HonestOpinion

Great tip Phil_m, thanks! Especially the part about being able to assign the "Mode" to snapshots as well as the "User IR [1+2] parameter. Really glad that Line6 coded this up. It is IMHO a critical linkage between the Helix and the PC+ and incredibly useful.

This^^^^! Also see the link below for specific instructions to change the global parameter setting affecting joystick behavior. It may not be set the way you want it.

His URL after the "acousticguitarforum.com" part did not paste correctly but this is a link to that forum. https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/ I think you can probably find his links in this general vicinity but a corrected link would be helpful - https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571361

My experience with 2.82 has been relatively bug-free(although I would be shocked if there weren't a few in there, outside of those already listed by Line6) but depending on your usage, and the presets you have retained through your various upgrades, your experience may be different. Regarding your problems with the factory presets, have you upgraded to the latest factory presets? As you are probably aware this requires the extra step of doing a global reset as detailed in the firmware upgrade notes. The enormous number of parameters, different blocks, routing, loops, IRs, MIDI, CV control, etc make the possible permutations for presets and snapshots very extensive. Whenever a product like this goes through firmware upgrades there is always the possibility that certain combinations possible in a preset have not been accounted for properly in the upgrade process. If this were the case and I am not saying it is, this is strictly guesswork, it is possible that you may have some presets, or even a subset of presets if you were creating them from a template, that don't play well with the new firmware. There is also as always with a computer the possibility that some presets or even an entire setlist got corrupted. I would also say that until we stop seeing presets rebuilt upon the next restart after they are imported or even just copied from another location it is probably a best practice to restart your device and let them rebuild before editing them. Very inconvenient! This could just be a clerical problem with the firmware not setting a flag properly when a preset is copied/imported or it could be that the preset actually needs to be rebuilt with a device restart before editing. I have yet to see Line6 provide any guidance on this although it has been occurring for years now. Finally there is the possibility that you have some other firmware, hardware, or even stable power issue on your particular device causing lockups.

Just out of curiosity what are you trying to do with a 16s delay time? That is insanely long. The only thing I could suggest is finding an external delay pedal or plugin that has that long a delay time(if you can find one), or you could perhaps do something with the looper on the HX Stomp.

It's possible you have one or more corrupted presets. I would take note of which preset(s) are involved when this happens to see if that is the issue although it could be something else.

There was a hex wrench included with the Helix for this purpose.

Maybe you are actually trying to do something trickier with subdivisions like a U2 delay but from your description of what you are trying to accomplish it sounds like all you have to do is adjust your 'Feedback' parameter and only use a single delay block. The Feedback parameter governs how many repeats you get, then just set the delay time to 16secs.

Absolutely true! Not saying it is the undisputed authority on the subject but Consumer Reports recommends that instead of buying warranties you put that money you would have spent on the warranty in an account you keep for repairs. In the long run generally you will come out way ahead with plenty of cash left over sitting in that account. With that said I understand people occasionally weighing the potential expense if a repair is required, how hard they are on the item, and how prone to failure an item is, versus the cost of the warranty. There may be some situations where it pays to have the coverage, but generally not. Provide your own coverage, it's profitable, that's why companies do it.

^^^^This! Looks like the confusion was that because the breakout cable provided female In/Out ends that you still need a standard 5 pin MIDI cable(s) in addition to connect to the Helix. That was in the bolded blurb I included in my original post from the BeatBuddy manual but Codamedia honed in correctly on that as the remaining issue. My guess remains that once you have this hooked up you should be able to operate the BeatBuddy by footswitches from the Helix as well as synch the MIDI clock.

Not sure exactly what you are trying to accomplish here? Do you just want to send MIDI clock from the Helix to the Beatbuddy or are you also trying to issue MIDI footswitch commands to the BeatBuddy? Far from expert on this topic but the video link below for synching the Helix and Beatbuddy's MIDI clock might help you out if that is all you are after. Additionally it also seems like you should be able to send the BeatBuddy other MIDI commands from the Helix command center. Anyone tried this? I would forget about using the additional MIDI to USB cable you are showing in your original post. The BeatBuddy MIDI manual recommends a PS/2 to 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT breakout cable instead of the one you are showing. You also mention that you have that cable. I would use that one. Should be the one at the following link: https://singularsound.com/product/midi-sync-cable/ The video shows examples of sending MIDI clock from the Helix to the Beatbuddy or vice versa. Not sure whether you are going to require a "MIDI Sync breakout" cable as described below in bold-italics from the Beatbuddy literature, or perhaps you can get away with just using a a single PS/2 to 5pin MIDI cable to slave the Beatbuddy to the Helix as long as you are only sending MIDI in one direction. Sure looks like that's what the fellow who made the video did. Anyway connect your breakout cable'(the one you own that is recommended by BeatBuddy) from the MIDI "Synch" jack on the Beatbuddy using the MIDI In cable on the breakout to the MIDI output jack on the Helix. After you're connected then set the Helix and Beatbuddy's settings accordingly slaving the Beatbuddy's MIDI clock to the Helix. Make sure your MIDI base channel is the same on both devices. Unfortunately the video doesn't go into how to set up MIDI commands from the Helix to the BeatBuddy or show the hardware connections they used. There is one brief reference that seems to indicate it is possible to send MIDI commands via snapshots in the video. Once you get both devices talking though if the BeatBuddy can receive MIDI clock it seems it might also be also able to receive other MIDI commands, assigned in the Helix command center and activated by footswitch. That is the case for many other devices. Feel free to correct or advise ye MIDI or BeatBuddy experts. I would take a good look at the Beatbuddy MIDI manual for more info on how to connect and what "transport" commands are available in addition to MIDI clock synching. There are quite a few of them listed - https://singularsound.com/downloadable/BeatBuddy-MIDISettings-Firmware-v1.77.pdf From the BeatBuddy MIDI manual: "How do I connect my BeatBuddy with MIDI? On the output side of the BeatBuddy there is a “MIDI Sync” port. In order to keep the BeatBuddy in a compact single pedal format while still accommodating both IN and OUT MIDI, a special MIDI Sync breakout cable (sold separately) is required to convert the BeatBuddy’s PS/2 MIDI Sync port into 2 standard full size 5-pin MIDI ports for MIDI IN and MIDI OUT. You will still need a normal 5-pin MIDI cable to connect the MIDI Sync Cable to your other MIDI device. When BeatBuddy is Master: Connect the BeatBuddy’s MIDI Sync OUT to the other device’s IN port. When BeatBuddy is Slave: Connect the BeatBuddy’s MIDI Sync IN to the other device’s OUT port. ... Additional control with external MIDI fooswitch. Some users want a footswitch for every function (drum fill, transition, outro, tap tempo, etc.). So we have created a special ‘CC’ MIDI command for practically every function the BeatBuddy has, so you can control the BeatBuddy from another device."

Although it will probably take a while to work its way into available devices I am cautious about making specific prognostications about how quickly a new technology, or in this case an old one with a new and improved standard, will be adopted. I have worked for companies who have been burned by thinking they had years to respond to these changes only to watch them being adopted way more quickly than anticipated. I appreciate the OP bringing the new MIDI 2.0 standard to our attention. The auto-configuration capability is exciting, enabled by the addition of bi-directional communication. Between that and the new improved 32-bit resolution and more controllers we may see a more nuanced translation of string instruments like the guitar to MIDI(digital), hopefully without introducing too much programming complexity required. Improvements to MIDI have at least the potential to greatly improve tracking for guitar synthesis which even at its best I have still found to be occasionally glitchy and limited.

Great suggestion! The variable here is a talented person working the board can make a mediocre system sound good and a hack can make even a great system sound poor.

Seriously doubt it will ever happen but it would be great if Line6's next generation of Variax's(even better if it could be done on any of the existing models) included six separate output channels so that the Variax can be used not only for its current guitar/pickup modeling but also for polyphonic processing on a guitar synth. Never understood why this wasn't done years ago. Even if the Variax could provide hex output, unless they include an option to bypass the string recognition, a six-stream output probably won't work on a device like the Helix anyway. I would presume that if/when they do add polyphonic processing to HX firmware it will be designed to handle only a single-stream output from the guitar. I suppose now that there are devices like the SY-1000 there isn't as much need for hex processing but hex separated outputs still reportedly track better. Roland themselves recommend using the GK input on the SY-1000 for superior tracking. It seems to me allowing the Variax to provide six-stream output would be a great way to get some added functionality out of the hex pickup. Technical barrier? I have a couple of guitar synths laying around I would love to use with my Variax :-) Anyway, if we continue to see the evolution of the ability to essentially do "single-stream" polyphonic processing through pitch detection or whatever method(s) the SY-1000 uses rather than six separate output streams I suppose the demand for hex pickup processing will diminish, probably already has, dramatically. Not sure how single-stream polyphonic processing differentiates between two strings with the same note played on them. By timbre?

Could be remembering this incorrectly but doesn't one of the amp models have a bug where the volume can go to zero? Can't recall which one it is. If this is only happening on certain presets all using the same amp model it could be related. Btw, if you haven't already, try unplugging and re-plugging your VDI cable. Also make sure your volume pedal is engaged properly :-)

I agree, if you are on a budget then any of the Behringer XR* mixers will provide an inexpensive digital mixer with an excellent complement of built-in effects and EQ as well as recording capabilities. The nice thing about the XR line is that they are in essence a combination mixer and snake. One less thing to purchase. The SoundCraft UI16 is also really inexpensive and a great mixer if you don't require too many inputs. Lots of other choices for digital mixers though depending on your budget. There are any number of traditional powered PA speakers and monitors to choose. Some bands prefer IEMs or a very compact monitoring solution like the "HotSpot" where each band member gets one. The Hotspot monitors are relatively inexpensive, very small and light, and sit on a mic stand. An alternative to typical FOH speakers and monitors if most of your gigs are small to small-medium sized and depending on how the band sets up on stage, is to buy two faux line-array column speakers as you mentioned(every manufacturer seems to offer these now, e.g. Bose, Fender, Turbosound, Mackie, Behringer, JBL, etc.). Just park a couple of them behind/beside you and be done with it. They can provide FOH and monitoring(some do a better job for monitoring than others depending on the speaker dispersion) and make transport and setup a breeze. If you find you need additional monitoring later you have the option to add them.

Fantastic news! What a great addition to the Helix. This device and the firmware for the entire HX line just keeps getting better!

Not sure whether it is possible either but perhaps the recent optimizations to the firmware enabling a quicker and more responsive screen that can now provide metering will eventually also allow an RTA. Guess it also depends on how much processing overhead is involved.

Hope you are correct, sure sounds that way. That would be awesome!

Agree, vote it up. https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Polyphonic-Everything/960087-23508

I agree with everyone here who advises to use your ears but the more visual feedback the better IMHO. One of the advantages of digital modeling is that it has the capability to display additional information on a nice sized color screen, info that you don't get on analog pedals. I am happy to see meters coming. Would love to see other visual feedback as well. A visual on when the compressors cross the threshold and kick in would be great. Modifying the screen for the parametric EQ so that it is depicted visually and shows the frequency curve in the same fashion that Helix's Global EQ already provides would also be very useful. A RTA would also be a fine addition for dialing in the EQ. Makes sense to leverage the screen anywhere it adds value and doesn't cost too much DSP. https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/RTA-Real-Time-Analyzer-screen-for-the-Helix/805922-23508 https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Add-graphical-representation-of-Parametric-EQ-curve-to-Editor/831163-23508

Exactly the same approach I would like to see with setlists. Pointers to presets rather than the actual presets themselves. That way the same preset can be used in multiple setlists without having to copy it to multiple locations. If a block in the preset has the option of being designated as "global" as SaschaFranck and others have been advocating then a change to that block can be propagated out to that preset in any setlist that points to it. Vote it up! https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Add-Setlists-to-Helix/911976-23508

I thought it sounded pretty good as well, particularly the clean and crunch tones. Don't know if it was just really well recorded, the Quad Cortex, or a bit of both, but it sounded great for an initial listen. As always it is really tough to tell how this thing will sound in a room when listening through a PC's speaker system. I think this device has potential but who the hell knows until it is delivered and has been out in the wild for a little while. I will say one thing. Given the fact that they announced that they will be adding to it in perpetuity, a bold claim unless they discovered the fountain of youth, at least we won't be hearing "you shouldn't have bought it unless you were prepared to settle for what it had in the box at delivery". I do wonder how much of that post development will be free and how much will be "hey, buy this new plugin".

LOL. Sounds like a Bond villain working in the hospitality industry. I believe the marketing department had "Goldfinger" and "Happy Ending" lined up if this one didn't test well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Stavro_Blofeld Edit: Just saw Arkieboy got to it before I did.

Then I guess I should hurry up and patent the idea :-) You're right I can't think of any devices that deliver analog/digital via XLR off the top of my head. I was just spitballing as to how it could possibly be done with just the hardware already present on the device but maybe SaschaFranck and you are correct that it would be challenging and convoluted as in "Why not just add more digital connections?".