codamedia

He said the Helix meters were GREEN. Since the Helix IS the hardware (interface), it is not clipping at the hardware level. I believe there is something going on in his DAW.... and compensation on entry would work fine.

Some DAW's have input gain adjustment. I don't know about Cakewalk/Bandlab which the OP is using, but I use Studio One and it has that feature. Most DAW's also have the ability to add "insert effects" on each input.... that would also be an easy way to control input gain. I would say no, this is not normal. I could see having to lower it by the amount you felt the need to increased it..... but not double that amount. It seems to me that something is not right with the gain structure. Are you sure the DAW doesn't have added inserts or effects that are increasing the gain artificially?

I use a GAIN block in the first position on my Helix to manage this scenario. I prefer the control it provides over the input pad which is just a fixed decrease in level.

There should be PAT services available in the UK then. Why not call a few and find out what is involved....

I don't see that as a negative.... it's obvious! If it's just a few blown components it will be a very easy fix for an authorized service depot. Of course.... the real question is "what damage can't we see"?

Large Companies? Just how big do you think Line 6 is? Besides, your comment is completely upside down and backward regardless of the size of company.

They never produced a BEAN for the Helix.... The closest comparison (at least in size, with amp modeling) would be the HX Stomp.

Why would any company waste resources developing drivers for DEAD operating systems? Once Microsoft drops support, the number of systems in the wild diminish exponentially in the months to follow. They supported Windows 7 which was already long in the tooth by 2015. You can certainly "wish" for someone to write a 32 bit XP driver.... but prepare to wait a long time.

I don't think any of the Helix software is written for XP. The biggest problem is that XP was already "unsupported by Microsoft" when the Helix came out. Windows 7 is the first OS on the Download list that shows Helix downloads. The cut off year was 2014. Any hardware prior to that likely came with optional XP drivers. Hardware that came after that most likely did not. As for tricking the Windows 7 install files into loading on XP... good luck with that. XP was 32 bit (other than a rare version) and I don't even know if there is a 32 bit version of the Helix installers.

Polyphonic pitch detection is coming in the next firmware update. That is the secret to better "DROP" options. How well it does is yet to be seen (heard)... but be patient, they are working on it for the Helix platform.

You and me both. I found the HD 500 harder to dial in compared to my Original POD Bean and X3 Live. I made the move to a Helix LT about 2 years ago and have never regretted it for one second. It's a great sounding unit, easy to use, and enjoyable to use! As for Peter Green tones... there is no reason you can't get those out of a Helix. The harder part is getting them out of yourself :) (ie: playing like him) And as @jester700 brings up.... you can't get the out of phase tones without having a Les Paul that is out of phase. If you are not comfortable doing that yourself, it's a really easy job for any guitar tech. 15 minutes on a bench for a permanent swap (like Peter Green had) or 30 - 60 minutes and a push pull to make it an option! If that is not one of the tones you are after... no need to have it done.

No... I put it FIRST in the chain to bring the level up so something I am used to with my electrics. Then I'll add the studio pre, a parametric, a touch of reverb, etc... etc... It's just something I do, that doesn't mean you have to.

I would say yes! My acoustic has an active pre-amp, but I do run both a mandolin and 5 String banjo with passive transducers.... no issues at all! What I do is put a gain block at the front of the signal path to bring the signal up to a level I am used to working with... then process as required from there.

On your interface I believe he is referring to the "direct monitor" button. Make sure that is NOT engaged or you will hear the sound of your direct guitar along with the processed sound in Helix Native. Some interfaces uses a rotary knob for that control so you can blend the direct sound... your's just happens to have a push button.

FYI... I am quite aware of that - I use Logic often. But what that doesn't do is solve a possible underlying issue that "may be occurring" at the MAC OS level. OP says that when the Helix is not connected via USB to the computer (for HX Edit use only) the glitch goes away! That means when both the Behringer and the helix are connected... there is likely a conflict in the computer that is causing the glitch. Try this test, and report the findings! Start by getting the Helix to "glitch" as you are describing through the interface/computer. Plug a guitar into a different channel on the interface (directly).... and play it. Never mind the terrible dry tone it will have, Does it glitch?

FYI... Telling Logic not to use the Helix as an interface is a high level operation. Do you have any way to tell the MAC not to use the Helix as an interface? If there is a conflict between the Helix and Behringer... it would be at the computer level (MAC) and just manifest itself at the program (Logic) level. Keep in mind the OP is not using USB audio on the Helix. He is plugging a Helix Output into the Behringer interface. Headphone out, 1/4", XLR, doesn't matter. The outputs need to be tested "directly", not through the Behringer/computer. BUT this should be done WHILE the glitching is known to happen through the interface.

One more test please.... Start by getting the Helix to "glitch" as you are describing through the interface/computer. Leave everything hooked up and plug in a set of headphones (to the Helix) Is it glitching through the headphones? If the headphones (Helix) are fine but the sound through the computer still glitches.... the problem is at the computer level. It is NOT the firmware on the Helix. If the headphones are glitching as well, then you may need to re-install the firmware again.

Not without knowing what you like. As I asked earlier, who are your favorite players and what do they use for cabinets/Speakers? Figure that out, then look at ML Labs, Ownhammer, 3Sigma, Celestion, etc... etc... to see if they have that very combination in there offerings!

IMO.... speaker/cab/mic placement is everything when it comes to solving issues like you describe. It's not the amp models themselves! Do you know what you really like for a cabinet/speaker? If not... have you researched what your favorite players use? Figure that out, then buy a SMALL yet QUALITY IR set for that cab/speaker combo! By zeroing in on one cabinet you eliminate the wasted time/rabbit hole of a never ending search! What you will get is a cabinet with dozens of MIC Choice and Mic positions. Since the cabinet is no longer changing, you will actually learn what those mics and positions do to a tone! Any sound tech/engineer will tell you that is one the best lessons you will ever learn! Just my 2 cents....

The easiest/quickest test is to simply plug a set of headphones into the Helix headphone jack. If the sound does not stutter there, it is not the Helix causing the problem. Do you also have the Helix connected to the computer via USB (for HX Edit), even through you are using the Behringer for an interface? If so.... The MAC and Logic will see both devices as audio interfaces and there could be a mismatch in sample rates and/or clock timing. A MAC and Logic both have ways to deal with this, but sometimes it requires human intervention :) (ie: it takes some trial and error to set it up)

IMO, there are two possible problems based on my experience with an older Variax model (300) and a Helix. It's hard to explain.... but for your own mental health I suggest you set snapshots to discard if you are using an old Variax, and always set the Variax model on the Helix itself. Now I will try to explain it a little. There is one big "gotcha" for the Helix with the older Variax guitars. The Helix cannot select a custom model unless it is stored in one of the custom presets. If you re-write your preset on a variax with a variation.... your guitar will select the variation with the 5 way, but the Helix can only select the original model. What happens next is confusing to say the least. If you change the models on your Variax and you either... A: save your preset or B: Don't have snapshots set to discard..... your Helix will get really lost if it tries to remember that location. The other problem could be the guitar itself.... If the model selector or the 5 way is dirty it can interfere with this process. The Helix changes the model but the guitar gets a signal very quickly from it's own controls to change to the model the positions are set for. Try placing those controls into a very different position and see if the Helix can control the models with more consistency. If it works, those controls (or one of them) needs a good cleaning.

I am not much of a high gain player, but last night I would going over those amps in Helix native to see what was there. My immediate preference was the 2204 (JCM800) and the 2204Mod with it's pre-mid controls. I use Celestion IR's these days. Their silver label closed backs sound very natural with these models (that's what JCM 800 cabs usually came with) but I do prefer the greenback IR (warrmer) for a traditional tone, and even more so - the RUBY IR's which have a very rich depth to their tone. As for an overdrive, I would always reach for a Tube Screamer variant for solo's. You don't need to add much distortion to the tone, just boost the front end of the amp a couple notches and let it do it's thing naturally. Just my 2 cents.

IMO... there is no measurement to how a human will perceive these differences. A a generic "loudness" control like home stereos used to have might work but I wouldn't trust that for preparing presets... it just might make an existing stage preset a little more lively at lower volumes. My way of dealing with Fletcher Munson is to take my "stage proven tones" and get used to hearing those tones (without adjustment) at lower levels in my home studio. Once you are aware of the differences you can work with them, but I can't imagine actually attempting to simulate those differences without creating an environment that is even more misleading. It's an interesting concept, I'm just sharing my 2 cents....

Nothing is stopping you from adding the extras for your own pleasure... but everything else you add will be moving further away from what Neil would do. IMO.... Studio Compression is definitely added to Neils guitar on the recordings.... you may want to insert the "LA Studio Comp" after the after for that feel/tone. It will be subtle, but does make a difference. A touch of verb doesn't hurt, but keep it light. Both the verb and compression would be "studio additions", not part of his core tone!

Probably not the problem.... but what firmware version are you running with your Helix? The reverbs on the Helix were quite anemic until the 2.6 (IIRC) update which provided a lot more control over the effect level/blend. Myself... I have no issues with the existing reverbs. I find the Legacy verbs fit what I need more than the Helix models but that's just my preference. A good hall, plate, room or spring keeps me happy.