Line 6 Helix VS Kemper Profiler (Comparison)
Our pick: The Line 6 Helix and Helix LT
The Kemper Profiler has a tougher learning curve and is more expensive than both the Helix and the Helix LT. While it's capabilities are impressive, it doesn't really do enough to make us recommend it over the Helix, at least not for a higher price tag.
The Line 6 Helix and Kemper Profiler are two of the best-selling multi-effects pedals on the market today. They're also some of the most expensive, retailing at $1500 and $1700 respectively. Yet, they are somewhat similar in terms of their functionality. They both provide amp modeling, effects, and presets. The "profiles" in the Kemper Profiler are kind of like a different word for preset, and both units have plenty of presets.
But which one is right for you?
Is one better than the other?
Up front, it's hard to make a call in a direct comparison because both units are so stacked with features and similar. While Kemper is a little more cryptic and less straightforward about how many amp models and effects it has, there's little doubt that is provides you with a ton of sounds to work with.
So how do you make a decision between the two?
We'll do our best to help you out and make an informed recommendation.
Line 6 Helix VS Kemper Profiler Simple Comparison Table
First, you can use our product comparison tool and specs table below to get a feel for where the two units differ. You can use the Sweetwater buttons to access product descriptions and shop, which also help support our site and work at no extra cost to you. If you like these comparison pages, consider helping us out by shopping for gear via these buttons.
Floor Pedal | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Line 6 Helix | n/a | |
 | Kemper Profiler | n/a |
Side-by-Side Specs Comparison
Kemper sets their effects and amp models up a bit differently, which makes it trickier to give you a raw count of amp models and effects. While we can identify about 80 effects in the Kemper, the number of amp models and base tones - via onboard presets and cloud sound banks - is seemingly endless.
The Kemper uses profiles to tweak these sounds and change or add effects to different amp models.
Header | Helix | Profiler |
|---|---|---|
Pedal Type | Multi-effects | Multi-Effects |
Presets | 1024 (8 setlists with 32 banks x 4 presets) | Up to 999 profiles |
Number of effects | 200+ | 80+ effects |
Effects types | Distortion, Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Pitch shift, Synth filter, Compressor/Limiter, Wah | Gain, Modulation, Ambience, Wah, Volume, Pitch |
Amp modeling | Over 100 Amp, Cab and Mic Models (latest firmware) | Total not specified but amp models are preloaded plus cloud models |
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), 1 x 1/4" (return/profiling), 3 x 1/4" (return) |
Outputs | 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4", 4 x 1/4" (Send) | 2 x 1/4" (main), 2 x 1/4" (monitor), 2 x XLR (main), 2 x 1/4" (send 1/2) |
MIDI | In, Out/Thru | In/Out |
Height | 3.61" | 3.35" |
Width | 22.05" | 18.5" |
Depth | 11.87" | 10.24" |
Weight | 14.6 lbs. | 10.1 lbs. |
Line 6 Helix VS Kemper Profiler: Which one is right for you?
Line 6 Helix Details
The Helix houses a ton of effects and amp models, though with a slightly different control scheme and front panel.
Line 6 gives you a raw count of effects and amp models for the Helix, which is helpful for a simple comparison. But overall there just aren't a lot of differences between the two units.
The Helix uses sound banks and presets, which can be customized the same way you customize a "profile" on the Kemper.
It's also fair to point out that the Helix is $200 cheaper than the Kemper Profile, which doesn't even consider the price of the Helix LT, which we like better than the regular Helix.
The Helix LT retails at $1000 - an astounding $700 discount off the Kemper Profiler.
Here's our comparison of the Helix and Helix LT.
We should also mention that the front panel controls and the overall learning curve on the Helix is a lot simpler than the Kemper Profiler.
Kemper Profiler Stage Details
For what you pay, does the Kemper Profiler "out-do" the Line 6 Helix? We would say that it does not.
Yes, the Kemper Profiler can do everything the Line 6 Helix can do (perhaps more if you include the cloud-based amp models). But does it justify the added $200 expense, or even the $700 expense over the Helix LT?
Not really.
The Profiler is also just a lot harder to use, with a dramatically more complex front panel that takes some getting used to.
We don't mean to diminish what the Kemper Profiler provides. It's a great multi-effects pedal and one of the most complete and functional available on the market today. But it runs into the same problem that many other effects pedals seem to run into when competing against the Helix: It just doesn't do enough to beat it.
Add to that the control learning curve and the added expense of the Kemper, and we'll stick to the Line 6 Helix and the Helix LT.
Summary and Recommendation
It's also fair to say that the decision between the Line 6 Helix and Kemper Profiler could come down to something as simple as brand preference.
For us, Line 6 is a well-known commodity while the Helix series is well-proven and reliable.
We like that better than the Kemper system, which is more complex, and more expensive. If Kemper were to drop the price, we might be more willing to switch our choice, because the profiles are a great concept that give you a lot of flexibility. But for the foreseeable future, we'll stick with the Helix and the Helix LT.
Particularly the Helix LT - at $1000 - is really tough to beat.
Questions, Comments, and Experience
Do you have questions about the Line 6 Helix, the Helix LT, or the Kemper Profiler?
Maybe you've owned one of them and want to share your experience?
Either way, drop us a line in the comments section below and we'll check it out.
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Written by Bobby on Pedals and Comparisons
Written by GC Editorial on Pedals and Comparisons
The Kemper sounds like and amp especially with the Powered Kabinet.
Axe FX and Helix simply do not.
That’s ultimately the deal breaker.
Kemper provides no compromise
He tenido Helix floor 4 años y jamás logré que sonara como un amplificador a válvulas..incluso con el powercab 112 + sonaba muy digital. Siempre sonando con perfiles y impulsos de pago (tuve miles). La vendí y compré el kemper stage y un Kemper power kabinet… A los cinco minutos estaba sonando exactamente igual que un amplificador la válvulas de hecho tenía al lado un Fender twin reverb y era prácticamente imposible diferenciarlos. Una cosa que no se habrán llegado es que el Kemper es profiler y puede clonar cualquier ampli que se te ocurra o sea en cuanto amplificadores son infinitos e incluso puedes clonar a los efectos si van unidos a la amplificador. Lo único que a día de hoy puede rivalizar con el Kemper en cuanto a sonido es el cortex o el Axe. Ya te digo que después de utilizarlo cuadros a nivel profesional el Helix, es prácticamente un juguete comparado con el Kemper.
I’ve had a Helix floor for 4 years and could never get it to sound like a tube amp..even with the powercab 112+ it sounded very digital. Always ringing with profiles and payment impulses (I had thousands). I sold it and bought the kemper stage and a kemper power cabinet… Within five minutes it was sounding exactly like a tube amp in fact it had a Fender twin reverb next to it and it was practically impossible to tell the difference between them. One thing that they will not have arrived at is that the Kemper is a profiler and can clone any amp you can think of, that is, as amps are infinite and you can even clone the effects if they are attached to the amp. The only thing that today can rival the Kemper in terms of sound is the cortex or the Axe. I already told you that after using it at a professional level, the Helix is practically a toy compared to the Kemper.
Thanks for sharing, Vasile. I don’t really agree with this but I do appreciate you sharing your experience. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.
Gracias por compartir, Vasile. Realmente no estoy de acuerdo con esto, pero agradezco que compartas tu experiencia. Supongo que la belleza está en el ojo del espectador.
Interesting review. I’m a Kemper owner so definitely biased to be fair but I did do a ton of research before purchasing my (first) Kemper stage.
My take is the effects on the Helix are likely to be better than those in the KPA, however if you want access to a super-accurate digital snapshot then the KPA is the one (you should consider the Quad Cortex too). You can get great approximations of amps from the Helix and more tweak-ability than the KPA so if you want that flexibility and love tone chasing then maybe the Helix is for you. Kemper’s approach of profiling a great amp works better for me. You also have the choice of professionally profiled (MBritt, ToneJunkie, and TopJimi et al) or the free user profiles in the Rig Manager pool form other users. Options for both are massive.
Usability for both will be more complex than a tube amp and pedal s and I agree the Kemper UI isn’t the best but Rig Manager is pretty straightforward.
Both Helix and Kemper are high end professional level digital devices imho.
Cheers
Q
Hey, I appreciate the thoughtful response. Quad Cortex is up there but we just haven’t gotten our hands on it yet. To be honest, you could make a really strong argument for either one. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Kemper.
I have owned both. The Helix took me years to get something approaching a good tone, even with paid presets. When I had to use it live (it was a tube amp backup) it let me down sonically and from a ‘feel’ point of view. The Kemper is far more plug-and-play. Granted, the user interface on the unit itself is very old-fashioned, but if you find the right profiles for you (that is the key), you will play a lot more and tweak a lot less. There are so many features you can use but don’t have to.
It sounds and feels like a real amp. If you’re a guitar-and-amp guy like me, that’s exactly what you want.
I sold my Helix and bought a second Kemper. I now have a powered head, a Stage (unpowered), and a PowerKab (powered speaker cabinet). The powered head will go into any guitar cab.
The Kemper editing software (Rig Manager) isn’t as pretty as HX Edit, but it’s pretty good and a lot better than it used to be.
Added to that, you have access to pretty much any amp in the world, if someone has profiled it. It sounds as good going into a passive cabinet, an FRFR cabinet, a PA, or a DAW for recording.
One downside is that there’s no built-in expression pedal, you have to buy one, but you can add several. And there’s no audio interface built in, unlike the Helix.
Thanks, Ian. This is really helpful info.
Wow, I have played both. I own a kemper. I have a room full of tube amps. Feder, Marshall, vox, +. The Kemper feels and sounds like those amps. The line6 felt like a toy. They’re not even close. Your review is from someone that doesn’t know what the kemper is or how it works. Or, half of the features. There is a steep learning curve, and out of the box I thought I made a mistake, within a month I realized it was the best guitar purchase I’ve made in 40 years. It’s not a modeler. The Helix has a better screen, and can do some fancy stuff. But the sound does not compare. The feel, does not compare. Unfortunately in reviews the kemper always will lose in comparisons because you really need to understand it before you (to me) get good sounds.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s not that the Kemper is bad. A lot of this is subjective and some people would just prefer one or the other for varying reasons. That said, the Helix definitely does not feel like a toy. That’s a bit ridiculous.
Lord Vary
Game of Thrones reference, I think? I don’t know Thrones.
You have missed out much in the Kemper features. It does have compression and limiting plus fuzz, overdrive and multiple delays and reverbs. If you can’t even get the basics right why should anyone bother reading the rest of this review?
Gain, Modulation, Ambience, Wah, Volume, Pitch.
Kemper is pretty comprehensive, so I just put parent categories to simplify. I probably could have done it for both, though it’s based on the product description language.
But if you can’t even go one technical level deeper, why should you even bother reading this review?
Couldn’t figure out helix for more of me and sold it. Also didn’t sound good through my amp and probably needed a frfr. Kemper I’m reading is good to go as is and can tweak from there.
Both are pretty involved. What amp are you running?
To be fair, both the Helix and an unpowered Kemper (like the Stage mentioned here) will need to go into the return input of your guitar amp’s effects loop, as long as it has one. You don’t want it being coloured by the pre-amp.
Other than that, yes, you’ll need an FRFR for either – unless you have good monitoring from the PA.
Thanks, Ian. This is very helpful
You obviously have no clue
Probably fair.
This makes me laugh to hard… They are both great they can both sound bad and good. But the writer of this obviously has a bias when he describes the effects on both in the comparison chart!!! Vary miss leading.
I’m vary sorry you feel that way.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mislead