duncann

The model packs shouldn't present any problems. They are inside the device itself whether you like it or not. So nothing to do there. The only other thing about the model packs and their use is to make sure you use the latest version of HD Edit, version 2.26, if you use that program, otherwise they won't show up, or there will be empty entries where the new models should be. As far as any problems with your new computer and operating system, it's probably going to be dependent on the hardware implementation of the USB on your new computer. Chances are there won't be any problems.

Same here. Things are much more predictable and rational on Helix. Also missing a few effects from the HD, which I'm hoping time will cure.

Great track. You've got a lot really nice tones going on. Having listened to the stuff you made on the HD, your particular style is coming through in this song. But it sounds more open, clean, and dynamic than the HD.

I could get quite a lot as well with my HD500X in addition to dual amps. The thing that makes it seem less powerful than a 500X, is the quality of the amps, cabs, and effects. So one amp in Helix might be the same as using two amps in the 500X. A Helix ping-pong delay might be 1.5X the processing power needed as compared to an HD ping-pong delay. The cab IRs in Helix surely take more processing power than an HD cab IR. Note that I'm completely guessing about what the actual processing differences would be.

Thanks for the suggestion. Changing the curve to logarithmic is tons better for volume control, at least before the amp, haven't tried after the amp. Logarithmic really should be the default - it's not. Unfortunately, that's the only place I've found for changing the pedal curve. So it's only for volume, nothing else. A global curve for the pedal might be useful. But the dead zone is present for either curve anyway. I think it's just something to get used to, or use an external pedal. My EP1-L6 doesn't have this problem. And seeing at least one other person having the same problem makes me think there's nothing wrong with my specific Helix. That's good I suppose. Another thing that makes me think it's intentional is the Line 6 EX-1 behaves the same way, at least from what I've read on the forums.

I think saying comfortably is going too far. The absence of an editor is murdering parts of body!

1. Sure 2. Helix allows this, but it won't work, not enough DSP. I tried two amp+cab blocks allocated to one dsp, added a fuzz, and there's room maybe one more thing (dynamic - not all, eq, modulation - not all, ducked delay, filter, wah, or volume/pan). 3. Toggle and momentary, yes, but not inverted polarity. But you can invert the polarity of a parallel path (path 1B or 2B), which could be assigned to a switch. 4. You can put the looper block wherever you want it. 5. Sure.

I have one of the non-toe-switch ones and that part of it works fine with Helix. In fact, better than the onboard pedal because it doesn't have any dead zone. But that's assuming the pot on this thing would be the same. As far as the toe-switch function of it, since there is no toe-switch jack on the floor unit, I don't see how it work for that purpose, unless you physically tap the switch on Helix itself to extend it to the external pedal. Otherwise, you could use that switch for whatever it might work with on the floor unit, which would be CV or External Amp. Don't really know if it would be useful for either of those things though.

One way, you could use a file manager with a batch rename, or scripted renaming function. Or, just rely on an alphabetical sort for the naming convention, which any file manager should be able to do. Then when you want them back in Helix, just use the import function and on the dialog that pops-up select the first IR in the list, then shift-select the last to select them all at once and in the order you see them in your file manager. This is on windows 7, don't know a thing about apples.

I thought there was something like this in there. Thanks.

1. The valve driver is alright, the only one I've used so far. But I generally like a lot of midrange. 2. Fuzz this, fuzz that. What is it with fuzzes? Is it a fad? Never like them. Just my opinion. 3. You can do stuff to create a doubler effect. One thing I do is put a ping-pong delay in a parallel path just before the output. Time: 0, FB: 0, Adjust scale to taste, Adjust spread to taste, Mix: 100%, Low and High cut: off. The new dual-delay would work also, without the need for wasting a path split. 3. I'm patiently waiting for this one. 4. There may be an effect in there somewhere where it effectively becomes an auto-pan. Haven't looked too closely yet. 5. Use a parametric eq block at the end, before the output, as a possible work-around. 6. Works ok for me, I guess. Seems accurate enough. Perhaps the guitar your using has some intonation problems. 7. Haven't looked at these.

If you mean an auto engaging wah, there's this: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Switchless-or-Spring-loaded-Wah-mode-for-Helix/739780-23508 Or if you mean an auto-wah filter, it already has one, called the Mutant Filter, modeled from the the Musitronics Mu-Tron III.

I noticed it starting up faster right away as well.

Don't forget you can assign something like reverb decay, feedback, etc. to a footswitch with min and max values.

Maybe one day...

I get a significant amount of hiss when an fx loop (mono in this case) is put before an amp block, and entirely vanishes when placed after the amp/cab, just like jdalaz said. This is with a patch cable in the fx loop being used. But it's not just after the cab block. For example, on a patch with three different gain blocks before the amp: compressor, valve driver, and gain block, when the fx loop is placed after the compressor, the hiss is slightly less. After the valve driver and it's just about gone. After the gain block and it's completely gone. Another interesting thing about using a patch cabled fx block is when putting it after the amp, or after the cab, and setting the mix to 50%, it's gives a very airy quality to the tone. Almost like a stuck flanger. It's actually sounds like it could be useful somewhere. Whether or not it is supposed to do this, I don't know.

Not familiar with the slow gear, but essentially, yup, an auto-volume. http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Auto-volume-for-Helix/741035-23508

This is an interesting effect, along with the seeker which is very similar, that I miss a little bit. Voted.

The volume block when set to linear is unusable. I'm not sure why they even put the option in there. But when set to logarithmic it has a nice feel to it. I'm not sure if I would give it any awards or anything. Now if they have this with an auto option attached to it, with several parameters to control it, it might be deserving.

I would say chances are good that the seller would already know this. A systems check is exactly what it is.

One thing you can do to make sure all the physical buttons, pots, and encoders all work is: 1. Hold the right arrow while powering on 2. Press down arrow once, then press view 3. Press everything that presses down (don't forget the pedal switch), when done it should return to the screen you were previously on 4. Press down arrow again, then view again 5. Turn each pot (amp controls) through its entire range, when done it should return to the previous screen 6. Press down arrow, then view 7. Turn each encoder, when done it returns to previous screen Now you know that all physical controls work.

Another way if you're using the dual paths for some other purpose is to use a stereo delay after the mixer (no need to pan left and right) with the left at 20ms, the right at >20ms, both feedbacks at zero, and the mix at 100%.

I'm always confused when trying to decide on a lead tone. :) I still haven't decided whether I should use the Helix version lead tone or one that's closer to the pod's version. Helix overall definitely has a fuller, clearer production, and better stereo separation, versus the pod. Some reasons for that: the pod version uses a couple of dimension choruses for one backing track, whereas the Helix version uses the trinity chorus and the 70s chorus. The dirty backing track for sure has better separation and energy out of each speaker on Helix without double tracking or anything like that; I used a ping-pong delay in a parallel path for this. One other thing that might dull the differences between pod and Helix is the type of music. A production on Helix might be more apparent with less going on as opposed to something that's busy.

Does anyone else find it kind of annoying that there is a large dead zone with the onboard expression pedal? To see what I mean, just assign any parameter with a lot of values from min to max to either EXP 1 or EXP 2. Put the pedal in the heel position, start moving the pedal with your hand and watch closely to how much travel the pedal has before the value starts changing. I measured this from the top of the pedal (at the highest point when the pedal is in the heel position) to the top of Helix's housing, and it's 13mm, give or take a millimeter. I realize this may be by design, and if so, perhaps they could add a global option to make use of the entire physical sweep range of the pedal. Also, if this is the case, does anyone know the reason for a dead zone? The pod's expression pedal never had this problem, or feature, depending on how you look at it. Or maybe the auto-calibration feature is broken, or there may be something wrong with my specific device. Wondering if other's are like this.

Thanks arislaf! Always, always great to hear words of encouragement. You're too kind.