timmyo

thanks for that. Yes - had the IC working on patch load, but hadn't worked out how to assign ti snapshots - will do as you say, thanks. And I hadn't thought about having a mix of snapshot and pedals on screen together - that could work! cheers man.

OK lemme try and explain what I want to do: I've confirmed by lots of manual fiddling that I can get a bunch of sounds I like but telling my Bluguitar AMP1 Mercury to be on full gain and clean channel with built-in boost for my "loud clean Mayer-like" sound, and on the AMP1 Vintage channel at a different (reduced) ax gain setting (which has a MIDI CC associated) for bluesy sound, AMP1 Classic channel at a different-different midi gain setting for another sound. Challenge 1 : I'd like to be able to switch between those using Snapshots, so each snapshot needs to send a specific value for max gain on a known MIDI CC# - I don't know how to add that to a snapshot - any pointers? Challenge 2 : I'd also like to be able to turn on and off my delay (Transistor Tape - I love you) at will, ditto Minotaur and possibly phaser or tremolo, at will - so it sounds like I need to be able to get easily between snapshot view and pedals view - how's the best way to set up the view do you think - now I'm typing it out it seems obvious - snapshot mode and then hit mode button to get to pedals view? So yes I think the main one is - how do I add MIDI CC instant command to a snapshot? cheers!

Anyone got a neat way of doing this so that time faffing with it in the rehearsal room / jam night is minimised? The only simple way I can think of right now is to hook up a DAW via USB - any other suggestions?

Thanks folks

Is anyone using their Helix for a primarily acoustic singer-songwriter type gig? (rather than acoustic in a band mix gig) I'm about to start digging around and sorting a patch or 2, but if anyone has starting points for a nice bit of multiband compression and some saturation I'd be interested to see how you're achieving it. cheers

It is a thing - any real amp with really fast response and no negative feedback is going to feel very immediate and direct to play - this is why some people really feel uncomfortable playing some amps. My Dr Z Maz was like this, but my playing improved a LOT while I owned it (and it sounded great) I am told that this is a thing with the Dumbles too. I think part of the reason that the JC-120 gets that tag is because you barely touch the volume knob and it is LOUD which contributes to it. But also yes, very little compression or overdrive to soften the response.

That's a nonsense statement. You're saying that PA can't out-shout a guitar amp. It's demonstrably not true.

You simply can't make generalisations like that. Guitar cab drivers are very directional, ironically a 4x12 moreso. PA drivers are not only far 'better' (and certainly more expensive) than cab drivers, they are less directional, and have far greater power handling with a more linear response as power goes up. The DXR10 can put out 1100w / 131dB (I m aware that SPL generated by a constant-current device like a valve amp means the wattages are not comparable - but it's high for a PA speaker is the point) and I'd put a dollar on the cranked DXR at LEAST keeping up with the Marshall. I've owned a 100w JCM800 head - it had a master volume and could be played at a range of different sound levels (I actually loved it through the Lo channel played clean!) Let's not offer hard and fast 'facts' without knowing the setup eh :-)

yes - I have the same one

Hey Vinny - if you're still looking for help then I recommend heading to www.thefretboard.co.uk - it's a UK-based forum with lots of London-based people and a really good Helix following (look for numerous threads in the FX section)

How are you connected? Helix -> Apple camera connection kit -> lightning? And the iRig and Apogee is just direct to lightning? There's a difference right away - you've got conversion to USB audio, followed by CCK vs just one digital interface (eg Apogee) Also, what iPad? a recent one or an older one? finally : why on earth use iPad guitar tones when Helix sounds are far superior (I also have those ipad apps)

Awesome, thanks

Serious question - has a new target release date/period been shared re Native, or just 'we hoped it would have been by now, it'll be as soon as we can' ?

Tell him to have a coke and a smile, and stfu :-)

Helix is amazing - I'm a huge fan But the tuner is crap. Whatever approach has been taken isn't ideal and it should be simple to sort. If the reason it is 'fine' is because you can adopt and extremely prescriptive procedure to make it ok then - well come on - think about it - hardly great

Thanks for the that! Yes I have the input on the return - not sure if I have used its gain parameter though, I'll check that. Thanks for the pointers - as you say, lots of options!

OK folks - an update: I created my 4-channel patch, and connected the 2nd mic (a dynamic) to Return 4 using an XLR->unbalanced 1/4" cable I had lying around from years ago. I give it 6db on a gain block, then 8db in the tube pre block, a smidge of eq, add reverb to taste and it seems to be doing the job. Comparable volume with the condenser I use as Vox1 (into the Helix mic input) It'll be a little while before I can get it somewhere to crank and check that at volume there isn't a noise issue on the 2nd vocal channel but it certainly works. This is certainly the 'agricultural' approach rather than for best fidelity but it sounds to be holding up, and means no extra gear. If the sound suffers at volume, then I'll go the external preamp route.

Thanks for that - yes I should have said, using a DXR10 at the moment. I'm in the UK - the used market here for this kind of thing seems to be far less attractive!

that is interesting, thanks for explaining your setup.

or an ART Tube MP perhaps

Thanks folks. I'm not keen initially to combine the mics in any way that means I can't control their relative levels, so I guess that means a mixer, or something that bumps a dynamic mic level up. This thing https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/155445-REG/Rolls_MP13_MP13_Mini_Microphone_Preamp.html looks like it might do a job - XLR in, 1/4" out. I'll have a think :-) Thanks again

Help me think aloud folks. My solo thing has become a duo and now I wonder: What's the simplest way to get a 2nd vocal into Helix for processing/sending to PA? In this context 'simplest' = the least possible extra gear. If I can avoid an external mixer, power supply etc I really really want to do so. An active doohickey to bump a mic level up to come in via a loop return? Or will mic level work into one of those? Any thoughts gladly received

I have been using Helix connected to my iPad (triggering audio apps using Helix footswitches to send commands) I am also considering getting a keyboard, and if I do I'd love to be able to use sounds and synths on the iPad, and have the audio all routing back via Helix to my FRFR. So the question is : if I connect the keyboard to Helix using Midi DIN, will that Midi data get to the iPad via the CCK? (I know the resulting iPad audio will get to Helix ok, that's fine) Thanks for any pointers. Tim P.S. if anyone has an iOS device, look at some of the looping apps, they are very powerful (Quantiloop, Group The Loop, Loopy HD) and you can set Helix footswitches to control it.

I was toying around the other day trying this - made a patch with some EQ blocks to try and do 'traditional' EQ fixes for a Piezo pickup, and with an IR block (I bought a 3Sigma acoustic IR) so that I can switch between the 2 approaches and compare. Turned out to be a pointless exercise - the IR was vastly better from the get go.

I eventually got some of this : (as I'm in the UK and don't think the exact products mentioned above are easily available) and it did the job perfectly. As others had, I loosened the adjustment bolt right off and used the long thin applicator to spray a tiny amount on the bolt shaft. Silence reigns :-)