rd2rk

Just a guess as I don't use it this way, but in Windows, get to the Sound panel in Control Center. On the Recording Tab, set the Helix as the default. Then use a separate path in your preset with "Mic" as the input and USB 1/2 as output. Plug your mic into the Mic input. That should get it. Post back and let us know if it worked, I'm curious.

What kind of computer are you using that doesn't have an audio out? Headphone out? You can only use the tiny little onboard speakers? If that's really the case, you need a new computer! You could try GLOBAL SETTINGS-INS/OUTS-USB 1/2 Destination - set it to XLR so that it's not coming out the 1/4" that you're using for the 4cm wiring.

Windows Control Panel/Sound - set the default Playback Device to the computer's soundcard. Connect a 1/4" TS cable (any old guitar cable should work) from the Ext Amp 1/2 jack on the back of your Helix to the Footswitch jack on your Marshall. You may have to set the TS/ST/TRS setting in Command Center.

Are you certain that in the cases that work, the presets aren't already saved with the required snapshot as the default? I ask because that was the ONLY way I could get it to work without the delay I suggested. Also, if that delay is a problem, you could save other copies of the required presets in a different location with the required snapshot as the default. All workarounds but, the problem of the Helix needing a moment to change the preset before accepting a snapshot change is not peculiar to Reaper, I've seen the problem using other external MIDI hardware directly, and even using other software amp sims. For instance, using GR5 with an FCB1010 set to send a Preset Change along with CC#s to activate or bypass effects doesn't work (CC#s not effective), while it works fine with TH3 and Amplitube. EDIT: Since it's been a couple of years since I've done much with amp sims (don't use them much now that I have Helix and Native), I thought I'd revisit this. Turns out my memory sucks. TH3 and Amplitube work fine with PCs followed by CCs, but AT4 uses straight PCs (no banks to change) and TH3 only works with learned BANK PREV/NEXT. GR5 is the only one of the three that accepts standard MIDI Bank Change messages , and will do a PC with a Bank Change (CC#032+PC#), but doesn't accept CCs when preceded by PCs (CC#032+PC#+CC#). This being the Helix forum, probably nobody really cares, but I hate posting misleading info!

OK, I think I've got it figured out. If the Snapshot message follows too closely after the Preset change, it doesn't work. Latency thing? Increase the position on the snapshot change message by .5 and it should work. EX: Preset change at 8.1.10, Snapshot change at 8.1.60. That worked for me.

You could try setting up another track with a midi monitor to see what's actually being sent. If you change the snapshot # for that event, will it then call the new snapshot # correctly?

Select the midi track. On the menu bar, select ITEM, then "Open in built-in MIDI editor". Assuming you haven't changed the defaults in Preferences, a window will open displaying the MIDI events and exact times for the track. If you know the approximate track time for the errant event, you can see if the proper snapshot # is being sent. EDIT: If you leave the editor box open and play the track, each event will be highlighted as it occurs

When you view the midi events in the "built-in midi editor", is everything as it should be?

Global MIDI settings are, of course, in the GLOBAL Settings area, not yet in HX Edit. Command Center is under WINDOW on the HX Edit Menu Bar.

Some prefer the bent over method. I prefer HX Edit!

ICs are separate from footswitches. You can use the joystick to move from ICs (which send on snapshot load) and footswitches. Or you can press the actual footswitch, but it isn't necessary to select an IC (lightning bolt) before programming a footswitch. But, as long as it works for ya, it's all good!

If you want the channel to change WHEN you load the snapshot, use ICs. If you want to change it ON DEMAND, use a footswitch. Or, you could do both, just remember that when the preset loads, it loads the footswitches assigned to the active snapshot (the active snapshot is the one that was active the last time you saved the preset). So, if the IC switches to channel 1, and the footswitch switches to channel 2......just make sure that if you want to use both methods on a certain snapshot, don't save the preset with that snapshot active!

Here's the one I use: https://www.guitarcenter.com/On-Stage/SSAS7000B-Mini-Adjustable-Speaker-Stand-1500000023557.gc Light, sturdy puts the speaker at about chest height. Only gig consideration is that it doesn't look like a traditional backline amp. I don't care, but some do.

When you load a preset, Helix sends the PC (if enabled in Global MIDI) and the IC and Stomp settings made in Command Center for the Snapshot that loads first. When you select a snapshot within a loaded preset, it sends the IC messages assigned in that snapshot. Set an IC to send the MIDI command that sets the channel on the Mesa. Once you've set a snapshot like that, it's a good idea to set all the snapshots in that preset to select the proper channel on the Mesa for each snapshot.

Indeed, I can see how their marketing makes it appear that way. Unless there's something going on behind the scenes between L6 and ML, this is some of the most misleading marketing I've seen. Too bad you didn't fall for the scam, you've been able to tell us what's actually in the package.....;-)

Assuming that you get the difference between AMP packs and PRESETS, I've tried both the Glen Delaune and Fremen products. Partly to learn how "the pros" do it, partly because I just wanted a lot of presets to browse through when I'm looking for inspiration. Partly because I'm lazy. The GD presets didn't do it for me, and were way too complicated to learn much from. He also has some that are attempts to mimic boutique amps not included in the Helix. I haven't tried them (already more in the Helix than I can deal with), but keep in mind that the're not new amps, just attempts to mimic them. I really like the Fremen presets. With minor tweaks (see below), everything I need (right now), and easy to see how they're made. Customtone has lots of FREE presets. Some are excellent, some are trash. Look for Jason Sadites' presets. They're mostly very good, and he has videos explaining the hows and whys of his process. With ANY presets, free or commercial, keep in mind that the equipment used to make them (and what the author was monitoring them with), compared to YOUR equipment, can make all the difference in the world. You'll probably need to tweak them to make them sound good on your rig.

This. At that price, even if it's not loud enough, you probably won't have much trouble turning it around.

YES! Nice find! Only flaw would be no Bank Change ability.

In order to have it work on all presets, you'd need it to use the actual Preset scroll pedals (FS1/7). I'm guessing you're using FS4/5 by setting them in the preset from Command Center, which would require setting it up in EVERY preset. Maybe workable, but LOTS of tedious work!

Just tried that (using FS1/7 - the actual Preset Up/Down buttons). Doesn't work. Tried with Toggling and Momentary, no dice. I guess OP tried method 2 and it worked for him, so nice call!

Don't think you can with MIDI.

Turns out I DO have ProTools First on my box. Now I remember why I forgot - I HATE PROTOOLS! Anyhow, what I described works fine in PoTools also. I suppose I should spend some time to learn ProTools, so I can hang with the cool guys....but I can't use my (many) VSTs (including Native) without jumping through hoops. Besides, I have to do my laundry.

People who love IRs will always prefer them, no matter what L6 does. More flexibility in mic placement might cause more people to say "I don't need no stinking IRs!" which might not increase sales enough to justify the development costs, but it's one more point in L6's favor (one less complaint point for the nay-sayers), and we all know that L6 lives to make us happy.....

OK! Just tried it with Reaper, WORKS GREAT! WAY COOL! I learned something new!!!

As far as I can tell, Helix doesn't send Snapshot MIDI automatically. In order to record your snapshot changes, set the first IC for each snapshot to CC#69 and the snapshot #: SS 1 = 0 SS 2 = 1 SS 3 = 2 etc.... Yes, you'd have to do that for every snapshot on every preset that you intend to record. PITA! Sounds like something you might want to request over on Ideascale..... EDIT - this isn't something that I've done (recording MIDI from Helix), nor do I have Protools to try it. I might try it later with Reaper just for kicks. Let us know how it works for you!