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Thank you for adding what I highlighted in your text above. I think everyone has been thoroughly impressed with the features provided in the Helix. I believe what many of us want to know is how close the Helix is in terms of realism. A/B tests of the actual amps and effects was the leading request in my original post. I don't doubt that the employees at Line6 are top notch. If they could be fooled by the tonal realism, that should be a proud part of their front line marketing. It would be a bold move for Line6 to lay it out there for the world to hear. Maybe that is what they are working on right now. Comparing the HX to the HD would show us how much of an improvement has been made in realism. The price difference is substantial. While the functionality is tremendous and certainly value added, it alone might not be enough for potential buyers.

I think this is a great idea. You should post it on ideascale.

I could be way off base, but the way I read his post, I believe he has already told you.

I think the DT50L + DT25R would sound great, I just have not tried it. I am not a gigging musician so my experiments are bedroom based. I have read other posts saying the same thing you asked about a live stereo rig. I would be surprised if an audience could not perceive a tremolo or ping pong delay of well placed cabs, but I will leave that for any members here who have tried that type of setup. I would guess the venue would play a large part in that as well. I have L6 Linked them all together in a mono chain as well and it sounds fat. (phat?) Changes in pre amp EQ settings, modeled cabs, modeled mics, physical cab separation and/or elevation all provide interesting tonal variations. Again, in a live environment, most of these alterations are going to be dependent on the room; so its application in multiple live venues is most likely not a practical endeavor. Setting up patches can sometimes be complicated enough, right? Yes, I stared out sending balanced L/R to the Altos. I was fairly disappointed at first with the volume capacity of the Altos set up this way. I just read hurghanico's post yesterday (http://line6.com/support/topic/14433-no-sound-to-speakers-from-hd500x/?p=104820) saying the balanced outs are at mic level and the unbalanced are at line level, so I will have to try the unbalanced. I can't find that info in any Line6 documentation, but I have no reason to doubt anything hurghanico posts. I have only done this via L6 Link so far using the POD's pre amps and setting the POD to Studio/Direct after the POD finishes power up. I need to try using both DT25s Direct Out as well. I just read the variations in output from the Direct Outs of the DTs in the "L6 LINK Connectivity Guide for POD HD & DT Amplifiers v2.10 - English ( Rev A )" which provide some interesting possibilities. • Low Volume Mode Off, Amp in Standby = The DT amp’s Direct Out is disabled. • Low Volume Mode On, Amp in Standby = Direct Out signal consists of the “Full†(preamp + power amp) Amp Model with no analog amp. This is a handy option for “silent recording†while still providing the tone of a cranked amp. • Low Volume Mode Off, Amp On (not in Standby) = Direct Out signal consists of the “Preamp†Amp Model with the analog amp. • Low Volume Mode On, Amp On (not in Standby) = Direct Out signal consists of the “Full†Amp Model and the analog amp.

I have one DT50HD and two DT25HDs. I have set them up via L6 Link with the DT50 L/R dry time based effects, one DT25 L wet and one DT25 R wet. You have to back off the vol as expected on the DT50 but you get a pretty full sound, especially when using different, complimenting amps and EQ settings. Too much to carry to a gig though. I've also set up the DT50 L/R L6 Linked with a pair of Alto 112s with the balanced outs. I just switch the output mode back to Studio/Direct after the DT finishes powering up. Sounds pretty good too.

Done properly, it wouldn't come across as "Look how much the HD sucks compared to the HX". We all know several people will do it anyway after the Helix hits the market place. If Line6 does it, they have control of how it's done first. Companies make different products for different customers based on their wants, needs and the prices they can afford. Do you want to drive a Chevette or a Corvette? They both get you where you are going. Some can afford either, but that does not dictate which they will buy. Comparing an HD to an HX would be like comparing a Gibson Studio to a Gibson Custom. They can both be great sounding guitars but one is simply at a different Standard than the other (ha). I think everyone understands you pay a premium for a higher quality, better sounding product. I am very happy with my HD500X and the DT amps I have. I think they sound great together, or separately. I will not be selling any of them if I buy a Helix. In all fairness, after re-reading his posts, DI did say "We'll be releasing multiple videos over the next couple of months that should get deeper into the minutia." I should have included that and I just need to be patient. Dang, I hate the wait!

Digital_Igloo, on 15 Jun 2015 - 1:57 PM, said: It would be a ballsy move on the part of Line6 if they posted A/B tests of the actual amps and effects up against the Helix. No proper names of the modeled equipment would be required. We can figure it out. I would like hearing direct comparisons between the HD and HX amps and effects as well for those that are in common to both. Maybe use a looper and pump the same riffs through each unit. While the internet won't give us a true example of the tones (internet file compression and different user's sound systems), it will give us a reasonable comparison. Please use Fenders and Gibsons in addition to JTVs. I did not pre-order the Helix for two reasons: Not retaining the goodness of multiple DT control over L6 Link only Not hearing examples of the tones of the new HX architecture If not, I can wait. I just don't want to. :P

That was one of the guitars at the "GUITAR: THE INSTRUMENT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD" exhibit in Charlotte, NC. They had a video of 8 guys playing it at the same time. Here are a couple other interesting ones: This is an armadillo shell.

Sorry for the blur.

It is not a default block like the amp / pre amp block is. You have to add it to your signal chain like other effects.

Do you guys use the balanced or unbalanced outs from you POD for the Altos?

Add your vote here and any comments you might have: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Variax-HX-Variax-Pro/727249-23508

Typically, folks place the FX Loop where it will be most effective for them, depending on what they have in the loop. In your case, if all you want in your loop is your ENGL pre amp, you could place it near the center. Since you are not using an amp in the AMP block (at this point), you could just leave it in the default location and place your FX Loop block just in front of it (the block to the left of the amp block) This way you have space before and after for other effects you want to add. The beauty of it is, no matter where you place it at first, you can drag the blocks to whatever position you want after you add them. This is an easy way to hear the difference in tone in your effects chain. For example, if you want to place a phaser before or after a distortion pedal, etc. You said in an earlier post, "Yea wah, screamer in front. Delay, Reverb in the loop.". So I just want to say that the FX Loop you are using in this particular setup is different that an amps effects loop. What you place after the FX Loop in this configuration is going to sit between your pre amp and your power amp, effectively becoming your ENGL amps effects loop. That being said, I will say what you probably already realize. For a "typical" signal chain, you will place your noise gate/Wah/overdrive/distortion pedals in the blocks before the FX Loop block (which is your pre amp only) and time based effects after the FX Loop block before it is fed into your power amp. Hope this helps.

spaceatl, on 18 Jun 2015 - 1:29 PM, said: Not at launch. ;) So what your saying is, there is a chance...

As spaceatl said, you have to use the FX Loop in your patch. Not only do you physically hook up the cables, you have to insert the FX Loop block in your patch. Think of it as using a POD pre amp, just not the PODs pre amp. This pic has an amp in the patch but you can select no amp you you have already.

That's a few bucks there. The before looks similar to what you see in drug abuse. He kinda reminds me of Tony Robbins with those new dentures. Sorry Tony.

This guy is disturbing. Part of me thinks it is a marketing stunt because, if I were Cliff, I'd have this guy prosecuted for slander (unless it is true) or at least get a restraining order. Parts actually made me laugh, but the thing as a whole is pretty extreme for the inclusion of an effects pedal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIjTgnNcV8k

Who hasn't said that a dozen times? Me included!

That's funny and a little psychic there Colonel. I teach now but I used to be a chiropractor. I never did a reenactment, but I did sit around a camp fire and play acoustic at a Civil War reenactment a friend of mine did when we were about 19 years old. (Twilight Zone theme here)

I think he just wanted some extra leverage to bend that neck. I wonder how heavy that is.

Chewy

After reading about Helix being able to send MIDI on a Patch Change, I thought I would check ideascale to see if someone already suggested it as a FW update for the HDs. Turns out Jim Martin did just that 2 weeks ago. If you would like that capability for your POD HD as I do, please vote for it. It is currently in review. Here is the link: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/MIDI-Transmit-and-Patch-Changes/725202-23508

Ok, so if no one else is going to outright ask... Helix: full-differential analog processing or single-ended design? (single ended being only A/D/A conversion only?) premium op-amps and film caps or cheap TL07x op-amps and electrolytic caps? Zero tone suck? I still like my DTs and 500X even though they may have come with single-ended design and cheap TL07x op-amps and electrolytic caps. I have to say I think I got my money's worth.

Actually, I think that was when you were still Evil. So, understandable.

That's awesome! Sounds like you have quite a gal there. You must be making her happy for her to reciprocate in kind. It's a positive reflection of your character.