MojoAxe

I'm relatively new to the Helix so I'm still in learning mode when it comes to creating presets. One thing that I've found makes it difficult choose between amp models, ODs, and effects is that when toggling through the various choices, the default settings are radically different on every one of them. For instance, when choosing an amp model for a patch, it is nice to be able to do an A/B between various amp models in order to hear the differences in tone. Lets say I chose a Fender Deluxe amp model and adjust the settings (volume, gain, EQ, etc) to my liking. I would then like to toggle the amp model to be a Twin, Vibrolux, or Tweed in order to hear the difference in tone. As soon as I select a different amp model, all the settings jump to whatever the default settings are for that amp. The only way I've found to do an A-B is to put both amps into a preset or create two different presets. In both cases I have to manually adjust all of the levels to be the same, and if I want to try out a different amp I have to do it all over again. I understand that different amps have different controls so its impossible to maintain every setting, but it would be nice if there was an option that would allow you to maintain at least the basic controls such as volume and gain to stay at the same level while toggling through the various amp choices. The same goes for effects such as delay. When toggling through the various delay effects available, the delay time is radically different between each effect. To me, it would make sense that if Helix would at least maintain the millisecond setting while sampling the different delay models. In order to experiment with delays, I guess it would be relatively easy to put a half dozen of them into a patch, set the delay time on each to be the same, then toggle them on and off one by one. When it comes to amps however, the number of them within a patch is limited by DSP. Maybe I'm finding this a bit difficult because the Helix is all new to me. With such a myriad of available options within Helix, I'm all ears as to any suggestions on better ways to compare various amps, cabinets, and effects in order to zero in on the one that's best for the desired tone.

Here is what I found to be a bit confusing about the firmware update process: 1) Following the instructions above, I go to the downloads page http://line6.com/software/, select "Helix" from the middle software field, and select "GO". 2) This takes me to the page shown below. The webpage stresses the importance of following the instructions. Line "3." instructs you to "download and install the LATEST Helix editor application (2.20), available here: http://line6.com/software/" however "http://line6.com/software/" is not a hyperlink so clicking it does nothing. If I cut-n-paste the URL into my browser, it takes me right back to the software download page where I started in step 1. 3) In order to download the editor software, you actually need to go the bottom of the posting in step 2 and click on the GET DOWNLOAD link: I figured it out and everything worked okay, however its a little unnerving to be to be explicitly warned to follow the instructions yet they don't work and so its necessary to download the software in a different manner.

From now on, whenever the rest of us have suggestions for future software enhancements, we'll just go through you so that we get them the next day. :)

In my opinion it is a little jumpy, but I attribute that to it having a fine resolution. Otherwise it seems to work very accurately. I do miss the polyphonic tuning capability of my GT-100 which allows me to strum once and quickly check the tuning of all six strings in between songs.

Okay, reinstalling the firmware did not cure the problem. Just to make sure there was not a problem with the software on my PC, I uninstalled the Helix Editor and Updater, then downloaded a fresh copy and reinstalled it. I verified the the Updater is Ver 1.11. I reinstalled the 2.20 firmware onto the Helix, reset the Glbals and Restored Presets. I then connected the 1/4" output to my amp and it plays just fine until I start scrolling through patches when eventually the unit loses the output. Turn it off and back on and the output sound comes back. Sometimes It will lose the output after scrolling through a dozen or so presets, other times I may need to scroll through the preset list several times, but eventually the output will drop out. There's nothing else I can think of to do, so I think its time to open a service ticket.

Update regarding my original post: I've had very limited time to spend with my Helix over the past few weeks however when I was playing through it I had not experienced any events where the Helix lost the input signal which made me start to think (hope) that the problem had cured itself. Unfortunately that's not the case as its gone into mute mode on me several times today. I happened to have it connected to the editor software this time and when the Helix went silent the editor software also locked up. I was able to scoll through patches on the Helix (even though there was no longer an output signal) but the editor software did not sync with the unit and just remained frozen on the patch that it was on when the unit went silent. It was necessary to reboot the Helix as well as kill the editor process and restart it. In its current state I cannot trust the Helix at a gig, so I'm going to try reinstalling the firmware. I'll report back as to whether or not this is successful.

In my case, the input signal would drop out whether the Helix was connected to the PCB or standalone. Unfortunately work projects have been all consuming and I haven't had time to play around with the Helix. I did squeeze in some jam time yesterday for about 20 minutes and I didn't experience any lockups. Its going to take longer than that before I'm ready to say that it has cured itself. If it locks up on me again I think I'll try reinstalling the 2.20.0 firmware. To do so, can I simply repeat the same install steps I used for the initial installation?

I updated my Helix to V2.20.0 and I'm now experiencing a complete disconnect of the input signal while I'm scrolling through presets. While scrolling through setlists, Helix will go dead silent .The only way to get the signal back is to turn off the unit and turn it back on. Here are a few notes: - First of all, I'll answer the obvious question: "No, the problem is not the cable." - The problem will sometimes occur after scrolling through less than a dozen presets, other times I may have to scroll through an entire setlist a time or two, but eventually if I continue to scroll through the presets, the unit will suddenly go silent. Once this occurs, there is no longer a signal being sent from Helix to the amp, no signal to the headhone jack, and even the internal tuner quits seeing the guitar input. - This was never a problem until I updated to 2.20.0 - I followed the update instructions closely and the update appeared to go smoothly. The display shows that Helixit is running 2.20.0 and I reset all of the global settings as instructed (I actually did this twice hoping it might resolve the problem). The new 2.2 presets are in place. - The input signal can be triggered off either by scrolling through the presets using the Preset knob, the joystick knob, or using the toggle switches to scroll through presets, so its not a mechanical problem with one of the controls. I've browsed through all the global settings and I cannot find any parameter that might have changed to cause the loss of the input signal. I'm thinking that I might try reinstalling 2.20.0, but I don't know if the firmware can simply be reinstalled over itself and I don't want to risk bricking the unit. Any suggestions on how to go about troubleshooting are welcome.