Every guitarist is on the quest for perfect tone. It’s a journey that usually entails a very loud lifelong search, thousands of dollars of gear, and hour upon hour of checking out other players’ rigs, scanning forums, reading reviews, and watching product demos. Line 6 multi-effects units make finding your unique tone easier than ever. Try out thousands of different sounds, mix and match gear, tweak tones, and get to know all the sounds of the biggest hitters in the guitar gear game – and do it all with just your phone, your computer, and one of Line 6’s amazing multi-effects units. Sweetwater offers you this informative buying guide to make sure you find one that’s perfect for you.
Helix
Helix is Line 6’s tour-ready flagship multi-effects modeling device. Powered by the company’s HX modeling engine, Helix lets you experience hundreds of amplifier, cabinet, effects, and microphone models in a more realistic way than ever before. Each model has been digitally re-created down to a component level, which ensures your tone not only sounds like the real thing, but it also responds and feels like it too. Helix also boasts a huge array of I/O, which allows it to be used as a streamlined controller for your existing system, an incredible-sounding guitar interface for recording in the studio, or even as a replacement for your whole guitar rig. And yet, the most groundbreaking feature of Helix is its amazingly intuitive workflow. Dialing in Helix can be done on the fly with incredible ease.
Helix Features:
- The most powerful Line 6 multi-effects unit ever
- Dual DSP-powered HX modeling engine
- Over 200 amp, cab, mic, and effects models
- Easy-to-read 6.2″ LCD display
- 12 touch-sensitive footswitches for editing
- 10 inputs, 12 outputs (including 4 effects loops)
- 8-in/8-out USB audio interface
- 3 expression pedal outs
- Mic-level XLR input
- S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and L6 Link digital outputs
- Capacitive touch-sensitive switches for parameter recall
- Assignable RGB LED color rings
- Customizable LCD scribble strips
- Preset or stompbox modes
- Integrated looper
- Solid-aluminum construction
- Tour-grade footswitches
Helix LT
For players who demand the sound, integration, and ease of use of the original Line 6 Helix, but who don’t need all of its expansive feature set, Helix LT is the multi-effects unit to use. Onboard Helix LT, you’ll find the exact same modeling power, gear models, and streamlined workflow as its bigger brother. But by putting all that into a smaller footprint with fewer additions, Line 6 saves you some serious money while still powering your sound with tones that have been turning the modeling world on its ear. In fact, one of the main differences between the two units is the lack of Helix’s customizable scribble strips. But don’t worry! Helix LT simply moves the indicator to the bright and easy-to-read 6.2″ LCD display. And around back, you still have much of the same I/O as LT’s bigger brother for integrating into any type of guitar setup. If you don’t need the unending options of the original Helix, check out the slimmed-down Helix LT.
Helix LT Features:
- Dual DSP-powered HX modeling engine
- Over 200 amp, cab, mic, and effects models
- 6.2″ LCD display
- 12 touch-sensitive footswitches for editing
- 2 mono/1 stereo FX Loop
- 8-in/8-out USB audio interface
- Expression-pedal out
- AES/EBU and L6 Link digital outputs
- Capacitive touch-sensitive switches for parameter recall
- Preset or stompbox modes
- Integrated looper
- Tour-grade footswitches
POD HD500X
The popular Line 6 POD HD500X puts a virtual warehouse of high-quality HD amplifier, cabinet, effects, and microphone models at your fingertips. The upgraded CPU enables you to customize and tweak your tones with incredible detail. There are over 100 effects models and 30 amp models to choose from, and you can even create two simultaneous and independent amp and effects signal chains. Plus, you get a 48-second looper to bolster your performance capabilities. And it carries all the analog and digital I/O you need for live performance, recording, or silent practice. Professional-grade backlit footswitches let you easily see what effects and settings you are using, even on dark stages.
POD HD500X Features:
- I/O options for use in a variety of situations
- Editing via onboard LCD screen and knobs
- Deep editing via HD500X Edit software
- HD models of amps, cabs, effects, and mics
- DT amplifier and Variax integration for Line 6’s Dream Rig
- 48-second looper
- Presets organized in set lists
- Expandable with model packs
Firehawk FX
The Firehawk FX gives you an option that is the best of both worlds, sporting both professional features and intuitive operation. It’s controlled from your Bluetooth-enabled iOS or Android device via Line 6’s free Firehawk app. Inside this app you can edit tones, play music from your library to jam with, and access the Tone Match feature that offers you a library of tones that fit the song being played. Also, color-coded footswitches offer a pedalboard-like interface for live performance. With over 200 gear models, you get a ton of great tonal options from the Firehawk FX.
Firehawk FX Features:
- Controlled via Bluetooth-enabled iOS or Android devices
- Tone Match suggests tones for music in your library
- HD and standard gear models
- Color-coded switches make organizing your effects simple
- Access to Line 6’s Tone Cloud for trading tones online
- Expansive I/O for various routing options
- Seamless Variax integration
AMPLIFi FX100
The AMPLIFi FX100 boasts pro tones from a multi-effects board that’s incredibly easy to use — great for players who don’t dig deep editing. You can control the FX100 via Bluetooth through the AMPLIFi app for iOS and Android devices. It gives you access to thousands of tones on the Line 6 Tone Cloud, where you can upload, download, and share sounds you’ve created. A 5-button footswitch interface accesses the library of 100 onboard presets, and the expression pedal can be used to control volume and wah models.
AMPLIFi FX100 Features:
- Controlled via Bluetooth-enabled iOS or Android devices
- Tone Match suggests tones for music in your library
- Access to Line 6’s Tone Cloud for trading tones online
- Easy to use 5-button interface
- Streamlined for quick operation
- Integrates with the Apple Watch
Which one’s best for you?
Helix: For gigging and recording players that need top-quality sounds, infinite options, and a simple workflow
Helix LT: For players wanting the power of Helix in a more streamlined package
POD HD500X: For active players who require a lot of tweaking to optimize their sounds
Firehawk FX: For gigging and recording guitarists who put ease of use above number of options
AMPLIFi FX100: For players who need great sounds without a lot of tweaking
Shared Features:
- USB for direct recording (POD attaches for edit)
- Assignable expression pedalboard
- Preset mode
- Headphones out
- Basic amp controls on front panel
Apps and Software
Helix Editor
Helix Editor puts all the intuitive signal flow editing of Helix onto your computer desktop. A simple point-and-click interface lets you pull up favorite models, tweak them on a component level, and much more. Helix Edit is especially convenient for saving and organizing your presets, snapshots, and banks. If you love the editing convenience of Helix, but prefer to make your tweaks on a computer-based platform, you’ll love Helix Editor.
Helix Editor Software Features:
- Full control over every parameter of Helix and Helix LT
- Graphic display offers a comfortable workflow
- Powerful tool for organizing your sounds and presets
- Assign effects to individual footswitches for pedalboard mode
- Customize Helix’s digital scribble strips
AMPLIFi and Firehawk App
The Bluetooth-connected, app-controlled multi-effects device is a revolutionary concept. Line 6 enables you to use the iOS or Android device you already know very well to take the menu surfing, leaning down, and knob twiddling out of your life. With these apps you control every parameter of your tone, including amp, effects, cab, and mic choices and settings. And if that isn’t enough, it also connects you directly to Line 6’s Tone Match, giving you instant access to thousands of tones created and shared by the Line 6 community. And the best part: the apps are absolutely free.
AMPLIFi and Firehawk App Features:
- Designed for fast and easy workflow
- Finding sounds is simple with Tone Match
- Stream music directly from your device’s music library
- Access to Line 6’s Tone Cloud
- Use the iOS or Android device you’re already comfortable with
AMPLIFi Remote App
Firehawk Remote App
HD500X Edit Software
While most of the editing features can be accessed from the front panel of the unit, you can get much deeper into editing and make changes much faster with the HD500X Edit software. The graphic display helps you understand the signal flow you’ve chosen, and you can assign each effect in the chain to specific footswitches. Also, you can log into Line 6 CustomTone to download, upload, and share the patches and sounds you and others have created.
HD500X Edit Software Features:
- Full control over every parameter of the HD500X
- Deeper control than you have via the front panel
- Graphic display offers a much faster workflow than the front panel
- Assign effects to individual footswitches for pedalboard mode
- Access to Line 6’s CustomTone library
Don’t forget that your Sweetwater Sales Engineer is one of your best resources when you’re shopping for guitar/effects pedals! Give us a call at (800) 222-4700.
