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I check by this forum frequently, but am I the only one who's puzzled that I need to scroll a lot to see some relevant new posts. And who will miss that there's e.g. 3.70 out there, because the sticky posts still talks about 3.10? Hopefully some moderators can do a bit of clean up in what's sticky and what's not. I would love to see the latest firmware announcements always be among the top 5 sticky posts. That being said: Then I just LOVE that a hardware that's what? 7-8 years old is still getting new firmware updates with a lot of new features. Thanks a lot to all the developers!

I have little interest in moving air for my own enjoyment. I like to hear great tone mixed nicely with the others in the band - and let the FOH move the air. Modeling and full range monitoring accomplishes exactly what I enjoy most. Nothing against the traditional cab approach... it's all good. Just not for me.

Hi So, I have updated my cheat sheet (pdf-version) and for you who are interested just download it from the link below (from my Dropbox). All the new amp’s, cab’s and effects are in there, marked with a red “N”, incl DSP and some other additional info. Legacy devices are marked with a red “L”. All are sorted in order of appearance on the unit, in their respective group. DSP-values for the new products are from me, but I have used the same method as Ben Vesco has used, published, and described very well on his great site (unfortunately not updated). If anyone has found a value that differs from mine, please let me know. There is a slight difference depending on which blocks are used when trying out the numbers. I have used blocks from Ben’s “reference material” to minimize errors and to get continuity. I have used two different setups and if those have a variation bigger than 0,5 (in relative %) I have used a third setup. Think it’s hard to get any closer. “Last device” is always at least one volume pedal at the end, in mono (0,47%) and/or in stereo (0,61%), what’s ever slips in :-), so that would be the tolerance... All devices are in preamp/full amp (cab’s are not incl, presented separate, but as default cab’s incl DSP, are in the sheet with the amp’s), stereo/mono, single/dual etc. where applicable. In an earlier version I did also publish the cheat sheet in a MS Excel 365 format, a DSP calculator. I will make that update but need some more time to finish it (want to play some guitar too…). Download the cheat sheet from my Dropbox (pdf-format) – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8vsyuiehgd6ofjryw6g9q/Line6-Helix-Model-and-DSP-Summary-3-70.pdf?rlkey=k3yyscizqbi1z80ozmo6gsihi&dl=0 Great update Line6, very impressive work. Thought I had all I needed before this update, but was I wrong, there were a few more I didn’t know about, eg. the US Dripman (!), some of the Catalyst amp’s, 2203 and the ODR-1, wow :-) Have fun (I will…)! //Per

In a nutshell the "ultimate" Helix experience has a large range of what different people deem as "ultimate". Many of us that frequent these pages have had our share of different variations, but each have their limitations. But each limitation may not be that important on an individual basis. For example getting a traditional sound like you would out of a cabinet setup isn't all that important to some of us. How could that be you might ask? To put it simply, the only one that hears that particular sound are the people standing in the vacinity of that kind of setup. That can never be the actual production sound you hear in a live performance or on a professional recording because it has to be captured by a mic, which will change the sound. Add to that in a sound reinforcement practical sense no stage setup can ever compete volume-wise with a PA, and you wouldn't want it to because it messes up the overall mix the audience hears. That's why many people using modelers target creating a great production sound, the same as would be done in a studio which the Helix is perfectly capable of right out of the box and going direct to the mixing board. But what a person needs for inspiration as a stage or studio musician actually performing that music may be different, and that's where the configurations can make yet another turn using a stage setup similar to what you're describing, but purely for on stage or in studio performance. But of course that comes with the limitation that you won't be hearing the same thing as the audience will be hearing including the mix with the other instruments. The thing that's important is that modeling, by it's very nature, changes and expands on the lessons we learned from playing in a traditional setup. That's why you see so many variations in how people use their Helix.

Also the Looper is a great tool for auditioning. Place the looper block at the front of the signal chain and record a sample loop such as a chord progression. Then put your guitar down and play back the loop. Use your hands or feet to tweak the tone as desired and listen to the tone change instantly without interruption.

I don't rely on being able to see the display to know what snapshot I'm in or what blocks are bypassed, the foot switch lights are enough. Same for HX Stomp and Helix floor. Then I setup all patches using the same general foot switch layout, so that I know pretty much what a foot switch will do in any patch. For example, the drives and modulation might be different in a patch, but the same foot switches will control them in most patches. Then I actually practice against backing tracks to simulate gig mode to make sure I can get to the right tone at the right time while singing. This often involves pickup changes on the guitar and changing the guitar volume (which I do a lot). I consider this part of playing my instrument and practice these moves too. And of course it's different for different guitars, have to practice that too.

I'm having a LOT of fun with it, but I've been distracted by applications other than feedback itself. With Unison mode and a little editing, you can get E-Bow sounds as mentioned in the release notes. But it can also work well as a mono guitar synth (anyone remember the Korg X-911?) if you play cleanly. Going through different amps, I've been able to obtain different oscillator sounds (very much like sine, triangle, saw, pulse, square). Changing Drive changes the waveform, which adds interesting animations. I've also been able to dial in fretless guitar and slide effects, as well as a pretty cool Theremin preset. Of course, there are limitations (e.g., you have to play the "theremin" on a single string, and there will always be at least a 150 ms attack time). However, it's important to note that Feedbacker is a squirrely effect unless you find just the right settings - it takes some effort to make it do your bidding. You really have to understand what all the parameters do, and how they interact. FWIW I'll be including several presets along these lines with v1.4 of The Big Book of Helix Tips and Tricks. (I'm working on the updated version now, and expect that it will be done in December. Like previous versions, it will be a free update to current owners.)

It's important to remember that the internet is a house of cards built on a foundation of quicksand, using a fractured telecommunications infrastructure. Servers go down or get slow periodically, whether it's in-house, Amazon, Azure, other cloud services, whatever. I use OneDrive for real-time saving of docs. Sometimes it's lightning-fast, sometimes it takes several minutes while the data sits a queue to be saved. However, I updated HX Stomp and Native last night with zero problems, using Windows 10. I'll be updating floor today, and I expect it will work equally well. The new amps are really good, and the Feedbacker effect is wild. It's also great to see more hi-res cabs. Overall, a very welcome update IMHO. BTW I will be updating The Big Book of Helix Tips and Tricks to v1.4, and it will be a free update to current owners. I don't have an ETA yet, but hopefully before the end of the year.

Well, it FINALLY made Mr Freeman happy! Here's what he said on his UChoob video comparison - "Helix 3.70 Brit 2203 vs Softube JMP 2203" "Both models are gain and level matched, the new Brit 2203 is nigh-on identical to Softube JMP 2203. This makes Helix/HX/Native have one of the finest 2203 models available and I've tested and measured most of them. Well done Line 6." :)

Hopefully enough people will express concern to the company that they keep supplying parts for the future,

Inasmuch as I'm now pretty much "retired" (various physical issues, and just plain gettin' too old for this sh*t) this will have no major impact on me, other than not feeling comfortable trying to sell either of my Variaxes. How do you look at a potential buyer and say "oh by the way.....?" That said - next to the Helix, the Variax was the most useful bit o'kit I purchased/used in the last 6 years or so. In a working "business" band, where the songlist is wildly diverse, the V was a godsend. I used various electrics, acoustics (6/12 string), dobro, banjo, sitar - the custom tunings put licks I could not otherwise play under my fingers. It (they) certainly payed for itself many times over, over those years. So for the sake of the next generation I hope a new iteration is forthcoming, regardless of the brand name on it. A bit "niche"? Possibly, but it fills a need that - once you have that need - no other instrument can.

Im waiting on my record deal. They say that once my amp/modeler has a properly represented bright cap they'll start pressing off the records. :)

I'm really confused!!! How is it I've had my Helix since it came out in 2015 and there has not been a single situation in the thousands of presets I've created where I had to ask this question???

you can also use some of the standard webapps that will show differences between two files. the presets are just text files so you can load them into something like Diffchecker - Compare text online to find the difference between two text files and it will show you the differences. I agree a very cool app that spelled things out for you would be better, and maybe even let you make changes... but just to do a compare, this will definitely work.

I put a fan in front of my powercabs. Works great.

The ultimate Helix experience would be to be in a large canyon at dusk with enough of a PA to fill the canyon for my sound (should I use reverb or delay or both? (haha)) and a strong subwoofer just for moving the air so I can feel it in my chest...Sigh, it will never happen.

If you go to the Downloads page and select Line 6 Central from the Choose Software option then choose your OS, you will find. Line 6 Central is the new Line 6 device management platform. The modern user interface in Line 6 Central brings a simple and clear experience for keeping all your Line 6 gear updated with the latest firmware. This version of Line 6 Central supports the following device families: Helix (Helix, Helix Rack, Helix LT) HX (HX Effects, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX One) POD Go (POD Go, POD Go Wireless) Catalyst (60/100/200) DL4 Mk II Spider V (20/30/60/120/120HC/30 MkII/60 MkII/120 MkII/120HC MkII) FBV Mk III G70/G75 G10 (G10/G10S/G10T/G10TII) AMPLIFi (30/75/150/FX/TT) Firehawk (FX/1500) POD HD500 (HD500/Pro/Bean/500X/Pro X) Tyler Variax (59/69/89/Standard/Shuriken) POD Studio (UX1/UX2/GX) Toneport (UX1/UX2/GX/DI) Variax (300/600/500/700/VUI) Support for Powercab will be coming soon. Compatible OS: Mac OS X, macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma Let's hope this puts an end to "Update bricked my Helix" posts.

Great stories shared here, and a lot of love for Variax. I used an Acoustic 700 at acoustic gigs for alternative tunings for many years. I kept an ancient MacBook just so I could run the original (and unsupported) WorkBench software. I still have my trusty Variax Standard for studio recordings when quick alt tuning is needed, and its a decent guitar. I pray Workbench HD is supported for a good while. And I agree with others, I hope parts (piezos, etc) will be made available into the near future, especially for the "newer" JTVs and Standards.

IMO... there will not be a successor to the Helix, just another addition to the HX line. When nobody expects it they are simply going to come out with a new model... "HX <insert clever name here>" with all the features the masses keep asking for. Touchscreen, smaller form factor, more horsepower, etc... etc.... They've been releasing scaled back versions of the Helix regularly... HX Effects, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL and now the HX One. Eventually there will be a "ramped up" model.

The Output block in each path allows you to specify the physical output(s) where you want to send each signal path. The default value for each path is Multi which means 1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2 outputs are all active simultaneously. You can change that value if you wish but I don’t think you need to for your purposes. The output signal from both paths will appear at their respective specified outputs. With the Multi setting on both paths the 1/4” L/MONO physical output will send a mono signal that includes both paths. So a 1/4” cable from the L/MONO output to your iRig interface will suffice. The sound quality is the same whether you use one or both paths. The second path will be necessary only if your total DSP requirements exceed the capacity of a single path. Amps are DSP intensive so using two amps in a parallel path (1A and 1B) rather than dual paths with one amp in each (1A and 2A) will leave very little available DSP for other FX. I would use two paths for greater flexibility.

Actually, you want to do the reverse; you want your MacBook audio to be heard from the Stomp outputs. With Stomp XL connected via USB to your MacBook Pro it can become the MacBook’s soundcard, bypassing your internal soundcard and its 3.5” audio out. Both your guitar and the MacBook audio will be heard at the Stomp audio outputs (headphones, speakers). If this doesn’t happen automatically when you connect the Stomp try specifically configuring your MacBook to use the Stomp as its audio input/output device. Then use the MacBook volume control to balance its output level with the main Volume level of the Stomp.

Lol... nothing elevates one's status quite like labels and name calling. I understand though... sometimes the guy in the mirror isn't easy to look at. Please do let us know if you'd like some help climbing out of the hole you've dug for yourself. After all, what good is whining without an audience? Peace!

There's a negligible difference between being the first one in line to complain, and showing up later to echo the same sentiment. But you just go ahead and keep telling yourself otherwise...a powerful force, denial. Cheers!

Can you not see the irony here? You're doing the very thing you've accused other of... authenticity might be first on your list, but that's hardly universal. Hell, I'd wager that 90% of those who own a modeler have never been in the same room with the "real" version of most of the amp models contained therein... but I digress. You're also missing the point. Most people couldn't care less what anybody else's needs/ wants are. However, what does tend to chap a$$es, are those who endlessly lament that a device they chose to purchase is inferior because it doesn't have "Feature X', whilst a competitor's does. The solution is simple: Do the appropriate research before you buy anything, and choose the device that best suits your needs. Problem solved. But to embark on an endless whining campaign after the fact is pointless, as there's a good chance that that you'll either never get what you want, or you'll wait for it for an extended period of time... and it all could have been avoided. I've yet to encounter the problem that's was solved through b1tching and finger pointing.

I don’t think you need to ‘sign the rights over’. I believe your license allows you to run the program on multiple computers. So you could download and install Helix Native on his computer and log in to your Line 6 account. Then run Helix Native in his DAW. It will probably ask you to authorize his computer and then it should operate normally. It’s possible that you are already at the maximum number of authorized computers. If so try to deauthorize one in your account. You might need to contact Line 6 Support to get their help in doing this.

As I'm sure you are well aware, this topic has been beaten to death over on TGP and TGF and probably elsewhere, as the major complainer is compulsive about letting everyone know about it. The 2203 modeled did not have a bright cap. MAYBE the next update they'll be modeling one WITH a bright cap. Meanwhile, all the other Marshalls are normal and if you can't get a good Marshall tone, and none of the other Marshall sound-alikes light your fire, then maybe Helix isn't for you. Sorry if that sounds harsh (not really) but I am SO sick of hearing this nonsense! Buy a Fractal! It's not like you'll have a problem selling your Helix to one of the thousands who DGAF about the frelling bright cap!

https://helixlib.com/ Helix Preset Viewer Vulcano FX: Helix/HX Stomp preset-snapshot online viewer Helix Preset Viewer Helix Preset Viewer They're all different. Take your pick. Also they may no longer be actively supported and not up to date with current firmware.

Frank Zappa was a wise man!

You're asking for objective answers to subjective questions. The BEST answers you'll ever get on a forum will be no better than anecdotal. I might think my PC212+ sounds GREAT, but lots of people think it sounds like s**t. The ONLY way to KNOW what's BEST is to try them all side by side and decide which YOU like best. Not practical you say? Of course not! Welcome to Guitar World 2023! This AM I played for over an hour through my Catalyst100. Sounded GREAT! Switched to ToneX through the Cat. Sounded AWFUL! Took a break to let my ears readjust, then played for over an hour through my PC212+ and ToneX Amalgam DI captures with various PC speakers. Sounded GREAT! Then I switched to playing through Helix presets, alternately with Helix cabs and PC speakers. Sounded GREAT! My takeaway - any day I play for 2-3 hours is a GREAT day! The moral of the story - Dance with the girl you brought to the party. MOST IMPORTANTLY - "Shut up and play yer guitar!" Final word - there's no such thing as "The Ultimate Helix Experience". Only what YOU like best! Final Final word - I like jelly donuts, but not if they're covered in liquid sugar. "Hope this helps". ;-)

Hi, This is the guy who knows - Eric Klein aka Digital lgloo - read this! https://blog.line6.com/2023/09/15/eric-klein-at-least-half-of-your-modelers-sound-is-determined-by-your-playback-system/ Hope this helps/makes sense.

Buy yourself a little mixer (they are cheap these days). Get the monitor mix from the house on one channel and ask the tech to remove the guitar from your mix. Then run either a send, or one of the outputs of your stomp to the other channel. Blend & EQ each as required. FWIW... proper monitor mixes are not supposed to be affected by EQ settings at the FOH... the only exception is often the HPF (high pass filter) which would remove bass, but only the area you shouldn't be in the first place.

This has been a "set it and forget it" enterprise since day one... and even if that weren't the case, I seriously doubt that you'd ever see any of the rabble being promoted to "Sheriff of Nottingham". First of all, it just ain't L6's style. And second, the last thing we need around here are more swelled heads ;)

Hi, AFAIK, this is a hardware issue, the HX Stomp only has 3 onboard switches and the option to add another external pair -these are then assigned via the Global settings to FS4 & FS5. The larger Helix models already have lots of foot switches available and there is no facility to add FS13 & FS14 within the Globals. As you specifically mentioned that this could be beneficial to you when using the Looper, your Helix has a couple of options already available that you could consider, and I would think that both are equally viable options. First:- simply add a dedicated external looper designed for performance. I have various ones that have lots more loop time and tricks than the onboard one. For example - loading backing tracks, drum tacks, timed fade outs, dual loop channels etc. Secondly, and possibly more versatile, is a MIDI Control device. There are several different models available and those from Morningstar seem particularly popular among HX users. https://www.morningstar.io/mc6-mkii The loopers in HX family products have the facility to be controlled via external MIDI - see the Owner’s Manual for each unit. Hope this helps/makes sense.

I am by no means a guru in the world of MIDI but I imagine you could probably even use Helix to send MIDI commands to HXFX to call up whole presets in HXFX, thereby freeing up copious amounts of DSP in Helix. Even assign those HXFX presets to a Helix foot-switch maybe?

Since the HXFX doesn't have the Input Auto Impedance feature you might want to run your guitar into Helix, use a Helix Send to the HXFX Input, HXFX Send back to Helix Return, Helix amp, Helix Send 2 to HXFX Return, HXFX Send 2 back to Helix Return 2>Helix Main Outs. By combining both Helix Paths (1A->2A) and placing the FX Loop Blocks wherever the DSP is needed you've increased your total DSP by 50% and retained the versatility of the Auto Impedance feature. Keep in mind though that the Auto Impedance will only be affected by the Blocks preceding the first Send to the HXFX, as the Send is set at 1M.

"I am in no way trying to denigrate you", (immediately posts further denigrating comments). Look, I don't know what the deal is with you here. I sensed right from your first reply that this might go badly. I'm too old to have childish internet spats and if you look back you will see that right from the start I have shown gratitude and respect and have been conciliatory but you wouldn't let it go and you continued raising and coming back to the subject of fault and insisting on levelling that fault at me. For someone who is here "just to help the punters" and has no vested interest in Line6 I find this very surprising. I didn't accuse you of anything, I was thankful for your help. For me the principle topic of discussion should be how to solve the problem, not trying to pin the blame for the problem on the person raising the issue. Like I said, strange and surprising. Once again, I'm too old for squabbling so if you want another go at blaming me for all this, have at it but I don't want to say anymore or let this escalate further. I know what I did and didn't do and I am satisfied I did the due diligence to avoid any problems. End of story. Thank you again for the time you have taken for the problem I raised, you clearly know your stuff and this expertise is much appreciated. Now then: I have just got off the phone with Christophe at Line6 support Germany, he's a great guy and took the time to listen and understand and make very good suggestions (absolutely not implying anything in regards to you Datacommando). The upshot is-it works! I tried again with my Mac Studio but it kept disconnecting so we tried again with the older Intel Macbook Pro and another USB cable and it worked. Neither of us could work out why. The other USB cable is perfectly serviceable. I had messed around last night for hours with the same Macbook and tried changing the file path for the backup file changed the folder level selection as suggested in another discussion here (ie select the folder not the file) but nothing worked. Today it just suddenly did but I don't care why, I'm just so happy it did. Thank you SaschaFranck, you appreciate that I managed to get it all working before I saw your post but yes, for what it's worth, I absolutely had that file in the backups folder, I just couldn't manage to get it recognised by the editing software. Once again a big thank you and appreciation for Datacommando, I hope no hard feelings and I hope to have further discussion with you down the line. Cheers, TRD

By default, the installer creates a "Line6" folder in /Applications. (It's e.g. not smart enough to know that I want all such apps in my own /Applications/Hardware subfolder and it doesn't look there for an existing instance to overwrite. That's not always necessarily a bad thing though.) But the app itself can then live almost anywhere, as long as the user has admin privileges to move it. If not, then an alias is being made because by default the app is owned by the "root" user. But if the user holds the option key, a copy is being made, and thus the user may end up with multiple copies – and thus multiple versions. So to move an app owned by root, one needs to hold the command key and allow it by entering the admin password – or the finger print.

It isn't the same thing as hold on a delay, but the Poly Sustain's ability to "freeze" sound is pretty cool.

Yeah, that is exactly what I was hoping for, from the enigmatic comment that DI was hinting at. Then when I spotted the new “Line 6 Monkey” was live, I posted this link earlier today. This may be the end of “Update bricked my Helix” posts, etc. Oh, joy! but as we are constantly reminded in these threads - nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. ;-)

I agree. It took a long time. My completely unsupported speculation is that there was a lengthy internal difference of opinion between the Line 6 people and the Yamaha Guitar Group people after Yamaha bought Line 6. I believe Line 6 wanted to continue Variax development but Yamaha is now in charge, and they didn’t want to. As I have said previously I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yamaha come up with the next generation of Variax someday and sell it under the Yamaha brand. But I’ll repeat myself. Completely unsupported speculation!

The VDIs may be going away but at least DI has said they have a solution for all of us that have a Variax. I'm not sure what that is or how little or how much it will allow a device to control the Variax. My bigger fear is that they will never fix the bugs tha Helix has with the Variax currently.

I believe the Helix LT was the last device to get a VDI input and integration... with official word finally coming down I suspect that's the last VDI port we'll ever see. Both my Variax guitars are going strong.... a 1st Gen 300 and a JTV 69, both with replacements necks. Neither is my primary guitar but I have no intent in getting rid of them due to this news.

Even more interesting: Are there folks with collections of one of each design?

Must be that time of the month... the Eternal Question has returned, yet again. ;)

Every time I update my Helix, I am a little bit nervous. Every time I follow the advice from datacommando and read the release notes and follow instructions to the letter. Every time it has worked. The release notes talk about update from versions earlier than 3.15, and datacommando says it can be done. I haven't done this myself, but that would be good enough for me to attempt it. As the release notes say, back up your presets and IRs first, and make sure you are working from the latest release of HX edit. Don't panic when you get the boot error message - it's normal, the release notes tell you to expect it when updating from firmware earlier than 3.15. Don't panic - it does take a few minutes to continue, and I confess it made me nervous and felt a lot longer than it actually was when I did the 3.15 update. Don't overlook the factory reset which will indeed clear the Helix - that's why you need the backup so you can restore - make sure that the restore is sorted and covers everything you want to keep before you update. Even if the worst happens, and theres a power interruption or some other unexpected problem with updating via hx edit, datacommando has posted step by step instructions on how to recover. Thanks datacommando - knowing your advice is there if I need it has been a great reassurance for me and I suspect many others who don't post too often. Most of all - glad you're back to guitar and helix - hope you get to enjoy playing some more!

There once was a man with a Helix With the Marshalls, he just couldn't feel it About one certain cap He relentlessly yapped And the rest of us... don't give a f*ck. Haiku, anyone?

The whole "Modelers don't push air" thing is pure nonsense. If you HEAR a sound it's because a real speaker - guitar or FRFR - is pushing air. Also, it's not the MODELER that's pushing the air, it's the the SPEAKER. Your Vox sounds more authentic to you because you prefer the sound of a tube amp through a guitar speaker and cabinet. @Optimisthas the right idea. The article by Eric Klein is an excellent explanation. Read it.

No need to contact support, I think I've found the issue. I'd assumed that it was the headphone socket that was the problem. It's actually the headphone pot. As I don't use headphones that often, the pot must have got gacked up with "guitarist dust and dander". I removed the knob, loosened the nut and gave it a good squirt with contact cleaner and with some vigorous twiddling, it seems to have got it going again. If anone has the same problem, this might be the solution that you are looking for ..... Phew!