mike-w

I have a Variax and a Helix. I want to buy a Stadium. Would I be able to use the Helix and VDI for the Variax and have the Stadium control the Helix via Midi? I know the D10 will accomplish this, but I don't know what I'd get for resale on my Helix, and it could be worth keeping for the Variax if this would work.

I have an old MBPro I use for Helix editing in my basement practise space. I had to roll 3.15 back to 3.11 to restore from my backup bundle after the update. I took the Helix to an iMac upstairs, and an export with HX 3.15 worked fine. Troubleshooting the MBPro, I reinstalled Helix Driver 1.1.0, and restarted it, but it only works with HX 3.11. Any kind of import or export with HX 3.15 causes a crash

Thank You! This shouldn't require a google search, it should be in a manual somewhere. The graphic explains it perfectly. Here's another page with more helpful Trem waveforms: https://tremolo-project.blogspot.com/2017/09/line-6-helix-all-tremolo-modes-examined.html

Problem Solved - it was indeed, my misunderstanding. I don't get into Global settings very often, and wasn't aware of these settings. I set EXP 2 & 3 to Snapshots, and it's behaving the way I want. Added bonus, I'm setting EXP 1 on Global - based on codamedia's suggestion. I usually have it dimed anyway. Thanks to both of you for quick replies, and your help.

It seems a snapshot isn't what I would expect a snapshot to be. I think of a Snapshot as saving the current parameters of the Helix - or any other device - a Snapshot of things as the currently are to be uniquely saved for this particular state. I have EXP 2 and 3 pedals that control the mixes of Delays and Reverbs. On one snapshot, I want them really wet, and others, I want them drier - but I'd still like the flexibility of changing the mix with a pedal on the fly. So on the wet snapshot, I'll dial the pedals up and and save before leaving it. When I go back to the drier snapshots, they're all wet now. And yes, the mix parameters on each are properly [bracketed]. After digging and consulting a friend, I discovered that Snapshots are assigned on the Controller page - just like a footswitch or pedal - so not my understanding of what a snapshot is from other contexts. I'd like to see Snapshots save parameters that are changed by controllers - an actual "snapshot" of the current Helix state - and any changes brought about by pedal controllers. Any suggestions with the current architecture, or maybe my understanding of it?

OK. Opt-Click the number - [brackets appear] - use the arrows to change the value. I was Opt-Clicking the arrows before. FWIW, I did an "opt snapshot" search and still didn't find anything about this in the Pilot's Guide. Thanks again to all who have taken time to help. This key change works perfect and is seamless compared to a preset change.

Push and Turn - so easy! Still getting Snapshots figured out. I was an early Helix purchaser, and I play less and less these days... So I got tuning snapshots working on the Helix. I haven't figured out how to get brackets on the editor. I'm on Mac OS and none of the keys I tried would produce brackets. Interesting that doing a search for "brackets" in the Helix manual, yielded the "push and turn" advice above. Searching the Pilot Guide, "brackets" doesn't get a hit. I did some more searching and as far as I can tell, this isn't explained in that manual - or not clear enough for me maybe. So, what's the magic "alt" key in the Mac OS editor? Thanks again.

Thanks for the help. Tried all the above a couple different times. I'm still not getting it. I have the VAx tuning parameter in Custom for both snapshots - in other words, I do a standard tuning as a Custom/all 0's. If I change the tuning and save, go to the next snapshot, change the tuning and save - I'm left with the last tuning for both snapshots. For clarity, the VAx is set to Model. If I switch between presets and back, the VAx is being properly forced to the model and tone setting - but the tuning is the last saved for both snapshots. I've tried this both on the Helix, and Helix Edit 2.21 - I only get the last tuning saved.

I've been trying to save a key change from Drop D to Drop Eb on a snapshot. Can this be done? I have the Helix Variax settings set to Per Preset. All I get is the current tuning, not the change.

A little late in the thread, but this may help anyone who has bricked a Helix. I had one of the first ones into Canada in Dec. 2015. Some Mac/El Cap users had trouble with bricking before Helix 1.12. Mine bricked 2 or 3 times, and the first time, I returned it to the shop as well. What I discovered is that you boot your Mac into safe mode by holding the Shift Key, and then use the updater. It restored my Helix at least a couple of times. Something to try before you send it away if you've got upcoming gigs.

I'm answering my own question... Thanks for your posts. I didn't quite understand this when I read it earlier in the day. I gathered that Parameters are treated differently than Blocks but didn't understand the method for Parameters. To get the Variax to change with different Snapshots, you need to assign the controller on the Helix. So, select the Input Block, go to Page 2, and press and hold the second knob - Preset Variax Model. Brackets will appear around the parameter. Here's the copy from Page 35 of the new manual: http://line6.com/support/manuals/helix

I took a factory Jazz Rivet 120 preset and started experimenting with it while following the manual. On Snapshot 1, I picked Custom 4, and on Snapshot 2, I picked Custom 5. I get the last guitar selected or saved instead of having it switch guitars when switching between snapshots. On page 2 of the Input Block, Variax Settings are set at Per Preset. Global Settings>Preferences>Snapshot Edit is set to Recall. It's the same whether I do this on the Helix or on the Editor. However, Blocks switch on and off on different Snapshots. Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong? The manual isn't any more specific about how to do this.

Thanks jasdadgad, Made me look... I checked and all my drives on this system are Seagates. I've still had some connection problems with the Helix Edit software, but nothing like before. At worst, I have success on something like the third try, when there's a problem.

The newest update for El Cap, and Helix software and firmware version 1.12 have finally fixed this problem.

Finally! I did the El Cap update today, got a bundle saved off the old way - in Safe Mode - rebooted and updated the Helix software and firmware to 1.12. Golden! I like the new editor. It's been a long wait - I still suspect El Cap as the culprit. No matter, it seems great and Line 6 is now able to work the kinks out of the much improved software. I haven't seen my TimeMachine drive in weeks because of connectivity issues and the fact that even after a week or so, the disk seems to be indexing or something, and isn't showing up. USB 3 was available on Windows computers when Apple built this Mac... Hope this version of El Cap fixes ALL USB issues. Thanks to all for making Helix/El Cap right.

My hub didn't work. Still had to boot to Safe Mode do export a bundle - but this time, even that didn't work. It's always worked at some point, in Safe Mode since December...

Thanks for the replies. I'll try my USB 2.0 hub tonight. And Igloo, thanks to Line 6 for ironing this out. I look forward to the update.

I'm reduced to only playing a church gig in a small, wonderfully live early 1900's church that has an amphitheatre C-Shape. My faithful Demeter pre-amp is showing it's age, so I did the same thing, without the FOH feed. I usually play guitar, but the couple times I've covered bass, I've used the Helix with preamp models, into my Crest power amp and a Goliath II. The SV Beast Normal pre sounded wonderful, but it was a little too big for the room, so I used the G Cougar 800 pre. I still like the consistency of "my gear with my sound" on stage. It takes a certain soundman to get DI right and I've worked with too many that couldn't deliver to my satisfaction. I've often felt like I'm "mentally compensating" to play - instead of just playing. The pastor of this church is a really good working soundman with a pro system that he loads in every week - one reason this church felt like "home", even before we played there. He has bass players in a couple of his regular bands that run DI. He'd like to bring his bigger JBL monitor in and have me try it sometime. It will probably be a while, but I'll let you know when I do.

USB problems? Don't take your Helix back to the dealer. Boot your computer to Safe Mode. That works on a Mac, and I think I recall there being a way to do that on Windows. I had an issue with my Helix the first day, when I tried to update the firmware. I'm using Mac OS X El Capitan. When I got it back from the shop, the Updater wiped my Helix out again. Still no fix since early December, still waiting for a fix from either Apple or Line 6. Now I see Windows users are having the same issues, so maybe it's not El Cap. Temporary solution: Boot your Mac into Safe mode by rebooting holding the Shift Key down. It won't work every time, you will eventually update firmware and use the Helix app. after some repeated tries. Important - Drag and Drop presets into a Folder in the Finder - then try to Export a Bundle. Be prepared to Force Quit the Helix app if it disconnects and try again. The Quit option isn't available. A couple of weeks ago, I reset my PMU on the Mac after reading some threads about USB issues. It didn't fix the problem. The Updater locked the Helix up again tonight when updating to Firmware 1.06,0. I had to boot to Safe Mode, roll it back to to 1.04.3 to unlock it because it wouldn't take 1.06.0. Luckily, all the presets I worked on were intact when it rebooted. I was able to Drag-and-Drop my presets onto Finder, but the Helix app. kept disconnecting consistently when I tried to Export a Bundle. I was then able to get the Helix to Update to 1.06.0, and export Bundles and Setlists successfully after unplugging/plugging and rebooting the Helix app. because the Helix kept disconnecting, or wouldn't be recognized by the app. We really need a fix for the USB problems.

I'm having the same issue on an older iMac with the most current version of El Cap, and USB 2 ports. I've tried 3 different cables - one with a "wart" with no success, and discovered when I wiped out my brand new Helix last month, that I need to resort to booting the iMac into Safe Mode - holding the Shift Key down on boot. Even tonight, the Helix app would only export a bundle successfully in Safe Mode after I drag-and-dropped the presets I'd been working on safely into the Finder. Before the drag-and-drop, I had to Force Quit the Helix app 4-5 times because it would start to export and get to 1% - 8% tops - and go offline, and then there's no way to quit the app. After the drag and drop, I had success exporting a bundle. Go figure. After my presets and bundle were safely on the iMac, the update to Firmare 1.04.3 went fine in Safe Mode. As an extra precaution, I recommend downloading the Firmware Update from the Downloads page, and installing it using the Choose File button in Line 6 Updater. I don't trust the USB at this point. I suspect El Cap as well, and hope to see a resolution soon. I expect better from Apple. This issue has been reported since December, if not sometime in November that I'm aware of. I know there was a post from Line 6 on the HD500 forum, that there were issues with El Cap. The local Line 6 techs have had Helix's returned that failed the update process and were wiped out. They have brought them back on a Windows computer - without the presets that were created.

So glad it helped. An Update: I didn't have success at first, but I was able to get bundles to export from the Helix app a after a couple more tries. I then put some presets I got from CustomTone on, and it imported successfully. Safe mode seems to be the only way to get things to work for now. I didn't mention earlier, that I downloaded the file HELIX_104.2_bundle.hxf and installed it from my hard drive using the Choose File button, in case someone else has an issue with Line 6 Updater using the regular update method.

I brought my new Helix home and hooked it up to my iMac - running fully updated OS 10.11.2. I tried to export a bundle from the Helix app and kept getting a "Helix is not Connected" message after it had tried to export about 3% of the Helix. The app froze and I had to Force Quit it a number of times. Tried three different USB cables as well. Tried to confirm I had the most recent update. The Line 6 updater can't be found on the Helix pages. You have to go to Support/Downloads... and be specific about what you are searching for in the drop-down menus. In my case, it wiped the Helix out. The support team at Line 6 were great, but the result was that they told me to take it back to the store. The guys at Long & McQuade did some messing around and finally connected it to a few computers and got it updated. However, when i got it home, the Helix app wasn't working still. I downloaded the latest version. I tried to refresh the unit with the Updater - Boot Error problems again. The Solution: I booted my iMac into Safe Mode by holding the Shift Key down on reboot. It takes some time. I was able to restore the Helix. The Helix app, same issues, both in Safe Mode and Normal. Version 1.02 is the latest version. It seems to me that there is a big USB conflict with El Capitan. Line 6 had issues with older models and El Cap recently. If I had a spare drive around, I'd install a Yosemite partition and try the Helix app from there.

What about software compatibility? When my X3Live cratered and I bought an HD 500X a couple of months ago, I've had to start everything from the ground up. I didn't realize that I I had a "signature" sound on the X3L, but I've not been able to recreate it. I've actually thought of selling my HD and going back to the X3. It would be nice if past tones could translated to the next, new improved device. So, will my .5xe tones import to the Helix? I'm not interested in starting from the ground up on yet another device in a few more months, when I haven't really gotten the HD 500x anywhere close to where I need it to be.

Thanks for the help. It worked this time. The only thing I did different from before, is that I unplugged the 500x from my computer before I saved. Not exactly sure if that was the fix, but I got it this time.

New HD500x User. I'd like to have the 4 Edit Knobs live to tweak Reverb Mix and Dwell on stage. My EXP pedals are assigned to other functions. It seems to me that in Signal Flow view, the default down arrow position is always over the Mod effect (in the manual examples as well), making it necessary to use the <•> arrows to move it to another block to change parameters. Is there a way to save the Down Arrow position over a chosen effect block for quick access? Couldn't find this in the manuals, and my best attempts were uncsuccesful.