nigelhardwick

Don't worry, my eyesight isn't what it used to be. Found a set of options at the bottom of the plugin. Didn't realise it was there. Deauthorized my PC from there and reauthorized again. It works now. All is good!!!

Using Cubase 9.5 on a Windows 10 machine. A couple of days ago, I wanted to do some recording after a long hiatus so I've connected my Helix floor back up to the computer. Everything is working fine there so I decided to check on Helix Native. I saw there was an update (I think I was still on 1.10) so I uninstalled it and installed 1.60 (don't know how I missed 1.70). After starting Cubase, opening a new audio track and inserting the plugin, I noticed an orange bar with an error message. It said, Failed to connect to device (Device has not been initialized properly). A little more trawling and I finally saw the 1.70 update so I deauthorized my PC again using the latest license manage, went into Programs and Features to uninstall 1.60, reauthorized my PC and installed 1.70. Now it's giving a different error message where it's saying, Failed to connect to DSP. Hope someone can help with getting this sorted. Cheers

I went back and tried the AES connection to see if there was any difference. There was a difference. Instead of a total dropout of audio, it crackled and popped. I raised a ticket with Line 6 and they again re-iterated that it was a problem they are aware of and as yet there is no timeframe for a fix, with no workaround. I was contacted shortly after, to be told to try firmware 2.30, which was released yesterday. Well, I've downloaded 2.30 and installed it. Unfortunately it made no difference. I didn't buy the Helix specifically to use the SPDIF or AES connections, I bought it because I needed to get excited and inspired about playing guitar again and the HD500X wasn't doing that for me. I'm a composer more than a player so as long as I have a decent signal into my DAW for recording, I am happy. I don't really want to disconnect my audio interface and use the USB on the Helix so I guess my only alternative now is to use the line out connections. This is where I wish I had a patchbay but I can manage. This doesn't detract from the fact that my unit is faulty straight out of the box, firmware issue or not. I'm upset and frustrated because from a non-professional standpoint (although I am trying to become professional), I have made a huge investment in Line 6 equipment (huge for someone who isn't making a living yet). First, I purchased a brand new JTV-89 that was virtually unplayable (suffered from fret buzz at various places on the board) until I paid extra to have it professionally setup and the model actuater switch still doesn't work because the shaft is too short (yes I saw the mod where you add a piece of folded paper into the know but come on, line 6 is a professional company); an HD500X, which to be fair spent more of it's time off than on only because it didn't inspire me tonally for recording; and now after taking a loan and spending more money than I ever have on a piece of equipment that everyone is raving about, to find that it doesn't work the way it was intended straight out of the box, well. My next purchase was to be an L2T or L2M, but how can I trust that this is the best option for me now? Getting inspired isn't just about the tone, it's about the after service too. The wasted hours when you first find there is a problem and search for a solution is kinda soul destroying. If you feel a company has let you down, does that not deflate you somewhat? Line 6 have been in the business for quite a few years now so you would think they would have a little more professionalism by now, especially as Yamaha are part of the picture. Taking it back to previous comments where someone said they use the SPDIF and they don't have an issue with dropout; another said they got a replacement and haven't had an issue with the new unit, that suggests that not all the units are affected by this problem. So how then can it be a firmware issue? If there is no timeframe for a fix, that says to me that it isn't a priority. That could be because not enough people have raised it as an issue, maybe because they don't use it so don't really care or are unaware. It could also be that they are concentrating on getting things ready for another launch with shows coming up in the new year. Numbers would tell the real story but people only report what is broken and if they don't use that connection (or they do and it is fine), then we won't have a true indication as to how many units are affected by this issue. I'm still yet to be convinced that this is a firmware issue.

I received my brand new Helix floor unit on Tuesday, disconnected the SPDIF coaxial cable from my HD500X and connected it to the Helix. This is how I have always connected to my RME AIO for recording in my DAW PC. I started off by going through some factory presets and everything seemed fine until I was jarred by the dropout. Listening on closed back headphones certainly makes it stick out. I carried on playing through the presets and after a while, it happened again. At this point, I decide to go through the settings to see if I had missed something. RME settings confirmed I was synced at 48kHz and the clock source was SPDIF In, Helix confirmed Digital Out was SPDIF and Sample Rate was 48kHz. I played my guitar for a little longer and yep, there it was again. I looked in the forum to see if this was a common fault but all I could find was dropouts to do with EXP1 so I decided to enquire in the Helix group on Facebook, to see if anyone else was experiencing this problem. I was directed to this thread. I am confused by the fact that Line 6 have issued a statement to the effect that this is a firmware issue, yet there are people stating they have no problems with their SPDIF conection and some who have experienced the problem stating a replacement unit does not drop out. The only way I can see that it can be addressed by a firmware update is if some units are fitted with hardware that are slightly outside the parameters and an adjustment to firmware to include that discrepancy, or even to ignore it, will bring these rogue units inline. The question I ask myself is, do I ring up the store and ask them to replace the unit in the hope that it solves the problem or do I sit back and wait for the firmware update? My dilemna is exacerbated by the fact that after being disappointed with my HD500X tones, the Helix has fired me up once again and apart from sleep, I haven't put my guitar down. I feel I don't want to be without it, I am that inspired. I am already searching for the right FRFR unit that I can use as a monitor and who knows, maybe I'll join a band again too.