JLondon

Mix and match -absolutely!  The 2 3Ts are plenty.  But if you want to have something to play out with, the 2s are much lighter and portable - and possibly even sound better as a single personal guitar monitor when using a single unit.  I advise that you always ignore the presets on the speakers.  They can automatically change on you depending upon how you have the speaker oriented.   Always check them after powering on to make sure they are in "reference PA mode" when both playing and auditioning/saving patches.     

Cost effective?  Nope!  I use mine to play at church too.  What I did is scrap the whole amp '4 cable method' mess and purchase two FRFR Line 6 Stagesource speakers (one with onboard mixer option so I can play acoustic guitar through same set-up).  I leave one at church/one at home and just transport Helix and guitar back and forth.  VERY convenient!  But it's still not going to sound the same  at both locations because of the venue size difference.  But it will get you close and you can tweak your presets quickly at church and save a set for both locations.  Not really cost effective - but the whole system is a whole lot less money than the alternative set of amps/pedals/etc. AND with the onboard mixer option on one of the speakers I basically have a P.A. system to boot when I put all pcs together.   AND STEREO! 

I've owned the amplifi pedal board.  Liked it alright but sold it when I got a Helix.  Now I've got an Amplifi 75 out for delivery along with their free wireless connection kit.  Thinking it might be better for my needs.  My question is, what methods are people using to incorporate an actual wah pedal or expression into the system?  The traditional way?  Or can mods and wah be controlled via expression pedal?

I was kind of half joking... I mean, of all the things I could complain about? kinda the point ;)

 

But, yeah, those strap handles are ok... when I said top handle, I meant end handle I guess.  Imagine the bag is stored in the trunk of your hatchback, sitting on it's "back" and you want to pull it out lengthwise from my car... there's nothing to grab to pull it out with.  The plastic handle is in the wrong place balance-wise to pull from.  And those straps aren't well placed to pull it out lengthwise.  A heavily stitched handle on the end of the bag would be perfect.  Plus, I find myself wanting to pick it up from the end a lot, too.  To use those strap handles, you have to lay the bag down on its back.  Every suitcase I've ever owned has one, this one should, too.  I imagine they were afraid people would rip it off since the speaker is kind of heavy for its size.  And since I'm here, it also would have been better if the wheels were on the outside and not two inches inboard from the edge of the bag... It tends to tip over when I'm pulling it on its wheels.  Again, super nit-picky points.

 

I'm super happy the speaker came with bag, I was totally not expecting that for $500 total price.  And it really is a solid bag, it should last quite awhile as canvas bags go.  And other than those issues, it works great and really protects the speaker.

Ah, I see - and Yes I agree.  An additional, stationary,  end handle would be awesome. 

I'm supposed to get My L2M, carrying bag, and a new cable Friday... That will give me one week to tweak my presets before my next gig.   This is going to make all the difference between lugging out the old 1/2 stack or going direct from the Helix... this could be really cool!

Just thought I'd give you a heads-up in case the "new cable" you got is a LINK cable,  If you are only using one Stagesource speaker, I would stick with one of the other mono output methods.  LINK is more for use with more than one speaker (stereo or WDW) and/or a Line 6 LINK mixing board.  You can use a LINK cable for mono but just be aware that it disables the "global" EQ in the Helix.  This is totally okay - you just have to adjust your settings to compensate.  I've always used LINK for any purpose as I didn't want to have to have different presets for Mono and Stereo (w/LINK) setups.

Speaking of the rolling bag... The used L2t I bought surprisingly came with the rolling bag.

My biggest complaint... The rolling bag doesn't have a carry handle on the top!  Think I'll have to add that in myself.  (Hint Hint Line 6).  That handle would be super useful for pulling the speaker out of my car, picking it up for a short carry, etc..  I keep finding myself missing it.  But it does have a roller bag handle like on suitcases, and the side handle is ok for lugging it up stairs.

 

I will say it is heavier than I expected (not complaining tho)...Also, much louder than I expected...

 

Still working on dialing in my tone (I've gotten other tones I like, just not "my" tone yet)... But that's all me and learning how to use the rig.  I know I'll get there.  And I am having a blast learning about and playing with the 10's of thousands of dollars of equipment I just bought for less than $2k by getting the Helix and L2t, all in one little package.  Wish there were more hours in a day.

I don't get it!  Since you got the bag used, something may be wrong.  The roller bags for both the LT2 and 3 both not only have a 2 strap top handle, but also (and what I consider to be much better) a top flap exposing (and tucks under the handle of the speaker itself.  If you are expecting something other than this, I can't imagine why.

I second the previous post.  I can't stress enough how awesome the Line 6 roller carry case for the L2 is.  Both the L2 and 3 are great in the way they are shaped and balanced.  But they are heavy.  Their roller case with retractable handle makes packing the beauties like strolling an airport with carry-on luggage.  If you plan on transporting even just occasionally, don't even buy new strings until you can afford the case.

Good info... Based on that train of thought i just sprung for the L2M, I think this will help dial in the the sound I "expect" to hear FOH.  If all goes well I'll have this setup dialed in for our next show... 05 Nov at Studio 7 in Seattle  (shameless plug fro anyone who want to check this rig out in action- Lol).  First big gig going ampless... what a trip.

 

tom

It's late, I know, but I think you made the right choice.  I have no idea what the Friedmans sound like, but I don't need to.  My StageSource speakers not only compete perfectly well with my 412 cabinet, but I have a system to build on (actually I already did).  The L6 LINK feature is marvelous when using more than one unit.  Now save your $$ and get an L2T and an LINK cable and you'll have your own mini PA, an awesome stereo outfit, and what I consider to be one of the best acoustic guitar amps on the market (the LT2/3).  Of course when playing electric on stage, I use mine in front of me as a personal monitor with a cable out of the Helix to FOH - not used like an amp as you would have to have 3 mikes to mike it.  I don't play super heavy metal - but I do consider the L2 to be a beast for my needs. 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the Helix' Mistress is useless for emulating the sound of the original Mistress (but in fairness I've always heard later models of the Mistress are pretty useless for that purpose as well).  I have two options for you. 

1- get one of these and put it in a return/send loop:  http://www.gilmourish.com/?p=4019 Don't let the miniature size, minimal cost, or country of origin fool you.  This thing is awesome if set right (see video) and blows my Hartman Flanger away (supposedly the best original Mistress clone on the market).  2- Start with the Courtesan Flanger in the Helix.  Then add one of the Rotarys and maybe even a phaser.  Then play with the individual settings and mixes.  This is obviously a DSP hog but I A/B'd it with an analog in the loop and I got something I was satisfied with.  I can't give you the specifics as I won't be near my Helix for a while.  Both suggestions will definitely get you in the David Gilmour "Pay My Rent" category.  If you have a couple inches on your Helix board and $70, the 1st option will use less DSP  AND you'll have the best original Electric Mistress clone on the market for use on an analog board as well.

Gear Head's pro/con comments pretty much cover  it in my opinion.  For live play I only use my L2 as a personal floor monitor pointed at me from the front with signal from Helix directly to FOH.  As much as I love the L2/3s, I would probably never use them like an amp.  As for the DT amps, I personally would keep my distance at this point.  I'm not 'in the know' and this certainly is not official but I would almost bet you money Line 6 is currently working on a DT type amp that is designed from the ground up to be compatible with the Helix.  I'm expecting it any day now.  I'm not sure but I think the DT 50 is already out of production.  Seems the DT25 is the only one most stores still have in stock.   I'm hoping that when the 25's are all gone the Helix/DT amps will come out. 

Thank you all for the input. Unfortunately the deal fell through, but I think I'm sold on the idea of the L6 L3T, just need to keep looking for one at a decent price. Busy run of gigs between now and end of year, which would raise enough, so could be a nice Xmas present to myself :-)

Hey, don't rule out an L2.  I don't use all three of my Stagesource speakers for live play.  I only use the much lighter L2t, in PA reference mode, as a personal stage monitor and run straight out of the Helix to FOH with no amplifier.  The L2s are REAL easy to transport and they are a cheaper alternative.  Maybe even better for strictly electric guitar.  The L3's and their extra wattage/speaker/range shine more for adding in extra elements - like vocals, another musician, recording play-back, or outside effects from something like a Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.   Unless your band is really loud, you are playing really large venues, or you're playing really, really heavy metal - I'd actually recommend the L2 series to get a strictly electric guitar amp sound under most circumstances.

Yeah, L6 Link and WDW possibilities is a definite plus.  I'd feel a little awkward bringing up 3 L3t's with 4200w on stage to a gig though.  I can only imagine the looks from the soundman.  He might be threatened ;)

If you are referring to my posts, I can assure you that I don't use all three Stagesource speakers for live electric guitar play.   I only use an L2 for that.  It's pointing directly at me and the Helix goes straight to FOH.  My talk about the 3 pc set is strictly for my own enjoyment, but also for in the event that I'm playing both acoustic/electric guitar along with others in a coffee shop or small bar atmosphere.  It acts as the PA and two of the pcs have their own mixers.

Man, I tried out a pair of used L3m's in the music store.  They sounded great and their specs are impressive.  If I were leaving them setup at home or at a jam spot, that would be killer.  But I sure would hate to transport them place to place all of the time.  They are listed at 57.5 lbs, which is better than some 412 cabs, but not by much.  The roller bag JLondon mentioned would make it easier I'm sure.

Again, the cases really do take away the pain in transporting.  But another BIG plus for Stagesource speakers: the L6 LINK system.  I don't know if any of the other Line 6 equipment (digital amps, etc.) are compatible with LINK, but if you have 2 or more StageSource speakers you get to daisy chain them via LINK and they communicate with each other (and a Line6 mixer if you have one).  Awesomely simple stereo or WDW setups possible.  I don't see people mentioning it on the Helix boards much, but I personally think it's almost worth the price of admission in itself.  Definitely a great selling point for the sound system as a whole.

I have an L3T, an L3M, and an L2T and I've never looked back.  Not just for their sound, but also for their practicality.  They (especially the "Ts") are so versatile.  And If you can get a good enough deal on one and can afford it, I think you'd be crazy not to take advantage of it.  One comment of advice concerning the L3's - Throw down the cash for their roll around case with retractable handle.  While all the Stagesource speakers are fantastically compact and balances, they are heavy.  Their case really is awesome.  Makes transporting feel like strolling the airport with carryon luggage. 

Don't know anything about the sound of the K10, but my personal advice is to keep the L2M and buy the Line 6 roll-around case for it.  StageSource speakers are awesome and the case makes it's extra weight feel like you're rolling around a small pc of carry on luggage.  Save your money, buy another L2 "T" and another Link cable - and you'll have an awesome stereo system that will cover any base you can possibly need short of large stadium venues.  I have an L2T (for toting around and church-play) along with two L3's (a T & an M) and I've never looked back.  When I put the three together with a Wet/Dry/Wet configuration in my studio, it's glorious.

Definitely use whatever it takes.  If you stick strictly to the artists analog equivalent, you are definitely "making life hard for yourself".  I've a/b'ed certain amps on the Helix with the real thing and had to go to a completely different Helix amp to achieve a similar sound to the original.  I'm a huge Gilmour fan and have an on and off again relationship with the Helix's HiWatt amp model.  I seem to find other Helix amp models either provide a better clean pedal platform or eliminate the need for a pedal altogether with a tweak and a snapshot.  The Electric Mistress is terrible and I have to use a combination of a flanger/rotary/phaser to achieve a decent Gilmour Mistress.  Definitely a DSP eater but WOW!  Don't get me wrong - I think the Helix is awesome.  I'm just of the belief that factory presets/amp models/effects are only starting points in order to help you learn what the machine is capable of.  And it's all relative.  What one person is doing will not work for another because of differences in gear and playing purpose (live play vs. bedroom etc.).

Nope!  Can't do it.  I hate to complain about the Helix because Line 6 did such a damn good job.  But this is one thing that really chaps my butt.  Some don't see the need but I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to be able to study their presets, or those of others, and plan layouts from the comfort of your easy chair and laptop.  I recently spent hours communicating with someone, via email, on the subject of options for a wet/dry/wet setup.  Every time we exchanged information, I had to go to my rig to work out what he was talking about.  I would love to be able to copy/paste or study spec differences between amp and effect settings that I like without having to go to my studio to do it.  This and a kill-dry switch on the Helix itself are the only two things on my idea wish list.

I know L6 link was able to identify the number of connected DT amps before so I wonder if there's a possibility to have unique identifiers for each of the stagesource speakers or DT amps within helix so that you can make up to four digital assignments and leverage L6 link for all

Yeah, L6 can sense the number of stagesource speakers as well and can identify certain aspects.  For instance, with three speakers in series, if the middle speaker is horizontal, L6 LINK will make it mono with 1st and 3rd speakers stereo (if they're vertical).  There's a thingamajig in Stagesource speakers that sense whether they are standing up, lying down, or on poles.  No such feature for routing dry signal though.  That's specific to HD500 regardless of whether your using DTamps or Stagesource speakers.  Helix needs a "kill-dry" switch like the HD500.

Well maybe you can use stereo digital L6 Link out for your wet and split the signal in helix and go quarter inch output to dry

That's the basic plan I'm working with.  I do have a dry signal in the center with the 1/4 out.  But can't manage to mix the dry signal out of the wet stereo speakers though.

It was possible to do this with POD HD and 3 DT amps all via L6 Link.  I'm not sure if it can be done with Helix and 3 Stagesource speakers.

 

Check out the wet/dry/wet L6 Link hook up on page 3.11 of the DT manual.

 

http://line6.com/data/6/0a06434d41f050904bee355b1/application/pdf/L6%20LINK%20Connectivity%20Guide%20for%20POD%20HD%20&%20DT%20Amplifiers%20v2.10%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20A%20).pdf

 

This is not really an answer, but may inspire some thought and answers from others.

Thanks for the input.  Yeah I was almost ready to lay down the cash for a DT amp but realized the kill-dry settings are made with the pod HD 500.  Helix doesn't have that ability (right now).  Darn. 

So everything I find on the forums is how to do WDW using send/return on a amp and 2 external speakers.  I'm trying to get WDW using 3 Line 6 Stagesource monitors.  Is it possible.  If so it's probably simple - but haven't been able to figure it out.  The Stagesource monitors don't have a return/send (or do they?) and I'm trying to use as few cables as possible.  My current attempts consist of trying to route 2 speakers for stereo mods connected in series using Link cables, and a single 1/4 out to a 3rd (middle) speaker for dry guitar signal only.  Closest I've come so far resulted in one of two things.  1) the "wet" speakers have the dry signal in them also, or 2) a dry signal to middle speaker and effects in only one of the other, LINK connected, speakers (no stereo obviously).  Am I failing because my physical cable connections, or  how I'm trying to route things on the Helix chain, - or both?

I have this problem as well.  My first thought was that I would have to turn off "trails" for delays and reverbs - which I thought was unfortunate.  Turns out that didn't work anyway.  I'm looking forward to hearing experiences of others as well on this subject.  And, of course, hopefully some answers.

Concerning which Stagesource speaker to buy, it depends on your personal needs and intended practical use.  Do you want to play both electric and acoustic guitar? - Get either but with the on-board mixer option.  Is it for live play and going to be moved around a lot and just for replacing the need for an amp? - save some money and get the L2 cause it's much lighter and sounds awesome for that purpose.  Are you mainly going to be home/studio playing, you have the space, and it won't be moved that often? - get an L3 (preferably 2 of them cause the stereo using the L6 LINK system is unbelievable).  Both speakers are very well designed and compacted.  Not bad at all for moving around really - especially if you get one of their cases w/rollers and handle.   The L3 is just taller and heavier.  The extra speaker in the L3 cab makes it a better choice for things other than just guitar playing such as music playback or using with special effects like a Roland GR-55 guitar synth.

There is no real desirable way - but it was recommended to me (and I have found it to be the most convenient) to go to the last "output" block in the chain (little circle with arrow pointing out) and lower or raise the level there - either to what seems comfortable to the ear or w/meter.  Then SAVE it'll go right back the way it was.  I've found this to be easiest, especially on the fly at practice or readying for live play.  Note, however, that larger changes in volume to a particular preset (up or down and regardless of where/how you change) will change the way the preset sounds.

I would definitely not rule out "bug".  I've had weird things happen with my tap/tuner footswitch where the Helix wouldn't stay in tuner mode unless I kept holding down on the footswitch (like it was set to momentary mode rather than latch).  It had all the symptoms of a hardware issue but I held off on doing anything about it.  The problem went away with an update.  Problem came back again later with another update and then went away again with yet another.  Haven't had a problem since and it's been a while now.  Still could be a bad switch I guess but it's been my experience that wonky footswitches don't wait for weeks to make changes in their behavior.