datacommando

Hi Jase, Don’t know if anyone else has encountered this, but I certainly haven’t experienced any degradation in audio quality since the upgrade to v2.70. I am still running High Sierra as I’ve been too busy to switch over to Mojave yet. You say all the audio going into your Helix from the Mac is distorted. From that info, I guess your monitor/speaker system is connected to the Helix. If so, does the audio from iTunes or whatever distort when played through your computer speakers? Do you have another audio interface you can patch in to test your system with? If you can eliminate the bits you know have changed, you may narrow it down to the cause of the distortion. If everything was fine and now it’s not then it could be that it’s a glitch with the driver you have installed. You could try removing it and reverting back to see if the audio problem persists. It would be worth knowing if others have this issue.

Hi gordwait, I stopped using my trusty Focusrite Saffire audio interface a couple of years back when I got my Helix. It wasn’t needed anymore, as Helix can deliver 8 channels of USB audio directly into Logic, plus the Focusrite used FireWire which was no longer an option on the new iMacs. That gives you 3 stereo channels or 6 mono on channels 1 through 6. Channels 7 and 8 are dedicated for re-amping use, e.g. DI guitar on 7 and DI vocal on 8, or whatever. I guess that would make the Tascam redundant. I really don’t understand why you would want to run the Tascam alongside the Helix? I can’t see any advantages there. I have everything on my iMac Retina5 running in and out of Logic and into a pair of 8” Tannoy Reveal monitors via the Helix - no issues here. It just works! Oh, yeah it does MIDI also. I guess you read read the stuff in the owner’s manual about Mac Core Audio - if not, find it here: https://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c975d5787c3e351aa0/application/pdf/Helix 2.0 Owners Manual - Rev D - English .pdf

Hello again, O.K. you can connect your iMac to your Helix Floor unit by using USB to HXEdit. - Yes? Your problem is that you are unable to install the latest v2.70 firmware onto your Helix? - Yes? If you have followed the directions which I provided in the previous post, something must have gone wrong with the installation after the download of the software. When you first bought your Helix, and connected it to your Mac, the Line 6 software that came with the unit would have been placed in a folder named Line6 within your Applications folder. This is where HX Edit should be. If you go to that folder you can check that you have the correct version installed. If for some reason you have moved the Editor, then maybe you have an alias pointing back to the older version and that can cause the problem. When you launch HX edit, you will be able to tell if it is the latest version, because in the bottom left corner of the editor screen is a new button named "My Account" - if that is not there then you should remove the old version of HXEdit, and any shortcut/alias that is attached to it, then install the correct version - you cannot update without this step. If you check, and you have the correct v2.70 HX Edit, close it down and/or any other Line 6 software which may be running. In fact shut down all applications the are not needed. Now you can run the Updater, which should be version 1.15 - if it is not, then you will not be able to update. You must use version 1.15 Updater and if your USB connection is good, you will be able to download the latest Firmware over the internet and directly into your hardware Helix. After installation the Helix will re-boot and rebuild the presets. You can run the new HXEdit and in the bottom bar of the screen will be an icon of the Helix 2.70. if it says Helix 2.60 or something else then the update has failed. You must double check that you are using the correct versions of all the software for this to work. If you have tried all these methods and your Helix still appears to be not responding as it should, you could try any of the inbuilt reset options that are listed here: https://helixhelp.com/reset-options/ Hope this makes sense. Good luck

Hi, There are other posts detailing the v2.70 “marketplace” update process, but I guess you must have missed them, so try this:  First thing to do is go here: https://line6.com/software/ Now you are on the Line 6 downloads page, you should select HX Edit under the All Software tab and then whatever version of Windows, or Mac OS you are using from All OS on the dropdown menus. This will take you to the current version 2.70 HX Edit “The Marketplace Update” download page. This is the only thing you need to download and install first. When you install HX Edit it will also install the latest Line6 Updater v1.15 and any other drivers etc., that you may need. After the new HX Edit software has been installed, reboot your computer.  When you’ve done this, run the HX Edit software and from the menu select the option to make a back up. This will make a backup of all your stuff in your Helix, presets, global, IRs etc. When this has finished shutdown HX Edit, then launch the new Line 6 Updater v1.15. If all your USB connections are good the Updater should see your Helix. You can now proceed with the firmware upgrade to firmware v 2.70, over your internet connection. Do not disconnect or turn off the power to your Helix during this update process. When completed your Helix will reboot and rebuild the presets, then you are good to go, no hardware reset is required.  Hope this helps/makes sense

Hi once again MLJ, You mention having little, or no information available about routing using the 7CM. I stumbled over a couple of threads you may have already seen, but if not check them out and maybe they will be helpful. O.K. This first one does say 4CM but it does reference set up for 7 cable. Or this one which features a screen shot of 7 cable routing in HX Edit (from forum user “VirtualGuitars”) which seems relatively easy enough to follow. https://line6.com/support/topic/34431-hx-effects-signal-chain-7-cable-method/ Hope this helps.

Hi tearitupbaby, Glad to see you were impressed by Twighlight Zone, the 1984 hit from Golden Earring. They did a lot more than Radar Love, Here’s something else by them, from ten years previously, which even includes an early example of sampling of Marilyn Monroe’s voice from the movie “There’s No Business Like Show Busniness”. I sometimes wonder if Fleetwood Mac listened to this before they came up with Tusk? Here ya go - from the classic 1974 album “Moontan” (hang on in there till about 3:13)

Hi again MLJ, I hope that my response to your post didn’t come across as me being glib, but, in the case of a new user, I would generally regard the manual and videos would be the usual places to start figuring out the fault. It appears obvious that you are beyond those simple quick fix options and it it very annoying for you. I have to admit that I don’t own the HX Effects, although many of the solutions are common because the base operating platform is the same throughout the Helix family of products. The particular issues you describe are not ones that I’m familiar with or have come across in other posts. The only thing that I can suggest at this point is to raise a ticket with Customer Support, or as noted by “jbuhajla” in the post above, give them a call. Failing that, the thing which will really get things moving is to post your problem in the Helix section on The Gear Page or the Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/line6helixusergroup/) and mark it for the attention of Frank Ritchotte. Frank is the man, if he cannot arrange to fix it - no one can. Line 6 employees don’t usually hang out on this forum. Good luck, and sorry I couldn’t help out with this one - hope you get it resolved quickly.

Hi MLJGTR, The Factory reset procedure will usually be all you need to do to clear any bugs from your HXFX, unless you have a serious hardware failure, which are pretty rare events. You could re-flash the firmware into the unit as there is nothing to lose by doing that. Also, sorry to hear that you don’t seem to be getting the answers you want from Line 6 support, they are general very good. Much as I don’t like to say this, but most of what you are describing could well be down to “user error”, through unfamiliarity with a new box of tricks. It may seem obvious, but the Owner Manual is well worth taking the time to study. Line 6 no longer produce a printed copy, although the Adobe Acrobat pdf version is available to download here: https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3d3f4a5a6a1897ecdf6/application/pdf/HX Effects 2.50 Owners Manual - English .pdf Furthermore in the bottom right hand side of this page there is a large black dot containing a question mark within a white circle. If you click on it, it opens to reveal a “quick help centre” and there is a section for video tutorials about HX Effects which you may find useful. Hope this helps.

Yes!

The title of this thread is a little... Well what can I say, but it must be borderline libellous due to the fact it appears to be defamation. I'm no lawyer, but just stating what seems to be dangerous ground. Anyhow, whenever I put patches on Customtone, it's with the full knowledge that others will modify them to their own needs. That's what it's all about, one size does not fit all. Therefore, do not upload preset patches to be shared if you don't want others to hack them around. Once you post them they are in the public domain. That's why all those patches get sucked up and burned onto CDs and sold on FleaBay - because they can! I have had a couple people credit me for using one or two of my patches that they have later evolved to something more. I don't expect any praise, although it's always welcome. It's like when you help some other Helix user on here to fix a problem, or squash a bug, it's not done for any gain - it's done because we can. Good luck with the court case! EDIT: check out Glenn’s Hammond B3 demo on YouTube from Feb 2016 and the OPs video dated Jan 2018 I do believe that Glenn should be due an apology.

Hi lezadduluc, First thing to do is go here: https://line6.com/software/ Now you are on the Line 6 downloads page, you should select HX Edit under the All Software tab and then whatever version of Windows, or Mac OS you are using from All OS on the dropdown menus. This will take you to the current version 2.70 HX Edit “The Marketplace Update” download page. This is the only thing you need to download and install first. When you install HX Edit it will also install the latest Line6 Updater v1.15 and any other drivers etc., that you may need. After the new HX Edit software has been installed, reboot your computer.  When you’ve done this, run the HX Edit software and from the menu select the option to make a back up. This will make a backup of all your stuff in your LT, presets, global, IRs etc. When this has finished shutdown HX Edit, then launch the new Line 6 Updater v1.15. If all your USB connections are good the Updater should see your Helix. You can now proceed with the firmware upgrade to firmware v 2.70, over your internet connection. Do not disconnect or turn off the power to your Helix during this update process. When completed your Helix will reboot and rebuild the presets, then you are good to go, no hardware reset is required. Hope this helps/makes sense Any problems with this - let me know!

Hi rudomat, There appears be a slight variation to the install routine with this firmware version (2.70) When you run the Line 6 Updater there is a pre-update message which states: 1. Download and install the latest version of HX Edit 2. Open HX Edit and from the pull down menu, select "Create Backup..." Follow the prompts to create a full-state back upon your Helix (setlist, presets, IRs and Global Settings). 3. Using Line 6 Updater, update your Helix's firmware. I don't know if this is the procedure you followed, but if not - give it a try. Note: You must ensure that you close HX Edit v2.70 before launching the Updater software. You will know you are running v2.70 HX Edit, because in the bottom left corner there is an additional new button named "My Account" Hope this helps.

Hi Steve, Edit: You stated Line 6 Updater 1.15? Surely that’s a typo and you meant Line6 Updater v1.14 If you have followed precisely the procedure given earlier in this thread, then I suggest the first recourse would be to do a Factory reset on the HXFX. You didn’t mention if you had tried this, if not follow these instructions and see if it fixes the problem. HX Effects: Turn unit off and then turn back on. Hold Footswitch 6 and Tap throughout the boot process, until you see that your factory presets are loading. If you run into any trouble with a failed update or your unit will not boot up, try powering on while holding the right arrow ">" This will put the unit into update mode and you can re-install the latest firmware from there. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it may be a little more serious, then you will need to raise a ticket with Line 6 and they will deal with it. Furthermore, I thought I had recalled having seen this error being discussed elsewhere on this forum. I did a search and I found this thread which seems to match your issue, so it may be helpful to check it out. Hope this helps.

Hi, once more, As previously noted, I’m happy to help out if and when I can, but whatever direction you go and whatever you decide to go with, have fun with this stuff. Also, I found this video that may interest you, (or maybe not), anyhow check it out: Happy trails.

Hi again, JL, Hey, it’s not a problem. When you are new to something, and are unsure of what to do, the best thing to do is to ask. Let’s try to clarify things. O.K. I guess you are using Cubase because it was bundled with the Steinberg audio interface. Good deal, and a way in to digital recording. Although one thing to note is the UR28M doesn’t have MIDI capability. It’s an audio interface not a MIDI controller which is what you probably require in this instance. As for audio input, the Helix can do everything , and more, than the Steinberg unit so you could possibly take that box out of the equation. There is no need to take a perfectly good audio signal and then push it through a second bunch of analogue/digital conversion - that way lies madness! (distortion!) As you are just starting out with recording, my suggestion would be to use your Helix Floor to capture the DI dry audio and route it back in and out of the Helix where you can modify the raw audio on the fly and record the results onto new stereo tracks back in Cubase. You could do this as many times as you require, manipulating filter sweeps, delay time/feedback, wah or whatever, to your hearts content. Bear in mind that if you wanted to do this using only HX Native you would have to use your UR28M to get the dry signal into Cubase, then that has to be modified on the fly using an external device. If you check the posts on the Helix Native forum, you will notice that most users are using hardware MIDI cotrollers to achieve what you seem to think you need. A inexpensive solution would be the Behringer FCB1010, but I think this would simply be adding to the confusion as all the controllers need to be mapped to Helix Native. I mention the Behringer rather than something like SoftStep because it has 2 expression pedals on board. However going this route will only be a minefield of trying to create a real time performance version of what can be done with a real Helix. If you decide this is the way to go you probably should read this thread and check the section on Cubase set up: In conclusion, here’s a couple of really good quotes regarding HX Native from forum member “soundog”: “HXN works amazingly well for its intended use. Select a preset for a guitar track and rock out. If you need more time-based control within a track, the snapshot and parameter control delivers in spades.  And it keeps getting upgraded along with the Helix so its not just another "release it and forget it" plug-in. If you intend to use HXN as some sort of switch-controllable software for performance (creating a low-cost Helix), you may face hurdles.” Also “HXN was created and is marketed as a DAW recording plugin — not a host-based, MIDI-controlled effects ‘pedal.’ I understand those wanting to push it in that direction, but not sure if it will evolve to support that application.  We shall see...“ Hope this helps/makes sense, if not just let me know. (Ah, Cubase - I haven’t use it for years, but I remember using an early incarnation of it, Pro 24 MIDI sequencer on an Atari ST. That was cutting edge technology back then.)

Hi JL, Now I’m starting to become really confused, particularly about this statement: “wants to be able to use the Helix, as an expression pedal and effect changer, in conjunction with Native during recording so that we can use wah, change from clean to distortion, visa-versa, etc.” That’s kinda weird because the Helix hardware is equipped with an expression pedal (with the option of adding 2 more external pedals) that can be assigned to a variety of functions, for example delay time and or feedback, pitch shifting range, modulation speed etc. Snapshots can and will change from clean to distortion all in real time, plus phasing, flanging and stacks of other stuff, without the need for Helix Native whatsoever! You simply play and record the Helix in real time using as many snapshot options as you may require. Native really is not part of the equation. If you have the hardware, then that can perform a multitude of sound manipulation tasks in real time as you record. Control of Native is a completely different issue as it can perform everything that hardware does without having the actual hardware connected. If you only have Helix Native then the sound creation engine is identical, but then you would require a method controlling the software to do what the hardware does with physical foot switches and expression pedals. That’s a different issue, or maybe I am failing to see the problem. Baffled!

Hi, Helix is far superior to what you are currently using. Recording and re-amping with Helix is extremely simple with 8 channels of USB. This will allow you to record your sound in stereo on USB 1 and 2, and simultaneously the unaltered dry signal on USB channel 7. I don’t quite understand what you mean by “but also use the helix to control effects in helix native in real time while recording”. It’s not quite the best way to work with this technology. Native is a complete Helix in software, minus expression pedals. Once you have a recording of your “dry” signal, you can simply send that signal back into your hardware Helix and though any alternative preset for a totally different sound. Plus you will have both hands free to play around with any parameters you wish to manipulate. Furthermore, you mention Helix Native. Again, once you have the basic “dry” sound captured in your DAW, by utilising whatever audio interface you wish, you can run that through Native and change things as you want. It’s extremely simply. So, to summarise, a hardware version of Helix will allow you to capture pristine audio into you DAW for the purposes of re-amping or further modification. If you are already capable of getting audio to your computer, then Native will do everything via software. Note, I have both Native and a Helix Floor unit. If the hardware has to travel elsewhere, I still can work on audio projects in the studio using all the same amp presets, effects etc, through Native. It’s the mutts nuts, and you can forget about POD Farm (I would never consider it now), the amps and effects are far higher quality and Line 6 have ported all the Legacy FX from the older modelling units into the Helix range. Hope this helps/makes sense. Also, have a quick look at this to see it at work:

Hi Joeleft, Good to know you’re up and running. Have fun!

Hi, To me, it seems to have that Bon Jovi voice box gargle to it, have a look at the long live version on UChoob. I suggest you have a play around in the Legacy Effects section, check out the filters, especially Obi Wah, V-Tron and Voicebox. There must be something to get you close using one of them in your patch. Oh, yeah, I think you may need a flanger on there also. Good luck.

Oops! Retract that! My mistake - Steve Hackett currently uses Fernandes. I was lead to believe the wrong information that I repeated here in my earlier post! Steve Hackett’s official web site clearly states that the guitar on that album was a 1957 Les Paul Goldtop. Thanks for pointing out my error. It’s only Tuesday - but it’s already been “one of those weeks”.

Hi, I thought that he had registered his Helix with Line 6, but was still having issues with his computer failing to see it? Maybe I misunderstood the situation.

Hi, It may help to know what computer system you are trying to hook up to. Quite a lot of issues stem from USB connections, but as you are not using a hub it clears that point. A little more info could help solve the problem.

All of the above suggestions are worth a shot, but for that solo, Steve Hackett currently uses a Fernandes sustainer system. An Ebow and compression for my money though.

Hi ianard73, Here’s a preset that I made a couple of years back. It has that semitone drop assigned to one of the footswitches. Check it out to see how it works. You can copy and paste the drop effect it into whatever you are working on. Hope this helps/makes sense. https://line6.com/customtone/tone/2031305/

Hi duncann, I wouldn't particularly know about the ASUS product, and/or bundled software. The point is that, this young man stated on his opening post that ASUS had told him of a compatibility issue, and what he wanted to do appears to have been causing the BSOD. Several users on here advised him, that when faced with the BSOD situation, the usual course of action is to strip out all the drivers and do a clean install of Windoze 10. Essentially, strip back to basics. It now seems that message has finally sunk in and he got the computer to work alone with his Helix perfectly well. Apparently, he cannot be happy with that, he has continued to plough his own furrow, and installed the softwares that he originally was told by tech support were incompatible. Some people will never stop tinkering with things.