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Release a Line 6 Helix developer kit and allow third party developers, other manufacturers, and maybe users to develop models and content on the Helix platform. Opening up the IR blocks and offering such flexible and accessible USB I/O and MIDI implementation was a big step by Line 6. It's pretty easy integrate it with computer and app based software and content, but it might be good to allow third-party content to be developed specifically for the Helix. With a dev kit available, Line 6 could collaborate with amp manufacturers, both mainstream and boutique, and develop manufacturer-certified amp and effects models, similar to Amplitube (Mesa, Orange, Soldano, Fender, Marshall, Engl, Dr. Z, Zvex, Wampler, etc.) but on the higher quality, more stable Helix hardware platform. I would think these models would be add-ons and royalties from these models could go back to the manufacturers themselves, likely similar to Amplitube, and encourage physical/digital collaboration and an overall product greater than each of its parts. And to be honest, I would get a bit of "feel-good" about giving a little back to the people that really developed the prized tones in the first place. Synergy Amps, with Bruce Egnater, is taking a similar approach on the hardware side using a new spin on the old Egnater/Randall modular tube system. But this platform will be limited in flexibility and customization by the physical domain. Amplitube did a good job developing and implementing the models, but the limitations and stability of computers/ipads apply. It's hard to get "zero" latency monitoring and feel out of Amplitube or any other computer/tablet software-based solution. Driver and settings tweaking, clicking and popping, etc. suck the enjoyment out sometimes. Amp and tone matching is great, but not everyone has the resources and expertise of Line 6 and the amp manufacturers themselves. I believe much higher quality and accuracy could be achieved by Line 6 and the original amp manufacturers, that I and maybe others might be willing to pay for.

So glad to see the editor screenshot! My Helix knobs are getting some abuse, and no one likes having to replace knobs on digital equipment. Knob lives matter!!!! Save the knobbies!!! I'm going to wear a loop of two black, two silver, and two red ribbons (6 lines) braided (like a helix) until there is an editor cure for knob abuse.

Since you say you are new to fx processors, there is "Mix" setting on many of the effects controlling the amount of dry (straight guitar sound) and wet (effect sound) that passes through. This can help maintain your straight-to-amp sound in your situation. I know that Dual Terror, like many other amps, sounds great when you slam the front end and you probably don't want delays and reverbs completely taking the wind out of your sails. You may also want to look at leveraging Helix's dual paths and create a virtual parallel effects loop within Helix. You could keep your straight unaffected guitar signal on one path, then create a second parallel path with a level control block entering and leaving the effect path (like an effect send/return of an effects loop) for the delays, reverbs, choruses, etc. You should be able to setup a Helix footswitch to turn the entire path on and off too, like a footswitchable effects loop. You can add wah and distortion blocks before the path split for a traditional setup. It won't be exactly like a true effects loop in an amp between the preamp and power amp, but it will give you some similar control of you effect chain and still pass some clean guitar signal to the front of your amp. There is a lot of info on the net on suggested effects placement before, in, and after loops, and you probably have some experience yourself with separate pedals. But just experiment since your coming at effects processors with a fresh set of eyes and ears. Helix is a new beast with new capabilities as well, so some physical world constraints that drove and established "traditional" may not fully apply.

I've never tried Fractal or Kemper, but the online clips and videos do sound good. I really did consider them as well, especially the Fractal AX8. But the flexibility of Helix to integrate and control all of my computer based and physical gear with the ability to make presets for all scenarios was a big selling point for me. I think feel and almost zero latency of hardware modelers is something that software has a hard time competing with. But I think software and computer/mobile hardware will continue to improve and i like that Helix gives us the option of using either or both.

Release a Line 6 Helix developer kit and allow third party developers, other manufacturers, and maybe users to develop models and content on the Helix platform. Opening up the IR blocks and offering such flexible and accessible USB I/O and MIDI implementation was a big step by Line 6. It's pretty easy integrate it with computer and app based software and content, but it might be good to allow third-party content to be developed specifically for the Helix. Update after posting: If Helix were to implement tone matching feature, similar to Kemper, Fractal, and Positive Grid BIAS, with detailed EQ and "special sauce" knob and switch matching, this could be "dev kit" enough. From a previous post... AXE FX style tone matching request submitted to IdeaScale... Vote it up!!! :D http://line6.ideasca...508?submitted=1

Kudos to Line 6 for taking the guitar rig "nerve center" approach with Helix. I'd be curious about other people's experience with the Helix and Amplitube, or other computer-based modeling software. I am finding that Helix and Amplitube work VERY well together, almost made for each other. Even using Helix as an Amplitube live interface and controller seems to work well (I haven't tested in a true live situation yet though). I bet this is what IK Multimedia envisioned with the Stomp I/O, but they discontinued that and do not support it in Amplitube 4. Helix is a heck of a backup too if you have a computer crash live...just tap to a pure Helix preset ;) I'm still exploring Amplitube's MIDI learn with Helix MIDI sends and assignments for Amplitube amp knobs and effects control, but Amplitube presets are easy. It's great being able to pass audio IO and MIDI control over a single USB cable. I even have it up and running on a Dell Venue 11 Pro Windows 10 tablet (i5 & 8GB RAM) on a mic stand clip. You can also switch between Helix sounds and Amplitube sounds using presets and the Helix USB IO configurations. It's even pretty easy to set up Helix preamps/amps with no cabs routed to the Amplitube cab room and mics, which I am still experimenting with. Helix has it's own custom ASIO drivers, which IMO contributes to its Windows stability and very low latency, allowing me to set the Amplitube buffer down to 64 samples (lowest latency), and really simplifies the setup with a single USB cable. Add the super-customizable and accessible MIDI implementation over USB (and DIN), and you have an ideal audio software interface and controller. I was actually on the fence about getting the Helix since I was very happy with Amplitube 4 and the manufacturer-certified models (Mesa, Engl, Soldano, Fender, Marshall, Orange, etc.) and the new Amplitube cab room. The Amplitube 4 Mesa models are awesome. The online clips I was hearing of the Helix weren't really sounding better to me than Amplitube, albeit internet clips are compressed audio, etc. Now that I have Helix in hand, I do still prefer most of the manufacturer-certified Amplitube models over headphones. Through a pair of JBL EON 515XT's, the difference is less noticeable, and I do quite like some of the Helix models. I can also see the Helix sounds possibly being able to cut through a live band mix better, but again haven't tested it live yet. It may just be a matter of spending more time with the Helix settings to tune it to my tastes. I haven't tried custom IR's either, only routing Helix amps through the Amplitube cab room. Too bad I haven't found a way to create an IR out of Amplitube 4 and its cab room yet. Maybe I'll request this feature on the IKM site ;) Previously, I had a vision of using Amplitube live with the IKM iRig Pro and a midi controller, but I couldn't seem to set the iRig below 512 samples without stability issues, clicking/popping, etc. with my Windows tablet. The iRig uses generic ASIO drivers, so maybe that was part of the problem. My Avid Eleven rack had it's own custom ASIO drivers and didn't have those latency and stability issues, but man I did not want to mess with setting up the Eleven Rack with a MIDI controller to operate Amplitube. I REALLY wasn't about to purchase an iPad and re-purchase all of my Amplitube software and models and use an IKM Blue Board either. Amplitube 4 also has a 4 track looper and 8 track recorder, but I haven't tried mapping Helix switches to the controls yet. I can see Helix being able to run pre-recorded backing tracks and loops in various software applications. So I would say even if the Helix models aren't your holy grail, the capability and flexibility to integrate Helix into your software and/or hardware rig really make Helix worth it. Anyway, I thought I would share some experience with Helix and computer-based modelers and software since I hadn't seen very many posts on the subject. Any suggestions are welcome too.