radatats

When I first started doing this I went way overboard making a big set list with all the amps and midi programming for each one. Not necessary and actually counterproductive since the DT stays in the last configuration you sent it. The host service went out of business so that set list is not available anymore. Its easier to just program the DT one time with DT Edit so you can see what you are doing and then just send normal Helix patches to it with L6 link. Here's what I found. If you use channel A with Helix and L6 link, you can't change the topology with the switch on the amp. Channel B works though. So I kept Channel A for using the amp by itself and changed all 4 Channel B voicings to no amp or cab and set the topology to match the position. So now using the Helix into the DT channel B I can change the amp topology with the switch. I can also set an instant midi command to the patch to force it to use the voicing I want to line up the right topology for a specific amp model without changing anything in the DT. If you want full control you can program Channel A's 4 voicings to no amp/cab, Class A, 4 topologies and Channel B's 4 voicings to Class A/B, 4 topologies, and use an instant midi command in your patch to select one of 8 channels in the DT as appropriate for your amp model. I personally haven't found that necessary to this point as Class A/B seems to work fine for everything so far.

that's a great idea. I have a Flextone combo and a Flextone II HD and use both with Helix (at different times). You need to use an insert cable to go from the Helix 1/4 outs to the Vetta FX return and you need to stick a dummy plug in the Vetta guitar in. Doing this completely bypasses the Vetta amps/cabs/effects and sends the Helix signal straight to the Vetta power amp. Works and sounds fantastic! http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/STP204

not to belabor the subject but when you say FRFR you are talking about a system (woofer, tweeter, crossovers, amplifiers, and tuned enclosure) not just the drivers. Those freq charts don't tell the whole story of the FRFR system but they do represent a basic guitar cab. I have a 2X12 closed cab with V30's and an open back cab with Eminence governors. Both sound great, both different, neither as convenient or flexible as my Alphas. If you don't want to cart around cabs and amps you figure out what you gotta do to get your tone from your FRFR's and can be pretty sure the same thing is going to FOH...

I found the thread I started last October on the Alphas. Maybe there is something that can help you too... http://line6.com/support/topic/16128-alesis-alpha-112-fizz/

I found my Alphas harsh at first too. I was super bummed and thought I made a mistake but stuck with it and yes, they have 'broken in'. Like you, I don't want to drop another grand for a pair of speakers and now I'm really happy with these. I don't use any funky EQ or global tricks. I use a high cut on the cab from 7-13k depending, and low cut around 100-160. Play with cab and mic choices as that has a HUGE effect on your tone. Third party IR's are great too but you should explore and learn all the internal cabs/mics first. Also I found I needed to use the XLR instead of the 1/4 outs, not sure why but it sounded better to me. Line or instrument level doesn't really matter. Give them a chance. Play them hard and see how they break in. Oh, I did get a Behringer 12" sub and it cuts 100kHz before the Alphas too. Probably overkill but whatever...

At first I found them a little harsh but they have broken in nicely. I wanted two and a sub to have my own PA, to do stereo stuff and so the sub could take the low end load off the Alphas. Most of the time I play through them with the sub, the amps were overkill. They are very similar to the Alto TS112s but unfortunately they don't seem to make them anymore. You can still get the 15" models though on eBay. I had the 2X12 cab sitting around and the extra speakers and just had the itch to put them to work. I found both Flexy's on Craigslist for around $100 each and couldn't be happier with them. I'm taking the PA and the combo to a Memorial Day bash and we'll see how things go. It's more of a big jam session so I don't know what I will have set up yet. Really looking forward to cranking it up though...

Helix XLR to Alesis Alpha 112's and Behringer subwoofer, 1/4 out (stereo) to Flextone 2X12 combo with Eminence Governors, FX Send 3/4 (stereo) to Flextone II HD and 2X12 closed back with V30's, L6 Link to DT25HD and 1X12 with Eminence speaker from Flextone. Trio+ in loop. Sure SR-440 headphones. Schecter Avenger, HLK Bombshell, JTV-69. I guess I qualify as a fan boy?

I love editing on the Helix direct but your concerns about physical endurance are valid. We have the editor now but is really is so easy on the device. Hope they get it fixed for you Nico...

I agree 3rd party IR's have their place but I don't agree with the 2D/3D comparison. I find the IR's are all about 6db louder than the stock cabs and that gives a distinct impression of improvement. Once the volumes are leveled the stock cabs are highly competitive, and very easy to dial in. Much easier than trying to audition thousands of IR's. However, if you find one you like or for a cab and speaker not included in Helix it definitely makes a great addition to the rig... Just my opinion... Check out Chad's comparison video:

If you aren't using L6 link I'm pretty sure you don't have to do any of that. Going through the FX loop bypasses the internal preamp/cab modeling IIRC. You would only need to do what you show there if you were using L6 link or going through the front of the amp.

If I remember right, this utility can rework a whole setlist to change your preamps to amps without hurting the rest of the patch. Saves a ton of time even though you will still want to go in and fine tune them...

you got it about right. You don't want to overdrive the inputs anywhere. If you want more volume, you will need bigger amps, speakers.

I've set up a few patches this way to run through my Flextone XL 2X12 stereo rig with my Helix. It definitely has a different flavor to straight out stereo. I think it works great for something like that. You would send the dry guitar tone to one monitor and the wet tone to the other. If you don't keep your Alto's side by side though you may not like it when they are spread apart. The advantage is the FOH gets 2 feeds keeping your guitar tone clear and he can blend effects as needed without having to worry about panning. You can also try sending the amp tone without any wet effects in mono centered and send your stereo wet effects separately panned wide. Both signals go to both monitors. That would keep the amp tone distinct in the middle and let you blend in the effects as desired giving you wet/dry/wet.

Nick - is the FBV3 compatible with any of the Flextone series amps?

from the manual: FBV Class Foot Controllers The optional FBV series of foot controllers includes the original FBV, with its extensive effects controls for the Line 6 Vetta amps, and the more-compact FBV Shortboard, which includes all the controls needed for the Flextone III. Both give you Wah and Volume pedals plus the ability to name, store and recall 36 Flextone III Channel Memories. The Shortboard comes with a sticker that re-labels some of the controls that are used for non-Flextone III functions on other Line 6 products. We’ll assume you’ve got that in place as we describe the Shortboard’s functions here. The FBV series also includes the simple FBV4, which lets you choose between the four Flextone III channels, and tap tempo. Note that the Line 6 Floor Board and FB4 foot controllers will not work with Flextone III. I honestly don't know if the new FBV3 foot controller will work but if it does, that looks great. You can find FBV boards on eBay.

OK after reading both manuals it doesn't look like you will be able to select a specific voicing with a patch change on the GT-8. The GT sends Bank Change and Program Change messages but the DT wants Control Change (CC) messages. However, you can configure the GT CTL pedal to send CC messages. What does that mean? Well you have to manually dial in a clean amp on channel A and a dirty amp on channel B and use the CTL pedal to just switch between them. You can't automate it with your patch change. Follow the instructions on page 81 in the GT manual. Set the MIDI CTL OUT to 66 and I think it should work. (CC66 toggles the DT between channel A and B, page 2.1 in the DT guide). To be honest the midi between the two units is not that great. Hope this works because I've reached the limit of my MIDI knowledge!

You need to get the manual for the GT-8 and read Chapter 8 to see how to set up midi and send commands to the DT. You also need the DT Midi manual to see what commands to send to the DT. Then connect a midi cable from the midi out on the GT-8 to the midi in on the DT50. Once you get your patches saved you should be ok. You should probably do a one time programming of your DT by midi to set the amp and cab model you want in each voicing. Then set up your GT-8 patches to pick one of those preset voicings rather than changing amps or cabs each time. For live work you really only have 2 channels so most likely one clean and one dirty. That means clean in channel A and dirty in channel B because the physical knob settings do not save. You can't switch from a Blackface to a Treadplate in channel A without getting your head ripped off because the volume, drive, etc will still be set for the Blackface! But you can have channel A and B set differently and switch between them. Its not really that hard once you get started. Play around with it, you can always do a reset on the DT to get back to normal if you don't like what you have. GT-8 Manual DT Midi Manual

I had one before and just got another last weekend. The internal modeling is ok but its a couple generations old now. Dialed in its usable but not cutting edge. Definitely download the manual and read up on building patches and how to save them. There are tons of patches already made for it too, just search on Customtone. Good starting points for learning how to build your own. Using on its own you should really get the corresponding floorboard so you can control effects on/off and save/select a lot more patches. However, it is a GREAT stereo power amp which is what I got it for. I run my Helix into the FX return and use it to power a stereo 2X12 cab with Celestion V30's It is a monster for that role and the Helix is in a different league altogether. Plus they are generally pretty inexpensive second hand...

+1 these guys are the best! http://btpa.com/Line-6-Variax/

The JC-120 is known to be a super clean model. Won't distort as you turn it up, probably a good choice...

great idea Phil, really nice playing too. Gives me some ideas on things to work on. You could add a patch change on another FS too. Really love this Helix...

according to DI, all effects were created from scratch in Helix except reverb and some wahs. http://line6.com/support/topic/19972-helix-effects-quality-vs-m-series/?p=150584

I expect more effects will be ported to Helix but in the mean time you could add an M5 for little cost. With midi it will give you all those missing effects and you can save with each patch on the Helix. Far better solution than jumping to AX8 or FX2 IMHO since you would lose all the Helix functional advantages...

What makes you so sure they haven't given us treats for our service? ;) :D

seriously? A paper manual that needs to be printed in every supported language in every box adding to the cost and shipping weight? That most of us would never even use when it's already on our computer? I guess we just need something to lollipop about or we're not happy... WTF...