Line 6 Helix Stop vs. Eventide H90

[Alevandet]

Hey guys

Currently looking for a versatile multi-effects pedal that can give me a wide arrange of sounds and effects. I was considering the Line 6 Helix but it was extremely expensive and has many other features I don't think I'll ever use (like amp simulators, etc).

Considering that, which one of the two products should I get?

 

[GMC]

Go can't go wrong with either choice.
However, from purely an algorithm point of view, Eventide patches blow most other digital effects away in an A:B test. The Line 6 helix are excellent, but honestly pale next to the H9 and newer H90 sounds. The H90 can go far wetter than most while retaining clarity and the ability to layer more on top. Which is particularly useful for bass (less so for guitar). The reverbs and delays are some of the best available.

Source Audio effects are different, similar in their absolute top drawer sound. But more focussed on smaller dedicated specific use pedals (eg a delay, a reverb, a filter, a compressor per box etc). However tehir charector is far more analogue and organic. Where as Strymon tend to sound sweet and light, Eventide tends to sound very much "this is a very expensive and lush sounding digital effects rack unit".

 

[Adamixoye]

Never owned a Helix but have owned Line6 gear in the past (M5, an older multiFX, some stomps).

As a long-time H9 user and now H90 owner, I can't recommend the Eventide H90 unless either:

• You think you'll need more than two effects
  • Although some of the H90 algorithms might be considered more than one effect, so you might get as much as a mod/delay + another effect or a delay/reverb + another effect
• You need more of the amp simulation effects or a greater emphasis on dirt (although the H90 can still do some stuff) - but you specifically said you're not into the amp sims

 

[Solude]

Neither.

You should save your money and get the Helix Effects. 8 stomp switches, scribble strips for identifying what is what, can use many effects at once, bunch of routing, can run IRs if you need PA support without mics... and on and on.

If you needed the amp sim it wouldn't work, but you don't, so perfect for you.

 

[johnbegone]

Two very very different pedals here. The H90 is back ordered for a couple months, so it may be tricky to get one anyway. I happened to receive my H90 last night and I've had my HX Stomp for many years. It would be helpful to understand what effects you think you'll be using the most in a multifx pedal. The H90 sounds incredible and it CAN do simple effect stuff, but where it's utilized best is in very complicated other worldly type sounds. Sounds you can't find anywhere else. The Helix on the other hand is intended to model classic effects, so while you can play with routing and layering to get some really interesting sound, it's MUCH simpler to dial in. If you're used to regular effect pedals, then Helix is a very intuitive step.

Another option I'll throw out there for you is the TC Plethora X3 or X5. The X3 is cheaper than an HX Stomp and it's much more limited but it's even more simple in operation.

I love my HX Stomp and I'd recommend it for sure. They are easy to flip if you don't like it.

 

[GMC]

Never owned a Helix but have owned Line6 gear in the past (M5, an older multiFX, some stomps).

As a long-time H9 user and now H90 owner, I can't recommend the Eventide H90 unless either:

• You think you'll need more than two effects
  • Although some of the H90 algorithms might be considered more than one effect, so you might get as much as a mod/delay + another effect or a delay/reverb + another effect
• You need more of the amp simulation effects or a greater emphasis on dirt (although the H90 can still do some stuff) - but you specifically said you're not into the amp sims

How is living with the new H90 going? Vastly better than a pair of H9's?
Ironically, i could do with the smaller board space now...so maybe this christmas when Eventide's sorted out their supply chain....I might side grade too!

 

[Adamixoye]

How is living with the new H90 going? Vastly better than a pair of H9's?
Ironically, i could do with the smaller board space now...so maybe this christmas when Eventide's sorted out their supply chain....I might side grade too!

It's great, 10/10, highly recommend

I still haven't explored everything about it. For my purposes? It's basically exactly the upgrade that I wanted. The Polyphony algorithm does the Digitech Drop thing as least as well but along with MIDI control. The routing options open up some interesting new sounds that I couldn't get with my old setup. E.g., one of my favorite presets I had created in the H9 was a pitch-shifted delay that "bounced" between +1oct and +2oct. With the H90, I put my overdrive in the insert and made it so that the main signal had OD but the pitch-shifted delays were clean. Very cool variation on what I used to do.

The reduced size and extra control are also great.

My only complaint is that I think there are some limitations on what the "Hot Switches" and aux controls can do. But not compared to two H9s. It's absolute the upgrade I wanted / needed over those.

 

[JES]

I've had a HX Stomp since they came out; I've had a H9 Max since maybe 2015, and I have just gotten a H90 with the hope of replacing the H9 Max + Core setup on my pedalboard.

I'd echo what others have said about the effects. If you never need more than two FX at a time, the H90 will not work. But its distortions are actually pretty good. People say "that's a waste" but not if you also need amazing otherworldly effects some of the time. The delay and reverb work better on bass than anything else I've used except for Neunaber Wet. The Line6 is a bit more of a Swiss army knife kind of thing, and also doubles as a very good USB audio interface. You can also run more than two FX at once, and for the moment, its switches and control are perhaps a little more programmable. I use it for stuff at home, and also for travel.

It's the classic "live nobody will notice the difference, but the musician's experience will be vastly different."

Your best bet would be to try them out. The interface and sounds are pretty obviously different. You'll probably like the Line 6 or Eventide way better than the other; I just don't know which.

Also, the suggestion of an HX Effects isn't bad if you want something a little bigger. Good luck!

 

[Ejtibbetts]

Let's revist this.

I've had an HX Stomp for quite a few months now, but I've also been pretty intrigued with the H90 for it's combination effects, filters seem better than the Stomp, synth sounds are pretty interesting, delay+reverb, etc. My board (that I'll have done this week) will have a Cali 76, HX Stomp and TL edition Capo. I'm wondering if the H90 would be a good edition with those at some point. I'm really looking forward to have a compact board for the time being.

So, what are the thoughts and experiences now with an HX stomp and/or/vs the H90?

 

[Hamrlik]

As always your results may vary but... I'd take Line 6 over Eventide all day. My old M9 tracked better than the H9 for dropped tuning. A used Stomp is less than the H90 and offers more flexibility and easily achieved bass sounds imo.

 

[Ejtibbetts]

As always your results may vary but... I'd take Line 6 over Eventide all day. My old M9 tracked better than the H9 for dropped tuning. A used Stomp is less than the H90 and offers more flexibility and easily achieved bass sounds imo.

I’m not looking for it to replace my stomp, but to use with it on occasion.