codamedia

Maybe it's just me... but if I had a piece of gear that was malfunctioning 100% of the time I wouldn't have it centering anything. THE END! It sounds to me like your Helix is faulty. I'd be identifying and fixing the problem before going any further with it. As I stated in my opening post... my Helix is stable. The only time I had any issue with it (besides my own case of user error) was when I had it connected to HX Edit which is why I am here :)

You already got your answer... but I just want to add that before I picked up my LT I was running an HD500 and HX Effects side by side for about 6 months. The HD500 is a really decent midi controller and it tied the two together quite nicely. If you are new to MIDI... prepare for a bit of a learning curve. It's a great old standard that is fairly easy to grasp, but when you first dive in the terminology might sound more complicated than it really is.

I don't have my Helix with me today so I can't check, but I don't believe any of the compressors in the Helix have the sidechain ability.

I'm a firm believer of this... especially with anything regarding cars or computers :) I certainly save all the time, especially since I "discard" snapshots. If I don't save things from snap to snap they get lost. That said... I only hit "save" in HX Edit when I am working there. Maybe I should be using the "save button" on the unit instead when using HX Edit.

I have an LT... most of the time I just edit on the device itself and I never have any issues. Yesterday I opened up HX Edit and encountered a problem. After 5 - 10 minutes of editing. one of my presets lost all of it's snapshot settings and any changes to snapshot controllers were sticking across ALL snapshots, not just the ones I was editing. I couldn't do anything to regain control of the patch. Thankfully, I always have a safety copy of everything I am working on (plus backups) so I copied the safety over, started over, and had no issues completing what I needed to do. But what happened? Has anyone else encountered something like this? Does HX Edit act up on occasion potentially corrupting a preset or was my use of HX Edit pure coincidence? The Helix has been rock solid and stable, last nights gig was no different. I'm not implying any "stability issues" at all with this post - I'm just hoping to find out what caused this glitch while editing. EDIT TO ADD: I know this question will come up so I'll address it now... both the LT and HX Edit are running the same versions... 2.80 (.......................... just kidding,.. 2.71)

Take a look at the two "bolded" sections above... I don't know if you intended to or left something out but you are contradicting yourself, the upper statement is correct. Make sure that everything after the "join" is a stereo effect as "Verne-Bunsen" says above. If it isn't, it will sum back to mono. Pan the output block hard left/right Run two XLR cables (L/R) to two separate channels on the PA as "Phil_m" says above. Hard pan those channels Left/Right on the PA NOTE: A assumption is made on my part that you have a PA setup to run in stereo.

I have no idea what effect was used as the inspiration for this one... but I'll try to address the stereo issue. If you insert the stereo version (and don't put a mono effect after it) it is definitely stereo. I would assume the "spread" is a key control here, but to be honest it's not an effect I use so I'm not certain how to set it up.

Thanks Phil_m... that is good info to be aware of. Indeed that would be very difficult to clip with a guitar.

Keep in mind the Helix does "simple amp switching"... it shorts plugs. This was common on many amps, but there are many amps that use relays, resistor/cap/diode values, etc... to switch channels. You cannot change those with the Helix. You need to know how your amp handles channel switching in order to know whether or not the Helix will support it. @rwinking... What amp make/model do you have?

That's why @amsdenj said "use a blank preset". (no effects, no amps) The pad come before the AD conversion so it is extremely important not to clip at that stage.

Yes I did... several times :) I thought this thread might be a discussion... I see you really just want to know if were interested so I'll leave it with this. I'm all for having more control of the Variax from within the Helix... go ahead and post a request to Ideascale, I'll upvote it.

To play devils advocate... that's debatable. It would take human resources to program all of the functionality into the Helix, and every hour adds up in dollars and cents. That latest change coming in 2.8 indicates they are trickling in more and more so your dream may become a reality in time, but the vast majority of users would be more interested in amps and effects and there are only so many resources for development to go around. How long does it take to load a guitar from Workbench HD into a JTV or newer model? I use an old Variax and that takes about 10 seconds.... if that hasn't been improved on then I can't see "full functionality" being very practical from the Helix... not in terms of "hot loading" the models as you mention here.

I'm pretty sure he was just trying to point out that there were more options coming in case you weren't aware of them.

^^^ this ^^^ A good tech knows that "mic choice and position" is 99% of the battle to getting that "amp in the room" to translate to a great tone at the FOH (PA) or onto a recording. Studio engineers in particular obsess with mic choice and position.... for very good reason. In the past, guitar players usually never had to worry about that stuff... but with the Helix (or any modeler) it is in their best interest to LEARN IT! Choosing the right cab/mic/position or IR (based on the same) virtually eliminates the need for any "corrective" EQ. Jason Sadites videos are great... in particular, the back end of his signal paths... what he does after the cabinet. That's the studio chain... the stuff guitar players have never thought about in the past. He pays close attention to MIC choices and position (during the cabinet). He takes the time to get that right. He adds some reverb/delay after that cab, just as a tech would do. This is always adjusted to taste. He's got a parametric eq in the chain (as DunedinDragon says above)... but usually only uses it for filters! He treats that like the guitar strip on a console.. and is usually very subtle in applying it. He's got an LA Studio Compressor near the end.... just like studio engineers would add to the guitar track during mix down. A little goes a long way with this one.

A lot of players do not realize that the limited frequency range (that we desire) of an amp is NOT the amp, it is the cabinet/speakers. Plug a Marshall/Vox/Fender directly into a full range speaker and watch the paint peel from the walls - LOL! I have always maintained that the stock cabinets are the weak point of the Helix, not because they are not accurate (they actually are quite accurate) but because they lack versatility. They don't give you the ability to move a mic from CENTER to EDGE on a speaker cone. We are stuck with center position.... while every 1" toward the edge gets warmer and warmer... eventually to mud :) We get around that existing limitation with IR's... and/or with extensive high cuts and/or EQ. Not to stir the pot here, but I do have high hopes for the TILT EQ which is coming in version 2.8. Knowing how tilt EQ's work, I have a hunch that it may be an acceptable alternative to moving the mic from center to edge.

They do... well, the cabinets do, because that is really where the cuts are happening in real life Remember, the Helix is not "amp in the room" tone, it is "miced up amp" tone... which is very different. You cannot compare a Helix through an FRFR to an Amp sitting in the room. You need to compare it to that same amp, with a mic on it, pumped back through that same FRFR. When you do that, you will find the Helix to be remarkably accurate.

FYI: None of the Helix Models including the flagships allow you to SEND without using up a block... the only difference is that the flagships have so many blocks it's not usually an issue. The layout you posted (with the IR on the bottom path) along with PANNING and SEND LEVELS on the output accomplish what you are after as a template, without using up an additional block.... PROVIDING you don't need stereo :) IMO... If you keep a rough template (with merge levels and pans set) you can just copy that as a starting point for the rest of your patches. LEFT is always AMP, RIGHT is always DIRECT .... or vice versa.

This is nothing fancy going on in term of delay. Choose a tape echo (there are a few in the Helix) and try to avoid any modulation or wow/flutter. Dial it in for 250ms - 350ms.... set it for 3-4 repeats, and keep it fairly low in the blend. It will smear the notes, but won't be an obvious delay unless you hit a staccato note.

I was going to say.... in your original image/routing you NEEDED to put the EQ to split the path, but why not just put the IR to the lower path? Glad you figured that out :) As for your LINE/Instrument level difference... that's easy to work around. The difference in the two is "levels".... the merge allow you to control both L/R output levels separately. Set the output to LINE Attenuate the signal going to the amp accordingly. It is likely somewhere around -20db to match the instrument level, maybe a little more. Note: I would always attenuate rather than boost. That's why I suggest setting it to line, then cutting the volume to the amp rather than setting it to instrument and boosting the volume to the mixer.

I don't change anything I am doing in the Helix from how I use to do it on a traditional pedal board and amp. My thought is... I didn't need EQ's to cut through the mix when I used an amp, why would I need it now? The "general tone" should be achievable without the use the any EQ. Find the amp character you like (eg: choose an amp), sprinkle in a few effects and from the amps controls alone you should get a great tone. Like you... I may use a little LPF/HPF but that's about it. Just EQ the amp to find your place in the spectrum. The next stage it cutting through on a solo. I do that in two ways. For cleaner tones I run a boost (eg: Kinky boost, or even just a gain block) at the end of my chain to increase the overall volume by about 3db. For dirty tones I goose the overdrive tone with a Tube Screamer or variant... any overdrive with a perceived mid boost. YMMV... there are many ways to do this. I'm just sharing my approach :)

Line 6 provides a pretty decent "knowledge base" already that most people don't realize exists. From this very forum... in the above menu click on "knowledge base", then under "effects/controllers" choose Helix. Here's a short cut to get you there. https://line6.com/support/page/kb/effects-controllers/helix/ One of example of an item in that list above is this article. https://line6.com/support/page/kb/effects-controllers/helix/helix-tutorials-by-jason-sadites-r891/

Well... this just won't happen :) You might as well put that 10 year old in the cockpit of a Cessna and wish him luck! Sound engineers don't gain their knowledge out of the gate... it's an accumulation of knowledge gained over a large number of years. Their knowledge is universal, not Helix specific. They know what they want, and they dig in to find a way to do it. Learning the Helix is specific. What do the buttons do? How do I insert an amp? How do I insert an effect? How to I move those around? How do I adjust the amps controls, how do I SAVE, etc... etc... ALL OF THAT is relatively easy to learn. It's like figuring out a new smart TV, Phone, or Tablet. Next comes the general knowledge (this is what the engineers know... and guitar players know to varying degrees).... NONE of this is specific to the HELIX, the HELIX is just a tool that allows you to do all of this in one box. What do the different amps sound like What do the different cabinets sound like What does each microphone choice sound like What do different mic placements sound like What effects do I need... and where in the chain should I put it How should I route the guitar <this list never ends.... it just goes on and on and on.....> For basic HELIX knowledge, check out the "IDIOTS GUIDE TO HELIX" video series on You Tube. For GENERAL KNOWLEDGE and how to apply it with a Helix.... JASON SADITES videos on You Tube will give you months if not years of training. For GENERAL KNOWLEDGE not specific to the Helix.... look at videos of the real gear. EG: If you don't know what a VOX AC30 sounds like, or how/when/why to use it. Look it up! Then apply that knowledge to the AC30's within the Helix. Repeat for every amp and effect the Helix offers.

Are you aware of the Line 6 Knowledge Base? It's in the menu at the upper left of this very page. "knowledge base" > "effects/controllers" > "helix" Here is a direct link to that page.... https://line6.com/support/page/kb/effects-controllers/helix/ Check out "Helix tutorial videos" for some basic knowledge or "Helix Tutorials by Jason Sadites" for more advanced knowledge. Don't stop there... as there should be other pages of interest as well. IMO... This is an extremely useful video (shortcuts). If you can understand these, it makes using the Helix faster, easier and more fun.

Your rant reminds me of my father holding a multi function remote control :) The helix interface is DEEP, not difficult. In order to access the thousands of options everything needs to be multi function. Read the cheat sheet Learn the shortcuts Do yourself a favor and download HX Edit. That will give you a larger visual of what is going on. Familiarity is the key... LOGIC is Apple, iPhone is Apple, iPad is Apple. All of your examples are Apple! I take it you are familiar with Apple. Helix is not Apple... so there are some things you need to get familiar with. Once you do, ALL Line 6 products will make sense. What Helix model do you own? The FLOOR should always return home to the signal flow page. The LT's home button also returns instantly to the Signal Flow page... but the LT also has performance mode button to display the "Presets/Snaps/Stomps" since it doesn't have scribble strips to show those. If you have an LT, don't confuse what is actually considered "home". There is no shortage of videos on you tube... head there and search for "An Idiots Guide to Line 6 Helix"... it's a decent little primer series for the product. Once you get past the basic knowledge look up "Jason Sadites helix" to dig deeper. Be prepared to spend some time on this thing... it's worth it.

I'm usually very good and watching for / picking up on resurrected threads... and avoiding them or approaching them very differently. I completed overlooked the date on this one. Sorry about that!