Hey_Joe

Hey StratBoss - I think the GR-55's guitar modeling is good. IMHO I think the Variax sounds closer to the real thing and WB can get you closer. But the the GR-55 has guitar modeling based on BOSS/Roland’s VG-99 COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling). I know that a few pros did or still do use the VG-99 (like John Mclaughlin, Vernon Reid, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Frank Gambale, Jeff Baxter, Steve Stevens). It just boils down to which one sounds/feels best to you. One plus for going the Roland route is that you can put the 55's GK pickup onto any guitar - so your favorite axe can have all the capabilities of the GR-55 and still feel like your favorite gear. I use the GR-55 with a Roland Ready (MIM) strat so I don't have the ugly GK controller and divided pickup wires showing. I had a Vax600 with the GK pup on it and it was cool to mix the Variax real guitar with the modeled guitar and the COSM guitar sounds together with 2 GR's synth sounds (a blend of 5 noises from one guitar at once). Only way to tell is A/B them yourself and then it will be your opinion not mine. I don't know what it says that both companies have respectfully discontinued these 2 products.

could this topic be your problem? Helix LT No Longer Recognized as Audio Device - Win7 sounds like your problem is what I had this fixed it for me

thanks for the replies mritt and HonestOpinion. I had DLed the 1.96 drivers from Line6 before your posts, was just waiting for a consensus. I had HXEdit 3.51 installed. Uninstalled 1.97.02. Installed 1.96 divers. Windows didn't install them without a failure. Manually installed the drivers. All works as it once did and should now. Thanks a bunch guys. Hopefully anybody else on Win7 having this problem will reference this post. Happy Holidays!

I did a search for 3.5 driver problems and ran across this thread in the Helix forum. Any Cakewalk DAW users getting hangings after Helix v3.5 update....Solved lots of talk of removing the 1.97 drivers and having the 1.96 work with 3.5, installing 1.96 again and 1.97.0.2. being a new version Line6 released that worked for at least one forum member. Uninstalling 1.97 from Windows>Apps and Features not just from the device manager. Hardly any reference as to which version of Windows being used by the respondents. Not sure if that advice would work seeing as though most of that thread is related to Cakewalk issues. Not quite sure what to do besides give up hope for using 3.5 and reinstalling 3.1 until the driver problem is considered FIXED by Line6. I'll guess I'll live without the new cabs, amps/effects and other functions.

When I finally updated my HelixLT to 3.5 I had this same problem (Win7, 64 bit, SP1). The driver properties are shown as v.1.97.0.2. Cannot play audio from computer through Helix. Cannot connect to Workbench HD, or my DAW programs (Reaper, Audacity, RiffWorks). Also tried re-installing the full v3.5 update. I also had no issues at all prior to the update. I tried following the instructions offered by mritt - control panel>device manager>sound, video and game controllers>right clicked, selected PROPERTIES >chose to ROLL BACK device drivers. Rollback button is grayed out, cannot select. IHHguitar and mritt...or any of the Helix gurus that hang out here...do you have any ideas. Have tried calling Line6 Support but haven't been able to get through yet. Any help will be much appreciated - thanks in advance (I hope).

Good (new) info for me. I'll try non Slinky 9.5s out on my 69 based on you two guys expert opinions. THANKS Cobalt is why I switched from plain Slinkies

I'm, no stranger to the world of Variax. Had an electric 300 and a 600, tried the JTV 89, have a JTV69 and JTV59. I always used 9s on my strats. After all these years, when I put EB Slinky 9s or Cobalt Slinky 9s on my 69 I feel like I'm breaking the law. I sounds OK to me, but always wondering if I am really diminishing the ability of the piezos. Should I just stick with the D'Addario XL 10s?

Some of my favorite Legacy Effects are (in no particular order): Tube Drive L6 Drive Blue Comp Dimension ‘63 Spring

There are some presets on Line6 CustomTone for violin HERE. Some of the presets are for guitar to emulate violin but some are specifically for violin. As a side note you might want to watch some YouTube instructional videos by Jason Sadites here to help you understand the best ways to set up/operate the Helix (Stomp) albeit they are for guitar. Hope this helps you learn how to set up presets for your CR-5.

I have the PC+112. I got the survey and hoped that Line6 wanted some personal feedback too, but no. Kinda pissed that it seemed to be nosing around for interest in their next version of a PC (maybe with a new cool marketing name to lure more $800 sales) leaving us version 1 owners right where we are. I'm not sure Line6 ever abandoned a product so soon as with this product.

Ah ha. Thanks Per. That wasn't obvious to me.

Except...I may be blind, but can't see a way to edit a post now. Is there a way?

Craig Anderton's Big Book of Helix Tips and Tricks eBook offered thru Sweetwater for $19.95 has a short blurb on the bitcrusher's parameters. It wouldn't be worth the money just for that, but it has tons of other useful Helix info not all commonly know by many. If Craig wanted to divulge his bitcrusher info here it's his decision but I can't cut and paste his work.

here ya go: chandler_holloway@sweetwater.com Chandler Holloway PC Tech Support Specialist I, Sweetwater Have a technical issue? Call (800) 222-4700 x6400 Hours of Operation: M-F 9a-6p Sat 9a-5p Visit our 24/7 Knowledge Base! sweetwater.com/sweetcare

Wasn't worried - they always take good care of me. Was just chiming in to offer my experience. Sweetwater PC Tech Support responded within 24 hours. Got a new link with this message: Here’s a refreshed download link for you, let me know if this one works for you. You only get 10 downloads of this link before it expires again, so make sure to save the PDF locally on your computer’s hard drive, and only re-download from the website for updates or just in case you lose the local copy.