ColonelForbin

None; no dropout problems with either of mine! though doing the firmware update is a must-do, if it's not already up to date. Picked up a tip from the Helix Facebook user group, got these Levy's wireless holders from Sweetwater. The little metal clips that come attached to the G70 transmitters are not very robust and I tended to keep knocking them loose. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BeltpackHold

Yeah, I am lazy about it, but can report that Helix through my DT25 sounds bloody fantastic!! I had been mucking around trying to get a decent FRFR and/or stereo thing going, with a Firehawk1500, L2t speakers, L3m speakers, other PA speakers, all that jazz. Always sounds great at home, just wanted something different for jamming with the guys / drums / other tube amp / bass, etc. I used DtEdit to bypass the DT preamp models and cab and such; on channel B, for some reason when using L6Link, you still have control over the I-IV voicing switches, whereas they are disabled on channel A (when using L6Link). So I set up the four voicings on channel B to match the four topo settings of I-IV. This way I can manually toggle the power amp settings until I get it where I want it. For Helix, just used full amp model / cabs / post wet FX, etc. In fact, was using some of the Glenn DeLaune artists presets; and they sound stellar through DT doing precisely nothing to the patches to change anything to accomodate the DT connection. I think the key would be, get your direct patches sounding good for FRFR, and use the XLR outs from the Helix to feed the mixer / FOH / etc. You could also take the XLR out from the DT25, if you disable the mic model on the DT XLR out, also using DtEdit. But, the direct out sounds so good from Helix, you probably could just use the DT as your backline to hear yourself with tubes, use a floor monitor for FRFR fill, and let it rip. I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to dial in a patch to be configured to both outputs differently, not yet anyway, and I haven't tried using preamp only with MIDI cable to do the topo / DT changes. I was very pleasantly surprised, I expected to have to jump through a bunch of hoops, do alternate programming using preamp models, do extra connection to go from Helix to DT, back to Helix, etc. And that is definitely still a possibility, the DT would do great as a dry center amp in a stereo wet/dry/wet rig!

Yeah, that's how I use mine, and also why I bought it! I have the FBV3 too; but seem to always just find myself preferring using Helix! Definitely run some Helix patches through it; sound is incredible.

I believe the XLR out from the DT25 is mic level; should require about the same gain as if you had put a mic in front of amp / cab. Also quick note on the DT XLR out - the mic model is controlled by the internal / DT setting; nothing on the HD500 impacts that selection. You can toggle it to other mic models using MIDI and/or DtEdit.

Yeah buddy! I just started messing with IR last week. Way cool! Started with the Ownhammer Justin York pack; also grabbed a couple of Marshall cabs from 3 Sigma and Redwirez. I have been using some of Glenn DeLaune's patches, and some various uploads to Customtone; just start experimenting with switching out the stock cabs with IR's. Sometimes you have to delete the cab to make it fit, other times you can A/B compare them. Also, check out this video; some cool ideas about blending two IR's:

Just mostly trying to decide if there is any tangible difference between sending full amp and cab patches to DT with L6link, and treat DT as powered speaker/monitor ; vs building DT specific patches, using amp model only or preamp model only with no cab, send to DT, send back to Helix, and process that through cab model or IR. It's alot of extra work; though I did find that there was a distinct difference between running amp and cab from Helix to DT vs running just amp (didn't test preamp only yet) to DT. Makes me wonder more about what the HD500 output modes were doing, when using with L6Link with DT it would default to that mode. I ran into some routing complexities; induced some feedback loops. And had to switch up routing in Helix to not send PC usb1/2 stream through DT25! Was using SuperiorDrummer with ProTools; it was all playing back through the DT25. Changed USB1/2 to only go to XLR; send those to monitors or pair of L3m. Still need to come up with good way to listen to the DT through IR signal while not hearing DT. Low volume mode seems to work for this; acts like a volume pad and still lets signal through with DT in stand by.

I was actually messing with some Helix DT25 pairing yesterday. Disabled every thing on DT25, used Line6 link from Helix to DT and DT XLR out back to Helix. Did some regular patches where I just recorded the XLR out. Did some other patches where I used only an amp model no cab, digital out to DT25, XLR back to Helix and run mic input through Ownhammer, 3 Sigma and Redwirez IR. Mixed results; needs more work! Not sure what I am getting from that XLR out of DT; need to compare to fx send. Sounds coming out of DT are stellar! Very LOUD. Messed with turning down send and turning up DT25. Next I want to test with Helix preamp model to DT, and compare XLR out with DT FX send- XLR should be adding DT tubes since it's transformer tapped. Liking the idea I can use Helix in similar way with DT25 as with HD500; just with more options because of Helix routing and IR possibilities limitless!

It is and remains a bit of a mystery to me, that Line6 doesn't have an editor for the DT25! That screenshot is free, user created software. For those wondering, here is the link: http://rome2.github.io/dtedit/

I don't know for sure how this exactly works; there are two different parameters in DTedit - one to disable the cabs that are paired with the preamp models in channels A and B - then there is a different setting, in the 'master' section that they call 'mic'; which is the mic model for the XLR output. I have definitely messed with changing this mic model when using it with my pedalboard; it defaults to something like SM57 off axis, but you can choose any of the mics. From what I understand, that cab emulation is always a 1x12, with whichever mic model you have selected. What I can't confirm, is, if there is then no processing done to the XLR out with the mic set to none.

Nope; DtEdit uses MIDI, so it's a bit goofy. Can't use an HD500/500x to MIDI edit it for some reason. I use an old M-Audio soundcard that has MIDI in and out; there are a variety of options out there, most pretty cheap. The goofy part is that the DT edit software is not actually made by Line6! A bit trickier for Mac / iPhone users; pretty straight forward for PC / Windows. It's a user created editor.. There were a few at one point; I have stuck with DtEdit; which I think now also comes in an OSX option. A side note - take a look at screen shot below, in the panels on the right side - power ampA and power ampB. Among the settings there is something called 'boost on' and 'boost off'. On the DT50 amps, this is a 12AX7 tube boost. On the DT25, it is an analog component of some sort; that switch, while it says DT50 only (as some of the controls are DT50 only - like 'smooth / tight' and p/v high or p/v low are DT50 only) this one actually does make a substantial increase when switched on. It's default on to several amps; off on some others. Depending what you are going for, it's useful to a certain extent if you are trying to get some customized voicings using different amp models and power topologies to be closer in volume to each other. Somewhere in the DT forum, way back there, I have a post where I documented which amp models have boost on and off by default http://rome2.github.io/dtedit/ EDIT - I found that list; was easier to search than I expected! DT 25 'standlone' (firmware v2.0) Amp models with "Boost ON" by default: - Gibtone 185 - Tweed Bassman Normal - Tweed Bassman Bright - Divided 9/15 - Phd Motorway - Class A-30 - Brit J-45 Normal - Brit J-45 Bright - Brit Plexi 100 Normal - Brit Plexi 100 Bright - Brit P-75 Normal - Brit P-75 Bright - Brit J-800 - Bomber Uber - Treadplate - Angel F-Ball - Line 6 Elektrik - Line 6 Doom DT 25 'standlone' (firmware v2.0) Amp models with "Boost OFF" by default: - Blackface Double Normal - Blackface Double Vib - Hiway 100 - Super O - Blackface 'Lux Normal - Blackface 'Lux Vib - Class A-15 - Flip Top Bass

Love my DT25! It's a great pedal amp too; here's the key to 'dialing it in' - use DtEdit to customize the onboard amp models. It comes configured with four 'voicings', which are combinations of preamp model + cab model + power amp settings. The same four 'voicings' are stored in channels A and B, so you can in theory use it with an external footswitch for channel switching - but it's not great at that. What it does do, when you DTEdit, is give you access to load any 8 preamp + Cab + power amp 'voicings' into the eight slots (A I-IV and B I-IV). In the stock configuration, it showcases just four amps, each pertaining to the four power amp topologies. If you prefer ,you can set them all up to the same power amp settings (topology + class + pentode or triode), or set each of the 8 slots to something different; all kinds of options. I love the Plexi bright with greenbacks, personally. I set it just around the edge of breakup; get the volume at a decent level, then balance the amount of overdrive or clean boost in each of my gain stages (combination of Keely overdrives, Keeley compressor, Fulltone OCD and Fulltone 2B clean boost / limiter, along with some wah, chorus, autowah and phaser - with an M9 in the FX loop for delays, reverb chorus) Which brings me back to the DTedti; with the DT25 you can also customize the mic model used for the XLR 'cabinet emulated' output on the DT25, which is sweet. And you can set any of the various reverbs to each channel - you can have eight different reverbs, one for each voicing if you wanted. Now; it should be worth noting, that there is only one set of controls on the amp per channel. So if you toggle from voicing I-A, with a low gain Fender clean amp model, to voicing II-A, with a high gain ENGL or Bogner or Mesa or one of those - you will melt your face, and maybe some other people's faces too :) So, proceed with caution! But have fun, because really, the amp is awesome. ALSO, a total aside to this - it also follows, that with configuring it using DtEdit, you can also totally bypass the onboard preamps and cabs. Not what the OP would want to do; but for use with my Helix, it's killer! Helix does the amp modeling ,DT just uses the Bogner power amp side; very cool. Not as "integrated" in terms of L6Link as the HD500x + DT25 experience is; but still, a very very versatile amp, for a decent price. One last thing; I also have the 1x12 extension cabinet for the DT25; and the DT25 combo stacks perfectly on top of the DT25 extension cab. Oddly, as at one point I also had a DT25 head and two of the extension cabs; the cabs don't stack well on top of each other for some reason. But, the combo stacks great on top of the extension cab, and the sound is nice; expands the bass range, and puts the combo with the open back up off the floor enough to give the sound some nice spread. -Just to keep it real; also take a look at the Mesa Boogie Mark V:35 combo!! it's $1,800!! Adds some extra watts and features over the Mark V:25, which was just a head model - this comes as head or combo in the 35 version. Has the extra CabClone option for the XLR out (closed back, open back, vintage voicings) and the channels can be set to variable wattage - IE, clean channel set to 35 watts, drive channel set to 10 watts. -Also, one more good 'pedal platform' amp to look at - the Fender Landau 2x12; it's a single channel variation of the Hot Rod series, but different... Also, it weighs 54lbs, and it's $1,100 -Last one - another good Fender pedal platform amp - the George Benson model, 1x12 It's $900 (they also have a George Benson 2x12, but it's based on a Twin reverb, and it's 80watts - four 6L6!)

Yeah, I need to explore this more! I keep getting distracted by Helix + FRFR speakers.

Yes, it does! Easiest way to access it is with the app - you have to be connected to the FH1500 to access it for some reason it won't load offline. Click the menu, choose the output page, scroll down to the bottom

Here's a good deal for ya! (demo model $1,350) http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Helixd

Does the global EQ impact the XLR outputs?

Just to put this out there - thanks for everything you do for us Phil M! :) That being said; quick side-tangent-question; you mentioned latency, I think I have mine set up properly, just wanted to verify. I arm the 1/2 channel in ProTools for Helix, and mute it - I monitor with Helix, and the only thing I don't mute is the software plugin track for Superior Drummer. It seems when I listen back everything is synched up; I haven't gone back to do much over-dubbing though. I am guessing same process would follow; monitor playback tracks and live tracks with Helix. The reason I say 'mute' them in ProTools is when the software audio is coming through it's got that obvious latency going on; somewhere between a stutter and slapback almost. Really a weird effect actually! I don't use any plugins when I am recording; I figure I might also want to decrease the buffer size for recording, increase it for mixing/using plugins? I realize this is all more ProTools / DAW / recording related, so just hit me with whatever you think and I will make it work thanks!

Yeah; I have just scratched the surface on using Helix as a soundcard, and it's been awesome!! I did hit one snag, that was actually a Pro Tools issue, not a Helix issue - I had to go to the I/O in ProTools and tell it to use default - it was only showing two tracks and not 8. Once I did that, it's been great! I always leave the dry inputs to their default: USB 7 dry guitar, USB 8 dry mic. I use a G70 wireless, and I have two of them; one receiver on my pedalboard, the other on my Helix board. A cool side note - a single G70 transmitter is received by both receivers flawlessly, which lets me run dual rigs for this kind of recording project. I tried using a single receiver, and running an extra 1/4" out from it; works, but this way is actually easier! One less cable :) My pedalboard goes to a DT25 in 4-cable method. The XLR out from the DT25 goes to the mic input on the Helix. It doesn't get processed - it does NOT need to be used in the patch for it to route to the USB 8 output! You set the mic gain in the Helix global menu; I had to crank it up a good bit, since the XLR from the DT25 is mic level. Anyway, I send the other G70 receiver to Helix, which captures the dry guitar on USB 7. Then I record Helix patch to USB 1/2, and send Superior Drummer tracks to bus 3/4 and record that on it's own stereo channel. I crank up the drums and Helix through a combination of studio monitors (M-Audio BX5), a Firehawk1500, and a pair of L3m, and jam out! When all three are going, it's 1/4" to the M-Audio's, Line6Link to the L3m's, and XLR to the Firehawk1500. I have also been messing with using Helix + DT25 with L6link, but not all the way there yet.

It only impacts use of the monitor inputs and how they are routed to the XLR outputs; and might correct some other issues - they said it might make it capable of being louder! I have been primarily using mine as a powered speaker for my Helix, and not using the Firehawk modeling / FX. In my case, I want the monitor input (Helix) to be routed to the XLR outputs. If you were just using the FH1500 as amp/fx modeling, and wanted to run a monitor signal back from the board to the FH1500, say for vocals, you would want to update to the latest firmware, which would prevent the monitor vocal signal from being sent into the XLR outputs - you would only want your guitar signal coming out of the XLR outputs in that case. Which does make sense - it's more than loud enough to be a monitor, and with the kick back stand it tilts back nicely for that use.

SWEET! Love the Anderton's reviews, they are awesome

The new firmware update prevents the monitor inputs from being sent back to FOH; though I don't know which firmware they are shipping new units with now? http://line6.com/support/topic/18396-firehawk-1500-reviews/?p=141743 ArneLine6, on 07 Mar 2016 - 12:39 PM, said:

Install the app on your phone or tablet now; I didn't and wish I had! Makes navigating the volumes, global EQ, speaker modes a total breeze. Also, a quick note on the firmware - it alters how the monitor input is handled, so depending on how you want to use that input will determine if you upgrade the firmware or not. -Stock firmware routes the monitor input to the XLR output. -Current firmware updates changes that so it does not send the monitor input signal to the XLR output.

No; in the HD500x (or Helix) + FH1500 scenario, the FH1500 is just acting as a powered speaker only; no Firehawk models/fx - using the HD500x (or Helix) to make all the tones, and the 'Hawk is just the speaker. I don't know if there might be a way to use MIDI to send patch changes from HD500x (or Helix) to Fh1500, but I think that they were correct in saying if you want a foot controller / wah / expression, to pair with FH1500, to control the wah/volume/fx on the actual Firehawk 1500, you would need get the new FBV3 (and maybe a Mission EXP pedal.)

Yes; there is - super easy with the app!

Yes, I think that is corret, with the exception, that this method is for using the L6Link - if you were using the FX return, you don't even need to blank the preamp, since it gets bypassed anyway - just like Radatats said.

No, the way I have it set, toggling that I-IV switch does nothing with preamps - they remain disabled in the DT, it just changes the topo. It also recalls whatever the last setting you had for pentode-triode, class A/B, etc. I have been messing with those more now that I have Helix set up this way, very interesting to just audition *only* a Helix preamp, do this connection, then figure out whatever the 'standard' topo (NFL), class, and triode settings might be - then switch them around. Helix can do so much, it's easy to get lost in a sea of routing and FX, and a million options. The core amp modeling, when paired with DT like this, is stellar.