plarkin

Sounds like it might be a fault somewhere. I noticed further that what it shows exactly is the following: metronome icon with the word "Tempo", along with only knob 5 and knob 6 labeled "Tempo" and "BPM" respectively. The bottom portion of the screen will flash between what I just described, and the normal parameters for whatever block I have selected or whatever operation I am performing. As I said, this occurs randomly and without me touching anything. Also, when these Tempo parameters flash on the screen, I am prevented from doing whatever I'm doing at the moment and have to wait until the screen reverts back. It usually only stays that way for a second or two. If I do have a defective unit, what is the proper procedure for obtaining warranty service?

Has anyone else experienced this? The bottom of my display will randomly change from whatever is normally displayed at the bottom (amp settings, etc) to the Tempo settings, then change back. A minor annoyance but it happens for no apparent reason, even after updating to 1.10. Can this be suppressed somehow?

I use a Rocktron Banshee, but I've not integrated it with the Helix yet. Still running it first in the chain. At some point I will probably create a few patches where I can bring it in through one of the loops and toggle it on/off as necessary. It would be nice to be able to add a little reverb and/or delay after it.

Hey Jonny, welcome aboard. If you already have a cab (or a combo that will let you use just its speakers), you may want to look into something like the ISP Technologies Stealth power amp. I'm using it to drive a 1960A cab in stereo, but there's lots of ways to use it. Another approach would be something like the Tech 21 Power Engine, which is essentially a power amp and 12" speaker in one combo. Beyond that, any amp with an effects loop should let you run the output of the Helix into the loop return. Or if you have a decent pair of powered studio monitors, those would work too.

Me too. But it'll be nice to not have to drag them out of the house all of the time. :)

I had a 700 acoustic years ago, which I sold quite a while back. Since I've had the Helix, I started thinking about the Variax again. Over the weekend, I found a used JTV-59 in mint condition and bought it. Glad I got the chance to play it first, after reading some of the posts in the Variax forum and how the quality can be inconsistent. Seems like a great guitar, even without the Variax electronics. Neck is a little beefy, but I don't mind--reminds me of my LP Dlx Goldtop. Not sure if I'll gig with it, but it will sure make weekly rehearshals easier in the sense that I only need to carry one guitar to do electric, acoustic and alternate tunings. Really looking forward to exploring its compatibility with the Helix and the ability to remember guitar models & tunings for each patch.

That's why I bought a stand for mine.

Point taken. :D

Select the block to which you want to assign the footswitch. If you want the block to be active (on) when you hit the footswitch, use the BYPASS button to turn the block on BEFORE you assign the footswitch. Do the opposite for the block you want to be deactivated by the footswitch, i.e. make sure the block is OFF before you assign the switch.

I wouldn't mind another Orange or two, maybe a TH30 or TH100 (especially since I still own the latter). And how about a Fulldrive 2 MOSFET or Plimsoul?

I've noticed this as well, but I'm hoping that the bag will stretch a bit once it's broken in and it'll no longer be an issue. I have discovered that it is easier to close if you insert the Helix pedal end first.

Great, thanks! (I was planning to make a few pen & ink changes to my printed copy anyway). :)

I don't see why it wouldn't work...the AC outlet on the back of the PP2 is the same as any other that you would plug in the Helix. It is independent of all the DC outlets and should provide plenty of power for the Helix.

I've only had my Helix for two weeks, and have been an active member of this forum since that time. I just installed the 1.06.0 firmware update and was curious if anyone knows when the owner's manual will be updated? Do the manual updates coincide with the firmware updates? I keep a printed copy handy when I'm using the Helix, and it would be nice to have all of the recent amp/effect models listed in the manual, as well as any other new or corrected information.

BTW, I realize that the forthcoming Helix Editor will pretty much eliminate the need for a stand, but I won't make myself crazy or waste time waiting for it to come out. Hopefully by the time it does, I'll have the bulk of my patches already programmed in and it'll just be a matter of tweaking and refining. Besides, I can still see the value in having the Helix literally by my side as I work (except of course, when I have to use the built-in expression pedal).

At home, when I'm working with the Helix, creating & editing patches, I prefer to have the unit on a stand next to my desk rather than sitting on the floor where I constantly have to bend over. I think I found the ultimate solution...a Gibraltar GEMS stand. It's very sturdy and quite adjustable. Although designed for electronic drum modules, etc., this stand works quite well with the Helix. There is about 5" of overhang on each side but the stand provides more than adequate support, even with the Helix sitting at a pretty substantial angle. Originally, I wanted something with casters, and I considered a mixer stand. But it was clear that I was going to have to come up with a creative solution, as the maximum width capacity of the units I found was a bit small. There is no width constraint with the GEMS, only a depth constraint (which is 14.5" or so, plenty of room for the Helix). I also decided that a regular stand was going to be more sturdy than anything with casters, even locking ones. I even took a chance on a $30 office laptop stand/cart, but like they say, you get what you pay for. Too wobbly and not nearly substantial enough for any kind of long-term use. I thought the $125 pricetag for the GEMS was a bit steep, until I actually received the unit and set it up. It is clearly a pro-level piece of gear (like the Helix) and I feel very confident with the Helix resting on it. I'll take a few pictures when I have the chance, but if you're looking for something like this, I would highly recommend the GEMS. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GEMS

I haven't played live yet with the Helix, as I've only had it two weeks. But my plan is to run the Helix 1/4" outs to a Mesa/Boogie Stereo 2:Fifty power amp, driving a 412 cab. I will experiment with mic'ing the cab but will probably end up running the XLRs straight to the board. For home use, and as a backup to the Mesa, I also have an ISP Technologies Stealth Power Amp that I can use to drive one or two cabs. I like having a traditional power amp and speaker cabinet on stage, even if I am running direct.

I actually just dismantled and sold off my big pedalboard (a Pedal Pad), and plan on using the Helix directly on the floor, with just one or two external expression pedals. Truthfully, if I wanted to put the Helix on a board, I'd just make one myself. Or I would look at a Pedaltrain...I have a PT-2 with the road case (that I'm currently not using). I thought about putting the Helix in the road case, which it will fit, but I ended up buying the Helix backpack instead. I'm really trying to keep my rig as light and portable as possible. There are lots of options out there if you want a custom pedalboard and/or road case for the Helix. I may still use my PT-2 roadcase for transporting the Helix to and from shows, but for weekly rehearsals I have the backpack. If I decide to use the PT-2 roadcase, I'll just custom-fit some foam into the case since it's deeper than it needs to be. Probably enough room for a few pedals, but I've not checked it yet. I just know that the Helix itself will fit in the case with room to spare.

It depends on what I'm doing. One thing's for certain...I like having an expression pedal assigned to the rate parameter, and I set min = 2 and max = 8. That gives me roughly the same amount of control I had with my Fulltone MDV-3 (which has the expression pedal built into it).

Only a week with my new Helix and already an update! Loving it! :)

In case anyone is wondering, the new Mission Engineering Helix Rack pedal will work with the Helix floor processor, but some of the pedal's capabilities will not be used. Specifically, the pedal has two outputs and a toe switch that work with the rack version. With the floor version, just use the output jack closer to the front of the pedal with a standard 1/4" mono cable. Also, I verified that my Ernie Ball VP Jr. works fine with the Helix as an expression pedal.