MusicLaw

I've got the Fender Mustang IV v2 and Fender Mustang III v2, which I kept even after I got a Helix Floor several years ago. I do not think that your Fender Mustang I V2 has a line in. Nonetheless, as it is a v2, it may have the Studio Preamp Preset. If it does, that Preset bypasses all the DSP (tone stack and speaker cab emulation) in the Mustang amp. It has been years since I looked at the feature set of the Mustang 1 v2 amp, so if that Studio Preamp Preset is not available, then there may be no way to disable the amp modeling and speaker cab modeling in your Mustang. Thus, if you were to use any Helix Presets containing amp blocks or cab blocks, those would be routed into the front end of your Mustang 1 and the Mustang would then layer it's selected Preset's amp and cab modeling too. The result may not be what you want. On the other hand, if it sounds good then go with it. Typically, when I run my Helix with either of my Mustang Amps (which I do not often do anymore, as I far more frequently use FRFR PA Speakers or Studio Monitors) I disable the Mustang's DSP and Spkr cab modeling, either, by using the Studio Cab Preset (mentioned above), or, simply by routing Helix's output to the Mustang's Line In or Aux In jacks. In the latter case, the Aux In jack automatically bypasses the Mustang's entire DSP modeling. But, again, I do not recollect if the Mustang I v2 offers an Aux In jack. If it does, simply use a 1/4" TRS from Helix's Headphone Output to a 1/8" TRS to the Mustang's Aux In, or, a 1/4" TS L and 1/4" TS R from Helix's L&R outputs to a 1/8" TRS to Mustang's Aux In. All of these cables are inexpensive and readily available, for instance, via Amazon. Overall, the Helix gear is phenomenal! I concur that it will blow away any of the modeling the Fender Mustang's offer. However, I kept mine to use as powered cabs and they do serve that purpose, as well as being backups should the Helix gear fail. Hope this all helps in your considering your options.

As you may already know, Helix units are capable of easily interfacing with HX Edit (running on a PC or Mac) to edit, backup and restore Presets. This may present a complication for your facility's managing the units, or a desirable marketing feature for those clients that may already be familiar with and have their own custom edited Helix Patches and Favorites. As powerful and capable as the Helix units are, they are no where as intuitively obvious to use as dedicated amps and most FX Units. The deeper features of Cab and Mic configurations, as compared to preamp or Amp model Block Selections can be a mass of confusion for those not otherwise familiar with Helix gear. For those who are, having an entire warehouse of musical gear self contained in the Helix gear is outstanding. Also, to consider is what your facility will be offering, if anything, for your Clients to monitor the Helix gear through? Will this be left entirely to Clients to bring? Or, will your facility offer Guitar Cabs, Line 6 Power Cabs, FRFR PA units, Floor Monitors?

Compact and durable multi-function unit. I use mine as stand alone, as well as for AI with my PC Laptop. If you may want more footswitches consider the new HX Stomp XL.

@shawnt113, Would you post which firmware version is loaded in your Helix?

I'm confident and optimistic that Eric's insights of the anticipated release will be actualized in an impressive version update! Once it is fully baked, we'll all see what it has to offer. If on or about St. Patrick's Day, toast the release with a Green Beer! ;)

Should you find that you miss the dedicated headphone level control from the Helix Floor, there are a variety of in line level controls which can be used to attenuate the volume level in your headphones.

The HX Stomp is awesome! Also know that Line 6 just released the HX Stomp XL, which is slightly larger and has a few more touch capacitive footswitches. The DSP engine is identical. The HX Stomp XL should be a consideration, regardless of what you will be using to listen to the audio signal. What will you be using to listen to the output?

You voiced your best insight. Do post back to share your findings

A 1:4" TRS to LXR Adapter is a cinch.

Notwithstanding the Helix Owner discount, software licenses are typically transferrable. You would need to check Two (2) things. First, that there is nothing in Line 6's Helix Native Software End User License Agreement prohibiting transferability. Second, that if the original owner did use the Helix Native discount that the original owner no longer cares to use Helix Native and freely grants you the full transfer of the Helix Native license he originally purchased.

I've run my 32 Ohm Shure SE530 IEMs with my Helix Floor and Stomp with no problems. Also have used Sony MDR V-6 63 ohm and several other brands and styles of cans w/o any issues.

The Helix has no problem powering headphones. The open back 300 Ohm HD600 are awesome! I use them interchangeably with a closed back pair of 250 Ohm BD DT770 Pro. Drop also sells their Sennheiser OEM special built version of the HD6xx which are purported to be sonically identical to the HD600. Between the HD650 vs the HD600 (or HD6XX) I prefer the more neutral sound of the HD600. YMMV. Overall, it all comes down to what you prefer and the type of material you like.

Agree with all the above. A good set of self powered near field studio monitors is a great way to go. Also, should your Helix Floor be finding its way into your other rooms or practice sessions away from your PC, the HX Stomp is an excellent stand in AI for to your PC.

@A6wbu, you're best bet may be simply to buy the Stomp and check it out on your own terms. If you are dissatisfied, most vendors have a very reasonable return policy. That being said, from what I gather from your post, my guess is that you're likely to love using the Stomp. Also know that HX Edit is free and allows you to use your computer to interface and control almost everything on the Stomp. Additionally, owning the Stomp will entitle you to a discount on Helix Native plugin for use with your DAW or VST Host. Moreover, when it goes on sale, as it does several times a year, it's 30% off, and costs only about $69 USD!! And, if you care to do so, you can download and try Helix Native as a free trial for 2 weeks. Although your post did not directly concern using Helix Native, it works great with the Stomp acting as the Audio Interface to your computer. YMMV.

To help isolate the cause of the problem you may want to try another known good cable. Although it may not be likely, both of the two cables you mentioned you have tried might be suffering from the same (or similar) problems introducing noise.

Not sure what might be causing what you are experiencing. Try connecting your HX Stomp to your computer to take a look at the settings in the current version of HX Edit. HX Edit also allows you to do an easy reset to factory settings should you need to do so to get back to square one.

Ground loops don't care how they're conducted!!!! So long as there is a path to ground or a different potential to ground, there can be noises.

You could use Snapshots to control changes to these parameter as you wish so that they adjust in unison as you change Snapshots. You could also use Controller Assignments for each of these parameters, assigning them to the same Expression Pedal controller assignment such that each parameter would be controlled by your Expression Pedal adjustment. And, you could assign each a Min and Max value as you wish.

Or, a BOSS RC-5.

As Snapshots (within each of your custom Presets) support dozens of parameter configurations as well as Bypass state of the Blocks in your Presets, you are likely to be able to do what you need. Post back so others can share in what you find works!

@themetallikid, As a Helix owner, when Helix Native goes on 30% Discount Sale -- which it does several times a year -- you can get Helix Native for $69!! The HX Stomp is a really great piece of gear! Not only is it compact, as rd2rk replied, it's great and easy to use on the desktop. Moreover, it provides a Helix grade AI! So consider allocating the approx $100 you'd spend on a Focusrite Solo (or other AI) towards an HX Stomp. And, the $30 savings on Helix Native, would offset, a bit, the cost for an HX Stomp. And, HX Stomp's headphone out easily drives BeyerDynamic DT770 Pro 250 ohm headsets to DSP levels far higher than my Dell XPS 15 Laptop. ;) YMMV.

Sounds like the Helix Floor would solve all your issues and provide lots of additional flexibility, including double the DSP of your HX Stomp, ample I/O configurations, Scribble Strips, and an Expression pedal just to name a few.... Go for it! You may also find that the buy a Helix Floor and get the free Helix Backpack deal (while supplies last) may still be ongoing. Check with your dealer or Sweetwater, etc. Should the Helix Floor not suit you, most of the dealers accept returns.

If you have Helix Native it provides a very handy A :: B comparison feature.

It is fair to say that at some point in the future there will be a successor to the current flagship full Helix Floor and Rack Units. It is also fair to say that it will not likely be anytime soon. My personal blind guess is not for a few more years. Line6 has indicated, in essence, on several occasions that plenty of product life remains in the current Helix family product line with future software firmware enhancements and revisions forthcoming to the existing product family. To be clear, I have zero inside information and do not speak for nor have any representative capacity on behalf of Line 6 nor Yamaha Guitar Group.

Submit a Ticket to Line 6. They are really good at making things right. I've not heard of this issue but that doesn't negate that situation you find yours in. Even though your unit may be out of warranty, consider submitting a Support Ticket to Line 6. It is commonly known that they have gone above and beyond regarding Customer Service in the past for many Helix owners. Give it a shot! You may be pleasantly surprised. The worst would be an out of warranty response.