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The point of the Catalyst isn't really to be an all-in-one modeling amp... It's primarily meant to be a boutique style 2-channel amp. The effects are kind of there as a bonus, in a way. Or you might think of them in the same sense like a Fender amp has built-in tremolo along with spring reverb. I think they wanted something that people could use with their pedalboards, not necessarily replace them. Line 6 has other solutions for that sort of thing.

Try using an explicit 1/4" instead multi. Multi does not exist on Stomp. I checked myself and looks like none of the main output level controller assignment is being ported between different devices. Really looks like the main output block is calling for different pipelines. I'm pretty sure it's doable from a code perspective (just a couple of code loops to check/compare and reassign), but it's something to ask as a feature in ideascale. Honestly it could even be a bug. I even tried the opposite, porting from Stomp to Rack, and the main output is bein reset to Multi. It does retain starting level/pan values but all controllers assigned to them are lost. So you can port the pan and level between units, but not controllers assigned to them.

Ok. Your file worked like a charm. So I opened up a new clean file and that worked like a charm too. I opened up my old file and I think I needed to change my input again. It was set to input 1&2 but still not in stereo. I closed it down, reopened it, and it defaulted to input 1 only. So I changed it again to 1&2... and now it works in stereo like it should. Weird. Thanks for the help! Much appreciated.

Im thinking loud here, but the input and output blocks are directly calling for specific hardware, that isnt exactly the same on LT and Stomp. Like for example, LT has Digital and XLR, other than 1/4", so if you are using XLR as output (or digital) in those presets, could be the level values related to non-existent outputs are not available for the Stomp, which only has 1/4" available. If this is the case, you could probably solve linking the snapshots to gain/pan/volume blocks, instead directly to the main output block.

Error Message "Boot Failure, Entered Update Mode!" after I updated HX Edit and than Helix Floor Firmware to 3.15 - something went wrong - now in this failure mode, Helix has no connection to HX Edit. Has anyone experieced this or knows how to fix it? Thanks in advance... Jens

Hi, The “Headroom” parameter in the Helix products is added to some, but not all blocks, to suppress exactly the type of cracking that you reported. It’s something to do with the nature of the original item being modelled, for example the Elephant Man. If your signal going into that delay is a little too hot it can create the distortion that you observed. The “headroom” function is available to allow you to adjust it until you no longer experience any unwanted distortion. If you are getting unexpected over saturated, over driven clipping noise, check to see if the block has a “headroom” parameter and adjust it until it you clean it up. It seems that some items are modelled so well, they even include the noisier characteristics. Hope this helps/makes sense. EDIT: I knew I had see something about this elsewhere - I found this over on TPG. It’s by Ben Adrian -one of the main people behind the Helix models. ”If you were using the 70s Chorus or the Bubble Vibrato (or many of the rotating speakers for that matter), they have a control called headroom. We decided to add that parameter because of the following reason: Fact 1: We model most effects at "guitar level". This is because most effects were designed to be run between a guitar and an amp. Also, many of these effects distort, even when they're not supposed to. So, many analog delays and modulations have some non-linearity at high guitar levels. This is an important part of the effect because even if one does not notice the distortion as "DISTORTION", there is a harmonic complexity added because of the non-linearity. Fact 2: Most users set their amp models at higher than unity gain. This is generally fine, but it can cause issues. I think users set up a model and because "loud" sounds "good", the channel volume creeps up higher and higher. I think there's also a psychological thing that, since guitar amps make the guitar louder, a model should boost the signal as well. This behavior will cause amp models to be 6-12dB louder than a bypassed amp. Now, if one combines Fact 1 and Fact 2, and one puts a non-linear modulation or delay effect after an amp model, there will be a lot of unreasonable distortion. An effect that is mean to be used guitar level is now being fed a much louder signal and is drastically clipping. It's not digital clipping, mind you, it modeled analog circuit clipping. So, we came up with "headroom", which is a level-scaling parameter that adjusts the clipping threshold of the modeled analog circuit. If one is putting a non-linear effect after an amp model, one should adjust the headroom control to find a personally satisfying amount of effect clipping. Higher is cleaner. Sidebar: My suggested manner for setting amp model volume is as follows. 1. pick your amp model. 2. adjust your tone so that you're happy. 3. bypass the amp. listen to the clean volume. 4. engage the amp and set the channel volume control so that the RMS volume of the amp model and the bypassed amp are about the same. If users have a loud channel volume AND have the front panel volume control both set at max, digital clipping is quite possible. Cheers!” That should clear it up.

https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a4112b165fb6a3fe41663/application/pdf/Helix 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev E - English .pdf

Well, that's easy to fix... Thanks! I'm using my Helix LT with a Nektar PACER MIDI floor controller and a DJ Techtools Midi Fighter Twister. Lots of versatility and programmability there. The Twister (www.djtechtools.com) is a really neat controller with 16 encoders with LED light rings and 16 push-button switches on the encoders (only thing it can't send currently is program changes). I can control the Helix from a desktop or floor, whatever suites my needs. I use the hardware 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors when they exist like on the PACER. I have a DoReMidi USB Host box to interface the Twister since it only has MIDI over USB. This way, I don't have to use any MIDI translation software on the computer (which can be "wonky", and hard to program). This makes implementing MIDI very easy (as hardware connections). A MIDIPlus 4-in Merge Box is used with the Pacer, Twister, and an Arturia Keylab 61 MKII. Ableton and Studio One are the main DAW's on the computer. I use the Helix in so many ways both in the studio and as a live gig; these controllers really add to the already versatile Helix LT's control abilities. I'm glad to see that the Helix encoders were made addressable, that adds more flexibility for me under MIDI. Nick Helix LT MIDI CC Mapping (For version 3.15).pdf

I rec'd a Helix LT yesterday and there was a small black rubber "cap" that was in the box (technically in the large plastic bag that the LT was in). I cannot figure out where that cap came from. It is about the size of 4 dimes stacked together. Any ideas what this is? Thanks, John

I picked up a brand new HELIX today! A small (approx. finger tip sized) black rubber cap was loose inside the HELIX's sealed plastic bag. The cap was hanging on the Variax port's release latch. Is this cap for the Variax jack? Or, is it for the recessed Treadle's adjustment screw? It seems to be more suited for the latter, yet it does snugly fit the Variax jack.

It is absolutely a Variax cap, no question. My Variax bass and original Variax guitar both came with the exact same rubber cap over the Variax jack. It said in the manual to keep that on there so you don't accidentally jam a 1/4" lead into it which will screw up the VDI contacts.

It is to protect the Variax jack fro accidentally having a 1/4" lead jammed in there which will royally screw it up.

Hi All, When I opened the plastic bag that the Helix was in, there was a shiny black cap loose in it. Sweetwater wasn't able to tell me what it is. I have attached two pics...top and bottom Can you help? Thanks. Victor

Thanks for the input. I'm just going to hold on until next firmware shows up and use the Helix hooked up to HX Edit. I always thought that these switches (specially the joystick) were just "look but don't touch". The problem is I live at the bottom of South America (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and we're in the midst of the pandemic. Most businesses are not working due to mandatory lockdowns and only 40% of the population was vaccined. I'll keep holding on (just like Mick Hucknall used to sing) Once again, thanks for your kind attention.

Very interesting topic this Helix 2 thing. I`m pretty sure that as long as the SHARC chips get discontinued, Line 6 will have to build their products on more powerful chips architecture. That`ll allow heavier dsp modeling being introduced in the Helix 2. I believe that Helix 2 will compete side by side with Kemper and Fractal Audio. Furthermore, Helix was not a complete product when first released in 2015. Many things were lacking that were added through firmware updates during the last six years. I still hope for the upcoming updates to bring new effects such as a Feedbacker alla Digitech Freqout, more HX reverbs, more amps and maybe new wahs. According to the equipment they have already modeled with the previous Podxt technology, there are still bass amps, stompboxes like the Maestro Brassmaster and Boss Metal Zone which are not present regardless their Legacy status. I agree what`s been already been said by the Beta testers above, though. Helix 2 is not coming any time soon. Therefore, we should keep playing and waiting for the 3.2 firmware and see what goodies it brings. Regarding what I read in Ideascale and Gearpage, most people are asking for: . A true Dumble ODS 100 . An EVH 5150 III blue and red channels - Feedbacker alla Digitech Freqout . A Bogner Ectasy blue and red channels . HX Plate and Room Reverbs I agree with those minus the Dumble. I don`t play any Blues. But blues guys can definitely have it as long as we get the EVH 5150 III. I would also like the Monty Python`s Line 6 Albatross hinted by DI... and suggest a new name for it: Line 6 Preposterous or Line 6 Ludicrous. A Boss Ph-1r Phaser and an EHX Small Clone. That`s it... that`d be a complete product to me I`d be happy for the rest of my life. I`m pretty sure I`d buy the Helix 2 rack with a touch screen and fancy virtual pots like Pod Farm has. But I wouldn´t sell my Helix. It`s just too cute. Greetings!!!!

The one's who makes crappy music moaning like a true hoe is your wife everytime I meet her. She is capable of singing in 12 different keys and with a sound pressure level of 130db. I have to use the Melodyne plugin everytime I wanna mix her moaning with my guitar and bass tracks. You know she caused many times my Windows 10 to show the BSOD because my Ryzen 7 CPU can't handle her. Bye hotdog. Keep on touring... I'll keep on visiting your wife... Hahahaha.

I have no inside knowledge whatsoever on which amps are coming in the next 3.2 firmware, but I do hope those models stay in the Catalyst. First reason: We want the Catalyst to sell a lot of units and including those amps in the Helix would definitely translate into less sales. The more units sold, the more money Line6 make, the more they can invest in R&D and staff. That would give them the chance to still add free updates to the Helix like they did from the beginning (excellent). Second reason: Those amps aren´t anything that can´t be achieved within the vast array of amps that are already present. I seriously don´t understand how many sparkling clean, edge-of-breaking-up, chimy fanfares or "some word that sounds cool but really says nothing" amps Helix users need. Third reason: There are still a couple amps, classic stompboxes and modern effects that haven´t been included. (EVH 5150 III, Hx Dimension D, Feedbacker, Boss Ph 1-R, Small Clone, JMP-1, Boss BF-2, Eden Traveler, DOD Envelope Filter FX-25) In sum, let the Catalyst models remain in the Catalyst. And if you like it so much, sell your own amp and buy one. That´s the answer all the metalheads get when we compare the Helix to Fractal or Kemper as far as amp availability and profiling. Greetings people.

Thanks for your HonestOpinion on the Catalyst. I tend to think about the Catalyst as being the new Spider Valve Mk II. Same approach, same features. I´m pretty sure that the Catalyst will be updated through firmware and get many HX effects already present in the HX devices. However, I think that Line6 is targeting other customers when they decided to release a product like this. Having already a Helix... I wouldn´t buy a Catalyst. I´d go for a 4 x 12 cab and a tube poweramp. I wanted Line6 to make a huge bet and release something like the Vetta II with tubes, HX amps and effects modeling. That would be a lot more interesting for those who work with Helix Native or those who could sell their HX devices in order to do the big jump. Unfortunately, they think that´s not a smart move. I´m not a clean/boutique amp player, I find everything with less gain than a JCM 800 to be quite boring. But that´s just me. I understand that other customers play music genres for which the Carillion and the Kinetic and so forth would sound awesome. Once I watched the Catalyst demo, I felt pretty underwhelmed. And reading the specs just deepened the feeling. Anyways, the staff know what they´re doing a lot more than I do. I just hope they keep upgrading the Helix listening to their customers on Ideascale while following closely their competitors. I´m keeping the Helix until it doesn´t turn on. That´s pretty clear to me.

Like i said...SINCE I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO GO ONLINE ANY DAMNED WAY>>>WHY NOT COME HERE?> How about not being an a$$hole?

Oh Jesus. How many amps do we need? Between preamps, amps, gain blocks, speaker cabs with adjustable microphones, IRs... Honestly there are way too many options already. I actually hate when there are so many options because you spend all your time A/B'ing things rather than playing. I was always a Fender amp guy, and went on the Helix with something that I assumed was an emulation of the Fender Twin Reverb -- Mail Order Twin. I started using it and 2 years later am still using it for every single electric guitar preset. Always liked how clean it sounded and that certain special twang it had. About a year ago I found out it's actually a recreation of Silvertone® 1484 amp. The amp that is famously NOT clean and certain garage-bands use for that crappy buzzy noisy sound. well oops... Back in the day, on early modellers you had 2-3 amp models and that's it. When I do play through physical amps, I can always find my signature sound with anything that does not have too many knobs and can be cleaned up enough.

The MOON)))) amp has its own category. You can´t get close to that sound with all the amp and drive models already available. It´d sure be a nice and unique addition to the Helix. Sounds really trippy and it´s wonderful to play some stoner and post-apocalyptic metal with the bass all cranked up. I remember the first time I watched a video of SunnO)))) live in Volksbühne, Germany. It was a truly haunting experience... Each note lasted like three or four bars with 40 bpm... hahahaha. Mesmerizing as hell. The Vitriol sounds nice as well, something really modern to play Djenty and 2010's stuff. I´m not a Djenter, however I´m all for Helix satisfying all possible customers´ needs. That approach is what takes a modeler to the top of the game against its competitors. I guess Line 6 has definitely stepped up to the professional amp modeling market with Helix and the next HX release will be something really jaw-dropping.