rvroberts

Q1 - from my experience given everything else is the same amp+cab or amp/cab combo are exactly the same. Q2 - I think one big thing people keep missing about the helix is that it's a full recording studio in a box (except for the actual ability to record!). when going FRFR, you get to do the kind of things you do in the studio. That includes putting effects after the cab and the mic - don't underestimate the mic in cab sims. That means you can have wonderfully pristine delays and reverbs that feel so much more like they are in a space - especially if you are going out to FOH in stereo. And if you are in a studio situation again you get to post process the total amp and cab sound. Even EQ can just sit your sound in the mix that bit nicer after everything else in the chain (like you were sitting using EQ on a desk) Too many people sound like they just want to simulate some amp setup. Yes, you can do that, but now you get to control your sound right to the engineer level - live, it's a huge jump up because rarely do you have the total and undivided attention of a good studio level engineer - but now you feed all that to the desk and the guy out front just needs to get a passible balance - which before was the best you could hope for!

Hi FarleyUK. OK - don't use the pad - you don't need it. Instead trouble shoot the problem. First unplug the guitar lead from the Helix - does the noise go away? If so turn up the gain on the amp - is it still quiet? Then just plug in your lead - do not connect it to the guitar - make sure the other end is not contacting anything metal - don't hold the tip etc - what happens - You should hear that bit of extra noise you would expect through any amp - but not anything extreme. If you do - get another lead. If its all good, plug in your guitar. If you suddenly get a lot of noise, it's your guitar. If when nothing is connected you have noticeable noise - it's the Helix.

I've used valve amps for more years than I'd like to admit! I'm not missing them! I find a bit of sag puts back any lack of sponginess that you might get from old amps. And that's for people who like old school sounds. I find that some of the amp models actually do behave with natural wildness when pushed especially with overdrive and distortion, and in general I think that's all perish crap! But each to their own. You and I know they are missing out. Even Nevil Martin from Guitarist magazine, a respected player and reviewer, famous for his skill in reproducing classic guitar tone has gone Helix.

You need to export your IRs separately. There are 2 ways to do that - either screen capture your IR list from the editor and replace manually after update - or - My prefered system - but a bit laborious the first time you do it - but not probably more than having to load them all manually!! Rename the IRs before you back them up. Rename them 001, 002. etc down your list in the editor. Then when you back them up they will be in correct order in your computer and you will be able to select the lot and drop them in in one go when you have finished your update (after the restart!). Remember, that will be just not this time but every time. Add any new ones to the end of the list and keep your numbers consecutive. One small problem with this is you will probably find your Ownhammer IRs have names that are too long - so you may need to remove a few characters to fit the 001 (it needs to be at the start of the name!!). Would be nice if it were easier, but its not!

If you are not totally married to your DT50, sell it and get a decent FRFR box - it will simplify your life and you will hear pretty much exactly what your audience hears - why wouldn't you want that? (Expense not allowed for!!)

Good to hear you finally got there to 2.01 - as Zooey says, maybe it's a good enough place to be for now. I suspect as there are a few issues (that really don't effect a new user much) you could just wait out this batch of bugs - I expect that there will be a 2.11 shortly - that's how it went last time 2.0 and then shortly after 2.01 to fix a few simple but annoying bugs.

I am 100% convinced that going direct to FOH is the best solution unless you are in the enviable position of having a bank of amps and switching and a really good soundie who knows your material backwards. Even then I'd argue that the studio quality sound you can get by doing certain processing after the amp and the cabinet means using an amp is pointless. So in the same way, I'm 100% for decent FRFR on stage as you get to hear what they hear out front to a very good degree. I used to use 2 x Vox AC15s in stereo - it was a good sounding rig for the sounds I was wanting. But out front, I was in the hands of whoever was mixing, and the simple truth is that from feedback I trust, I sound way better now. I've got access to wider range of sound and I can process it like a studio - and the sound guy just needs to set a level. And yes, it even sounds better on stage.

HonestOpinion, No, I make every effort to say that I am running exactly the same version of the editor on both machines. Version 2.00.1 is version 2.0 - if you were to open 2.0 editor and look at the about file, you will see its actually called 2.00.1. Thanks, I wish it were that simple.

Let me just jump in one more time. Silverhead - you say - The reason I'm going the other way is this guy is already up to his neck in problems - we don't know where they are coming from - what versions of what are running - obviously not the right ones - either that or his Helix is faulty and I'd say that's the least likely answer. So the first thing I would do is get rid of anything that could cause a mistake. Then the very next thing I do is get him to download and install the correct updater - and he can do that without installing anything else. So I'm trying to make sure it's as clean an install as possible. To me reading that he is having problems - this approach is the safest? One problem here is neither of us is right or wrong - we could both be right depending on the user and his computer skills. This is why I'm campaigning for Line 6 to create a better updater. We are sprouting a lot of information that a new user cannot be expected to know. The comment by zooey is interesting - 2.01 seems to be the most stable recent version - and then he'd need updater 1.09 if my memory serves me correctly - but I have no idea if updater 1.10 will also correctly install 2.01? Does anyone know? Just curious............. I'd still install 2.10 personally. I'm yet to be convinced that there is much in 2.10 that is a deal breaker - mind you I'm still waiting for downtime before doing that myself.

Hi Paulzx, See my note above - now to try to actually help you! You don't say if you have rack or floor unit - I'm assuming floor. If your Helix is brand new and you don't really need to save anything - and you really don't given how much better everything is since your version, You should be able to do the firmware upgrade to 2.10 directly. (If you were updating from a more recent version and had lots of patches, you would use the editor for that version to backup before this step) Delete any other line 6 software downloads you have floating around - you don't want to accidently use anything wrong!! You go here to get the updater and firmware - http://line6.com/software/ For the updater - in the selection boxes you select Helix - Line 6 Updater - your OS You want version 1.10 Install the updater. For the firmware you select Helix - All Software - Mac OS X (or whatever OS you use) On this page (just to start the confusion) the first download offered is the 2.10 Editor. You will need that, so you can download it now if you like, but first you need the firmware installed to be able to use the editor. You scroll down to the next page to find the firmware. The download button is in the bottom right of the page. Follow the instructions precisely (Print them or screen grab before moving on). Make sure you do all the restarts Your Helix should now be working fine as a v2.10 with all new factory presets and all the user setlists empty. A clean slate (but right up to date) After installing the firmware, you can install the editor - The instructions for both assume you want to backup settings, I'm assuming that is a waste of time for you. Now I just contradicted 'silverhead' - I don't believe you actually even need the editor to use the Helix. But you will find it just more comfortable to build patches with the editor. The editor is just an application - the only thing that is important is that you must use the same version of editor as the Helix firmware - for the obvious reason that with different effects, amps and options with each update, the editor needs to address those differences. I'd always install the editor after the Firmware to avoid user error - remember- the Editor must match the Firmware version. Finally, you need the up to date manual - I believe this is it (almost up to date!!) http://line6.com/data/6/0a0643892850577d59b6033d6/application/pdf/Helix%202.0%20Owners%20Manual%20-%20Rev%20C%20-%20English%20.pdf

Please click my update request here - http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/a-professional-update-app/860327-23508

Hi All, I'm still running Helix firmware and software 2.0. That's because I don't want to go through all the fiddling I will need to do when I move to 2.10. If it ain't broke................After Xmas for that update I think - gigs and things in the way for now. I can connect the Helix to my Laptop - Mac Powerbook (OSX 10.11) - everything works fine (yes, Helix editor 2.00.1) However when I connect it to my Workstation iMac (OS Sierra) - the editor (yes 2.00.1) does not see the Helix (Helix device not connected) Now if I open GarageBand on that same iMac, I get full Audio interface from the Helix - so I can record and I hear everything through the Helix Headphones - and I assume through the XLRs if I had anything connected! So clearly my mac audio see the Helix - just not the Helix app?? Tried a few USB ports just in case.................... Any suggestions - I get by with the laptop - but it's another thing on a crowded desktop and I like the big screen!!

One thing you didn't do in your test was patch (using the same leads) from your preamp into your power amp - as in taking the Helix out of the equation all together.

Can't help you - but you brighten my day with your post anyhow! Thanks

Well then that's really strange because I installed the lastest updater 1.10 a few weeks ago, and I just installed the updater with the Firmware update and it reverted to 1.09. That's definitely strange. Anyone else got any information - this is more than a little concerning unless everything works fine with 1.10 or 1.09.

No - the problem is Line 6! The latest updater is 1.10. If you follow the update instructions exactly it installs updater 1.09. So Line 6 Helix team don't know that some other part of line 6 has updated the updater!!! Yes, if you follow the instructions precisely it should install 1.09 over 1.10 - but really - what if you have multiple line 6 devices?? Line 6 - make a decent update package like any decent developer would - please - I feel for all these people having unnecessary problems. I also know it's stopping people moving to the Helix because forums like this are full of stuff like "I just bricked my Helix"

look here - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=4+cable+method+helix You'll see plenty of options - not that I'm into any of that FRFR wins every time!

The Ownhammer IRs are excellent - maybe the best - I think it's hard to know because of the number of IRs out there! And good IRs are worth having. It lifts the Helix another notch. Regarding the number, they do give you a set that are the likely ones - I think they have an M suffix or something to say "try these first" - can't remember, but it's something like that. The bewildering amount of choice had me totally accepting the Ms after a bit of trial and error. There is unfortunately no easy way to try them all. I bought a few sets that are my idea of likely IRs and it has worked well for me. I got some Vox type IRs and some classic Marshall standards and a few Fender boxes. Add a couple of Mesa quads and I can't see the need for more - I think you end up finding maybe 6 boxes you use all the time - and I'm talking a big range of sounds. So then it's down to mics. I again find I only like a few mics - its probably a SM57 and maybe another dynamic like Sennheiser MD 421 - you also see Neumann U 87 in studios, but I'm not sure I'd pick it for live even if it was affordable! - I find ribbon mics don't give me the cut through I like but I admit my experience with them is limited - but anyhow, you can take a good standard 4x12 like Celestion Vintage 30s and try all the mics on that (maybe 20-30 IR's) and I think you will find you can eliminate 70% of the choices by identifying the dud mics. These sets are really complete, but really, most of them you are never going to need. And you'd be bloody good to pick an Orange 4x12 against a Marshall 4x12 with the same speakers - basically the same thing with a different brand on it with a mic an inch and a half off the cone.........!!! its just crazy obsessive. So I'm down to 22 IR's that cover it all for me. They do have some very neat configurations for open back boxes with the back mic'ed as well, but again although I was intrigued I didn't like them in the end. Expect to get completely different stuff from other people - and I hate metal guitar sounds, so I obviously make different decisions to a metal guy.

No - sounds very odd considering you can save everything else. I'm replying mostly because I want to know how this works out!

You really should have a computer you use all the time with the Helix..............it's kind of assumed - but yes, you can do it with a borrowed computer. You can update without the editor, but you won't be able to put back any of your patches etc without the latest editor. As you say your machine is brand new, I think you just do the firmware update. But really, you need the editor - it's the way to backup you Helix (as well as a really good way to build sounds, patches, manage IR's etc). And as you should be regularly backing up at least, you will need a good arrangement with the computer's owner to keep some stuff on their machine or at least get a nice big USB stick and keep everything including the latest editor on that. Otherwise when the next really good update comes you will be unable to save anything you have done in between.

I think I see your problem. It's the IRs. You need to independently reinstall all the IRs - in the same slots. So - what you should have done is either rename you IRs (add 01, 02 etc to the start of the name - yes, you might have to shorten the name as a result - so they are stored in the correct order in a computer, -or- Take a screen grab of them from the editor so you know where to replace them after the update. Then you back them up!! This is because they are removed after the update - don't ask me to justify any of that - it's something Line 6 don't seem to be willing to address. So anyhow, after the update you then put the correct IR's back in the correct slots, and hopefully that fixes your issues - let us know if that works for you.

Hi anteater - forums are interesting things - you get your over the top fans and you get your total idiots. You get very nice people who are just not understanding how the thing works. You get people who get 'it' completely and everything else inbetween. I've watched very closely over the months since I bought my Helix - which incidentally for me has been exactly the right move and worth every penny. What I've observed is that there are a few people who are probably having a real issue - maybe due to some real failure of the Helix or connectivity issues with certain computers. I've seen people try to use their Helix in strange and creative ways outside the concept of its design with the expected difficulty of trying to put a square peg in a round hole. But overall 99% of what looks like an issue is user error. Just my opinion. If you are reasonably computer savvy, and understand what the Helix is, you are extremely likely to have a great experience. It helps to have a background in the analogue world I think because the Helix duplicates it very well. So when you plug a collection of pedals into a certain amp and box and mic it with a certain mic, you mostly get exactly what you would expect. Knowing what to expect definitely helps! The only trap for young players - and something I think Line 6 should have an introduction on page 2 of the manual is that you will need to set a global EQ or per patch EQ that gets your frequency curve into the kind of space a real amp, speaker, mic and EQ on the desk combination you might find if you were setting all that up in a studio. If you chose to run it into an guitar amp, you will miss a significant chunk of its goodies and you will have to avoid not only using amp and speaker models, but all the cool stuff that can be done (and is in a studio) buy processing the sound after the amp. I'd personally think Fractal FX8 if I wanted to keep my amp at all costs. I don't have, nor have I used a HD500X - so I can't give you any feeling of what kind of quality jump you will get. But from what I can see others who do have that experience feel it's worth the upgrade. I expect you will hear from a few of them soon.........

Warning is needed here! You have to use the same editor version as your firmware. If you have had your Helix for a year, then it will have firmware that predates the editor. So you will need to back up as the first thing you do, then very carefully go through the updating process including the firmware. Do not attempt to edit your old firmware version with a different editor version.

I agree - it's more likely to be a PC issue. First shut everything down and restart and reconnect (PC and Helix) - then if you still got a problem find a good IT person and they will be able to trouble shoot your USB issues - very unlikely to be anything more complex than a driver issue - you might need to install the editor (the same version as your Helix firmware) on to another computer to do a backup. I'm betting you will end up reinstalling the editor on your existing PC or at worst reinstalling your Helix firmware (after a backing up). it might even be your USB on the computer. I've also had mine connected all day with no problems. If you do find you have to do a full install, I'd be concerned about your PC's USB being safe. Do you have any USB connected drives or anything? Do they all work reliably? Yes - restart - if that doesn't fix it see a computer geek!

Well no one seems to have any actual experience of it! But as an Amplifire with a better pedal board (seems it is the same technology exactly - patches are totally compatible), it would be the perfect tool for someone who wants a modeling system that is a bit more simple than the Helix. It's not as full featured, but it is a lot cheaper. Expect to need an Expression pedal - so the gap will shrink a bit. Only you can say if it does what you need.