RPhil20795

I'm going take a different approach here because I think I may be reading the original question a bit differently. You said you're going direct to PA? Then the problem is most likely not what you're doing with Helix, the problem is in the PA. ALL PA systems. (If you're talking about using a PA speaker as an FRFR system, then ignore this and listen to the other guys). The high frequency horn of a PA system is no place for the distorted high frequency harmonics of an electric guitar. That's what causes the high frequency harsh fizziness in the PA. SO go the PA channel you're plugged into, grab the treble knob and turn it all the way off. Problem solved. If the mixer has a low cut button, you may want to engage that also. You should be able to set up your sounds in the Helix any way you like, just make sure to turn down the highs on the mixer channel. Of course, you do want to listen to these guys and pay some attention to your output gain and mic vs. line, etc. The problem now is if you have an acoustic patch. With the highs turned down on the mixer, you've now lost the "airiness" of the acoustic sound. So you'll either need your soundman to turn the highs back up on that channel, or run a different line out of the Helix and take up another channel on the mixer for acoustic sounds. I think you can do that with Helix, right? I don't get that fancy with mine. Anyway, hope this helps.

FWIW, I've got a Quilter ToneBlock200 as a backup to my DT25. I think it sounds great with my Helix. I'm not positive about price, but I think it come in a bit cheaper than the other power amps listed here. In fact I just picked up another used one for about $285. I built a 1x12 cab with an airhead so I could mount the Quilter as an alternative to the DT25. I think it sounds great.

I would also like to say 'thank you' Glenn for a little added piece of mind... and you can't even tell it's there. Nice work man!

mikeolivercgp - sounds like we had the same problem with fw updates. Line 6 also took back my original Helix and replaced with a new one with the latest fw (1.04.3). Quickly, I might add. Thank you Line 6! So here's a question for you tech guys. A couple years ago our house was struck by lightning. Apparently, the surge went through our cable (tv) and took out 2 TVs, a modem, and messed up my stereo receiver which was connected to the tv via HDMI cable. Because of that, I purchased a couple of Tripplite power strips with coax connectors to hopefully protect my stuff from any future lightning strikes. However, I found out that the coax connectors on the strip didn't play nice with our cable box, so now we are connected as usual. I do still have my cable connected to another Tripplite strip with coax connectors which then runs to my modem, etc. to the computer. I'm wondering if this perhaps has something to do with my fw update issues (PC running Windows 7). Also, someone else here learned from somebody that connecting to the USB ports on the front of their computer was akin to plugging into a USB hub, whereas plugging into the other USB connections on the back was not. I could not update my DT25 from my main computer. I ended up updating the amp using my old laptop running XP, wireless, no problem. Just wondering if these little things could be contributing factors. Or is it as xavierb suggests - that it's Line 6's process that's problematic.

Awesome. I knew there had to be simple solution. THANK YOU!

Hey guys. Got a minor issue I can't figure out. Here's the situation. I use a Mission L6 expression pedal with my Helix to control overall volume exclusively. So volume block is last in the fx chain. I have found that when using a wah block, when I click the toe switch to engage the wah, it bypasses/shuts off the volume function of the Mission pedal. So the wah effect is insanely loud. The only way I could figure a way around this is to put 2 volume blocks at the end of the fx chain. So when I engage the wah, it bypasses one volume block and simultaneously turns on the other volume block. That's the only way it seems I can still have an overall volume control. This seems like it shouldn't be necessary, but I can't figure any other way. Any ideas?

BigRalph - I can only assume so. I am not changing the name of the file. I just save it as is. I hate to join the group of whiners here but....seriously, $1500 is a lot of money for some of us. A FW update to me seems like something that should be quick and easy, not long and painful...or not at all. I have been trying to be patient here, but my patience is running thin. My Dream Rig has served me well and I have been VERY happy with it. But for $1500, this this SHOULD perform flawlessly. WTF.

Thanks for your help on this Phil_M, I appreciate it. Except it's still not working. I was able to save the file with Firefox, but Helix still errors. It doesn't seem to want to update and it won't boot up. I don't get it. I had a hell of time trying to update my DT25 also. I ended up having to use my old laptop running XP to update the amp. It makes me wonder if it's an issue with my desktop running Windows 7 (home edition). However, it seems to recognize the Helix. Maddening...

I'm totally confused. I have tried to download the flash file with Internet Explorer and Firefox. Firefox seems to download it, but doesn't give me the option to save it. My only option is to open. With IE, I get no option to save. Instead, the screen turns to nonsense after I click the "Accept and Download" button.

I'm not sure of what relevance this is, but, I tried downloading the FW 1.04.3 to my computer to try and update the Helix from the saved file. This didn't work either. After clicking on the "Accept and Download" button at Line6.com, after a few seconds the screen turned to complete jibberish. Most of this computer stuff is over my head, but that doesn't seem right to me.

Same here. Finally got mine on 12/30. I was kind of disappointed that it came loaded with FW 1.03, but we can update, right? Apparently not. I finally got the chance to unbox it and play with it a while today. Then I made the mistake of trying to update to 1.04.3. No go. Then I tried 1.04.1 and it failed during that update. My Helix now says FW 1.04.1, but then fails to boot up. I have ":0" up in the upper left hand corner and it says, "Boot Failure. Entered Update Mode!". Unless there is something I can do, I too have a $1500 paperweight. Anyone have any ideas?

Hey kids. I also am eagerly awaiting my HELIX. I think I ordered my around the same time, maybe a few days later than you from Sweetwater. I assume it's SOP, but I received an email from a SW rep saying something to the effect that they would email when Helix arrived and was on it's way to me/us. You too? However, I have not received such an email yet. Glideman, is that how you found out yours was on the way?

I don't own a Helix yet, but plan to. I'm waiting for the glitches to get fixed. The wait is killing me. With that said, would the release of the new updates be tied in any way to the production/release of the next round of Helix units?

I recently started having this problem after using my JTV69 pretty steadily for the last 3 +/- years. I was hoping it was the VDI cable so I got a new one. That wasn't the problem. As far as I can tell, it's the VDI connection on the guitar. There are no problems with the 1/4 out. Good thing there is this to fall back on, but of course, you loose the ability of the HD500 to change gutiar models if you've set that up. Not to mention, make sure your battery is charged. All I can say is, take it to the nearest authorized Line 6 repair shops and hope they can fix it.

Quilter Tone Block. Check it out.