Jezmonster

Brilliant- thank you!

Hi everyone I’m sure this question has been asked lots of times and I am absolutely rubbish at searching the forum, but I can’t seem to find an answer. I have several patches made in firmware 2.1 which I want to load into my freshly updated Helix. Is this okay and will patches convert satisfactorily into the new version? Sorry- I know this will seem stupidly easy to most of you, but I worked for a long time on the patches but didn’t make a back up with the new version of the editor because I stopped using the Helix for a while. Thanks in advance for your help

Thanks!

Hi Everyone Sorry, I couldn't seem to find the answer to this after a quick search: Can I upgrade directly to 2.5 from 2.2 without going through 2.3 first? If so, Is there anything special I should look out for or be careful of? Thanks very much!

I have also discovered that on either of my Helix rack units the jack outputs clip. This is when feeding a line level input on my desk (no phantom power)- and it also happens at higher settings of the volume control even when the outputs are switched to instrument level. To add to this, one channel clips quite a lot more than the other. The XLR outs, even set at line level, in to the same inputs on the desk are always clean. This is with an empty patch and with the tone generator set to a 300Hz sine wave. It is certainly not clipping the Helix input but the increasing distortion as the output control is turned up is quite obvious. If I plug the generator direct in to the desk there is no distortion. As I said the XLRs are always clean even though the jacks sound distorted. It is possible to get a clean output from the jacks but at a rather low level. As an aside I also have a sneaking suspicion that the jack outs don't sound as good. Anyone else noticed this?

I'm mostly using a Matrix GT800FX, but I also have 2 guitar cabs with built in amp modules that are originally intended to be used to make passive PA cabs active. The amps are JB Systems AVM-1, a 300W flat response power amp. The result were very similar with either setup. (As an aside, I have also measured the effects of the sag control and it does have some effect even before the power amp audibly distorts. It can help give something like a twin reverb a degree of life even when it sounds clean.)

Hi all I think that the sag, bias and ripple controls all work together in a useful way.... I use the Helix into a power amp and guitar cab (no cab modelling), mostly with clean-ish and fairly moderate drive sounds. I had always felt that, while still excellent, the Helix felt a little 'stiff', lacking the bounce I like and it had a slight sort of 'honk' in the sound which I could not easily remove with eq. I had put this down to using a SS power amp. Adjusting the bias and sag helped to a degree. I had thought that the ripple control was probably redundant and had it turned it to 0. Then by chance I found this article about ripple in the power supplies of Fender amps: Class AB Power Supply Ripple - Amp Books It's rather technical but a very interesting read. The conclusion is that after removing all the ripple from the amp it became lifeless, flat and lacking dynamics and chime. As a result I experimented with the control by making identical patches with varying amounts of ripple. You have to be scrupulous about level matching between patches as setting the control around 0 is slightly hotter than when the control is some way up. It interacts with the bias and sag so there can be a lot of tweakage! Its a subtle effect but once you home in on it it's quite noticeable. I did a blind test with a guitarist friend who is very critical and he agreed with my findings without me giving him any hints. For the sound I like, I much prefer the ripple control turned up to around 4.5. There seems to be more life in it and the elusive 'honk' has virtually gone. Of course this could all be in my head (!), but I did spend a considerable length of time comparing tones. It might not make as much difference if you are using shed loads of gain perhaps, or if you are using modelled cabs, I don't really know- it may even be undesirable for you. However, it has made a subtle but still big difference for me in the tone and feel that I like. I'm fairly sure that Line6 would have set the models default values to match the real life amps. Give it a try and see what you think...

I'm interested and have sent you a p.m. :)

There seems to be a new switching bug which I haven't had before in my main patch. I am switching a compressor block in and out. It has a fair degree of compression and a compensating 10dB boost with the output level. On engaging the block there is a momentary surge in level which immediately drops to the correct amount. This has not happened before 2.21. On making a new patch with just the compressor bock this is audible too. I'm using the deluxe comp but the studio comp also exhibits steppy switching. Thanks!

Oh yes PLEASE! A Dimension D would be incredible, my all time favourite. I had 2 hardware units at one time and had to sell them when I needed to find some cash. I still regret it!

MORE DELAY TIME IN ELEPHANT MAN PLEASE!! I love the effect, but I'd love longer delays- Any chance??? THANKS!

Apologies!! I've discovered that I actually described my problem incorrectly... It is the BYPASS state of the A/B block which is not being recalled by the snapshot once it has been modified by a stomp switch and I think it should. All the other block bypass states are correctly recalled by a snapshot even after modification by a stomp. I carefully go through each snapshot within a patch and toggle it via the front panel to the state required then store the snapshot. I repeat this for each snapshot. Each snapshot recalls the state correctly even after changing the bypass state of the AB block with a stomp switch. Everything seems to be working as desired. I recall another patch and then return to the one in question. If I then change the AB bypass state with a stomp switch the snapshots no longer correctly recall it. I think I've described it accurately this time - sorry for the confusion!

I have discovered what I think is a snapshot recall bug in the splitter block. I am using the A B splitter block in some of my presets which I control via a switch. If I set up the desired routing (sending 100% to either A or B ) and save it as a snapshot it works perfectly when I recall different scenes. If after recalling the snapshot I move to pedal board control and switch it from A to B using the control switch, on switching back to snapshot mode and recalling a different snapshot the correct AB state is not recalled. I have ensured that I have selected the scenes to reload their un-modified state. This is a tricky one to explain I hope I've made it clear!

Hi Regarding the new effect activation via the expression pedal feature 'Wait' parameter- (I have a Rack with the foot controller btw.) If used to turn the wah on and off for example, when moving from the pedal's 'heel down' position it works correctly. The effect turns on instantly when depressing the pedal and when returned to heel down it waits for the time you have selected. However, if you want it to turn on when moving back from the 'toe down' position like a regular wah it does not work correctly. When setting it up this way it waits for the preset interval to turn ON and turns OFF instantly. Unfortunately this makes it impractical to use in a toe down setup as the wah instantly turns off when you reach the toe down position. Thanks!