rd2rk

On 5/19/2025 at 12:46 PM, pipelineaudio1 said:

Then calling something "best" means nothing. No point in using language

Indeed, words have meanings. Many people are unaware of that fact. I blame Hollywood, Madison Avenue and Public "education" systems.

The influence on the music scene and young people in general of Beavis and Butthead can not be over emphasized.

On 5/19/2025 at 12:15 PM, pipelineaudio1 said:

What sort of error are people meaning by "best sounding"? Above someone spilled the beans, FRFR should all sound the same. There are compromises getting something flat, and there is some sensible argument on what makes an acceptable trade off. 

 

The Fender FR series has reached some epic marketing status based on nothing more than having the name "Fender" stuck on it. I have yuet to see anyone giving an objective reason why 

It's music. Objectivity has nothing to do with it. That's the error.

There's not a lot of documentation available regarding the interaction between the modeled Power Amp section, Master Volume and Presence.

Presence normally controls the high frequencies in the Power Amp section.

IF the modeled Power Amp section interacts with the Master Volume, then turning up the Master should emphasize the high frequencies.

Try turning down the presence when playing louder.

Another thing that is not well documented is that the 1/2w setting has Fletcher-Munson compensation built in.

That means that at lower volume the lows and highs are emphasized.

How that works in relation to the Master Volume sweep is anybody's guess.

You might try using the next higher attenuator setting (you didn't specify which model you're using) and then use the Channel Volume (which shouldn't affect the tone) to set the final spl level vs using the Master Volume. You'll need to experiment with the Master/Presence settings, but this takes the F-M compensation variable out - I THINK. Again, not well documented.

NOTE - while the Channel Volume SHOULDN'T affect tone, I have read in at least one place that it does. I don't buy it, but...

Which Rat are you using?

IIRC, the original, the Vermin, had some problems that were fixed in the Ratatouillie. 

They decided to keep both because some people liked the Vermin?

Anyhow, if you're using the Vermin you might try replacing it with the Ratatouille. 

IDK if that'll fix your problem, but it's worth a shot.

It's a strange problem, and using 3 Rats at a time is...um...unusual? 

It's not likely anyone else has had that particular problem, and troubleshooting intermittent weirdness is always a PITA.

The only other suggestion I have is - whenever intermittent weirdness happens, first, I perform a Factory Reset.

If that doesn't work, I reinstall the FW.

Either way, DON'T FORGET TO BACK UP FIRST!

Last resort - open a support ticket. Good Luck with that!

Didn't know it had USB HOST Mode.

Very strange. I'm going to go with try re-installing the FW (BACK UP FIRST!).

If that doesn't work, attach a sample preset that shows this behavior.

Maybe there's something that you've started doing in all of your presets?

It's a long shot, but if re-installing the FW doesn't fix it your only other option is a support ticket.

Try taking the DI out of the signal chain. The Stomp's Outs are already BALANCED, so not necessary.

If it works, and you NEED XLR, get a 1/4" balanced to XLR adapter.

"at last iteration of this same setup I had a TONEX One where the stomp goes and it was dead-quiet. "

The ToneX Out is INSTRUMENT level, so set the Stomp's outs to INSTRUMENT.

What exactly do you think the Paint will allow you to do that the MODE switch doesn't already?

I cranked up my Catalyst to 100db and was able to detect a TINY bit of static when touching a switch with bare fingers.

We humans are, after all, electrically charged creatures and even moving through the air generates static, so I'm not surprised.

I don't play barefoot, or even with socks only, and hardly ever at those kind of SPLs, so maybe why I never noticed?

Nothing when pressing switches with shoes on.

As for hum, apart from the normal amount that you should expect from ANY really high gain preset, there's nothing I wouldn't otherwise expect.

Without being in the room with you and your gear I can't say for sure, but based solely on your recordings I don't think you have a problem.

Always connected, Edit always open, no problem here.

I'll keep my eyes open and see if it pops up.

Intermittent problems are such a PITA to troubleshoot.

After a while they cause me to question my sanity!

This is a user-to-user support forum.

Nobody here from L6 to hear your plea!

I would also welcome a NAM block.

Meanwhile, my ToneX sits in a loop of my Helix.

Having A/B'd the two extensively, I've found that I get close enough with Helix that I forget which one I'm using.

We all have different ears and expectations, though, so...

You didn't specify your OS, so I'll assume Windows.

Windows can only use ONE ASIO device at a time.

That device handles both Input and Output.

You would need to get an external Audio Interface.

Use that as the ASIO in Reaper and connect the DI Out from the Catalyst to the AI Input.

Connect the AI Output to your speakers.

In Windows Sound Panel set the AI as the Playback device to get computer sounds, streaming, etc. to the speakers.

The Behringer Euphoria series is VERY cheap. Emphasis on VERY CHEAP - UM2 is <>$50. But they work.

I personally favor the Focusrite Scarlett series. Scarlett Solo is <>$100. They work VERY well.

NOTE - if you think you'll want to record your playing with backing tracks or streaming you'll need to set the Windows Playback Device to the computer's sound card and connect the computer's output to the AI. IOW - the AI will need to have at least two more LINE Inputs (or one STEREO Input) in addition to the DI from the Cat.

OK then, we're hearing different things.

This is not a problem on mine.

Things I can think of off the top of my head:

Does the Ground Switch do anything?

Can you hear it through the HP Out?

What are you monitoring through? Is it on the same AC circuit as Helix?

Are both connected to an EMI/RFI Surge Arrestor Power Strip? *** If not, GET ONE NOW!!!

Are there florescent lights, dimmers or large appliances like HVAC or refrigerators on that circuit?

Does it go away if you disconnect the USB?

If none of the above, open a support ticket.

I'm not hearing the "crackling" going away when you lift your foot. Is the preset in the video the same one you sent me?

On 5/9/2025 at 3:32 PM, TimEnke said:

This doens't change anythin since its independet from the prest I use.

It's the sample preset you sent me, modded to fix what I heard.

Does that preset (the modded version) still have the problem that YOU hear in the sample preset that you sent me?

Setting it to TOUCH also solves the problem (unless you're barefoot) but still allows you to quickly get to the parameters of the other assigned switches.

Try the attached preset.

If we're hearing the same thing, it may be caused by having your amps in series.

Putting them in parallel paths with an A/B split solves what I'm hearing.

You'll probably need to rethink your Snapshots.

PRACTICE Mod.hlx

Global Settings>Footswitches>Stomp Select

OFF - always on Homescreen

TOUCH - Homescreen unless you TOUCH the FS

PRESS -  Homescreen unless you PRESS the FS

TOUCH & PRESS - Homescreen unless you TOUCH or PRESS the FS

Can't really hear it over the ambient noise. 

Unless it's what I'm hearing as ambient noise?

Attach the preset and I'll test it on mine.

That's a .php file. Try again.

Assign a FS to the FEEDBACK parameter with the MIN set to your default and MAX set to 100.

FS ON = INFINITE repeats; FS OFF = DEFAULT repeats.

Place your VOLUME block before the effect.

Start the effect by hitting a note and the FS (or vice versa), pull back the VOLUME and turn on the tuner.

When you're done tuning, exit the tuner and hit the FS again to stop the effect.

There's probably other ways and it may depend on the effect, but I tried it with a Simple Delay and it worked a treat!

That looks like hair. Do you have hairy pets? Could it be burnt hair smell?

If you bought it new, return it.

If you bought it used, check to see if the speaker leads are connected correctly.

The connectors on the speaker are marked +-.

If you have another amp, connect it to the speaker to test the speaker itself.

If the speaker is OK, then you're probably screwed.

Open a support ticket in case it's a known issue. L6 is known to sometimes fix such issues even out of warranty.

I know what the PEDD is. The question is whether or not the onboard EQ will solve your problem, or if the Helix Global EQ would be better.

Only way to find out is to try.

FWIW - make sure that the PEDD is off the floor to prevent added boominess due to acoustic coupling.

Did you switch it back on? Is it working?