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brue58ski

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Everything posted by brue58ski

  1. Read this first. As for the “Boot Failure - Entered Update Mode” message, you are aware that it is documented in the Release Notes. This is due to the major changes to the Helix Core and can take a while (brain transplant), but wait for the message in HX Edit stating the device needs to be reset - Click Resume and wait for the second part of the update to finish. When the install is complete, your hardware should auto restart and go through the “Rebuilding Presets” routine - once again this could take a while. Now you can perform a Factory Reset on your unit and you can check out all the new factory presets (again, refer to the notes). That's from this. You need to fully read this before you proceed. You can skip the part about what is new. Here's your factory reset options. The 9 & 10 option is what you should do. It resets but nukes everything. I hope you did a backup. Helix Floor/LT Button Combination Description 2 LED light Fun 3 & 4 Test Mode 5 & 6 Global reset 7 & 8 Reset setlists to factory, Keep IRs 8 & 9 Reset setlists to factory, Clear IRs 9 & 10 Reset setlists to factory, Global reset, Clear IRs 10 & 11 Upgrades existing presets to latest format 11 & 12 Clear current preset 5 & 12 Clear setlists, clear IRs, Return system settings to default 6 & 12 Safe boot mode
  2. From what I have gathered in the manual, you can send mono and receive stereo but not the way you're describing. as far as I can tell, the return is not a stereo jack, i.e. TRS. It looks like both returns are mono. I can find no documentation to confirm or deny this. I do not have an HX stomp so I can't try this. I would try using a stereo send/return block. But use a mono 1/4" to go to your SL-20 from the send, and then you will have to have two separate mono 1/4" cables coming from the SL-20 in order to got into both of the Returns. Hope this helps.
  3. The ultimate Helix experience would be to be in a large canyon at dusk with enough of a PA to fill the canyon for my sound (should I use reverb or delay or both? (haha)) and a strong subwoofer just for moving the air so I can feel it in my chest...Sigh, it will never happen.
  4. Your welcome. I started to get into this hence all of the info. My own curiosity got the best of me. I am going to try to get Randy's sound again when I have time although I've come to the conclusion that the Altec speakers are fairly critical. I do not have an IR for that speaker.
  5. You won't get Randy perfectly with a Strat. But you can maybe get close. You'll have to at least boost the Strat signal to drive everything harder like just a gain block or even a compressor of some kind. Start with a volume pedal (not necessary for the sound but he used one.) Then go with a Cry Baby Wah. The Helix has one of those. He used an MXR Distortion +. Helix doesn't have one (I've never understood that. It was fairly iconic in it's day wasn't it? Line 6 has never modeled it.) The KWB is a distortion unit that is kinda sorta based on the Distortion +. He used an MXR 10-band EQ which the Helix has. Unsure of the settings. He used an MXR chorus which the Helix does not have. I have no knowledge of what chorus the Helix has that is close. But, it's a chorus so just try them all. Randy used to, at the very least, double track his guitar's. From what I remember, he even double tracked his solo's. Amazing. So I suspect the chorus was for his live setup to simulate the studio double tracking using two Marshall amps and going stereo with the chorus to the amps. According to the graphic I provided, the chorus went mono into a stereo flanger first and then went stereo from there. Not sure how accurate that is. You'll have to experiment. With having both the chorus and flanger, don't forget to play with the mix parameter's in each of them. He also used a Roland Space Echo which the Helix has. For his studio sound, try the Helix Double Take instead of or even with the chorus but put it after a single Marshall amp. It's in the stereo modulation section. It's going to be hard getting around not having a humbucker. Line 6 has a "Tone Template" area and you can go to Randy Rhodes for their suggestions on what to use. Unfortunately, it doesn't many of the effects it displays and little info about what Line 6 effects to use. Like it says to use an MXR Distortion + but the graphic it shows is an Tube Screamer, not the KWB like I suggested. I'm sorry I don't have any real Helix specifics. Just a lot of suggestions of stuff to try. One thing you may try. I always thought his sound was more of the distortion pedal than the amp, so try riding the amp gain low. One extra thing. I've noticed several places claiming that Randy used Altec 417-8H speakers in his cabs. I see no cab in the Helix that has those I don't know what, if anything comes close.and if there's one thing I know, speakers are a major part of an amp's sound. That could be a reason why I've never been able to nail his sound. Perhaps there's an IR out there of that. Here's a comment about the speaker Speakers Altec 417-8H These speakers are incredibly bright with an upper midrange bite that can knock your head off. Randy Rhoads used these in his Marshall stacks with incredible results. His pinch harmonics and percussive rhythms matched perfectly with this speaker. A regular Celestion speaker just doesn't have the high-end information that these Altecs can easily produce. They have a similar extended top-end like the old JBL D-120 speakers, so they sound incredible for clean sounds. In general, you’ll probably have to pull back the Treble (or Presence) settings you're used to when using them. I use these speakers in a custom 2x12 half-open back cabinet. I also found this about the Altec's Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. I also found a PDF with the speakers specs that I've attached. I do all of this becuase it's become pretty clear his speakers had a lot to do with his sound, which makes sense. I did some research (that was kind of fun) and found some other things that might be helpful. It's been awhile since I've tried to get Randy's tone. I had never seen the first two articles before. I may have to try and tackle it again. The sound is so raw, it sounds like it would be easy but it's like trying to get that AC/DC sound. It's harder than it sounds. I've never gotten to where I've been totally happy with where I got either of these. Close, but never totally there. Hope this all helps in some way. https://line6.com/tone-templates/ Here's an article about how to get Randy's sound. Unfortunately he says you need a humbucker. But still some amp settings and good tips. https://killerrig.com/randy-rhoads-amp-settings-and-gear/ Here's another one with some 10-band EQ settings. https://musicstrive.com/randy-rhoads-amp-settings/ And here's a graphic of one person's take on his stage signal chain. Not sure how accurate it is. 417-8H_lfspkr_spec_sheet.pdf
  6. QSC is a brand I keep seeing listed a lot. No personal experience but it's listed a lot.
  7. I've been with Line 6 since the Pod XT. I've had the Vetta (still do) and every iteration of the floor units including the Bass Pod XT. The Helix is where I always hoped modeling would go. It can probabaly be improved, as it has been already with the new cabs, but I will be hard pressed to purchase a new unit. Especially if it's the same price or more, than the Helix. I still am using my HD500X as a backup so I may use that to talk myself into getting the latest, greatest when it comes out. But I'm in guitar heaven right now. My main gripe is fixing the bugs seems to be less of a priority than adding the next newest, latest, bestest amp, cab,effect. ability, etc. I would love a "Bug Fix" update. Then I would truly be happy....
  8. Just a suggestion, I have no idea if it will work but try changing the input impedance as well as maybe turning on the pad. The pad is in Global Settings under Ins & Outs.
  9. It does sound like microphonic feedback to me. i.e it's the pickup coils vibrating that's causing it. You'll have to find the frequency and notch it out somehow.
  10. Like the HD500, they did they same with the XT. They called it the X3 and it was two XT's parrallel to each other in one unit.
  11. i do like that flux control idea. I wish it could be implemented on the Helix.
  12. Yeah. i wouldn't really care if the bug was fixed but I would use the tone knob on all of the acoustic models. But I can't. So I don't. I also keep the Helix controlling the tuning. Again the manual says "When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the Variax guitar’s current tuning." It does not. I do use tunings a bit and, unlike the tone/vol knob issue, it will change the Varaix tuning to the current patches tuning and not stay on the previous patches tuning if it is controlling it. So, because of this, all of my patches are never on Don't Force. They are set to control the tuning and the tuning I mostly have it set it on is EADGBE (haha). The Helix doesn't have the respect for the Variax's settings that it claims to have. I suspect it's because if it is on Don't Force, it tells the Variax nothing, where it should tell it to go to it's own setting. Just an uninformed theory. I do wish I did not have to use workarounds to use Line 6's flagship product.
  13. You will hear nothing concrete about that. Line 6 says nothing until they are really close. No matter what it is for several reasons. It's been said that the current Helix has AT LEAST 1 more year in it. And they just put out a new pedal that is still using the current effects models. So even if a new one were to come out, the change would probably be more about haveing more DSP and maybe an amp capture type thing. But I think any new Helix (it has been already been stated the next iteration would not be have the word Helix in it's name) will probably still use the current amp/cab models maybe tweaked a little.
  14. The Helix manual says this Variax Volume Knob Remotely sets the Variax volume knob setting. When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the current Variax volume knob position. Variax Tone Knob Remotely sets the Variax tone knob setting. When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the current Variax tone knob position. I take the statement in bold to mean where the knob is currently set on the Variax itself. Not what the Helix had set it to before. And that's part of the point. When you switch to another patch, it neither switches to the parameter you may have the new patch set to, nor, as you pointed out, if set to Don't Force, it does does not respect the current Variax volume/tone knob position. I leaves it in the previous patches position. That's how it's supposed to act. That's not how it acts now. It acts the way you stated. Again, that is not how it is supposed to act.
  15. I hadn't thought of that. That's interesting. I was using them to control the Helix. Not have the Helix control them. That opens up a possibility or two.
  16. Yes, the tone or volume knob can act like an expression pedal when assigned to a parameter. The bug is basically this. If you set one patch to a certain tone or volume parameter, when you switch to the next patch, it will keep the old tone/vol parameter. If you press the footswitch for the new patch again it will then switch to to the tone parameter on the new patch. I believe it's also supposed to reflect what the tone knob is on the Variax if the Helix is set to "do not control" or what ever it is called but it doesn't do that either unless that's been fixed. I haven't checked that out in a very long time. It, again, maintains what the parameter was set at on the first patch. I haven't checked to see if it will reflect what's on the Variax if you hit the footswitch again. I admit I do not know what will happen when you switch patches if the tone or volume knobs are being used for controlling something on the first patch. It's a good question. I'm prety busy so I have no idea when I would be able to check all of my questions out.
  17. Don't know if this has been mentioned but my way is to have the top row for patches and the bottom row for snapshots. I can go to pedal mode if I want more control.
  18. First of all, the Helix is supposed to be able to control the vol and tone knobs on the Variax but there is a bug. So that ability cannot be used. And the Variax cannot switch to different presets as far as I know. HOWEVER, the tone and volume knobs on the Variax can be set to control various parameters like an expression pedal. The way I use it is to simulate Tom Scholz's Space Echo. I control the delay time with the Expression pedal and the feedback with the Variax tone knob. I haven't practiced with it enough to be good at it but it does what Tom Scholz's pedal does. He has an Echoplex and he built an expression pedal that rocks up and down and also moves right and left. He hooked it up physically to the Echoplex so the one way controls the delay time (or the heads?) and the other the feedback time. There's other things going on but this is a start to this. Anyway the bottom line is it is possible to control parameters from the Helix with the volume and tone knob but not change patches (as far as I know). You could set up two sounds on each path on the Helix and use the volume or tone knob to control the outputs of each of them. Just setup up the expression pedal to control one output in the reverse of the other so as you bring one output up the other goes down. That's the only way I can see to do that.
  19. Not being sure exactly what your patch looks like. You could control both the delay time and the feedback or the mix parameter at the same time with the expression pedal. Just set the min and max amounts you want for each parameter. This is assuming you have an expression pedal of course. You may have an HX Stomp. Of course, that means it won't do it automatically. The Helix does not have anything that would control that, like an LFO kind of thing. It's been requested but currently not.
  20. Here's a procedure that I copied awhile ago. It's rolling back from version 2.0 but I believe it's still the correct procedure. I am not sure if the links are still accurate. Hope this helps. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have already installed HD 2.0 FW , Dont use monkey to "roll back" to FW1.82, or FW1.90 - many reports of problems on the Line6 Forums. Use the step by step procedure below for a reliable / trouble free FX 1.90 installation on your Tyler Variax. Its best to revert all the way back to FW 1.71 VXF file - BEFORE you install the FX 1.90 VXF. Also be sure the Volume knob is turned up - and Not at "0" during any FW update procedure, as this enables auto power off on Tyler Variax guitars and WILL corrupt the firmware update process. Be sure you are following these Variax firmware update procedure instructions exactly Tyler Variax Firmware 1.90 Revert Procedure. 1) Use the Workbench software to back up your guitar presets before updating if you would like to keep them. 2) Download Tyler Variax FW 1.71 VXF Flash file, http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=4195 3) Use the Line 6 MD5 Checksum utility to verify your FW1.71 VXF file is good. http://line6.com/software/?os=Windows+XP&submit_form=Show&name=MD5%20Checksum%20Utility 4) Use latest Line6 Monkey (must be at least Monkey version 1.62) to install FW 1.71 VXF 5) Follow Variax firmware install procedure instructions here. During the update, select 'NO' when asked if you would like to keep the presets on the guitar. http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/guitars/james-tyler-variax-guitars/variax-reflash-and-software-update-instructions-r103?st=0#comment_0 6) Verify the guitar works, then download Tyler Variax FW 1.90 VXF http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=5418 7) Use the Line 6 MD5 Checksum utility to verify your FW 1.90 VXF file is good. http://line6.com/software/?os=Windows+XP&submit_form=Show&name=MD5%20Checksum%20Utility 8 ) Use Line6 Monkey and install FW1.90 VXF Flash file, During the update, select 'NO' when asked if you would like to keep the presets on the guitar. Flash Memory 1.90 Filesize: 456.13 KB MD5: cc7757ed4a0a075eb2ccf651e443a2b5 If your download does not start, click here NOTE: Line 6 Monkey 1.62 is required in order to install this firmware update. The v1.9 firmware update for James Tyler(r) Variax(r) features enhanced palm muting for a more natural response to muted guitar parts and aggressive playing styles. It also provides faster updates with additional error checking. For JTV-89 Customers Only: In addition to the 28 electric, acoustic and eclectic instruments, you also get five high-gain models exclusive to JTV-89 loaded into custom bank 1. Each model is based on a different pickup position, and delivers high-gain guitar tone while allowing you to access drop tunings, custom Dream Rig configurations and more. The five high-gain models come with a couple caveats: 1. For the time being, they are not editable in Workbench, nor will you be able to mix and match the body or pickup models. 2. For the time being, the High Gain Model is hard-wired into the Custom 1 bank. You will not be able to overwrite the Custom 1 bank from the guitar or from Workbench. NOTE: (when updating from 1.71): If you've loaded your guitar with custom models and would like to retain your current custom banks and/or custom models, please sync with Variax Workbench and save your custom model set. You will be able to re-load your models from Workbench after you've completed the update. NOTE: an MD5 Checksum is a file validating algorithm which we use so that you can verify that files you download from this site are not corrupted during the download process. If you have problems downloading or installing the file on this page, make a note of the MD5 checksum posted above, then click HERE to download the Line 6 MD5 Checksum utility. Instructions for using this utility are on the page it is downloaded from. http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/guitars/james-tyler-variax-guitars/variax-reflash-and-software-update-instructions-r103?st=0#comment_0 http://line6.com/support/topic/2128-jtv-20-try-this-jtv-flash-update-update-2ed/
  21. I looked at the manual and on page 12 it says this on the second "note" *NOTE: If you don’t want the Preset footswitches to disappear after selecting one, set the “Global Settings > Footswitches” > Preset Mode parameter to “Latch.” In this case, HX Stomp XL stays in Preset footswitch mode until you press MODE (Edit/Exit). I believe this is the opposite of what you want but there's several pages that talk about the modes and I only skimmed through them. I do not own an HX Stomp or HX Stomp XL. So start on page 12 of the manual and see if there's more info. Again, I don't own one so I can't give you any more info.
  22. I did not think it was an amp/cab modeler. Of course it's not. If it was, it would already have some amp/cab models in it. Of course it would. There are "regular" size pedals that do IR's out there. I thought it would be a no brainer to include the ability to load and use an IR if it was an easy thing to implement. Since I have no idea how easy or not easy it is, I was just pondering things.
  23. i know guys that have pedal boards and I think this would come in handy in that case. If the modeling is acceptable to someone, it could replace several pedals you often only use once in a signal path. Like a delay.
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