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OR do you think they are saving the goodies for one giant update around NAMM? I know some get grilled for asking questions like these, but it's been almost 3 months sine the last update. So I think it's a fair curiosity. I personally would like to see, more than anything, some signal metering input/output & at least a clip indicator on each block in the chain. That is definitely my number 1! Plenty of Ideascale submissions on this. Next in the list would be the expansion of HX reverbs. I think the last update fixed the mono versions wet not being wet enough issue. But I am not sure on that, as I am still on 2.50. I would also love to see more parameters in the HX cabs. Specifically off axis mic positioning. That would be really cool. As far as Amps, I would say the XTC, and more Engl. Other than that I would want more Line6 originals. I realize that the next update will not include all of this. Though hopefully some of this will be, especially my #1. What do you guys think? What would you like to see?

I understand there are workarounds, but in product development terms, this is time for the first major update, if not actually just the beta testing time. Its like they stopped it in alpha. The DSP available in this thing is pretty comprehensive, there is no reason other than marketing not to get this to an incredible level and keep selling these units for the foreseeable future. I can see not wanting it to compete with the Helix, but you could still easily cripple the Firehawk enough to make the Helix desirable and still have a much more powerful Firehawk

Since theres no output volume per preset except the amp volume, and the fixed compressor cannot do negative gain, its a HUGE hinderance...then again, you can just bypass it, but....Really after a product has been on the market for a bit, you learn excactly what could be done with it and that's when you do a meaningful update. Its sad to think this may end up like the Amplifi, as abandonware, when there is so much amazing potential in it

Am I the only one that wants a Marshall JVM OD1 and OD2 preamp? The JVM is the most modern iconic Marshall amp available today. Endorsed by artists such as Dave Mustaine and Joe Satriani - pretty big names in the guitar world. We all know there are plenty of clean and dirty Marshall tones, but really only 1 Marshall metal preamp - Brit 2204 (JCM800) and if you want to count the Line 6 version 2204 Mod, there's 2. But these don't get anywhere near the gain/metal tone of the ENGL/Mesa/PRS preamps. I have owned the ENGL Powerball II and own the Mesa Mark V and TC-100 - and 2 Marshall JVM's (410 head and 205 combo). The JVM can match or out metal any of these amps, so it's not like I'm comparing apples to oranges. Now technically the JVM OD1 and OD2 preamps are based off the JCM800 preamps, but they have more gain stages added and the EQ is voiced differently. So I definitely think there's an opportunity for Line 6 to include the JVM preamps. Anyone else want this as well?

Just watch this: Frippertronics Then set up a similar effects chain in Helix, with long delays. Here's another useful article.

Good point...one reason I use an AVR to power my gear...put a transformer on your AC power and ground loops are something you never have to worry about.

The manual is pretty good - but can be a bit focussed on what the functions do rather than how to get the best out of the tool. I have been reading it and sometimes it just isn't clear. For example Ive been trying to get it onto Stompbox mode - I was hoping this would be totally clean guitar with the option of adding footswitch effects selected from the banks. If this is possible I cant find it. The manual just says press FS6 which only allows you to edit the foot switch variables already added to that preset.

The 2.30/2.50 complements the big pack ; it's focusing on new amp models. IRs numbers are coherent through all mypacks Hi Marcel, yes exactly, you will have the old versions AND the new versions in the bonus folder I updated all the presets, small but significant tweaks (like naming snapshots, adding gain control through snaphots etc.) - and for the British LD I now use the Placater Dirty

I was actually going to start this exact topic. Kind of sad, the Firehawk actually sounds really good, but its routing issues feel like alpha versions, showing the promise that later development would bring. The drivers could use updating to be as good as the 2009 Pod XT Live drivers as well.

It is a pain in the tuchus to get to since the forum was rebuilt a few weeks ago. Unless you know an easier way? I can only access it from the first page (support/forums). Once I am in POD HD (support/forums/multi effect units), I can't click anywhere to go be able to get there - with the exception of going back to the first page.

Well, there's that. Actually I would have the manual handy as he goes through his tutorials to help you get a well rounded learning experience. Look up whatever he talks about.

A free addon after purchase? Great, thank you!!

If I understand you correctly I believe the signal routing options and features in Helix Native will allow you to do what you want in a single instance of Helix Native. In fact there are several ways to do it. For instance, each New Preset in Helix Native is an empty preset containing no processing blocks and with the Path 2 Input set to None. Change the Path 2 Input to Host and you now have two independent signal paths each with the mono guitar track as its input. I think this is what you want. You can pan each path hard L and hard R at the Output block if you wish, but be aware that both processing paths are stereo so doing that defeats any stereo processing blocks you may have placed in either path. For more details about signal routing options I refer you to the Helix Native Pilot's Guide, particularly the section entitled The Signal Flow Window.

I have zero interest in Helix issues. I would love a separate forum. And a fully functioning HX Edit! Thanks.

I was going to print it... and noticed that there is a small issue. The text is oriented in the best possible way, but then the labels for the external loop connections should show "Returns / Sends" or perhaps add some "R's" and "S's". I noticed when I did my poor and ugly version... written on a white PVC tape, I initially made the same mistake. Very good work, thanks a lot for sharing.

In addition to what has already been said; even if your modeler can load IR's, using IR's loaded into Powercab can still be useful in freeing up DSP on your modeling device.

POD HD500 or HDPro with DT50. If you play different styles, best solution, and if you buy used also cheap. I would prefer the HD Pro, standing on the DT50, for ergonomical reasons.

I have struggled with this too, tried to figure out the best solution and I thought FRFR was the way to go but... just by chance I had some down time after the update, played a gig with just the new amps and was really really happy FOH and an alto 212 at my feet. It was great but...more downtime led to boredom and tweaking and twiddling. Tried the helix into my tube amp- Ran a compressor--> Minotaur--Teemah--Litigator--Reverb-send to tube combo through send 1, path continues to univibe, rotary, another reverb-delay-1 x 12 fender cab to Alto 212. absolutely blown away Cant stop playing now...

How do you know? But you're trolling for it! :P Not trying to stalk you or anything like that, but a quick Google of your username shows a lot of risky activity - promiscuity without protection? Even this post here is tempting fate - you're painting a target on your back! I hate to sound like a paranoid nag here - so please interpret the tone of this message as friendly, helpful and serious: you need get some anti-virus software ASAP, especially because you've declared to the whole world that you don't use any! Sincerely, Dave

Be sure to ask this on the fractal forums as well for opposing views. They may have some useful advice as well. Good luck on your search!

Coming from the GT8 you're going to love either the Helix or the Ax8. Personally I prefer the Helix. I have a friend with the AX8 and we've spent some time comparing them. Everyone has their own opinion, but I take the Helix all day long. It just fits my particular needs really well. Love the UI and the tones are great. Has way more routing flexibility and it's so much easier to interact with. In all honesty I don't feel like it gives up a thing in terms of tone. I use an Alto TS110A and love it. I just posted a thread from a gig I did last week using the Alto and that's what you hear in the recording: http://line6.com/support/topic/20242-helix-and-alto-ts110a/ I don't want to down the AX8, because obviously it's an awesome unit. I'm sure you'd be happy with either one, but I'm just totally sold on Helix after using it for this last several weeks that I can't recommend it enough. Just my .02

You sound like the same similar opinion that I have. I had a Kemper Rack, Axe FX II XL+, and a Helix all at the same time. A few weeks later I sold the Kemper and the Axe... Only because the Helix gave me just as high a quality tone without the extra chore of toting an outboard controller/MIDI pedal around. LoL! They're all similar, yet different, but high quality tone generators! It's really down to feature preferences and subtle nuances at this point in the game.

Just my 2 cents worth- I have a helix, an axe8 and an amplifire. Not one of them is better than the other sound wise, although they all sound a little different. ax8 has more options, helix is so much more elegant UI, amplifire fits nicely onto a small pedalboard. You choose which suits your needs rthe best

Impulse responses depend lot depends on the selection of the speaker and cabinet to capture, the technique and gear used to do the capture, and the ear of the person doing the capturing. For example, S-Gear comes with a number of carefully chosen Redwirez IRs. In a recent update, Mike Scuffham created a few of his own IRs, some using similar speaker models to what was available from Redwirez. I think Mike has an amazing ear for guitar and it shows in these speaker models. To me, its hard to tell sometimes which IR model is "better", in many cases they're just different. You can waste a lot of time trying to pick the best one, only of find the next time you try you'll get a different result. Here's some guidelines to consider: Use only 16 bit, 48 kHz IRs for Helix (don't depend on Helix to convert them) Pick a small set of speaker IRs to audition based on what's typically used in the amp your using, for your style of music, and your guitar (single or double coil pickups make a big difference). I started with Robben Ford and Matt Schofield's live rigs because I love the tone they get. Get the speaker choice right first, or at least a very small set, using a Neumann U87, CapEdge and 2" for a relatively neutral, uncolored mic. Then zero in on the mic and mic position For the very small set of chosen speakers, pick a small set of mics: an SM57, Neumann U87, and Royer R121 will sound quite different, the other choices can be pretty subtle. For each mic, pick a small set of mic positions, CapEdge being the most typical For each mic position, pick a small set of distances from the cabinet: from say 0" to 4" with 2" a good starting point Import the IRs into Helix using some unused or expendable IR index slots Audition in a typical live setting. What works well at low volumes by yourself might not work at all in a gig situation, a lot depends on volume level, feel and how the speaker fits in the mix. Audition by using pedal edit mode to increment and decrement the IR block while playing. Try a range of songs, pickup combinations, effects, etc. Get a feeling for the whole, not just one specific thing. Keep notes on each IR, how it sounded, how it felt, whether it was muddy, fizzy, scooped, articulate, etc. so you can remember how they compared. Use a table in Evernote to capture your notes If you still can't decide which IR to use, try this simple selection process: Select an IR Compare it with each other IR until you find one you like better Replace the first IR with that IR and repeat the process until there are no IRs that sound better. You now have your favorite - but possibly only for that situation. Getting the right IR can have a big effect on tone and feel, perhaps nearly as important as the guitar. But much of the variability between IR models will be lost in the mix, and imperceptible to your audience. So don't worry too much if you can't decide which one you like best, probably may choices are good and are just different. And don't worry too much if you keep changing the IR in your goto patch, its likely the change will be subtle.

Ah, ok, I think I get it now. No, I haven't noticed Helix behave like this when changing mics. Everything stays pretty much even as far as volumes. The volume does change a bit when changing the mic distance, but there is a conveniently placed level control right there when editing the cab/mic parameters.

Helix's cabs are IRs. They start out as 2048-point IRs and are then optimized to sound the same but use way less DSP horsepower. Third-party and user IRs aren't necessarily better in an empirical sense, but they certainly give you a wider variety of cab+mic tones.

Quick update on the experiment - configured A-I and B-I to be 'none' for amp model on the DT25, set A-I to topology II, B-I to topology IV. Plugged the JTV into HD500, linked to the DT25. Using a blank patch with no amp model, with the DT set to A-I / B-I works as hoped! And it sounds sweet! And, the XLR out from the DT25 to the L2t's sounded excellent as well. I am optimistic this will be how I use the JTV in acoustic and electric modes, with the DT25 linked to the HD500! The real test will be jamming with the guys at volume (with drums!), but thus far, pretty good.. By defining no model in both the DT25 and the HD500, it definitely makes all the acoustic and reso tones sound pretty sweet. I was doing some looper jams, and just toggling through the sitar, banjo, tricone, even the 12 strings sound nice. And, if you put the -12 bass octaver in the HD500, you get a gnarly, passable bass tone! Sounds wild with the banjo and sitar; gives the bass note a cool almost auto-wah tone. Radatats had originally presented the idea about using the JTV with the DT way back when, so credit where it's due! I just never thought to also remove the amp model from the DT25, since I was rarely ever using the amp without the HD500. Will need to spend some time with my patches now; go back to using the VDI cable, and trigger JTV model changes with each patch change. I haven't used that feature before, so I am psyched to make use of it!