jpdennis

[ADDENDUM] But that is a whole topic in and of itself based upon what can be done with the Helix and how I use a single footswitch to activate multiple amp variables/effects. For me I am finding this Helix to be amazing. YMMV Dennis

I have been going FOH. All but one of the bands I work with are now all electronic. Only one band still uses non-electric drums. The elimination of stage sound other than the monitors is amazing. And, thanks to this forum and a few youtube videos from friends here, I have found that "natural feedback" due to real amp speakers/tube vibes (or whatever you want to call it) is very attainable with any of the stage monitors the various PA systems are using. Dennis

Well for me without going into all the details (and yes, the weight rating are very close plus I did use the stereo amp setup quite a bit.) 1) Pedaltrain Pro with travel case m13, 2 exp and various effects for needed adds in some songs [weight 104lbs] $2,187.12 - my tax man loves me keeping good records) AND prior to the M13 add another $900.00 average for 80% less effects 2) Mesa Boogie III [87lbs] $1,432.84 repairs and mods 3) Mitchell Pro100, Mesa Heartbreaker, or Mesa .50 Caliber(the older 6BQ5) for second stereo sound based upon room [avg 98lbs] $900.00 avg with repairs That does not count my various line conditioners or line/power cables carrying bags, etc. Now with the the Helix, cables [power and XLR], & G50 Relay all in single case = $1,983.47 weighing in at 27lbs total So, not only do I get more for the money I have saved on the chiropractor sessions, though I do need to hit the gym more to stay toned. :wacko: Dennis

[ADDENDUM] I work with several groups. One is REALLY LOUD and I have yet to need more than 50% out. Dennis

Read down and you will see the answer coming to the question. This depends on what I am accomplishing. The Helix is sounding very authentic to my ear. What I mean is the amp models seem to respond as close to my physical amps as I have yet to hear in a modeller. My Floor Pod Plus was OK, and my HD500X was good, but the Helix is really on top of the concept. So much so that I have several patches without any volume pedal and I use the guitar controls to roll down for a clean amp sound then add some attach by moving the guitar pickup vol to full or close to full. ANSWER ... I used a few patches to setup my version of templates for amps I like to use. I use the Volume at 100% when adding in a Volume Pedal. Once I have the amps set I use the various "templates" for copying and pasting into my primary "go to patches/song lists". I also use the correct input/output that I am using all the time. For me it is guitar In (not all the ins) set at the ohm I use and XLR out (not all the outs) which allows me to use my headphones at 100% for matching volumes at a comfortable ear level. To date I have not had to put the output to more that 50% going into the mixer. NOTE ... I did find that if I set the EXP pedal for the Volume Control at any specific percentage when saving the patch then that is the level I get when I change to that patch so I always save with the EXP at full toe down [for me 100% on]. Dennis

Everyone in the band AND the audience was handing me "amazing sweet tone ... wow your solos hit many sweet spots ... how can you sound like several different players without an amp ... Yes, the other guitarist and I are pure modelers now and preaching the word. Already two other groups have guitarists going straight to FOH either with the current pedal board (as I did for four weeks prior to last Saturday) or buying what they can afford. EVERYONE LOVED THE SOUND of the Helix. In fact the other guitarist I work with in this band, who was so set with his Zoom G5. said at the end of the night "You know, I think I should trade up to a Helix." Gotta love the time we live in! Dennis

I joined IdeaScale to vote on current ideas as well as start a few if I can conceive any original thoughts that haven't been requested. I did notice a few that mirrored one another to some degree: One for the Mark IIc+ and one for several amps to include the Mark IIc+. Does Line 6 combine the two for a tally of votes or would each be counted separately? I only wonder since a person could then vote twice and be counted twice. However, it is nice to read through the requests; some I voted for and some I didn't. Still that and the Wiki are pretty cool. Thanks Line6. I was thinking about the "add effects from the M13" request I voted on, but as a programmer I wonder if too much functionality would make the Helix at some future point more like bloatware and over tax the capability of the unit. Sort of like "be careful what you wish for". Maybe I should start an "Line 6 GAS" fund since I am wondering what next generation concept might develop and be available in the year 2022. Hehehehehehehehe (I crack myself up - being an audience of one) :lol: :o :P :blink:

The XLR noise issue was going on last night at the first show I've used the Helix. What we found was the far electrical duplex was no bueno. So, since we are now predominately an all modeling equipment group of musicians, we ran a single electrical line to the stage and viola ... muy bueno! My church has a special panel for musical equipment. This Easter I will find out if it does the same thing as running all the equipment from one plug, so to speak.

What I really really like about this is that ideas are posted and available in an amazing way. I am actually reading as much as possible and then I have started and idea note on my computer. I will try this and it is in the idea notes. Respects, Dennis

I used this happy accident for a show a few hours ago! NICE!! OK, I;ll stop shouting. B)

Home from work and took nap! So ... there I was about to rely on my pedal board when I figured I see how fast I could create 6 more patches and copy one then tweak it to my needs. In about and hour and some change I had all the patches I needed for tonight. I used the copy capability and it worked great. DI's idea about gain using an amp control learned then applied to a foot-switch was brilliant. I was able to only use my headphones at home but when I got to the gig I didn't need to make any corrections. I actually must have gotten lucky because the 8 patches were all very similar in volume across the board. Can't wait for the studio test. Amazing. The only thing that did get me was one of the patches did not completely go to zero with the volume pedal. Not like it is a big problem, but it was a little strange. And mixing amps with cabs and mics came in real handy: plus the fine tuning the cabs and amps was quite the nifty trick as I only used distortion pedals on three of the eight patches. Very happy! Dennis

+1 to klangmaler. I downloaded just the latest App (1.04) and followed the information in this link as well as using the "Hold down foot-switches 9 & 10 then turn on power and release when you see the reset message". The 1.04 app installed all the other software (drivers, updater, etc.) then provides a way to download straight from the Line6 site. Very similar to Line6 Monkey so not a big learning curve for those who have used Line 6 Monkey. For those of you just now purchasing the Helix as your first Line 6 product, not much of a learning curve at all. Dennis

I had just told my wife we'd go to the movies when the doorbell rings. Big box on steps. We open it together and it was a good thing I promised to take her out before the doorbell rang. After returning from the movies ... {background music from twilight zone} you enter a room of site and sound, there is an object connected to your laptop, you've just stepped into the Helix Zone! WOW!!!!! Read the docs, looked at the cheat sheet, updated the F/W, backed up the bundle before and after, started creating my first patch after playing many of the pre-sets, and ... well gotta say this is everything and more then I have expected. And I did expect to be up till the wee hours before napping then having to get up and leave for work this morning. Double WOW! I have a show tonight and thought I'd use my old pedal board with a DI box, but ... I think I'll be ready to use the Helix! This thing is crazy easy to use. Thank you Line 6. The amp response using my guitar volume controls is very real world like. I did buy the Beyerdynamics DT999 which is very useful for me and I am making sure my input and output reflects exactly what I am using as the signal path in/out. For the DSP overload info, I put quite a lot into the first patch to see where my limits lay. If I would have read Digital_Igloo's statement about assigning an amp gain to a foot switch I'd be at maximum usage with no pedal left behind. :ph34r: Now to backup that preset and use as my base then modify for specific songs tonight! WOW and double WOW again. B) Next week I will be making various amp/cab/mic patches to hear what I can hear. I have a week off so ... hehehehehehehe :blink: Dennis

OK, I'm naming it DI's my mentor. Darn it, I wish I would have read this before I stayed up all night tweaking my very first Helix patch ... Yep, it came to my door yesterday! Dennis

But then, as IG has said, this may have some validity as an option either at some point or for some internal need. So, not to discredit the author of the thread. And we do like to have fun !!!

Phil, I can't help myself ... Hmmm, how about a proximity sensor so when your finger or any other appendage gets close to the save button a sounding "Danger Will Robinson" (or fill in username) just to let you know your about to set the Helix on fire ... :wacko:

I made the plunge on 2/24 and after being told I would have it in my hands by the 3rd of March it may be another 6 weeks or so before my purchase is on the radar. Good news for now is my pedal board still has my spare M13 along with a few analog relics and appears to be very usable going direct using an old Horizon active direct box. I know ... patience. Not sure why someone would return one. With the Helix I am thinking it is good I play guitar, keys, banjo, and mandolin. I am thinking multiple instrument in to multiple instrument out

I am making a walnut pedal board. I have dusted off my hand dovetail tools. But first mine has to be delivered so I can finalize the size of the board. :blink:

I'll see your second week in April and raise you one last week in March. B)

Congratulations! Regardless of your current location at least it is at your home. I purchased on from a store and traded in my POD as well as returned the HD500X due to it being defective. I walked in the day the store online site said it was ready to purchase and deliver. The salesman and the sales manager both got involved and I was told 10 days to deliver. That was on the 24th of Feb. Fast forward and my order on the site says back ordered and I have shows this Sat, this Sunday, next Saturday, etc. So, I may have to be creative, but I will wait. I am hoping it is a great as I have read and reviews. However, maybe the Helix Editor will be ready by the time I receive the Helix. :rolleyes: Have fun. Dennis

As a father and now a grandfather who is also a musician, it all comes down to economics, discipline, patience, and sometime a little begging for understanding. OK, maybe not so much the latter; refer to the next second sentence. I have been very fortunate to have little if any regrets in my life. That is not to say I've always made great choices; I have made some really poor choices. But in learning from those poor choices I have been making a larger amount of better choices over time. So I have come to the decision that if there is something I want that places my families needs behind my want or even last then that is a very bad choice. If I can place my families needs first, keep the prudent reserve in place, and setup a "wish list" fund for musical purchases then I take the time to watch that fund grow and live with what I use for my talent and/or hobbies. When the fund reaches a 90% of purchase amount I sit down with my spouse, go over the family funds and bills, see if the "wish list" fund needs to fuel the prudent reserve, and only then do my spouse and I come to a decision about the value of a decision to purchase what I have been saving for. Sometimes I wait longer and sometimes I make the purchase. It may seem like forever but since I don't smoke it seems $5.00 every week or two can add up quickly along with maybe a reduction in eating out at work or other unnecessary spending. And sometimes I have been able to get a second summer job before I started making decent money playing the clubs. If you have something that works now then try the "wish list" fund and let your spouse know about this so there are no surprises later. Wait and see what happens. I have been saving for an HD500 for some time since I purchase my M13 back in 2010. By the time I was close the HD500X came out. After moving money from my "wish list" fund to our family fund in times of emergencies and needs for the family's benefit I was able to have more then I needed to purchase an HD500X 13 days ago. However, due to a problem with the unit and poor advise from a sales person concerning the headphones I took them both back 4 days ago. I did express my concern both to the company I purchased them from and to Line 6. In a blink of an eye an offer was made that my wife and I can both live with to purchase the Helix. I lived with the M13 for 6 years which worked well for me even though I was lugging around about 250lb of over all equipment to gigs with my multiple guitars and sometimes two amps I use not to mention the various pedal with my M13 on my pedaltrain board; no lie. In that time something was improved upon (the HD500 to HD500X) and then at the moment of making the purchase the rare occurrence of purchasing something that was flawed offered me the opportunity to purchase the latest model in Line 6's multi-effects/modeler devices. So, my story is that by keeping to my plan I have been very blessed with a current release item. Had I purchased the HD500 then at what cost would my family had to sacrifice in an already tight economic world? Maybe you can afford the HD500X or even the Helix now and it will have no impact upon your family. But if you cannot then maybe waiting will provide you with the next gen or even the next two gen Line 6 item. Only you can decide what your best choice truly is. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse or frustrate the situation. Respectfully, Dennis

Well, what a strange trip it's been. After 10 days of ownership I was offered a deal I couldn't refuse. Deal is to send back the HD500X and receive the Helix. I have learned so much from this forum and want to thank you all for everything shared and how information is so freely given. I am moving to the Helix forum but may be back form time to time to see ideas for settings since signal chain path is always a challenge. Respectfully, Dennis

Real amp response in vol and tone variance on the guitar was noticeable in the HD Well. I do have a pedal Rich sold me when I was at Mesa a couple years ago, but if the Helix drives are better then; CHECK LIST: 1) Drive to GC ... check 2) Get full credit for purchases 10 days ago ... check 3) Get store credit back ... check 4) Negotiate great deal with a few perks for online order ... check 5) I done did it ... double & triple check Well now I wait for delivery Dennis

Peter, That is exactly what I need to know. So I will need a little prayer to make sure my wife doesn't put me in the dog house. Thanks Dennis

Phil, Great to see you since the days of the M13 information you had always been so swift and accurate to share. Yep, I am inching even closer now. As to the editor versus the direct setup on the unit, I have been doing both with the HD500X since I got it 9 or 10 days ago as well as going through the videos I find on sites and on youtube. During this brief time I have setup 37 different songs and had a wild ride using the unit interface and the PC editor. I am using my work bench to edit on the unit itself and so far it is a 50/50 bag for me. So, is the Helix really that much better sonic-wise for modeling and the overdrive/distortion pedals? That is one area I did like using the M13 with my Mesa "real life" tube amps. I am at the point of getting a tube based overdrive to add to the HD500X unless you feel the Helix can now make the difference in whiny versus wet. What say you, my friend? Great to see you here again. Dennis