Line 6 Helix VS Boss GT-1000 (comparison)
Our pick: Line 6 Helix (or Helix LT)
The GT-1000 is a solid multi-effects pedal. But does it do enough to make us shift our allegiance away from the Helix series? Not really.
The Helix series houses some of the most popular multi-effects pedals on the market, particularly the Helix and the Helix LT. However, there are similar multi-effects pedals available, like the Boss GT-1000 which we'll highlight in this comparison.
We'll look at the Line 6 Helix and the Boss GT-1000 side by side. Note that you could also apply most of what we're saying to a Helix LT and Boss GT-1000 comparison. If you look at our Helix VS Helix LT page, you'll note that we recommend the Helix LT over the Helix because it's a better value. The same would go for this particular comparison. But if you're trying to decide between the Helix and GT-1000 series in general, this post will help you make that decision.
Line 6 Helix VS Boss GT-1000: Simple Comparison
Pedal | Name | Rate | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Line 6 Helix/Helix LT | 92.4 | |
 | Boss GT-1000 | 89.2 |
Detailed Specs Side-by-Side
Header | Helix | GT-1000  |
|---|---|---|
Pedal Type | Multi-effects | Multi-effects |
Presets | 1024 (8 setlists with 32 banks x 4 presets) | 250 x User, 250 x Presets |
Number of effects | 200+ | 100+ effects and amp models (breakdown not specified) |
Effects types | Distortion, Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Pitch shift, Synth filter, Compressor/Limiter, Wah | BOSS FX, Vintage Stomp Models, MDP FX Processing, DD-500, MD-500 Effects |
Amp modeling | Over 100 Amp, Cab and Mic Models (latest firmware) | Breakdown not specified |
Inputs | 1 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/4" (guitar), 1 x 1/4" (aux), 4 x 1/4" (return) | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 2 x 1/4" (return) |
Outputs | 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4", 4 x 1/4" (Send) | 2 x 1/4" (main out), 2 x 1/4" (send), 2 x XLR (sub out) |
MIDI | In, Out/Thru | In/Out/USB |
Height | 3.61" | 2.75" |
Width | 22.05" | 18.18" |
Depth | 11.87" | 9.76" |
Weight | 14.6 lbs. | 7.93 lbs. |
Can the GT-1000 beat the Helix or the Helix LT? Not really.
Line 6 Helix Details
The Helix just offers more than the GT-1000. More effects, more amp models - the whole nine yards.
The Helix has sort of become the standard by which other multi-effects processors are measured. And, unfortunately for the GT-1000, the Helix just offers a lot more in the way of core functionality. Helix beats the GT-1000 in all of the following categories:
- Presets
- Effects
- Amp models
When analyzing multi-effects pedals, we like to keep things as simple as possible. Presets, effects, and amp models are the three most basic aspects of what matters when you buy this type of pedal. And while the Helix is expensive, both the regular Helix and the Helix LT have the same amount of presets, effects, and amp models, thus easily eclipsing the GT-1000.
Boss GT-1000 Details
The setup on the GT-1000 is quite good, making it easy to add and remove effects from certain amp models. There just aren't quite as many of them as there are in the Helix.
What the GT-1000 does provide is quite good. Effects and amp models sound fantastic, and the interface makes it easy to add/remove effects from different amp models and sounds. It's also fair to point out that 500 presets (250 existing and 250 open for user) is more than enough for most users.
But since we're comparing directly to the Helix, we liked the Helix a bit more in terms of how the control is setup. We also liked the tone and quality of the sounds coming from the DSP a little more. Line 6 has historically done a great job with digital amp modeling, and the GT-1000 - while good - just doesn't feel/sound the same.
Again, it's good - but as a challenger to the Helix, does it do enough to take the crown?
We'd argue that it does not.
Which one do we recommend? (conclusion)
And that's the main criticism of the GT-1000. At this point the Helix is a well-known and well-liked commodity, which means something like the GT-1000 needs to out-do it for us to recommend it over the Helix or the Helix LT. It needs to give us some kind of a reason to make a switch. The GT-1000 is good and it accomplishes the basics of a modern multi-effects processor.
But it just doesn't do enough to make us recommend it above the Helix series.
If it's between the two, we'd argue that the Helix - though more expensive - is the better value. Even then, you can drop down to the Helix LT and actually have an option that's cheaper than the GT-1000. In other words, we'd rank them in this order:
- Helix LT (best value)
- Helix
- GT-1000
Questions and Comments
If you have questions about the Helix or the GT-1000, feel free to drop those in the comments section below. Stories and opinions from owners of these pedals are welcome there as well.
More Helix and Effects Processor Comparisons
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Comparisons
Written by Guitar Chalk on Pedals & Comparisons
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I have a Helix LT and I thinks its awesome, I had Boss GT100 prior to this which was great but the amp modeling was poor. I use IEM’s and send signal from the XLR output to a channel on a Behringer XR18 Mixer for FOH and send the same signal from a 1/4″ output to another channel for my IEM’s. I can then eq the sound to suit IEM’s and also suit FOH. The new cab and mic models are brilliant and help stop the fizziness that IEM’s can get when using an overdriven amp patch. You do have to put a few hours in and watch a few youtube vids but once you have got used to it I would say it sounds 95% there as a miked amp sound, and to be honest thats what we hear on plenty of albums and at big gigs. I own alot of tube amps from the big manufacturers and I have A/B’d for example my Marshall JVM410 against a Friedman emulation and I must say I can’t make my mind up which is better sounding. The main difference is there’s a little more body or dare I say oomph from a tube amp but its 5% and for the convenience of not lugging 34kg around and a pedal board and all the rest I use the Helix. It also does a pretty cool emulation of an electro acoustic guitar when I use a single coil neck pickup. So yes the Helix is amazing as are many of its competitors once you’ve spent some time learning how to build patches.
Hey Steve – thanks for sharing. I agree that it’s getting to a point where the difference is negligible, at least in certain cases. The Helix series was a major step towards that.
In some ways, that makes me sad, because I would still rather have a physical tube amp, but it’s probably going to be a world where guitar players use both, depending on the situation.
Thanks again!
One super important feature that the Helix lags and will destroy all the line 6 equipment is that I can send audio and midi data at the same time on the GT-1000. All the line 6 products including the Helix, could not send audio and MIDI at the same time through the USB port. An important feature that allows you to use any MultiFX like an audio interface and MIDI controller to use your favorite vst on the computer.
That’s a good point, Luis. Thanks for sharing.
I own both, had the Helix for maybe 6 years now…previously had all the Boss GT ‘s. Also Pod XT Live
They’re all good! They all do the job, But recently I got a GT1000 having always liked all the previous ones I’d owned before the Helix. To keep this short I’ll just state my following observations and preferences.
1. Helix user interface is easier, and the bigger colour screen is undeniably better. But the GT1000 isn’t difficult when you get used to it, and it’s even easier via your phone app or USB into the PC. Helix wins here.
2. Patch changes are instant and seamless on the GT1000…zero delay or momentary cut off/silence. So you don’t need snapshots like the Helix uses for a workaround. GT1000 wins here.
3. Weight/size…The GT1000 is practically half the weight and a smaller footprint. GT1000 wins here.
4. Customisable scribble strips on the Helix are a great plus. You can always know clearly what every pedals effect or operation will be. Helix win.
5. FX and amp models. Both are excellent, if more is better then again a win for the Helix. If around 30amp models and over 100 effects are enough you’ll never miss the extra ones in the Helix. To this day I’ve not used most if the FX or models in both units. If in the real world you had 30 Amps/cabs and over 100 pedals would you miss having a ton more of each? I never have…all the commonly used popular effects and amp types are covered by both units amply.
6. Synth sounds for me are an easy win for the GT1000 It can do amazing pad sounds that I’ve not seen done on the Helix..
7. The Boss’s harmoniser I think is also better.
8. Updates…Line 6 are far mire regularly updating and improving…so they win here.
All in all though both are great and you really can’t go wrong with either. I’m glad I have both but could easily get by with either.
Short..he said. 😆
I also own both and can fully underwrite what Dale said.
Just a few points. I have the Boss GT1000 and like the fact I can use my iPad ir phone to build/add signal chains. I also like how the built in expression pedal is pressure sensitive so it can be both a volume and a wag or any combination. I don’t have the Helix so I don’t know if the ability to use the expression pedal that way is possible. I did purchase the HD effects recently and like the snapshot feature a lot.
Hey, thanks for sharing. I think you could make an argument either way, especially based on what you said about the expression pedal.
Ive tried many of the various big floor board effects units. I’ve ended up settling on a Line 6 M9 and a Boss ME25 that i interchange. Simplicity is key. Once the operation of the effects unit becomes more of an art than playing the instrument, ya gotta stop and think.
Absolutely agree.
Not that these are bad. If you want the flexibility, they’ll give it to you. But I’ve paired my stuff down like crazy lately.
I bought the Helix since it came out first. The GT-1000 came out and since I owned the GT-100 I thought an incremental upgrade won’t impress me. After a couple years of lugging the Helix on and off planes and trying to find space for it, I bought a GT-1000 on a whim. I plugged it in and was blown away. It’s smaller, lighter, has all the effects I’ll ever need and sounds incredible. The compact part is really important to me. Plenty of storage and amps so I sold my bulky Helix and put my GT1000 in my carry on and get rave review for my sound. I’ll never go back. By the way. I’ve had 3 Helix(s) because my first 2 went belly up. Line 6 lost my first one with its backpack but the sent me a new one right away. when that one died They sent me another but I had to squirrel together rigs when my helix(s) died. That’s how I ended up with a GT-1000. The Boss hasn’t ever had a problem like all the Boss products I’ve owned. Every studio I’ve gone into has been surprised by the GT-1000 and I think I’ve probably sold a lot of the for Boss.
I rented a Helix LT to try it. I am a confessed pedal junkie.
So far: updating to firmware has taken all my time, and … failed. I haven’t been able to get any sound of the Helix due to this. Two days, nothing. The failure of the interface is appalling.
I’m going to rent the Boss next. With Bluetooth connectivity – I can’t believe anyone hasn’t mentioned that – the Tone Studio seems to be far superior in user interface. Do it all on my phone? Sounds promising.
I don’t need or want 1000 spots for tones, so whether it’s 250 or more, doesn’t do anything for me.
Price wise, the Boss is also a bit less than the LT. So there’s that. One more try at the Helix LT and I’m calling it a brick.
Any luck getting the firmware updated?
I have had an LT, then an HX Stomp. I have found that if you carefully follow all of the instructions, the Helix/HX firmware upgrade is very smooth indeed. From comments on forums, any failure in the upgrade seems to be 90% down to user error. And the big plus with Line6 is that you get free firmware upgrades which bring more functionality plus new effects, amps and cabs, thus enhancing your investment. And I have been a Boss user, I had the original ME unit, the ME-5.
Hi! After testing both (3 yrs ago) I picked the helix. Regarding usability I really enjoyed the colorizing of the stomp buttons. Therefore, I‘ve decided to get the more costly helix and not the LT. The Helix LT has exactly the same effects as the Helix but it‘s missing the digital labels above the stomps. They are colorized, too, but you have to remember which effect is controlled by which stomp button. You might get confused if you use many different effect programs. In general, for every song I have a separate effect chain and turn on or off certain effects in that chain during the song, e.g. in the chorus, the bridge or the solo. At first I named the labels after the parts of the song but over time I more and more named it by the underlying effects. Because often I copied the effect chain of a particular song to another one and only made minor adjustments to some effect parameters. But then these often do not fit to the named song parts any longer. In one song you have to add a reverb in the intro and in another song to the bridge. So it‘s better to name it STRONG REV (or something similar) instead of INTRO.
The helix has a headphone output which can be used for in-ear monitoring. It also has a volume button and can easily be adjusted by this but I can not recommend such an approach on stage because you do not get a mix of the other musicians then. I prefer to get a monitor mix from the mixer. I‘d say the headphone out is more for home guitar play at night.
One thing I want to mention is the the possibility to edit the effect chains at the computer. The helix has a usb port and I really liked the option to edit the effects on my pc screen. Especially for labeling the effects. I found out after I‘ve bought it but this would have been another pro for the helix. I don‘t know about the boss gt1000 because I wasn‘t aware of this feature while I tested both before buying one. If you adjust your effects over the user interface of the pedal board you often bend over sitting on a chair still having the guitar on which is very uncomfortable. With the computer it‘s much easier because you can keep the guitar on and change the parameters with your computer mouse sitting upright at the screen.
Finally there is one thing I want to say about the amount of effects. Though the helix has more I don‘t think this is an argument for the helix because after 3 yrs I can clearly say that I use only a small subset of these. There still is plenty of effects which don‘t fit into my music style at all and never got used. So I really would recommend to play both boards and check out which effects are more suitable to you. Before the helix I had a boss gt100 and even there I only used a small subset of the effects. For me the decision for the helix came more by the user interface than by the amount of effects. And that‘s what I often hear from other musicians after a gig when they see the color LEDs around the stomp buttons on the helix. Everybody likes it – especially if it is dark in the room.
This is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. It’ll certainly be relevant and helpful for future readers.
It’d be cool if I could sort of package this for a review and list you as the community author. Would you be up for that?
As a comment to a section of your text:
“The helix has a headphone output which can be used for in-ear monitoring. It also has a volume button and can easily be adjusted by this but I can not recommend such an approach on stage because you do not get a mix of the other musicians then.”
I agree, and here’s how I solved that problem:
(1) I use my Helix together with a digital mixer (Behringer X32)
(2) Via the “ULTRANET”- bus on the X32, I plug in Behringer’s “P-16” Personal Monitoring System. Then, I can create my completely private mix from up to 16 input signals (and we are a band of 6..)
(3) Use a wireless in-ear monitoring system on top of that, and you have total freedom..
This combo works wonderful for me..
Hola amigos, yo estoy en el dilema de cuál de los dos comprar, ambos sé que son muy buenos, lo usaré para una iglesia, quiero usarlo directo a una consola de sonido, quiero olvidarme de un amplificador; qué me dicen?
Both would work. My preference would be the Helix. Here’s a list of the amplifier models on the Helix: https://helixhelp.com/models
I’d love to see Helix compared to Axe Fx in the same breath as Boss and Kemper. Not just sound quality, but what kind of users these modelers have.
From what I’ve seen, Line 6 is just easy if you are at all computer savvy. Kemper and Axe Fx are far better for metal. And I’m not entirely sure where the Boss unit sits in the marketplace. Boss amp modeling sounds worse than everything imo, but it’s price seems to reflect that.
Hey Brandon, thanks for offering your take. Axe FX would be an interesting comparison and does seem more like a metal outfit based on their artist list. I would expect Boss is closer to the Line 6 style, if not a little more “juveniles” for lack of a better term. For Boss I always come back to the single stomp effects or the Katana amps. Their multi effects are no my favorite.
It’s be great to see what genre’s these excel in. Is it purely marketing or does Axe FX really do something different in their metal tones. I’m a pop rock guitarist more than anything else and the Helix has always fit the bill but Gas syndrome seems to have my buddies trading in pedals for going the way of axe Fx, but imo the helix is a quite a bit more intuitive and sounds fuller without absurd levels of gain.
I think it’s a lot of marketing, maybe even just naming conventions (Axe FX sounds more menacing). But at the end of the day, it’s hard to compare these things because they all do more or less the same thing. FWIW, I’d take the Helix over Axe FX.
I’m a Helix owner/user and I swear by it. I play in a bunch of bands: A Super Heavy D-Tuned Metal Rap Band, an 80’s-style hard rock band, an 11 piece horn band that plays everything from rock to funk to pop and everything in between, a straight up Country band that does everything from Johnny Cash to Luke Combs and the Helix excels at at everything. Sound guys love me because I can run direct and that is a must in most casinos these days. I have had one LED go on the fritz lately, but I’ve seen other users have that issue, doesn’t affect functionality and I sometimes have licensing issues when using the Helix Edit software but Line 6 always sorts it out for me. I have owned just about every amp and pedal on the planet and I am Helix for life!
I prefer the GT-1000. I don’t care about more effects, more amp models etc. It’s sound quality that matters to me and the Helix doesn’t match up in that department.
Hey Mark – thanks for sharing.
For plug and go and ease, is the boss better. I had helix and was not willing to put the time into it and sold it. Also will boss need a speaker or an amp.
I wouldn’t say the Boss is “simpler” or easier than the Helix, but it does have a headphone out so you wouldn’t necessarily need an external amp.