ColonelForbin

Oh my........ The Romeo Rose "custom guitar"...

yeah. that's right! I forgot, your rep 'good' number was briefly at '666' recently! Onward and upward, to 777 :)

Yeah, this thing is gonna be killer for bass! Especially being able to do some cool wet / dry stuff.

Looks like that wanker Romeo Rose is just another media wh@re, looking for some semblance of his "15 Minutes of Fame". He's been on Howard Stern and all that jazz. Sincerely doubt he gives two sh!t's about Fractal or Line6, or music in general. His web page "Sleepless in Austin" says 'Can you help me find the girl of my dreams?'. Embarrassing like a drunk clown dressed up as Santa on Easter. Just to be clear: I love Line6 and I also think Fractal makes stellar gear too! Same for Kemper. There is no way Cliff and Fractal got such an awesome reputation and rabid fanbase by offering horrible customer service. This guy Romeo Rose is a delusional, attention seeking, as$-hat. http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/101098-romeo-rose-libel-slander-against-fas.html https://youtu.be/suXXUti2kik http://sleeplessinaustin.atxmirrors.info/

I totally forgot about this thing! Just noticed Sweetwater now has them in stock.. $699 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ATG-1

Yeah, me too!! I was considering figuring out how to get off work to drive down there to Sweetwater, but it didn't work out. I am with ya on the DT sounding fantastic, and my DT's ain't going nowhere! Mostly, because they are also the main amps for my other stompbox pedalboard. I have lately been loving the DT25 combo stacked on top of a DT25 extension cab. I did have to spend some time with the MIDI rig to reprogram the default / standalone models on the DT25. In general, for alternate DT amp models in 'standalone' mode I LOVE the three SLO amp models, especially the crunch and lead. I also switched off the 'boost' in all the standalone models, and changed up the default mic model. It took me a while to realize the mic model set in the HD500 was not impacting the XLR out from the DT. That mic setting can be changed via MIDI though, so I am thinking with the Helix, and some MIDI cables, the functionality of the Link to DT could potentially be even more robust than it is now, albeit with a bit of a workaround. But not needing to rely on the DT XLR out for the main mix send means you can also still send the DT XLR to the mix, and pair it with the Helix XLR outs. Maybe even using the DT for your 'dry' amp signal. One thing I really want someone who has access to a Helix (hint, hint L6!!!!) is to run the Helix to the DT, except with no cab / mic modeling. Then send that amp / preamp only model back to the Helix, XLR in, and run that signal through a Helix cab+mic simulation. Is this even possible? No clue, but I wanna try it :) But, for sure, am keeping the HD500x. I do like being able to do the wet/dry/wet stuff, and stereo. I like to do a 4x12 thing, with the two extension cabs under the two combos, but send the right combo speaker out to the lower left cab, and left combo to the right cab. Makes a nice 'X' pattern stereo sound. Diggin' it. I've said it elsewhere, but I want to reiterate - defining a DT25 amp model to 'no amp' works WONDERS when using a JTV / Variax for acoustic and reso models. The master volume still works - the channel and gain, eq do nothing. It's a direct tap to the power amp. The trick is, the topology, pentode-triode, and class A/B settings DO make a difference. I configured A-I and B-I to 'no amp', and changed up the power settings slightly between the two, and A/B compared them until I had two decent JTV acoustic reso tones. When using with the Link to HD500/x, just define no amp mdoel in your HD500 preset as well, and make sure you are on the DT channel with no amp model. This removes the preamp portion of the signal. And in general, it's actually louder than adjacent channels WITH preamps - except for preamps for high gain amps, or with the 'boost' setting ON.

Are the XLR outs mic level only, or can they be switched to line level?

The Gear Page thread is up to page 60! Overall, the majority of the comments in the various discussions seem positive, and excited. There are always going to be a few curmudgeonly types anywhere ya go. Major props to Digital Igloo for the non-L6 forum presence, way to go!! :)

They don't charge up front; pre-order just gets you on the list. Though either way, mid-August isn't that far off! If I hadn't already used my Sweetwater card to get a PRS S2, I'd probably just put it on there. They do the 24 months no interest financing; for the Helix that puts you around $65/month.

If you're like me - totally geeking out over the Helix, figuring out how to pay for it, and trying to pass the next two months in eager anticipation - then you might find yourself searching for expanded conversation and reading entertainment. I sure did. So, here ya go!! The Helix definitely caught people's attention, across the boards from Kemper to Fractal, Gear Page and on. :) Comment in any other links you stumble across; guessing there will be some more before the thing gets released, and tons more after! Fractal Forum: http://forum.fractalaudio.com/lounge/100939-1500-bucks-you-say-line6.html http://forum.fractalaudio.com/other-midi-controllers/101073-helix-controller-afx.html http://forum.fractalaudio.com/lounge/100943-line-6-launches-ax8-like-modelling-processor.html http://forum.fractalaudio.com/fx8-discussion/100956-line-6-helix.html http://forum.fractalaudio.com/fx8-discussion/101087-helix-compatition-fx8.html Kemper Forum: http://www.kemper-amps.com/forum/index.php/Thread/22060-Line-6-Helix-next-gen-guitarist-s-wet-dream/?pageNo=1 The Gear Page: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line6-helix.1586637/ V-Guitar Forum: http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=15254.0 GearSlutz Forum: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-product-alert/1013064-line6-helix.html Misc. other forums / links: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pedals/340317-line-6-helix.html http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gear-equipment/296288-new-line-6-product-helix.html http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1678842 CHEERS!!!!

This video is awesome! Published on May 28, 2015 Looking to experiment with contrasting tones on your POD? See how Stevic MacKay of Twelve Foot Ninja uses POD HD500X to alter his favorite tones and create new, dynamic effects that enhance his playing. https://youtu.be/-M_kHipg8qU http://geargods.net/tutorials/twelve-foot-ninja-lollipop-tone/

FYI, for anyone curious - yes you can preorder with Sweetwater and choose the three-payment option. They do not charge your card until the order ships, HOWEVER, the first payment will be $785.77, followed by two payments of $362.11.. I think that caught me off guard before; if it's over a certain dollar amount, they don't do equal payments. Anyway, Sweetwater preorder in for me too! Time to work alot of overtime, be insanely frugal (no more taking the tollroads to work!), and sell some extra gear.. If anyone has any suggestions for best place to sell gear, I am all ears - contemplating Reverb.com currently. I have some gear that needs to be 'local pickup only', other stuff I can ship no problem. Craigslist is always so sketchy; thus far all my purchasing experiences on Reverb have been excellent.. Here's to hoping selling will work out just as well! :)

"Who knows what Helix lurks in the hearts of men? The Digital Igloo knows!" Lol, a play on words, the 'Shadow Knows'... Yeah, thinking it over, I believe that you will be able to use your DT via link in a more 'output only' option, and be able to run the XLR's off the Helix to the main. That was the big drawback to linking the HD500 with the DT series, it automatically puts you into 'combo' or 'stack' poweramp mode. Which was/is fine, I just use the XLR out from the DT to the main / mixer. Now, it would seem you can output one thing to the DT without the fact that it's linked interfering with what is being sent to the XLR outs. Which is a big difference in routing options!! I am still thinking it will be awesome to try and run the Helix to the DT, then take the XLR out; with 'no amp model' / 'no cabinet' / 'no mic model', back into the Helix, through a Helix cabinet+mic model, and "see what happens!".. Though, again, it's probably more sensible to just let the DT amplify whatever the Helix creates, and make the master FOH / mixer send be generated by the Helix. "Oh, the waiting, is the hardest part!"

Does Sweetwater require full payment up front to pre-order?

But in all seriousness, sounds like the bassist needs a compressor / limiter BEFORE the M20d, so your 'dry' input will sound decent when you record. Otherwise, you'll have to set the trim for his slap bass levels, which would likely be way too low for non-slap bass technique. MarkBass supposedly makes a killer bass comp pedal. Keeley recently entered into that foray with a couple options, I would assume they sound awesome for bass, haven't used 'em so don't know. I do know that my regular Keeley 4-knob comp does NOT sound good with bass... Filters too much of the low end out. Well, at least, it didn't work well on a 5-string active bass - I think that low B string was too low for it. Might work ok on a four string passive bass? I would guess that they addressed that issue in the design of the bass compressor: https://robertkeeley.com/product/bassist-compressor/ They also recently put out a compressor 'pro' which can likely also handle bass guitars: https://robertkeeley.com/product/keeley-compressor-pro-namm-2015/ Keeley also recently put out this 'compressor / limiter' which can probably also handle bass: https://robertkeeley.com/product/gc-2-limiting-amplifier-compressor/ MarkBass 'Compressore': http://www.markbass.it/product_detail.php?id=121 Found this online, a compendium of compressor reviews: http://www.ovnilab.com/ Here's another thread about bass compressors: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-compressor-pedal.962648/

Slappin' 'Da Bass, Mon!

It does beg the question, in what way will the DT receive signal from the Helix? Basically, as the connection between the HD and DT involves two-way communication, this appears to not. As in, if you adjust the master volume or a knob on the DT, will it alter any setting on the Helix? I would guess 'no'. The key to using the DT with the Helix, is to separate the DT Bogner 'power amp' portion of the signal from the Line6 'HD' era amp, cab and mic modeling. Meaning, if you are L6Linking to the DT, I would guess it still works in a similar manner. By using the Link, you over-ride the preconfigured DT amp/cab settings on the DT. HOWEVER. The mic model that feeds the DT out is set onboard the DT. The mic model set on the HD500 currently does nothing to the sound of the DT XLR out. I recently tested this. For example, if you set 'no amp model' on the HD500, it defaults to whatever the amp model is set on the DT. However, you can, with the MIDI editor define 'no amp model' on the DT25 onboard setting - I have it set this way for A-I and B-I, which makes the HD500 link to the DT work stellar to use JTV acoustic and reso models. It also disables the mic/cab model being applied to the XLR output. What you then do with that signal, could now be a lot more interesting! I had a thought that it might be possible to send that DT 'no cab/no mic model' XLR signal back to the Helix XLR, and run it through a Helix cab/mic model. Because the default mic / cab settings on the DT are essentially now the 'old' stuff! To avoid running the brand new awesome Helix tones through the old cab, mic and amp models, it will take getting creative with how you configure the interaction between the Helix and the DT. I think it's going to be fun testing different routing ideas!!

I found one on Reverb.com that works for around $30. I had been waiting forever for Sweetwater to get the Marshall version in, but it was twice the price, and this quite frankly looks like the same box with no logo on it.. Also has no tags for the reverb/channel. So here is how the DT behaves with the two button latching footswitch - it would probably work better with a one button switch if you could get one that only did channel switching. With the reverb button, light off means the Reverb is 'on'. Light on, reverb off. For the channel switching, it's not instant, and there is a noticable silent / audio drop out. If you are playing and trigger a channel change for a lead boost, it will sound like you flubbed the timing and came in late. Perfectly fine for changing not 'on the fly', and in general I do make good use of it. But since it can't function as a lead boost / clean boost as I originally hoped, it kinda took a backseat to other pedals, and I don't use it much. I think with the DT+Helix, it would be a good idea to spend some time with the MIDI editor, and configure the DT to work in standalone mode in a way that functions best with how you intend to use it. For example, you can preset the DT to have 'no amp model' with no cab or mic simulation on the XLR output. This has been my go-to trick for using the HD500 linked to the DT, when I want to use the JTV59 for acoustic and reso models. Setting no amp model on the DT and no amp model on the HD500 means the gain and channel volumes DO NOT FUNCTION. It's a straight tap to the power amp. In theory, this would be a way to connect the Helix. I was thinking then run the XLR out from the DT, which in theory should have cab or mic modeling back to the Helix XLR in and run that signal through a Helix cab+mic process. No clue if that's possible! But overall, it will help to redefine how the DT works for you when connected with a 1/4", or if the Helix is sending the DT audio with L6Link, how that signal interacts with the DT preconfigured amp models and typology / power settings. I have A-I and B-I on one of my DT25's set to this no amp setting, and just changed the power settings, class A/B, pentode, all of that to the sound I liked with the reso and acoustics. The DT as a power amp only, no preamp / no cab / no mic, unit is still pretty awesome; and it allows you to bypass the older L6 portion of the preamp modelling, and utilize only the Bogner power amp portion, which is still pretty friggin' awesome. In general, I now see the Helix as the send to the mains, rather than the XLR out from the DT25, and the DT will serve more as a stage amp, and could potentially contribute to the tone, if the XLR back to Helix to 'reamp' the DT signal through a Helix cab+mic is an actual possibility. I am gonna spend a lot of time day dreaming and speculating between now and whenever the 'end of summer' is!!!! :)

Ok, here's a potential DT-Helix scenario: Using the MIDI editor, configure a channel of the DT to have no amp / cab / mic model set. Run a Helix model to the DT, run the XLR out of the DT back to the Helix XLR input. Run that signal through a Helix cab+mic process. No clue if this is possible, but knowing you can treat cabs and amps and preamps like FX blocks, and with all the ins and outs, fx loops, etc, there is likely a whole new incredible way to make the Helix interact with the DT. The main limitation is the DT XLR out, since it applies the mic model as defined by the DT. I also noticed on the DT, that the reverb signal seems to happen before the FX loop send. I have spent more time with the DT and the stomp box pedalboard, and the noise gate being first in line after the DT send kept doing weird things to the DT reverb tails. Ended up switching off the DT reverb entirely, and put an M9 on the pedalboard for post effects. But I digress! The Helix has routing options that will probably make some very interesting DT-Helix ideas possible.

Sweetwater shows the $1,499 price tag just as 'sale', no MSRP or anything like that. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Helix

Looks fantastic!!! I see it's got Variax input and Line6 Link output; both good signs. 8 in / 8 out audio interface with reamping? Crazy cool. Four effects loops! Yowzer.. Well, I guess I better get that Reverb.com store page up and get some old stuff sold off to fund the coin for this thing! :)

Those mods look crucial! I am looking at just getting a 'stock' M9, and have them mod it down the road. Lately I have been on this mission to reconfigure my 'stompbox' pedalboard, and I decided to upgrade the cabling, get a new, larger pedaltrain. undermount the Voodoo Lab Mondo power supply, add a Voodoo Lab PX-8 switcher, and add an M9 for a more robust 'post' effects section in the amps FX loop. Still working on some various issues, like where the buffer needs to go. Adding a G70 wireless too, and a Fulltone buffer/clean boost pedal that runs on 9v or 18v. It's tiny! http://www.fulltone.com/products/2b . I bought an 18v fulltone power supply on Reverb.com, since I can power the G70 with 9v off the Voodoo Lab Mondo power supply. Wire it up underneath and use some velcro and cable ties to keep it all neat and tucked away! I haven't finalized sequence yet, other than, the G70 goes first, and the M9 goes last before the amp's fx return! Pretty psyched overall. Considering some way to tie the wireless output to the input on my HD500 -DT25 rig - I use a second DT25 for the stombox pedalboard rig. Gotta work on that one. I think the G70 has some nice extra features, I am pretty psyched to hear the sound quality. And I can say, the Voodoo Lab PX-8 is a sweeeeettttt 8 channel true bypass loop switcher - with a send/return insert path between loops 6 and 7. Here is that link: http://www.voodoolab.com/px8.htm I run this so loops 1-6 are all 'pre' effects, and I send the insert send to the DT25 front input - that's where I found I needed a buffer to drive the signal, and likely also would benefit from some boost as well. I route the DT25 fx send to the PX-8 insert return, and then loop 7 is chorus, loop 8 is phaser, and then I take the main out from the switcher to the M9, then M9 to FX loop return on the DT25. May need to group the phaser and chorus into loop 7, and put the M9 in loop 8, we'll see..I want to use the delay trails on the M9 anyway; so I don't know how much it will matter if it's not in 'true bypass mode'. I have a couple of those passive Keeley 'fx loop' switchers, could add one of those for just the M9 after the main out of the PX-8, so it would true bypass the M9 when I want to. We'll see if it all fits!! I also replaced all the old random patch cables with George L's right angles patch cable kits.Awesome cables, sound nice. Expensive; though you can also get Bestronics to wire you Switchcraft or Neutrik, or J&H connections to George L's cable, in both the .125 and .225 cables size. I just didn't want those cable kit screw on ends for runs across lengths to and from amp; figure those should be thicker cables with soldered ends. Here's the 1/4" cabling I went with from Bestronics for the three runs to / from the DT25 (input and fx loop send and return) http://btpa.com/High-Definition/ http://btpa.com/GI3GOF-XX.html High Conductivity Oxygen Free Copper 20 AWG Inner Conductor Ultra Low Capacitance - 20pF/ft 95% Overall Copper Braided Shield 100% Coverage Inner Conductive PVC Shield Highly Flexible Black PVC Jacket, Ultra Quiet G&H, Neutrik, or Switchcraft Connectors Outperforms Canare GS-6 and Mogami 2524 with 1/2 the Capacitance Quality Made & Tested in the U.S.A. Limited Lifetime Warranty These are the 'boutique' cable options, AKA "friggin' expensive!" http://btpa.com/Boutique/ http://btpa.com/GEORGE_L/ http://btpa.com/Mogami-GLL/ http://btpa.com/Canare-GLL/ http://btpa.com/EVIDENCE-AUDIO-GLL/ The thing with loop switchers - they are awesome, and crucial on a pedalboard to simplify the wiring - but you need a lot of extra short and medium sizes patch cables!! I discovered this cool feature on the Pedaltrain website, the pedalboard layout planner. You select the model of pedaltrain, then you can insert various fx pedals from various brands, and you can drag them around, rotate them - they are in scale to each other, and to the size of the pedalboard. Not all effects are there, but lots and lots of the main brands, and some various boutique stuff. Way cool; they use actual photos, so it's not so abstract, and you can set up the signal chain. They have the L6 G70, the M9, M5. Keeley pedals, Boss pedals, Fulltone pedals, JHS, etc. Wahs, volume pedals, alot. Here is the link: http://pedalboardplanner.com/ Feraking coooool! So yeah, M9 not here yet, nor is the rest of the pedalboard stuff - need to get some industrial strength velcro from Home Depot. Some of it is here; built a bunch of the George L's cables - very time consuming. Spent like, three hours building patch cables! I also must say; I am loving buying stuff on Reverb.com, really cool place to get random used gear!! I like it alot - way better than ebay or craigslist. So there ya go. :)

Looks like Musicians Friend was accurate, all three models now show as "in stock and ready to ship" http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/line-6-variax-standard/j19075000001000

Good question! While the 'your price' seems to have remained steady at $799 since they were first announced, I wonder with the perhaps closer lead time / nearing availability if this weekend would be a good opportunity to haggle or at least see if you can get a Memorial Day weekend deal? Not sure.. It's not like it's old stock they are trying to unload.. On that note, this would probably be the weekend to get a bargain on any of the DT50 models if you find any at a Guitar Center.. They seem to be blowing those out, and fast! The DT25, not as much..

I just got an email from Musicians Friend telling me that the sunburst Variax standard was now in stock..though when I go to the actual page, it still says preorder, though the ship date now says 5/26. There ya go for what it's worth!