codamedia

Just so you know, I am on your side.... as I stated earlier, I bought from Ownhammer because I want to keep my options open. However, there is a benefit for "some users" to go the Marketplace route.... I would compare it to buying OEM software. It's guaranteed to work on your product, you get support from the company that sold you your product, and you got it at a discounted price because you own the product. In return, you are not allowed to move that software to a different product. This is a very common business model for partnerships.

I think my point was missed... An IR is just an audio file.... the IR Loader would need to have modeling technology to artificially change mic placement, Ownhammer (and other IR makers) cannot make a single IR that is capable of this, which is why they get delivered in separated files. My "common knowledge" explanation was meant as such.... "common knowledge" for those that read this thread and don't understand that part of it :)

This would have to be a feature in the IR loader, not the IR itself since an IR is just an audio file. For those not aware.... Ownhammer IR's include "cone to edge" mic placements in all packages and I would assume it still exists in the L6 Marketplace packages. Each IR comes with a 0 - 10 number at the end... 0 = cone, 10 = edge and everything else is in between. You choose the fundamental IR (cab/speaker/mic combo) you like, then choose the one with the mic placement you like.

Connect to the computer and Line 6 Monkey.... then do a complete backup (this may require HD Edit) Next, re-install the latest firmware and factory settings through Monkey, check to see if the unit works, then re-load your backups. (check before loading your backups) If that doesn't work at all, then it is hardware related and will need service. If it gets this far it's likely a broken or disconnected ribbon to the switch PCB.

I bought them directly from Ownhammer.... simply because I don't want to lose my IR's if I ever decide to change from the Helix to something else in the future. In no way is that in my plans, but I like to keep my doors open and would hate to to have to "buy again". On the other side of this discussion... it looks like the Ownhammer offers on Marketplace are organized nicer with the HELIX in mind therefore they should be simpler to navigate. Not to mention, they appear to be a little less money in Marketplace.

I can respect that @scallybert 3 to 6 db is rather dramatic... I believe the pad is 6db, and the vast majority of users would notice that difference regardless of experience. That would change the compression and gain levels of everything that follows. I'd be interested in hearing this for myself... do you know if the tone is different, or is it mostly feel?

I know you said you see what I mean but to confirm, YES, by on/off I do mean bypassed/not-bypassed. Sorry for the confusion in terminology :)

I'd try both and choose the one that sounded best... :)

1db would be subjective, 3db and more would be obvious, not just perception. Never assume anything in regards to the input pad... it only takes a moment to check.

The IR itself cannot be expected to do it all.... start by getting a really good acoustic tone first. This differs for person to person, guitar to guitar... but usually a compressor or studio pre followed by an EQ and reverb is enough to get a good tone. Once you have that, add the IR block (I would do this after the basics, but before reverb, delay, etc...) to sweeten it a little. Often you don't need a full 100% blend on an acoustic IR... just blend it until you get the depth you want.

You should not be having this problem... 3db - 6db is a huge drop at the input. Are you sure you didn't accidentally engage the INPUT PAD on the 2nd Helix?

I don't know for certain, but I would think that if you had a back up "Helix for your Helix"... it will be a heck of a lot more accurate than if you have a backup "Twin for your Twin" or backup "Tube Screamer for your Tube Screamer". (insert any pedal for pedal, amp for amp in those statements)

Are you 100% sure that you don't have a snapshot that is doing something you're not expecting? Every now and then my Helix does something I'm not expecting, and when I look into it further it's just something I've inadvertently set... or adjusted on the fly with snapshots set to "recall". (EG: If you have a snapshot that you can control gain with and you back it off... the next time you load that snapshot the gain will be in that reduced state) if you are still on the same patch) Not saying that is the problem... just suggesting you double check everything :)

An FRFR allows you to get the absolute MOST out of the Helix, but that doesn't mean you can't use it with an existing amp. If you run the Helix in 4 cable method with an amp you are open to many options... including the use of the Helix PRE-AMP's (marshalls, vox, matchless, etc... etc...) when you aren't running the pre-amp from the Boogie. The one thing you will want to avoid (generally speaking) are the cab/mic simulations in the Helix... although experimenting to see what happens is not against the law :) Check out this demo of the Helix by Pete Thorn.... in this track he uses the Helix is almost every conceivable manner, then breaks down each track with how he does it. Some of the tracks use amps, some are direct, etc... etc... (NOTE: it goes into more depth for recording with load boxes, and IR's... but you don't need that part when playing live) At 14:20 he is demonstrating the 4 cable method I mention above....

These are standard cables... nothing special. Quality guitar cables for the 1/4"... (keep the distance as short as possible... 15' max would be my suggestion) Any decent mic cables for the XLR's.... length is not an issue with these. Don't mix the outputs... use both 1/4" outs or both XLR outs to the monitors IMO.... I'd run XLR cables to the monitors so length becomes a non-issue, then you can use the 1/4" out guitar amps or other devices should you choose to do so. BTW... the HS-7's are great monitors... if you get those you won't be disappointed. They won't have stage level volume, but they are perfect for home and studio use.

Glenn... I picked up your Banjo preset (and a few others) a week or so back... The Banjo preset certainly gives me a usable tone with my tele (when needed), but the IR you provide with that preset also brings the Variax banjo to life... it's added the shine that was always missing. Great work!

You could walk before you run... the free Allure Pack offered by Line 6 can get you some decent IR's to get your feet wet. Yes the package deals are good... If you want a package that has options for all, I would recommend the "core tone bundle" under their multi cabinet libraries on the Ownhammer site. You will get a Fender, Vox, Marshall and Mesa cabinet which will cover a lot of ground. Once you get your feet wet you can decide which style you want to expand if you still think you need more options. There are a few Ownhammer options in the Line 6 Marketplace as well... but I think each bundle narrows in on one style of cabinet so you would like want more than one bundle to experiment. On a final note... if you have zero experience with IR's beware the rabbit hole that's already been mentioned. There can be hundreds of IR's in each pack... it can be very daunting if you don't know where to start. Rather than just experiment with each one looking for something you might like, take the time to learn (at least a little) how speakers, mics and mic position can effect the tones. The better you understand this, the easier it is to identify an IR for your purpose much quicker.

There is no "global effects"... you will have to load it in each preset. It will consume a block. No you don't.... there are 9 effects blocks in an HX Effects, that means 3 or more can be left off the screen (eg: no buttons). This is great for things like a volume pedal block, or an always on - such as the compressor. If you are not familiar with the signal flow view, get acquainted with it... it gives you more control over things like footswitch assignments than the stomp mode does.

Any midi controller would be able to do this... it's a very basic duty... However.... when you have your HD500 setup as a pedal board (all 8 footswitches controlling stomps) you do realize that you can temporarily go into PRESET mode by hitting one of the bank buttons... as soon as you choose a preset it returns to stomp mode. At most, a midi controller might save one extra press of a pedal.

That is my approach in the studio as well. A simple core tone (in mono) is my main goal. I don't track ambient delays or reverb... although some effects may get tracked if there is a strong commitment to those parts (ie: tremolo guitar, syncopated delays, etc...) Generally speaking, my studio presets would only be a small handful of blocks... at most.

Great video... my studio approach is similar to yours... but my live approach is very different. Live I setup my Helix as a Mega Chain.... 32 blocks in a serial path. That doesn't mean I use all the blocks, and it most certainly doesn't mean I use them all at once. My tones are natural... but I like to have everything I need available to me within a preset when playing live. The HELIX is the first multi fx with enough horse power to allow me to do this. My "Live" presets are all the same, just adjusted to optimize each guitar. EG: When I pick up my tele I open my Telecaster preset. When I grab my Strat I open my Stratocaster preset, etc... etc... . I open the appropriate preset for the guitar I have grabbed... I don't change presets again unless I change the guitar. My snapshots lead me to my fundamental tones... eg: clean slap, ambient tap, overdrive slap, more drive tap, big lead, dotted 8th, etc... etc... My stomps are setup to give me access to all my modulations (tremolo, chorus, phase) as well as a touch wah, octave effect, boost, and the option to toggle between slapback and tap delay regardless of my snapshot choice. I have an external exp pedal connected to a volume block... and my internal exp is actually set to control delay levels - it is setup as such for all my delays. My TOE switch is actually setup for the reverb on/off. Some rooms I play don't need it so rather than dive into menus I just have to turn it off with the toe switch and save the patch and it's gone for the night. So in short... it's a complicated patch but only for versatility.

I just setup my LT to see if that parameter can be changed via snapshot... and sadly, no it cannot. Maybe the HX Effects is different, but I don't think it will be. (EDIT to ADD: I just noticed this next option was already mentioned above by @rzumwalt)... You should be able to set the effect "BLEND or MIX" via snapshot. If you set the blend level so no effect gets blended in on the snapshots you don't want it, even it the pedal engages it you shouldn't hear it. The OP uses an HX Effects.... no toe switch. The HX Effects generally auto engages these when an expression is engaged past a certain threshold.

Check out this thread... it explains how the "threshold" is set so you should be able to find it and see if it can be assigned to a snapshot value or not. https://line6.com/support/topic/32006-hx-effects-auto-engage-wah-not-workingnot-finding-how-to-set/

I have the older HD500... and although I don't use it to control anything within the computer, I have used the MIDI outs to control other devices... in particular an HX Effects. It worked great... everything I told it to do (PC & CC) was passed on to the other device as expected... The HD500 is a wonderful midi controller with a lot of features... there is no reason it won't do what you want it to. I suspect you may be right about that midi interface... you do get what you pay for.

I am having a hard time following this.... can you explain it a little clearer for me. What did you buy for a midi controller? What is the make/model? Are you connecting to that via MIDI OUT (DIN) from the HD500, or the USB out? I am pretty certain the HD500 cannot send MIDI via USB... that's reserved for audio and proprietary communications with HD EDIT.