Verne-Bunsen

My approach has been just a couple of steps away from this basic platform. I essentially only have 4 presets: a Twin, a Deluxe and Bassman in parallel, a JTM-45 and a Plexi; and I treat them just like they were a traditional amp-and-pedal-board. In order to eliminate having to tweak amp and pedal settings when switching guitars I have these same 4 presets built for each guitar, each tuned to the specific guitar. So it looks like I have 36 patches, but it's really just 4, basically.

When I got around to wiring up my Helix on a board with external pedals and all, I finally caved and did the whole thing with George L's. Everything cut to length, routed clean, pricey but worth it. I use a Monster cable from the guitar to the board and a Planet Waves XLR to my monitor (Atomic CLR cab).

Twin Deluxe + Bassman parallel JTM-45 Plexi

I always maintain a backup of my presets, and when I take the nuclear option and start rebuilding everything over from scratch I do not necessarily go back and delete the backups. So in that way, I do have a record of most all of my past presets. And more than a few times I've gone back and reloaded one of them for a reference.

Admittedly they aren't cheap, but for the amount of functionality they have brought to my Helix I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. While I bought them for button access, the refinement of the capacitance function (preventing inadvertent activation while still allowing intentional activation) has probably been the bigger win. While the space ship aesthetic is cool, in a way it was also part of the functionality equation: if they weren't available in the transparent material, I wouldn't have bought them because they would have obscured the LED rings. I'd say that if you don't have a need for them then yes, probably a waste of funds. But if you want/need improved button access without sacrificing the capacitive functions or LED ring visibility, then they are worth every cent.

I'm not near my helix, but I have these pictures on my phone: I looked at the Mooer ones, I agree that they would probably not allow for use of Helix's capacitance features. For my part, I must say I remain a big fan of the Barefoot Buttons. For me they have actually improved the capacitive function experience. Before, I was constantly activating it accidentally and messing things up; I had actually turned it off. Now it requires an intentional action and I find it much more functional. Plus, they make button access easy and, in my opinion, look pretty sharp.

In his really excellent Helix demo, Pete Thorn discusses and demonstrates the different routing options available. It might help you to figure out what is best for your needs.

Are you certain on this? I'm under the impression that a Stomp switch is limited to 8 commands total. While I'm not at my Helix right now to verify before typing, I'm pretty certain I have patches where a Stomp switch controls only parameters, no bypasses, and still maxed out at 8...

The Amp Capo would really complete the package...

I find it interesting that you would summon Trent Reznor of all people to your defense on this particular subject when he's been recording guitars and amps direct to the board without cabs and then manipulating them with EQ (among other things) since like the late 80s... I think Ronnief83's point is valid and relevant to the conversation.

A noteworthy difference between the two is that a Snapshot can control up to 64 functions while a Stomp footswitch maxes out at 8. 8 is fine if you're doing fairly simple changes, but if you are getting into manipulating multiple amp and pedal parameters then it goes pretty quick. Another is that while Stomps can only toggle between two values of a parameter, Snapshots have no such limitation and can move a given parameter to as many different values as there are Snapshots configured. I personally prefer Stomp mode for it's simplicity and flexibility, but there are certainly advantages to be had with Snapshots.

I'm not sure how the Mission toe-switch is configured, but if it has (or will accept) a standard 3PDT switch and has a dedicated jack (and you're handy with a soldering iron), you can use both Helix external expression pedal jacks to rig up a single external expression pedal with a functional toe switch. See here: http://line6.com/support/topic/26725-toe-switching-with-an-external-exp-pedal/ I don't use mine that way anymore, but it is handy if you're just running one external expression pedal. These days I have two external expression pedals hooked up. They are both set up with the auto-on bypass function; the first controls rate on a Vibe in all patches, the second one is rate on either a tremolo or vibrato depending on the patch.

Excellent! Glad I was able to help. I'll see your high-five and raise you a fist bump.

Make sure that the "Trails" are turned off in the FX Loop parameters, as that feature will leave the return of the loop live even when the loop is bypassed. Any noise from the equipment in the loop would then be audible. I run an Earthquaker Devices Erupter (not a "quiet" pedal...) in one of my loops and it is completely silent when bypassed.

Assign input signal dynamics as controller for parameters Allow for assigning the input signal dynamics as a controller for parameters like mix, rate or depth on effects, such that the parameter value is set at a user-defined minimum setting at "rest" and is moved toward a user-defined maximum setting based on pick dynamics or guitar volume settings. Sensitivity and min/max parameter settings could be set in the controller assignment menu, similar to how expression pedal set up is handled. Applying this kind of interactive control to a tremolo rate, vibe depth, or Leslie speed to name a few applications would be so..... COOL! https://line6.ideascale.com/a/idea-v2/915433

Boy, the REAL "Dream Rig" right there, excellent! Are you using Helix MIDI to control the Strymon units?

Man, I hope that isn't the case! I found his videos a few years ago, I've always kind of imagined that these days he has a regular old day job and receives an occasional good-natured ribbing about his Glam Rock days from his buddies. If there's a fan club with tee-shirts, I'm in! :D

I'd love to hear what you've got! The "swoosh" was a stumbling block for me as well, seemed to stand too far "forward" relative to the guitar. I'd not presume to tell you of all people how to dial in an effect, but for my part that Lamp Bias parameter brought everything right in. I used a Fulltone DejaVibe previously I feel the Helix Vibe is a close competitor.

I think the Univibe is probably my favorite effect in Helix! I have an external expression pedal (made from the big red husk of a Dunlop RotoVibe, appropriately...) dedicated to it in every single preset. The "Lamp Bias" is critical in my opinion. As it loads, I find the "swooshes" in the sweep are far too prominent. Reducing the Lamp Bias really tames that. I run it at about 3.1.

I can't say I'd spend too much time chasing that sound, Andy Summers' flanger tone was pretty weak honestly. You can actually hear the guitar through the flanger, what is that?! Everybody knows that Nicki Rose had the ULTIMATE flanger tone. Prepare to have your mind blown by the amazingness....

Manipulating the input impedance can also help with this.

I put mine on a Pedal Train Terra using the 3M Dual Lock which is like next-gen velcro. I believe I used 250 stems-per-inch on the board and the helix, and it ain't going nowhere. It's a challenge to get it off of there if I WANT it off. Everything else on the board is 250 stems-per-inch in the board and 170 stems-per-inch on the pedal which is secure but comes iff without swearing. I actually drilled holes in the surface of the board for the feet to be able to recess into, but upon actually installing it I can see that the combined thickness of the super-velcro keeps the feet above the surface anyway. I was careful not to obstruct any of the vents on the bottom, as I figure they are probably not there without cause...

As much as I love new goodies, I've arrived at a point where there are really no amp or effect cravings I have that aren't already satisfied by Helix's current offerings (plus a couple of physical pedals in the loops). I've drifted into the camp that would like to see more focus on functionality improvements like more IR slots, the ability to split/merge more than once in a path, and the ability to assign snapshots to footswitches in 10-Stomp mode.

I've been using Helix for about 18 months and I still keep having these moments of "How did I not discover this amp before?!" Lately for me it's been the JTM-45, wonderful cleans and very satisfying crunch, perfect response to pick dynamics and guitar volume adjustments, just awesome.

The "Lamp Bias" is a surprisingly important parameter in this effect. Lower it to reduce the over-presence of the "swooshes" in the vibe sweep. I run mine with the Lamp Bias at 3.1, Intensity at 7.2, mix at 50% with the rate controlled by an external expression pedal, and always in front of the amp. This is one of my favorite effects in Helix. Hope that helps get you where you're trying to be!