jackwagner
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Posts posted by jackwagner
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I'd be interesting in knowing if there's an easier way than what I do...which is that I have a cable that has a TRS connector that I plug into my bass (Rickenbacker 4003 with a Ric-o-Sound output jack) that splits out into 2 T4AF connectors that I plug into 2 TBP12 transmitters. And I have 2 Relay G90 receivers in my rack. I also have 2 Relay G50 receivers that I use when I use a pedal board instead of the rack.
--jack
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On 6/1/2023 at 8:16 AM, jdomine said:
Hello Jack,
If you could post the preset here I would be happy to check this out and see if I can also reproduce it.
Hi,
Here's the preset that I'm having trouble with. Here's the sequence that I used to reproduce the issue:
- Load the preset and connect bass to Return 1 and speaker/amp to Multi out
- Disconnect USB
- Play bass and note audio output
- Tune bass
- Play for another minute or so.
- Let it site without playing bass for a while. I did something else for about 15 or 20 minutes.
- Play bass and note no output for Path 1. I can see the input block on Path 1 go green to indicate activity, but no audio and no green on the output block.
Also, in my original description, I forgot that I also have a Preamp block between the Volume block and the IR. You'll notice it in the preset. The IR that I'm using is an Ampeg 810 cab. I forget where I got the IR, so I didn't want to post it here in case I purchased it.
After the output stopped, I reconnected the USB. Using HX Edit, I deactivated/bypassed the Amp+Cab block and output resumed. I activated it again and output stopped.
Hope you can recreate it.
Thanks for the help!
--jack
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On 6/1/2023 at 8:16 AM, jdomine said:
Hello Jack,
If you could post the preset here I would be happy to check this out and see if I can also reproduce it.
Hi,
Thanks for the help. I will post the preset this evening when I get home from work.
Also, I realized that I forgot about the IR block on Path 1. I edited my original post to include it.
Thanks,
--jack
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I reported this in the Bug thread, but wanted to put it here too, in case someone else is having the same issue.
An issue that I reported on September 14, 2017 regarding loss of volume over a period of time is back.
On 5/26/2023, I update the firmware on my Helix Rack from 3.15 to 3.60. I have a preset for bass that has 2 paths:
Path 1 has an input, compressor, amp+cab, compressor, volume, IR, and output blocks. Input comes from Return 1; output is MULTI. This path processes the neck pickup from my bass.
Path 2 has an input, Mic Preamp, and output blocks. Input comes from Return 4; output is MULTI. This path processes the bridge pickup from my bass.
When I select the preset, everything works as expected for a few minutes. After a few minutes (maybe 5 or so minutes), I no longer get any volume from Path 1. I don't really notice that it gets quieter over time, just that any signal/volume from Path 1 is gone after a while. When I switch to a different preset and then back to this preset it works as expected again. For another few minutes.
The issue may not have been introduced in 3.6 since I upgraded from 3.15 to 3.6.
--jack
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An issue that I reported on September 14, 2017 regarding loss of volume over a period of time is back.
On 5/26/2023, I update the firmware on my Helix Rack from 3.15 to 3.60. I have a preset for bass that has 2 paths:
Path 1 has an input, compressor, amp+cab, compressor, volume, IR, and output blocks. Input comes from Return 1; output is MULTI. This path processes the neck pickup from my bass.
Path 2 has an input, Mic Preamp, and output blocks. Input comes from Return 4; output is MULTI. This path processes the bridge pickup from my bass.
When I select the preset, everything works as expected for a few minutes. After a few minutes (maybe 5 or so minutes), I no longer get any volume from Path 1. I don't really notice that it gets quieter over time, just that any signal/volume from Path 1 is gone after a while. When I switch to a different preset and then back to this preset it works as expected again. For another few minutes.
The issue may not have been introduced in 3.6 since I upgraded from 3.15 to 3.6.
--jack
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I did a Backup, Factory Reset, and Restore. No recurrence of the problem - so far. I will keep my eye on it. Thanks so much for the help!
--jack
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I will try that. Thanks for the suggestion.
--jack
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One more thing...I looked through all of the Global Settings to see if there was anything there that I thought could contribute to my issue, but didn't see anything.
Oops, 1 more...I guess that I can try the Return jacks and Aux In to see if there's any difference.
--jack
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I'm having an issue with my Helix Rack that just started this week. I was using firmware version 2.82, but I upgraded to 2.92 last night and the problem is still there.
I have my passive bass connected to Guitar In via a known good instrument cable. I have tried several cables just to be sure it's not a cable issue. I have the L/Mono 1/4" output connected to a practice amp (Ampeg BA-112 v2) and I have the XLR Left/Mono connected to a stereo power amp that is not powered on. Again, I have tried several cables just to be sure it's not a cable issue. The Helix Control is not connected. This configuration normally works with no issue.
When I power on the Helix, it comes up with an empty patch, User 1, Patch 15, New Patch. The input block is set to Multi and the Gate is OFF; the output block is set to Multi; there are no other blocks. The Volume knob is set to 12:00.
The problem is that when I play the bass, there's no output from the Helix unless I play very softly or until the note played decays until it's at low volume. It's as if there's a hard compressor or limiter in the Helix.
When I play normally (fairly hard right hand technique) I hear a click when I play a note. When I hold the note, I will eventually get some output after the note decays past some threshold. The output meters with version 2.92 show this also. It's as if there is an active compressor or limiter. But the preset has nothing - other than the Input and Output blocks. This happens on my other presets also, I just switched to an empty preset for troubleshooting.
After a while (5, 10, 20 minutes?), this issue goes away and all is normal. I don't do anything to make the issue go away, I just continue to play and scratch my head, lol.
While the Helix is having the issue, cycling power doesn't help. It does the same thing when it restarts. It's not until the Helix resolves itself that I can cycle power and it works normally.
Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
--jack
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I have a Helix Rack and use Reaper on my Windows 8 PC and I don't have the issue that you describe.
I'm curious to know what your Helix preset looks like. Especially the input and output blocks. Also curious to know, in Reaper, which input source you're recording (hopefully not USB 7/8) and whether it's mono or stereo. Also in Reaper, what are the output port(s) on the Master track? Should be USB 1/2.
Maybe you're recording the dry guitar output (USB 7/8) instead of the preset output.
[EDIT]: Reading your previous reply, looks like you're recording USB 1/2 mono or stereo. Still would like to see your preset.
Here's something that you can try that might help:
- On the PC, use Windows Media Player to play an mp3 or wav file that you're familiar with. With the Helix connected via USB, the audio should be routed to the Helix and the monitor speakers attached to it. Is that the case? Does it sound good? Meaning quality as you expect?
- If audio from Windows Media Player is going to your Helix and quality is good, open a new project in Reaper. Create a track and insert the same mp3/wav file into that track. Hi the play button in Reaper and compare the audio with the audio from Windows Media Player. It should sound the same.
Another thing you can try is to arm the track for recording in Reaper and select Monitor Input by right-clicking on the arm button. Play your guitar and see how it sounds. If your preset's output block is Multi, you will want to change that to USB 1/2 in order for this to work.
--jack
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Thanks for the vid Nick. Interesting to see how others are getting results.
--jack
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9 minutes ago, rd2rk said:
No.
I didn't think so. For the Actition to work, you'd probably have to get them to make a custom version for you.
--jack
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Too bad the CC message sent by the Actition controllers aren't editable. The 8-button version would be really good for this application. Maybe they will customize the CC messages for you??
I have the 4-button USB version (not used with the Helix) and it works very well.
Can the CC messages needed by the Helix to select snapshots be edited?
--jack
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I don't have any experience controlling the Helix via MIDI. I want to do the opposite - use Helix to control Ableton. I want to be able to select a specific Ableton Live set when I switch from Preset A to Preset B. Good luck, I hope to learn something by following this thread.
--jack
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I was playing around with the Helix as an audio/MIDI interface recently and decided to record an audio track to test it out.
I found a version of Iron Maiden's 2 Minutes To Midnight without bass, so I loaded that into Reaper and played along. Here's a link to the result:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yDKHdWnU4JiXqZ7DLa5ahxXIdPUNwXb2/view?usp=sharing
The tone is ok in the recording. I would probably tweak it a bit if I was going to really record with it. IMO, it sounds better live thru my amp/cab.
I uploaded my preset to Line 6 CustomTone a while back. Here's the link:
https://line6.com/customtone/tone/3182431/
Enjoy.
--jack
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On 11/3/2018 at 11:22 PM, rd2rk said:
Ok, gotcha!
I'd like you to do me (and everybody else who might come here for information) a favor.
I don't know why you can't get it to work in your application, but it works for me, and for MANY others who use it. Maybe it doesn't work in exactly the way you say you want to use it, but in normal usage for most people, it works. I've helped lots of people get it working, both on this forum and elsewhere, with all sorts of hardware and software configurations, so please, don't go around saying that "the Helix is junk - as far as being an audio/MIDI interface".That's nonsense, in the truest meaning of that word.
Thanks, and Best of luck to you in your musical endeavors.
At this point I would revise my comment to "the Helix is junk - as far as being a MIDI interface."
I have opened a support ticket. We'll see what happens.
--jack
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8 hours ago, rd2rk said:
Like I said, I can duplicate your problem in MIDIOX - yet, in real world application, it works! Try it in Ableton, with an actual VST. I mentioned Sonar and Reaper, but I also use Ableton and, again, no problems. You've proven (with the Audiobox) that your pedal works. The configuration just LOOKS like it's a problem using MIDIOX. How long does it take to TRY it in Ableton, 10 minutes? Better than simply laying the blame on a piece of equipment that works for countless others!
I know I said earlier that I hadn't done that, but I have. In fact, that's where I started. That didn't work, so I decided to get the simpler configuration working and go from there. It simply doesn't work. And, if I have to turn MIDI Thru on to get MIDI IN data to go over USB to my PC/Laptop, then that's a deal breaker anyway.
QuoteIf you can't get it to work in real world application - to an actual VST, then it might be time for a Support ticket.
Perhaps so.
QuoteAs to what SHOULD just work, in 30 years of working with computers, as a tech, programmer and network admin, I've learned over and over that it's rarely that simple!
Well, maybe. The configuration I'm testing isn't complicated. Yet, it simply does not work.
I'm no MIDI guru, but I've been using it for many years to interface the equipment that I have. I saw an opportunity to improve on the technique that I use between songs to ensure that each piece of gear is properly configured for the next song on the set list. The Helix simply does not work in the capacity that I had hoped. Or even as a replacement for the AudioBox that I currently use.
I'm not going to spend any more time on it.
--jack
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10 hours ago, rd2rk said:
You're wrong about that.
In addition to my eDrums, I've also run a MIDI enabled synth through it. NO PROBLEMS, as long as the devices are on different MIDI Channels (NOT OMNI) and the Helix is configured as I described.
I tried your suggestions - which I appreciate very much. Still does not work.
10 hours ago, rd2rk said:What you're describing is the reason I stopped using MIDIOX. For some reason, a while back one of the W10 updates broke MIDIOX. Apparently, it's also broken on Win8. Pi$$es me off, I've used MIDIOX for YEARS! I've done the usual uninstall/reinstall to no avail.
I have no issue with MIDI-OX on my Windows 8 PC or laptop. When I substitute the AudioBox for the Helix, MIDI-OX works.
10 hours ago, rd2rk said:What I do now is to use a VST MIDI Monitor called - get ready - MIDI MONITOR:
Great, the web site is down, and this @#$%^ forum won't let me attach it!
PM me an email address and I'll send it to you. Are you 32 or 64 bit?
It's nowhere near as powerful as MIDIOX, but MIDIOX is obviously broken, and for basic monitoring it gets the job done.
I'm not sure how Studio One (I assume that's what you're using with a Presonus, but whatever DAW) works, but in Sonar you put MIDI Monitor in an audio track, then point a MIDI track with it's input set to Helix at it. In Reaper you just put it on a track with a MIDI Input set to Helix.
I use Ableton Live. I have been using it for years with my AudioBox, PK-5A and Juno-G. I started this experiment with the Helix in an attempt to simplify the actions that I have to take to change things for each song. This is a very basic test: can I get MIDI data from my PK-5A into my PC. The answer so far is no. BTW, I'm not even trying to send any MID data from my PC back through the Helix (USB) and then on to the Juno-G (MIDI Out) yet.
10 hours ago, rd2rk said:DON'T GIVE UP! IT REALLY DOES WORK!
EDIT: That's hysterical! Just for kicks I ran MIDIOX. It's working fine again! Apparently, the problem I had with MIDIOX (which was as you described) was because of the way I had the drumkit wired into the system through the synth. It all works, but for some reason MIDIOX doesn't like it! Sometimes I hate computers!
ANYHOW.....setting it up simply - synth on ch1 > Helix on ch2 > USB to computer - MIDIOX tells me that all is well, with both devices sending consistently on their respective channels. That's with MIDI USB and MIDI THRU both ON.
That's cool. I have tried the configuration you suggest and I do see data at MIDI-OX. BUT, not consistently. And for my configuration, I cannot have the Helix's MIDI Thru ON. Because that will send the MIDI IN data directly to MIDI OUT, right? That's not going to work for me. And even in that configuration, I miss some MIDI data. I can press a pedal on the PK-5A and get nothing at the Juno-G and MIDI-OX. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. That's not good.
10 hours ago, rd2rk said:The one thing you haven't mentioned - have you actually tried the PK-5A with a synth VST in your DAW? Maybe, as in the case I just described, it actually works, but there's just something about the combination that MIDIOX doesn't like?
I haven't tried the Helix with Ableton. I figured that I would start with a VERY basic test and go from there. The Helix as an audio/MIDI interface simply does not work for me. The AudioBox does. I plug it in and it works. Just like it should, no muss no fuss.
Thanks for all your help and suggestions, I really do appreciate it. I might still try, but a basic test like this should really just work.
--jack
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Update:
I updated the firmware on my Helix Rack and Controller to v2.70.00. It changed things a little.
In Global Settings -> MIDI/Tempo, I set MIDI Base Channel = 1; MIDI over USB = ON; MIDI THRU = OFF. My external MIDI controller (Roland PK-5A) is setup to transmit on MIDI Channel 1. I am running the MIDI-OX application on my Windows 8 PC and I have configured the Input device as "Line 6 Helix" and the Output Device as "LoopBe Internal MIDI." I chose "LoopBe" as the output because this is how I sometimes connect to my DAW and I just wanted to test whether I could receive MIDI data on my PC. In this configuration, when I press a key on the PK-5A, I get nothing in MIDI-OX. I also experimented with setting the MIDI Base Channel to 2 (and other values) and changing the MIDI channel my controller. No change in behavior.
If I change MIDI THRU to ON, I start to see Note On and Note Off data in MIDI-OX. However, it is very sporadic. At times I see the Note On and Note OFF data in MIDI-OX. Other times I will see only the Note On. Other times I see nothing at all.
When I set the Output Device to "Line 6 Helix" on MIDI-OX, I see a ton of MIDI Note On, Note Off data scrolling in MIDI-OX. I suspect there is a MIDI loop creating this result, but I don't understand why - MIDI THRU set to ON should not create this type of loop.
When I substitute the Presonus AudioBox in for the Helix, I get the results I expect: For every Note On/Off sent from my controller, I get 1 Note On/Off in MIDI-OX and then I receive the note at the device connected to the MIDI Out of the AudioBox. The behavior is as expected when setting the MIDI-OX Output Device to "LoopBe" or "Line 6 Helix" with no weird MIDI loop.
Based on this, my conclusion is that the Helix is junk - as far as being an audio/MIDI interface. This makes me sad.
--jack
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10 hours ago, arkieboy said:
I don't have a PK5 but I do run bass pedals into the helix, and then helix->usb->Apple MainStage with no issues. I'll try to take a note of any global settings tonight.
Have you tried both midi over usb and midi thru on at the same time - that seems to be the most reasonable combination
MIDI Over USB is ON, but MIDI Thru is OFF. I don't want MIDI thru for this configuration. Any insight into your setting would be great.
4 hours ago, rd2rk said:Don't use OMNI, use a specific channel other than the BASE channel.
If the PK-5A is on Channel 1, either change it to Channel 2 or change the BASE Channel to Channel 2.
Set MIDI over USB ON, MIDI THRU ON.
Ok, I will try that.
Thanks,
--jack
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5 minutes ago, rd2rk said:
I run the MIDI from my eDrums into the Helix. MIDI over USB ON, MIDI THRU ON. No problems.
Are you using your Roland on the same MIDI Channel as the Helix Base Channel? Try changing the Roland to a different channel, could be that there's no MIDI MERGE happening.
My PK-5A is transmitting on MIDI channel 1. I checked the Helix Base Channel and it is also 1. I changed the Base Channel to Omni and other setting with no change.
Thanks,
--jack
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39 minutes ago, soundog said:
sounds like you're doing things correctly. Are you sure you don't have any MIDI filters turned on in MIDI OX (other than, say, sysex or clock)? Also, I'm a Mac user so not sure how MIDI ports work on Windows, but make sure MIDI Ox is set to the correct MIDI port.
Hi, Thanks for the help.
I'm sure that MIDI-OX is setup correctly with no filters, etc. I have been using it for years with my other audio interface (AudioBox). When I swap out the Helix for my AudioBox, I simply change the MIDI input/output ports on MIDI-OX and I can see the MIDI data from my controller.
I read something here in the forums about Active Sensing that may be an issue. I'm certain that the Roland PK-5A is sending Active Sensing messages. I can see it with MIDI-OX when the AudioBox interface is used instead of the Helix. I will search for more info on that, but otherwise I'm stuck.
--jack
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I'm trying to use my Helix Rack as an audio/MIDI interface. I have an external MIDI controller (a Roland PK-5A) that I connected to the Helix Rack via a MIDI cable and the Helix is connected to my laptop via USB. My laptop is running Windows 8 and I am running an application called MIDI-OX to monitor MIDI data. So far, I am unable to get any MIDI data from my controller to the laptop. I am running Helix firmware 2.60 and the USB driver is v 1.91. When I substitute my other audio interface (Presonus AudioBox), I am able to see the MIDI data that I expect on MIDI-OX (I have been using the AudioBox for years.)
The "MIDI Over USB" global setting is ON.
I am certain that I have the MIDI cables connected properly.
When I turn "MIDI over USB" OFF and "MIDI Thru" ON, I get MIDI data out of the Helix - not to my laptop over USB, but rather out the Helix MIDI OUT port.
I have tried booting the Helix and then connecting the USB cable to the laptop, and also booting the Helix with the USB cable already connected (I read this is a thread here). The results were the same - no MIDI data over USB.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks,
--jack
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I haven't used my Helix as an Audio/MIDI interface yet, but plan to try it soon. I plan on using the USB interface to connect it to my PC. I'm a bit leery of this though since the USB connection seems to drop out when I use the HX editor.
Regarding controlling Ableton with the Helix...How are you planning to do this? I'm going to explore selecting an Ableton Live Set via the Helix and I'm not sure how to accomplish that yet. Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
--jack
Relay G90, poor performance and updating
in Relay Digital Wireless
Posted
Hi,
Interesting. I have 2 G90 receivers and both have worked with no issues for years. Both of my TBP12 transmitters are old, and therefore old firmware, which I think means they're both on RF1. The only suggestion that I have to offer is to use the scan function on the G90 receiver to pick a clear channel. Sorry, that's probably not much help, I just wanted to chime in and provide my experience.
Good luck,
--jack