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And the amps clean up extremely well with the guitar volume knob, although I’m not sure if that’s “realistic” or not. The tone controls to me seem more like they are an EQ sitting on top of an amp rather than part of a circuit, but this isn’t necessarily bad. Amp controls are as basic as the original amps, no additional controls. I’m not sure if that’s modeling quality or lack of options though. I have found the clean tones to be very good, the mid gain tones good, and the high gain tones disappointing. Headrush has faced a lot of skepticism for its amp modeling as its been reported as an updated Eleven Rack rather than a new engine. This is a major opportunity for Fractal in the future.

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The software editor is fantastic though, my favorite of the three. It’s just a huge pain to use without a computer. The small screen, lack of joystick, and cryptic buttons make for a very steep learning curve. The computer editor works great as well, allowing interaction with both hardware and software.ĪX8 famously has a pretty dated interface. It’s actually kind of fun to program too. There’s a bit of a learning curve but it’s the easiest device to work with when you are familiar. The joystick is intuitive, the knobs adapt quickly to the menus on screen, and the capacitive switches are brilliant.

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Helix has an amazing interface that takes full advantage of the hardware. The menus can be somewhat clunky as well, but the functionality is there and it’s significantly easier to work with than the Fractal. The lack of a computer editor is also disappointing as it requires the device to be used on a desk or stand rather than on the ground. It’s pretty intuitive and easy to work with, but the screen isn’t quite as responsive as a modern smartphone.

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Headrush handles all user interface exclusively through the touchscreen plus one fine control knob. I would prefer no pedal to save space and because I like the pedal on the left side of the device.There is a large color screen, not as big as Headrush but still plenty big. It is the largest of the three but it does include an onboard expression pedal. Helix LT is on par with Headrush for the feel of the device in terms of quality. There is a large metal bar meant to protect the knobs which makes stepping on the top row of switches a huge pain in the ass. The size is right between the Headrush and Helix, a bit big for a desk but not overwhelming on the floor. The best feature is probably the amp controls on the unit, which are handy although not essential. The unit also has a power adapter rather than a standard power cord.įractal AX8 feels like the most rugged device of the three. One cool thing is that the power button is not a hard switch but a soft switch and will prompt to confirm shutdown. The large color touchscreen is the main feature.

There’s a limited amount of inputs, outputs, and controls, but that is by design. Size is obviously smaller than the other two, small enough to fit comfortably on a desk.

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Headrush Gigboard feels like a professional device. I did have an Eleven Rack for a few months but it’s been a long time since I used it. So I decided to pick one up on Black Friday and see if it’s worth keeping. I’ve been intrigued by the Headrush Gigboard but there is relatively little information and buzz about it and not a lot of good comparison clips. I’ve been using the Helix and AX8 for the last two years or so. Note: This thread is too big so it will be split into three posts.Īlso, I hope this thread can stay friendly with good discussion rather than attacking other people's opinions and experiences!

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