HonestOpinion

I did read your original post and there was no way for me to know whether you were aware of the auto-engage functionality so I pointed you in that direction. No need for a snarky response. I understand what you are requesting and I happen to agree that it would be nice to have toe switch functionality and I hope it does get added to at some point although there may be some sort of hardware limitation on the expression pedal jacks or in the overall architecture of the device that prevents it. Couldn't say for sure? This is a feature that has been requested for the Helix many times over the last couple of years. Someone did quite ingeniously figure out how to make their own pedal for the Helix that allows the use of a toe switch but it requires some hardware modification and uses both EXP jacks. Perhaps not an ideal solution and I don't know whether or not it would work on the HX Effects but you can find their instructions here. http://line6.com/support/topic/26725-toe-switching-with-an-external-exp-pedal/?p=206912 Btw, downvoting people who are just trying to help out is not a great way to encourage assistance or advance your cause and not generally the way people on this forum treat each other.

You can use the Auto-Engage feature to have the wah engage automatically when it is moved past the heel-down positon. See page 29 of the brand new HX Effects 2.50 manual.

I think I would have opted for using another PC as well. Btw, you don't need to use anything on the menus in the Updater. Just click on that initial graphic of your device with your current firmware version and every other action will be a big button on the screen. Nothing will require you to use your unfortunately unreadable menu options.

You need to click on that graphic showing your device and current firmware version. That will start the upgrade process. Just read the directions after that and click the buttons.

:)

Hmm, that is strange. I don't see a the graphic of your Helix with your current firmware version in the initial Updater screen which means it probably did not get recognized or you did not have it plugged in when you took this pic. I don't suppose changing your screen resolution helps with this? Does it glitch like that without even having your Helix plugged in? If so although I know it is unlikely, you might want to check your video cable and make sure it is not a bit loose. Also, what version of the Updater is showing when you click on the 'About' link on the upper right side of the Updater menu? Make sure it is the same one that was released with whatever version of HX Edit you just installed. You can look it up on the downloads page. You should probably try every USB port you can if you have not already. I am starting to half suspect a problem with your USB cable. Especially if the screen only does that when the USB is plugged in. It is unlikely but I would try a couple of different USB cables. That has actually worked for a few people even though it was the last thing they suspected of being the problem. It looks like even though the menu text on the Updater is glitched it might get you through the firmware update if you could get it to recognize your Helix. I think it may be time to either call Line6 and have them walk you through an upgrade or try another computer tainted as you may feel having to use a later version of Windows. ;) Hopefully it will only be for long enough to upgrade your firmware and then you can move forward using the editor on your own PC(until the next upgrade). And hey, maybe once you get your firmware up to 2.51 the next upgrade will work on your PC. It sounds like the new Editor is not glitching out other than the fact that it won't work with your old firmware. My final thought is that perhaps because you are still running on such an early version of the firmware(1.04.3) that you need to go through some earlier interim firmware version, for example firmware 1.12, to get the Updater to even recognize your Helix. Here is the link for HX Edit 1.12 if you want to give it a try or you can download it directly from the download page if the link proves problematic. https://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=7024 Keep in mind that if you decide to try some earlier versions that may eventually allow you to step up ultimately to the 2.51 firmware, that you want to follow the same procedure of downloading the Helix app and letting it install the matching Editor, Updater, and driver for you. The Updater requires the Helix driver on a Windows OS to recognize the Helix. The drivers and Updater have been paired during each firmware release although sometimes the driver has not changed in between firmware releases. The easiest way to maintain that pairing is by downloading and installing them with the Helix app and not trying to download them separately. Don't download the standalone versions of the Updater, driver, or firmware(Flash) files, can't stress that enough. Down that road lies madness. :) Again I would encourage uninstalling before reinstalling all Helix software in between upgrade attempts. Good luck, this one is a real head-scratcher.

I know what you mean about Windows versions after 7. If they keep "improving" it at this rate it should be a puddle of crap by the year 2020. However, personally I just don't see an option to upgrading periodically if I want to remain on that OS. Good luck with your upgrade, keep us posted!

I would suggest unplugging the EMU as a start in addition to my instructions above. Also, high time to install the Editor. Otherwise you have no way to get backups. If you are not concerned about backups I would go straight to the HX Edit 2.51 version. Again, download the app, not the separate firmware, Updater, and driver. The HX Edit 2.51 application will install all that stuff for you. Btw, might be time to try this on a more modern version of Windows if none of the above works. Win 7 is awfully long in the tooth at this point, unsupported by Microsoft, more vulnerable to hacks, and more and more applications don't install properly on it every day.

Sorry, just to make sure I understand correctly, did you uninstall just the Helix driver or all of the Helix softare? Also what do you mean when you say the Updater "glitches" even without the Helix connected? Is it actually crashing and terminating or something else? You'll want to uninstall all the Helix software, not just the driver, and do a fresh download of the HX Edit version you are trying to.get to, and the version of the firmware that matches it, so you can make sure you don't have a corrupt file. Don't download the firmware, driver, or updater separately. Instead download and install the "HX Edit" app and that will unpack the Editor, Updater, and driver. Then you can use the Updater to upgrade your firmware. Btw, if the Updater still glitches after trying all this I would recommend unplugging everything you can but the mouse and keyboard from your PC. Close down any unnecessary programs or processes.

Make sure you do not have the Editor running when you start the Line6 Updater. They are not designed to run simultaneously. Does not hurt to uninstall your Helix software and reinstall it when you are having problems either.

The LT does have 8 stomp footswitch mode. See page #12 in the manual.

To the OP and anyone else who has ever wanted to change their topic title: You can change the title of your topic by clicking 'Edit' on your original post and then clicking the 'Use Full Editor' button.

You may want to uninstall your Line6 Helix software first and then download HX Edit 2.51 again and reinstall it as Silverhead suggests. That way you will be sure you have the correct version installed and invoked when you bring up the Editor.

Great as some of them are I don't think I am using a single Factory preset. I prefer to use other people's presets as guides for new ideas and design my own. For those who want 'em though it might be nice to have all Factory presets uploaded to CustomTone. People could download their favorite Line6 Factory presets to their heart's content. If folks were worried they would clutter up CustomTone I suppose you could put them in a dedicated section. Even if they were mixed in with the rest of the presets the search function on the CustomTone page would make them easy to display and sort.

Agreed and you'll notice I did not offer it as an alternative to proper leveling in my original post but as an addition after offering several other suggestions, at least that is how it was intended. Hey, if it gets more people checking out the "3-Band Comp" my work here will be done. Multi-band comps can be more difficult to use and a lot of players avoid them as a result. That's a bit of a shame because they can be a really great tool and deliver a very natural and un-squashed compression. When set properly they leave the parts of the frequency range in your signal that don't need to be compressed unmolested. As compared to a regular compressor which when triggered at the set threshold tends to compress the entire signal. Makes them ideal for putting at or near the end of your signal chain as a sort of mastering effect although they can be used elsewhere as well.

Yep, straight up or infinite limiting is better suited to saving you from that dropped mic on the floor or someone yanking out a cable and you are right, don't want to be using your compressor in this context for flat out limiting(which is why I said "sort of like a limiter") but set correctly a multi-band compressor can absolutely act in some respects like a soundman in a box and adjust levels on the fly. Behringer includes one in the X32 line as do other mixer manufacturers for among other things just that purpose. Will it replace due diligence on leveling your presets, no, but it can help, particularly when there is something particular in the EQ on an instrument or voice that is jumping up too high. I use one on our PA and it definitely helps, particularly when we don't a soundman available. But you are right, you still have to get your levels roughly set. It is unlikely to act as a substitute, just an aid.

If this paradigm of some legacy effects using as much or more DSP is consistent I have to admit I would really like to see some more meat & potatoes HX mono reverbs added like a "Spring" and "Plate". I don't dabble much with ambient stuff and for the most part just need a boring old but great sounding couple of "standard" reverbs that will get used in the bulk of my presets. I know it is a little early given the banquet that was just laid out for us but I would love to see a couple of these basic reverbs come to the Helix in HX mono versions. For what it is worth it is the awesomeness of finally having some new HX mono versions that inspires me to want a few more traditional reverb types of these added, especially if they will actually use less or the same amount of DSP as the legacy versions. What version of the new HX mono reverbs would most people consider to be closest to an old-school "spring" type of reverb?

It sounds like maybe you are trying to open a firmware(Flash) file by clicking on it. If so don't do that. As jaybee77 stated the current editor version for HX Effects is 2.51. The current firmware(Flash) version is 2.50. It sounds like you may have already updated your firmware version to 2.50. If that is the case just download and install "HX Edit 2.51". This will download the latest Editor, Updater, and driver(if on Windows). You can then use the "HX Edit" editor with your device If your HX Effects is not updated to the 2.50 firmware yet, download and install "HX Edit 2.51" as described above, run the "LIne6 Updater" and click the initial graphic with your device and current firmware version displayed and it will walk you through the rest of the firmware upgrade process.

I use a monitor that sounds as close as possible to my stage rig for leveling("normalizing) my presets. I try to get the volume up to a reasonable level, wear ear plugs. If you level your presets at bedroom volumes you will probably find the results to be wildly different when you get to stage volumes. I have a decibel meter I use but you have to use your ears as well thanks to the Fletcher-Munson curve. You can also use a compressor as a sort of limiter at the end of every preset path right before the output block if you want to get really scientific about it, but I don't bother. If you do want to try a compressor the multi-band one will probably yield the best results without squashing your tone.

I remember being confused by that as well the first time I did an update. :)

Have to take a moment to say how incredible it is to get this hefty pile of legacy effects added in the latest update! Like someone just backed up a truck and dumped a huge pile of "vintage" guitar effects in the middle of my rehearsal area. Huge thanks to Line6 there is some really fun stuff in here! :)

Maybe there is a puddle to hurdle but aren't you jumping to conclusions a bit here? :P

Don't even bother downloading the Line6 Updater or firmware(Flash) file separately and definitely don't click directly on the firmware file. Just do a Helix backup and download and install HX Edit 2.51 and let it unpack the new Editor, Updater, and driver(if on Windows) for you. Then open up the "Line6 Updater" click on the graphic that has a picture of your device and your current version of the firmware on the initial screen, and let the Updater walk you through the rest of the firmware update. It will grab the firmware version(2.50) you point to automatically. Make sure you don't have the Editor open when you start the Updater.

I am celebrating that with you as the OP who started the thread. My sincere thanks to Line6 for pinning it to keep it readily available. Other companies would not have been as brave and would have buried it with a "page not found" message. I hope it has helped folks to resolve issues that turned out not to be bugs, aided as a sort of "early warning" system to relay genuine bugs to Line6 and other users, and also provided a way to have fellow forum users help in confirming(or not) your findings or provide workarounds. Most folks are already aware of this but a friendly reminder of a point that Silverhead originally communicated to me 'lo' these many moons ago. If you do determine that you have actually discovered a bug, open a trouble ticket with Line6. They have a process in place for addressing bugs and your issue is much more likely to be seen and possibly addressed there. Also, if you have reported a bug and it does get fixed feel free to come back here and post a pat on the back and hearty thanks to Line6. Happy 1000 Anniversary "Bugs" thread! :) :D Just thought I'd mention, this is not one of those threads we are striving to run up the post count on. The goal is that it dwindles down to none eventually and lives out the rest of its days quietly in a pasture. ;)

Fantastic! :)