rd2rk

I don't know how you have the blocks set in your preset, or what you're using to monitor, so the attached example preset just uses similar blocks. While I can't see a way to do it as you've described (XLR OUTS), if you attach your monitors to SENDs 1 and 2, this should work. Stephane.hlx

Try using an INSERT (TRS to Dual Mono) cable. TRS end into HXFX EXT AMP 1, Tip to Ch1 and Ring to Ch2. If you want CH2 to load by default when the Preset loads, set IC1 to RING on Snapshot 1, set IC1 to TIP on Snapshot 2. SAVE the Preset on Snapshot 1. IF it works with the INSERT cable method, then you can use a second INSERT in EXT AMP 2 for Ch3 and SOLO (or LOOP). I THINK that the way the Rotary switch works is that if you set it to Ch2, that will be the default channel when NOTHING is attached to either the footswitch or channel jacks. I'm still waiting to hear from Mesa for confirmation.

I seem to recall over on TGP that DI HINTED at the POSSIBILITY that Command Center might make it onto HXS sometime in the future. I could be wrong (wishful thinking), but it sure would be nice.

Yes. No. Maybe. The Supersonic 60 Manual shows a single 1/4" footswitch jack which connects to a 3 button switch. Assuming that the switch has a TRS connector which shorts Tip to Sleeve/Ring to Sleeve/No Shorting or some combination; AND You're willing to use one function per Preset; THEN Yes. You'd need to use a continuity tester to figure out how the switch buttons work, then decide how many combinations there are and how many you want to use. Each configuration would require a separate HXS Preset. So, If there's six possible configurations, to have all of them available for a given HXS Preset you'd have to copy it to six slots, then set up six presets on the VDL. BUT, if all you want is to switch channels, you just need two. Per Preset. A big PITA and seriously limits the number of presets and complexity of your HXS preset plan, but it's doable. Maybe. It's also possible to tow a 50 foot trailer with a Mini Cooper. Maybe.

Should you choose to upgrade to a Helix that has Command Center, I'll be happy to send you instructions.

In Command Center, can you configure BOTH external amp jacks? The HX FX manual is not clear on this. I've done some research over on the Mesa Support site concerning the external amp switching logic, and I think I see how this works, but you'll need to use both ext amp jacks to get all 3 channels. You'll need two TRS to Dual Mono (insert) cables. I'm waiting to hear back from Mesa Support on the correct position for the Rotary switch, and whether or not I've got the Switching Logic straight. Once we've straightened out the channel switching, that SHOULD resolve the Input problem. Maybe.

If you like, you can have 3 ON 3 OFF, or the same three OFF and the others ON, but you only get two combinations. It's either/or so, no. BUT....THAT'S what SNAPSHOTS are for!

You set it up like this (4cm): Guitar>Helix Input>Effects>FX Loop 1 Block>Helix Send 1>Amp Input>Amp FX Loop Send>Helix Return 1>Effects>Helix Left/Mono Out>Amp FX Loop Return Then you put a Helix preamp (or full amp) on one side or the other of the FX Loop Block. Set the FX Loop Block and the amp/preamp block to the same footswitch and save the preset with one ON and the other OFF. Hitting that switch toggles the FX Loop and Helix Amps ON/OFF. Now you have the Helix amp/preamp with the FX Loop Block OFF (signal bypasses Mesa preamp stright to Mesa power section), and the Mesa Preamp with the FX Loop Block ON. Depending on the amount of DSP used for effects, you could use up to 3 Helix amps and switch them (and whatever else you want) using Snapshots. Depending on the model, you have an additional 1-3 FX Loops that can be used for external effects. Lots of options.

For maximum tonal flexibility and the ability to leave the 72 lb amp at home and plug straight into a PA, get the Floor or LT - or wait a couple months and get the new POD GO. Having the full Helix allows you to use any of the Helix pre (or full) amps direct into your Mesa power section. A Marshall 2204 through 6l6 tubes won't sound like a Marshall 2204, but it will sound different from the Mesa preamp. You could also have a Recto or MarkV instead of the Lone Star. IOW - lots more options, plus the ability to record direct using any of the Helix amps/cabs/IRs vs getting an expensive Reactive Load box to record the real Mesa (or mic-ing it and having the cops over....) . If all you need is what you've got plus effects, get the HXFX.

PRESETS are on the buttons in PRESET MODE. SNAPSHOTS are variations of a SINGLE PRESET and are on the buttons in SNAPSHOT MODE.

Check your wiring. 4cm: Guitar>Helix Input>Effects>FX Loop 1 Block>Helix Send 1>Amp Input>Amp FX Loop Send>Helix Return 1>Effects>Helix Left/Mono Out>Amp FX Loop Return Make sure you're using the correct FX Loop Block for the Send/Return pair that you're using. Try setting Send/Return 1 to LINE. Send/Return 2 shouldn't even be involved.

What do you mean by "display block"? Describe your configuration. Be detailed and specific.

You should call back to support and ask them to verify that for you. I'm surprised he didn't offer. If you have to assign it to a switch it won't count as a block unless you have something in a block that you want to turn on at the same time as you switch channels, but that would be better and more simply done by just having that block ON or OFF in the Snapshot.

I don't have an HXFX, but the manual I have is for version 2.50. It says: ************************************** Command Center: NOTE: The Value parameters of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, and MMC messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of any CC Toggle and Ext Amp messages are automatically recalled when selecting a snapshot. Snapshots: On the "Command Center" page, adjust the values of any Instant messages or press a footswitch assigned to CC Toggle or Ext Amp. Snapshots remember the values of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog and MMC messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of any CC Toggle and Ext Amp messages. **************************************** If you have the 2.50 manual, what page did you see that on?

Rock On!

NOTE: I don't have a mpx-g2. The following is based on reading the manual. If it doesn't work, get back to me! I've attached a sample preset demonstrating how this works. Snapshot1 selects Lex Bank 1 Preset 5. This is the Snapshot that loads by default (was loaded when the Helix Preset was SAVED) when the Helix Preset loads. SS2 selects Lex Bank 2 Preset 10. SS3 selects Lex Bank 3 Preset 15 Buttons 8-10 select different presets from within a Snapshot. Button 8 selects Lex Bank 1 Preset 0 Button 9 selects Lex Bank 2 Preset 50 Button 10 selects Lex Bank 3 Preset 100 See below for further info. ************************************************** NOTE: Just replace "Ventris" with "Lexicon". In Global Settings>MIDI/Tempo, set "MIDI PC SEND" to OFF. This prevents Helix from sending it's default PC# when you load a Preset. In CommandCenter, assign "Instant Command 1 (IC1)" - the first lightning bolt - to the Ventris PC# (Program Changes/Presets) that you want to use for each Snapshot. Read the Ventris manual. They may be numbered 0-127 or 1-128. Helix is numbered 0-127. When you load a Helix Preset, any and all commands assigned to ICs in the Snapshot that loads by default will automatically be sent. By default, Helix and most MIDI devices communicate on either MIDI Channel 1 or ALL channels (OMNI). Helix communicates on MIDI Channel 1 (BASE) by default. Set the Ventris to communicate on MIDI Channel 1 (unless you've changed the BASE channel in Global Settings>MIDI/Tempo). This way, if you add other MIDI devices later, you can set them to different channels and specify which device you're sending commands to by being specific about it in Command Center. When setting commands in Command Center, BASE is the default MIDI Channel. Leave Bank CC00/BankCC032 at their defaults. These are used to change BANKS in devices that have more than 128 presets. NOTE: On Multi Bank devices, Bank CC00/BankCC032 (either or both - see device manual) are used to specify the Bank. 0=Bank 1; 1= Bank 2 etc. Here's the tricky part: Once you've assigned a PC# to an IC in a Snapshot, it will stay on the last called PC# until specifically changed by another Snapshot, then it'll stay there until changed again. If Snapshot 1 IC1 is assigned to PC#5, and you switch to Snapshot 2, Ventris will stay on Preset #5 UNLESS you assign IC1 to a different PC# in Snapshot 2. If SS2/IC1 is assigned to PC#79, and you move from SS1 to SS2 and then to SS3, SS3 will still be using PC#79.So if you want all Snapshots to be PC#5 except SS3, assign IC1 to PC#5 in ALL Snapshots EXCEPT SS3, and assign IC1 in Snapshot 3 to a different PC#. Remember that the Helix Preset will load with the Snapshot that was active when the Preset was last SAVED. If, in Global Settings>Preferences, you have Snapshot Edits set to Discard, don't forget to SAVE the Preset after each Snapshot Edit BEFORE moving to the next Snapshot. That said, check each Snapshot to be sure it does what you want. Hope that all makes sense. Lexicon mpx-g2.hlx

OK, so now I have the correct manual for YOUR version of this amp. That makes THREE manuals. 1.) The Rear Panel CHANNEL SELECT rotary switch must be set to FOOTSWITCH for the Footswitch to select either channels or features. Where is that switch set? Unfortunately, that is the only reference to that switch that I've found in the manual, so I have no idea if it could be a contributing factor.. There is no logical reason for that. It could only occur if the amp's Input was somehow wired into the channel switching circuits, which would make no sense whatsoever. If you're saying that when you take a TS (guitar type) cable from the HXFX LEFT/MONO Output to the INPUT on the front of your amp, that causes a problem with the channels, contact Mesa Support. Not that it should matter, but have you tried using the HXFX in the amp's FX loop (4cm wiring)? It might not help with the actual channel switching, but for troubleshooting purposes it at least removes the HXFX as a (possible though improbable) cause of your problem. Here's another idea. Do you have a continuity tester? You say it all works great with your FXL8 Pro. Use the continuity tester to find out exactly what's going on with the switches on the FXL8 Pro, then try to duplicate that with the HXFX. Your amp has more controls than the space shuttle. The manual shows a clear preference for using the proprietary footswitch. Without having your hardware here in front of me, I'm running out of ideas. You may be able to get more specific help here: https://www.forum.grailtone.com/ That's the Mesa Boogie forum.

CORRECTION: In my instructions I said that Helix numbers programs 1-128. That is incorrect. EDIT: Helix is numbered 0-127.

CORRECTION: In my instructions I said that Helix numbers programs 1-128. That is incorrect. EDIT: Helix is numbered 0-127.

ADD TO PREVIOUS: I just noticed that HX FX has two EXP/EXT AMP jacks. If they're both set to work as EXT AMP and you use two cables (TRS?) you don't need a Y cable, but the warnings I noted still apply! DANGER WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!

Terminology. "Input jack" to me means the cable from the guitar to the AMP INPUT. If you mean the cable from the "External Amp" jack on the Helix to the Channel jack(s) on the back of the amp, then that makes sense. Is that yours? I had a look at the FXL8 Pro and it seems to have two switching jacks. Are you using both to switch the amp channels? Is Ch1 ON when both switches are OFF? IIRC, the way it works is that if either of the amps channel jacks (2 or 3) are "shorted" (ON), Channel 1 is OFF. Since Helix switching is either/or that could be the problem. ***You might try an "INSERT" (Y) cable (TRS to dual mono). Use two buttons, one assigned to 1(TIP), the other to 2(RING). When both switches are OFF you should have Channel 1. I have no idea what would happen if both switches were ON. It MIGHT damage the amp.*** IF I WERE YOU I would contact Mesa support and ask. You might also try Asking AGED HORSE on Talkbass. He's a Mesa design engineer, and usually responds quickly. Ask first if you should PM your question, as there may be rules about that sort of thing.

Most modern 1-12/2-10 combo amps weigh around 30-40 lbs. My FRFR112 weighs 38 lbs. The GK MB210-II (500 watts) weighs 39 lbs. (not cheap though - $900). Fender Rumble 500 (2-10) weighs 36 lbs. ($600).

Here's what the Dual Rectifier manual says about it: EXTERNAL SWITCHING JACKS: These jacks allow (usually MIDI-programmed) operation of your amplifier’s functions from an external switching source. In either case, the switching is accomplished by connecting (“shorting”) the jack’s “Tip” to its “Ring” (or ground.) So it's not the Helix, it's the way channel switching is implemented in the amp. Again, using the VDL "Control Switcher" with MIDI works fine. The Switcher connects to the amp using multiple TS cables and MIDI from Helix Commmand Center to the Switcher controls it. Helix works fine with simple channel switching amps.

I have two different manuals for the Dual/Triple Rectifier. One shows a patchbay with "Tuner/Chan 2/Chan 3/Solo/Loop". If that's yours, I went through this with another user (can't find the thread) and the only solution that worked was MIDI control using a VooDooLabs "Control Switcher". Expensive, extra box, but works great.

If you've done much research on modern bass amps (if you're not on Talkbass yet go there now), you know that a lot of bass players are using 250-500watt amps through single 12" speaker cabs for the kind of venues you're describing. As an all purpose affordable solution, I'm using a HR FRFR112 (<>$300). It's WAY loud and my bass sounds as good through it and Helix as any of the small bass amps I've tried lately. If you follow my advice over to Talkbass and search for variations on "affordable bass amp" you'll get lots of suggestions.