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@cfhmonkey That did indeed stop the pickup switch from changing the preset on MG2! Thanks a ton for that. Changing the model using the Model knob on the Variax still sends out a signal... but that's something that I rarely do on the fly anymore. Now, if I could keep the snapshots from generating a message out the USB port and only have the buttons that I specifically setup to do so within the Command Center... :)

@cfhmonkey -Thanks for the tip! I will give it a try and report back.

MIDI PC Send is off. All MIDI global settings are set to Off with the exception of MIDI over USB.

I have been experimenting with using Midi Guitar 2 along with my Helix and it's been quite impressive so far, for what I want to be able to do. I have used the Control Center to setup foot switches to pass PC changes to an iPad to select different presets within MG2 and this has been working great. Note that at this time, MG2 only responds to PC changes and not CC's. Also, I believe that MG2 listens on all midi channels and that cannot be changed. I have one thing happening that I can't figure out... I am unable to prevent Midi messages generated from the Variax or Snapshots, from being sent out to MG2. I have installed Midi Wrench on my iPad and can see these messages occurring - PC's, CC's, and Sysex messages. It only happens under the following circumstances: When I have a Variax connected to the Helix via the Variax input, moving the pickup switch or changing the model on the Variax is sending PC changes through and changing the presets on MG2. I have Midi through off in the Helix. I thought this should keep PC changes from passing on to other devices but not in this situation. I have pretty much every Midi setting in the Helix turned off except for Midi via USB. Also, only when a Variax is plugged in AND the input of the Helix preset is set to Variax, selecting a different snapshot also sends out a PC change and changes the preset in Midi Guitar. I'm guessing that the Helix needs to communicate with the Variax and tell it what Variax settings to use per the preset. It appears that anything broadcast out the Variax connection is also broadcast out other connections - in this case the USB connection. My guess is that since I can't control what Midi channel MG2 listens on, I'm stuck with this happening. Any thoughts?

I bought a second unit used (hardly) for just over $500 about a year ago - before these low prices appeared - as a backup for my main unit which I have had since 2013 or so. It is only used a couple times a month (although not lately) but I have only had one issue where one channel was doing the same as described by @ColonelForbin. I had another open channel so moved it over. Had a friend look into it and perform the "grounding" soldering as described by someone in this forum a couple years ago. It has not acted up since. But I always have the backup available just in case.

I had earlier reported a similar problem but with Windows. I had time to test today and all is working ok. I have 3 Variaxes and they are all able to connect to Workbench via the Helix.

I typically have connected my JTV's directly to Workbench as I have had the connector forever and that works fine. I tried one evening to do it via my Helix but could not get it to work. I gave up and went back to using my connector. The only difference is that I'm using a PC versus you on a Mac. Figured I had something goofy in my config somewhere didn't bother trying again. I am running all of the latest versions of everything.

@wjernigan - I see that you live in Chandler. I live in Gilbert. I've been using the Helix for a few years now and a Variax of some form or other for over 10 years. I used to run it all through an L2T regularly at gigs - recently changed to a Powercab. Just saying that I have a lot of experience with this stuff. PM me. I might be able to help you work through some of this stuff.

If you add up the cost of a Stomp + Es-8, wouldn't a Helix Floor give you that and more?

I have typically been an 8 Snapshot layout user. But, in reality, a couple of the snapshots weren't that different - maybe adding a stomp on/off. I probably could have been a 4/4 user with the exception on 1 preset where I did need 5 snapshots within that preset. I don't use that many presets during a gig. I can get most of what I need with snapshots. I've been playing with this new config ability and it is VERY cool. I could be a 4/4 Snap/Stomp user, and when needed, hit the Mode button to go to 10 stomps/snaps to go deeper. Now that I am thinking about the possibilities, I started messing around while in the 10 Stomp Mode. When I assign one of the switches to be a snapshot, the switch LED does not remain "on" like it does when turning on a stomp, or like when in Snapshot mode, indicating which snapshot you are on. Has anyone else tried/noticed this? Not a big deal, just seeing if perhaps I have done something wrong. EDIT: I figured it out! If you choose to customize the color/name of the Snapshot, what I described above happens. Perhaps a minor bug. But if you just pick an existing Snapshot and change nothing else, the LED reacts as expected.

Perfect! Thanks for the details.

Thanks for the info! I have a couple L2's that don't change as well. I've been manually changing the setting on the back. Gonna follow your steps and see if that works.

I use the Synth9 in a similar fashion but without the midi, as it does not support midi (more on that later). I have it where I can have only guitar, only synth, or a mix of the 2 with snapshots and external expression pedal. I get comments/questions just about every gig asking if we are using backing tracks, or how am I generating the keyboard sounds. I wish the Helix could produce polyphonic synth sounds - maybe one day - but for now, the Synth9 does a fantastic job for me. Since the Synth9 is not programmable, I actually use 2 of them set at different pre-configured sounds. I don't want to be changing knobs between songs. I have ordered one of these, and looking forward to being able to use midi in the Helix to control the Synth9 and make use of more sounds: https://www.microdesignum.cz/EN/Products/MIDI-Modules/MIDI-Control-for-Electro-Harmonix-x9

I would like to see a picture of you Helix path. I just started messing around with MG2 yesterday and find it intriguing. I currently have an EXH Synth9 in my setup for the occasional synth sounds (people often think we are playing to tracks when it’s actually the Synth9). It is a great sounding pedal with amazing tracking, but it is difficult to get different sounds for different songs because you have to turn knobs to get them. Not easy during a gig. I see using MG2 as a much more flexible solution.

I used to use a Digitech GSP-1101 and this feature existed on that device. It was the ONLY thing that I missed when I switched to the Helix a couple years ago. It's not something I use a lot, but in some songs it really reduces the tap dancing where I am switching back and forth several times within the song.

+1 for Eneloop batteries from me as well. Use them in my XD-V75 mic for several months now - 4 hour gigs with plenty of time left afterward.

Richie Castellano does have some great videos showing how he programs different patches with amps versus FRFR, stereo versus mono, snapshots, and more. Very helpful for me. I watched them before taking the leap to a Helix (about a week ago). I've also read a ton on the forum and I'm VERY happy with the tones I'm getting now (using an L3T). I will continue to experiment and I can imagine that I will get even happier as I learn more.

I agree with @rvroberts. This "sounds" like the sound man's issue, and not yours. Having done sound for my band for a number of years now (I am NO expert though) that this type of squeal sound would be more typical to mic/monitor issues rather than a guitar issue. I think you should be confident moving forward that YOU or your setup are NOT the problem here.

One time I had an issue with the M20D and one of my L3M's during a gig. That one speaker sounded awful. We took a break and I swapped out the cable (was using a short XLR cable versus an AES cable) and the problem has not reoccurred since. It's been at least 2 years. I was not able to recreate the problem with that cable at home so I'm not sure if it was the cable or just that it wasn't properly seated into the speaker. I do wish they would click in as I have had someone accidentally pull one out.

I ran into this problem. After deleting the files on my Mac, I thought it would free up the space but it did not. Do as Silverhead says or pop the SD card into a PC and you'll see extra directories on there to remove.

I tune my 69 down a half step all the time. I have had it 3 years maybe? Alt tunings all work just fine. I'd say there is something faulty going on.

I have not seen this either nor do I recall seeing this posted before. Not that this is helpful to you. I'm sure that if anyone has seen this, they will respond.

The recording is a live performance (using the M20D) and plenty of pics with my black JTV69. I switched out the neck a couple of years ago. I bought the guitar when they first came out - this was a pre-order. Been using it regularly since then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzyzDviVRLA

Been doing this for years now without any issues whatsoever. One other thing to be aware of is if you are setting up your own tuning on the fly, where you play the notes you want and save it. It does everything relative to the twelfth fret by default. However, if you are tuned down a 1/2 step, then everything moves one fret. So your "base" becomes the 13th fret instead of the 12th.

We record every gig so that each guy can review their own performance. As one band member says, "tape don't lie". If something doesn't sound right, you have proof of it and you can work on making it better. It certainly does tame some egos.