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steveheroan

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Everything posted by steveheroan

  1. Apologies for a long post in advance, but it may help anyone out there who is considering using the Helix as a " virtual guitar tech". If anyone is using Helix to receive MIDI CC for preset and/or snapshot changes and have updated to 2.11 already, have you had any trouble? Are Command Center values saved when backing up setlists? Has anyone ever had an update change/corrupt their Command Center settings? This would cause me a world of pain if it were to happen, but I really want to do the update if possible. I recently started using Ableton to control my Helix, and it has been amazing to leave behind the old "tap dance" routine, to say the least. For a little background, I am playing in a band which uses a click and tracks for practically our entire show, and Ableton is changing my preset/snapshots via MIDI at the appropriate times, so I can simply roam around the stage wirelessly. It took forever to get my patches dialed in for each tune, and just as long to figure out how to get Helix to transmit MIDI CC in order to have Ableton record my switching automations. The thing I'm most terrified of is losing all of the MIDI CC send/rec settings for every patch. If you've never used Helix to send/rec MIDI CC before, this may not make sense, but I'll try to explain. When recording my automation into Ableton, I have to go to Helix command center and "find" a footswitch to send notes to Ableton to record. The settings are MIDI CC, MIDI CH 1, CC#69(pedal hold), and footswitch values 0-7 for snapshots 1-8. For whatever reason, this information is sent via different switches for different presets, and this seems to be at random. At any rate I just have to trial-and-error the process for each footswitch until I figure out which one Ableton is "seeing" for that preset. I then save the preset to retain my command center setting and record my automation into Ableton by playing in real time along with the track we use for that song, simply changing snapshots whenever I normally would while Ableton records the changes to a midi automation track. Of course, then all I have to do is switch my send/receive settings for Ableton and Helix and presto, automatic switching! Automation has allowed me to do much more complicated switching for each song, including complex intelligent harmony, etc. The problem is if this system fails, I am left having to do all of this switching manually, which means I will never be able to stray from the Helix, and I will likely have more tap dancing than I can keep up with. Sorry again for such a long post, but I wanted to thoroughly explain the process that I use, so anybody who may be doing something similar could chime in. Especially if one of you guys knows an easier way to do this type of automation. The whole "random switch" thing for sending CC is still bugging me, and is a huge part of the reason that I'm so scared to update. Thanks for any help!
  2. I figured if you have the exp pedal in full toe down (or full heel down, or at halfway or whatever) that the Helix could still recognize that that's where it was last saved? Maybe I'm missing something, I'm probably not tech-savvy enough to be commenting on this forum, lol.
  3. Probably been mentioned, if so, apologies. Seems like an easy, no DSP problem to me. I wish each patch would remember its "initial state" so that when I tweak something, or highlight a block, or turn on a footswitch, or whatever, and the little "E" comes up beside the patch name, that the little "E" would disappear when I get the patch back to its most recently saved state. I would like, in essence, for the Helix to tell me "Yeah, this is where you started when you loaded this patch" if I haven't actually CHANGED anything. Otherwise, the little "E" next to the patch name is pointless, isn't it? "No kidding, I turned on the Minotaur, now when I turn it back off the patch isn't really "edited", is it?"
  4. Holy info! Thanks a million. One fact that I failed to include was that while I've not listened to the "new" presets, in scanning the list I didn't see anything new. I assume this means that the "new" presets are just upgraded tweaks of the previous versions? My Helix did show "Firmware v 1.10" at startup so I assume it installed correctly. I just thought there would be some presets I hadn't seen before. If not, no biggie, I am not really using them anyway, I start my patches from scratch for the important stuff. I just like to play through the new stuff out of curiosity mostly. Either way, can't thank you enough for the help!
  5. Had Helix a while now, but I purchased it right after 1.06.5 came out. Back then I received the unit, then updated the firmware, THEN started playing. I have the patience of a saint, lol. The problem is that back then I didn't have to worry about backing anything up, UNTIL NOW, and I'm terrified that I'm going to do something wrong and lose all my hard work. Today I did "export bundle" to a folder on my computer, then downloaded and installed all the newest software from Line 6 (1.10 firmware, 1.10 application, 1.78 driver (bug fix for Windows 7), 1.08 updater, and 1.11 application) per the instructions. I then did the "hold down footsitches 5&6 at power-on" thing, which evidently doesn't affect your current patches, setlists, or IR's. What does this procedure (the 5&6 footswitch thing) even do? After that, I (stupidly) proceeded to work on some patches for ergonomic reason (basically just moving some footswitches around and relabeling a few) and also reset my global eq to my liking. I assume at this point that the changes I just made were for nothing if I do the "hold down footswithes 7&8 at power-on" thing, in order to get the new factory presets that I don't have yet. Losing my most recent changes is not a huge deal, since I can easily redo them in a few minutes, but I'm terrified of not importing my bundle correctly. What is the procedure for this? Was export bundle even the right thing to do? How do you backup IR's? I did overwrite an existing bundle from when I first got the unit, cause I hadn't really created anything yet and was just curious as to what would happen, what the file name would be, etc., so I think I'm ok there. I just don't want to lose my patches that I have been tweaking for the past couple of months. Hope this all makes sense, and I'm so sorry to burden you tech-savvy gents with my meatheadedness. HELP!!!!
  6. Just an update. Sorry for the long post. I took the Helix on a cruise ship gig in the Gator LGW hard case and it survived Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and a TSA inspection. I was sweating bullets! I have the case pretty heavily modified however. I made some blocks to fill in the spaces on the left and right side of the case out of styrofoam wrapped in duct tape, and I actually did cut down the interior foam posts on the bottom of the case so the Helix would sit more level. I regret that slightly, but it leaves me room for all the bubble wrap. I tried as best I could to apocalypse-proof it, but I still noticed that my styrofoam pieces were dented when I opened it on the ship. Flier beware, lol, the baggage handlers could break an iron dumbbell! As for performance, I ran through a Roland keyboard amp cuz that's what was available, and also kept my guitar out of my wedge, which is just my preference. With a little treble attenuation, it was great. Unfortunately, our FOH "engineer" (and I use this term lightly) could not be convinced that running a direct line was the way to go, and insisted (in typical cruise ship "language-barrier speak") on using an SM57 on the keyboard amp. Frustrating! I was, for the first time, in tone heaven in "guitar world" on my side of the stage, but everyone else, including the theater crowd, was getting the SM57 feed. I will absolutely stick to my guns next time and insist on a direct feed, and I would suggest all you other guys do as well if you encounter a FOH knucklehead like this guy. As the drummer said when he stood next to me while I was warming up, "Sounds great right here, in my in-ears it sounds like s*#%!"
  7. Indeed, no negativity here, I get where you're coming from. I don't wear a watch (that space is reserved for all my poser jewelry), and my phone doesn't come to the stage with me, so I've had a clock until Helix. I will find a cheap, small clock of some sort and Velcro it somewhere, maybe to my FRFR if it doesn't rattle. Every once in a while you may get a gig where time REALLY matters, so you have to be prepared.
  8. I just realized I gave pedalboard advice on a HELIX forum, and ended it with "word to the wise" to boot. Man, I'm a dork!
  9. Tip from the road (maybe a series?): If you fly to gigs with a pedalboard and use a clock, remove the clock from your pedalboard before checking it with the airport. When security x-rays your bags and sees a bunch of boxes, wires, and a clock, they get very curious. I opened my bag at a gig with 14 minutes until a very rigid start time (Country Thunder in AZ opening for some big country star of some sort) only to find a PILE of things that USED to be my pedalboard. I had to frantically rebuild it, realize I had bad backline amp, find another backline amp and literally start playing the very second I got my last string in tune. By the time my nerves settled the show was over. Remove the clock, word to the wise.
  10. I had to download the firmware flash memory and the drag/drop it into the Updater, but it worked so I'm off and running. I had not created any sounds yet so I know at the next update I will have to do a backup before installing it. That would be achieved by the "Export Bundle" option, correct. By the way, thanks to all you guys for all the tips. Headphones are still giving nothing but effects return, but I don't intend to buil patches with headphones anyway.
  11. Thanks so much for all the tips and advice. For the record, I believe I had two copies of the Updater installed on my computer. I didn't realize that one was bundled with the application. I believe that they may have confused each other. When you go to the "all software" option, it has the Updater listed as a separate choice. I guess it is not necessary to download that one since it is bundled with the application. Regardless, I am now rocking the new firmware and can't wait to hear the new models. Thanks so much! I haven't tried the headphones yet but hopefully that issue is resolved as well. It may be a topic for a Nother thread if it is not.
  12. OK, so I just received my new Helix. Love it so far, but I have a big problem. Two actually. I downloaded and installed the Helix driver and the Helix program before I received the unit. I also downloaded and installed the Updater. My intention was to immediately update to the latest firmware (V1.06.5) BEFORE I started experimenting and building patches, etc. So, The Helix program recognizes the unit, but as far as I can tell the Updater does nothing. I double-click it, but nothing happens. I went to the download page and downloaded what I thought was the firmware update. I noticed it was a flash memory with an extension of .hxf, and when I tried to open it I got an "application not found" message. I also noticed that the older firmware (1.04) had an extension of .exe, like what I'm used to seeing. Has anybody else had a similar issue? I am on a PC running Windows 7. Is there some secret "order of operations" that I should be following? Any guidance would be unbelievably appreciated. Problem number two: When I use the headphone output, I am getting tons of effects relative to the amp. When I plug the unit via XLR L out into my FRFR, it sounds correct, but the headphones sound mostly like an effects return. Help!
  13. Have a great gig!
  14. I had considered a similar setup at one point. I ultimately decided that I needed a hard case regardless. I do a lot of flying and I fear that at some point I am going to have to check the unit. I am definitely going to try to carry it on, but since I will already have a guitar I am sure that I will get a little bit of a sideways attitude from the airline. Since they "have" to let me bring the guitar as a carry-on, I think I'm going to throw a Tech 21 RK5 FlyRig in my guitar bag as a backup system. Worst case scenario, the Helix gets lost in transit but I still have a backup plan.
  15. Sorry for the double post. I was wondering the same thing because I have one on order also. It seems that the insert is "tilted" so you may only have to trim the two rear foam pieces, allowing the Helix to sit level. I am hoping this is the case, because I would still like to store a few things underneath the unit if possible.
  16. Man, that Helix looks comfy, lol.
  17. Haha, I'm not a fan of backpacks, but with lots of flying and seemingly ALWAYS being at the furthest gate from security, I had to embrace them. Throw in a bad shoulder and backpacking looks a lot sweeter. I ordered the G-tour case but I know I will want a "local" bag also, as well as something I can carry on to s plane when necessary. I have both the flight case and the soft bag for the Pedaltrain Pro currently, and at 80 and 60 pounds respectively, ANYTHING is gonna make happy at this point. The only downside will be playing cruises, where now I carry a significantly scaled-down Pedaltrain Jr, which fits perfectly under an airline seat. I would probably go with either the Mono ($$$) or the Novation (:-) cases simply because they look easier to fit in an overhead bin. I'll already have my guitar on my back, so I could go either way on the bag.
  18. Agreed, but between the Line 6 and the Mono, at only $20 difference it sorta comes down to tight-fit backpack vs decent fit carry-case. I think Mono anything will hold up longer, but not having seen the Line 6 backpack I have no room to judge.
  19. You guys who are considering this may also note that on Amazon all of the bad reviews are not actually of the 25 key backpack, but of "similar" carrying cases. Amazon has a tendency to lump reviews together like this. I also noticed one reviewer stating that he was able to take it on board an airplane, which has me rubbing my whiskers. I suspect that this case (like any other) should hold up for a while with a little TLC. I routinely (purposely) break off the zipper pulls of my cases and replace them with key rings. Works like a charm and they never break.
  20. They ARE sordid stories, sir! I'm so glad I'm boring now.
  21. On a side note, on stateside fly dates I've been using a Pedaltrain Pro w/hard case, toting 14-15 pedals and weighing in at nearly 80lbs, so "heavy" is a relative term for me in these discussions. On a few dates I was halfway hoping the airline WOULD lose that monstrosity.
  22. Exactly my problem, haha! I just hope the ships mostly have a spare powered monitor of reasonable quality that I can use so I don't have to monitor the Helix through my regular wedge. Haven't encountered this yet but I can get our production manager to find out what's available in advance so I know what to be prepared for. I'm excited and nervous about the whole thing, I'm old and don't like change, tell me it's gonna be ok!
  23. P.S., how the heck do I get the posting or portion of the post that I'm responding to to show up in MY post. Man I'm an idiot!
  24. A full Helix backup, holy moly! I will actually just carry a couple of OD/DIST pedals and the trusty Zoom MS70-CDR in which I have presets stored for the entire show, even though I have to bend over and change things throughout the show this way. At least the "backup" rig will take up only the space that a spare pair of jeans would in my regular luggage, and cost a whole lot less to replace if they get lost. I will insure the Helix, hope the G-tour survives, and hope I don't have to go back to the ibuprofen infused back-bending that I'm currently doing. Thanks for all the responses, it's a lot of food for thought!
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