rvroberts

This is interesting.........it seems few of you had the issue I had with the 2.0 update. This probably comes from trying impedance matching to my guitar. As I had done that pre 2.0 update, when I updated the impedance is now per patch rather than global. I can see how that makes sense as you might be using totally different instruments for different patches. So its a long term gain. But as I had set it as a global, I had to modify every patch. Then comes snapshots - yes, another gain - but it took 2 days (about 4 hours each) before I was feeling like I was set up to play a gig again. And after a rehearsal, I know some of my settings still need work - yes, its unavoidable - things sound different at high volume and getting sounds that cut through the mix takes time. So that little impedance thing has cost a lot of time - if it didn't do that for you guys, you are lucky! (or maybe you didn't dig that deep to begin with?) Regarding updates - come on guys - its a computer - are you seeing all the people who didn't update their editor or reset and reload their patches? It's not fair to say silly people should have read all the stuff properly - the updates are cumbersome and require you do do a sequence of events correctly - what's wrong with Line 6 writing a decent update utility that does that all in a foolproof way? I expect that level of coding in the world today - why don't you? You expect it on your iPhone. And thank you phil_m - your suggestion for IRs is a good one and I'll use it - something Line 6 could implement by default too - then we wouldn't need to think about it. Don't get me wrong - its a great box - but there are too many rough edges in the software/hardware for my liking. I know really good players who couldn't deal with it. And that's a pity. Push to make it better! Those installation notes covered in warnings - I'd call that unprofessional.

I find all this re installing everything a significant downside to the whole process. As a gigging musician, it's eating a lot of time. And after the impedance issues of the 2.0 update, I'm very cautious - I had to rebuild most of my sounds as the overall tonal spectrum changed. I also really think there should be a way to save IR's in order - so it's not a laborious manual process putting 20 or 30 IRs back in the correct order. So - 1. I'd like to be able to save IRs as a set or Bundle or something - so you just reload and away you go. 2. I'd like Line 6 to tell me accurately what to expect as gotchas when updating - then you know if you need to delay or totally skip a certain update. 3. I'd like less but better tested updates - or some list that lets me know that this update is say "beta". A lot of software has tested and certified versions for people who need reliability and beta versions for those who like to live a bit more on the edge. Finally, the update process is dangerous. It's all too easy to brick your Helix. Surely Line 6 can improve the installation - if a new version of the editor is necessary, the installer should do that by default before installing the firmware update. I think that's a must.

So if I do this it will keep all my snapshots and all the input impedances I've just laboriously fixed after 2.0 upgrade and all my IRs won't be lost/need reinstalling??

I find using my Helix so far.............and we are all constantly experimenting - its both great and a curse from time to time! - that the big secret to getting a great sound out of PA style speakers (and I suspect any FRFR type of setup) is to have a global EQ that makes what you send fit into the frequency response of what might be expected from a mic'ed guitar amp. So I'm quiet drastically killing bottom and high end - I actually kill anything above 10K. Even 8K depending on the box - big horn = kill more high frequencies. This despite using IRs. And on the IRs I'm even more extreme - often setting a roll off at like 5.9K. For me this gets rid of all the harsh highs that make distortion sound bad. It still lets through nice glassy Strat sounds. Be interested to hear other people's experiences. Regarding levels - I'm going out at line level and into my boxes at line level. I find I can get a great sound with careful tweaking of EQ out of most PA type speakers and am using Behringer boxes and getting a great sound - it make me wonder how much of the highend FRFR boxes (none of which are anywhere I can try them!) is just starting with a more instrument friendly response? Obviously not having crossover issues to a horn would help. Seriously - the minute you kill all the low end and harsh highs you are in the ball park. IR's are not the solution on their own - when was the last time you were in a studio with a SM57 on a box straight into the desk without the kind of EQ I'm describing?

Yes - I think you have found the issue. Thing is I'll still have to remake those patches a little, as although the auto setting is too extreme, the total tonal balance across the guitar is clearly better somewhere in between - a learning experience with the typical touch of pain! Any opinions on the best setting for a Strat - I got 2 American standards and I suspect they are different anyhow!!

Yes, if only I had kept that info! Nothing regarding the brightness issue? - these are Line 6 combo amps and speakers

I've just done the upgrade - not even played with snapshots - but sounds great. However, after reloading my old sounds, I've found a number are extremely bright. Not all of them. And as an aside, I think the Global EQ is different too. (can you save Global EQ??) Anyhow, Matchstick Ch1, Is now way brighter - might be a plus in the end, but a pain right now! Essex A15 - again - very bright - using the combo with 1x12 Bluebell. Are the IR's changed? And talking about that! I have a pile of IRs- but when I reloaded them, they came in in alphabetical order (how the directory was) - so I have to figure out which ones I was using - did I do something stupid there? Ok - over to the wise! Do I need to rebuild 3/4 of my sounds?

I don't know how Line 6 made their cabs, but I've tried a number or IRs - mostly Ownhammer - and they sound better - which is interesting considering you don't have much control. The idea that's going around that IRs can do much more - like make a good acoustic simulation - makes IRs an interesting topic.