I think the TonePrint idea that the folks over at TC Electronic had was brilliant, and continue to think that same thing, especially since they’ve incorporated it into all different types of pedals, not just the delays. Phaser pedals seem to be kind of a love/hate thing, and since I lean toward the former, I was super-stoked to see that TC was coming out with a TonePrint-enabled phaser. Well, I finally got my hands on the Helix, and lemme tell you, it was worth the wait.
There’s a nice array of control knobs here on the Helix: not too many, not too few. Speed starts us off by adjusting how fast or slow the phaser’s sweep goes, from a mellow, subtle phase to screaming rotary madness. Depth is up next, and adds in or subtracts the phaser effect from your signal chain, again allowing for anything from a slight effect to a full-on sonic phaser throwdown. Feedback makes the effect more pronounced as it’s turned up, giving off some wild tones as well. The final big knob controls the Mix, which determines how the Wet and Dry signals are incorporated with one another, giving you total tonal control over the Helix’s effect.
There’s a mini toggle switch present, too, which add to the options the Helix presents. The Vintage setting makes the phaser a bit tougher, grittier, kind of dirty if you will, while the Smooth setting makes the phase sound even, lush and well-rounded. Plus, there’s a third option, which is TC Electronic’s now-famous TonePrint setting, which lets you both upload famous players’ personal sounds they’ve created, or create your own unique phaser sound and upload that right onto the pedal as well, for tons more experimentation.
Sonically, the Helix Phaser sounds wonderful. This bright yellow box is a no fuss, no muss phaser, that gets right to the point quickly, but offers enough options that it won’t let you down or get you bored anytime soon. TC Electronic keeps on putting out new, improved and innovative effects for us all to enjoy, and I think we’re all looking forward to what comes next!
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
