MusicLaw

I've been using a pair of relatively inexpensive Sony MDR-V6 (63 ohm) headphones with my new Helix for the past 3 weeks, amidst a variety of speakers and amps as powered cabs. I'm certainly new to the Helix and anticipated I might need to grab a pair of the well liked DT770, should the Sony MDR-V6 not cut it with the Helix. I was delighted to discover that the Sony's are doing very well. I've used these for years, know them quite well, and have several pairs. I have no current need to switch. YMMV.

At significantly different sizes and prices and for different uses, I'm trying JBL LSR305 studio monitors, Yamaha HS8 studio monitors, and Yamaha DXR10 FRFR powered cabs, each in comparison to my amps (Yamaha THR10C, Fender Mustang IV v.2, and Fender Mustang III v.2) as powered cabs. The JBL LSR305 studio monitors sound really good when used near field (on stands, console meter bridge, mixing desk, etc.), at low to moderate SPLs. Surprisingly, I discovered that several of Helix's Amp models required the Helix's Main Vol knob to be at max, regardless of the spkr's sensitivity switch setting, and with the spkrs' vol at max. I prefer having more headroom and gain staging (i.e. setting the spkr's amp vol at 50~75%). Most of the time I felt a pair of LSR305s were lacking SPL. They also do best with plenty of clearance from walls behind them or to their sides due to the spkrs being rear bass ported. As glorified computer screen adjacent monitors they'd be terrific! Although, I'm not using my Helix with a computer, I may keep these, as they are so reasonably priced. In direct A/B comparison to my Yamaha THR10C amp's dual 3" FRFR stereo speakers (with the THR10C's stereo AuxIn fed from the Helix's FX Sends at Line Level), the Yamaha and JBL each accuratey present the Helix's tonal characteristics. At low to moderate near field SPLs each sounds very good with the JBL's having a superior bottom end, yet the THR10C proved to be astoundingly capable. Yamaha's HS8 studio monitors sound really good as near field monitors. For their price and size they should. They're much bigger, have more power, and can get substantially louder than the JBL LSR305s. A more comparable comparison was against the less costly JBL LSR308s, which I preferred when demoing at the store, but those were temporarily out of stock. As nice as the HS8s sound as near field monitors, I'm leaning towards forgoing the HS8 for their larger Yamaha DXR10 FRFR PA Monitor cousins. These are due in a few days and I'll know then. In the meanwhile, my 2x12 stereo Fender Mustang IV v.2 connected via its L&R FX Returns (routed after the Mustang's preamp, FX and cab sims) from the Helix sounds amazing! Far better than I expected from the pair of Celestion 70 Eighty speakers which are certainly not FRFR (they roll off considerably after 4kHz). Nonetheless, for electric guitar through the Helix, the Mustang IV v.2 freaking rocks! It also sounds good at conversation level. More after the Yamaha DXR10s arrive....

Still leaves the distinction vague between the 5&12 sequence vs. the 9&10.

The Helix's Speaker Cab Block's Mic Choice parameter (Knob 1), when pressed, did not reset the chosen Cab Model's Mic parameter value to it's factory default!? Instead, it is changed to the first Mic in the Mic List (i.e 57 Dynamic). For instance, I was exploring the 2x12 Double C12N Cabinet Block, in its own Block. The Model's factory default Mic is the 121 Ribbon. Pressing Knob 1 changes the Mic to 57 Dynamic!? This happens regardless if the Cab is a stand alone Cab Block or an Amp+Cab Block. (Obviously, for any Cab Model with the 57 Dynamic mic as its factory default mic parameter value, this issue is moot.) Might this be a bug? If so, I can submit it on a Support Ticket. My Helix is 3 weeks new and has 2.10 installed. As a consequence of the above, there is no direct method to get back to the default mic value short of manually reseleting it, (if you noted it in the first place). You must actually select a different Cab Block model, and then reselect the original cab block model. Doing this, however, resets all the parameter values for that block. On a grander scale, if the Preset had been saved before changing the mic value, switching to another Preset and then back to the subject Preset will accomplish restoring the Mic value, however at the cost of resetting all parameter values of all blocks in the Preset. Not convenient for editing presets!

The Helix's Speaker Cab Block's Mic Choice parameter (Knob 1), when pressed, did not reset the chosen Cab Model's Mic parameter value to it's factory default!? Instead, it is changed to the first Mic in the Mic List (i.e 57 Dynamic). For instance, I was exploring the 2x12 Double C12N Cabinet Block, in its own Block. The Model's factory default Mic is the 121 Ribbon. Pressing Knob 1 changes the Mic to 57 Dynamic!? This happens regardless if the Cab is a stand alone Cab Block or an Amp+Cab Block. (Obviously, for any Cab Model with the 57 Dynamic mic as its factory default mic parameter value, this issue is moot.) Might this be a bug? If so, I can submit it on a Support Ticket. My Helix is 3 weeks new and has 2.10 installed. As a consequence of the above, there is no direct method to get back to the default mic value short of manually reseleting it, (if you noted it in the first place). You must actually select a different Cab Block model, and then reselect the original cab block model. Doing this, however, resets all the parameter values for that block. On a grander scale, if the Preset had been saved before changing the mic value, switching to another Preset and then back to the subject Preset will accomplish restoring the Mic value, however at the cost of resetting all parameter values of all blocks in the Preset. Not convenient for editing presets!

Yeah, it would be a handy tip for the very brief Pilot Guide/User Manual. Although it is another cord to keep track of, the accessory USB charging cable also grips the Transmitter's plug when the G10T is partially removed. It can make the G10T a bit easier to find in a midst of cables. Otherwise, stash the G10T in a small pouch, zip lock bag, or in a large pharmacy pill bottle.

Color Status Indicators for Looper. http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Color-Looper-Status-Indicators/862059-23508

There have also been two firmware updates released since you purchased your unit. Both updates involved charging issues. Line 6 will take care of you! Regardless that you are beyond your return privilege with your retailer.

For several hours today, I used my Helix with JBL LSR305s, as near field monitors. They sounded great! The LSR305 were set to their higher sensitivity level and with their volume knobs at full. I played an Epi Les Paul Custom Pro with Probuckers, through all of Helix's Amp Combo models. At times the Helix Volume knob was set at maximum. No guitar pad. No level boosts in any of Helix's Blocks (including the Output Block). If you desire a louder near field setup and have the space go with the LSR308s.

In practical use a Lithium rechargeable battery system provides far greater performance benefits than NiMh or NiCd chemistry. Partial recharging or topping off does not degrade Li-Ion voltage capacity. The Memory Effect plauging NiCd and to a lesser extent NiMH chemestries is almost nonexistent with Li-Ion. The voltage level remains more constant during the battery's power drain. Recharge cycles may be segmented with degrading overall Full Charge Cycles potential. I do not know what Line 6's firmware is designed to do when the charger remains energized after the transmitter has reached full charge status. My expectation is that the charging ceases when the Transmitter reaches Full Charge (Steady Green LED) status. I do see that the latest firmware always applies a top charge cycle of a few short minutes each and every time a fully charged transmitter is inserted into an energized charger base or into the accessory USB charge cord. As the battery is rated between 300 and 500 Full charge cycles, this should provide plenty of use from the G10T without concern that you may leave your's fully inserted in a energized charger base.

Thanks for the status report! Hope to see the updated firmware soon.

Have only had my Helix for 2 weeks. I've been using Sony MDR-V6 (63 Ohms) direct from the Helix's headphone jack without any distortion nor overload problems. Also have a pair of Shure SE530 IEM (36 Ohms) that work great direct from Helix's headphone jack.

I've been using Sony MDR-V6 (63 Ohms, 106 dB/mW Sensitivity) direct from the Helix's headphone jack without any distortion nor overload problems. Also have a pair of Shure SE530 IEM (36 Ohms, 119 dB/mW Sensitivity) that work great direct from Helix's headphone jack. Edited to clarify..., the Helix sounds great through the above units as well as through the near field monitors, the main monitors, and the powered amp cab. I interchange amongst them for a broader reliability of the results.

In the two short weeks I've had my new Helix, I have used Sony MDR-V6 headphones (63 Ohms, 106 dB/mW Sensitivity) and Shure SE530 IEMs (36 Ohms, 119 dB/mW Sensitivity) straight from Helix's headphone jack. Both sound exceptional without any overload nor distortion.

Sorry to hear the update process has diminished your enthusiasm about the brand new Helix. What computer and OS are you using while attempting the update? Are you connecting the supplied USB cable directly between the Helix and a primary USB port on your computer (rather than a remote or hub USB port)?

Nope! Wrote precisely what I intended. And I have voted for this. Additionally, there are other good IdeaScale and other posts regarding suggestions for tablet and mobile device functionality to augment and enhance that what Helix already does.

Helix needs to send some love Android users' way!!!

There are several Factory Presets in the latest firmware 2.10 using the new Litigator and Archon Amps.

Amp and FX Block Model Select Mode. DI likes it, so vote it up! http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Footswitches-to-Navigate-Helix-s-Amp-and-FX-Models/861386-23508

This has got to be, by far, the most bizarrely creative HELIX bug I've heard about!!

Factory SetList 2 > Preset 03B BackWahrds. This Factory Preset has a bypassed Vol Pedal Block as the first element in Path 1A. The Block is Controller Assigned! It's default position value of 100 appears in White and in Square Brackets above Knob 1. Simply selecting and watch this Preset, resulted in the value changing to 1%!? Unfortunately, this is an intermittent behavior. This all on a brand new Helix updated to 2.10 with no custom Presets save, defined, etc. I did change several of the Line Level Global Settings.

Interesting find! Certainly inexpensive enough. Although this may make the physical connections, there is no indication of any voltage reduction to stepdown/ reduce the voltage from a typical barrel type pedal power supply's 9v (or higher) to that of a typical USB port's voltage of 5v, (1Ah-2.4Ah). Moroever, the brief product description states : "Can plug into any 5VDC source having a 5.5x2.1mm barrel plug...." If your power source has an adjustable power setting, reduce it's output voltage to as close to 5v as possible. Otherwise, you may overload the G10's base unit. Post back if it works! Hope fully it will.

I saw this on a brand new Helix upgraded to 2.10 without any custom patches! It happened while looking at one of the factory presets.

Eric, Thanks for the encouraging boost!

Here's the IdeaScale link to Vote Up! the Helix Footswitches to Navigate Amp and FX Models Thread DI likes it! His quote: "There's nothing precluding us from adding model select to Pedal Edit mode. Vote that sucka up!"