rd2rk

Less flexibility in the signal chain, no parallel paths, less DSP, differences in how DSP is handled, missing some DSP intensive amps and effects, not going to get the same update treatment as Stomp due to DSP limitations, never going to have CommandCenter. There's other differences, but it is essentially a different product for a different market. There's a lengthy thread which will answer other questions over on The Gear Page in the Digital and Modeling Forum.

Strange intermittent but regularly repeating "scratchy" amp noise. Differs in volume per amp. Guitar must be connected with volume on. Disappears when amp is bypassed. I've tried 3 guitars and multiple QUALITY cables. Occurs on ALL outputs, including digital to Powercab. Tested with a NEW PRESET with only A + C. Did two full Factory Resets. Attached is a recording, and the simple preset I used to isolate it. I fear it's a HW issue on my Helix, as I've never heard of this before. Can anybody duplicate this? Strange Amp Noise2.mp3 Strange Noise.hlx

Thanks for the update! OUCH! That's an expensive fix if it's not under warranty!

It's in the Volume/Pan/Stereo effects category.

So, being that it is what it is, use the L6 Link with digital out and put a Para EQ after the split. Saves a DA conversion, gives you the full options of the Powercab, and unless you're maxing on DSP, it'll work same as Global EQ. I can't see any reason you'd NEED to use MULTI. I never do. Tell me again what you're using the XLR out for? If you're going into a DAW with an external interface I get it (though an AI with S/PDIF would be better, unless you're using an LT?). Otherwise, why aren't you using the Helix as AI and going in via USB? Also, unless you use something like W.O.S for your cabs in the DAW, why not put your IRs on the Powercab and take the Powercab Out to the AI? Then your recordings would sound more like the monitored Powercab.

You could also try the Stereo Width Block to mimic the mushroom thing.

In part it's because your guitar/amp/cab playback system is not the same as the artist's. In part it's because you're not playing in the same room as the artist. In part it's because the amp modeled by L6 is not the amp used by the artist. Even in the same production run of an amp/cab there are subtle differences. Age of tubes, speakers, etc. In part it's because what you hear on an album is usually highly modified by the recording engineer in Post Production. Then you're hearing it through YOUR playback system. In part it's because no modeling process is perfect. In short, the settings on the dials are never the whole story. Oh, yeah, and then there's your fingers.......:-)

You can try using the tools in your DAW. Most DAWs have a Frequency Spectrum tool.

Early Reflections on the cab. On your reverb, play with the combination of PREDELAY (time before the reverb kicks in on a note) and DECAY (size of the room). Think "less is more". That's as close as it gets in Helix.

As do I yours. Informed discourse is always welcomed!

From the Helix Rack manual: 26. 1/4” OUT Use unbalanced 1/4" TS cables to connect to your guitar amp, FRFR speaker(s), studio monitors, or other playback system. When using a single amp or speaker, connect only the LEFT/MONO 1/4” jack. You should be perfectly fine with short guitar cables.

RCA Cables RCA Audio Cables are an unbalanced analog audio connection that sends stereo audio over a right channel (red tip) and left channel (white or black tip). Because they’re unbalanced, they typically don’t run over 25 feet. -------------------------------------------------------- The distance I saw (long ago) was 20ft, but whatever. I think we're talking about horses for courses. Some devices have ground lift switches, some don't. There are adapters to eliminate ground hum if it's an issue. If you're sending a balanced signal to an unbalanced input, then what? I'm not arguing against using balanced cables whenever possible, and wiring a professional studio is not the same as setting up a simple home recording rig. If you have a problem, look for a solution. OP did not specify if using Floor/Rack or Stomp. In my "office" rig, my Stomp is connected to a cheap mixer's Line Inputs by simple 1/4" guitar cables. The mixer doesn't have balanced inputs, and the cable run is 6ft. All sorts of power cables and power supplies on the floor in close proximity to one another. Audio Out from computer for streaming apps also connected to the mixer. Nearby microwave and fluorescents. 3-way bookshelf amp/speakers. No ground hum issues. No problem looking for a solution. In my "studio" setup, my Floor goes to the Scarlett via USB. It connects to my PC112+ via AES/EBU (L6 Link). The Scarlett also takes a pair of inputs from the computer out for streaming apps. This introduced ground hum. A $20 Pyle PHE300 "Hum Destroyer" fixed that. Solutions for problems. Horses for courses. BUT, if it helps prevent a repeat of this discussion, I'll preface my advice in future by saying "Use balanced cables whenever possible". THEN I'll give the simple explanation for WHY. OK?

As PaulTBaker said. You can also set the Output Block level for the outputs separately by using a split to separate the outputs.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. https://www.boxcast.com/blog/balanced-vs.-unbalanced-audio-whats-the-difference

Because AFAIK it's true. It may not be a big deal, but still worth mentioning. Also, if Balanced/Unbalanced matters, XLR cables are a lot cheaper than long TRS cables. Why is it a problem for you?

@Jeraxle - update to 2.92 and re-test. I'm at 2.92 since my last post, still no problem. Helix is a computer. Sometimes they crash. If it happens regularly and can be reproduced dependably, it's time for a support ticket. @brysonjk - update us buddy!

Be helpful to know which Helix you're using. If the 1/4" Output is set to LINE (Global Settings>Ins/Outs), use a LINE input on the Scarlett. Conversely, if set to INST, use an INSTRUMENT level input on the Scarlett. Unless the Scarlett is 20ft or more away, Balanced/Unbalanced is irrelevent. That's all about signal to noise added over longer cable runs. If the Scarlett is over 20ft away, use XLR. Output level in Global Settings applies as mentioned above, but on XLR would be MIC or LINE. Unless you're using a Stomp (no XLR, why the specific device matters), in which case the 1/4" outs are balanced. Use a short 1/4 to XLR adapter.

Not a lot of info to go on here. What kind of amp? How is it wired? Straight in? 4cm? XLR to monitors? More info needed. Maybe attach a sample preset so we can see your signal chain?

Global EQ does not work with L6 Link There are a number of requests for this on Ideascale. Tis the season to make your voice heard! VOTE NOW! https://line6.ideascale.com/a/ideas/search?templateId=0&query=global+eq

Phil's comments apply when you are creating the MIDI track manually in the DAW. If you record the MIDI track as a performance, you want the MIDI messages to do the same thing on playback as when it was recorded, which won't currently happen. That's why I up-voted the idea.

See the attached sample preset for how to do it. Set the MIN/MAX levels appropriately to your situation. DecanBlu.hlx

As zappazapper said, your Master on the amp comes before the loop. Assign the switch that you use to bypass the amp pre to control the Level on the Helix Output block. Then set the Min/Max settings of the switch to lower the output to an appropriate level.

Not really so esoteric. While using an external controller to control Helix Bypass states is not very standard, many (some?) people automate performances tied to a DAW MIDI track playback. This would be a big surprise if, in the midst of a performance, you turned on two drives instead of one OFF and the other ON. Nice catch zappazapper! I up-voted it!

Correct.

Make sure that the HXFX MIDI OUT is connected to the GR20 MIDI IN. If you're trying to toggle something ON/OFF, a Value of 0-63 is OFF, 64-127 is ON. Usually. Some devices use the reverse. You'll need the switch set to TOGGLING for that. Be aware that, if the HXFX works like the Floor, as soon as you select a preset, all of that preset's TOGGLING switch messages will be sent.