jshimkoski

Added "Preset Global Blocks" as an idea to idea scale: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Preset-Global-Blocks-for-use-across-Snapshots/830335-23508?submitted=1

Actually, I found this note in the official documentation: IMPORTANT! Snapshots make it easy for multiple blocks assigned to the same footswitch to end up in unexpected states. For example, if FS2 toggles between Delay (ON) and Reverb (OFF) blocks and a snapshot turns the Reverb on, FS2 will suddenly turn both blocks on and o together. Looks like that is the issue I'm encountering... so it looks like, until Line 6 implements a feature to make certain blocks "preset global" (their state ignores individual snapshots), we all need to remember, that if you switch from your volume pedal to a wah inside a snapshot, you better switch back to the volume pedal before switching snapshots or you'll really run into some ugliness. Seems like a slight oversight. Other than that, snapshots are brilliant.

I'm not sure if this is a bug: I made a preset that has a volume block controlled by the built-in expression pedal. If I'm in snapshot 1 and turn off the volume pedal (press down on expression pedal) it turns off the volume block as expected. However, if I go to a different snapshot, the volume pedal now does not function, even if that snapshot shows an active (not bypassed) volume block. Anyone else encounter this? Am I missing coming? Also, I was excited about being able to switch Variax models/tunings and such using the new functionality in the 2.0 firmware... Sadly, there is just enough of a delay between model switching in the JTV to make this feature basically unusable in a live situation. Oh well... still handy for recording scenarios.

The amount of control I have over my Variax with the Helix just went through the roof! Multiple guitars per preset/snapshot... OMG! This is amazing. Also.. added a "Snapshots" section to http://helixhelp.com

Firmware 2.00 is available! I've updated http://helixhelp.com with the latest models. The full-site PDF download is still at firmware 1.12. If anyone would like to provided an updated version please let me know. Thanks and enjoy the new Mesa Mark IV!

I use the floor model but have decided to go the power conditioner route as well (will just do an extra extension if required). With the amount of money I put down on my rig, it's about time to get smart about protection from power surges. Besides, it has the nice side effect of killing that ugly ground loop hum/noise.

Thanks everybody!

Hello all, I'm trying to cleanup a ground loop situation happening between the Helix and my Mission Engineering Gemini 1 FRFR cab. In certain situations, when both are plugged in, I'm getting a nasty ground loop/hum out of the cab. I've determine through trial and error that this is the result of a ground loop thus my question, does anyone have any recommendations for a power conditioner that I could use to eliminate this hum? It'd be nice to ensure that no matter where I am playing my rig won't succumb to the ugly hum of a ground loop. Oh, one more note, I've tried separating the signal from the Helix to the cab via a DI box with no luck. Perhaps a Furman M-8x2?

Buy some good headphones and listen at a low volume. Why low volume? It saves your ears and if you can make your guitar sound great and punchy at a low volume, it should sound amazing when loud (do be careful with harshness though, you can trick yourself when you're new to this approach). I use Beyerdynamic DT770s and they do a pretty good job of giving you a flat response. I can typically listen through these to dial in my settings then when I move over to my Mission Engineering Gemini 1 cab, I, usually, don't need to change anything. Here's a link to the headphones I use: https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-250-ohms/dp/B0006NL5SM

Check out http://helixhelp.com More specifically: http://helixhelp.com/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Mics There are links to the manuals for all of the mics found in the Helix on that page which should contain information to help you.

FarleyUK with the win. Haha.

When recording a real amp in a room, mic selection and placement is pretty vital to the sound of your guitar (some will be brighter, some will be darker, etc). With that in mind, treat the Helix's IR/cabs/mic combination in this manner. Find the sound that best fits what you are going for. If the selection you've decided upon still produces unwanted results (boxy, harsh, or sterile sound), EQ (at the end of the chain) can be a true friend that can shape the overall tone. Think of this from an audio engineer's perspective and not as a guitarist. First things first, using the EQ's low cut, roll off the low frequencies until they start to effect the fundamental tone of your guitar signal then bring them back just a little bit. On electric guitar, everything below 100hz is typically trash and can safely be removed. These frequencies interfere with the bass guitar and the kick drum and its best to just remove them. It'll tighten up the overall sound of your "mix". Second, find the trouble in the frequency range with an EQ sweep (set the EQ band gain very high and the Q very small) then move up and down the frequency range until whatever you're looking for really starts to stick out (in the case of boxiness, this will probably happen in the 200 - 400hz range). Once you find the center, cut the band's range there and widen the Q to taste. Be careful though, because this can kill your guitar's body if you are too heavy-handed. Harshness will typically live around 3000khz. A sterile sound can probably be corrected by lifting frequencies above 8000khz (be careful, because this is also the range where a vocalist lives). One last note, think of your entire band when you are tweaking these frequency ranges, and remember that you are typically playing within a group of instruments, so what sounds good by itself might completely suck in the mix, and what sounds like crap by itself could sound amazing in the mix. Play around with it and don't forget that you can have multiple EQ blocks in the Helix that you can set differently for different moments (guitar in the mix, guitar solo) then toggle between them with a footswitch. I hope this helps somebody.

Ah.. Wish I found it. Would have voted on it.

So, I was thinking this morning, I am super happy that there is an editor for the Helix for Mac/PC but it lacks a little bit in the ways of portability. An iPad/Android version would really take the cake. We need more portability and a touch interface. Here's the idea if you wanna up vote it: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Helix-editor-for-iPad/826675-23508

Minor update to http://helixhelp.com addressing its up-to-date status with firmware 1.12. Also... A huge update is coming to Helix Help very soon that will make it a much prettier, faster, leaner, and more robust user experience. Stay tuned...

Minor update to http://helixhelp.com addressing its up-to-date status with firmware 1.12. Also... A huge update is coming to Helix Help very soon that will make it a much prettier, faster, leaner, and more robust user experience. Stay tuned...

I use the Helix with a Gemini 1 cab. There is literally no fan noise whatsoever that I've ever encountered. Using the setup with a bass or a guitar sounds phenomenal in my book. It definitely gives you the meaty texture of the "real" equipment in either case. Just for reference, I typically setup my patches using headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 770). When I run the Helix through the Gemini cab it sounds pretty much exactly like what I hear through the headphones.

Did a very minor update to the home page of http://helixhelp.com regarding the new firmware version 1.10. Just letting people know Helix Help is up-to-date with the latest firmware. Also, amsdenj now has login access that will allow him to contribute content directly. If anyone else would like a login, please PM me. Thanks. Jason

I added a link to a nifty Helix Trick Document to the front page of http://helixhelp.com

I added a link to that nifty Helix Trick Document to the front page of http://helixhelp.com Good resource.

Hey man, There is already a "Mics" section on http://helixhelp.com A great read for guitar amp mic-ing and general recording can be found here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/articles/guitaramprecording.htm I've add that link to the top of to the "Mics" section on Helix Help.

Thanks for forwarding me to that link. Helix Help is already a wiki. Anyone that would like editing capabilities can send me a PM and I'll give you a username/password.

Hello, I am the creator of http://helixhelp.com First off, thanks for the kind words everybody! Thankfully, Helix Help is already a wiki site. Anyone in the helix community can send me a PM to get a username/password to help contribute content and modify pages. I currently don't allow unregistered editing to prevent spamming. I definitely don't want advertisers/jerks to muck things up. :) When I originally put it together I had no idea it was going to receive such a great response. That said, I am in the planning/early development phase of making Helix Help much more robust. I'm hoping it doesn't take me too long to get version 2 of the site up and running. It could be weeks, it could be months. I have some cool ideas that I think everyone will really enjoy.

Thank you for this! If you go to the distortion section of http://helixhelp.com you'll see a new link for the Teemah! that contains the video you created. Thanks again!

Check out http://helixhelp.com/pmwiki.php?n=Main.ResetOptions