MusicLaw

Voted.

Not at my Helix at the moment, so please excuse if the answer to the following question would otherwise be somewhat obvious by trying it. The affect of a Gain Block, configured for a +3db boost, is easily bypassed, when the Gain Block is selected by the Joystick controller and then Helix's Main Bypass Button is pressed. Press again and the Gain Block is no longer bypassed and the affect of the Boost returns. No Footswitch nor Controller assignment nor Bypass Assignments are required. Only selecting the Block and pressing the Bypass Button. Does the Output Block respond the same? If the only parameter of the Output Block (that has been altered from it's default value) is the Level, for example, a +3db boost, and the Output Block were Selected by the Joystick control, would pressing Helix's main Bypass Button bypass the 3db boost essentially reverting the Output Block's Level to default?

Not every Helix owner will have the technical skills or inclination to dig in under the hood of their Helix to address glitchy footswitches (or Joystick encoders, controllers knobs, etc.) that should not otherwise be failing (absent abuse or exposure to spillage) in their just over one year old flagship product. One would certainly hope that Line 6 will embrace repairing these at no charge rather than suffering public owner outcry as Helix units begin to age out of Line 6's One Year Helix Warranty.

Well Worth quoting, with emphasis added

Zooey, post your implementation to IdeaScale and add the Link here too, so we may begin Voting it Up!

These are precisely the sort of Tips that are worthy of being briefly noted in the Helix User Guide! Or, in a Categorized Helix Tips & Tricks Guide (PDF, Wiki, or Line 6 Knowledgebase). Unfortunately, if only posted here in the Forums, threads get displaced as new threads are added.

Did yours come from Sweetwater (or another vendor) that updated the firmware before shipping?

Awesome!! Thanks for posting the steps.

Thanks, Phil! I didn't know this could be controlled (other than direct editing when selected). Great tip! This Tip should be in the next vers. of the User Guide PDF! I was thinkng about Bypass Assign (not being available for the Output block).

Well stated! I never intended to use my Helix for use while connected to a computer. Updating or backing up is an entirely different matter. For that, I'd love to be able to accomplish those housekeepig tasks via an Android Tablet. Either way, I favor Line 6 allocating their program develpment resources on Helix's stand alone features and functions.

The only deficit of including a several db boost to the Output Block is that, as far as I know, there is no means to assign this to a footswitch to allow easy Bypass of the Level Boost. Using a Gain Block to add the few db boost allows you to easily assign a Bypass assign to a footswitch or Snapshot.

Any of Helix's clean, chimey Amp profiles (models) should fit the bill. Add a bit of Reverb and possibly some Delay Vibrato or Trem, with perhaps a bit of Compression before the Amp Block and you should be good to go. Season to taste. Put the Looper Block in the first Block position to let it loop. Define an Amp Block after that and simply step through the Amp Models to check them out. There are several Fender models that you may like, the Divided Duo, Jazz Rivet, even the Soldano, the high gain amps you'll dismiss quickly.

Probably a good idea. Another reason why I intend to use the Helix stand alone. Windows? Mac?

Phil, your posts have alway been informative to read. It is so disappointing to see your poorly worded repulsive characterization. Not cool! I seriously doubt that either of you suffer from "Michael Vick syndrome". If recurrent product suggestions are so troubling, someone needs serious help, and to find a different release.

In Helix's Global I/O Settings you may set the individual I/O to Line Level or Instrument Level, as you desire. If I recollect correctly (I'm not in front of the Helix at the moment), each FX Return Block has it's own Level adjustment parameter. This will be visible and accessable above the rightmost parameter knob when you select each FX Return Block.

Just voted.

12 O'Clock position of Helix's Main Vol Knob works really well with 12 o'clock position of Yamaha's DXR Monitors' Line Input Level knobs! Plenty of headroom and also easy to quite down to a whisper.

Stereo through the Helix is Absolutely Glorious! Granted, if HELIX is directly feeding FOH, Stereo makes things more complicated. However, I didn't buy HELIX for FOH, and FOH didn't buy me my HELIX! ;)

Sure wish that Line 6 published the Helix's I/O Sensitivity and Impedence Specs, akin to what Helix's parent Yamaha does for the various Inputs on, for example, the DXR Monitors. At least then, we'd all be able to see the same values playbook.

Not a bad idea to power it on to explore and let it burn in for a while. Very likely that yours will have firmware 1.06.5. When you do update the firmware, follow the instructions step by step! The process involves a physical dual footswitch button press while powering on that clears and resets the enitre unit. Thus anything that you may have done, saved, changed or fussed with during your exploring the unit with will be wiped and replaced with the latest firmware. Use the Chrome Browser if you're on a PC as some have reported issues using Window Explorer. Welcome to the Helix club! Happy Holidays.

Happy Helix Holidays!

Start slow and build up your own exploratory Presets. It's easy to do and a great learning process. In addition to what has already been suggested, try using any of the empty "New Presets" in the Templates bank. Create one Amp+Cab Block. Using this, step through each of the combo amps offered in the Helix. The last Parameter page of each Amp Model allows you to change the associated Cab to hear the differences. Alternatively, create two Blocks: One an Amp Block, One a Cab Block. This will allow you to vary each to hear the differences amongst the choices and combinations. Regardless of what speakers or headsets you use, once you get familiar with how they represent the Helix's Amp and Cab models, you can begin exploring other Block Level adjustments, EQ Blocks, FX Blocks, etc. Regardless if your guitar has active pickups, there's no harm trying the Helix's Aux Guitar 1/4" input, or enabling the primary Guitar Input's Guitar Pad, or trying Input Impedance adjustments (in Global Settings > I/O). Hope this helps get you going.

Just fired up a pair of Yamaha DXR10s today in stereo with the Helix and they're really impressive! They can get plenty loud while not being quite as large nor heavy as the DXR12s. Plus, they're covered with a 7 year warranty. I preferred the Yamaha's sound to the JBL EONs (and I've always been a fan of JBLs and have several of their monitors).

Also try the Sony MDR-V6! They are nearly identical to the 7506, yet with a slightly different sound profile (preferred by some to the 7506) and typically available for a few dollars less.

The Yamaha DXR10 are truly outstanding! Not too heavy. Not too big. Not too small. They sound phenomenal at any volume, horizontal and vertical, and they can get plenty loud! Fed 1/4" stereo from Helix's Amp outs, the DXR10s' 1/4" (Input 2) Level controls were set at 12 o'clock (0 db) for Line level. With Helix's Main Volume at 12 o'clock they sounded absolutely thunderous! I'm loving these FRFR PA speakers. :) They're really well constructed and covered by a reassuring 7 year warranty. I've yet to try them with XLRs. More fun with DXRs tomorrow....