Wow, this string got a bit nuts, but figured I'd jump back in to clear up some misconceptions that seems to be floating around, okay, we know it has basically the same computing power as the single channel upcoming AX8, yet they claim it's going to produce FAS quality tone and FX with 4 channels (and I think they're claiming these can all be stereo channels), load 4 IRs, run 4 verbs, etc. Yet on many of their lists of these features they have a disclaimer, stating "depending on CPU usage", so clearly they expect you to run out of horsepower, though they claim that "more efficiant coding" allows this lesser hardware to produce more then what the XL+ can do? You really think their coding is 4 times more efficient then what FAS is using? Probably not, so there must be compromises somewhere...
I think one of the first I noticed is likely the verbs, as at TGP it was stated that the reverbs are re-worked 500HD verbs (they said they do sound better running in the "HX engine"), that all but 2 of the wahs are also ported over, so no, doesn't sound like it will have FAS quality FX, at least "not at launch". A lot has been made of the routing and it does look impressive but, somewhere in that long string at TGP Digital Igloo (I think, may have been another L6 rep) was asked about the 4 channels directly and if it really worked well, could have many FX and I think he answered quite honestly, as he said that someone in testing had run a bass (in serial), vocals (serial) and guitar (in stereo), but that it was pushing the limit and that you might need to lower quality on some effects, etc. So sounds like in the real world, you'd have to go with very simple paths to go with 4 amps, lower the quality on the verb and forget any crazy effects that would eat up CPU.
So no I don't think the Helix is quite as earth shattering as it might first seem, but I'm sure it is a big step up for L6 and Pro-sumer gear in general. I did notice that they said part of the reason that they included the crossover was due to bands like Royal Blood that are splitting their bass and sending the highs and mids out to guitar amps (well with Pitch shifting via a POG), when asked about the POG they said no, it doesn't do pitch shifting as well as the POG (not poly), I think that they are right that a lot of folks are going to want to play around with split bass and octave shifting bass parts for emulated guitar, so may be good to look at incorporating features that would make that sort of thing easier on the Axe (better tracking on bass for the PS - though sounds like team FAS is already on that).
As for these bizarre comments about not caring if 10 year old Chinese slave girls make your gear, or whatever, I like paying extra so my gear gets made by adults who get paid for their labor and have a passion for what they're doing, which is also probably why Cliff won't just sell FAS to Roland, or someone and take off on permanent vacation, he's actually passionate about what he's doing and on the same quest for ultimate tone that we're all on with him.
