rd2rk

How about..... Set up 4cm as normal, but instead of taking the HX 1/4" Out to the Amp FX Return, use a second HX FX Loop Send. Hook up the Load Box between the Amp and Speaker. Take the Line Out from the Load Box to the second HX FX Loop Return, put your IR Block between the second FX Loop Block and the Output Block, then take the HX 1/4" Out to a DI and on to FOH. The basic preset would look like the attached example. Possible problems: Load Box Line Out has baked in speaker sim with no defeat switch. Cure - get a different Load Box. Second Helix FX Loop adds too much noise. Cure - noise gate before the Output Block. Second Helix FX Loop adds noticeable latency. Cure - you're screwed. I don't have a Load Box to test this with, and I'm assuming the HX FX works similarly to the HX Floor for the FX Loops. Let me know if it works! EDIT: Bad preset deleted. Good preset resent in follow up post.

In a NMV guitar amp the Volume knob controls the level of the signal being fed to the power amp. That's different than being an attenuator for the power amp. I think. Point is, power amp saturation follows the same rules regardless of where the level control is located. When the incoming signal is high enough, saturation happens! The Helix output set to Unity is an IDEAL based on the idea that the attenuation happens in the digital realm, before the DAC, and that somehow (maximum geek-speak) affects the signal quality. The loss of tone in this process is the sort of thing that TRUE tone snobs discuss incessantly on HiFi forums and, in fact, in another thread (can't find it just now) there's a link to just such a discussion. My tube amp has a MV, but I set it up high and control the level I send with the BIG KNOB on the Helix because it's more convenient than running back and forth to the amp to make adjustments. I've tried it both ways and I think it actually sounds BETTER doing it this way. YMMV, but don't get sucked into thinking it HAS to be UNITY or TONE SUCK because some techie lays on some high falutin' scientific explanation of why it ABSOLUTELY IS! Try it and let YOUR EARS be the judge! That said, WARNING! Start with the the BIG KNOB OFF and turn it up slowly or you might FRY your ears or blow a speaker! Use common sense! As for all you said about going into the front of the power amp with Helix amps, you're over-thinking it. Set your reality amp CLEAN as loud as you can and still be CLEAN. Control everything else in the Helix. If you know how loud your reality amp will go without distorting with just the guitar plugged in, you know how loud it can get with the Helix up front before it adds to the the distortion. Look at it as an extra gain stage with it's own tone stack! I like to use 4cm because then I have a choice between the Helix pre/amps and the reality amp's pre with the touch of a switch. Best of all worlds!

I have 2 setups in my apartment. Office/Dining Room - Sony 3way bookshelf system - 6/6/10 - 700 watts (whatever that means). Cost around $200 several years ago. Sounds good at low volumes - still loud enough to PO the neighbors. Studio/Living Room - Rokit6 Monitors - cost around $300 each several years ago. Sounds good, gets pretty loud. Sounds totally different from the Sony. If your main concern is how Helix sounds, and especially if you plan to record with a DAW, get the best studio monitors you can afford. If your main concern is an all purpose household audio system that can also handle Helix, get the best 3way bookshelf system you can afford. If playing out is a consideration, you might want to look at the Headrush FRFR108 (2000 watts). Two of them will set you back a bit over $400, they're pretty compact and can be used as an all purpose system if recording is not a primary consideration - they're not really studio monitors.

Try it. You might LIKE the coloration. Who cares what they are INTENDED to sound like? Unless you like it that way......NO RULES!

By "audio cables" I assume you mean the speaker cables? Just plug the Helix OUT (XLR or 1/4, whatever your AI takes) into the AI. set the Helix OUT to mic or line level to match the Input. Turn the dial to full left to monitor Helix directly, or full right to monitor thru the computer. Audio from the computer (sounds, streaming, YT, Spotify, etc) will be sent to either the Helix or the 2i2 depending on which one is selected for playback in Sound Panel (Windows). In a DAW, playback will be sent to whichever is selected as the ASIO driver in OPTIONS/PREFERENCES (or what ever your DAW calls it's settings dialog). The DAW settings are unrelated to the Sound Panel settings UNLESS you're using a Windows driver (vs ASIO) in the DAW (NOT RECOMMENDED!).

On that last preset I sent there were some errors. Sorry. Try this one. MKV ChannelLT-2.hlx

Since the new version just came out today, it's not likely that it's going to already be on your Helix if it's already shipped.

I'm not sure what you're getting at. In Preset mode you have access to 3 presets, so one button (the active preset) WILL always be lit. In Stomp Mode you can have up to 3 buttons assigned to bypass effects, and if you save the preset with all of them OFF, they'll all be OFF. You can't mix the modes on the Stomp the way you can on the Floor, LT and Rack.

Load the attached Preset. Connect Switch 3 to SOLO. Note that the Channel switchers use PC#s. My choice of PC#s was totally arbitrary, any PC#s would have worked. The SOLO button uses the CC# that controls Switch 3, NOT arbitrary. DO NOT follow the same instructions I gave for the Channel switching! Just connecting the jacks and sending the CC# should do the trick, but changing channels MIGHT also turn OFF SOLO. Preventing that could be complicated. Let me know.

Check the version on your Helix. If you DO NOT want to update the FW at this time, DL and install the CORRESPONDING version of HX Edit (2.81 on HW = HX EDIT 2.81). If you DO want to update the FW now (recommended), DL and install HX Edit 2.82. HX Edit installs everything you need. DO NOT UNCHECK ANYTHING! You need it ALL.

Oops! Try this. MKV ChannelLT.hlx

Just installed v1.82. I was hoping this had been fixed but not mentioned in the release notes, but no luck. I opened a support ticket, but after over a week with no response I had to BUMP it. Somebody replied, but didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about. DI - it's been a month since you replied, have you had a chance to follow up on this?

The Updater updates the FW. If you're not going to update the FW, don't update HX Edit. The versions need to match for it all to work properly.

SURPRISE! NEW VERSION! v2.82 just out! Since your Helix is brand new, no need to do anything except DL and install HX Edit 2.82, then run the updater. BUT... read the directions anyway, it's good practice for v2.83. The list of bug fixes and known issues is included there. Good to know. DO NOT CONNECT YOUR HELIX TO A HUB! Close down everything else on your computer while updating. I just updated my Floor and my Stomp from 2.81. Piece o' cake!

I did a search in the FLS Help on "export midi". Apparently there's an "Export Project Dialog" that allows you to save to a standard .mid file: SAVE/EXPORT FILE FORMATS Export Project Dialog (*.wav; *.mp3, *.ogg, *.flac, *.mid) Normally you will export to .wav or .mp3 audio files to be played in a media player, car stereo or hi-fi. The final mix is exported from FL Studio using the export option in the file menu in a non-real time process called 'rendering'. The time taken will depend on export settings and project complexity. Rendered audio is usually better quality than the live sound from FL Studio. About Rendering Master Mixer Track - By default, the Master Mixer track is rendered, unless you are using 'Split mixer tracks'. This means any Mixer Track not routed directly, or indirectly to the Master won't be included in the render. Export formats include: Audio - .wav, .mp3, .ogg & .flac formats save an audio mix of your project. By default, the Master Mixer track is rendered, but you can export individual Mixer tracks with the 'Split mixer tracks' option. See the note below on including sounds from external synthesizers and audio hardware. MIDI - .mid saves Step Sequencer / Piano roll note data to standard MIDI files. MIDI is not an audio format. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If that doesn't help, I'd try on the FLS forums. Someone here who uses FLS may yet answer, but I'd hedge my bet if I were you.

While I'm studying up on this, are you trying to record Snapshot changes, like at 5:04:27 I switched to Snapshot 3, then at 11:17:12 I switched to Snapshot 8, etc.? If so, your problem will be that the only MIDI that Helix sends by default is Program Change (PC#), and then only if the "MIDI PC SEND" setting is ON in GLOBALS/MIDI. A Snapshot can be configured to send the data necessary to cause a DAW to change Snapshots, but nothing is automatically sent. Is that what you're wanting to do?

It took me 5 minutes to set this up and test it in Reaper, no manual required.. After 2 hours in FL Studio I'm still not sure if MIDI is getting from Helix to FLS, and haven't figured out how to see recorded MIDI to verify if it's working. And I'm REALLY tired of the manual which mostly says "for details see the XYZ section", where it says "for details see the PQR section". I'll keep at this simply because no DAW has ever defeated me before (I've used many), and FLS will NOT be the first. I'm very much hoping that I'm not going to find out later that the trial version won't work for recording MIDI Automation.......

Hi rorhoc! DISCLAIMER: I don't own a Control Switcher or a Mark V Amp. The following and the attached Demo Preset came about as a result of reading the manuals for those devices. If it doesn't work (or if it DOES), PLEASE get back to me. In Helix GLOBAL SETTINGS - MIDI/Tempo = OFF By default, the Control Switcher is set to respond to both PC and CC messages. If you haven't changed that you're good. Otherwise, configure Control Switcher to PC or BOTH. Connect Switch 1 to Amp Channel jack Channel 2. Connect Switch 2 to Amp Channel jack Channel 3. My assumption is that when both are OFF, Channel 1 is ON. The Mesa manual appears to have been written by someone who wanted you to buy the proprietary footswitch. Load the attached Demo preset. In Helix Stomp Mode, press Channel 1. On the Control Switcher, make sure all buttons are OFF. PRESS and HOLD button 1 and while holding, press button 4. Lights will flash indicating preset SAVED. In Helix Stomp Mode, press Channel 2. On the Control Switcher, turn ON Button 1 ONLY. PRESS and HOLD button 1 and while holding, press button 4. Lights will flash indicating preset SAVED. In Helix Stomp Mode, press Channel 3. On the Control Switcher, turn ON Button 2 ONLY. PRESS and HOLD button 1 and while holding, press button 4. Lights will flash indicating preset SAVED. You should now be able to switch channels. Snapshot 1, which loads when the Preset loads, will select Channel 1. Snapshot 2 will select Channel 2. Snapshot 3 will select Channel 3. The Snapshot changes are done using IC1. As soon as you set an IC (InstantCommand), that IC has the same value in ALL Snapshots of that Preset. If you look at the settings for Snapshot 4 you'll see that it is still set to select Channel 1 (PC#80), same as Snapshot 1. If you want Snapshot 4 to use Channel 2, you need to set IC1 in THAT Snapshot to PC#81 (like Snapshot 2). Channel 3 would be PC#82 (like Snapshot 3). So, for every Snapshot you use, you'll need to set IC1 for the correct Amp Channel PC#. Let me know how it works (or doesn't!). MKV Channel.hlx

The looper needs to be at the END of the signal chain.

You can't get much clearer than BIG RED CAPITALIZED AND BOLDED LETTERS WITH EXCLAMATION POINT!

There is ONE and ONE ONLY, inviolate rule. If it sounds good, IT IS GOOD! I've done it both ways. I also use 4cm and use my amp's preamp, alternately switching OFF the FX Loop Block and turning ON either a Helix preamp OR a Helix amp (sans cab). I've also used a preamp as a dirt box in front of either my amp's pre or a Helix amp (like using an AIAB on a pedalboard). Someone (here or over on TGP, I forget) suggested using the legacy "Heavy Distortion" with an IR and NO amp! I tried it, sounds GREAT! Experiment to your heart's content! The great thing about our virtual world is that nothing you do will break the box. The WORST that can happen is it'll sound awful.

I was joking! But the HX FX really does sound like what you want for your requirements.

Go HXFX. Never run out of FX Blocks, No need for the MC6, all the MIDI you need from the HXFX, virtually NO MIDI from HX Stomp. What's more important to you, amps (you've got a 4 channel amp!) or MIDI? Your 4 channel amp doesn't use MIDI switching? How quaint! If you really can't decide, get an LT or a Floor or, heck, get a Rack and Controller, they're givin' em away!

Works fine. First report I've seen of this. Everybody follows the upgrade instructions to the letter. And yet...... Make certain that HX Edit version matches the hardware version (both 2.81). Have you rebooted since the update? Re-install HX Edit. Reboot after re-install. Do a complete uninstall, then re-install and reboot. Run a system cleaner. Clean the registry. Run anti-malware. All the standard "Windows is acting weird" stuff.

1) Read and follow the Update instructions. 2) Download and install HX EDIT. THAT installs all the drivers and the updater. 3) CLOSE HX EDIT. 4) Open the updater. Log in. Select your HXFX. 5) Read and follow the Update instructions. 6) Say a prayer to your favorite deity. 7) Did you read AND follow the update instructions? 8) Did you close HX EDIT BEFORE starting the updater?