rd2rk

The hangup is simple. WE DON'T WANT TO USE THE HELIX AS THE INTERFACE! We're not insane. We'd just rather use the BETTER INTERFACE THAT WE HAVE. This used to be possible with the HD500, by configuring S/PDIF to send the CLEAN signal. That option is no longer available. Is there another way, without configuring every preset separately for that purpose (GLOBALLY)?

I think OP is looking for the easiest way to do this. The only way I know of (as I posted above) requires each and every preset to be specially configured for that purpose. Suppose he just wants to use ready-made presets. There's a lot of them, and that method would be annoying at best. Is there a way to configure the Helix Globally to do this? Seems to me that the HD500 allowed the S/PDIF ports to be set up like this, but the Helix did away with that capability. If there's a similar GLOBAL way to do this in Helix, I would also like to know how.

When you select a preset on the Helix, it sends the corresponding midi Program Change# - 01A sends 000, 01B sends 001, etc. You probably don't want Mainstage to load that particular preset. To prevent this default behavior, in GLOBAL-MIDI/TEMPO, on Page 2, set MIDI PC SEND to OFF. Then, to make Helix send the PC# of your choice, press the preset button you want to program and, in Command Center, select the first Instant Command (the lightning bolts). Turn the knob until you see COMMAND. Set it to Bank/Prog. Make sure the Midi Channel matches the channel that Mainstage receives on. Set PROGRAM to the PC# you need. Don't sweat the other stuff unless whatever you're trying to control in Mainstage also requires a Bank Change to get you where you want to go. DON'T FORGET TO SAVE THE PRESET! Now, when you select a Helix preset, the PC# you set will instantly be sent to Mainstage, selecting the song of your choice!

We need a separate section for Helix FX!

Thanks!

"Is it part of a specific package? What is the actual patch name?" You said you bought it. As part of which package? 1959SLP is what it's called in the YouTube demo, but he doesn't give details for all packages, and I haven't found this one.

+1 Maybe this should go on Ideascale?

So, just to be clear, what you ACTUALLY meant to say was: "NONE of the Plexi Marshalls .......... that are modeled in the Helix sound to me like Marshalls, or accurate Marshalls." The statement that "MOST don't" means that "SOME do", and I was asking WHICH ones do, as modeled in the Helix, not as modded by a third party. Also, when I went looking, for comparison, for the preset that you referenced - "Marshall 1959" - on GD's site, I couldn't find it. Is it part of a specific package? What is the actual patch name?

"Most of the Plexi Marshalls (and I have owned some and restored several) that are modeled in the Helix don't sound to me like Marshalls, or accurate Marshalls." So, which ones DO sound right to you?

"My Questions: Can helix be configured to: Bypass my amps front-end input and give me clean tones via effects-loop return?" If the Marshall power amp is capable of clean tones, then yes. "When I plug my guitar directly into the effects-loop return of my amp, I cant’ seem to control the volume – will helx preamps be able to drive my output levels to match the level of my front-end input?" You set it up using 4cm (guitar-Helix in-Helix send-Marshall guitar in- Marshall send-Helix return-Helix 1/4" out- Marshall return), then set up the preamp the way you want it and use a combination of the preamp "channel volume"(doesn't affect preamp tone) and the main output volume knob to control the level sent to the Marshall. There's also send/return levels on the fx loop. "Use my amps front-end and use helix to give me effects in the front-end and effects in the loop?" Yes "Any creative ways I can use my QSC K12 monitors along with my Marshall?" Yes. Many.

I/O looks a lot like the LT, so, yes on 4cm. As far as tube amp response, I had a Katana for a while and was very impressed. Whether their specific amp emulations are any good, we'll have to wait and see. I'm sure there will be FW updates, they're doing that with the Katanas, but I suspect they won't be as frequent or as comprehensive as the Helix updates. Competition? for the HD500x, definitely. If you're OK with monochrome screens and multi-level menus, then the price point (if it sounds good) could make it a serious competitor for the LT and Headrush. As for Fractal, maybe if I hit the lottery......but I wouldn't sell my Helix and go into debt to finance one.

Turning off wifi was one of the first optimizations I did, along with making sure that sleep mode is turned off everyplace it raises it's ugly head!

I'm using gen2, with a recent (gen6?) i7 laptop, and even with every optimization, the drops persist. Most annoying is, I'll be rocking along for an hour, thinking "Ah, I finally got it!" and it'll drop out again! GRRR!!!

Simple ABY box.

The list represents the lowest tier which I personally care to experience. You can find used POD beans for $50, and I heard a youtube comparison which showed them to still have plenty of bang for the buck. I'd draw the line at the Behringer VGuitar though. I had one. YUCK!!!

Press MODE and TAP together to toggle between 10 stomp and 8 stomp w/bank up/down.

GT-100/HD500X - $499.99 GT-1000//Headrush/Helix LT - $999.99 AX8 - $1088 - IF you want to get on the waiting list... Helix Floor/??? - $1499.99 KPA and pedalboard - $2268.00 Seems to me that the market "tiers" are pretty well defined, and L6 is right on the money.

FYI - Don't know what interface you're using, I'm using a 2nd gen Focusrite USB 18i20. Regardless of the DAW I'm using, I get consistently better latency than with the Helix, not to mention the convenience of all those extra inputs and level meters. Just sayin'.....

You can do it all "in the box", but it's a waste of Helix resources, and will need to be configured separately in every preset. Using the ABY box is a better solution IMO, as it also allows you to use stereo presets. Maybe not so important for LIVE use (if you only have one speaker), but handy for recording. If you do it "in the box", you'll need to hard pan the outputs Left/Right, or use a SEND block before any effects (less wasteful, but still adds to the number of AD/DA conversions [i think]).

I use an ABY box to split the guitar signal before the Helix. I send the dry signal to a separate input on my interface. Ex: Path A goes to the Helix input/ Helix OUT (Left/Mono XLR) to Interface input 1 (set to LINE), path B goes to Interface input B (set to INSTRUMENT). That allows you to get the processed Helix signal to DAW from Input 1 and the clean guitar from Input 2. You could also set up a split in Helix - Path 1A with effects, Path 1B clean (or some variation, you get the idea), sent to separate interface inputs, but that limits what you can do in the Helix. If I remember right, the HD500 allowed you to specify (in Globals) sending a clean signal via S/PDIF, but the Helix doesn't work that way.

I go thru the Focusrite. It's a better studio mixer, more inputs to my DAW. If you're concerned about the additional AD/DA conversions, you could use the S/PDIF. Unfortunately, I've found that using S/PDIF the audio randomly drops completely for several seconds at a time. I don't know if the problem is with the Helix or the Focusrite, but comparing recordings done both that way and thru the Focusrite analog inputs, I can't tell the difference (other than the random audio drops). If you're going thru the Focusrite analog inputs you don't need to use the instrument inputs, as the Helix is sending a line level signal. I split the guitar signal before the Helix input, sending the split to the guitar in on the Focusrite. That way I get the Helix effected signal thru XLR and a clean signal thru the guitar in for reamping, which is the main functionality that you lose by not going USB from the Helix.

Nothing personal, cgar, but he managed to make BOTH the PS170 AND HELIX sound like crap! Based on that video, I wouldn't buy either! Fortunately, I already own a HELIX, so I know that it sounds WAY better than that, and I'm looking forward to someone making a decent video of the HELIX with the PS170. If you see one, post it up for all of us! Meanwhile, the video I linked to is at least a decent representation of what the PS170 sounds like. If Sam gives me any money back this year, I might buy one as a backup for my tube head!

One of the WORST YouTube product demo videos I've ever heard. SD should sue that guy for defamation! Here's a better one:

Where's my free pony?

Have fun!