cruisinon2

No, you'll still have to assign each block to a footswitch... at least that's how Stomp Mode works in Helix, and I'm assuming that the HX FX functions the same way. If I'm mistaken about that, someone will chime in, I'm sure... lol

You can assign any effect to any footswitch you like, its really just a matter of preference... what does make a difference is the order in which the FX are placed in your signal chain. For the sake of simplicity while you're still getting your feet wet, treat it just like your pedal board. Put all your FX blocks in the same order as your analog pedals... but as far as the footswitches assignments are concerned, it's kinda arbitrary. The signal flow matters, but how you wish to access each one is entirely up to you, and won't affect the sound one way or the other.

Well as long as the end result works and nothing is clipping, then it's not "wrong" per se, but... a 10 or 12dB boost is on the hefty side. Needing that much suggests that one or more levels farther back in the chain might be set kinda low. The channel volume in the amp block would be the first place to look, but most FX blocks have a level or gain parameter... culprit(s) could be anywhere. I use the output block too adjust volumes too, often just as a boost for a solo, but rarely find the need to go more than 2 or 3 dB.

Personally, I like headroom... if you dime the master volume, you've got nowhere to go.

This might help diagnose the problem. It is possible to blend the mags with the models in Workbench... but it's something you have to do deliberately, and then save to the guitar. Seems rather unlikely that it would happen spontaneously, but you never know... it's worth a look to see if you've got that turned on inadvertently.

Why is this even a question? I've done this for going on 30 years, with more pieces of gear than I could possibly count. The juice either gets through and turns it on, or it doesn't.... makes no difference where the gatekeeper is.

They're really not the same product. I wouldn't count on a discount for Native being offered to HX FX owners... there's a whole lot more in Native than there is in just the fx unit... from their perspective, they'd basically be giving away all the amp models...and some of the LT owners are already ticked off that they don't get the same discount as those who bought it's big brother. There'd be a riot, lol...

I wouldn't bet the farm on that one. I seriously doubt any cable manufacturer actually test drives more than a handful from any one production run... otherwise they'd have to pay somebody to sit there all day doing nothing but plugging in one cable after another.

He's asking about an older Variax with Helix, not X- series stuff...

Not a clue... but it shouldn't be an issue, either way. On a side note, the 59 and 89 are two very different beasts in terms of feel. The 89 is a shred-mobile, and the 59 is basically a LP clone... different scale lengths, neck profiles, etc. Modeling is all the same, but they ain't gonna feel the same... just depends on what you like.

Depends on what model(s) we're talking about...JTV's and beyond are fine. Some of the older, pre-JTV models may not play nice with Helix.

I don't think it's terribly likely that we'll see anything added to the existing Variax products...and a nylon string model was always a longshot anyway... don't think it's all that easy to get a steel string to mimic the sound of nylon. It's been requested on and off numerous times over the years, to no avail. Moreover, nothing at all has changed in Variax Land with regard to new/better models for years, now. The JTV's debuted 8 years ago, and the Standard and Shuriken have the same guts. In today's world, an 8 year old tech platform is ancient. Smart money says they're biding their time until they decide the next generation of Variax stuff (whatever it may be) is ready for public consumption.... which could be anytime between 5 minutes from now and Doomsday.

If you want the "amp in the room" thing, look into the Powercab.... that's exactly what it's supposed to provide (among other options...)

I use a Macbook Pro, but any computer will suffice. Install the HX Edit software, then select "create backup" from the drop-down file menu. Everything on the device will be backed up, patches, set lists, IR's, etc.

When setting up a new project in GB, it always asks you what input you want to use for each track...software instrument, mic/line in, GB's onboard drum sims, etc. etc...You're probably selecting "software instrument"... if so, it thinks you want to use the GB amp sims. Choose "mic/line in".

Amen to that...a fresh backup is the last thing I do before I turn it off. Every time. Takes less than a minute, and prevents these sorts of headaches.

I won't pretend to know what's causing it, but my guess is the problem lies in the guitar... Variax's can turn goofy at the drop of a hat. Innumerable weird symptoms have cropped up around here over the years... but if it were a design flaw we'd all suffer from it, and everybody with a Helix and a Variax would be screaming from the rooftops...I can fiddle with the tone control all day long and whatever model I have selected stays put unless I change it. I've got several patches that use snapshots to toggle between different models, and I've never seen behavior like that. If re-flashing the Variax firmware doesn't help, I'd open a support ticket and see what they tell you.

Don't see how it could... plenty of guys have replaced the mag pickups in the various JTV iterations, and I don't recall anyone complaining that it messed with the sound of the modeled guitars.

Precisely. Things like this become targets for "outrage of the day" because most of the world's REAL problems are much more complex and difficult to solve... but the "P*ssy Melter" is low hanging fruit. Make a big enough stink on social media and most of the time the target will fold like a cheap suit, fearful of negative publicity and the ever growing influence of the Twitter Mob. They issue the mandatory phony "apology" to placate the equally phony, self-appointed do-gooders and internet White Knights, many of whom don't even have a dog in the fight, but who desperately need to satisfy their voracious appetite for external validation...usually accomplished by making sure that they are seen, by as many people as possible, vigorously championing all the "right" things..."Look Ma, I'm caring!"...Then they claim victory, and POOF! They're "heroes", the world is a better place thanks to their "wisdom and courage", and their house-fly attention spans move on to the next "injustice"... all the while most genuine problems remain unsolved. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

Can't help you with a cheaper adapter, but I'm assuming that if your Macbook had at least 2 USB ports, you should be able to do the following: Connect Helix directly to one USB port, and use the hub for everything else via the other. I've got everything connected that way, including my external backup drive... works fine, and no communication issues as long as Helix is plugged in directly.

How offended am I? The answer is "none". None more offended...;) (without emojis, you'll all just have to imagine the "Harrumph!" and angry storm-off). Gotta go... so many injustices, so little time. Anybody seen my cape? ;)

I rest my case, lol...

Agreed...I pitty anyone incapable of recognizing parody and satire for what it is. Anybody taking Steel Panther at face value has either WAY too much free time, or they actually want to be offended, because finding windmills to tilt at makes them feel superior. And even if one finds no humor in it (which is a crying shame, but I digress), their personas are so cartoonish and gloriously over-the-top, that suggesting there is genuine intent to offend is beyond ludicrous. They pay homage to the music they grew up with, whilst also poking fun at the writ-large silliness of 80's hair metal. They're "Weird Al" in spandex and Aqua Net... Shall we crucify them for their "Say Perhaps To Drugs" t-shirts, too? Please... if the world doesn't lighten up, we're all in serious trouble. All that being said, $200 is a bit much for a hot pink distortion box... I think I'll pass, lol.

...and the Twitter Mob

Ok, but they won't. That's really all there is to it... first rule of warranty coverage is "Don't unless we have to". Just like a fender- bender... never admit fault. Welcome to a world where all the rules are made by lawyers, for the benefit of other lawyers...