ricksteruk

The most important point of this is 'Suitable only for electric guitar". I agree! :) (although Keyboards can sound pretty awesome through Fender twins or Marshall stacks, or Leslie Speaker cabs). If you want to play acoustic guitar you need a tweeter. A guitar cab does not have one. However, there is a myth that FRFR speakers are a "perfect" representation of the sound. This simply is not true. All speakers colour the sound. There is no magic that makes a FRFR speaker flat.. there is a magnet, and a copper wire voice coil (usually) attached to a speaker cone. A FRFR speaker simply has a tweeter added whereas a guitar cab does not. FRFR speaker driver are designed to be flat within their range of course... but don't you think guitar speakers were originally too? Did Celestion try to make some really uneven speakers with a bad response? Of course not! It just so happened that the best speaker technology of the 60s was not quite as good as it is now. But some guitar speakers these days actually have a pretty flat response compared to PA / FRFR drivers Check out these frequency plots.. firstly from a Neo 12 inch Celestion NTR12-3018D (most FRFR use Neo these days) CELESTION NTR12-3018D Now a Guitar speaker.. Celestion's A-Type.. a fairly flat one. CELESTION A-TYPE To me it looks like the A-Type actually has a flatter response in the 100Hz to 1k range. After that the A type has a bit of a peak whereas the NTR12 has a dip. But are they wildy different? NO What I am saying is that you can just as easily use guitar speaker with a flattish response and achieve similar results to with a PA / FRFR speaker as far as using it with Helix modelled cabs and IRs (minus the tweeter of course) Your sound in the PA is always in someone else's hands unless you are doing it yourself! And unless the PA system is exactly the same speaker (unlikely the main FOH in a venue is a 1x10 Alto speaker each side) it will be a little different... the FOH engineer may have to add a little HF, or add bass... In fact very much the same process as if they had miked up your cabinet. As far as my live rig goes I have set up a feed to the XLR through a Helix cab. I chose the Interstate 2x12 as it sounds very similar to my guitar cab. I just needed to add an extra EQ block in front of the Helix Cab to match them. It now sounds almost exactly the same as putting a SM57 on my real cab when you run it through the PA. Now don't misunderstand me.. I have nothing against FRFR speakers.. they are great! I just want people to understand they are simply speakers much like a guitar cab and not some magic device.

I have to have a little chuckle to myself every time I read this sort of thing. (No offence radatats... ! - indeed what you say is true.. you need to cut the highs and lows from a FRFR speaker to make it sound right) What makes me chuckle to myself is that I think.. "lol, why just not use a guitar speaker cab in the first place!" The frequency response is just right... It's almost as if it is designed to be used with electric guitar ;) Heee hee. (N.B.) - I fully understand why one might choose to use a FRFR for your rig - namely - it's the same as the PA, so if it sounds good through your speaker it will sound good through the PA, or if you want to use acoustic guitar, or vocals, or synths it can reproduce the frequencies you need whereas a guitar cab cannot. However for pure electric guitar tones.. it's not necessarily the logical choice IMO

Hi Darrell, yes that would most likely work fine - I could use Send 3 and 4. The Downside to doing that would be that I could no longer use the Big Helix Volume knob to control my stage amps - and as I'd have two amps one either side of the stage I would want to be able to adjust the volume on them both at the same time easily. I wish I could assign a send block to the 1/4in outputs!

Wow! Crazy that so many of us got it wrong :) Glad it's working now Francisb.

It may sound daft - but make sure you are plugging into the right sockets on the back of the Helix. When I first tried to use Send/Return2 it did not work for me. After cursing for a bit and tearing my hair out I accidentally selected Send/Return 3 on the Helix and then boom - suddenly it worked!!! Turns out I had plugged into Send/Return3 rather than 2. D'oh

No problem :) Yeah - just reducing either the SEND and RETUN levels with knobs 1 and 2 should sort you out! - I find that the SEND is about right at 0dB for my amps, but that I need to reduce the return to about -15dB to balance it with the Helix amps. Your English is very good btw! I would have absolutely no chance of making any sense if I was asking for help in French!

I think every amp is different when it comes to using 4cm. The trick to setting up 4cm properly is- 1) make sure the Send/Return loop is set at INSTRUMENT level not LINE to begin with. 2) Adjust the SEND level (Knob1 on the Send/Return block) so that the input level from Helix is the same as when you plug your guar directly into the front of the amp. You can just unplug the cable from Helix Guitar in and plug it into the front of the amp to check (removing the one that's there already that comes from Helix's Send socket) .... LISTEN for a bit to get the level in your head -- then plug your guitar back to Helix Guiar IN and replace the cable from Helix's Send, and then Adjust the Knob 1 SEND so it's the same level as the dry guitar. (REPEAT as necessary) 3) Adjust the RETURN level control (Knob2 on Send/Return block) to match the level you get with bypassed Send/Return block level and the Helix amp activated instead - assign both the Send/Return block and the Helix amp to the same footswitch and you can A/B between them. Hope that helps! Rick

This is gonna require some thought... I am using two amps as stereo stage monitors (also using them both in 4cm to access their preamps), I also want to use Helix to process my vocal mic. The amps are currently plugged into the 1/4in outs so they can just be ran in stereo. The XLR feed the PA. My current setup is: Path 1A - XLR mic - VOCAL FX - XLR out to PA Path 1B - Guitar In - PRE AMP FX - Send/Return 1 (H&K's preamp in 4cm) - Send/Return 2 (Session's preamp) - Path 2A Path 2A - Helix preamp (when selected) - POST FX --- (SPLIT TO PATH 2B) - 1/4 in outs to AMP returns for stage Path 2B - Cab Block (Interstate 2x12) - XLR out to PA This works pretty well - but I am not able to run any parallel delays/reverbs as I've run out of paths. I could just remove my vocal from the setup I guess, then I could use a parallel path for that - I've only done 1 gig with it so far and actually didn't use the vocal mic on Helix as I thought it was too much of a risk as I'd only had there Helix for about 2 weeks at that time. ANYWAY that was the background.. HERE IS MY QUESTION. Is it possible to make a set so I can plug 2 guitars into Helix, and have them both playing at the same time, one through each amp... AND at the same time feed the XLRs to the PA? Whilst keeping the vocal mic path 1A in place? My guess is no. If I get rid of the vocal mic I can simply use paths 1A&B for guitar 1 (1/4 L,XLR) and Paths 2A&B for guitar 2 (1/4 R, XLR) But I'd still not be able to to parallel paths for reverb / delays. Shame you need to use a whole path just to send to the XLR as well as the 1/4in outs Make me wish even more for my routing enhancement Idea for the Send Return blocks.

Yeah Zooey it will never happen. VSTs would not work for the reasons you mention. But what if Line6 developed the new standard format for FX/AMP block plug-ins for modellers / effects pedals to use... with Yamaha's backing to use it in their products too? By the way - I'm really not that fussed.. I do like the Helix just the way it is :)

Indeed. It is very possible to short between the pins of a male xlr whilst it's disconnected from the mic.. for example on the metal body of the xlr cable - or maybe on the end of your guitar jack that's sitting on the floor next to it. Boom

I don't see how it's really that different that VST plug ins or Audio Unit Plug Ins on a PC. Steinberg and Apple don't have to give away any secrets of their software - they simply need to make a developer framework that says... this is how to access the input connections.. these are the output connections.. here is access to the DSP chips. GO - MAKE STUFF This is a simplistic view I grant you... but also on a very similar theme.. Apple seem to allow people to make Apps for their iPhone as do Google with their Android devices. It's not rocket science. And surely what people want is choice... Haven't you noticed the craze for apps? If it was bad business sense - i.e. bad for sales.. then no-one would be buying iPhones or Android devices and instead choosing a product that you could not load other 3rd party apps onto. The Helix is a computer after all at it's core like a PC or a Smartphone. I do get your point that it would be embarrassing if a 3rd party developer made blocks that were better than the stock stuff... EDIT: Even better would be the facility just to load VST effects blocks into the Helix.. simple.. then we can access a ton of stuff that already exists...

I thought long and hard on my choice between FX-8, Helix and AX-8. I was always planning to run in 4cm mostly with the amp models on Helix or AX-8 as a bonus. The lack of scene mode on Helix was a serious minus mark but the scribble strips, UI and routing were big plusses. I believe the FX and models on the FX and AX are slightly superior, but the interface and UI was quite a big step down from Helix. In fact do you know what.. it was the scribble strips that were the clincher! I am very happy with my Helix - but I am sure I would also be happy with either Fractal box - (but I would have been longing for the scribble strips! :) )

I think it would be great if Line6 allowed other developers to write effects blocks for the Helix. Yes it could cause some issues of compatibly and so on.. and I'm sure there would be technical nightmares to overcome.... but if it were possible, once the obstacles were overcome it would be a great way to add to the functionality and general appeal of the Helix, without costing Line6 anything further - plus the Helix could still then have lifespan even after Line 6 stopped R&D on it.

Hiya watch4king, I am still pretty excited about my Helix even though I've had it for over a month now - it just makes me want to play guitar :) The E means the preset has been edited.. it does this if you move any control, or switch any footswitch on or off (even if you switch one on then off so it's actually exactly the same as before) You can choose whether you want the Expression pedal setting to be Global (which is what you are wanting to do), or to be recalled with every Preset. - Press MENU button - use the Joystick to scroll across to FOOTSWITCHES, - then use Knob 5 to change EXP PEDAL POSITION to "Global" from "Per Preset" Easy when you know how!

I was forever doing that too... I just turned off the capacitative foot switches facility and now that doesn't happen any more.

Can you explain how did you A/B the Mesa versus the Helix? Was the Mesa in 4cm? What are you comparing in headphones? A Mesa preamp to a Helix preamp? If this is the case I find the Helix amps accentuate a pick attack frequency that I believe is what some folks describe as "crossover distortion"

OK - done http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Press-Joytisck-to-select-not-auto-select-as-you-scroll-lists/823557-23508

I've been lucky with the joystick and not had any major errors with it yet. The thing that irks me is that when you are scrolling through lists of things (presets, effects, settings) it automatically activates each one as you scroll through the list.. as far as I know there is no way to get to the one you want at the bottom of the list without going through the others. If I am trying to select Send or Return block 4 for example I have to scroll past Send/Return number 1 that is already active with my H&K amp - and it often causes ear splitting feedback for half a second. That can't be good for the circuits and it's certainly not good for my ears. I know someone else has mentioned this with the Setlists - and it is annoying enough there - but this tops that!.. the joystick should allow you to scroll to the one you want and then you should have to press the joystick to activate that one.

Yeah - I was using both at the same time - both preamps stacked serially then going into stereo delay / reverb and into both power amps in stereo... but of course there are are other options too.. I could make a split and have each amp on a separate path and then a few fx after and then out into separate outs so that each preamp only feeds one power amp... could be it's own power amp - or could be the one of the other amp!! One could be clean - one could be dirty... so many choices. Helix can handle it all :)

Yeah.. I only use the Global EQ on the 1/4 in outs that go to my stage amps - not the XLRs (with cab or IR) that go to the FOH.

Using TWO amps in 4cm :P I've just had a thoroughly awesome couple of hours running both my H&K switchblade and my old Award Session Sessionette 75 combo in 4cm. I was going to sell the Session amp, and thought I'd better try it out to check it was still working 100%. So I plugged in my guitar and had a try.. yep it still worked. Sounded good actually.. TOO GOOD! It's a solid state amp and the dirty channel has got a FET gain stage. Sounds a little bit like a heavy fuzz when dialled to high gain. Then I tried with my Helix which was already set up in 4cm with my H&K Switchblade as usual. I just took a jack from the Helix's Right 1/4 in out and plugged it into the Session's FX Return socket. Sounded great! No Hum thank goodness. Surprisingly the Session's solid state power section and old Celestion speaker actually had a slightly warmer sound than the tube H&K's. Not a lot in it though, they sounded very similar tonally... good enough to use as a stereo set up for gigs :D The Sessionette is so small it's gonna be no bother to add to the load in. Hmm.... methinks I'd better cancel the eBay listing quick. Now I wonder.. what will happen if I try it in 4cm with the Helix as well? Firstly.. it works! No Hum - crystal clear sound.. amazing for a piece of kit from circa 1990. FX loops were just starting to become common on amps around then. Two amps both in 4cm and no ground loops.. Magic. Using the Session clean channel along with it's bright spring reverb I can get some pretty good Fender ish sounds. The final chapter in this saga is running the Session on it's dirt channel in a Send/Return loop followed by the H&K in a Send/Return loop. Shall I just say that it is very exciting :) Kind of like having a Fuzz Face or a Big Muff in front of a tube amp. All I need to do now is make a cable to go from the Helix Ext amp socket to the Session weird 5 pin DIN socket to see if I can switch Session amp channels and Reverb from the Helix... I have a good feeling it might actually work too. All this would not really be possible without the Helix.. what a amazing piece of kit it is.

I agree it's a good idea to have a backup plan of some kind - depends what you can get away with to survive the gig. Always good to have a few spare cables, a spare guitar etc etc.. Yeah in an ideal world I'd just have another Helix. :)

Yep I concur! - Global EQ is to adjust to the room you are in. Each room is different. Bigger stages are pretty much the same - but some small rooms and pubs are incredibly different to each other. My home setup has my amps up against a wall. That makes the bass louder than it would be if they were in the middle of a regular stage. I can either have the global EQ flat/off at home and then boost the bass when I get to a venue like that, or use the global EQ to cut the bass at home and then set it back flat for the gig.

I'm not really into the fancy graphics and here is why... (Rant ahead please prepare :) ) The Helix las limited DSP. If they give us 3D ray traced graphics screens that realistically cast shadows as you move your hand over the knobs to adjust a control then you will most likely have to give up a few FX blocks. The editor on the PC can have all the fancy graphics in the world - but please let's not do this to this Helix itself Frankly I couldn't care a monkeys what the screen looks like as long as it easy to read. Have you come across Mobius on the PC? About the best sampler there is - absolutely amazingly powerful. Looks like something from the 1980s. Probably because they spent their time making it work and not making it look pretty.

BigRalph - it doesn't sound like you are complaining.. it's good to want development.. but.... I'm with you guys. There are already more amps than I need in the Helix. I'm mainly using it in 4cm anyways because sorry to say it but a real tube preamp still has a certain mojo that modelling doesn't - even if they pretty much sound the same. The "extras" like the amazing UI, scribble strips, headphones, multiple paths, sends/returns, exp pedal are what makes the Helix compelling to me. Amps? Let's face it - you can pretty much dial one amp to sound very similar to another anyway so why do we need hundreds? You just really need one good old school low gain amp, one 80s crunchy amp and a modern hi gain metal machine and you should be able to approximate anything with careful use of gain, EQ and boost pedals. Give us Quality not Quantity please. I totally agree that bug fixes, stability and irksome omissions (like some of the MIDI stuff) should be the priority. After that I would like to see: - some kind of scene mode - improved routing (Send Blocks / USB) - HX reverb effects - and then some more FX. Different FX. Things we don't already have. Not 20 more drive pedals that sound almost the same as each other. Perhaps a EHX B9 pedal, or the excellent Freeze or Superego pedal. Something new.