Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal | Brothers Break Down

We are always expanding and growing here at Brothers Guitar Shop in New York City. Recently, we’ve partnered up with Line 6, meaning we have a bunch of cool new gadgets in store. This week, Sergio sat down with his custom Gibson Les Paul to dive into everything the Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal can do. And trust us–this thing can do a whole lot. The technology established for this machine is nothing short of intuitive and innovative. 

The Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal provides unique tones, editing capabilities, and it even knows how to mimic your beloved analog gear. Plus, it looks really dang cool on stage or in the studio. 

Brothers Breakdown Recap

Let’s break down the basics of this multi-effects pedal…with a heavy emphasis on the prefix “multi,” here. 

Customizability

Some guitar players prefer the traditional pedalboard over digitized machines like the Helix Multi-Effects Guitar Pedal because they feel they can create the ultimate customized tone from indie brand guitar pedals. This is true; indie and big-name pedal brands work hard to create state-of-the-art sounds that lead to unforgettable records. Still, the Helix pedal is incredibly customizable. In fact, that’s one of its most impressive features. You can create brand new tones for your personal rig, or you can borrow from pre-set tones that mimic your favorite artists. Seriously, you can play anything from Van Halen to Pantera with it. It’s pretty nuts.

Mix-And-Match

Another cool feature of the Helix is that it can be combined with traditional rigs and essentially become their control center. You can have the most complex pedalboard on planet earth (hey, shoegaze players) and still create some amazing sounds with your Helix paired with your pre-existing pedalboard. There is so much to explore with the pedal by itself, and combined with other gear, that you’ll easily spend hours letting yourself have fun with it. 

A Plethora Of Settings

This nifty machine comes packed with everything that you need. Sergio was able to play Metallica, Van Halen, Pantera, Mastodon, Polyphia, and Guns & Roses with the pedal’s settings. First, he was sure to tune up his custom Gibson Les Paul with the built-in tuner. Then, he went in with some of the exciting pre-sets, like the “Billy Castodon” setting, which, of course, was supposed to mimic Mastodon. These presets pack a heavy punch. They pack such a heavy punch, in fact, that he had to go back in and use the tuner again. Think you can’t play Van Halen on a Les Paul? Think again! Sergio proved that the settings on the Helix pedal provide seamless transitions between guitar styles, regardless of the guitar model or amp you’re using.

Touch-Sensitive

The Helix pedal was made for performances of all kinds. Touring musicians can utilize the touch-sensitivity of the machine for more complex songs and sets that require players to switch between several different kinds of sounds. Studio musicians can use the touch-sensitivity to minimize issues like clipping, while still receiving dynamic results from their playing. Sergio played Van Halen on a Les Paul and it still sounded great. Anything is possible, really.

Who’s It For

Adventerous musicians will love the Helix pedal for live performances and studio sessions. The technology that Line 6 established for this processor is truly out-of-this-world. It’s so intuitive that there is no learning curve. In fact, even beginner players could benefit from its user-friendly interface. The price point is a bit steep, though, so it is more of an investment. Established players can integrate the Helix pedal with their existing rig or use it to create an entirely new one. It would also be useful for audio engineers to keep in their studio. That way, session musicians can always have something to lean on if they’re looking to do some intricate sounds or replicate their favorite player’s tone accurately. 

If you have the opportunity to play around with the Helix pedal, do it, ASAP. Seriously. We cannot emphasize enough how insanely cool this machine is. It’s one of those toys where you just keep saying, “wow,” when you learn new stuff about it. We’re so excited to offer Line 6’s innovative technology in our shop. Please let us know if you have any questions about the Helix pedal. We’d be happy to help you take your rig to the next level.

If you’re ready to get to know this superstar guitar better, stop by Brothers Guitar Shop today. We’ll be happy to help you out. Also, be sure to check back weekly for new demos on our YouTube channel, as well as weekly blog posts. At Brothers Guitar Shop, we hope to help guitar players in New York unlock their fullest potential by giving them a place to explore.