rd2rk

POPPING AND BANGING??? Having no such problems on mine, neither my Floor or HXS. If you've followed all the update directions, and re-installed previous FW successfully, your unit might be possessed. But seriously, you've already done everything I'd suggest. Contact support. Also, your attachment is a .php file. Doesn't translate to PC.

I had to look up "Quartal Harmony". I stacked G-C-F. It sounded familiar. I tried dropping each note a half step, and when I dropped the F to E, it was a song! Damn if I can remember the name of the song, but it'll come to me eventually. So thanks, you taught me something just by naming a theory! The thing about the MIDI PC Tx setting is that it's not something you'd learn from a study of General MIDI. It's totally a Helix thing, and therefore it's on L6 to properly explain it. I figured it out because there's also a MIDI PC Rx setting. Since a MIDI device either SENDS (transmits) or RECEIVES messages... MIDI is a deep subject, and very little of it is of consequence to the average guitarist. Most BASIC MIDI links I've found are intended for synth players and contain way too much info that's irrelevant to guitarists. Here's the basics: MIDI Channel: there are 16 MIDI Channels. These allow multiple MIDI devices in a chain to LISTEN for and RESPOND TO only those messages intended for them. A device can also be set to listen for ANY message on ANY channel (OMNI). You can't (normally) SEND on all channels. Helix family products (and MOST other MIDI devices) default to MIDI Channel 1. When you set the BASE channel on Helix (Global Settings>MIDI) you're telling Helix to SEND and RECEIVE on that channel. The SEND Channel can be changed in CommandCenter on a per command basis. Preset, Patch, Program: descended from the days of hard-wired synthesizers, these are all names for the same thing, a collection of parameters that result in a sound. In General MIDI, a BANK consists of 128 sounds, usually numbered 0-127. To make it more logical for midiots, some devices use the 1-128 numbering, but behind the scenes are actually using 0-127. In devices such as Helix Floor/Rack/LT and most synthesizers there are multiple BANKS of 128 sounds accessed by first sending CC#0 and/or #32 (device dependent) with a VALUE for the BANK # to select the BANK, followed by the PC# (0-127) of the preset within that BANK. For instance, to select the 9th preset in BANK 4 on Helix you send CC#0 VALUE 3 followed by PC#8. To select Preset #9 you send PC#9. See the difference between the 9th preset and Preset #9? Continuous Controller (CC): the commands used to set the parameters within a preset. The CC# (always 0-127) can be viewed as the street address, and the VALUE as the apartment #. Practically speaking and in relation to Helix (or Native), your OD BYPASS might be assigned CC#111. A Value of 127 turns it ON and 0 turns it OFF (see below). There's three types of CC. Simple (sends one VALUE); TOGGLING (sends alternate VALUES) and CONTINUOUS (sends a RANGE of Values). An example of a SIMPLE CC is sending Snapshot Change messages. CC#69 with a VALUE of 0 selects SS1. A VALUE of 7 selects SS8. An example of a TOGGLING CC is BYPASS messages. Standard usage is a VALUE of 127 = ON; 0 = OFF. The term "Continuous" comes into play when using a Volume, WAH or Whammy, or when using an expression pedal to control a parameter such as delay length. You set a MINIMUM (HEEL DOWN) and a MAXIMUM (TOE DOWN) to specify the RANGE. MIN might be a dotted 1/8th and MAX might be a WHOLE note. There's not a whole lot more that's relevant to guitar players. If you're using Command Center to set up DAW controls (if there's not already a template for your DAW) or to trigger a synth (useful for playing to drone type sounds) you might use NOTE messages. NOTE ON and NOTE OFF work like Toggling CCs, and each NOTE in every octave has a specific MIDI number. There's two standards for how those numbers are assigned. Here's a link to an explanation: https://computermusicresource.com/midikeys.html Here's a suggestion if you want to use MIDI regularly. Get a MIDI Monitor program. If you're using a PC the best is MIDIOX (FREE!). A proper MIDI Monitor will have a RECEIVE pane and a SEND pane. You select a SOURCE for the RECEIVE pane and a DESTINATION for the SEND pane, and you can choose whether or not to forward the messages from the RECEIVE source to the SEND recipient. Using the monitor, you can play with all of the MIDI settings in Command Center and see EXACTLY what they do. ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR COMMAND CENTER There's a bunch of little rules. InstantCommands execute on Preset Load and Snapshot Change. They execute consecutively - IC1 then IC2 etc. A specific IC can only send one type of command, and after setting it in any SS will default to the default for that command in EVERY other SS. Therefore, it must be set SPECIFICALLY in EVERY SS. Example: SS1 IC1 set to BANK/PROGRAM PC#13. IC1 will default to Bank/Program with all VALUES OFF in all other Snapshots. If IC1 in SS1 sends PC#13 and in SS2 also sends PC#13, when you switch to SS2 PC#13 will NOT re-send, nor will it re-send when switching back to SS1. If SS2 sends a DIFFERENT PC# on IC1, then when switching back to SS1 PC#13 WILL re-send. This rule applies to ALL message types. Toggling CCs and NOTE messages also execute on Preset Load and SS Change. They send whatever the DIM message is, and are subject to the previously stated rule. Example: SS1 FS1 assigned to CC#2, DIM VALUE 0. SS2 FS1 assigned to CC#2 DIM VALUE 127 SS1 sends CC#2 VALUE 0; SS2 sends CC#2 VALUE 127. OK, now I'm tired of typing. Hope this helps. Questions?

Wrong thread???

I wasn't being mean. No one reads the manual cover to cover and instantly understands everything. However, there are certain sections that are indispensable. Global settings for starters. And I MEAN for starters. Even if you don't fully understand everything, familiarity with terminology starts there. Command Center is another. "Why does the FS do one thing when I press it, and something else when I hold it?" Having the knowledge of music theory you seem to have is amazing to me. Though I played in bands for years, opening a book about music theory caused my eyes to glaze over in seconds. But I knew I needed to understand it to accomplish my goals, so I kept at it until today I employ scales and modes without thinking about it. The point is not to sell yourself short. Learning to use devices like Helix is NOT Quantum Physics. Or even advanced music theory! Also, no question is "stupid". Ask away. But at least make an effort to understand the basics. "The manual says blah blah...WTF does that mean?" is an entirely reasonable question. Expecting us (the many helpful people on this forum) to re-write the manual for you starting at page 1 is not reasonable. If you've seen some of my other posts, you know that I spend a great deal of time explaining concepts and presenting examples because, like you, I learn better if I start there. So, if you want to do something, start with the manual, but if you don't "get" something in the manual, don't feel like we'll think you're stupid for asking. There's a cure for ignorance, but laziness is stupid, and there's no cure for that. Glad I could help! Although that's in that indispensable section of the manual called "Global Settings", it's not really explained anywhere!

Global Settings has 6 sub headings, one of which is MIDI. On the Helix Floor it's MIDI/TAP, on the HXS and HXSXL it's MIDI/Tempo. On the third page according to the manual you should see MIDI PC Tx. Did you buy this thing used? I'm starting to think that it has somebody's custom presets on it. Maybe you should do a backup, then perform a Factory Reset by rebooting while holding C+D. Instead of restoring the backup, make a couple of SIMPLE presets that ONLY call Powercab presets. If they work, then you've found your problem. I'm also going to make the suggestion that nobody ever wants to hear: READ THE MANUAL!

On the stomp. What's strange here is that you said EVERY HXS Preset first goes to PC Preset 117. That makes no sense. That should only happen if you're loading Preset #117 on the HXS. If changing that setting doesn't work, you may need to perform a Factory Reset on the HXS.

In Global Settings>MIDI/Tap set "MIDI PC Tx" to OFF.

In Manual mode, Clean amp, all knobs at noon, .5w setting, I'm easily bouncing between 70-85db with my Squier Affinity Tele. As measured with an industrial-strength db meter mounted on the wall 12 feet from the amp. Maybe yours IS defective. You mentioned the "voices" being wildly different volume wise, and capable of "blowing the roof off the house". That was not the case with mine, even with the factory presets, they were nicely balanced. Using the same settings as above, cycling through the amps, they are all at the same db level. The Hi-Gain amp SEEMs louder, but isn't actually. If you put the attenuator all the way up, it WILL blow the roof off. I have the Cat100, so my closest setting to yours is 50w, but that's PLENTY loud for an average bar band. At that attenuator setting, the same amp settings EASILY hit 100db. Maybe you got a defective return that a previous owner messed with?

In Reaper, selecting the waveform and pressing UP ARROW while holding SHIFT zooms the wave form. I tried to figure this out in Ableton v11 and found a video for v10, but I must be misunderstanding because it don't work in v11 the same as it works in v10. I must admit though, I rarely use Ableton and I lose patience with Ableton's documentation quickly. https://www.google.com/search?q=ableton+zoom+waveform&ei=WC3PY5mxBfu30PEPh9Cs8Ac&ved=0ahUKEwiZvZWtgN_8AhX7GzQIHQcoC34Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=ableton+zoom+waveform&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIHCAAQDRCABDIGCAAQCBAeMgUIABCGAzoKCAAQRxDWBBCwAzoGCAAQBxAeOggIABAIEAcQHkoECEEYAEoECEYYAFDPJ1iWOmDkPmgCcAF4AIABsAKIAeYHkgEHMS41LjAuMZgBAKABAcgBBcABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#kpvalbx=_hS7PY46xMrC4qtsPhsCR4AQ_6

Yes, turn OFF MIDI PC Tx. If you want the HXFX to select the appropriate amp channel, in CommandCenter use the first Instant Command (the Lightning bolt). Since preset changing is already happening, that tells you that the appropriate MIDI Channel (HXFX default is Channel 1) is already selected on the TC. ATTENTION: In order to prevent the magic smoke escaping from your very expensive amp, READ THE AMP'S MANUAL SECTION ON USING MIDI! Starting with this: MESA FTSW NOTE: DO NOT connect any Midi devices to the Midi INPUT jack when using the MESA FT.SW. jack! Then read the HXFX Manual section on using CommandCenter. The short story is that if you want to load a preset on the TC when the HXFX preset LOADS, use the Instant Command for Bank/PC. Instant Commands execute on Preset Load and on Snapshot Change. Each Snapshot must have each IC and FS configured individually or that default to their default settings. See below for gotchas. When selecting presets you can ignore the BANK settings unless you want to switch Banks on the TC. Just set the Program (PC)#. The amp should start up in Bank 1. To load a Preset in the other bank requires that the IC (Instant Command) sends Bank CC#0 with a Value of 0 for Bank 1 or 1 for Bank 2, plus the PC#. Leave Bank CC#32 OFF. A simple preset change within the currently selected TC Bank requires only a PC# (both Bank CCs OFF), and the amp SHOULD stay in that Bank until you change the Bank or reboot. The manual is not clear on that, but that's how MOST multi-bank devices work. If you want to turn ON/OFF an effect within a TC Preset and be able to toggle it when playing, assign its MIDI CC# to a TOGGLING CC on an HXFX Footswitch. This will cause the FS to behave like a FS on the Mesa FS Controller. The default Value (DIM) will be sent when the HXFX preset loads. This can be ON (probably 127) or OFF (probably 0). RTM! It will toggle on subsequent presses. It will also re-send on SS (Snapshot) changes depending upon the value of that CC# sent last. Example - SS1 loads by default at Preset Load. The FS sends CC#2 with a DIM Value of 0. SS2 sends the same value. SS1 does NOT resend value 0. BUT - if SS2 sends CC#2 LIT value of 127, then SS1 WILL resend CC#2 DIM Value 0. There's lots of little rules like that when using CommandCenter and unfortunately, the manual is not very clear about them. Feel free to come back if you get confused, but RTM! ATTENTION! In case you missed it, RTM for your TC or risk damaging your amp! Or losing your mind trying to figure out why nothing works right. Head exploding yet? Have fun!

The level is fine. It's set that way to allow headroom on the recorded track for post processing/re-amping/mixing. https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/ideal-level-record-tracks-daw/#:~:text=For dynamic tracks%2C the recommended,during mixing%2C and so on.

Probably, it's actually changing PRESETS because Global Settings>MIDI/Tap>MIDI PC Tx is set to ON. That causes the HXFX to send it's default PC (Program Change) # to the amp. It helps when asking questions to provide things like amp make/model, then we can better explain proper usage of MIDI.

No.

Having a modeler does not in any way determine what kind of amp you need. I've been using my HR FRFR112. Frequency Response 53hz-22khz +/-3db, Frequency Range 46hz-22khz -10db. For home/jam/small gigs it does the job. It does, however, have a very "modern" sound. TBH, if I were to get back into gigging on bass, I'd go for a real bass amp. If you're using an active Ibanez and playing a lot of "slap'n'pop" then look for something with multiple 10" speakers. For a more traditional sound, a Fender P-Bass into a 300watt/15" Fender Rumble is about as far on the "traditional" end as you can get for reasonable bucks. Of course, if I had roadies it would be an SVT and a "fridge"... :-) Of course, there's lots of ways to go. You might want to go over to Talkbass and just cruise around the amp threads to see who's using what these days.

Right Click. No. No.

Considering that it's Floyd, you probably have a relatively complex, DSP heavy signal chain. Your best bet is to get a reactive load box with IR loading capability. Something like the Two Notes Captor X. While there are ways to do what you're asking with Helix alone, you'd essentially be splitting the signal chain at the FX Loop Block and duplicating the rest of the signal chain with an HX amp. BIG TIME DSP intensive. You COULD take a SEND at the end of the signal chain and use an IR box with a power amp simulator built in, but wouldn't it be better to have the actual sound of your own amp's power amp section and simply add an IR for FOH?

Not sure what you're asking. Can you provide a real world example of where this would be used?

In each Snapshot you need to set the parameter to the desired position, then SAVE the Preset. Lastly, SAVE the preset to the desired default Snapshot.

It's all in the wiring. What you want is 4cm (4 cable method. It's described and illustrated on page 9 of the manual (Rev C). It works like this: Guitar>HXS L/Mono Input>TS (shielded guitar) cable from SEND to Amp Input>TS cable from Amp FX Loop SEND to HXS L/Mono Return>TS cable from HXS L/Mono Output>Amp FX Loop Return. There's a level switch on the back of your amp (at least there was on my HT5 - RTM). You place an FX Loop L Block in the signal chain between the FX you want BEFORE the amp (OD, Distortion) and the FX you want in the amps FX Loop (Delay, Reverb). Using this method you can also take the amp's pre-amp section OUT of the signal chain and replace it with HXS amps or pre-amps. While there's no real reson to completely bypass the HXS, you CAN do so. See page 14 of the manual. As I've already mentioned it twice, I'm going to specifically mention that reading the manual is a useful way to spend some time...

Using IRs on your modeler vs on the PC should sound the same, as in Flat Stereo Mode the signal just passes through from Input to Output. The Allure IRs just might not be your cup of tea. Try loading the same IRs you use on your modeler onto the PC if you're wanting to conserve DSP on the modeler, which is really the only reason to do it. Since I have a Helix, I use the digital (L6 Link) cable. That eliminates the possibility of the cable affecting the tone, but unless you use REALLY crappy cables, it shouldn't be a big factor.

When you use an IR you want the FRFR mode, which is Flat Stereo. In that mode (and User IR) the tweeter is ON. That's why it's called FRFR - Full Range Flat Response. You don't get full range from a plain guitar speaker, which is what the co-axial speaker is without the HF Driver. If you want to turn the HF Driver OFF you have 3 options. Create a Preset that uses LF RAW (speaker only/no eq) or LF Flat (speaker EQ'd to be flat) or send an additional MIDI command of CC#105 = 0 which is essentially the same as LF Flat. You can also use CC#105 to reduce the output of the HF Driver without turning it OFF completely. For example, a Value of 113 = 0db (the default) and a value of 105 = -6.5db.

Other guitars work in the Catalyst. The guitar works in other amps. This makes no sense at all. There is no difference between the input circuit of the Cat (any version) and the Fender in terms of the basic ability to respond to an electrical signal from a guitar. Sensitivity might differ, but if anything, the active pups would be more likely to overdrive the Fender than the Cat. If you ever find a solution to this, please post back. Good Luck!

Yes.

Check the guitar's battery. Try it in another amp. Call ESP.

Instead of using the 1/4" Main out for the 5150, add a SEND (If you're using FX Loop L for 4cm, use Send R. You'll need a 1/4" Male TRS to dual 1/4" Female Mono INSERT cable. RING is Send R). That completes the 4cm configuration. Make sure that THRU is set to 0db in that SEND Block, then add your IR after that. That'll get your IR at the HP and MAIN Outs.