roscoe5

Excellent!!! Did you run stereo into that mesa cab?

It's definitely fun to experiment. And the CL deal straight swapping my Mesa Mark V head shell for the amp-less Mark V 1x12 combo went through last night. I now have two 1x12 combo cabs. I can get my ricksteruk vibe on now. Gonna have to use the Mesa 290 6L6 or 20/20 EL84 stereo amps which colored my sound before. I have Mesa BS C90 speakers now though which are brighter and cleaner than V30's. Maybe it will be fine.

Guess I had Helix tunnel vision. Thanks for the links.

Perfect! Thanks for the reply and reading my painfully long post :)

Oh cool, the Altos for wet would be nice. It would be cool if Line 6 could make some smaller add-on wet speakers with L6 link to run with DT amps. I was thinking they could do something like separating the 6in coax speakers from Firehawk 1500 amd putting them in small powered cabs. I still want the wet speaker saddlebag mount on my amp for them though ;) Wonder if the Audix Amp Grabber mic mounts could support small speakers.

Hey, checking in on how you are liking the DT50 and Helix. I found a good deal on one. One thing that puts me off a bit is the Helix manual, as well as this forum, recommendations to use only preamp models with the DT amps. TIP: With an L6 LINK connection to a DT-Series amp, often the Helix Preamp models are a better choice than Amp or Amp+Cab models. Manually configure the analog power amp options on the DT amp for more sonic possibilities! Have you found a good way to incorporate a Helix amp/cab (or IR) into a split signal for XLR PA/FOH? The only way I can think to do it is putting the equivalent amp model of the preamp model on the split path and manually matching the settings...sounds like a pain. I would just assume put a mic on the cab and be done with it, which is sort of missing out on Helix capabilities. Is there a way to turn off the Cabinet Simulation on the DT50 XLR out and run it back into Helix? Cabinet Simulated Direct Out – Provides a transformer-tapped direct output with cabinet simulation for studio recording or live performance without mic’ing your amplifier. The ground lift switch can be used to eliminate hum or buzz. Is the cabinet simulation from the DT50 or passed through from POD HD500 / Helix now? I'm currently using Helix 1/4" left out into a Line 6 Spider Valve MKII 1/4" power amp in with V30 speakers, which actually allows me to use full amp models. Now the L6 SV is pretty neutral, especially for a tube amp, but there is some coloration from the V30 speakers which I am actually okay with. I have IR'd the L6 SV and V30 speakers to go to a split signal to the XLR PA/FOH, giving me a very similar sound to the stage. This also gives me my same sound for casino shows that do not allow amps. I would likely similarly IR the DT50 and Celestion/Line 6 12" custom speaker with each of the DT50 topologies. But in my experience, Helix preamp models do not sound quite as good / expected as the amp models do these amp-influenced cab IR's. If I could get the post DT amp section signal with no DT cabinet simulation back into Helix from that DT XLR out, I think I could work with it. EDIT: While I couldn't find it in the DT50 manual, I did find it in the DT MIDI Implementation guide. You can turn off DT amps and cabs (which I think DT-Helix users were already doing) and turn off the the mic off on the DT XLR out via MIDI CC 82 = 0 (which I didn't really see on this Helix forum). Theoretically it seems you could bring DT XLR out (with all amps, cabs, and mics off) back into Helix and run it through a Helix Cab or IR block and out of the Helix XLR's to PA/FOH. IR's of the DT50 1x12 and all its topologies should give a similar PA / FOH sound as the DT50 stage sound with the DT cleared XLR out through them. So I suppose with a total of 3 cables (2x XLR & 1 MIDI) you can have total control over DT50 and get a similar sound to Helix XLR out to the PA.

Gig portability is one thing, but it's all fair game at home and you can get as crazy as you like. I just messaged a guy on Craigslist that wants to swap his Mark V 1x12 combo cab for a head shell...that I just so happened to have lying around. If it all works out, I'll have two Mesa Mark V 1x12 combo cabs and a Recto 2x12. My Mesa Simul 2:90 could run the two 1x12s with C90's for wet and the Mark V power amp can run the Recto 2x12 V30's dry. I'd probably never take all that out in public, unless there was chicken wire in front of the stage...Roadhouse!

Well, that deal on the Lonestar cab was craigslist and it fell through. The guy sold it before the Sunday I was going to pick it up. Sorry I didn't edit this post. However, I did pick up some Mesa Black Shadow C90s (same speakers as the Lone Star) and can do a speaker swap in my Mark V 1x12 combo, which should be as good as that Lone Star cab. The Mark V cab currently has a V30, which I'll IR it before I swap it out. Then I'm planning on doing BS C90 Recto 2x12 IR set and a V30/C90 Recto 2x12 IR set. I'm tempted to order one of those Mesa Fillmores for the Mark V combo cab and IR it. Pretty good article on the Mesa site about its development http://www.mesaboogie.com/amplitudes/2013/November/mesa-boogie-fillmore-75-speakers.html

Thanks for posting this. Great idea to give us easy on the fly stage and FOH control if it works.

Ugh, should have pulled the trigger on Nusheild last week when we started chatting about it. Had an outdoor craft beer fest gig that was supposed to be indoor in one of the blocks bars. We got promoted to the main stage. Couldn't see the screen at all, except tuner mode thank goodness. I guess I can be the guinea pig and order it. I'll report back.

Oh totally agree that it's different depending on the neutrality of your tube amp. When I first got Helix, i used it with my Mesa Simul 290 and Recto 212, I was using Helix preamps only as the full amp models sounded a little muddy (no cab models). Then I snagged a Line 6 Spider Valve HD100, made for Line 6 modellers, for a smokin deal. I quickly switched back to Helix full amp models, even with my Recto 2x12 with V30s. No cab models still. Sounds like that Atomic amp could be similar to the L6 SV, very neutral 6L6 tube amp.

Inspired by the Firehawk 1500, I hooked up my pair of M-Audio BX-5 studio monitors as FRFR wets and my Mesa Mark V 1x12 combo (power amp in) as the dry and it sounded KILLER. Peeled off the dry (no cab or stereo effects yet) to send 3 to the MV effects return, then effects and IR cab to the multi out stereo 1/4" LR path. The rig could be really compact portable, more so than 3 guitar cabs. You can also get the best of both worlds...SS FRFR and tube power 12in dry guitar sounds and feel. Of course there are probably more suitable small powered speakers for this as the BX-5s probably aren't gig/road worthy and are only 40w ea. But they were good enough to prove the concept. So how would you mount them on stage...hmm. Stands or poles? Some kind of width adjustable "saddlebag" mount that goes over the top of a combo or cab?

I found my Mission EP1-L6 on CL for $50 in 2013 for my HD500. I have to admit that I would have a hard time paying $130 new for it. Maybe Im over-simplifying, but looking at it with the cover off, it seems like just a Dunlop pot and a 1/4" jack in a wah pedal case. It really shouldn't be over $99. Maybe it's a $30 Line 6 logo ;) It works great and looks great next to Helix. I'm glad I have it.

Full Helix amp models to Line 6 Spider Valve HD100 tube power amp in and Mesa Recto 2x12 here.

My only other guitar cab right now is a Mesa Mark V open back combo with V30 speaker. I could certainly do some IR's of that with my different Mesa tube power amps. I should probably do a solid state power amp (Mesa Walkabout or M9) too since that's what the pro guys seem to do to get uncolored IR's. Other than that, I can certainly do more mics (condenser, other dynamics) and positions of the Recto 212 also, as well as a couple of other tube amps I haven't tried it with a solid state amp yet. I've also been thinking about IR'ing my Mesa 1x12" Scout & 2x12" bass cabs with my AKG D112 mic, and maybe AKG P420 condenser and Audix D series dynamics. I've never seen IR's of 12" bass cabs, so maybe they can fill a gap. I have Mesa 400+, Mesa M9, and Mesa Walkabout bass amps that would be great power amps to make them with. Since Helix has models of the Mesa 400+ and M9, they should pair nicely. EDIT: Picked up Mesa Black Shadow C90 speakers, used in their Lone Star amps and others. Planning on doing some speaker swaps in the Mark V 1x12 combo and Recto 2x12 and making multi-power amp IR's of those.

Very cool man! Made my day. You make them sound a lot better than I do :) I'll could definitely use your patch too. Here's the link to the Dropbox folder for you guys. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h5ky6jrpmb6blfs/AACgZuRfOPpN-NtrRsmolUVia?dl=0

Good to know...and thanks as always for the reply.

When I first got Helix, I wasn't ready to let go of my Mesa Triaxis preamp, Marshall JMP-1 preamp, Mesa V-Twin pedal, and wah. My vision was to only use Helix for rig control and effects. I put the Triaxis in Send/Return 1, JMP-1 in Send/Return 2, the V-Twin in front and used the Helix to switch Bypass & Blues/Lead on it, wah in front, then ran Helix L/R 1/4" out to my Mesa Simul 2:90 and cab. I reduced my 8 rackspace rig down to 4 spaces and finally had the full MIDI control I always wanted, albeit with a lot of cables. I was starting to consider some sort of signal/MIDI/power snake. But mission accomplished and vision achieved. Then I finally sat down with Helix amps and found equivalent, sometimes better sounds, with configuration and control achieved much more simply and cleanly. Now it's just Helix into tube power amps. Should have started with Helix. Funny how gear visions change.

I did NOT know those loops on the backpack were for the included cord velcro! Duh! I was wondering why my golf tees kept falling out ;) I have visions of a Fryette Power Station going in the large front pocket. Right now it's just exp pedal, cords and a mini bar.

As others have mentioned, Line 6 doesn't usually divulge any working plans, but are generally good at releasing highly user-requested features from IdeaScale, etc. I have voted on a couple of MIDI clock items on IdeaScale. The topic does come up quite a bit. It seems like MIDI clock could be low hanging fruit for Line 6 Helix. Fingers crossed.

Definitely a different option I haven't seen brought up before for Helix, which I guess different options are the intent of this thread. My earlier search and post on the $119 MIDI Solutions Pedal controller (allowing you to use a standard volume pedal as an expression controller via Helix MIDI CC#1, 2, or 3, or control any other Helix block parameter by another MIDI CC#) sent me down the MIDI rabbit hole. I'm back now after a spot of tea with the hatter. What is intriguing to me is the potential ability for it to be any or all of the 3 Helix Expression pedals, or any Helix block parameter controller, via MIDI CC with custom tapers or LFO waves, all programmable/recallable by Helix preset. What I don't know is what Helix would do if say the onboard Exp1 was active and it received an external MIDI CC#1 message from the SA163 pedal. I would assume it would work fine. The SA163 could also send additional MIDI CC#'s (independent of Helix EXP1/2/3 MIDI CC#1/2/3) that could be assigned to almost any Helix effect/amp/cab parameter. This potentially adds a 4th uber-customizable MIDI CC "expression pedal" to Helix. Internal EXP1/2 + external EXP3 + external MIDI CC Exp pedal (sends 3 analog + up to 3 digital MIDI CC# at once).

Stumbled across this little gem...Source Audio SA163 Reflex analog + MIDI Expression pedal. It has 128 presets (recallable by Helix), MIDI in/out, 3 1/4" Exp Jacks (DIP switch), customizable tapers, 3 analog and 3 digital MIDI expression outs (think Helix Exp MIDI CC#3, alternate 1 or 2, or any combination recallable by preset), a toe switch that "mutes" the expression outs (sets to 0/min value, not sure how to implement with Helix yet), waveform shapes (probably doesn't apply to Helix), and USB/PC editable. I have some ideas on implementation, and I must say this could be an ideal 2nd external Helix floor unit expression pedal (& MIDI controller) for me as it opens up some current and maybe future possibilities. http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/toolblox/reflex_universal_exp_controller.php#tabbed=product-info=2 http://www.sourceaudio.net/downloads/product_docs/reflex_manual.pdf http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/279125-Source-Audio-SA163?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&st-t=googleshopping-all_products_low_bid&vt-k=&vt-mt=&vt-pti=279125&gclid=CjwKEAjwp-S6BRDj4Z7z2IWUhG8SJAAbqbF3ExRanZAY_aE9sdqEyENPBStXBxK3V43aeaykZt-LIhoCicHw_wcB EDIT: So reading through the manual for this thing, it seems that in addition to customizable Linear and Audio tapers, it can send different expression LFO shapes, Sine, Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Random Sample and Hold. This could do some cool and funky things to assigned Helix block parameters. From the manual... There are five built-in low frequency oscillators (LFOs) which can be used to modulate the expression output periodically with a certain wave shape. When an LFO is active, the position of the treadle controls the frequency, or rate, of the LFO. It also looks like it can be sync'd to an external MIDI clock...hopefully Line 6 will update Helix to send MIDI clock to external devices.

In looking for different expression pedal control options, I came across the MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller. This would potentially allow Helix users to use any volume pedal as an expression pedal via Helix MIDI CC. It appears to be 5-pin DIN MIDI, like Helix. It operates on 5V power to its MIDI input stating this is a standard MIDI specification. Can Helix MIDI out provide this power? http://www.midisolutions.com/prodped.htm http://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#Power If not, there is a pretty easy +5V USB/MIDI cable hack to power the MIDI input of the MIDI Solutions Pedal Controller if Helix MIDI Out can't provide power. +5V USB/MIDI cables hack http://www.danbecker...ower/index.html MIDI Solutions Power FAQ directing users to the hack... http://www.midisolut.../faqs.htm#Power

I came from a Dunlop Mister Crybaby Super combo Wah/Volume (which I used mainly for volume, occasionally alternate wah) and a Dunlop 535Q wah. I guess I was used to a shorter throw volume pedal like the Mission EP1-L6. I did have to crank up the tension on the Mission to give me a little resistance for parked volume, plugged into EXP3 jack. I use the built in Helix pedal and EXP2 assignment for wah, and toe-switch it in. I use the EXP1 assignment for effect parameter control for trem speed, delay, chorus & flanger, filters, etc. if needed. I could see how making a transition from a longer throw volume pedal like Ernie Ball or Boss/Roland could be awkward. I saw a post on rewiring a Roland EV-5 to be used as a Helix Exp pedal. http://line6.com/support/topic/16994-need-expression-pedal-help/?hl=expression+pedal&do=findComment&comment=152555 Another user asked about the Ernie Ball MVP Volume/Gain/expression Pedal, but no one replied. http://line6.com/support/topic/16994-need-expression-pedal-help/?hl=expression+pedal&do=findComment&comment=152555 So at $130 for the Mission, it may be worth it to some of you really used to a certain type of volume pedal to mod your old one, or pick up another one new or used and have it modded for use as a Helix expression pedal. Another option to maybe use your existing unmodded volume pedals could be using the $119 MIDI Solutions Pedal controller and leveraging Helix MIDI Exp pedal emulation CC input 1, 2, or 3. The MIDI Sol pedal controller comes with software to set the CC#. I dont know if Helix provides standard 5V MIDI power though. There is a pretty easy +5V USB/MIDI cable hack to power its MIDI input if Helix can't http://www.midisolutions.com/prodped.htm http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIPC?adpos=1o5&creative=55644138841&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjwp-S6BRDj4Z7z2IWUhG8SJAAbqbF34HC4g1S6rzzjuGsUBJqHWDWqXxoUejFWe2XK3yHZyBoCWwbw_wcB +5V USB/MIDI cables hack http://www.danbecker.info/guitars/20151206MIDIPower/index.html MIDI Solutions Power FAQ directing users to the hack... http://www.midisolutions.com/faqs.htm#Power

+1 for the Mission EP1-L6 also. I'm not sure what other expression pedals offer it, but the Mission has an allen wrench tension adjustment which is very helpful. Also, the standard wah height lines up with the built in Helix expression pedal pretty well.