ColonelForbin

#2.) yes - I connect MIDI in and out from my DT25 to my rather old but still works M-Audio Delta 1010 soundcard. It's been the easiest way I've found thus far to 'prepare' DT for use with Helix. I think Radatats ended up doing something similar; prep the DT using DtEdit, then connect Helix using MIDI cable. The L6link is actually optional at that point however; to date, it doesn't transmit data to the DT, just audio!. I never actually got around to using the MIDI from Helix to DT though.. 3.) yes - you just need one MIDI cable going from Helix to DT to trigger changes in the DT. At the moment, there is no support for MIDI from DT to Helix. You can then use either a 1/4" send from Helix or L6Link- in this case, they function virtually the same, as that connection is passing the audio and the MIDI cable is handling the data / DT change commands. Here is the basic way to think about it: 1.) use DtEdit to 'blank' your DT50. By this I mean, choose no amp model, no cab model, no mic model, no reverb in all four voicings of both channels A & B. 2.) use DtEdit to 'prep' your DT50. By this I mean, that I set up each voicing I-II-III-IV on A&B in DT to match the corresponding topology I-II-III-IV. That setting is the main one you cannot toggle using physical switches on the DT. There are also some other DT50 specific parameters that you can access using DtEdit that are NOT in DT25. One quirk I noticed, is when connecting L6Link from Helix to DT, the I-II-III-IV voicing switch on the DT is inactive on channel A - BUT it is active on channel B. SO I ended up just using channel B, and manually toggling between the topo settings, using the I-IV voicing switch. Since at this point you have disabled and bypassed all DT amp and cab models, this ONLY changes the power amp setting when toggling between the four voicing switches. If you are going the extra step to use MIDI, I don't think it would matter as much to only use A or B, since you are controlling that voicing change using MIDI. Again, pretty sure Radatats got this reasonably well sorted out, so I want to give him credit where it's due! By pre-prepping the DT in this way, apparently it makes the MIDI programming on Helix far simpler - you only need to make DT change the voicing rather than do multiple MIDI cc commands. The reason I mention start with doing it using DtEdit and then manually toggling on channel B when L6Linked, is that gives you a really good sense of which topology you will like with the various Helix models. You can try to compare the 'default' DT amp model settings to the amp models that have some overlap from to DT to Helix as a starting point - IE, set the Fender models the way the DT sets them, set the Marshall models, etc. But yeah, well worth the experimentation! And, last note - using the 'low volume mode' when you have the DT blanked and prepped like this functions purely as a volume pad - it doesn't lower the wattage or do any funky digital overlay as it does with the HD500-DT connection, so it's a useful feature in that sense! I was liking full amp and cab model presets with it; and Radatats mentioned that he vastly preferred the full Helix amp models, as opposed to just the Helix preamp models. There are major volume differences in the preamp only models that are smoothed over using the full models.

Take a look at Morningstar and Disaster Area MIDI controllers? http://www.disasterareaamps.com/ http://www.morningstarfx.com/

Ok people!! Listen up; because if you are not using an outboard MIDI controller with your M9 (or M5) you are MISSING OUT!!! I got a new Disaster Area DMC-XL3 (gen2) for a nicely discounted price from their Reverb.com store, and got around to figuring out how to make it work with my M9 last night. It took me a couple tries before I sorted it out, but overall, it couldn't be easier. The mistake I made, if anyone else goes down this path, is setting the DMC to preset mode - in this case, since I'm only using the M9 and not chaining devices it needed to be set to scroll mode, and disable preset mode. I also need to experiment more with the looper mode; for now, I've also got that disabled. You can configure it on the fly just using the unit itself, no computer needed. Mine came loaded with the most recent firmware, so it's about as easy as it gets. It lets you choose how you want to control the looper, you can trigger record, overdub, stop, play, etc. Here's how it functions, in scroll mode, looper and preset mode disabled, and only set for one MIDI device (M9) -left button scrolls down one scene, right button scrolls up one scene. -center button - when looper and presets are disabled - does nothing if you just tap it, if you hold it down it bypasses all FX on the M9. VERY HANDY!!! This lets you scroll to a new 'scene' then toggle on all the FX with one button. There are 24 different 'scenes' that this will scroll through; the M9 is now a whole new world of options for me! I am going to test it with my rig over the next couple of days; done work at 4 tonight and my days off are Monday-Tuesday this week, which randomly coincided with my wife being out of town... And....the Cubs are playing, free Bob Weir Birthday Webcast, and Phish webcast from Jacksonville! Epic weekend begins in 4 hours and 13 minutes..... :) For what it's worth, the gen3 version does offer more functionality, and the four button as well - the gen2 cannot trigger the M9 tuner, the gen3 three and four button can. Not a big deal to me, I use the tuner on my G70 wireless anyway, since the M9 is in my amp's FX loop. For people who want to use chain the M9 with other MIDI devices, the DMC gen2 might not get you there. But for folks like me just wanting to expand the M9, it's stellar! And you can find used gen2 DMC-3Xl on Reverb and other places for pretty close to $120 to $140 or so, and the gen 3 for around $190 - there is actually a gen3 on there for $165 right now! https://reverb.com/p/disaster-area-designs-dmc-3xl-gen2 https://reverb.com/item/3147044-disaster-area-designs-dmc-3-gen-3-2016-black And, Disater Area offer right angle MIDI cables made by Best-Tronics; so will likely snag one of those once I get this situated on my pedalboard. http://www.disasterareaamps.com/shop/right-angle-midi-cable Now I need to spend some time actually dialing in new scenes on the M9! So stoked; will also test to see what it does to the audio when switching between scenes; I would imagine it will not do delay spillover, but I don't know yet, in terms of how quickly it changes up the audio.. Seems instant on the M9, but I haven't tested it with it being connected to my amp yet. Cheers!!!

Just order one from Sweetwater! Snag it on the 36 month financing credit if you can swing it - that promo is on 'till 10/24. The 36 equal payments comes to about $42/month for the floor Helix..

Very cool!!

Yes; I emailed him at glenndelaune@hotmail.com with a copy of my download receipt and he got back to me right away with an updated download link

That is not accurate; the XLR input can be set to enable or disable XLR output. The initial firmware passed the XLR input to the XLR output; the next firmware disabled that, then the firmware after that gives the user the option. I had to sell mine a while back to pay for car repairs (I miss it!) but I can say, Helix sounded fantastic through it! Mine had the original firmware, which definitely let the XLR input pass through to the XLR output. Monitor Input to Main Out can now be toggled via Live Edit Mode. In the previous update, the routing of Monitor Inputs to the XLR Main Out was disabled, to avoid a feedback loop for the most common use case. However, for some users this may be beneficial. To enable/disable Monitors to Direct Outs: 1. Press the preset knob to enter Live Edit Mode. 2. Scroll left to "Etc:ReAmp/MIDI/Main" and press the preset knob. 4. Scroll right to "ETC:Mon. to Main Off" 5. turn the Main (Big) Knob to set it to "ETC:Mon. to Main ON"

http://store.line6.com/products/guitars/variax-limited-edition-emerald-guitar.html Quick Overview Well that was fast! We just sold through the entire first batch of these guitars in less than a day! Hang tight, we'll have more next week! In celebration of our 20th anniversary, Line 6 is pleased to introduce the new Variax® Limited Edition Emerald guitar. Featuring custom emerald green finish with a black pickguard and black pickups, each guitar includes a “Limited Edition†insignia and custom serialized number plate. Variax Limited Edition Emerald combines incredible Variax HD technology, addictive playability and unmatched versatility with a striking new look that demands attention.

Looks nice in emerald green!! http://store.line6.com/products/guitars/variax-limited-edition-emerald-guitar.html OUR PRICE: $799.99 Quick Overview Well that was fast! We just sold through the entire first batch of these guitars in less than a day! Hang tight, we'll have more next week! In celebration of our 20th anniversary, Line 6 is pleased to introduce the new Variax® Limited Edition Emerald guitar. Featuring custom emerald green finish with a black pickguard and black pickups, each guitar includes a “Limited Edition†insignia and custom serialized number plate. Variax Limited Edition Emerald combines incredible Variax HD technology, addictive playability and unmatched versatility with a striking new look that demands attention.

Nice! Yeah, I am still quite happy with my L2t and L3m speakers; they are great at a wide variety of tones and volumes and sound good no matter what kind of patches I am running through Helix. I've been buying presets from Scott, Glenn and Fremen, and they ALL sound fantastic on both the L2 and L3 speakers.

Good question about updates; to date they haven't actually come up with new FX algorithims from what I understand, these same M-Series FX were ported into the Helix, as opposed to modeled new. I haven't actually done any side by side comparison between Helix and M9 models of the same FX, so I can't confirm any of that; I use them in two different rigs, so they haven't yet overlapped. I love my M9; but my use of it is limited, in that I use it in the FX loop of my amp, so it's primarily delay and reverb - I used to have my M9 on my pt-pro board with all the other pedals, I recently moved it on to it's own flat pedalboard. I briefly tried putting it on a pt-jr, but that was too awkward and the exp pedals didn't quite fit.. (photos of all three versions below!) :) One thing I can say, the functional 'mojo' of the unit is expanded exponentially by adding an expression pedal (or two!), and a MIDI controller to cycle through the 24 different preset scene banks. I've got a pair of Mission exp pedals that I use to control the delay and reverb parameters; but any effects settings can be controlled by expression pedal, so I imagine you could get the M9 chorus to do things that way that using it 'static' might not offer. I've got a Disaster Area MIDI controller on the way, it arrives tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to tweaking with it this weekend. I will mess around with those FX that you are not liking and see what I can come up with - I don't have originals to compare to though; but in general being able to sweep the mix and other parameters on the reverbs and delays makes it substantially more awesome for my needs; so will test that expression pedal idea with the chorus, univibe and opto-trem and let ya know how it goes! Here's the current layout I am working on; a 24" Trailer Trash 'flat trash' board with two Mission exp pedals: (the Disaster Area DMC-3XL (gen2) is going into that empty spot above the M9) The awkward version on a pt-jr (this didn't last long, only stayed like this about a week!) (the angle of the pr jr made using the expression pedals weird) And the old version when it was still on my pt-pro:

Anybody?.... :) Looks like the Disaster Area can do basic scene/preset bank up/down, fx bypass, and can control looper; the Morningstar is more complex, and fully 'programmable', and can do more complex multi-unit control, IE, M9 + H9 + Strymon, etc.. For my more simple (for now..) needs, going to start with the Disaster Area; found a gen2 for a decent price, it will be here tomorrow! Here's a video explaining the Disaster Area with L6 firmware: Here's a video showing the Morningstar controlling multiple units, including an M9:

Not to be a bad influence here but....snag one from Sweetwater now while they are doing the 36 month financing promo! (going on for another 12 days, till 10/24)

I must say, really creative use of HX amp, cab and preamp model choices coupled with the special IR files! Glenn certainly put a lot of effort into these patches; it's one thing to use logic and programming skills- but with these he takes it to a different level using his ears!Thanks Glenn!

Exactly! It's causing actual feedback as opposed to some kind of artificial feedback. I am loving the Blackface Bassman Fender patch incidentally, totally unrelated to the feedback thing.

Inducing feedback is fun! Got reasonably decent results; I only did a couple of short clips; here is the signal path: guitar (HSS strat on bridge pickup) > Helix > USB to ProTools [Helix monitored relatively loud in stereo through pair of L3m speakers) https://soundcloud.com/recordingforbin/feedback_bf_2 https://soundcloud.com/recordingforbin/feedback_bf_1 https://soundcloud.com/recordingforbin/feedback_be100 https://soundcloud.com/recordingforbin/feedback_be100_3 Cheers! :)

Boom! So glad to be off work today :) Just downloaded the new patches; Rise and shine campers!

Check with forum guy radatats; he has got that Helix-DT-MIDI thing sorted out pretty well! I went the lazy route doing Helix-DT25; I loaded up DtEdit and completely blanked my DT25 of all preamp, cab, reverb, etc. Then I assigned (on channel 'B' topo I to voicing I, topo II to voicing II, topo III to voicing III and topo IV to voicing IV. Then I use L6link from Helix to DT. Set the DT to channel B, and the voicing switches are active. Since the DT has no preamp or cab models defined, this switch now just toggles between the topo setttings; Quick and easy way to manually toggle and sort out which DT power settings work for which Helix patches. Then, when you add the MIDI control, the CC commands become much simpler; you are then just telling DT to change voicing, and whatever you have assigned for the DT power settings changes with it.

Yeah, same for my DT25; the EL84 tubes impart alot of their own tonal signature. Ditto for my Friedman, except that it's EL34. I'm guessing 6L6 platforms are typically more 'neutral' in that sense?

Helix really does allow you to take an idea and just run with it! I pulled back up a Fremen Pink Floyd patch, put send 3 before the amp model, sent that to my Friedman (guitar in); and left send 1 (post amp model / pre wet FX) routed to the PS2 to the DT25 cab. I set the Friedman and DT25 cab next to each other; with the wet FX coming through the L3 behind them, it just sounds glorious!! Dual dry amps + stereo wet. Pretty much total overkill. LOVE IT! Way too late to crank it up properly, but going to leave it all wired up so I can revisit this in the morning. And on that note, just checked my email and realized that Scott (Helix Channel) sent out the link to the new classic rock preset package about an hour ago. Guess it's time to ROCK ON!!! Cheers! :)

Ok, now I am hearing some good things! Just made a simple/ basic patch; full amp model (plexi bright) > send 1 to PS2 Definitely sounds just fine; I've just gotten so used to hearing the Helix 'amp+cab' thing that it's a nice change of tone to get that Helix 'amp in room' sound. I think that was a strong point of the HD500-DT pairing. Glad you suggested this idea, thanks! Revisiting the wet-dry-wet thing; just added sends to a couple of the Fremen Pink Floyd presets; post amp model before the IR blocks; still sounding good! Those are good presets to test this with since the wet portion of those presets is so obvious; really nice to hear the 1x12 cab sounding like 'amp in room' with the reverbs and delays and such coming through the L3m speakers.. It makes me think; what other 'neutral' tube power amps are out there? If someone only wanted to amplify their Helix or modeler and didn't need the speaker load portion of the PS2? This definitely opens up some really cool options to explore :)

Yes; I had the toggle switches set to flat, and the prescence and depth off (full counterclockwise) The online manual is still for the original PS, they haven't updated it for the PS2 yet. I am going to start simple and build a really basic patch with minimal stuff to test full amp model with no cab to the PS2, see if I can get that idea sounding good- off work tomorrow so I can stay up a bit tonight and keep messing with this after the Giants Packers game! Here is the old PS (rev1) manual: http://www.fryette.com/content/Power_Station_Manual_Eng_Rev1.pdf

All, right so I got a bit distracted, missed that you were originally saying 'no cab models'... I will have to do some more proper testing, but thus far, turning off the cab models did NOT sound good; but running full amp+cab / IR presets into it does sound good! Go figure.. I also finally just got around to doing a wet/dry/wet Helix-PS2 patch. WAY COOl!!!!!!!!! Basically just re-worked Glenn's 'Eagles' patch, which I had already been editing previosly; swapped out the HX cab for Fremen IR and it really sounds stellar! I ended up having to remove a mod effect to make it all fit, but it worked well enough, and in the process realized an odd frustrating quirk of how the PS2 works: The PS2 has an XLR out and a 1/4" line out. HOWEVER - those do NOT pass through any signal plugged into the FX return OR the line input. Those outputs ONLY send signal that is connected to the PS2 'amp' input. From the manual: 2. LINE OUT – This is a frequency compensated output that takes the signal from the load amplifier’s speaker output plugged into the Power Station Amp In jack and makes it available to drive any external device I was thinking I would be able to run the 1/4" send from Helix post amp model and IR, pre-wet FX - and that worked fine. However, then when I tried running the XLR or 1/4" back from PS2 to Helix to record the 'dry' amp send, that's when I realized that nothing was going back to Helix... I re-read the PS2 manual, and indeed those outputs are only going to send signal when you have something plugged into the AMP in on the PS2.. A minor setback; ended up just re-working the preset a little more to split path 2 after the amp and IR into path 2B, dropped in a mono send, then sent that path on to USB3/4. It recorded fine; but actually sounded a lot better in the room than the direct recording, so might need to tweak it a bit more. But, in doing a quick and on the fly setup, it certainly works! I've got the PS2 going to my 1x12 DT cab, and the Helix main out going L6Link to a pair of L3m. I pumped up some software drums, and cranked it up - way cool! Digging the wet/dry/wet stuff, though it does add a level of complexity.. Will report back if I make any more progress; so far so good! :) EDIT - I may have solved the weird recording sound problem; I still had a 1/4" cable connected to Helix AUX in, but not plugged into anything else, and the input on the patch is set to multi..

I am going to try a wet/dry/wet thing with this! Guessing I start with a mono 1/4" send after amp/cab (sounded bad with cab model off) before the post fx; and then run the main outs via L6link in stereo to the L3m pair.

Going to work more on this today; but just did a quick test running Helix > PS2, played through a few of Glenn's last artists preset patches; and sounds stellar! Makes me want to get some bigger cabs and see what the PS2 can really do - but I think you are definitely on the right track with this idea! Got sidetracked yesterday dealing with a microphonic tube in the Friedman. Wishing Glenn's new 'boutique' amp sim patches were dropping today! :) cheers! edit...dang, my local GC has a beat up cheap Marshall 4x12 cab (VS412, particle board) for $130... Just what I need right?? :) edit2..yeah maybe not on the Marshall cab; not good reviews even just doing a basic search..