amor4jc-2

On 12/28/2022 at 8:33 AM, psarkissian said:

2nd generation bridge.

What about one with the S/N W1112XXXX

Thank you so much! Very much in keeping to the process I used before. Downloading the Firmware & L6 Updater separately from the Downloads page was the info I needed.

But I appreciate you taking the time to provide such detailed instructions. May your kindness return to you 100 fold!!

Hey friends,

I have a second Helix Floor mounted in a road case that has been mothballed since the pandemic began. As I am now preparing to begin performing again, I want to update it and install my new patches. Prior to the pandemic, I would download the firmware files, etc in advance and install from my laptop because there's no internet in that location.

Recent updates use HX Edit and the update process seems to happen in real time while connected to the internet. So what is the process for updating a Helix Floor offline in 2022?

I replaced the necks on both of my JTV-69s years ago. So I am ready to let go of the ones that came with the guitars. I have:

• 1 original neck from a 2013 James Tyler Tobacco Sunburst JTV-69 Variax in very good condition.

• 1 original neck from a 2013 James Tyler Red JTV-69 Variax in good condition. Could use a fret polish, but otherwise plays great.

If you are interested please see them on Reverb.com or PM me.

https://reverb.com/shop/ashleys-shop-112

10 hours ago, phil_m said:

It's going to be years before you start seeing it implemented in devices. The standard MIDI jack is going to remain the same, but the hardware needed to enable the two-communication is going to be different.

NOT true. I saw a couple of devices at the NAMM show that are 2.0 ready. And Roland's new flagship keyboard, for example, has 2,0 at release.

it's true that 5-pin din will not work with the MIDI 2.0 standard, but USB MIDI will. So it's at least theoretically possible that some USB MIDI devices can be updated via firmware.

On 8/9/2019 at 7:42 AM, michalaase said:

 

Hi

Same thing here.

After updating Helix Floor from 2.71 to 2.81 some of my (user) Snapshots suddenly generates an error code: «The Helix device failed to recall snapshot data properly». Aftrer that, an issue with the switches - they does not change when I press them. Also - after some time trying several switches, snapshots etc. - Helix freezes and I have to shut down/startup to get it going.

Also had the level issue, but setting Global Settings > XLR Outputs to Line helped. - Which tells me that the 2.81 update did NOT load the old General Settings properly (from Backup).

Until they fix this, I'll have to downgrade to 2.71 and load my fresh 2.71 Backup file. Way to many of my Patches contains Snapshots that failed, and I don't want to spend several days regenerating them.

 

Also - saving Patches one-by-one (from 2.71) does NOT fix this problem !!

If Line6 are listening - the attached patch does NOT load properly in 2.81!!.

(Patch courtesy of Frank Perl - some modifications made by me)

Mesa Boogie JP2C.hlx

I'm staying on 2.71 until they fix these bugs.

Thank you for confirming that. As a beta tester myself, I understand what you mean. I did not have time to trouble shoot it. Recalling snapshots via MIDI is vital to my work flow. 

I am willing to wait for a fix. 

I did try restarting several times. No difference. 

Firmware - 2.80

Helix Floor

Snapshots not working:

1) Half of my patches would not change snapshots properly. I was initially using HXEdit and  it was giving me an error message. So I tried the actual switches on the Helix - I would push a switch to change snapshots and nothing would happen. The ring would stay lit around the snap that was active when the patch was loaded no matter which snap I selected and the sound did not change. I tried to sent snap change commands via cc69 but this too failed. In one of my patches, the sound WOULD change, but the snap ring would not change. 

Patch volumes half as loud:

2) The patch volume for every patch I tried was significantly quieter. I use meters to make sure all of my patches are consistent. So I was shocked to see that the levels were approximately HALF of what I am used to seeing. I did not take the time to determine what this difference equated to in terms of decibels, but it was half of the value I set my patches to on the meter. I know that there have been some users reporting volume fluctuations when using Jason Sadites' LA Comp at the end of their signal chain, but I am not using that technique.

Yesterday I upgraded my Helix to the 2.80 firmware and had no issues with the update process. Spent some time playing with the new amps (love them) and created a few new patches.

Today, I went through my setlist/patches for tomorrows set. I noticed two things when I did this:

1) Half of my patches would not change snapshots properly. I was initially using HXEdit and  it was giving me an error message. So I tried the actual switches on the Helix - I would push a switch to change snapshots and nothing would happen. The ring would stay lit around the snap that was active when the patch was loaded no matter which snap I selected and the sound did not change. I tried to sent snap change commands via cc69 but this too failed. In one of my patches, the sound WOULD change, but the snap ring would not change. 

2) The patch volume for every patch I tried was significantly quieter. I use meters to make sure all of my patches are consistent. So I was shocked to see that the levels were approximately HALF of what I am used to seeing. I did not take the time to determine what this difference equated to in terms of decibels, but it was half of the value I set my patches to on the meter. I know that there have been some users reporting volume fluctuations when using Jason Sadites' LA Comp at the end of their signal chain, but I am not using that technique.

Since I have a gig tomorrow and needed to practice I immediately stopped and rolled my firmware back to 2.7.

Anyone else experiencing these issues?

yes indeed, tho mostly for recording. I have the Helix set at 11:00 and the Space station at noon (50%). If I turn the Helix up to 1 or 1:30, I can drown out the PA. (and congregant get upset about the overall volume). 

I've been using A Spacestation 2 for about 2 years and I love it!! I am a music minister at a local church (recently featured in mix magazine) where our sanctuary seats 700 people. I can fill that space with my Helix and the Spacestation and everyone hears a 3 dimensional image. I play JTV Variax guitars outfitted with Fishman Triple Play MIDI pickups driving VST instruments on my laptop. I feed the synths into the Helix on USB 3&4 where they have their own stereo path (where I can add processing and use snaphots) then combine and output with the guitar signal into the Spacestation. The side firing speaker projects the my stereo guitar FX & the synths in lush stereo, while my guitar signal is primarily in the front firing speakers. This is particularly nice with the ElectroHarmonix Lester-G pedal (which I have in a Helix FX loop and blend the return @50%). Sounds amazing. I highly recommend the Amp!!

(As with any time you change from one amp to another, you will need to adjust your patches...)

I've been using one for about 2 years and I love it!!I am a music minister at a local church (recently featured in mix magazine) where our sanctuary seats 700 people. I can fill that space with my Helix and the Spacestation and everyone hears a 3 dimensional image. I play JYV variax guitars outfitted with Fishman Triple Play MIDI pickups driving VST instruments on my laptop. I feed the synths into the Helix on USB 3&4 where they have their own stereo path (where I can add processing and use snaphots) then combine and output with the guitar signal into the Spacestation. The side firing speaker projects the my stereo guitar FX & the synths in lush stereo, while my guitar signal is primarily in the front firing speakers. Sounds amazing. I highly recommend the Amp!!

Of course! It being the Helix, there are several. You could insert a volume block on each path. Leave the guitar path set to it's default. Then on the Synth path, edit the parameters for the volume pedal and set the minimum to 127 and the max to 0. Now when you move the pedal to toe down, you'll hear guitar, at heel down you'll hear synth and a blend of the two in between. Play with the response curve to see if you like the pedal throw better.

Similarly, you could insert a gain block on each path. Set the gain on both channels to 0. Assign both blocks to the same footswitch. Click the footswitch to make sure it is toggling both gain blocks on and off. Once that is working, just manually toggle ONE of the gain blocks to the opposite status (on or off). Now, with one gain block off and one gain block on, when you press the footswitch it will toggle between guitar and synth.

Hope that helps!

Both of my JTV-69 Variaxes are outfitted with FTP pickups. I use three or four stereo signal paths in each of my Helix patches. The last one is always for my synth inputs via USB. With the software I use (GigPerformer VST host -> Loopback -> Helix), I am able to assign my synth outputs to Helix USB inputs 3&4. So the bottom signal path on my Helix is USB input 3&4. This allows me to A) add additional processing B) assign a volume pedal C) adjust my final blend at the output block and D) use the output block to assign it to different outputs based on my needs.

I am using a MacBook Pro. You MIGHT be able to do the same if your partial software lets you assign USB outputs. Otherwise they will probably default to UBS 1&2. The Helix was designed to pass USB inputs 1&2 directly to the outputs. I believe the only change you can make to that signal is to attenuate the signal in the global settings menu. No other adjustments are possible and not snapshot or controllers can be assigned. Nice for simplicity perhaps, but very limiting. I wish Line6 allowed for all USB traffic to be assigned/controlled the same across the board.

10 hours ago, arislaf said:

Still prefer my jtv 69 with my custom models over anything else. 

Amen to that! While I appreciated my old Variax because of it's functionality, when I began modifying my JTV-69s, I fell in love with them. I have solid rosewood necks on both of my JTVs - one from Brazil (I bought it in the early 90's) and one from India with stainless steel frets and an Earvana nut. I absolutely love playing it.

I have two Gibsons - a Les Paul and an ES335 that are longtime companions and are gorgeous. Both worth $$$. It's not worth gigging with them because they are irreplaceable. I can get the tones I need from the JTV for gigging. So much so, I sold 10 of my guitars (2 Strats, Tele, 2nd Les Paul and 2nd ES335, Danelectro, 12 string, electric dobro and others).

I have kept my main acoustics (6, 12 and dobro) plus the 2 JTVs for gigging and recording. The 2 gibbons are just for recording now and personal use.

Just install a more recent OS X on another partition and boot into it when needed. I have several drives set up with different operating systems just for that purpose.

You can only adjust the digital level input for USB 1&2. You can find this under global settings->ins/outs. The parameter is at the far right of the first screen that comes up and is labeled "USB In 1/2 Trim". For USB ins 3-8, you can either trim the output of your external device or use a gain or volume block after the input block.

I know it's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask if there has been any developments toward the possibility of a wireless VDI solution for Variax & Helix users?

I know it's a long shot, but I thought I'd ask if there has been any developments toward the possibility of a wireless VDI solution for Variax & Helix users?

You can use the FS6 for a number of things via the EXp2 or Exp3 jacks, but I am aware of no option to use it to toggle between pedal modes in order to switch between displaying stomps or snapshots.

Both/And.

For my regular weekly gig, I have to manage about 500 songs a year. So I set up I have four setlist banks:

1) Electrics A-M

2) Electrics N-Z

3) Atmospheric and hybrid patches (Hybrid=Variax layered Magnetic and modeled sounds)

4) Acoustics.

I have other groups that I perform with periodically throughout the year. For these, I maintain two empty banks that I fill with saved setlist, rotating them in and out as needed.

5) Group B setlist.

6) Group C setlist.

Finally, in the last two setlist banks I keep my patch templates as well as a library of favorite 3rd party and factory patches I keep around as starting points or just for jamming if I am in the mood to doing something different.

7) My templates setlist.

8) 3rd party and factory patches setlist.

Another advantage to keeping setlists 5 & 6 open is that I can reload old setlists of my own if I'm looking for a particular patch from the past or if I want to compare changes I have made to a patch to an earlier state of that patch. I have an "Init" setlist that will reset the setlist to a blank state in one fell swoop.

I also have most patches saved separately as well. I export copies of new patches or changed patches to folders the night before a gig. In this way I have rendundant copies in case a patch becomes corrupt.

Currently, I am using software titled GigPerformer to host and manage my VST synths (I use an FTP MIDI pickup). It provides me a lot of additional control for performances. I program and control my live song lists within it and it sends program changes and snapshot changes to my Helix. Prior to using GigPerformer, I used to load my relevant patches into either setlist 5 or 6 to create a setlist with my song patches in the correct sequential running order.

Hope that helps!

Yes, it's called HX Edit. Download it from the software area: https://line6.com/software/  

Quote

Yes, none of my amps are breaking up...i always need some OD to push it...maybe I should try a factory reset, I will try at home tonight and will let you know how it went. I will also check the input setting before doing the factory reset. 

I play single coil strats and I find that most of the amps have too much gain and I have to clean up the amps to be useful for my purposes. So I find it odd that you aren't getting any breakup whatsoever on any of the amps.

Clearly the issue you are experiencing is about input level. Gain structure is everything -  if you don't have enough signal at the beginning of the signal chain, nothing is going to be operating in "the sweet spot." Lower your impedance, turn off the input pad. Try different guitars, different pickups. If a guitar with hot humbucking pickups isn't getting you close to those "default" tones, then there's something wrong with your unit's physical input and you should contact Line^ about having it repaired.

Ran into this issue some time ago. The way I finally solved it was to link a foot switch to a block (say an EQ or gain block). When doing so, set the block/switch to "momentary" and confirm it's switching the block on and of in a momentary fashion. Next, go into the control center, select that same foot switch and set up a latching CC with the values you need. Doesn't make sense, but it works.

Stumbled onto this after a long aggravating session....

UPDATE 2: Flashing the firmware fixed the problem!

Who would have thought that the firmware would fix the MAG pickups?!

PSARKISSIAN: Both of my JTV's are out of warranty. Both are about the same age. I am the Minister of Music for a local church and use one JTV-69 as a backup for the other. I keep all the firmware, patches and sound sets in in sync at all times. Before these, I owned a Variax 500 that I heavily modified and giggled with for nearly a decade.

I worked as an audio engineer/producer from 1989 - 2014 - I have been trouble shooting and repairing instruments and studio gear for a long time. An old Line6 tech I knew used to work on my V500 and allowed me to observe his work when several parts failed at different times (including a bridge cable and 2 piezo bridge sadles). 

I do thank you for clarifying that the part# is explicitly for certain JTV-69 models. :)