rd2rk

Peace is good, and often screwed up by language issues - Tower of Babel and all that. I am, aggressively, trying to help solve the OP's problem. If you read my last post, I hope that it comes across as a sincere attempt to summarize what EVERYONE has said into a list of options. I'm all about options, and the only thing I've been adamant about is that while the Helix is a great device, it's not necessarily the solution to everyone's needs. It's been my unfortunate experience on this and other device specific forums, that any suggestion that the device in question is less than the Holy Grail tends to bring out the torches and pitchforks. But I am fearless in my pursuit of Truth, Justice and the Perfect Jelly Donut ;) !

So, trying to sum up OP's options: You have a MAC optimized Interface and a Windows computer. Option 1 - Sell the MOTU and get a Windows compatible interface. Use ABY or send block method with your new Helix Floor. Option 2 - Sell the Windows box and get a MAC. Use ABY or send block method with your new Helix Floor. Option 3 - Unless you have the sort of I/O needs I detailed previously (see options 1/2), sell the MOTU, use the Helix Floor as interface and the send block method to record your dry track. Option 4 - Unless you have the sort of I/O needs I detailed previously (see options 1/2), sell the MOTU, sell the fancy multi fx you currently have, return the Helix Floor in exchange for a Helix Rack, Controller and Mission SP1-L6H pedal. Might put money back in your pocket. Option 5 - If you DO have the sort of I/O needs I detailed previously, use option 4 and add a Windows compatible interface. Maximum flexibility, possible financial break-even. Bottom line - You've either got to sell the Motu or get a MAC. Option 4 will likely put money back in your pocket. Option 5 will solve ALL your problems. Additional considerations - You're still using Win7. If that's because your box is too old and under-powered to use Win10, then you're going to have to get a new computer sooner or later. Factor that cost into your plans. Of course, if the computer is not the problem, and you're running Win7 because of Win10 phobia, you need more help than we can provide.... :)!

I think spikey is right. I don't see how it could be done, but I learn something new every day....

I'm not interested, but I think somebody already submitted this on Ideascale. If you can't find it, Go for it!

Let me start by saying that, I like my Helix. Much better than the HD500X, which was a major improvement over the Behringer V-Guitar that I started with. For live performance, at it's price point it can't be beat! That said, for recording, there are MANY software amp sims that sound at least as good, some better (IMO). "With Helix you have no latency at all, while monitoring" While monitoring HELIX. If you use sw amp sims, that's where the latency thing comes into play. Helix was marketed as an 8in/8out mixer. It is, sort of. An 8x8 mixer should (IMO) allow any (analog) input to be used for mics (or line), not just 1 (with at least 1 instrument input, mine has 2) , and allow routing from a DAW DIRECTLY to ALL 8 outs, without having to configure each preset for each desired routing scheme. THAT'S the kind of capability that makes a mixer "the nerve center for your entire studio". "Break out the big box only when you have to record full band at once." If rewiring your studio for each different situation works for you, go for it! For me it's an unnecessary PITA. "I can't think of any reason having 109 dB of dynamic range on an 18i20 would be any better than the 123 dB you get on the Helix" If you think you need that 123db, you got it! I (so far) don't need it. Other considerations take precedence. This thread started because OP has a VERY nice interface that he wants to use because it suits HIS needs. I've used MOTU stuff. It's great HW, and works great with a MAC. But their PC drivers are crap, poorly supported afterthoughts to attract a market segment that they don't really care about. OP's need is to be able to use his MOTU interface with Helix to record a dry track AND a Helix processed track. This was possible with the HD500 using S/PDIF. Why did L6 drop that capability in Helix? To repeat, before y'all get out your torches and pitchforks - I LIKE MY HELIX! What I'm trying to say is that, for all it's wonderfulness, Helix is NOT the end-all be-all solution for everybody's needs.

"As soon as I arm a track it recorded the track with my guitar." When you stopped the recording you saved it (a dialog box opens automatically). Yes? Since it won't play back, I'm assuming that you know it recorded because you can see the recorded waveform. Yes? In that case, I would suspect that you may have bad sectors on the hard drive (the "media"). If the track is recording (you can see the recorded waveform), and you've checked the disk for bad sectors, try the Reaper forums. If this is a common problem then someone there will know about it. I recently started using Reaper after Gibson killed Sonar (screw Henry!), did the basic setup with all defaults except for the locations of recordings (set to a different drive), and have had no problems using Helix (or Native).

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]).