radatats

It's got a digital comm port, why won't it integrate?

thanks for the response. I'm looking at running tracks and triggering samples, maybe looping too. I'm running a HP laptop. Win 10 64, 8 GB ram. I was just wondering if I could map the XL to the editor to use the knobs and sliders building and editing ptchew, no big deal. I know I can map a lot of stuff to Helix too but that means more foot work and losing some FS for live use. The XL is on sale for $150 and looked like it would have a lot of other use in the studio too. No issues running both the XL and Helix together live? That's good to know. My brainstorming and imagination tends to outpace my skills and execution so keep that in mind. If this is something I need 6 months training to figure out it may not be a good idea...

I'm looking at incorporating Ableton to my setup and adding a controller. My choices are the Novation Launchpad or the Novation Launch Control XL. I'm thinking the XL would have a wider range of use for both studio and live work with my Helix. Any issues using either one of these in conjunction with Helix and Ableton on a PC laptop? Can the XL be mapped to the Helix editor? What would you recommend?

The difference with the parallel path is your dry signal is never affected by the FX. In a serial path your signal hits the delay and then the reverb, etc. Your dry signal and the delays are both then processed by the reverb and it tends to multiply with more effects. Each block mixes what it sees on its input with the effected tone, not necessarily an actual dry tone. After two or three blocks there is no real dry tone left. By using a parallel path you keep the dry tone unaffected all the way to the end. If you are only using one effect there really is no benefit since the actual dry tone is passed through. It isn't mandatory to set the effects to 100% though. If you do, then only the delay repeats will come through and be processed by the reverb, etc. You can do that but may want to use an exp pedal or volume block to control the final mix with your dry signal. I also like to separate the outputs too rather than mixing them back together in the original path. I do see a volume jump with parallel paths but as long as you are aware of it you can manage it.

AES/EBU looks interesting, hope it works. For the FX Loop hookup I use a stereo insert cable, 2 mono 1/4 jacks to a single stereo TRS 1/4 jack. You also need a dummy plug in the Vetta Guitar In and I think you have to press the Loop button to turn it on.

you are gonna love the DT25 and can't go wrong at that price... mine was twice that just for the head.

Definitely check back and tell us how it went. I think you are going to be a very happy camper...

FRFR is probably the best overall way to go and the Altos are fine for the money. However, your Vetta and the DT50 are both good options that deserve a good run through before you decide. The Vetta can be run in stereo and you should try a dry/wet setup. Run your dry full amp tone to one side and the same tone with delay/reverb/etc to the other side. Sounds amazing. You may also be able to use the SPDIF for a direct digital link. The DT will need work to use L6 link successfully, plenty of other threads about that. Try your Helix mono 1/4 out into the DT FX return first. The DT will be full blast like that so adjust with Helix volume. I much prefer full amp models over the preamp models and no cab or IR block. You could even set up both the DT and Vetta together for some really creative setups! - I have a DT25, a Flextone IIHD and a pair of Alesis Alpha 112s that are almost identical to the Altos. I get great tones out of all of them and am keeping the lot...

Can you use the SPDIF in for a digital interface?

full amps all the way for me.

holy lollipop, my mistake, L6 Link, you are right. It's still just a communication protocol, not the actual integration for DT amps. It is for L series too and does what it's supposed to do. Just because it's there doesn't mean integration HAS to work. WTF? I'll correct my error above. Thanks for pointing it out so lollipoping eloquently...

you need to separate L6 Link and DT integration. L6 Link allows digital communication, that's all. It does it's job with the DT, the L series speakers and probably the M20 too. That is a totally separate idea to the fact that Helix and HD500/DT have completely different architectures. Mac and PC both have functioning USB ports but they can't talk to each other... Same idea. - lollipoping edited...

The helix works amazingly well with the DT amps. TBH they are probably the best tube amp option for Helix because they are so configurable. However, as noted above, they don't fully integrate like the HD500. L6 link is simply a digital communications protocol that lets two 'computers' talk to each other. It worked great with the HD500 and DT amps because they all had the same operating system (HD amp modeling). Helix has a whole new operating system (HX amp modeling) and many more ins/outs and signal paths. DT has no way to understand what Helix wants it to do. Yet. For instance, Helix can have 4 different amps. Which one does the DT respond to? Totally different animals. They are definitely working on it and a fix will come at some point. In the mean time, you can just go straight in to the DT FX return and bypass all the DT stuff. Or you can use DT Edit to turn off the amp and cab modeling in the DT and use Helix over L6 link. You can also use midi commands from Helix to configure the DT as needed. I chose to turn off the amp/cab modeling in all 8 voicings. I set the Channel A ones to Class A, topology I-IV, and Channel B to Class AB, topology I-IV. I use L6 link and midi to select the channel and voicing I want for a specific amp. I also use a FRFR rig too. I'm not selling my DT but then again I wouldn't advise someone to rush out and get one for their Helix either. But since you already have it, use it!

I have to disagree here. The FB group you refer to has probably been the single biggest source of help, info, guidance and community ever for any piece of gear from any manufacturer. The guy that put it together and managed it literally spent all day, every day on it out of a love for the gear and the folks that use it. That group hasn't changed. He set up a separate members group for those that want one on one help with their gear or their tones. Nothing secretive about it. No special tricks there that nobody else knows about. He found a way to supplement his income by providing personalized assistance to those that need it. How is that wrong? If it was a factory sponsored site that required you to pay to join I would agree but this whole idea that individuals shouldn't get paid for their time and work is pretty damn odd. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy anything.

I submitted this to IdeaScale last year, vote it up and we'll see what they do... http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Tone-Matching-for-Helix/753630-23508

I think the Uno is best personally and a big part is probably their rock solid drivers. I have no experience with the Midisport, not sure if there would be any need for more than the Uno does. The DT will show once you are all connected. The DT Edit screen only shows 2 at a time, Channel A on top and Channel B below. Then you cycle through the voicings and configure as you wish until all 8 are set the way you want them.

couple of questions. What amp or PA rig are you using? When you say dry signal it sounds like it still has some effects on it? Do you just mean 'no reverb' signal? or do you have a separate dry mono amp signal and a parallel wet stereo signal?

one thing I can say for certain is you should never run your channel volume or any other block level wide open. That is an open invitation to introduce digital clipping down the line in your signal path. It is easy to overdrive the input of many effects and once the clipping is there it is hard to find and there is nothing you can do to get rid of it in post processing or at the amp/board. Ben Adrian recommended on another thread to adjust your channel volume down to match your no-amp guitar signal but I don't always do that either. I do remember DI stating that the max SNR is achieved with the Helix master wide open. I have run it anywhere from 12 to WOT (wide open throttle) adjusting final volume with my amp or monitor level. Currently I run it WOT and I am able to get more control of my tone using the guitar volume. I hear more detail this way than at lower levels. Just another form of gain staging, getting all the physical signal levels and amps in your system to play nicely together just like you would with the digital gain stages.

I sold my 500 last year to get the helix but yes, I found it just fine with the DT, no big difference in tone. Some folks claim its not the same but I never found that to be the case. And being able to switch the amps and effects was absolutely worth it.

I certainly didn't have problems with the tones from the HD500 and DT. It really opens up the full potetntial of the DT by giving you such controlover the various parameters you can't control otherwise and having all 30 amps and cabs available is huge.

Yep, you just discovered that even though you can load 8 different amp/cab/reverb settings it is STILL only a 2 channel amp. That was the benefit of the HD500 as it seamlessly integrated with the DT allowing you to switch between 30 different amp/cab settings along with the effects chain and remembered all the knob positions for each patch. Might be worth picking up a used one cheap and giving it a whirl with the L6 link.

I've never had anything similar in the few years I've had mine. Occasionally it won't turn on properly but turning off and checking cables has always solved that. No issues whatsoever with it now I have it configured for Helix use with L6 link.

Here is a handy doc to help when you want to set up your Helix with the DT. Shows the correct configuration for the amps. Helix - HD500X Settings for DT Series Amplifiers.pdf

If you set your DT up like I described then you would use MIDI CC 122, 2. That will switch the DT to Channel A, voicing III. To go back would be MIDI CC 122, 4. Remember that is only choosing the right power section configuration. The amp sim is in the Helix, See the DT MIDI Implementation Guide, page 2-2. Global Parameters Parameter & Description MIDI CC Value VoicingDirectly selects the DT amp Channel and Voicing position (I, II, III or IV) 122 0 = Channel A Voicing I 1 = Channel A Voicing II 2 = Channel A Voicing III 3 = Channel A Voicing IV 4 = Channel B Voicing I 5 = Channel B Voicing II 6 = Channel B Voicing III 7 = Channel B Voicing IV

that's why I stopped putting the configuration commands in the patch. I just configured the DT itself on all 8 voicings, channel A is Class A topo I-IV and channel B is Class AB topo I-IV. Now I only have to put the midi command to pick the right channel and voicing. One command.