HonestOpinion

It looks like the problem might be with the driver as I am getting driver errors in the Device Manager on Windows 10 on my non-powered Micro USB tablet port even when using a powered hub. Windows can see the Helix but the driver will not enable properly. Would be great if Line6 could shed some more light on this or better yet just get it to work with non-powered tablet USB ports.

I believe you are correct. I don't think there should be a problem with the data stream as long as the device connecting to the tablet is powered. The tablet ports do tend to have problems with unpowered devices due to their differences from laptops in power management. For instance, they often will not operate properly with an external hard drive unless it is powered. If the Helix is having problems with most tablets that suggests to me that the Helix is relying on a powered USB port. Why in the world is a powered device like the Helix relying on a powered USB port? This should be fixed in the firmware or with a driver if possible. What good reason could there be for a powered Helix not to work with a Windows tablet? Do unpowered USB ports have a protection circuit or an OS feature that prevents power from the Helix? This does not make sense to me as I can get powered external hard drives to work with my unpowered USB ports with no problem. After reading your post I went back and played with my Nextbook Flexx and indeed it does have connectivity issues when it is used as a tablet (disconnected from the keyboard) through the Micro-USB port. It works fine when through the standard USB powered connection when it is connected to the keyboard (keyboard has a standard USB connection). This is not good! I hope Line6 addresses this because a tablet is a great way to interact with the Helix onstage. I suggest posting this in the "Bugs" topic it looks like you already opened a ticket with Line6. I hope they address this issue and don't just settle for the canned response they sent back to you. There are probably a lot of folks including me who would like to see this fixed. Note: I am wondering if an OTG cable utilizing "USB On The Go" would get around the problem with unpowered tablet ports, particularly the Micro-USB ports. I tried it with an OTG adapter but I don't have the adapter part that provides power to the OTG cable and I am having no luck. Has anyone had success by connecting a powered USB hub to an unpowered Micro-USB connection that is not working reliably? At this point it seems like nothing less that a tablet with a standard powered USB connector would be reliable for use with the Helix.

Yep I don't see them any more either although a couple of them sold for about $70 on Ebay this month. I think they must have stopped selling them, Walmart had this model which looks similar but only has Windows 8.1 instead of 10. https://www.walmart.com/ip/46664252?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227035575591&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=78193720232&wl4=pla-51491553727&wl5=9008052&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=46664252&wl13=&veh=sem They also had this which looks similar but has Windows 10 and is a bit less expensive. https://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-Cambio-10.1-2-in-1-Tablet-32GB-Intel-Atom-Z3735F-Quad-Core-Processor-Windows-10/45804385?action=product_interest&action_type=title&item_id=45804385&placement_id=irs-106-t1&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id&category=&client_guid=fa2ab222-1975-42e6-8ad3-06a1f63f9300&customer_id_enc&config_id=106&parent_item_id=46664252&parent_anchor_item_id=46664252&guid=cf84971c-7ef3-45d6-b0c4-8b85665bf20c&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n You may want to get something with a bit bigger screen if you are going to use it in the studio. It looks like a very inexpensive laptop or tablet with minimal RAM and a mediocre CPU will work just fine with the Helix though as long as it has a USB port or in my case a Micro USB port with an adapter..

Thanks! I never noticed it or used it there. Leave it to me to miss the elephant in the room.

This point is of particular interest to me and contrary to how I have always positioned my harmony effects in the signal chain on either an analog board or an MFX. I have always placed the harmonizer as the first effect or as close to the beginning of my signal chain as possible. I find they tend to track better there and I also avoid any mod based effects like a phaser early in my signal chain from introducing weird artifacts or impacting the tracking on the harmonizer. I would imagine if you are one of the people who has embraced placing your reverb in between the amp and the cab this could effect it as well. I will have to experiment with DunedingDragon's recommendation on positioning. Has anyone else found the sound to be better on the harmonizer later in the chain on the Helix?

I got the Nextbook Flexx 10.1, Model #NXW101QC23. I got lucky and got an open box deal from Walmart for $45. I do recommend whatever you get be either in or convertible to some kind of tablet form if you ever want to be able to set up something at eye level at a gig on a music stand or mic stand holder. A laptop works just fine for studio use.

I agree wholeheartedly with this tip and I would extend it to say make sure whether you are using FRFR or PA speakers for monitoring versus guitar amps/cabs, that no matter what you are hearing on stage you need to also ensure that the audience is also getting a good FOH mix. That can require a bit more work when you are using a guitar cab on stage and PA speakers out front as the two types of speakers (PA vs. guitar cab) may require different types of EQ.

So true but unfortunately "ignorance" has no issue with spreading the word at the point of a sword for all our mutual benefit either. I always try to avoid politics and religion on a technical forum but it seems the Helix inspires comments about politics, science, and faith, now and then. Music extends from the political rally to the atheist/agnostic to the house of worship ;) I just wanted to add that I am frequently impressed with the sheer quantity and quality of heart and brains so many of the people on this forum bring. I daresay if we were all in the same local music scene many of us would be great friends despite our differences of opinion and perspective.

Nice sound and love the vintage Zappa T-shirt!

I am running on a Nextbook 10, a very inexpensive 2Gb RAM laptop/tablet when they periodically go on sale. Nice though because it converts to a tablet you can set up on a music stand or attach to a microphone stand if you want to use it onstage. I did have to get a micro-USB adapter cable from Amazon for about $6 but it seems to work just fine with the Helix. Only problem is the known issue of the scroll bar being hard to see and use on Windows 10 particularly on a small screen. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZDUTMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just posting this here because it took me a while to figure out that the Editor had a manual. Here is a link to the latest "Helix Application Pilot's Guide Rev. B"; this is different from the "Helix Owner's Manual" and is the guide for the Editor : http://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c4dbd577d594db0bd0/application/pdf/Helix%20App%20Pilots%20Guide%20-%20Rev%20B%20-%20English%20.pdf If you don't already have them here again are the links for the latest "Helix Owner's Manual" and the "Cheat Sheet": Helix Owner's Manual - http://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c975d5787c3e351aa0/application/pdf/Helix%202.0%20Owners%20Manual%20-%20Rev%20D%20-%20English%20.pdf Cheat Sheet - http://line6.com/data/6/0a0643391bb055fca90096a38/application/pdf/Helix%20Cheat%20Sheet%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20A%20).pdf If you need these manuals in a different language here is the general manuals page link. : http://line6.com/support/manuals/helix

If you left-click on the camera icon in the top left corner of the Editor it will allow you to copy a snapshot, select the snapshot number you want to copy to in the pulldown menu to the right and then go back to the camera icon to paste. So you could use 5-8 or any unused snapshot location as placeholders to move the ones you want to rearrange using the Editor. I don't know of any way to directly swap using the Editor however and there is no reference to it in the "Helix Application Pilot's Guide". The simplest way to swap right now does appear to be the simultaneous touch on the Helix footswitches.

You definitely want to spend enough time directly on your Helix if you intend to use it live so that you can make changes quickly if needed but for the most part by the time you hit the stage hopefully your presets are dialed in enough not to require much other than switching to the right snapshot or pedal, tap tempo (if you use that), midi triggering (if you use that) and perhaps some global EQ and volume adjustments at the beginning of the show. The physical interface on the Helix is really well designed for the most part including some fairly revolutionary features; it is quite easy to use and worth getting to know. The Editor allows you to see more parameters in a single screen and definitely makes some tasks easier e.g. copying and pasting, naming presets snapshots and pedals, moving things around between setlists, etc.. Using the Editor also saves wear and tear on the switches and controls over the long run; it is also the critical tool used to backup and restore setlists, presets, and IRs, and is the only way to load an IR. So I would say spend time with both the Helix and computer interfaces.

I find compression invaluable for adding sustain, particularly on legato phrases on clean presets. I hate having a note die before I ask it to. No question it can kill dynamics when set incorrectly though. Here is an interesting link for compressor settings: http://anythingpeaceful.org/sonar/settings/comp.html A video for smoothing out lead guitar and making an acoustic pop a bit more in the studio: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2012/08/01/2-ways-to-compress-guitars/

Yet another good reason!

I think guitar amps/cabs, FRFR, or PA speakers are all valid choices and any of them set up properly can deliver great sounds. I agree that many presets may not take advantage of the full range of an FRFR or PA speaker especially if and when low/high cuts are engaged; And as you stated, I also think that perfectly great sounds can be had through guitar amps and cabs. There are three compelling reasons however that some (including me) prefer FRFR cabinets and PA speakers/monitors: The frequency range and generally more balanced frequency response of the FRFR or PA speaker add less coloration to the amp/cab/mic being modeled and therefor may provide a wider palette of tones than for instance a Mesa cab that will always add a dash of Mesa flavor to any preset (of course some players prefer that). FRFR and PA speakers are a closer approximation of what the FOH speakers will sound like making it easier in many respects to model presets that will sound as good to the audience as they do to you on stage as well as being a fairly exact replication of what you are hearing on stage. Of course, proper miking of your guitar amp/cab on stage can help get the sound you experience on stage out to the FOH but that approach again always leaves your preset colored by the stage mic you choose. If you are using the existing PA/vocal monitors for your guitar monitor you have even less equipment to haul to the gig.

The Flash Memory file is for those who have internet connectivity issues or USB or other drivers or apps that interfere with the download of the firmware file during an update using the Updater. For those experiencing these issues they can download the Flash Memory file to their PC and update their firmware using the local file (still using the Updater) without worrying about internet connectivity issues and the download of the firmware being interrupted. I agree though it can be confusing and the "Helix" app should probably always appear at the top of the Download page rather than the flash file. The "Download" button should also be relocated to the header section of the downloads to help avoid confusion when people start scrolling down looking for it.

I think Silverhead is correct, time to open a ticket or call them and hopefully they can walk you through a fix on the spot.

So just to be sure you are getting the correct software: The Helix application is at http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=7106 The Helix firmware ("Flash Memory") is at http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=7109 I can't stress enough how important it is to uninstall the Line6 Helix software before you download and reinstall the Helix application. Have you tried the safe boot footswitch options? What is happening when you try to point the Updater to your downloaded local version of the firmware? Is it allowing you to run the firmware update? If you do successfully run the firmware update be sure to do the Footswitch 9&10 global reset after the update. If no combination of global reset options helps, you are unable to update the firmware with the Updater, or unable to connect to the Helix with the Updater it is probably time to call Line6 directly, they may have a special recovery procedure for when a floor or rack gets flashed with the incorrect model's firmware. If so, please post it back here, I am sure it will help other folks out. Btw, if you are having connectivity problems to the Updater trying every available USB port or even an alternate PC often works. Again, good luck with what sounds like a most frustrating situation.

Are you using a Mac or Windows?

Did you download the firmware Flash file to your PC first or did you connect online via the Updater and select from the list? If you downloaded the firmware file (not the Helix app) than it indicates on the top left on the download page whether it is intended for the Helix Rack or the Floor version. The link for the download is at the bottom of the long paragraphs of text describing each file; this throws some people off when they go to download. The Helix rack version of the firmware will say "Works with: Helix Rack" and the Helix floor version will just say "Works with: Helix". If you connected initially via the Updater it should have only shown you the correct version for your hardware. You bring up a good point though, now that your Helix appears to incorrectly think it is a Rack version you may need to directly download the firmware file as well as doing the uninstall/reinstall of the Helix app to get the right firmware. Here is the link for the latest Helix firmware for the floor, you will need to be logged into Line6 to access it. http://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=7109 If you are comfortable with the Downloads page you can use that to retrieve it instead, be sure to select your OS and Helix version correctly. Once you have downloaded the firmeare file and hopefully are able to connect with the Updater it will have an option to point locally to this firmware file. Good luck and please don't hesitate to call Line6 support if none of this helps. Btw, are you using a Mac or Windows to do the update?

Looks like you may have accidentally flashed the Helix with the Rack version of the firmware (I know, obvious). Try holding down the 6&12 footswitches to get into safe boot mode, uninstall any Line6 Helix software on your PC, and then go and download and install the correct Helix app for the floor version. The Helix app will install the Updater and Editor (make sure you don't get the "Helix Rack" version). Hopefully you can get into the Updater long enough to upgrade to the floor version of the Helix firmware. Here is a link to the Helix reset options, you may want to give a couple of others a try if "Safe Boot" mode does not work: http://helixhelp.com/pmwiki.php?n=Main.ResetOptions

I agree that "it's for the children" can be easily exploited for personal gain and that there are also teachers and policies being protected by the teacher's union that perhaps shouldn't be. What is really going on though is an effort to completely privatize the educational system and in the process to most likely deprive teachers of collective bargaining rights, decent wages, healthcare, workplace protection, and of course pensions. Apologies for dragging this on. I know people have mixed feelings about unions but the teacher's union like the Post Office is one of the last strong unions left in the country and as a result is under deliberate and constant attack. The anti-teacher rhetoric is definitely gaining traction. Whether people like the public education system or the Post Office they employ millions of people as they are required in every Zip-Code in the nation. Both of these institutions still pay living wages, have benefits, job security, and pensions. I don't think it is any coincidence that they also both have two of the last remaining strong unions. Unions have been systematically dismantled over the last 30 years. Greedy folks have been quite busy manipulating the anti-union sentiment out there that has been so carefully cultivated and promoted for the past few decades. A pension used to be something many Americans could count on after a lifetime of work; not any more. Pensions are pretty much gone in the private sector and now they are going after pensions in the public sector as well. The irony is once they eliminated pensions in the private sector now people who work in that sector understandably no longer want to pay for public sector pensions. A wild success on this front for people who would prefer that money go to shareholders and company executive bonuses. There are those who will not be happy until everyone is making MacDonalds level wages and living in a box under a bridge when they hit retirement age. Whether or not people think "union" is a dirty word there has to be some kind of mechanism or institution for workers to get a fair shake or we all end up as one individual struggling against corporations answering only to their shareholders and hiding behind armies of lawyers and sympathetic courts and politicians. Thanks for the clarification and I think I understand your position. You may not be advocating for a return to the "Four Humours" but the anti-reason, anti-science movement that has considerable momentum right now clearly is and I think it is important to clarify comments that might inadvertently feed into that narrative. Their tactics definitely include constant attacks on what books and ideas should be taught, getting rid of and defunding public education, and ultimately direct attacks on teachers and their union. Consider the "scapegoating teachers" comment as being directed out into the ether not at you as this was clearly not your intention. I just wanted to make the point that many teachers I have spoken with feel exactly as you do. They loath standardized testing, "feel handcuffed" by it, and as you say are forced to teach to it as their job security, promotions, raises, and bonuses are directly linked to their students performance on these tests. Methods to objectively measure teachers' and students' performance may be necessary but I think we both agree there has to be a better and more nuanced way than the current stultifying implementation of standardized testing to spot, retain, and reward the good teachers, get rid of the bad ones and simultaneously ensure students are not only getting a base-level education but also developing the skills for critical and creative thinking. Leaving school with every student only able to regurgitate all the same answers to a standardized test does not qualify as comprehensive learning and in no way prepares people for the world. As always I have nothing but respect for the humor and point of view you bring to this forum and your ability to say in a few concise and usually highly entertaining words what takes me many paragraphs to express. Anyway, back to my no politics on the L6 forum policy I try to adhere to. Apologies to the OP for the digression.

Actually many teachers abhor the way standardized testing, not necessarily a bad thing in limited doses and implemented correctly, has replaced real learning and the teaching of critical thinking with rote memorization. Granted teaching is an art and science that can bear improvement and there are some bad teachers being protected by tenure but overall I believe the failure to educate well lies primarily in the wholesale effort to defund the public education system although that is definitely not the sole problem, we still spend a lot of money on teaching. In response to rapidly declining quality of life issues, a justifiably profound distrust of the political class, and amidst increasing stress about a corporate culture that puts people last, a populist movement has developed that actively reviles science and is profoundly anti-intellectual. "Stupid is good, you can trust stupid and have a beer with it". Scapegoating teachers is not the answer. You commonly see people arguing that what should be taught is what they "feel", scientific method and fact take a back seat to moronic proclamations repeated ad infinitum in an echo chamber. The long-term effects of this are so visible in a populace that is now easily fooled by so many empty platitudes on both sides of the political aisle. It is more difficult to place blame on people when they have intentionally not even been taught rudimentary methods about how to analyze rhetoric and statistics. It makes them incredibly vulnerable to manipulation for power and profit. I would be the first to argue that science needs to be tempered by philosophy but that does not justify the wholesale rejection of reason in favor of personal superstition. Just 'cause all your neighbors say something, don't make it so. Oh, and btw, just in case we strayed off-topic, "Helix" ;)

I totally concur! My brain tells me that these amp/cab models and IRs have been designed to and should already be delivering only the range/response I would hear from the amp/cab they are modeling but my ears often tell me something else. I don't know if it the additional effects or the frequency response of my speakers but by the time the sound makes it to my monitors it often benefits from some strategic low/high cuts.