cab: IRS for a Helix?? Im looking for a great B15 or 1970s era ampeg 810..Thank you
Any thoughts about Positive Grid products?
i thhiink you meant S.O.O.L. Sool... :0
13:37 Is this still the case today? Is it time for an update on Helix vs. Kemper?
I’ve owned my Helix LT for almost 2 years. Absolutely love it, and has simplified my life as a musician. No more heavy amps, I show up at my gigs with a guitar and the Helix. Direct to front of house, my setup time is 10 mins at the most. Snapshots are amazing. Helix all the way!!!
Same
Still using it?🙂 Please tell me, when you are using helix across different PA system, does it translate very well...dosen't different that much?
@@petarzdravkovic2253 it does translate well. You might have to EQ a bit for the room but usually the sound tech will take care of that. I also added a Line 6 Powercab to my setup which gives that amp in the room feel.
@@jasonmaltz7040 Thanks bro!🫡
what a great video. thanks, man.
Thanks dude!
bro you are just awsome 😍😍😍
Two legends appear
Imagine having mateus watch ur videos
Mateus, I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject!
I own a Helix and wouldn't trade it for anything. The fact that I'm able to do a full wet dry wet rig for $1k is just awesome. I have sooooo much flexibility and control over my tone, so I can really get pinpoint accuracy with whatever I need.
You surprised me when you said you'd choose the Helix. I actually made the switch from Helix to Kemper Stage. Amp tone is the most important thing for me, which I think Kemper does way better out of the box. When it comes to effects, I try to keep it simple with delay and reverb. And I have never had any luck with digital overdrives, so I would just gain it up or switch to a dirtier amp. I love the effect options and routing flexibility of the Helix, but I almost never needed it. Kemper does what I need and the amp profiles sound amazing. Great video Rhett!
This is the comment i am looking for!
I totally agree with you men. The most important thing about all this Amp modeling is trying to get the Best Natural Tube Amp sound in a Digital world and for me The Kemper has that and also the Quad Cortes. Although the Helix and Boss GT 1000 does a great job also but when you compare for a Real Tube Amp feel, Kemper and Quad Cortes Win
The Helix I feel like is misunderstood. It has the curse of too much flexibility in a lot of ways. It absolutely can fool anyone in a blind shoot out when compared to any other profiler/modeler/recorded real amp rig, however it needs to be dialed in well and with all of the controls available, there is a lot of room for people to mess up their tone. You need to dive in to learn what everything does and how a recording engineer would set up a signal chain.
A profiler like the Kemper makes it easy for people who don't want to learn what "sag," "bias," etc. mean to be able to just download a quick profile someone else made and run with it. You can certainly download Helix presets, but I've found that these usually need to be dialed in to taste and to adapt to your specific gear.
Same…I’ve owned the Helix Floor, Helix LT, and HX Stomp + pedals.
The Kemper is absolutely fantastic. You don’t need the flexibility, because it just sounds great.
I’ve owned a Fractal AX8 and an FM3. Fractal comes closer to competing with the Kemper than Helix, but that’s my opinion which is subjective.
The FM3 was like the Kemper, everything just sounded great right out of the box. I hardly had to tweak amp settings. Same thing I’m now experiencing with Kemper. Just set it and play!
Actually it doesn't matter which one should I buy because I have no money 😂😂🤣🤣
Start a GoFundmMe page....You're welcome!....
@@dr150 Yeah, forget these cancer patients with hospital bills or the family who lost their valuables in a home burglary, this guy needs a multi-effects board!
@@dustin2006 Who are you to decide where people want to give their money to? If he gets his board with gofundme let him be happy.
Man this comment really cheered me up, thank you 😂😂
Daniel Ordoñez Did you get your Trump money yet? 😆
Quality piece again, Rhett. Impressed that you genuinely did 'pick one' too. It would be easy to sit on the fence for a comparison such as this.I'm not ready to move from amps and pedalboard, but if I did- based on your synopsis- I'd go for the Kemper!
This is SO HELPFUL. These are very expensive units and I'm grateful as helllllllllllllllllll for this straight forward comparison.
Tried both using lots of different profiles and presets made for both. I prefer the Kemper above and beyond the Helix because the amp sounds on the Kemper just feel and sound a lot better.
MrDavemiley I wasn't feeling any of the high gain amps on the helix. Do you use high gain profiles on the kemper?
@@matthewf9500 I go from Dwight Yoakum to black Sabbath , SRV, ZZ Top, Sultans of swing. All sounded better with the Kemper . I thought The Helix had nice FX, just not real enough amp sounds
Matthew F I do. I have to add a pedal for better feel and sound too. They’re great for gigging guitarists but for home nope. Not getting rid of the amp that took a lifetime to find.
@@matthewf9500 If you want high gain metal sounding amps, check out the STL Tones packs. I agree the Helix can't compare to a Kemper
@@matthewf9500 I have a kemper and play a lot of Metal through it, have some profiles I made myself that I love and also some other ones I bought that are great! I just got the Messhugah ones and they are killer as well!
Great, honest comparison. Love your atmospheric tones. I've had both, I'm a Fractal guy at heart but both of these units are fantastic. The Kemper can be instant gratification when you find the right profiles for your tones. Helix can get there too!
Whichever one you prefer and is easier to use live. Soundwise, the audience won't know the difference. Coming from the traditional amp/pedalboard, I found the Helix really easy and sounding great..
Great video, Rhett. I agree with your opinions except that my personal preference is to have a separate expression pedal that is not mounted on the main unit. Mechanical devices have components that fail at a higher rate than electronic ones and I don’t want my profiler shipped off to a repair shop because the onboard mechanical pedal had a failure when I can simply plug in a replacement external expression pedal and be good to go.
The helix pedal is incredibly durable, but I also have 2 external.expression pedals and only use the internal for volume, usually.
Hey Rhett,
Love the opening jam you did. Excellent sound🤘🎸
hell yeah.
Rhett, I love all the various jams you do. You play such incredibly tasty licks.
You literally released this video on the exact day when I was first wondering which one of these to get. Kudos!
I used digital devices almost exclusively in the last 9 years and the Kemper is still unbeatable for the “amp feel” in my experience.
If you know what you’re doing, you can get the job done with almost any digital device on the market imho, but Kemper got something right in the first place that others didn’t when it comes to amp tones in my opinion.
On the other hand, Helix got a great set of fx, good amp tones (not on par with Kemper and they require some work, but definitely more than usable), tons of flexibility and one of the best features imho: scribble scripts!
They can be a godsend on stage, especially for those who have multiple different gigs to play as the custom naming makes things a lot easier.
Looking on the market, Fractal stuff is probably the best of both worlds at the moment: Helix flexibility and fx quality (well, actually even a tad more in my opinion, both from quality and flexibility point of view) plus “Kemper-like” amp tones (as I said, Kemper still wins for me, but Fractal comes really close).
I don’t really like their new modular approach for their floorboard models and the price tag is quite high, but they pack a lot of stuff in there.
A feature that’s often overlooked is the Controllers side: you have LFOs, ADSR filters, envelope, sequencer and all that kinda stuff that you can attach to fx parameters, which significantly expands the tone palette you can get from the machine.
No other unit on the market offers this afaik and, paired with the quality and flexibility, makes this an amazing all in one unit.
Getting back to the question, in my opinion it all depends on what you need to do with them: if you’re an “hired gun” that has different gigs and travels a lot on his own, I’d probably go with the Helix plus an HX Stomp as a backup; with this setup you’re pretty much set and done and - as an added bonus - Line6 has a quite bigger distribution network, which means that if you’re in the middle of a tour and something goes bad, you can probably get a replacement a lot faster than Kemper or Fractal.
On the other hand, if you mostly play in the same context (band, church etc), if you’re an analog guy thinking about jumping into the digital world and/or if you like a more “old-school” approach to the hardware, you can’t go wrong with the Kemper unit for sure.
Just my 2 cents obviously.
Rock on Rhett! \m/
That's a good 2 cents man
Kemper really really needs to update their crappy UI with a color LCD touch screen interface. Then I would buy one.
@@GuitarsAndSynths So you're not buying it because of the screen? "Americans".
@@unukalhai295 yeah.. why should usability be a factor, right?
@@mrburns366 Who said it was not usable?
Gotta say man, I love your channel. No bullshit, by a musican for musicians. One of the few channels where I genuinely trust what you say. Keep it up.
Thanks Brian!
This. I simply do not see any value in gear reviews by players that get the equipment in, do a review and never touch it again. Getting an opinion from a player that has used the gear on tour for an extended period is gold.
When you pair a Helix and a Variax Guitar the couple go to the stratosphere!!!! Is unbelievable!!! The way it sounds, flexibility , and is absolutely noiseless , great for recording and live sessions.
Thanks for the comparison review! The only thing I’d disagree with is that being a traditional effects/amp guy for decades, I found the Helix very easy to relate to. The user interface, signal flow I found very intuitive. And liberating - so cool to be able to essentially perform previously studio only functions live.
I don’t understand why Kemper didn’t give the Stage a better user interface, that would’ve given them so much edge over Line 6 and Fractal
Cody Carrig yep, Headrush kills all of them in that regard!
@@officialWWM Headrush does have a cool touchscreen interface, but Helix is still the best unit for sure. I have all three and I'm trying to sell my Headrush. I never use it at all.
Chris Taggart depends what you want it for. I think Helix is great for recording or if your an endless tinkerer. For me, I just use it live. To be able yo dial up a great tone with a few basic effects in a few seconds makes the HR far superior for my needs. I also think is sounds better. I also have the Helix but it does my head in, lol.
So true. They’ve had 10 years to make this thing more useable. They are good on the sound side. Poor on the software side.
it sounds like an extremely nitpicky thing, however the lack of scribble strips is really what kills them kemper for me. And the interface is fine for an amp, but if you want to quickly adjust something on the stage at a gig, you're there for a while
I have an HX stomp with a mini crybaby and mini dunlop volume for my fly rig, and its everything I could possibly "need" for any gig (and more).
Do you use the mini volume as an expression pedal for the HX?
@@DJParkesie959II Yes
i had both devices.When it comes to sound quality and what brings us closer to real sound the kemper is unbeatable.
I'm a guitarist who only does live gigs
and plays with various bands of 3,4 and more members, all the way to acoustic gigs with only one piano and singer on stage, various genres from oriental music to blues and metal and regional and domestic music in Europe and I've tried everything . If things don't sound good in live gigs, I'm not interested in functionality, display, cosmetics ....
with a kemper you get a healthy, big tone right at the beginning,
small adjustments are needed and you are in the mix and everyone is happy
band, soundguy, singer....... if you have a cabinet and a kemper with power you are very, very close to the real tone
the difference is felt only by you as a guitarist while playing, and even that difference is small, the audience cannot notice the difference even those who understand the tone and sound of the guitar amplifier
So,
for live music the kemper is better checked because I had both devices . I will not enter the studio possibilities because when I go to the studio to record something I just connect the kemper and play ... again everyone is satisfied
I never tried Helix in the studio because I sold it right away
I am not in any way connected with the company that makes the kemper..this is just one honest answer of a musician who had both devices and who lives and feeds his family playing the guitar
I own a Helix Rack with the foot controller and the M-Audio expression pedals so I'm arguably somewhat biased. One thing the Helix does really well is act as a home studio interface. The mic input and preamp are great. The routing abilities are excellent.
That said ... if I had unlimited money, I'll get an AxeFxIII now. It's way more tweakable than the Helix and the amp models sound better. It's about 30% more expensive here in Australia though so bang for buck, the Helix is still a good choice
I use the helix in a home studio. very versatile. The routing can do insane things
Kemper as a great sounding amp, Helix as a great home user interface and effects pedalboard.
A "Helix as a great home user..."?? Both items are home, recording, and on stage.
Troll
You should do an updated version of this! That would be awesome because of the liquid profiles, the updates and new products now also!
For me its the Kemper. I have purchased the Helix full version later tried the Lt even the stomp. For me the gain tones just don't do it for me. Maybe its me maybe I'm missing something since I have heard great things from the helix.The kemper for me is as close to a tube amp guitar tone as one can get without using a tube amp.All in all its a great time to play guitar with the options one has !
yeah, the thing is that, with these modelers it's just time-consuming to get that punchy tone we want, I went back to hear my first preset ever made in my Helix, it's just crap, compared to the ones I make know that sound sooo good (not bragging about) but In retrospective, I just had to really add more things to my chains and tweak the things to have these tones.
Kemper amps just sound great out of the box hahah!
I started with a Kemper toaster, and due to starting to do some gigs and playing with people, I switched to Helix. both of these were used with a QSC K8 pa speaker. Now I have the Helix floor, and a power cab. I do not like this setup at all... I believe it's the powercab that has broken the spell, but now a days I just play my real amps...
IF the Kemper floor was around when I started my digital journey, I likely would have been perfectly happy. but I've always found that amping these units up has been very difficult to be satisfied with. I think that studio monitors are probably the best solution for home use, and real guitar cabs with no cab sim are best for performing, if you can get away with it. But overall, I just really love amps... almost more than guitars sometimes ; )
Do you think that Kemper doesn't translate very well across different PA system in comparation with helix, or vice versa...?
I've seen this video at least 5 or 6 times in the past 2 years and each time, it's been informative 👍🏻
Thanks Rhett ✊🏻
Kemper.
That’s all folks !
Kemper change vision to do the music.
Great video! I have both but I choose the kemper. For me is way closer to the real thing and I hate the tweaking. I just like to start making music as quickly as possible without having to spend ages fiddling with knobs. I am also very pedantic when it comes to wah pedals so prefer some a bit more custom than just a one size fits all. The kemper for me is the closest thing to a real amp out there!
Sick opening jam, my dude!! 🤘
I chose Kemper. I had a power rack version and sold it to buy the stage. I really like the way it feels, how touch sensitive it is. I had a Helix for about a week and than I bought Kemper. For my ears it sounds more realistic and "alive". And btw FX is not bad at all. Delays and reverbs are great. one thing that i miss is good autowah or envelope filter. if someone of you Kemper users know how to adjust that john mayer "i don't trust myself in loving you" tone - I'll become the happiest man :)
Kemper. I had line6 and the kpa sounds more natural and dynamic, and foh is just phenomenal. Plus the kpa will serve the unit longer than line 6
Also if you own a Helix you can pick up Helix Native for $99. You can bring over your Helix patches unmodified and use them in your DAW with a dry signal and then make changes to your Helix parameters in the plugin.
Does that also hold if you own a Stomp?
@@driesvanoosten4417 Yes it does
Can't believe they don't give it to you for free.
but Helix is made in China and Kemper in Germany. I don't buy Chinese made products if I can help avoid it.
Renaissance Man The reason being... what exactly?
Which of the two would I get? Hm... Quad Cortex :D Seriously though, I asked myself the same question when I decided to go full digital. I was leaning towards the Kemper even though the Kemper Stage wasn’t even announced yet, so it would have been Toaster + Remote. More stuff to carry, more expensive. But I knew the sounds would be there.
Then Helix came on the scene and while a lot of people judged that its amp sounds were just a tad beneath Kemper, I scoured TH-cam for comparisons and found: if you know what you’re doing, you’re going to get great sounds out of both of them. I went with the Helix LT because of the super flexible routing options and integrated pedal and who would have thought: I use the routing options much more than I ever thought I would! So for me it was the right call.
Great comparison, The Kemper just feels better.. I've had both..The Helix is great, the Kemper is Heavenly..
Having owned all the modelers, I went Axe FX 3. Love the Helix interface, love the Kemper feel, but Fractal puts everything together with bleeding edge amp modeling and in my opinion the best effects. They're all fun toys though!
I live in the UK where the axe fx 3 is £1000 MORE than the Helix and £500 more than the Kemper. For a £1000 difference between the Helix and the Axe fx, it is a no brainer to get the Helix and the customisation it offers.
does the Axe feel as good/real as the Kemper?
Hmm... I think I'm gonna have to go try them both out in person before buying. This comment section has me changing my mind back and forth. Great video Rhett
I change back and forth myself a lot, it’s a tough choice.
In my opinion Kemper Stage without any doubt, is small, light and the tone quality is embarrassing, the display does its job and does it very well, (it must be effective and reliable, for Netflix I use the TV)
You’re the working class hero of the guitarists of the world no joke
Really admire the consistency of your playing, kudos
also, the helix is easy to use with a clicktrack... i program my patch changeovers / fx with the midi out in a daw
You saved me some $$$! I have had a helix for a while and the flexibility, customization, and EASE OF USE is unbeatable. I had put about $3500 into a traditional pedalboard before the Helix, and it wasn't anywhere close to what I can do with the Helix. I have been looking at Kemper because every time I hear one the tone seems a step up from the Helix. Your video was very helpful though - no volume pedal, no software to control and create, limited effects. I want that tone, but I would get really frustrated being so limited. Thanks again!
I just made the switch from Helix Floor to KPA Stage and it is far better feeling than the Helix. Kemper does have editing software now and the effects are very comparable to Helix. After playing in the Kemper for just a few minutes I was blown away. So was my buddy who is all tube amp guy. I profiled his Morgan Dual 40 through his OX and it was pretty indistinguishable for him through our church PA. If you can, try and test one out. You won’t regret it. Now I gotta sell my Floor. 😬
I completely agree with your assesment on the helix. I've owned it since the beginning and haven't looked back on traditional amp rigs. I find that my friends, while they love their amp rigs, are a bit jealous of the swiss army like usefulness of the helix.
I really love my HX Stomp for integration with my pedalboard of analog effects. the Stomp's something that's far easier to take to a quick rehearsal or integrate into an existing rig. I feel like the Helix takes a bit of learning, regarding how the parameters work in each effect; you can't just put everything at noon and it sounds great. However, once you spend a little time with it, the stuff Helix can do is just wild.
I'm getting an HX Stomp...they look and sound badass. I'm tired of wrestling with tech. I don't wanna be a youtube tweaker star...I just wanna play guitar!
hi sir.. hx stomp with external real pedal is better sounding than the internal hx stomp?
@@BagusWibisono I prefer it. Just because I like different pedals than are available in the stomp. There’s a number of youtubers who have videos on how they’ve integrated their stomp in with a full pedalboard and how all that sounds. Heck, I even have a couple videos on my channel about that.
I love a good analog delay, and there’s an “analog” delay simulation in the stomp, but I like my real one.
Situations like that are why I preferred to add the stomp to a pedalboard.
Someone tell me cause the stomp with external pedal will be fizzy or plastic sounding, better with internal pedal. But, it just someone preference. Another people olso said like you. I plan to buy Hx stomp with BB preamp external pedal (booster for my high gain amp simulator on hx stomp). How about you dude?
How do get Around the 60cycle hum ? As soon as I start adding amps its unbearable. The gates destroy any responsiveness.
I've owned the Helix, Helix Stomp, Headrush Pedalboard and Gig Board, BOSS GT 1000 & Core, ZOOM G6, MOOER GE300 and keep going back to my Kemper Stage because IMO it sounds like a real tube amp and reacts to playing like a real tube amp would.
I am between Boss GT 1000 and Helix 😅
thanks for a useful video! Definitely a Helix for me. I am tired of my huge pedal board and complex assortment of effects, so I might sell it all for the smaller footprint, lighter weight, and flexibility of a Helix. But I'm keeping my Eventide H9 and Blackbird pre-amp! They are both just too amazing to part with.
Interesting video thanks for all the info. I bought my Kemper when they came out and after fiddling with it, I have put it aside. After 3 years the USB port failed on the Kemper being used only about 10 times . I called Kemper, it was probably 3 weeks after the warranty had expired. They sit about 30 mins away from me. It would not be covered under their warranty and I would sent it via package to them. Which I never did. There is no easy support for me and I never used my Kemper again. The reliability of this gear is not for me.
If I was a Pro I would have no trust in such a behavior of the factory rep either.
So they only sold me one product in my life. Build quality is important to me.
Thanks again for your interesting comparison. Peace (also to Kemper)
2 years later, the Kemper effects are quite amazing now. And the amps were always better. I think a different conclusion would be reached now.
HELIX has been updated a lot of times too
The latest helix update’s amps are crazy good.
@@WarrenPostma Fractal is the King 👑
@@jorgemauriciomercado288 - jees man, it doesn't have to be IOS vs. Android, or Apple vs. Windows. Fractal still doesn't have integrated volume/expression pedal either.
@@John-pp8qv It was a joke, I’m just kidding and messing a little !!
I’ve been using the Helix for more than 2 years now and was curious about the Kemper Stage when it was released. Thank you for making this awesome comparison video. Your video helped me confirm that for my tone tweaking needs, I’m good!
Great vid, as always. One quibble: I used to think an attached expression pedal was a plus, until I realized that - as the most moving part - it was doomed to fail long before the rest of the board. And also ridiculously hard to repair/replace (as opposed to standard footswitches). Yeah, it’s an extra cable/pedal, but much easier to swap out. Also, you can choose a “wah/short throw” controller or a linear “volume” pedal based on your needs.
Good point!
Yea definitely a good point! Just look at how many Helix LT’s had failed expressions.
BTW I’ve owned pretty much every modern modeler including all the Helix Variants minus the rack, Fractal AX8 & FM3, Headrush, and Boss Multis. I’m not partial to a brand. I get whatever gets the job done easiest.
I recently bought a Kemper Stage and they must’ve really improved the efx section since this video? I’m thoroughly impressed with the effects, especially the delays and reverbs. The drives are as good as the fractal stuff.
Also, they now have the phone app, that’s an easy win for me!
If Kemper released a Kemper Stomp then everyone would just buy that and a HX Effects, IMO.
Good call! Best of both worlds 🌎
Great vid, but I have to say that you missed a thing about the Kemper. Kemper is for who want to take his own amps everywhere. I live in Italy and here there are many great amps manufacturers like Brunetti, Masotti/Mezzabarba, Cicognani, MadCat, BRBS, and so on... They make great amps that aren't just better copy of most famous names, but have personality and unique sound. Well you don't find a Mezzabarba in a Helix, maybe you can find a similar Amp, but not the same. If it take years to find your sound why should you use a everyday amp model? In this case Kemper is the one for you, Helix, Fractal and Headrush are great machines and I love'em. But Kemper give you possibilities in creating your unique voice that others just can't. That's my opinion and I think that all of the ultimate modelers sound great. Even Mooer Ge300...
Keep em coming! I will buy Your old, stock tubeamps for the lowest market price available!
I have a Kemper and will stick to it, never tested the Helix so I can’t make a realistic comparison. Great video and analysis.
I think you may be selling the Kemper short on "tweakability". The amp profile (essentially a model as the result of profiling) has some pretty deep editing capabilities that can seriously alter the tone from the base model. In the right hands, it's no less tweakable than a modeller. The virtually endless number of freely downloadable amp profiles gets you to a good starting point and the deep tone tweaking gets you dialed in quickly. I like the Helix tóo. My bandmate uses the Helix and the tone quality is comparable. Where I see the difference is in software/firmware. Kemper is constantly adding enhancements. The new acoustic sim and additional OD stomps and delays are really good.
To me, the fundamental difference is that Kemper replaces your Amps with the option of doing some effects and the Helix replaces your Pedal Board with the option to replace your Amps.
If you want to replace your Amps, buy the Kemper but if you want to replace your Pedal board, buy the Helix. I know both can do FX and Amps but if you are using each to their strengths, then it makes more sense to buy according to what area you are looking to replace. It seems pointless to buy a Kemper if you still want the flexibility of using your favourite Amp(s) and you don't buy the Helix (Floor/LT anyway) to go with your large pedal board - even the Stomp or FX will be used on a small-ish pedal board with a few of your favourite Pedals. You could even run a Helix into a Kemper (although maybe the Toaster Kemper is better for that).
As such, neither is a clear winner. Both are tools for a musician to use and what suits their needs and situation best. If you want to replace your Amps primarily - whether that's for home, studio or live use, the Kemper is the better option where as the Helix is more a multi-fx pedal to replace your pedal board primarily. Helix can be used to replace your amps too if you want - might be easier for gigging or home use for example but you also have the ability to use your amps too - even stereo amp set ups. I think the Kemper may be ok for a simple pedal board replacement but I think most will still run their Pedal boards into a Kemper.
The thing is - in 2019 - we 're all spoiled rotten. As Rhett says both the Kemper and Helix are just fantastic. Same as for beginners just starting out they can buy a really great guitar to learn on for a very low cost. Gone (almost) are the days of crappy gear as we're just swamped with awesomeness we're liable to take for granted if not careful. Especially as, lets face it, over the next few years Helix and Kemper (and the Fractals and Headrushes etc... etc...) are gonna get even better.
I saved for 8 months to get my Helix. I then spent every Saturday for a month in my local Sam Ash attending a special class that they provided when you purchased it to really learn it's depth and scope, and then I read every single page of the manual. I have owned all the major boards, the Boss lineup, the Fenders, Digitech, etc. and it's just so intuitive for me to keep that learning chain going. The Kemper is a worthy contender, but I will not relinquish my Helix. You have my vote. And the Kemper is a few hundred bucks more. I paid $1499 for mine, the Stage is retailing right now for $1700, then you have to buy the other shit to get to what the Helix already has. That's a the real deal breaker.
HX Stomp for amp/cab modelling + traditional pedalboard 🤘
That’s how my board looks 👍
I 2nd that.
I'm still using my amp as a gain stage but I use the cab sims in the Stomp for FOH
HX stomp is great. I have it integrated into my pedal board. You can even run wet/dry.
Yep its what I did. Best of both worlds. Insane tone.
Hey Rhett! Love your vids, especially on the Helix and HX Stomp. I've been a Helix user for about 5 years now, and do about 200+ gigs a year. I mainly play Acoustic Blues, Soul, RnR, and instrumental Fingerstyle, and the Helix is amazing for all of it. Too bad there aren't many vids out there (that I've found) on Acoustic guitar sounds with the Helix. It can be done. :) Two things about the Helix I really appreciate along with everything you mentioned are A) the benefits of the scribble strips for each foot switch, and B) that each preset is like a new pedalboard. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for all you do! Later brother man.
Used to have the Line6 but my life changed after getting the Kemper stage. Profiling has been so much better than modelling. While you could spend a lot of time with the Helix and get things to sound great, there's a lot to be said about the feel of playing. The way Kemper reacts to subtle dynamic changes in my playing, changes in volume/tone knobs, Bright/Neck pickups, etc has been just like my previous Mesa tube amps. But to each their own.
Fabulous real world no nonsense explanation of these two devices and makes as good of information involving the best way to use these devices in a variety of settings. Everything Rhett says is right on the money. Thanks for your honest thoughts and expertise on this matter. The helix is more versatile overall in my humble opinion. The kemper is a little more specialized and better used/more practical in a studio setting. Both are amazing products.
I Had the helix for a few years loved it great unit but i decided to sell it to purchase the kemper (toaster version not stage) as i was blown over with its capabilities watching videos on youtube so i took the plunge...18 months with the kemper and i wouldn't be without it now. The two units are diffent in many ways as described in this video so its not a like for like comparison but for me the kemper takes the win when all is concidered. Love your videos by the way you have a real honest and unbiased approach that genuinely helps us guys out! Great respect for that
Great video! Love your playing and honesty. I’ve owned Line 6 gear since they first started in the late 90’s, and it all still works. Got the Helix a few months ago and totally love it. Never used a Kemper, but I’m not a huge metal player so I don’t see a reason to even consider it. Helix effects by far are superb and don’t regret my purchase.
Best guitar content on youtube 🤟🏼 You should totally put your jams on Apple Music, id totally listen all the time
Great comparison Rhett. I totally agree with everything you said EXCEPT the in built volume pedal. On of the reasons I didn’t buy a Helix is that it has a built in pedal. I use my wah, volume and morph with my left foot. Having a built in pedal on the right hand side is a major turn off for me. I think Kemper got it absolutely right giving users the option.
Glasgow Guitarist - agreed. Where’s the lefty love?
Kemper for me, I've already profiled a bunch of amps I could never afford. Priceless.
@@asr1143 watch the Andertons blindfold test lol
I'm team kemper all the way. But thats because I'm in it for the tones and limitless amp sounds. I could care less about a volume pedal and if I want effects I'd rather get individual pedals. In my eyes the kemper isn't designed to be an all in one solution anyways its simply designed to sound absolutely perfect and thats what it does.
Helix, but in a stereo rig using two tube amps, Helix in the wet side through a Victory V50 and Mesa MK V in the dry with a couple analog effects in the loop. The sound is huge and controllable
Do you use the Helix in the loop fx?
I use the 4 cable method to hook the Helix up to the Victory.
Now going Wet-Dry-Damp with three amps. Mesa MkV completely dry Victory V40D with analog effects, Victory V50 with Helix. Complicated but the sound is glorious.
Nice comparison. I didn't need a full blown Helix so I never pulled the trigger. When the HX Stomp came out it was exactly what I was looking for so I jumped on it. So far I love it as a home user. That's another Helix advantage. You can get in at several price points without sacrificing sound quality. You just get fewer features which some people may not need.
I gotta say, that intro is absolutely killer dude. Incredible.
THANK YOU for having, and actually expressing, an opinion. Very helpful Rhett. Great video.
PS- the MAIN reason I try to buy as little "GEAR" as possible. This all just runs off into ridiculous rabbit holes.
The thing I love about the Kemper is that you can control the sound with the guitar's volume control. The way the amps are profiled means that quiet sounds are as important as the loud sounds, so that the dynamics of the sounds change as you pick more quietly or turn the volume down. Overdriven sounds clean up so nicely and can give a tactile feel to your playing.
The Helix does the same thing
Helix. Better bang for buck, sounds great, all in one solution out of box. Endless possibilities.
Kemper stage, lack of expression pedal. Sh*tty small LCD display, Not as many effects, Sounds GREAT but not miles above Helix. 1700 starting price, Less for more $.
Great vid thanks.
Thanks! I had not considered the line 6 and now it seems like a better option for me. I’m really impressed by the preparation and organization of the information you provided! Really well done. Thank you!!
I bought the Helix 3 1/2 years ago and love it. I was using the Pod Pro with in-ears around 2001 and in the late 80s I was using an ADA tube pre with a midi foot switcher. With my band Blessid Union Of Souls I used Godin guitars on songs that I needed acoustic sounds and electric guitar at the same time so now I use a Variax guitar with a Helix connected with a cat 5 cable which allows you to run the modeled acoustic sound out of the Variax in the right channel of the Helix going through a preamp and eq and the magnetic pickups of the Variax going through the left channel of the Helix going through amp and guitar effects. Using snapshots to mute either one or have both at once. Line 6 all the way for me.
I'm really stoked on my HX Effects. It let me downsize my pedalboard, and gives me great drive tones to the front of an amp, and when I want to get more complicated it allows me to do 4 cable method so I can still use an amplifier as my main tone if I want/need. I think the helix range of Line 6 products offers a solution for every live guitar scenario. You want to add an amp modeler to your analog board? HX Stomp. Want to downsize/replace your analog board, but keep your tube amp? HX Effects. You want to do either of the previous two things and have an all-in-one floor rig? Full size Helix (or LT).
I've had them all. Kemper (toaster), Helix, sold the Kemper to fund a Fractal Audio AX8. I've just (re) bought the Kemper Stage and so far it's my favourite of the bunch. I've just got to the point where I'm done going down rabbit holes and endless tweaking. With the Kemper, I've simply bought a bunch of packs of my favourite amps from Michael Britt and Tone Junkie like you said and bam.....instant great tones with little to no tweaking.
This approach makes a lot of sense to me as I have already fallen down too many rabbit holes at this point in my life. You prefer the stage to the toaster? Thanks.
Helix! I use it live by itself, with my amp, and acoustic. Duplicated my amp / pedalboard rig with it. The flexibility and UI is the best!
DAMN DUDE, i was leaning so hard for the kemper when i started watching this. but im selling my JVM410C and Pedals and going digital. Looks like you may have made line 6 a sale... Great Video
Thank you for this video! I've bought a Helix last year, almost didn't touch it since then....life was complicated. Now I want to start to get into it....and to be honest...I already have a headache when I think of how complicated it is....at least that's what many people say. I really hope I will learn to use it.
The kemper has 'snapshots' in a way too - with the morph function on the rig buttons.
Just picked up a helix a few weeks ago. I debated picking up the kemper stage but ultimately it came down to price and the integrated expression pedal. I find the workflow incredibly easy considering all the things that you can do with your signal flow. I’ve also downloaded a few killer presets that have helped give me ideas on how to create my own presets and make them sound amazing. I’ve also downloaded a few impulse responses that have really made this thing sound killer! I’ve never owned or played a kemper, but all in all I have no regrets.
Man you're a great player. Well done.
Have owned the HELIX floor for 3 years now..love it! So much to learn, and you have helped me in the process, thank you.
Does it translate well across different PA systems?🙂 Not different that much...?
The Kemper sounds great. I tried it several times in the shop. But for me the usability was very confusing. I like the flexibility of my Helix. The cab simulation / IR selection can be intensive to model your favorite sound. But you are able to tweak many things.
This is what I thought as well, glad I'm not the only one.
Use to be a traditional pedalboard and amp guy, switched to the Helix a few years and never turned back. Between my Helix and amazing amp modeling plugins, sold all my pedals and amps at this point.
The Tilly burst is a best. Like the best parts of a gretsch met novo and a prs super eagle. And that popped out. Damn
*beast
I got my Helix just over a year ago now 2nd hand and it's just fantastic
So intuitive and sounds beautiful
For someone who simply doesn't have the resources ie shops for vintage amps and gear nor the cash flow to acquire them the Helix is a fantastic facsimile
All in all a Helix all the way for me
Holy cow @ that opening. Sounds so good!
Helix all the way! You cannot beat the flexibility of having just one piece of gear to take to a gig and not having to drag your 4x12 through the crowd or in and out of your car. I have built tube amps commercially for a couple of years and still love the nostalgia of those glowing bulbs but it just isn’t worth it any more. Digital is the future imho and the Helix is my goodbye to the tube amp world.
Hi Rhett, great channel. I subscribed several months ago. Great info on lots of things gear and touring related. BUT, with much respect, doing a Kemper vs Helix video without sound comparison, is moot. (Sorry, but it's true)
It's the same as reviewing pizza from 2 different places without tasting it. Again, love the channel, thanks for the great content. I've learned a lot here.
I'm a Kemper Guy, had the toaster for years and love it! Will be getting the Stage very soon.. But I agree with you 100%, I am a more traditional guitar player in the sense that I want my rig to resemble an actual amp and pedal board control setup, so for sure it's the one for me, but the Helix is very very good as well as well as the Fractal..
Rhett, all of your videos have a certain cinematography to them. A feel. Almost like a Rhett Shull filter if you will. I really dig your videography. Almost as much as the video content. Great job friend.
The man deffinitely has taste, yep
I feel exactly the same! Rhett‘s Videos have a unique feeling
Even Rick Beato mentioned how film-like Rhett's videos are. This channel is solid gold.
I've learnt almost as much about videography as I have about music from rhett. So much care and attention goes into making great content for us to enjoy
I prefer the Helix over the Kemper.. Tried both Kemper and Helix as well as an Fractal when I went to replace my Pedals and rack gear being controlled by a Voodoo Labs Switcher and Controller ... actually now have a Helix Floor and a Helix Rack .. Helix floor for quick jams and practice away from home and Rack with my other gear for actually playing gigs.. Helix is so much easier to work with , sounds amazing and cost wise no comparison to Kemper or Fractal .. SO YES HELIX GOT MY VOTE !!!! and money.. lol
I have personally owned both and I can say the kemper beats the helix hands-down. No matter how much I tweak I can never get rid of that digital grind that the line 6 products have. The kemper simply sounds better. I have used both extensively but constantly found myself going back to the kemper for the sounds that I need, And I used a pod pro for years
Great review that folks can actually use! I would agree fully. After 2 years living with the Helix, it's been a fantastic rig. The only issue was stage volume when playing in a traditional band which can be solved with the MIssion IO powered cab. Then I bought a used 20th Anniversary Bogner Shiva (KT88) - now everything has changed including my stage set up and wow, I get all kinds of compliments on my sound now and how balanced my tone is at just about any volume level. I actually have folks that are not guitar players come up to me and say how the sound of my guitar gave them chills. That's pretty dang cool...
Having had both, I got rid of the Helix and currently have the Kemper Stage. I use it for all my effects except that I have a Strymon Deco running in the X-Slot for stereo separation. I just feel like it sounds and, especially, feels closer to the real thing. And, I have to spend far less time setting up the Kemper than I ever did with the Helix.
Thanks for making the video!! All great points!!
Great analysis Rhett. I have just recently started using the Helix lt for bass. A great unit.... Like you mentioned per signal path.... So programmable. I use one xlr to feed front of house, the other xlr to feed our x32 for in-ears, and a jack out to feed any on stage backline (obviously without cab sim etc)
. Works amazing for me!!! Keep up the good work 👍
All of my pro musician friends who use analog pedalboards have a Kemper for some live use and studio.
I think that just some years ago they all were telling that they would never change their perfect old Fender/Vox/Marshall/etc amps/speakers for this soulless digital crap.
@@copych Have you seen the Andertons video where they compare the real amps, to the Kempers modelling with a blind test? A lot of times the Kemper won. I wouldn't call all digital solutions crap.
That is definitely what I have seen as well. Most of the professional musicians I have contact with have a Kemper. Most prefer real amps, but kemper is their choice otherwise.
@@DarrenHowseMusic huh i should have quoted these words. This was a sarcasm. I personally prefer digital crap)
All my professional musician friends don’t really care what gear they use ,they just like playing music and use anything that sound good .They are amazing players,got paid doing what they love to do so go out and play don’t let gear contemplating your passion for music.