jclarkguitarist

I created presets with each amp model set to the same level using reference monitors and meters in my studio. Then I copy paste from those blocks when I create a new preset. Its a pain but it is better than starting over with setting levels. What would be really be nice is if you could save parameters to effect defaults or if the defaults stayed at the lasted edited setting for that particular model type.

This is probably a crazy idea but you could make a global bypass by assigning the bypass on the amp and cab models to an expression pedal and setting the expression pedal to global. That would give you a global bypass since the expression can track globally. The downside is it uses up an expression pedal. The other option would be to create a parallel route with the amp/speaker model on the XLR outputs and the bypassed on the 1/4".

Getting levels right from song to song is half the trick. If the guitar is 4 or 5dB low in the mix to begin or if there is any compression applied at the console or FOH then the boost isn't going to help much. I find that bringing my own monitor that I have already tweaked levels on helps with that at least on stage. The monitors I use have two inputs. I use one for the monitor mix from the console and one direct out from the Helix TRS outputs. I have the master level on the Helix only set the control level going to the TRS in the global settings. That way I have my own control of the monitor level for my guitar. Of course you still have to rely on sound guy for the main mix but at least you are not fighting him when tweaking stage levels. I apply the gain method but I subtract -3dB so the gain is only on when I'm not soloing. I have a 2nd extra expression pedal not doing anything. I think I going to try assigning that to global cut/boost control for solos like what was mentioned above. Much easier than going through and editing patches after the fact.

I have experienced this also. I reported a bug with merge mixers. I'm not sure if this is related. If I have a merge mixer in a patch from time to time effects after the merge don't load or update correctly. If I remove the second input (removing the second input) and save things get back into sync. Rebooting also works. If you setup two inputs into a merge mixer with effects after the mixer and save the patch then go back to it and decide to remove an post mixer effect then hit save the helix will reinsert the effect for you after you save. It doesn't matter if you use the editor or not. I rebuilt several of my patches without a merge mixer and things seem more stable. I also rebuilt the critical stuff like like amp modeling and Impulse responses and volume so they are on the same signal path since the last thing I want is full volume full range guitar in a live mix.

I find the helix reverb algorithms are not bad but not fantastic either. I don't have much experience with Line 6 reverbs in particular. I have several dedicated rack units that sound better to my ears (I think it is subjective). But when you consider you don't have carry around a rack and deal with the challenges that brings (grounding, signal levels, impedance, midi, RF, setup tear down time, medical expenses from breaking your back etc) that's pretty huge. Also live you are probably going to apply reverb at the console so the guitar sounds mixed like it is in the "same space" as the rest of the instruments. For recording you are probably to track the guitar dry for the some of the similar reasons.

Ditto on the Redwirez. My experience is they are well balanced and require less tweaking to get the sounds I want. Also they are phase aligned so you can mix them.

I have two of the mission pedals, they look nice but I prefer the feel and taper of the Ernie ball better for tweaking volume in the middle of a set. Much easier to make slight adjustment.

If Line 6 posted their specifications for their outputs including max output level and impedance that would probably clear up a lot of things regarding levels and clipping and running direct. Without output meters this leaves a bit of guess work for guitarist. If you know where something clips at then you know how much headroom you have to work with and it also gives you a good idea of where your settings are going to be on your mixing board. My recommendation is to set your patch levels with the master volume control all the way up . That way you have the full usable range on the master output knob. Otherwise you risk running into a situation were you can over drive the output circuitry by increasing Maximum output level at a gig etc. The Master output gain is in the digital domain so you are not going to have issues with noise. I would also run into a TRS on the mixing board if is available not instead of an XLR. That way you avoid phantom power and also possible impedance issues with mic preamps etc. I run my setup with the helix peaking -10dBu on average with solos peaking around -5dBu and I have not had any trouble with clipping. Trims on the board are unity. Most mixing boards clip around +18dBu unless there is a pad available which knocks the level down. If you have a decent board you can PFL to the level of the helix into the board to see where your gain structure is actually at. This will make it a lot easier the next time you plug into a new sound system to know where you want your board levels etc.

Someone may have already posted on the this. But I didn't see anything. I have wasted many hours on this until I figured out what was happening. Hopefully this will have someone else some frustration. I have experienced this with gain and volume objects but I might effect other objects. With the editor open -Enter in a min and max gain on a volume parameter. -Change to another program -Change back -select any other block (but not the volume block). -You will see an asterisk even though you have not edited anything yet -If you hit store at this point you min and max will be wiped out but you will not see the change until you leave the program and come back. -If you going into the volume block and look at the min and max it will then it seems to store the values. What is odd is that even if these parameters are at default I still get the asterisk indicating something changed. I would not think that would show up unless a parameter was really changed.Or maybe I missed something else.

Does anyone know where the top volume knob is adjusting the level. Is it in the digital domain or if it is an analog adjustment after the D/A?. I seem to be running into what sounds like clipping on several patches the master is over half way up unless I bring the amplifier out put levels way down so I'm guessing it is in the digital domain. There are no specs in the manual for the I/O (or maybe it was mentioned and I missed it. I have no idea where things like the returns and outputs actually clip at. Meters would sure be nice.