kevin627

Interesting, I'll check it out thanks.

@mkornell @soundog @olivierJez @jasdadgad @jpdennis @glideman @Lelik Bumping this thread since there have been quite a few updates. Anyone come up with a solid solution for getting a string/violin/cello sound out of the Helix? Considering using something like Jam Origin Guitar MIDI to accomplish this.

Guaranteed that’s going to happen, there’s no way to win haha. Any chance to allow two independent parallel paths with return L/R as an option for the input on the second path - just like the floor. For example having path 1 with input L/R and path 2 with return L/R. If that’s not possible, would also be great to allow a split in the path without having to have a block on the second path. Used to have the floor, now have the stomp, and I miss the routing capability of the floor and the command center. Also unfortunate that we can’t select where digital input 1/2 is routed to. From what I understand this is a software limitation not a hardware limitation. Otherwise I love the stomp, same sounds at a fraction of the size. Thanks guys!

I'm planning to do the exact same and just stumbled upon this thread through a google search. A simple wiring diagram would probably help people reply to your question. Did you use a TRS to 2xTS cable (splitting the tip and ring), then wire each potentiometer to one of the TS jacks? Or did you run a straight TRS cable to your controller with a single jack and wire both potentiometers to the same jack? If you haven't already watched it, this video might be useful. Based on what you described, I don't think it would help, but you can try changing the foot switch settings in preferences if you haven't already to see what happens (see attached). The pot value should be 10k ohm linear, that's what the official mission pedals use.

Still waiting for that cappuccino machine..

I'll add that the L and R channels for both the inputs and returns are separate channels (i.e., there are 4 separate analog input channel), so I see no reason why Line 6 wouldn't let us select mono inputs (or mono returns), either L or R. This seems like an unnecessary barrier to flexibility in using the HX Stomp.

@ttkfirst did you ever find a solution? For the purpose of organizing my compact pedalboard, I would like to use the Return(R) as my guitar input (while still using my FX loop on the L channel), however I can only select Return(L+R) in the input block. Is there no way to specify L or R in the input block (i.e., a mono input on the L or R channel) when there is something plugged into both L and R channels?

Totally agree with you here, I owned a Helix floor and bought a Korg pitchblack to put in front of the Helix (which seems crazy considering how big and beautiful the screen is). Now I have an HX Stomp and I'm again wishing there was a way to turn on the tuner just kicking a button quickly (like we have been doing with every other tuner since the dawn of tuners). Would love to have more flexibility on this. I agree with you that its probably only a half second, but its an awkward half second where you look like a bit of a jackass in front of your audience (especially if you're the frontman responsible for engagement). Hope to have a solution in the next firmware, I upvoted the ideascale entry.

Was literally going to go buy an HX Stomp this evening, then I found this thread. Not sure any more, without the command center I would need to get something like the Morningstar MC6 to accomplish what I need and that would defeat the purpose (size-wise and budget-wise) of downsizing my board. That’s really a shame, thanks for bringing attention to this.

After thinking about this a bit more, I guess I could send the audio from the iPad on channel USB 3/4, which is automatically monitored in the stereo send jack, then I can send the signal from the stereo send jack to FOH, maintaining a separate feed for guitar and synth. Still curious about the ability to use a path for I/O without having a block though, and if anyone has thoughts/suggestions for this set up.

I have a Helix Floor and I'm considering downsizing to an HX Stomp. I want to know if I can achieve my Helix Floor setup with the HX Stomp. In my first path, I have my standard guitar signal, with my guitar coming in through the guitar input and going out the XLR output (panned hard left). I also run some synth sounds off of an iPad. As of now, in my second path I have been connecting the iPad to my Helix via USB cable (with CCK adapter) using output 3/4 (using AUM). That signal hits USB 3/4 on the Helix, I have the input block on the second path set to USB 3/4 then the output block set to XLR (panned hard right). As of now I keep a delay and reverb effect on that second path, but with HX Stomp, I wouldn't have the blocks to use. With my current setup, I can send my guitar and synth sound to FOH separately (XLR L and R) and the engineer can adjust the relative levels. My question: on the HX Stomp, can I have my second path with USB 5/6 on the input block, and 1/4" out (panned hard right) on the output block, without any active blocks in the path? Or will that path disappear as soon as there are no blocks on the path? I suppose the other option is I have the input of USB 5/6 on the second path, then have it join the first path before the output block (or would that path also disappear with no blocks on it?). But with this setup, I would have to control the volume mix of my guitar and the synth, and the FOH guy wouldn't have the ability to adjust things if necessary. Thanks in advance, let me know if you need any more info.

I have my patch all set up for guitar and vocals. Each time I go to a different venue, there are always a few select parameters that I need to adjust (because of the room size, character of the PA speakers, etc), see below for the setup I would like. Assume there is no sound guy and that I'm plugging straight into the board. Knob 1: mix on reverb block (vocals) Knob 2: mix on delay block (guitar) Knob 3: low cut frequency on parametric eq block (vocals) Knob 4: mid gain on parametric eq block (guitar) Knob 5: gain on amp block (guitar) Knob 6: presence on amp block (guitar) I also have a Boss VE-500 multi effects pedal. It has three knobs and I can assign those three knobs to control ANYTHING. So I have it set up so that knob 1 controls compression, knob 2 controls the de-esser, and knob 3 controls the level of the harmonies. These are the same knobs used to edit parameters when I am setting up patched, but realistically when I'm doing sound check or performing, I really only need access to these three parameters. Without this option on the Helix, I have to clumsily navigate to each block and find the parameter that I want to edit (not to mention when you're pressed for time, using the rotary knob to navigate between the blocks usually results in turning the knob and unintentionally changing the block). Realistically, after the patch is set up, there are only a few parameters I will need to adjust, it would be great to have those at my fingertips all in one place. Can I do this with the Helix? Is there some mode that I am missing? Thanks in advance !

There are a few workarounds it seems, like using a MIDI cable. But it would be nice (and easy) to make the EXP toggle-able with footswitches for those of us who use the MIDI ports otherwise. I just saw that there is an entry on ideascale here: https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Toggle-Expression-Pedal-selection-with-Footswitch/967640-23508

Unfortunately I use my MIDI out port to control a pedal that doesn't have a MIDI thru. I saw there is a post on ideascale, it would be great (and probably not too complicated) to implement this. Edit: https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Toggle-Expression-Pedal-selection-with-Footswitch/967640-23508

There are a few workarounds it seems, like using a MIDI cable. But it would be nice (and easy) to make the EXP toggle-able with footswitches for those of us who use the MIDI ports otherwise. I just saw that there is an entry on ideascale here: https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Toggle-Expression-Pedal-selection-with-Footswitch/967640-23508

Is there any other solution for this? I use my MIDI out port to send commands to another pedal. I sing and play guitar and sometimes I switch from a singing chorus to a guitar-focused instrumental part and I want to engage the wah. The issue is that changing the EXP using the toe switch requires some force and its not always smooth to hop on the pedal and do that when I'm also glued to the mic. Being able to hit FS7 for example to change the EXP would be great. Any other solutions? Edit: just saw that there is an entry on ideascale at the link below https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Toggle-Expression-Pedal-selection-with-Footswitch/967640-23508

Thanks for the reply, that’s helpful. I’m going to set this up in the next few days so I will get back here with insights. Any other thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to run a Boss VE-500 Vocal Performer in the FX loop of the Helix to be able to use some of the harmony and pitch correction features. I prefer to run this in the FX loop rather than before or after the Helix because 1) more flexibility, and 2) I have a wireless IEM set up for my vocals and if you're a singer you know that hearing the pitch corrected signal while you're singing can sound/feel strange, running the VE-500 in the FX loop will allow me to process my IEM vocals separately on the Helix. I also plan to connect the Helix to the VE-500 by MIDI so that I can make changes on the VE-500 using the Helix. The Helix FX Sends and Returns are 1/4" TS, but the VE-500 In/Out are XLR. My questions: 1) Can I buy a cheap XLR to TS cable (like this) for this, or do I need to get an impedance transformer (like this)? 2) Do I need a specific cable for sending signal from the Helix and a different cable returning the signal to the Helix? 3) On the Helix, should I set the Send/Return that I'm using to instrument or line? Helix Manual: https://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c975d5787c3e351aa0/application/pdf/Helix 2.0 Owners Manual - Rev D - English .pdf VE-500 Manual: https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/VE-500_eng01_W.pdf My objective is to minimize any negative effects that might arise from running an XLR In/Out device through the Helix TS FX Send/Returns. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm in Singapore, not sure how the power in Singapore compares to the power in Australia. I've had issues even when I verify myself that phantom power is off on the channel. I have had instances where we tried 3-4 different cables, and the issue persists. Yes I work as an engineer at a studio part time so I have some experience troubleshooting pesky issues like this. I also considered that it may be my Helix, but 1) I generally have no issue, it's only in some venues, and 2) I've seen enough posts on the forum with people saying that they need to use a DI box to reduce some sort of noise/hum issue situationally. Before I got the DI box, I was fine 90% of the time so it seems that the issue is not likely my Helix. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else with a Helix here to A/B against in the event that I can replicate the issue. One possible explanation is that some of the "less professional" venues that I play may be less aware of issues that cause noise/hum and there is some interaction between my setup and their setup that causes the noise. A DI box generally has solved the problem for me, but again if I use 1/4" cables, it's hit or miss. Looking for a solution where it doesn't matter what I run into at a venue, noise/hum issues will not be because of my setup. Edit: Note that I realize that 1/4" cables might have issues regardless. Also, I play venues that are not able to activate/deactivate phantom power on each channel, so I would need something that blocks phantom power either way. Thanks.

I use my Helix for guitar and vocals. At home I usually have no issues but when plugging into a mixer hooked up to a large PA system is when I run into issues. I find that playing at different venues, going straight from the Helix has a host of problems (humming, buzzing, hissing, etc) even when using the XLR outs and trying both positions in the ground lift switch. I’ve been using a dbx DJDI box which generally has worked well at getting rid of issues. I run the 1/4” outs to the DJDI and then XLR from the DJDI to the board. I know, if everything is working, why make any changes right. I recently played a gig at a small venue where I was just doing vocals, so I had a stereo vocal patch set up that I’ve used before. The venue just had a Yamaha Stagepass 600 and the XLR inputs on the mixer don’t have a pan knob, but it does have stereo TS inputs. So I ran 1/4” outs from the Helix to the TS inputs at line level, wow did that sound awful (I get it, it’s an unbalanced hot signal, anything can happen). My question, if I get something like an ART DTI will I be able to safely use the 1/4” and XLR outputs without worrying too much about noise? Or are there some applications where a DI box will work better. I figure the Helix already has a ground lift switch so the ground lift switch on a DI box is redundant? Does it make sense to switch to a hum eliminator with 1/4” and XLR outs? Or is a DI box safer bet? As I understand both will block phantom power from the board. Thanks in advance.

I agree with the previous two posts, the sound guy changed something while you disconnected the art and to save face he may have suggested that your gear was the problem. Slightly off topic, I have a DI box (dbx DJDI, works well) right now but I’m not a huge fan of sending a signal out of the Helix, having it reduced at the DI box, and then boosting it back up at the mixer preamp. Also I would like to have the option to connect 1/4” to a board when necessary without hum. So I’m considering the Art DTI box. Has the Art DTI box generally been good at eliminating and noise/hum in your signal? @Hillman1312

I usually use the multiband compressor but I’m only compressing under 300hz. Otherwise the boomy stuff and mud that’s not cut by the HPF can be a bit too dynamic. I also use the deluxe comp now with about -2db of compression. I’m now also running the LA Comp with full peak reduction but only about 10% mix (this basically works as a parallel compressor without needing to run a separate path). It works well for vocals that might be a bit more a aggressive and choppy, allowing you to be aggressive without sticking out too much from the rest of the band. Still learning, always learning!

I usually read the forums and don't post - but I just wanted to throw in my comment that I have also removed the Studio Tube Pre block from my vocal chain because I found that through a PA system, my vocals sound better without it. I've been through many iterations and decided that it just isn't necessary. Agreed with the comment from @talwilkins that the output from the Helix will normally run into a mixing board that has a preamp anyways. My setup: I set my mic input gain to +21db and my 1/4" line out (which runs to a DI box and out to XLRs that run to the board) to instrument level in global settings. The +21db of mic input gain was set such that the signal that my board receives from the DI box is identical to the signal that the board would receive if I had plugged my microphone in directly. This way, I can always plug my output into a mixer board and not have to worry about any issues with my level. Every block on my chain is then setup such that bypassing or engaging the block does not change the level of the output (i.e., all are set to unity gain when engaged). With this setup, my vocals sound better without the Studio Tube Pre block. I should note that in headphones and at home with studio monitors the sound is fine, but through a large PA system, definitely better without the Studio Tube Pre. I suppose if you want a preamp color that you aren't getting from your mixer's preamps, you can use the Studio Tube Pre. For me, I found that using the Studio Tube Pre resulted in a gain-y tube-y sound that was a bit boomy and metallic - didn't sit well in the mix. My band plays stuff like Anberlin, Funeral for a Friend, Rise Against, Story of the Year, Thrice, Billy Talent, etc. I found a similar effect with the LA Studio Comp and in the next few days I'm going to test out the Deluxe Comp to see if it's a bit more transparent.

This seems like such an important feature for anyone that uses the unit for guitar and vocals. I sing lead and play rhythm in my band and I need to engage the audience between songs and tune simultaneously. Without this feature our band has to get creative so that the audience is engaged but I'm still able to tune between songs (usually the other guitarist will make some jokes - but this is not ideal). Would love to see this feature, I'm surprised there are not more people like me wondering what's going on. Hook us up with a feature in the tuner settings!