datacommando

Yup, it may be frankly ridiculous, but to Line 6 it’s known as “copy protection”.

Hi, Well, IIRC, v.1.06.5 was the first ever update to the Helix firmware, from way back in February 2016. If the unit you have acquired has been sitting in a garage and subject to various amounts of humidity, cold and condensation over that amount of time, I’m surprised that it is not simply an issue with the USB. Anyhow, even though the release notes state that you can update to 3.71 from any earlier release, you should be aware that there was a major change to the Helix Core engine at v. 2.80. It may be advisable to try installing an earlier revision of the firmware and then a couple of other increments, before making the jump to the latest. Oh, yeah - you didn’t mention what computer and operating system you are using? The front USB ports on some PCs act like a USB hub and can cause problems. If this is the case, then try connecting the USB to a port on the rear of your computer. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, When seeking assistance from Forum users it's a really good idea to supply as much information as possible regarding the computer and operating system you are using. I find a couple of things in your post are somewhat confusing. First, you mention FW 3.70, although the current version is 3.71. You also state that following instruction from the Line 6 site, you were using the Updater Utility for the installation, and then you encountered a failure of the installation. Hmm… curious. The usual, and recommended way to update the firmware is by using HX Edit application, and according to the Release Notes for v.3.71 it can take quite sometime and about half way through the install is very likely that you will encounter a “Boot Failure” - THIS IS NORMAL. Please read - link here: You could/should also try following the instructions in the link posted by @SaschaFranck on the page you said you visited regarding this issue. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, Are you certain that this is actually a result of having the USB connected? The reason I ask is because I have found that the constant rebuilding of presets is usually indicative of a corrupt preset somewhere in the device. See the post from @theElevatorsabove and follow the advice given to see it this fixes the issue, before raising a ticket. If you still have issues after Reset/Restore trick, then contact Customer Service. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Yes, Line 6 figured it out a while back, but at the cost of sacrificing one of the DSP chips in the lager Helix units. Actually, this is exactly the same technique that was used by the old DigiTech GSP1101, 2112 and 2120 - as documented by Digital Igloo, in the Firmware 3.0 update release notes. The way to handle this issue without losing DSP power is to use “Snapshots”, which allow you to control up to 64 different parameters within your preset. This means you can essentially have presets within presets, complete with true reverb and delay spillover trails. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, That only works if you have a HX unit with a large screen and 6 Encoder knobs below, otherwise it should be: Within the Edit view screen, select a processing block within the signal flow and press ACTION. Press PAGE > once and turn Knob 3 (Snapshot Bypass) to set the behavior for the block. By default, all blocks are set to”On,” so that snapshots automatically control their bypass state. Change to “Off” to disable snapshot control of the selected block’s bypass state. Or from within HX Edit. To Store a Block’s Bypass State Per Snapshot - Click on the Bypass button above any block within the Signal Flow and set your desired bypass state for the block (or you can toggle the block’s Bypass button within the Edit tab). Any amp or effects block’s Bypass state will, by default, be remembered and recalled per Snapshot. If you prefer to exclude a block from being controlled by Snapshots, select the block and set the Snapshot Bypass option from the block’s right-click menu to “off” (so that no checkmark appears at the left of the menu option). Or, you can right-click on the block’s Bypass button within the top right of the Edit tab and access the Snapshot Bypass command from its menu. Choosing the Snapshot Bypass option from the menu again (so that the checkmark appears at the left of the menu command), returns the block to the default Snapshot behavior. Hope this helps/makes sense.

O.K. You tried following the info in the HXFX Manual and it didn’t work. Therefore, once again, I refer you to the statement from the website of the cable manufacturer: - “If you are unsure of this cable's functionality with your equipment, please contact us with your questions.” Seems simple enough to me, and they do specify that it works with the Line 6 HX Effects. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, I don’t understand why you should think that, because on the Best-Tronics site that you linked to, it clearly states - “Devices such as the RJM Mastermind PBC, Fractal FX 8, Line 6 HX Effects, etc are all devices that will work with this cable. Devices must be set to momentary switching. If you are unsure of this cable's functionality with your equipment, please contact us with your questions.” Info about channel switching with the HXFX can be found in the HX Effects 3.0 Owner’s Manual on pages 8 and 46. https://line6.com/data/6/0a00050e070d666767d27e720/application/pdf/HX Effects 3.0 Owner's Manual - English .pdf Hope this helps/makes sense.

It is highly unlikely that Line 6 are going to drop everything else they are currently working on just to fix one bug. Best guess is that it will continue to be a problem on all Helix products until the next update of the firmware, which has no actual predicted release date as yet, other than “later this year” - see previous posts (May 2024) above. Until it is fixed, you have the option of reverting back to a prior instance of the firmware that did function correctly. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, The SEND/RETURN blocks in the HXFX are mono, and IRs are also mono. From the HX Effects 3.0 Owner’s Manual > page 25 NOTE: Just like a true speaker cab, IR blocks are mono. Therefore, an IR block will sum any stereo source that is fed into it to mono. Page 25 also contains the info about SEND/RETURN blocks. Download available here: https://line6.com/data/6/0a00050e070d666767d27e720/application/pdf/HX Effects 3.0 Owner's Manual - English .pdf Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hmm… What exactly does that mean? AFAIK, the FX Loops in my Helix are still the same as they ever were, and I have been using them since 2015. During that time I have hooked up all sorts of other stuff, from cheapo Zoom MS-70CDR boxes, to vintage rack mounted delays, and multi-fx units plus, at one point way back, a POD HD500, just to be able to use the “Dimension” effect prior to the legacy effects being implemented in the HX Firmware. Oh, yeah - if you insist on sticking gain, distortion and overdrive pedals in the FX Loop you’re going to get noise - the clue is in the name of the effects. Maybe you should re-think how you utilise the hardware you have. As for your, “They should! Here is how:“ comment, you should note that this is a peer to peer user forum. There are no Line 6 staff here and only very occasionally do they visit these forums - (See the “sticky comment” in the black banner stripe at the top of this page entitled “Welcome to the Line 6 forums”). Hope this helps makes sense.

Yes, but when seeking assistance from Forum users it's a really good idea to supply as much information as possible regarding the computer and operating system, and DAW, you are using. O.K. Here we go. What you actually mean is, you have three amp modellers - Amplitube, SLT AmpHub, and Helix LT. If you are using your Helix LT as an audio interface, and it is connected via USB to your computer, anything sent out on USB 1&2 back through your LT with it’s input set on “Multi” should come out of the monitors that you have connected without any further processing from the Helix hardware. Consult the Helix LT 3.0 Owner’s Manual > page 69 > USB Audio. Download it here:- https://line6.com/data/6/0a00050e0745666769ce406d6/application/pdf/Helix LT 3.0 Owner's Manual - English .pdf Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, Steve, If you need to replace the pot in your EP1-L6, and you can use a soldering iron, it’s not a big job. If you don’t feel up to it, have a local electronics repair shop do the job. It’s not major surgery and the part you require is a 10K Ohm Linear Potentiometer. Also check the other things mentioned by @Schmalle in the post above. You don’t really need to be getting involved with international shipping for a little variable resistor. Hope this helps/makes sense.

No problem - Good to know that you are up and running. There are quite a few regular contributors in here who try to assist as much as possible, so you know where to look next time you’re stuck. Enjoy your new update.

Hi, You said that you are using a Windows 10 PC, and no hub is involved. Are you aware that on some PCs the front USB ports can behave like a hub and it is recommended that you connect to a USB slot on the rear of the machine. This rear port is most likely mounted directly to the board and is probably a more stable connection. Also, (more USB voodoo), just because the USB cable you're using works with your printer (or whatever) doesn't necessarily make it suitable to hookup to your Helix. Check all your cables if you are suffering drop out. This place is full of threads regarding flakey USB. Other than that, follow the advice from @silverhead above, and ensure both HX Edit and the firmware are the latest versions. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Nope. From the Helix Native Pilot’s Guide 3.70 - page 37 ”Configure any snapshot(s) with your desired settings for the current tone within Helix Native. Then, recall any snapshot from the Snapshots menu via your DAW host’s parameter automation or via external MIDI control (MIDI CC 69—see page 59). Snapshots created and exported from Helix/HX devices (via the HX Edit application) are also sup- ported within Helix Native, and vice-versa. This all presents some extremely powerful mix capabilities in your DAW, with the ability to instantly recall and change numerous Helix Native parameter settings in real-time!” Click on the question mark icon in the lower left corner of the main window and select “Pilot’s Guide” from the menu to read a pdf of the owner’s guide. Hope this helps/makes sense.

You have posted your comment about 8 years too late! IdeaScale or not, I guess this never got enough traction to be implemented. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, I don’t think you will get a response from the OP, as he only ever made the two posts in this thread, over a year back. Maybe he figured out that he only really needed the HX Stomp, which was what he originally had for his ampless rig.

HI, again, By now you should have realised that "-33" is NOT a normal use case. IIRC, I have only encountered this error once before with someone updating a HXFX device. The OP followed my advice at that time, and the issue seemed to be solved in his case. Here's the link. There is a whole world of USB voodoo that has been discussed at length, in this, and other forums across the interwebs. Rather than continuing down the road of repeatedly rebooting your hardware, and possibly causing even more damage, raise a ticket with Customer Support. Hope this helps/makes sense

Hi, I don’t know of any good reason why you would ask some one to deliberately put their piece of expensive hardware into a “failed state”? Reading through your “sequence”, it seems to me that this is a self inflicted USB glitch. Why would you want to power down your device while it is still communicating over USB via HX Edit? It is a known fact that HX Edit CANNOT CONNECT TO A UNIT IN A “FAILED STATE”. I would think that you may need to reinstall the latest firmware by using the Line 6 Updater Utility. O.K. Let’s try this - while the Helix is powered down, disconnect the USB from your computer and the Helix for about a minute, then reconnect them. DO NOT USE A USB HUB! Power up the Helix while holding down FS6 & 12. This should put you into Fail Safe Update mode. Next make sure that HX Edit is not running as it will interfere with this rescue attempt. Remember - HX Edit cannot connect to a device in a “Failed State”. Now launch the Line 6 Updater Utility v.1.28 and if it can see your Helix as a USB device, you can use this to re flash the latest v. 3.71 firmware. (Note: This routine has previously succeeded in fixing a -33 issue on a HXFX) Hope this helps/makes sense Also check this:-

Hi, The HX Stomp can be used as a regular 8 channel USB Audio Interface. which supplies the processed audio on channels 1&2, plus a mono DI signal on USB channels 5 or 6. Using your Scarlett will add another round of digital/analogue conversions to the process. Having said that, regular contributor @rd2rk uses a Scarlett in his recording process and seems to have no issues. The techniques for recording and re-amping a dry signal using your HX Stomp is covered on pages 56- 58 of the HX Stomp 3.0 Owner’s Manual available here: https://line6.com/data/6/0a00050b058066312873a50cf/application/pdf/HX%20Stomp%203.0%20Owner's%20Manual%20-%20English%20.pdf If you are referring to the recording levels in your DAW, then it's always good idea to let other users know what DAW and computer operating system you're using. If you are referring to the DI signal recording levels in your DAW from HX Stomp - check these threads. Plus this:- Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, I seem to recall this being mentioned elsewhere, and the solution was too shut everything down, remove the USB cable for about a minute, then reconnect and power up the Helix LT. Then update using the old Line 6 Updater which seemed to work fine. HX Edit cannot connect over USB to a hardware device in a failed state. My guess this is not really an issue with the software, but most likely USB which can be flakey at the best of times and seems to affect both Windoze and Mac users. The general consensus regarding updates is to NOT use a USB Hub, and shut down any other things that maybe running in the background that may push the update over the edge. Hope this helps/makes sense. EDIT: When all else fails - try this (remember: any reference to version numbers must be the latest ones)

Hi, I think the clue is that you say that you have Logic Pro configured to use your HX Stomp as your audio interface. That’s fine if everything is going in and out of the Stomp only. You also say that you then, “leave my normal audio interface as output device”. You don’t mention what this second “normal” audio interface is? Selecting it as the output within Logic could possibly be causing the issue, especially if your Mac isn’t configured to send the audio to that second device. Apple have a way of creating an “aggregate” device that can handle different ins and outs using different hardware units. You may find it useful to check out this page on the Apple Support pages. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202000 Oh, yeah, you can “use the HX as advertised” if you take time to configure it correctly. I have been using all 8 USB channels on my Helix (and sometimes I add another 4 and 2 channels from another pair of different audio interfaces) with Logic Pro for almost the last 9 years without the problem you describe. Your Mac and Logic need to know what is going where. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, You could re-import your backup bundle, and then restart your device while holding down FS10 & 11. This will upgrade your existing presets to the latest format. The “rebuilding presets” routine generally takes place automatically after an update to the Firmware and is part of the general “housekeeping” to keep your unit working as it should. Forcing the re-build should help eliminate any glitches in your presets. Hope this helps/makes sense.

Hi, Hmm… that is curious - you may have discovered a bug, although I have not seen other reports of this issue. Having said that, others may be creating custom labels without ever needing to revert them. Also, I don’t have an FX unit to check this out, but on my Helix creating custom scribble strip names and colours, and then assigning them to various foot switches can be reverted back to the default name simply by pressing the “Remove” option under the 4th button below the main screen. It works for me on FW v3.71. I have no idea why this should be different with the HX Effects, as other than the FX doesn’t contain amps or cabs, everything else is based on the same software. As mentioned earlier, you may have discovered a bug. Hopefully, someone else who is a HXFX owner can chime in and confirm this. Just to be sure, you really should raise a ticket with Customer Support to advise them of the problem. At least they should be able to investigate further. They cannot fix software issues that they don’t know about. Please report back to let others know how it progresses. Hope this helps/makes sense.