codamedia

I do the delay trick as mentioned earlier. I keep the built in expression for volume/wah, but use an external expression to control delay levels. On a few presets I have the external expression control something different and leave the delay(s) as fixed on/off with switches. Try assigning the BLEND of any modulation block. Phase, Flange, Tremolo, etc... etc... or even combinations of a few such as blend/rate/depth. It can get really interesting really quick. Do the above with a Rotary effect and you've essentially added a Leslie to your setup. Organ players used to spice things up with a Leslie all the time. If you run stereo.... experiment with panning A wah doesn't have to be full sweep.... set it up with a really low mix and a short throw and experiment with the tones you can achieve with an expression. Add the blend of an "octave" or "harmony" pedal. Really... as stated already your imagination is your only limit.

FWIW.... I use Gain Blocks at the beginning of my path for this scenario and it works great. Better than a volume block, because by default the volume block will get the volume pedal attached to it automatically - leading to extra steps. I actually find assigning snapshots easier on the Helix than I do in HX Edit... "Push and Turn" with the bracket appearing is extremely fast.... once the bracket has appeared you just turn to adjust for each snapshot. One trick I have learned long ago during editing is to SAVE before changing snapshots... and save often. This is necessary when you have snapshots globally set to "discard", but even when set to "recall" I find it very practical to make sure those changes are locked in during the editing process.

That is not a good assumption for the question "rd2rk" asked. Did you actually do a full restore after the update? Or did you just see all your presets there and figure things were good to go? Presets are retained and "rebuilt" during an update. Global settings are not. You must restore your global settings, or reset them manually after an update.

Yes... this is a dedicated plugin that works with dedicated IR's (DSR's) from Celestion. They also offer "two notes" IR's that work with Two Notes Cab hardware & Wall of Sound plugin. I use their "normal IR's" directly within my Helix, and they sound great.

Dirty fix if you just need more stomp ... in the Global Settings set the Input to "Instrument Level" and set the Outputs to "LINE LEVEL" and this should increase the levels substantially. Ultimately... match the input and outputs to what the Switcher is expecting to see then gain stage appropriately.

IIRC.... Terry used pre-amp of sorts to push the input of his dual showman into oblivion. The closest to a showman on the Helix is the Twin... but I don't know how that model would respond when pushed hard. IMO... Upon revisiting "25 or 6 to 4" I hear a little bit of the "woman tone" happening. I would lean to a JTM45 model, or the '59 Bassman and dial it in for a very mild crunch (very mild). For that preset I would dial the impedance on the input block back to 250k or lower... then dial in the tone on the amp. YMMV depending on the guitar you are playing. Once the core tone is in place... sweeten to taste with a little reverb/delay.

Further to the post above.... Presets are not touched during an update... you have a choice to reset those if you want with some of the many startup options. Global settings are almost ALWAYS reset during an update but are easily restored if you have a backup.

For troubleshooting, remove the XPS power supply from the chain, and install a battery in the back of the guitar to power it. You'll just need the one cable between the guitar and interface. If it cleans up - it was the power supply. If the results are the same, then it's either the guitar, cable or interface and further troubleshooting is necessary.

Yeah, manuals are always the last... :) I'm sure there are many limits imposed, and maybe not possible at all the opposite direction - but the scenario in this thread (HX Effects to LT) seems to work fine. Just for reference, I did not drag and drop. I clicked IMPORT in both Native and in HX Edit > LT.

That's from the 2.5 manual....I don't think it's relevant any longer. I'm not sure which update it was, but I believe you can move presets around more freely these days. As long as the units are up to date with firmware, you should be able to export an HX Effects preset, then load it into the LT for further editing. NOTE: I only own an LT so this is how I just tested it. I download an HX Effects preset from "customtone" and loaded it directly into both NATIVE and into my LT via HX Edit. Both imported without issue. My LT, Native and HX Edit are all up to date (3.01 as of writing this)

This is often a common assumption, and a dangerous one. The HX Edit update if often missed.. and must be first. That's the one that includes all the drivers so the computer can communicate with the Helix. It's a tough lesson to learn, but an important one. There comes a point where everyone eventually learns that you only do updates during down periods.... when you have the time to troubleshoot any potential issues without pressure.

Try placing the reverb in a parallel path... and set the mix to 100 so it is only reverb. There are several ways to control the amount of reverb.... from the reverb itself if it has a level control, from the merge block, or by placing a gain block in front of the reverb. This prevents the core signal from going through the reverb and possibly being manipulated by it. It simply adds some reverb to your existing tone. I don't use "effect" reverb on overdriven tones... eg: plate, spring, hall, etc... I will add a little "room" reverb so it isn't complexly dry... just enough to put some air around the tone. If you use stock cabs, other natural sounding options are "early reflections" and/or setting the mic distance further from the cabinet.

Yes... in the merge block you can invert path B.

Something is wrong.... and whatever is causing this to happen is likely the reason why the breakup is not as you would expect. I've owned a MESA Mark Series and know the sound you are describing... I am pretty sure if that was normal, most of us here would not be owning a Helix. Please describe your chain, starting with the guitar and don't leave anything to be assumed. It would also be helpful if you could share your preset. Admittedly, I am not a high gain player so I can't comment on any of these amps other than the JCM800 which I find quite realistic in regards to breakup. You can line up a dozen JCM 800's and they will all sound/behave very different... similar, but different. The model in the Helix is just another variation... not to mention the mod model also included in the Helix. The Helix and Native sound the same, as long as I/O is equal. If they sound different to you, then you have not optimized one, the other, or both!

Right out of the gate I have a very different experience than you. I find Helix models to be rather bright for my liking... but believe this is more about the cab models/mic positions than the amps. I think it would be very helpful if we knew which "real world amps" you might be referring to. The amps I have experience with... the Helix models are very accurate. Some better than others, but overall - quite good! If I had dark presets and gain that was misbehaving I'd be taking a hard look at the input impedance settings and/or the input chain in general.

That works just fine.... Not that my opinion matters, but I do prefer my "mod/delay/reverbs" BEFORE the IR/Cabinet like a real amps effects loop would operate. I like the influence a speaker/IR has on those effect tails. The method you outline and @bobcoss also says he prefers is the studio approach to applying those effects. This will certainly get rid of the need to run a 2nd loop, but it does "fix the position" of the overdrives, and it forces you to manually control those overdrives. Within a separate loop you get more control from within the HX Effects itself. Of course... it does add an extra DA/AD conversion - there is always a trade off.

I don't restore my presets... but I do restore my global settings to save a bunch of time. Global settings are often reset on an update which can create a lot of unexpected results. They don't just reside in the global setting area.... they are scattered throughout the unit - and I always miss one or two if I attempt to set them manually! Restoring presets doesn't make sense to me because it would force another "rebuild" during start up. I would only do a preset restore if I encountered issues.

IMO.... I'd scale that back to one IR until you get a really solid feel of how it will help/hurt your setup. In your setup I agree with you... "Acoustic Sim > IR" From there I would apply "EQ > Post Effects" Unlike CAB IR's, I keep my Acoustic IR's really low on the blend setting... I find a little goes a long way. If I had to guess, I might add 10% - 15% of an IR signal to my tones. This is true regardless of the instrument I am applying the IR to... be it a Variax, real acoustic, banjo, etc... etc... I am just looking to add a little more character to the tone with an IR - not create the tone itself. I'd approach it the same way with the acoustic sim, but YMMV....

Before turning it on! Troubleshooting 101 is to strip it to the basics for tests. Unplug anything that is connected to another power supply elsewhere! If the problem doesn't occur after several start ups.... plug in the XLR's and see what happens. Then move on to the USB.....

Substantially sooner than the rest of the line... I wish I hadn't said anything, it was just a thought I've had since I first saw the release notes from DI a month or two ago.

I think there is more to the story than this... and I believe the HX Effects has been targeted for EOL. I expect L6 would deny that... but time will tell if my theory is correct...

Same solution as the LT.... An inexpensive Mic Pre (eg: ART Tube Pre) into the aux input would work wonders... and give instant access to a volume control for the microphone. Yes it's an extra piece of gear.... but IMO that's a minor inconvenience (and cost) compared to the benefit in return.

I'm just putting both of these responses I agree with in the order I would do them. I'll add a couple other considerations.... (just for basic troubleshooting) Have you ruled out power as a problem? eg: Tried different outlets, different power cables, etc... etc... If you have USB connected on start up... disconnect it and see what happens. Same with XLR's... especially if they have phantom the lines.

Sorry if this offends... but that sums it up :)

I'd have a hard time believing the XLR's themselves have failed! Those things are one of the most tried/true connectors in the industry! I suggest you take it to an authorized dealer to see what is going on. One thing to check! Make sure Phantom Power is TURNED OFF at the unit you are connecting the Helix to. If you can't turn the phantom off, use a direct box.