rd2rk

Speaker cables are meant to carry significant voltage from power amp transformers to passive speakers. For powered speakers you want cables designed for line level signals.

To find the problem you need to connect your THRU MIDI port on the Helix to a computer running a MIDI Monitor (MidiOx if you've got a PC, ??? if you're using a MAC). Step on the SoftStep pedal 1 that you think sends CC1. MidiOx Input Monitor will show all messages received. You probably want to set the display preferences to not display in HEX - Options\Data Display uncheck Monitor Input: Hex.

From the Rig Kontrol Manual: 6.2 Using MIDI Controllers with the RIG KONTROL MIDI Interface While being capable of sending MIDI messages to control other applications, the RIG KONTROL communicates with GUITAR RIG 4 directly via USB. Nonetheless, it features a standard MIDI interface with one input and output channel. ------------------------------------------------------- Have you tried using a midi monitor (like midiox) to see what the RK is sending over the USB or MIDI OUT connections? I'm pretty sure it's just sending standard MIDI messages. Worth a try before you spend more money. Also, don't discount the FCB1010. With the UNO chip and ControlCenter Editor (total about $40 plus the FCB), it's a very good unit. I've used it for years to control Amplitube, BIAS FX, Guitar Rig, S-Gear and TH3. It's not an AI, so if you're looking for an all-in-one solution it won't do, but if you're considering a separate AI it's worth looking at.

One of the differences between the Helix and the HD500 is that L6 removed the MP3 input. In order to use the SEND/RETURN jacks on the Helix to add external audio sources (YouTube, MP3,Drum machines, keyboards) you need to dedicate a path to that purpose, setting the INPUT to SEND/RETURN 1/2 or 3/4. If you're using both paths for your guitar sound, Guitar/Vocals, whatever, that's not an option. You could use up an INPUT BLOCK for it, but in any case you're diminishing the capabilities of a $1500 device to save $40 on an external mixer. Plus, having your Helix tethered to your monitors can be inconvenient.

From the Audiobox manual: In Studio One: 9. We recommend that you create a mono input for each of the inputs on your AudioBox USB. If you plan on recording in stereo, you should also create a stereo bus and assign it to the appropriate set of inputs. If you're not using a computer, then why not run your monitors straight from the Helix? If you are using a computer, Studio One is FREE, and it beats buying a new interface. BUT...the free version doesn't allow VSTs, so if you're waiting for Helix Native, you're SOL. There's always Reaper (big fan base, but I hated it). Ableton LIVE Intro is $99, and full function except for a track# limitation. There's enough tracks available (8 or 12, I forget) for basic recording. Focusrite 2i2 ($150) comes with Ableton Live Lite and a lite version of ProTools. Another hardware only solution would be a small mixer. I have a Behringer Xenyx502 ($40) thats quite nice, and that'll let you mix in YouTube, MP3s, drum machines or any other audio source to practice with.

I'm thinking that the helix database is probably a very simple flat file model without much of a query capability. But I totally agree that there needs to be a better way of dealing with IRs than we have now, and this has been brought up here before. There's probably been an idea scale entry about it, but I haven't seen one lately. Go for it! I'll vote it up for sure!

I'm thinking that the helix database is probably a very simple flat file model without much of a query capability. But I totally agree that there needs to be a better way of dealing with IRs than we have now, and this has been brought up here before. There's probably been an idea scale entry about it, but I haven't seen one lately. Go for it! I'll vote it up for sure!

There's no noise on any of the other devices plugged into it, and it totally worked to get rid of the noise coming in thru the surge strips I'd been using (reason I bought it). My guess is that the USB ports bypass all filtering. I suppose I could plug the wall warts straight into a wall socket to test that, but who cares. They're into one of the surge strips that the UPS replaced, and no noise, so it's all good. Having the USB ports was just a plus, I'd have bought the unit anyway. The Lithium USB pack does sound like a good gig solution. How long will they run the G10 for? Would I need one for each G10, or will one power two G10's long enough for an all night gig?

UPDATE: No smoke, but lots of very weird noise, including a strange ticking sound. Back to the wall warts!

So far the smoke hasn't escaped from either unit, so you must be right!

I have a Cyberpower CP1500PFCLCD, which has 2 front panel USB charge ports. Any reason I can't use these instead of the stock AC adapters?

Something to consider: Redwirez has a "guide" to using their IRs that can provide some generally useful advice for any IRs that use mic placement (distances and speaker positioning), and also some basic info about the differences in the way various mics sound and common uses. This is all free on their site, check it out!

It's not really possible to "properly" compare IRs - you try 'em, you like 'em or you don't. This IR sounds great with this amp, like puke with that one. That said, the usual comment on the difference is that Redwirez gives you so many choices, it causes paralysis by analysis. If you have real world experience micing amps in a studio, more is better. For simple players like me, less is better. However, comparing a specific cab with a specific mic at a specific speaker location, Redwirez has surprised me a couple of times by sounding, to me, more clear and open. Please don't ask for specifics, my poor little brain doesn't retain that stuff. You could try buying your favorite real world cab in both lines and comparing them?

I had an HD500X and an Engl Gigmaster 15 (1/5/15) with closed back 112. Sounded great. Bought a Helix, sold the HD. Sounded great, and a MUCH better piece of hardware. Sold the Engl/112 rig and got an Alto ts210. Sounds good, but not great. I'm looking for something else, maybe with dsp like the L3t or maybe the next gen of the Stagesource L3t? Think then it'll be back to sounding great. The search for perfect tone goes on.... Buy your Helix at Sweetwater, use it a lot in the 30 day return window. What've you got to lose?

Unfortunately, no. External controllers can be used to switch presets or turn fx on/off, but not to control individual fx parameters. See Appendix B in the Advanced Guide for details of what can and can't be done via MIDI.

Very nice!

Never mind.

In my DAW (Sonar), when I select ASIO HELIX OUTPUT 3-4, where exactly is that going to? Any other AI I'd take the signal from LINE OUT 3-4. Where do I get it on my Helix?

Septicide - "...was never good at sales, technical is what I do, thats why I'm a mechanic." I can dig it. I used to be a database programmer, loved the work, the intellectual challenge, but I'm not a team player and talking to people in suits more often than not just pisses me off. Now I drive a truck, and smile more.

Septicide- I appreciate your taking the time to fill in some of the details about the subject of LINUX for musical applications. It's also obvious that, like many LINUX folk (aka Penguins :) ), you really like the technical and creative aspects of working with that OS. That said (uhoh, here it comes) - "if you just want an audio only distro thats already set up with jack and the kernel etc and just want to plug in and get recording try AV Linux http://www.bandshed.net/avlinux/ or http://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/" Everything up to the above quoted section of your post goes directly to my point. Most people just want to play and/or record music. They really don't give a rat's patootie about all the technical crap. Plug it in, turn it on and ROCK OUT! There's no shame in that, artists aren't necessarily techies, and techies aren't necessarily artists. To each his own. Most of us are happy with our MS or Apple systems, and when we have problems we come to forums like this for solutions. We try to be nice to one another but, well, some people suck at being nice. Concerning the above quoted section. I went to the AVLINUX site to check it out. The last time I looked into this there were no music specific "appliance" style distros. The latest release of AVLINUX was March 2016, and users had been waiting over a year. That's because it's a one man operation. Very impressive (assuming it's a good system), but what if he gets tired of the project, or worse, ceases to exist. I don't want MY studio dependent on one guy, I want a product with a development team that will carry on and be able to support me down the road. Paragraph two on the page is titled "RTFM". The FM is 84 pages. All in LINUX geek-speak. And that's just to get the system up and running. He makes it a point that he makes no guarantees that, even if you can find LINUX equivalents to the massive quantity of applications and VSTs available in the MS/Apple world, they'll run on his platform, or that he feels required to provide any level of support for anything other than the system itself. At least he's honest, unlike in our world where you PAY for support and get (too often) screwed. Bottom line: LINUX is simply NOT ready for prime time. It's a hobbyists platform with lots of devoted adherents, but it's nowhere near being a serious challenger to the established platforms. When LINUX people come onto forums like this and spout the kind of BS you laid out in your opening post, if we were less than human we'd just shake our heads and move on. But we humans, the nice ones, find that it's so much more fun to laugh and goof on you and jerk your chain and laugh some more. The not nice ones are taking themselves too seriously. I wish you the best of luck in your travels through Penguin Land, and I sincerely hope that, along the way, you find time to make some really good music. ROCK ON!

If it's never happened to you, then there's no problem. For the rest of us who've had it lock up, stall out, crash and burn (if you happen to be performing), no, it's not an exaggeration or our imaginations. The frustration arises from the apparent randomness of the problems. The first thing support needs to know is, can it be reproduced? Even if you can remember exactly what you were doing - for instance, "I was playing my guitar in xyz factory preset" (has happened to me more than once, not often, but never in the same preset) - that's not very helpful if it doesn't happen every time. Here's a good one for ya - I use the Helix as audio interface, which allows me to use both the Helix amps/presets and the excellent sounds from S-Gear, BIAS and TH3. So one time I'm jamming along with an S-Gear preset when suddenly the helix goes silent! Nothing in the Helix preset, just a blank signal chain. There's still signal going into the DAW, levels are registering in Sonar and S-Gear, so the interface portion of the Helix OUTGOING is still functional. If there were (much requested) signal level meters on the Helix I'd be able to tell if the return from the DAW is working but, in any case, no sound out of the Helix. A week later, it happened in a TH3 preset. I no longer have a separate interface, but before Helix, before POD HD, with an ancient M-Audio Fast Track Pro, NEVER had that happen. Yes, my friend, Helix glitches are real! As to people being frightened away by the truth, that's life in the digital world. An A/B box to a backup basic analog pedalboard saves the day!

Device Manager/Universal Serial Bus Controllers Check each Root Hub/Properties/ PowerManagement Uncheck Allow computer to turn off this device to save power Make sure that all of your system level devices have the latest drivers. Make sure that in ControlCenter under Power Management nothing allows the computer to go to sleep.

No more global warming, Linux already runs on tap water! Penguins to the rescue!

This started as an opinion poll on whether or not we need more amps. It's turned into a wish list. Isn't there a thread dedicated to that? Or maybe it's called Ideascale or some such?

Amsdenj said: "Going forward, I'd also prefer to see more new Line6 amp models like Litigator with more options for distortion voicing we can change. This is tube rather than transistor stomp distortion. Its time to move beyond reproducing the compromises of the past and start building for the digital future." For those of us who've been using S-Gear in parallel with the POD, then the Helix, we know (we hope) that the Helix has the potential to be our live performance perfect solution!