FlyingsCool

I'm so sorry... Upside is,... At least she can't complain about your GAS :)

There are purses you can buy that cost $1000?

Hidden in the number of in/outs comment is the types of in/outs as well, such as LT doesn't have a mic in, etc. etc. Also, since you are big into recording... Helix Native will be released shortly. This may be an advantage for you; and for Helix owners, it's cost will be $99, for LT $299. Half the difference in cost right there. Native means you can set up presets and play/process through them on your computer without a Helix handy. At least that's my understanding. I imagine there are more uses...

Isn't this what Helix Native on a MacBook in perhaps combination with some sort of load simulating input device could do? Use the iPad for controlling Native on the MacBook and whatever else you do with the iPad....

I was wondering why my money kept disappearing.... hmmm

Then it depends a lot on the style of music you play. Do you find the HD500X constraining in it's ability to add and control effects? Do you desire more than just the single effects loop the HD has? Are you using a DT amplifier? Would you like more feedback on your preset setup? Does spillover between preset changes matter to you (i.e. would snapshots be a huge advantage for you). If all you do is use an amp and a couple effects, and you don't feel like spending the extra money, then maybe the Torpedo Cab is all you need. As a caveat, I don't have any experience with the HD500X and Torpedo Cab combination. I do feel like using the Helix is light years better than using a PODHD however. But that's just me. And heck, buy the cab from a place like Sweetwater or GC, try it out, return it if you don't think there is a huge difference.

Big But is that really your question? It seems your real question is, "Is it worth it to spend the extra money to upgrade?" But that depends on your budget, and then the value of what Helix offers over your HD500X. If it's just the sound, it's easy to say, eh, well, as you noted, the Helix sounds totally better, but, obviously, that doesn't seem to matter to you. Helix offers so much more than the HD500X it's silly, but that may not matter to you for a variety of reasons. Like anything, Helix is an investment. It comes down to Opportunity Cost as to whether the investment is worth it to you.

What's your budget?

What type of guitar were you using where you experienced the thinning of tone? Seems to me, it's always important when comparing experience of tone, humbucker/single coil/active/passive/etc... can mean a lot...

Not to mention the added savings you'll get when Helix Native is released. With full Helix, it'll cost $99. With LT I think it is $299. Given you seem to do a lot of recording, you can justify most of the cost difference right there.

I swear I hear much improved sounds out of the whole system with 2.21. I could be wrong... but the amps sound more ampy to me... rounder. As regards to discussing what's in the updates before they are released, being a part of a publicly held company, there are legal rules about what they can and can't announce. Plus, I think L6 leans on that a little just 'cause, "it's better to under promise and over deliver". It's better to not have said anything than realize you can't deliver something you "promised" you would because of a problem you find in beta testing. And it makes it easier to deliver on schedule... that "Agile" thing...

My bad, Helix doesn't have balanced 1/4 outputs (my Focusrite 6i6 does). So TS is all you need for 1/4. Might hear some hiss as a consequence if you use 1/4 in, so XLR may work out better.

Thanks :) (hopefully, it was kind of obvious I was only kidding,... of course, it is always better for us if we get to share in what you're hearing :) ) Have you found the quality of the chorus and phase on the Mobius are hard to recreate using the effects in Helix?

Oops, sorry, thought the 1/4 outs were balanced... :(

can't you shift select all the presets at and beyond the slot being inserted into, cut and paste one down, then move the other into place? Doing it on Helix as suggested above works, too.

There's some other threads on this. Actually,... I don't own one, but apparently there is an 1/8 in stereo Aux In that bypasses the preamp, You can get a dual 1/4 to 1/8 stereo cable and connect Helix into that. People have been happy with that.

You might want to tell people what all that equipment is, how you are using it, and what you are expecting.... I had no idea a Matrix GT1000 (GT1000FX?) was an amp and a Marshall 1936 was a cab.... Whether or not an IR is essential is totally your call. Are FRFR's so much better than what? What's your preset look like?, what are your expectations? Are you a dyed in the wool amp in the room guy.... or do you want to hear what is going to be coming out of the PA if you go direct? Nobody can really answer this question for you, it's all opinion and how people use them....

Define easy. Are you using the Helix or the Editor? In the editor, right click a preset, select copy or move, select a slot, and right click paste I'd have to get on my Helix to remember exactly how to do it there. I mostly do that stuff in the editor, but that's just me. What would you like to see?

For 1/4 in, your best bet is using TRS cables... the electric in my house is pretty noisy, and I end up with noise with TS cables. Silent with TRS. As noted, I hook my monitors through an interface through a computer. The Focusrite 6i6 only has 1/4 outs, so that's what I use to my monitors

Yeah, there are a TON of posts answering these questions. Just look through the top three.... Lots of discussions about Headphones. Helix headphone jack is VERY hot, and can overdrive headphones easily. I like to put an interface in between when using Headphones, but that's me, others just hook up direct and like it. Helix is an audio interface itself, so any option you suggested works. It all depends on what works best for you and makes your setup most flexible. My Helix travels a lot, so I set up a dedicated interface for my monitors, and connect Helix to my L2t by L6 Link. For recording I vary between hooking the Helix into the interface (typically S/PDIF) or using it direct to computer by USB. Depends on how I feel and what color the sky is. For recording jams and the like, I just picked up a used Zoom R16 for $250 last week. Works awesome. It records to SD card so I don't need a computer till I'm ready to mix my tracks down.

Make sure if you use 1/4 connectors, you use balanced TRS connector cables or you'll get unwanted noise.

TRS is what as known as a "balanced" cable, like an XLR cable. The balanced cord has two wires and a shield inside and has the same signal running through both wires. One signal is 180 degrees out of phase with the other (that is, their waveforms are opposite one another), and when the signals get to the mixer (or whatever they’re plugged into) one of the signals is flipped and added to the other. When this happens, any noise that built up in the signal is canceled out.

These aren't fully tested mil spec parts. At this price, their basically big box manufacturers and "perfect" setup will be extremely rare. Pretty much they build 'em to a pattern, slap em together, do a little setup sort of, and ship 'em out the door. It may be a little better than that, but I wouldn't expect much. Assuming you're not a luthier yourself, I suggest you find a local luthier you trust and have him/her check out all your guitars. You may be surprised what you learn. My bet is the monetary gain is non-existent of keeping you going to "authorized service centers" and keeping specs "secret". It's a guitar, the string setup specs are pretty common. I'm sure it has much more to do with liability and warranty costs, they don't want every schmuck trying to screw with their guitar, and then take it to Line 6 after they've messed it all up....

I also see a couple JTV-89's there, including a blue US Custom... If you got the cash...

There's a few black HSS for sale on Reverb.com right now.