rd2rk

Assign both parameters to SNAPSHOTS (RTM). Save each SNAPSHOT (by saving the Preset) with those parameters set as desired. When the SNAPSHOTS behave the way you want, SAVE the Preset with whichever SNAPSHOT you want to be the default that loads with the Preset.

AFAIK there's no way to emulate a secondary function such as HOLD. You'll need to program the actual action that is performed by the HOLD. What exactly does HOLD do?

The FX loop comes in two parts - the physical being the sockets that the cables are connected to, and the virtual, that being the FX Loop Block which directs the signal to and from those physical sockets. Without both parts of the FX Loop the signal goes straight into the power amp from the HXFX Output. Some guitar amps have the MASTER located AFTER the FX Return, so that the signal from the HXFX can be controlled from the physical amp's MASTER VOLUME. Some do not, and whatever wattage the power amp is rated at, that's what hits the speakers. I don't have an HXFX so I'm not sure what the best method to use would be, but you can control the HXFX Output level from the Output Block or by placing a GAIN Block before the output. Either way control the level by saving at an acceptable level or by using whatever method you use to disable the FX Loop. My Egnater had a properly placed Master Volume, but the Engl I had before that did not, and it was a PITA getting everything to play nicely together with my Helix. I found Snapshots to be easiest.

Please re-phrase the question: "I'm programming a ____________ controller to emulate the way I switch effects manually on my _______________." In that context maybe explain in a little more detail what you're trying to accomplish.

I understand. When I want to send sysex to my FCB1010 I use one of the MIDI to USB cables I mentioned. What I'm saying is that while It's inconvenient to have to mess with cables to send sysex to the device, it's not a regular day-to-day routine procedure (maybe for uber tweakers) and it's not something that L6 is likely going to be able to fix on the current generation of devices even if they wanted to. AFAIK it's a HW thing. It's not a bug though it may appear so due to the misleading documentation, and much as you believe that L6 should have designed it with this use in mind, it is what it is. The best you can do at this point is go to Ideascale and vote for the existing "feature improvement requests" (sysex has already been requested at least once) and maybe post a "future product feature" request.

I'm not sure what you're saying The HXFX has 5 pin MIDI connectors, USB is not required to CONTROL the Strymon pedals. However, CONFIGURATION and CONTROL are two different things. CONTROL, switching presets and whatnot, making simple parameter changes on-the-fly, the things that most users are concerned with doing using the HXFX does not require SYSEX, just simple MIDI messages. I don't use Strymon pedals, so I'm not sure what "CONFIGURATION" entails. I'm guessing that "CONFIGURATION" means making wholesale and/or permanent changes to the Strymon Presets which are then CONTROLLED using simple MIDI. I had a look at the MIDI Spec for the BIG SKY and it looks like you could do this with simple MIDI, routing something like a korg NanoKontrol to the HXFX and THRU to the Strymon, but I can see where this might be a PITA vs using SYSEX. I THINK that MIDIOX can send simple MIDI using a batch file, but that's not something I ever looked into.

Most guitarists don't even know what a SYSEX message is. Most MIDI users don't use them. Most who've used them have done so to transfer a configuration file from an editor to their FCB1010 (or the like) without any real idea of what exactly was going on behind the scenes and have learned the hard way that you need a proper dedicated MIDI Interface to do it as many of the cheap cable interfaces most commonly used to connect MIDI instruments don't pass the longer SYSEX messages. My iConnectivity MIO (more expensive) passes SYSEX no problem, I have two of the cheapies which, while appearing to be identical (treble clef branding), one passes SOME sysex and the other passes none. Go figure! IOW - using SYSEX is a special case mostly used by SYNTH people who generally have a much better understanding of MIDI than most, ESPECIALLY guitarists. Helix is a GENERAL PURPOSE device specialized for use by GUITARISTS. Just as it is NOT the best Audio Interface, it is NOT the best MIDI Interface. So, to be clear, Line6 really SHOULD change their manuals and marketing materials to state clearly that SYSEX (and "whatever") is NOT supported and that the Audio Interface has more latency than many dedicated Audio Interfaces would. There are FAR MORE Helix users concerned with the latency thing than will EVER care about SYSEX. But I agree, the documentation SHOULD be accurate. Personally, I'd be interested in seeing you document the last part of the quoted statement: "Fact is Hx effects filters some MIDI messages. Here it is sysex, but it could also be midi clock or whatever. " I just tested MIDI Clock, and Helix (don't have HXFX) passes MIDI Clock from Reaper just fine. I don't have a touch sensitive KB to test that stuff with, so you MIGHT be right about that. Maybe you can test that? I've not encountered any filtering of the basic MIDI messages that most of us are concerned with - PC, CC and NOTE. As for the rest of your post, it's great that there's someone out there interested enough in this stuff to take the time and make the effort to do the no doubt significant amount of work it took to come up with this stuff. There's probably someone out there who'll actually use it and be very appreciative. However, it will NOT be used by the average Helix user who bought the device to replace their tube amp and analog pedal board. To most of us that stuff is nerdy g0bb1edyg00k. :-) EDIT: I just re-read your previous post. While I've not had the random value re-assignment issue you mentioned (I save each change) maybe I'm not really understanding how you're configuring things or what the actual problem is. Regarding disabling an IC message just assign the message to an unused MIDI Channel. This will of course reset the message so that it'll be re-sent in the other Snapshots. If that's a problem I don't know the solution. Maybe this is another request for Ideascale? I'll vote for it!

I would not advise this. Maybe at EXTREMELY low volume with a limiter but...I'm not gonna test it on mine! Use headphones out of the PodGo for bass practice until you can afford a proper bass practice amp.

I've only ever had one SG - an Epiphone "Custom Shop" (means from the better Chinese factory) with Classic 57/57+ pups. I was able to get anything from jazz to '80s metal out of it. What are you using for playback? Your playback system is easily more than half the final sound. A decent set of studio monitors will sound a lot better than a SS combo with 8"speaker and no FX loop. If you're using a guitar amp it's mandatory to bring the signal into the FX Loop return (forget 4cm for now, keep it simple) and since you won't be using the Helix Cab, the amp's speaker and cab will color everything you try to do. Concerning "John Mayer" tone. Dude has used dozens of amps (including a VERY expensive Dumble) and countless guitars in his career, but AFAIK his main axe has always been a Strat. Strat vs SG = apples vs elephants. Mayer's R'n'R sound is basically edge of breakup, and most of his sound really is coming from his hands. Helix amps that excel at this are many including the Litigator, Voltage Queen (Victoria Electro King), Soup Pro (Supro) and Interstate Zed (DrZ). The new Ventoux is also really, REALLY good. Try Derailed Ingrid (Trainwreck Express), Cartographer and (GASP!) the 2204 for more dirt without going full metal. Too thin usually means add mids. That will interact with the other controls, so be aware of the interaction. Try a darker mic (421?) and take the high cut on the cab down to 5k if it's too fizzy for you. That's all I got for now!

No.

I can see that you're having a lot of fun with this and not to be a killjoy, but is there some reason why the average HXFX user would (or should) care about all of this? I don't own an HXFX, but all of this should be the same for any of the Helix family, maybe even x2 for the Floor/LT/Rack, and neither my Floor nor my HXS (essentially an HXFX with amps) sucks at all, even when used without Helix amps, as is the use case for the HXFX. Seriously, wouldn't your time be better spent playing your guitar? I'm pretty sure that there's no prize at the bottom of this Cracker Jack box... You'll probably think that I'm being snarky, and maybe I am, just a little. But I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, I'm asking a serious question here... Why should anyone care?

All computers are NOT Taco Bell. The type of computer just might matter when troubleshooting. In the meantime, test your USB connection by streaming some music from your computer. Then perform a Factory Reset: If that doesn't work re-install the FW v3.15 using the latest version of L6 Updater. If Updater won't connect make sure you have the latest version. If none of that works contact support.

There's an Input Level LED on the Powercabs. Your loudest lead tone, played HARD, should push that LED into the AMBER range, maybe OCCASIONAL flashes of RED. That's how you know you have the right level into the Powercab, by whatever means. Keep in mind that the VOLUME knob on the Powercab controls the OUTPUT level, NOT the INPUT level. If the Powercab LEDs are set as above and you're getting signal distortion at those levels using the HP out of the Cube, the HP level (line level amplified to drive higher impedance headphones), while OK into the Line Inputs of the Powercab, is probably overdriving the pedal inputs which are designed for (much lower) instrument levels. I don't KNOW that this would be the case, as I would use those pedals as designed, between guitar and Cube and not sweat the stereo aspect, but the above explanation seems electrically logical to me (NOT an engineer!). It also seems logical that the higher VOLTAGE of the HP output COULD damage the pedals. Proceed with caution! Suggestion: Two Joyo amp sim pedals would run you under $100 and allow you to use your existing pedals as designed.

Three year old thread...

The Helix always displays the ACTIVE Preset. In HX Edit when you single click on a preset it will turn grey but will NOT change the Helix display, nor will it appear in the Name field at the top of HX Edit. You have selected that SLOT but it is NOT the ACTIVE Preset. If you now import a Preset it will import to that slot but will NOT appear on the Helix display, which will continue to display the ACTIVE Preset. IOW - single clicking on a preset selects the SLOT. It does not ACTIVATE the Preset. To ACTIVATE a Preset, DOUBLE-CLICK it. See how the yellow selector bar on the far left moves to the Preset? See how the Preset Name appears at the top of HX Edit? NOW it is the ACTIVE Preset and will display on Helix. If you now import a Preset it will display immediately because that slot is the ACTIVE Preset.

Yes. Looking at HX Edit, when the Preset Name is displayed at an angle (vs plain block letters) that means that the Preset has been modified but NOT SAVED. On the Helix display this is indicated by a tiny "e" next to the Preset Name. If you see the Preset on the Helix display that means that it is there on the Helix. SELECT a New Preset. See how it says "New Preset" on the Helix display? Import a Preset. See it on Helix? There ya go! I know you don't want to hear this, nobody ever does, but this might be a good time to grab a beverage, sit down and RTM.

You imported a preset. It's SAVED. If you want to SAVE it again under a different name, SAVE PRESET AS. If you want to SAVE presets to your HD use EXPORT.

Line 6 CustomTone You need the app to load them into the Cat.

When I first got my Helix in 2016 I bought some preset packs from the pros. I was not overly impressed but learned a lot. Some of the presets in the Helix and HXS were made by (at least one of) those pros. Some people say they suck. Myself, I think they're meh. Once you learn how to make presets that sound good TO YOU on YOUR GEAR there's no going back. Be grateful for what you've been given and always consider that with Helix and in life the MOST gratifying results will most likely come from your own efforts. My 3/4 ton profundity for the day. :-)

Factory presets are meant for demonstration purposes. They are NOT meant for serious use. At BEST, if someone LIKES a factory preset except it needs a little...they function as base tones and learning tools. This is true not only of Helix, but pretty much all modelers. Lots of people wonder "Well, if they're meant as a demonstration of capabilities, why don't they make them sound GREAT?" Because what sounds GREAT to one user sounds like CRAP to another. There's no winning the battle when it's all totally subjective. NOTE: No one from L6 hangs out at this forum. If you have product improvement suggestions/requests here's where you go: https://line6.ideascale.com/a/login Be sure to search keywords before posting so as not to dilute the voting when the idea has already been suggested 10 times!

Global Settings>Low Cut Filter And definitely, get it off the floor!

Global Settings>Low Cut Filter And definitely, get it off the floor!

Nice rig!

EQ is your friend!

And since the vast majority of us have had no problems with 3.15, we don't care if YOU never upgrade again! Seriously, it's only a dud for SOME of you. For the rest of us it's the best update EVER and we are SO looking forward to 3.2 with the promised BEST SONIC IMPROVEMENTS YET!