JimDiGritz

Understood - though I guess I would have to replace one of the presets if I wanted a T Model with both Humbuckers active

So I've recently been inspired by Devin Townsend to play Open C tuning. Sadly open C isn't a default tuning*, however I know you can create custom tunings with Helix. I've created a Variax input patch, and set Input > Variax Custom Tunings to cgcgce. Works great, however if I switch preset and then go back to the Open C preset the tuning reverts to Standard. If I open up the Input block I can still see the Custom Open C tunings showing, however to get them to work I have to toggle Don't Force and then back to Custom. Firstly is this a bug? Secondly is there a more global way of setting up Open C tuning without using Helix? Thanks *Just noticed an Open C preset in Custom 2, however I'd still not be able to switch guitar models

Oh wait I see what you mean, the 5 way switches between the pup configs... I get it... you have to create a unique 'model' for each active pup. I thought you created a... say 3 Humbucker Tele Model and then somehow switched between the pups another way - it's a shame you have to 'waste' the presets to cover all pickup combinations you might want, but at least I understand now! Cheers

Thanks,but am still very confused! I get that there's only 1 tele 'body' but there are presets with different pup configurations (eg T Model 4 which is HH) If for example I want to play the bridge Humbucker in the T4 model - how do I select it? I can select T4 by moving the 'pickup' selector, but I can't move from the neck pickup....

So I understand the basic mechanics, however even after reading the User Manual I'm still missing something! I want to play the T-Model 3, Bridge pickup. I push the Model knob in (it lights up), then select T-Model. If I move the 5 way selector to the middle 3 position I can see on Workbench that I'm using the T-Model 3. Great. But how do I select the Bridge pickup on this T-Model 3? If I move the 5 way selector to the Bridge 1 position I'm now playing the T-Model 1... Probably missing something obvious!

I'm due to get my new Variax Standard tomorrow (after a bit of confusion about what the VDI cable is for and is it needed!) Can anyone here please explain what the various drivers/software I'll need to install to use in conjunction with the Helix? My Helix is setup, with the Editor running on my PC. I understand that there is Workbench, Workbench HD, Line 6 Monkey etc. I'm also aware that some software is JTV only... Am a bit confused, so any guidance appreciated.

Thanks, this was my mis-understanding. I thought that without the VDI cable, I just had a regular guitar. I appreciate the clarification.

Okay looks like I got my wires crossed (see what I did there!). Apologies for the attitude! I wrongly assumed that without the VDI cable you could only use the standard 1/4" jack which meant that you wouldn't be able to use the Piezo/Variax features such as detuning and modelling - ie you'd have a normal, passive electric guitar. So if I've got it right, just using the 1/4 jack I'd still be able to select models and tunings. But the VDI cable is for.. updating the software/importing custom models/tunings? Is that right?

This really doesn't make any sense. Are you telling me that people are really buying what is essentially a £100 Pacifica for £500 and DON'T want to use the Variax capabilities? (don't get me wrong I've owned a couple of Pacificas and think they're great instruments, but they're no Fender Japanese Classic which are also £500) It's a Line 6 Variax Guitar, with Line 6 Variax electronics, for use with Line 6 Variax compatible multi-effects units. It's also advertised as "also being able to be played as a normal electric guitar", which is fine. In fact the original Variax guitars didn't even have magnetic pickups. These came with VDI cables - or are you saying people wanted to play them acoustically, but some bought VDI cables?? As an example I recently bought a £500 monitor with GSync, it uses a special GSync cable. It also has HDMI. Guess which cable it was supplied with? You guessed it the special GSync cable. No one would buy a £500 GSync monitor and intentionally use it 'downgraded' with HDMI. And no, it would be absurd to expect a Line 6 Variax guitar to be supplied with Vagisil, but thanks for your input. This still baffles me.

Just ordered a Variax Standard, after receiving the dispatch confirmation I fired off a quick email to confirm that, of course, the Variax guitar does come with a Variax cable to connect to my Helix. Response: Nope. £32.99+shipping. No stock til August. Wow. Cancelled order.

Thanks Duncan, appreciate the time you spent on this - will have a play later.

Interesting, thanks - I'll have a play! If anyone gets this working meanwhile feel free to share your ideas!

I just saw this demo of a Chaos Pad style controller/effects unit (GTC Revpad) which might float some peoples boat. What caught my eye was the Legato effect, now I know this was achieved with the touch pad, but was curious as to whether something similar could be achieved with the Helix (maybe on a momentary switch or expression pedal....) You can see/hear the effect in this jam: https://youtu.be/J-TEllP6nVk?t=23s PS I know it's essentially a bit of 'fakery' but I thought it would be cool as a little effect Cheers

Sure, a Helix is overkill for an Audio Interface when you can get a Scarlet for $100. I was replying to the OP's question which was "Can Helix be used as a serious Audio Interface?" - you're right to point out that latency isn't much of an issue - I thought I'd mention it though. WRT Latency - sure the PC has a major part to play in total roundtrip latency, however as I mentioned earlier the Helix gives me almost twice as much latency as my old $100 Mackie interface using the same PC/software.* *Caveat - I haven't tried it since the early driver - perhaps this has improved

If the OP wanted to bypass the DSP in the Helix and use it purely as an Audio Interface - perhaps to use an ampsim like Scuffham Amps - then he'd want to monitor in realtime

Pure I/O latency from the driver.

My experience with the Helix as an audio interface is underwhelming. I was getting a c.4ms roundtrip latency with my Mackie Onyx Blackjack. The Helix gives me 10+ms roundtrip latency. I couldn't make a call on the quality, but the numbers didn't lie. I should add that the Helix is a monster modeler and effects unit regardless!

This. It's great to see any updates but since I don't play Bass, a Variax or use MIDI sync there wasn't a whole lot of gain for the pain of updating this time round. Hopefully we'll get some more effects and Amps next time!

Just a little reminder - if you are outputting through the 1/4" and are connected by USB you might notice a massive degradation in sound quality with digital hard clipping going on after updating..... after an hour checking every connection and every input on my Behringer mixer I realised that the update has set Line 6 as my default PC output device... after disabling it and switching back to my soundcard I'm now getting PC and Helix through my monitors crystal clearly again! Phew!

Found it - it was buried under pages of release notes - I was expecting a more obvious download link....

Where on earth do I download the 2.20 Editor??? The link in the sticky post just takes me to the generic http://line6.com/software/index.html page... If I use the filters at the top of the page I just get a message At this time, there is no software available that matches your selection. Come on Line 6 - having 3 separate steps is fine, but at least have a page with links to all 3 files.....

I'm using Mackie CR4 4" monitors - have only ever had them up beyond 50% volume once! I have a small study and with a young family there is just no way in hell I'd be able to play even a small amp in the house. I also invested in a pair of Audio Technica monitor headphones and whilst there is a clear difference in tone to the studio monitors they work really well when you need a virtually silent setup.

I was really keen to get a perfect Friedman BE-100 preset and so I bought the GDL https://www.glenndelaune.com/patch%20downloads.htm Helix Boutique Amps Simulation Patches Volume I. The Friedman is killer, and the other amps are also outstanding. He's also made good use of the snapshots. I also bought Marco Park75 from http://www.marcofanton.it/MFP/Helix_Patches.html it's very good but at 7€/$7/£7 per patch it's quite pricey. I'm really tempted to buy the Fremen pack since it's been so highly rated - I'm just not keen on re-organising my IRs...