I've had a Helix a few times (currently have one now in fact). I'm a long-time Fractal user (have an XL+ right now) so anything I think should be taken with a grain of salt, but...
1. I think the amp modelling sounds much better on Fractal units. The Helix sounds/feels a bit "plasticy" for lack of a better word. Clear stuff sounds good for the most part, but it starts to go downhill as soon as gain is added.
2. The way the signal chain is constructed on the Fractal (using the grid) makes much more sense to me. You don't have to worry about which processor is doing what, you just put things where you want and link them as desired.
3. The reverbs sound better on the Fractal units. But other effects on the Helix sound just as good for my purposes. There are some "obvious" things that are missing when compared to Fractal units (you can apply ducking to any Fractal delay, for example, but only to a specific Helix delay). But in other cases, the relatively stripped down parameters can make dialing in the effects easier.
4. Having the scribble strips is great. Specifically the fact that they automatically "adapt" to the specific block you are using. So instead of a generic Drive1, you'll see Screamer or Klon or whatever. And you can rename them if you don't like the names they default to. Can't overstate how great this is.
I don't think this is Fractal snobbery speaking; I had an Amplifire and thought it was great; it can't do "as much" as my Fractal, but I could easily dial in tones that I liked almost just as much. I've heard plenty of great Helix tones, so I'm sure they're in there. It's just difficult for me to pull them out.
-
Austin
I had a Helix for 2 months to play with [courtesy of a very kind buddy]
gonna have to agree with all of the above...
and to add to each point above:
1: tone wise the Helix is good but I personally felt the Axe-FX had a little something extra. the biggest difference though in the modelling wasn't the tone, it was the feel.. especially at the hi-gain end of things... the Helix hi-gain tone was nice sounding, but had a mid-gain feel [in my opinion]
2: nothing beats the Grid.. from where I'm sat, the Grid is and always has been a major trump card for the Axe.. a master stroke
3: agree with this too.. and to add,
- the Helix pitch-shifter is absolute sh1te.. cannot handle chords.. +8ve is tinny, metallic and generally nasty.. -8ve lacks girth..
- multi-tap delay is useless if you need independent delays to randomly interact.. the Helix simply cannot do this
- I've always complained that the Axe phaser is too polite and not chewy enough like those nasty old 70's stomps.. the Helix is even more polite and even less chewy
- the Helix chorus is gorgeous
- the Helix analog delays sound lovely.. loved the tone from them..
- no input-trim or equivalent for delay and reverb blocks [which for me is a killer feature not to have because of the way I use it when morphing]
4: yes.. a very good and useful feature.. but not one that I personally was interested in because of the way I do things..
in addition: Snapshots
this is equivalent to Scenes in the Axe.. but...
Snapshots are hugely more powerful than Scenes because the go down to parameter level..
if Scenes in the Axe had the same capabilities as the Helix Snapshot, my presets would be considerably smaller and the grid layout would be considerably less complex..
the Snapshot feature is absolutely superb..
from the user perspective.. the Helix is easy, intuitive and a fun unit to use..
no it cannot do what I make the Axe do.. not even close..
however, despite it's limitations, it is a very good and well thought out unit..