duncann

It might actually be something else (don't know what) since you can't get the unit out of a boot-loop. Just to double check, you tried the global reset with nothing at all, even usb, connected? And you might have tried multiple times already, but keep trying the global reset, you might get lucky. I know that calibrating the pedal sometimes takes multiple tries.

Usually, number 1 fixes this problem. You could try holding the down arrow while powering on, which should force the unit into an update flash mode. If you get that, then run the Line 6 Monkey program to see if you can reflash the unit. Make sure to unplug everything from the unit before trying this, except usb and power, of course. If that doesn't work, something would be wrong with the unit and would need to be serviced.

It looks kind of difficult to decipher in that way. There are some names that look obvious, like Tom Sawyer, Nothing Else, Whole Lotta, and I'm sure a bunch of others that are based from a song, but which I don't know the song/title to begin with, so... In between the more obvious ones, there's names like: Ha! U Said Djent, British Twang, Crossover Synth, Deep Clean, Not at Launch, Twin Tangerine, and a bunch of others that don't look to me like they are based on any song. Maybe there's a list somewhere describing the factory setlists with more detail.

How do you guys have yours hooked up? Do you record the spdif signal? Use another interface? Use Helix as an interface and record its USB? I use Helix as an interface and record using its USB. I use the spdif only for monitoring. When I get a cutout (all audio coming from the output is dropped), it's certainly jarring when you're right in the middle of recording a take, in a particular a difficult take, but it's still recorded.

The DSP chips are not changeable. What's in there stays happily right where it is and nothing else will come along to shove it away.

One downside to these modeling devices is it's easy to fall into the trap of too many choices. When I first got one of these, it was an HD500. It seemed I was tweaking and building patches more than playing and writing. I still have this problem to some degree, and maybe a little more again, recently, with Helix. But once you start to learn what works and what doesn't with these things, it takes much less time to construct something. Plus, when it comes time to ditch the POD for something else, a lot the knowledge you gain from using the POD certainly can be carried over to another device, which makes things easier. But the lingering problem of too many choices is always there, and is a fine line to maintain. I look at it as a way to work on my willpower, and carry that extra willpower to other things in life.

With closed back, you also have the benefit of not hearing the acoustic string noise, which is great.

This is true on Windows 7 and Reaper with the HD500(X). On Windows 10, this doesn't seem to be a problem. Also, for Windows 7 and Reaper, Helix doesn't have this problem.

You've probably already read that not all amps use the same amount of DSP. I kind of look at trying to run two amps on one processor path the same as running two amps on an HD500, not X. It's just not very useful for much. So far, I often find myself using an amp and more than one cab, or a cab and an IR, all on one processor path with room for quite of bit of other stuff. Maybe I've been lucky so far in picking the amps that don't use much DSP. But also so far, I've never thought to myself that more than one amp would be useful for anything as far as a single tone goes. I would say Helix is very powerful, but certainly not omnipotent in processing. Change your perspective a bit and try and imagine if a product like this showed up in the 90s.

One thing to try with the overdrives, is crank the level to max and add very little gain, somewhere around 10-20%. Some amps sound pretty good like this. One gauge for determining if you have too much distortion or not: find something moderately difficult to play and if it becomes easier to play because of distortion, back off.

That and maybe start looking at their supplier for the scribble strips, which they may already be doing...

One of the great things about Helix is it gives you the choice of how to partition the DSP. If you're only using one path and run out of DSP, move some stuff to path 2. I don't think Line 6 could really do any better than what they already did as far as DSP allocation by allowing the user to decide where to put stuff. They could have made it like Fractal's AX8, where an entire processor is devoted to amp modeling whether you like it or not. You'd maybe see less DSP full messages, but at the cost of some flexibility by eliminating one path split and merge, number of total inputs and outputs, and probably the number of total blocks available for use.

So I did the procedure ice9mike did, and it really did improve the on-board exp pedal. It's much more smooth and seems to glide now. There was some sort of lubricant/oil on the long bolt that holds everything together. The bolt turns inside a stationary nut while in operation. But none of the perpendicular surfaces that make contact and move against each other had any sort of lubricant at all. I used chapstick, the same thing I use on my Edge tremolo.

Really great! Nice creative use of Helix that pushes the sonic limits of it. Will certainly be checking the patches to see how you did all that.

Thanks much mbenigni! Glad you enjoyed it. Even though I don't know how to play any Vai stuff, strange as it may seem, he is the one that probably influences my style the most. I've heard the name Suicidal Tendencies before, and maybe have a vague memory of it from 20+ years ago. Can't link any music to the name though. After listening to some clips, Rocky George is certainly very talented. Appreciate the compliment. Tool is something new for me. Haven't heard them before. After listening quickly, I will have to take time and listen some more. Liked what I've heard so far. Again, thanks for the compliment and for the heads up about new-for-me musicians.

Thanks for reminding me about this and your discovery of it. I had actually saved your earlier post about this for future reference. I might have to try it because there really is no 'in between' setting. It's either really tight, too much tension, or too loose and floppy.

Thanks Peter! Right back at you with your videos.

That is really great. Mesmerizing. Makes you wonder what the hell is going on when it stops!

With a block on path 2, doesn't really matter what, and if one isn't there, put one there, hit the action button then move the joystick down, then press the joystick. Now using the joystick, navigate to where the split occurs, hit the action button, then joystick down, press joystick. Navigate to where the merge occurs, hit the action button, then joystick down, press joystick.

I've made a patch with a built-in cab and an IR, plus lots of other stuff, all in one path. Two IRs might be a problem, but instead of doing that, why not mix the 2 IRs outside of Helix, and make it 1 IR, if the intention is to mix them on Helix anyway?

Be careful which ones you put after an amp. Certainly try them all, but some just do not sound good after an amp. For a cleaner sound, I've found the Vetta Juice works well, even with the amount at 100%. I've had good results with the Tube Comp also, just as hurghanico recommends.

It this is the case, it certainly opens up a lot more possibilities. That's what so great about Helix.

Ultimately you are the one most familiar with your own needs and wants. You pretty much know what to expect if you upgrade to a 500X. It's the 500 but with about 20% more DSP, better switches, and a slightly higher contrast screen. I went from a 500 to a 500X and was quite surprised by how much more you can do with that extra 20% of DSP. I also went from a 500X to Helix. I really do not regret that choice one bit. There are some things the 500X does that Helix cannot, mainly in the effects, so I keep mine around, but for the most part it collects dust now. If you have use for the flexibility Helix gives you (take a gander at Helix's manual for an idea about this), it could be worth it. Is the ease of programming it worth it to you? With Helix, there may be the possibility of ditching all of your extra pedals. Just some things to think about.

But the original poster wants three independent paths for three instruments. So assuming three amps are needed, two of them must be on one processor, which basically kills the entire setup, unless three amps would not be needed, or one amp can be shared among the two guitars.

Probably not. I tried adding two pv panama amps+cabs in paths 1A and 1B. When you add one reverb, that's pretty much it, except for a volume, gain, or pan block.