codamedia

Thanks.... that certainly clarifies your setup for us so we know what to expect. Definitely try the three suggestions I made for the LOOP BLOCK... in the order I suggested them and let us know how it works out for you. EDIT TO ADD: I see you added another setup. That's no different. Just start with the LOOP BLOCK that connects to your amp first and get that right before trying to add the phase into the mix. Walk before you run :)

Another Legacy Dimension user here. I keep all "switches" OFF (ala Brent Mason) then tweak the blend to taste. Beautiful subtle chorus that never gets in the way.

Here is an example of a signal flow layout.. guitar > HXFX Input > Wah > Overdrive > Phase > Loop 1 Send to AMP Input > Amp Effect Send to Loop 1 Return > Delay > Reverb > HX FX Send to amp Loop return

Yes, that's been my assumption all along, which is why I gave specific things to check for that block :) I have given you suggestions for that "Loop Block".... that is EXACTLY what I have been zeroing in on as the potential problem. If that doesn't help, it would really help us if you laid out your signal flow so we could review it.

But.... but.... but..... :) If you are using 4cm, you need to use a LOOP block on the HX Effects to feed the front of your amp? That is what I addressed in my suggestions. Maybe if you can share your exact chain we can figure this out for you... because if you are not using a LOOP Block on the HX FX to send to your amps front end, we need to know how you are actually doing this.

Is it the sound the quickly fades in after the note is played? It's subtle, but I can hear that. I just loaded your patch into Helix Native to give it a try. I can hear those sounds when the CALI IV (Boogie) amp is loaded (default on your patch) but if I disable that and load the US DBL (Twin) the sound does not appear. It sounded consistent to a cold bias to me... so I raised the bias on the CALI IV to 7 or 7.5 and that sound disappeared and the overall tone warmed up. Maybe try that on your patch.

It's interesting that you say it sounds fine until you AB it by bypassing the front end effects. Even more interesting is that you find it to be lower in volume. IME, that points to a few possible problems you can look into. HIGHLIGHT the LOOP BLOCK for editing.... TRAILS: Make sure this is set to OFF. I have not experienced it myself, but I have read about weird experiences with Trails set to ON. MIX: Make sure this is set to 100% so there is no unintentional blending taking place which can cause cancellations. SEND LEVEL: If you find the volume is still too low in a comparison test, turn this up a little. That's exactly why it is here.

I can respect that... even if I can't relate to it :) I can fill any room comfortably that we use a "vocal only" PA.. and still have a lot of headroom on tap while easily blending with an acoustic drum kit. Most of the groups I play with hover around 108db (slow / weighted) about 1/3rd back from the stage... I can't fathom the sheer volume some of you must play at :) I do mix some heavier groups at 116db - 120db... but that's with everything in the mix, not a vocal only situation. I also know the volume is much more relentless with aggressive high gain playing. Let me say it again though, I do respect the difference! I'm not an old coot trying to tell everyone to turn down :)

You can't rename the original names, but you can (or should be able to) rename the blocks if you want. When you insert a Scream 808 it will show as such but you can rename the block to read "Tube Screamer". The problem is, you have to do that every time, in every patch, with every effect, and that can get tedious. I have never tried to rename a block on the Helix but I used to rename the blocks on my HX Effects, then decided it was just easier to learn the new lingo :) That's a whole different topic... I'd love to have this feature as well.

IMO... for the Visually Impaired I believe the "Performance View" on the LT is a nicer option than the scribble strips on the full version. It's big, bright and colorful... & colors can be altered for those that have various forms of color blindness. As for HX Edit on the computer. It's easy to use but I'm not sure how accessible it is. Maybe others can know these answers. Can it be scaled larger? Can the contrast be changed? Can font size be altered? Is it friendly with screen readers?

FWIW I took the survey and expressed that I would like a stripped down, bare bones version of the powercab. IMO... my only use for a Powercab would be in FRFR mode. I wouldn't need any IR capability or speaker modeling, I'd just use the Helix options. Aside from power and a full range speaker I'd like a peak light indicator on the input, a volume attenuation, and some tone control (LPF/HPF) to adjust for the room quickly. I find this really odd... how much power is it suppose to be? My current full range setup (I won't call it flat response) is just the power amp input on a Peavey Bandit loaded with an Eminence Beta 12LTA coax speaker. The Bandits power is rated at just 80 watts... I can fill any room where the PA is "vocal only".

I'm pretty sure the AUX is just a Line Level input. I agree with everyone here.. it's odd that you cannot choose instrument/line on the Aux... but that doesn't make it useless. It's easy to forget, but the Helix wasn't designed "just" for guitar players. Any line level device would thrive in that input. Amps FX Loops the send "LINE" Level Rack Effects Load boxes Keyboards Any sends and/or outputs from mixers (it would be extremely useful in a studio environment) It would also work well with CD Players, MP3 Players etc... except it's only mono.

Sorry about that mis information.... I was confusing the global PC option with the Helix. Yes - my optional statement is actually mandatory on the HD500, but in a round about way will accomplish the same thing.

Turn off GLOBAL PC (Program Change) TRANSMIT in the HD500x... then the PowerCab will stop following the changes automatically. Optional: Set the PowerCab to a discreet Midi Channel... eg: 3 or 4 instead of 1. (Ignore the text above... it is bad info) 1: Set the HD500 global midi channel to a discreet channel... (EG: 2) 2: Set the PowerCab global midi channel to a discreet channel that is different than the HD500x (EG: 3) Explicitly set all PC changes on the correct midi channel on each of the HD500 presets. That's how I would do it, that doesn't mean it's the only way :)

I would insert a GAIN block at the beginning of the chain, then activate it (via switch or snapshot) whenever you pickup that instrument. Just set the gain level so the two guitars match. If you don't want to give up a footswitch for the duty, just duplicate the patch and activate the GAIN BLOCK (always on) in the new patch.

Can you share the patch in question? If it's a patch you paid for and can't share it I suggest you ask the creator. Your ability as a musician won't always translate to your abilities with the HD500.... Do you know how to program it? Do you know how to assign footswitches, expression pedals, change parameters, etc...etc...? If the patch doesn't have a volume block inserted and/or if the patch doesn't have the expression pedal assigned to something that controls the volume - then the volume pedal will not do anything. Ultimately... if a patch is too loud or too quiet compared to other patches in the rig, you will adjust those to match using either the "channel volume" or the "mixer volume" (mixer is available on every patch) then store it. You don't need the volume pedal to adjust it unless you want a volume pedal in your chain. When you add a Volume Pedal block it will automatically assign EXP2 to control the volume. The next step in the equation is to make sure your expression pedal is set to EXP2. If it is on EXP1, you change it to EXP2 with the TOE switch under the pedal.

I never once felt like the HD500 would last forever. It was restricted and limited in it's abilities. I had many "I wish I could do this" moments with the HD500 that I don't experience with the Helix. Many of us saw a large decline of functionality when we migrated from the X3 Live. As much as the HD was a nicer unit, it was also a step backward in many other ways. The Helix (if you buy the right model for your needs) is extremely well thought and allows for growth in features not previously possible with hardware units. Yes - someday there will be a new product but it's not on the immediate horizon. Continuing updates for the Helix are!

Sadly... I still run an older Variax and need to accomplish tuning changes by storing and recalling them through patches. It's possible, and I do it via snapshots as well, but I would like a newer model Variax so I can take advantage of this feature.

Got it (I think)... sorry I misunderstood the first time around. Below are my thoughts... This would only work with a parallel effects loop in the amp or using a console. (as you already pointed out) Amp effect send to the Helix Input Create 4 separate paths on the Helix... each path will need the DRY signal to work from Each path can load up to 8 effects in series (read my NOTE below) Each effect on each path can be blended to remove the dry signal, leaving only the wet signal at the output... (read my NOTE below) All 4 paths can be blended/mixed at the output to desired levels Helix out to Amps return where it is ultimately blended with the dry pre-amp signal. In comparison to a console, this would be like having 1 single send on the console sending to 4 racks of gear at once. Each rack is loaded with up to 8 effects in series (read my NOTE below) then returned on their own volume controls back at the console. NOTE... IMO it's the "series" within each rack (Helix Path) that can get tricky. The blend of the first effect that is engaged is the signal the continues down that chain . If it is set to FULL WET, then the next effects don't see the dry signal to work with. That's not a bad thing, just something to be very aware of. If I have failed to understand your concept again, can you please provide an conceptual flow chart of what you are thinking?

I am 99.99999% positive that model is supported by the Helix for updating. Why not send a support ticket to Line 6 just to be certain? EDIT TO ADD: Please disregard this post.. it is wrong! phil_m has corrected me below!

Ooops... looks like I misunderstood his question/concern :)

Yes, tap tempo can work anywhere that you have the effect set to "time division" rather than a fixed time setting. Tap can be set to GLOBAL, PRE PRESET or PER SNAPSHOT so it's very flexible. GLOBAL: This means the tempo is retained between patches and snapshots. Tempo's are not stored in presets or snapshots, you just tap in what you want. PER PRESET: The tempo is stored in the preset, when you call that preset it always starts at a set tempo but you can tap in a new one. PRE SNAPSHOT: Same as "per preset" except the tempo is stored with each snapshot

For boosting I just use the "gain block". I find it just makes things louder/quieter without altering the tone at all. However, with a passive acoustic I would likely want to add a little "color". The "LA Comp" and the "Studio TubePre" (if available in the Stomp) would be very good for that. As others have said already, there are many, many ways to achieve this with any HX product... including the stomp.

If you want to use the Helix for Effects only you could just plug it into the front of the amp like you would a normal pedal board, or hook it up with the 4 cable method if you want overdrives/comps before the amp and time based effects in the loop of the amp. In either case, just stay away from any modeling. ADVANCED SETUP: With 4cm you also have the option of using your amps pre-amp, or pre-amps from the Helix. When you use your amps pre-amp DO NOT turn on any preamp in the Helix. Just turn the LOOP on that feeds your amp. When you use a pre-amp in the Helix, turn off the LOOP that feeds your amp. NOTE: 1 & 2 can be toggled with one footswitch, or a snapshot Once again, stay away from any Cab Modeling or Cab IR's when using your amp for power/speakers.

+4db is pro Line Level (-10db is consumer Line Level). As stated above, set the 1/4" outputs to LINE with the switch on the top of the unit.