If you are a Pod Go owner, did you just get ignored?

If you read the Line 6 Helix 3.0 Release Notes, there’s no mention of the Pod Go, because the Pod Go isn’t a Helix product, even though it is.  Huh?  I’m assuming the Pod Go firmware will be updated separately, but it’s a bummer to see everyone else get the new free toys.

The Stomp gets a lot of new coolness, but there are a few things that it doesn’t get – no custom presets designed by famous people, for example, and no preset spillover, which looks handy.  But we’re not going to talk about the full Helix here on THIS site because it’s out of our price range.  Nope, we’re going to talk about the HX Stomp.

I’m not going to do an overview like a billion other folks.  I’ll just give you my overall impressions.

The Good

Most firmware updates fix bugs.  Sometimes you get a new feature.  This update was packed with features.  My favorites are:

  • 8 blocks instead of 6
  • BOSS Acoustic Simulator pedal
  • Poly Sustain (Freeze)
  • 12 String Simulation
  • Poly Capo
  • Favorites (like bookmarking in a browser)
  • Fender Princeton amp with 10 and 12 cab

I’m now looking very seriously at the Poly Capo meaning that I don’t need to have a detuned guitar in the rack for gigs.  I still have to play with it some more, but it looks promising.  8 blocks means I can use the FX send and not have to give up a block.  Hooray!

There was a comment on YouTube where someone said “Anyone who complains about this update should get an uppercut.”  I don’t condone violence so I don’t agree… but I’ve always said you could give away free $20 bills and some people would complain that you weren’t giving away more.  This is a fantastic update.  I love it.  On the YouTube channel I’ll be doing videos about it.

The Bad

There are three new fuzz pedals.  I know, I know, what’s old is new again and a lot of people like fuzz.  But sheesh – it might have been nice to get something a big more useful.

Some people will love the Glitch delay, and I’m not going to call it bad just because I don’t like it.  So I won’t say it’s bad for YOU.  I’ll just say for me, it’s bad.  Chaos pedals attract a lot of attention but most people will struggle to find a practical use.  I think it’s too hard to control.  Again, I know this is just me.

The Denzin amps don’t impress me.  They’re not bad, but I don’t see them as an improvement over anything already in the Stomp.  I’d rather see a new Fender Bassbreaker model or something.  I’m being nit picky here.  It’s not a bad amp.

The Ugly

Everyone has the same main complaint on the Stomp: the Pitch stuff kills your DSP.  Think of the new Pitch effects as using the same power as an amp.  That’s about right.  If you want to use one, you can then have an amp/cab, and you’re done.  One could argue the Stomp is underpowered, but it isn’t – the new Pitch effects take up crazy CPU cycles.  They probably need them, so I won’t say it isn’t necessary.  It’s a decision you need to make.  Some have suggested that it’s a way for Line 6 to encourage people to upgrade from the Stomp the Helix LT.  Maybe.  Still, I’d rather have the option than not.  And this is exactly how the entire Tech industry has developed – a constant drive for more powerful tech that will never, ever end.

Conclusion

WOW!  What a great update.  I feel like a kid Christmas morning.  I’m still playing with these new things.  Later today I’ll shoot some video for the next “Friday at 5” video over on YouTube.  It’s a great time to be a Stomp (or Helix) owner.