Lachdanan0121

Ah, so it may be a problem between the Helix ASIO drivers and FL Studio. I hope you don't mind but I also edited my post in the bug report thread to include your findings as well. I am trying to find my copy of Studio One so I can use that temporarily for my audio recordings, until this gets fixed.

I have popping and cracking with HELIX ASIO drivers. I have gone through extensive troubleshooting, and here is the link to the thread I have in a different section before someone suggested posting it here. ReAmping is affected, even playback without ReAmping. http://line6.com/support/topic/21665-i-need-some-help-popping-and-crackling/ There is a lot of information to read through in that thread, This is the conclusion. After further trouble shooting I tried FL ASIO driver (built in to the DAW I use) which basically just utilizes USB 1&2, the playback is buttery smooth. But with this route I lose the main function I got the Helix for (ReAmping). However when I switch back to Helix ASIO drivers still utilizing only USB 1&2 for strictly playback, the problem returns. Which leads me to the conclusion that it is not a hardware malfunction with the Helix, but a problem with the HELIX ASIO drivers themselves. update! I have removed everything from my front ports of my PC, and have things connected to only the back ports. I mean nothing is connected to the front ports now. It seems to have improved, but I think I still here some in there using certain sounds within my DAW. Also Roscoe here on the forums also checked FL Studio and found popping and cracking there as well. So There may be an issue with the Helix ASIO Windows drivers and FL studio. I might need to break out my copy of Studio One (I hope I can find the disk) and use that for my audio recording until the issues with FL Studio can be resolved. As FLS is and will continue to be my main DAW.

Thanks, like I said I wanted to go through extensive troubleshooting before I gave up on the Helix. Its so impressive in literally every other area. I am running on the latest official release of FL 12. I could try the new beta that they have. Someone on another forum suggested reducing the ASIO buffer. As well as trying the front usb ports on the pc, and view USB device tree or something like that. I will give these a go tonight. They also mentioned fresh install of Win10, but that is just out of the question. I will try just about every option, but that is just too far. I will post in that bug report thread, and I will link this thread in that post.

Update. To keep things short, I have completely updated my pc, even to windows 10. I have tried the newest FW. I have upgraded all drivers in my pc, including the USB and network. Adjusted all power options. This is also the second Helix unit I have tried, the third usb cable, and have tried multiple ports on the motherboard. I have not opened a support ticket with Line 6 yet, because honestly I don't think they could really do anything to help me out. So many steps have already been taken there isn't much they could cover, even sending it in won't help because this is the second unit that has done this to me. I have done a lot of trouble shooting on this. The problem persists. The problem seems to get worse as soon as I start trying to do anything midi over usb within the Helix. However, with all of that turned off, I still get the issue, even though it is quieter than before. I would still be satisfied if I could get the unit to consistently work, and not have midi capabilities. I could live with that, as I can just ReAmp while physically using the expression pedal that I can have something assigned to, or use the snapshot function to compensate. But I can't even get it to do play back audio without ReAmping consistently. After further trouble shooting I tried FL ASIO driver (built in to the DAW I use) which basically just utilizes USB 1&2, the playback is buttery smooth. But with this route I lose the main function I got the Helix for (ReAmping). However when I switch back to Helix ASIO drivers still utilizing only USB 1&2 for strictly playback, the problem returns. Which leads me to the conclusion that it is not a hardware malfunction with the Helix, but a problem with the HELIX ASIO drivers themselves. So hopefully Line 6 can get some new Windows drivers for the Helix in the next week, or so, before my return policy is expired. Shame really, cause I like the tone from Helix, and the ease of use with the interface. :huh: Well, perhaps I can connect the Helix to the 11r digitally. Use the 11r as the interface, and use Helix for ReAmping, and Wet Monitoring. I will explore this option actually before I decide to return it. A glimmer of hope here. I will try it and report back, first I have to go hunting at Walmart nearby for the s/pdif cables. <_< That is if they even carry them. No not rubbed the wrong way, I just disagree with your notion. ;)

I knew there actually had to be a real civilized country out there. Lol.

I will try with a few different cables, just to eliminate that possibility. I have not thought of updating the BIOS. I did this only once for this rig, but that was well over a year ago. So I will add that to the list. All my dimms/sticks are all the same amount, and same speed.

Gaming rig and a modest DAw rig is plenty doable on the same system. It hasnt failed me before on 3 separate rigs, multiple interfaces, multiple years... So obviously milage does vary. I do a decent amount of self tuning in the rigs. However, I will still go over the setting it up for DAW use just to see if there was something I missed somewhere. Wont hurt anyway. I will also double check for any TSR. I dont mean to sound like a turd. I appreciate all the advice, and recommended steps.

I will give that a go, wont hurt. Although it should also be present when using the eleven rack if that was the case.

What little bit I`ve used the Helix, I havent had any problems coaxing a metal tone out of it. Hell, its probably faster, and easier to do on the helix compared to most, it is for me. Tone is not a problem for the helix. You can do any genre of music, and style of playing with it. Btw I will check out your example when I get home from work.

Yeah, default clocks is one of the steps I still have on my list to do. Its a slow process as I also have a normal job to work around. I will even update network drivers, virus scan, temporary disable it to test as well. Backup and upgrade to win10. Last night I tried everthing in usb3.0 and have the helix the only thing in usb2.0 tested on a minimal project, and I still had the issue. Yeah I have dealt with Asus support before. Sometimes its a breeze, and sometimes they can be an absolute headache to deal with. Lol kinda like Comcast. Also I didnt have to pay for shipping, which is nice of them. Lol Although over the last several years I have spent a lot of money with them, so we have an invested relationship with each other.

Too slow? Nope that is not it. I run a 5820k 6-core I7 overclocked at 3.75 Ghz. 16 gigs of RAM. SSD samsung 850 pro 1 tb. My ASIO buffer is increased as far as it will go. This happens with just a few short audio clips\samples of already recorded guitar. With nothing else even loaded in the project. My rig is no where near too slow. Not to sound arrogant, but im not completely ignorant on this kind of stuff. I mean I did build the rig myself using quality parts. And I have done most of those steps so far. I have a few more on my list I wil try before giving up on the Helix for now.

Mine happens with it set to 44.1 and at 48. Mine also did this before the new firmware. If I have to use a separate interface, then the Helix isnt gonna work for me. I want an all in one unit with it as my interface just as the helix is advertised.

Maybe I could try moving all my peripherals to USB 3.0, and keep the usb 2.0 clear for this purpose. Although this happens even when I am only ReAmping one channel, like I would with my Eleven Rack. Also after further review it even does it with playing audio thru only the usb 1&2 channels directly to the studio monitors (with no other usb inputs activated), although its much more rare in this case. I had to listen to some of my tracks all the way through muting the drums to hear it only a few times through the usb 1&2. ASIO, and internal ASIO/cpu meter in FLS was still between the 20, and 30% range no where near maxing out. The task manager will have my cpu using much lower, as that is the way things usually work. The ASIO buffer length is even maxed out for troubleshooting reasons. BTW I am running on Windows 8.1, and my PC is a self built custom tower. I am running an Asus Motherboard X99a. Its a Haswell I-7 6 core setup. Asus usually has decent USB stuff. I will try moving everything I can to a USB 3.0 slot, and using 2.0 exclusively for the Helix, and if that doesn't work, I could try it the other way around. I will try to see if I can replicate the issue completely outside of FL Studio. Like streaming audio from Youtube, a videogame, or spotify. Thanks for the steps to try on both this unit, and the new one that comes in a few days. I will report back once I have either exhausted all these steps, or have solved the issue.

Ok, I just did a good bit of troubleshooting with Sweetwater (where I ordered it from) And they are sending me a replacement to A/B with this unit to see if it is a defect. The tech said it was either a driver issue, (which we troubleshot a decent amount) or it was a hardware malfunction on the Helix itself. We will go more from there. I should know more this weekend. I really hope we can get this resolved, because other than the popping/cracking when trying to ReAmp over USB, the Helix Rack w/control is exactly what I want... :( Would upgrading to Windows 10 possibly fix any of the USB problems if it isn't a hardware problem within the Helix? I just saw that Avid released drivers for the Eleven Rack for Windows 10 less than 2 months ago. So I could upgrade to Win-10, and in worst case scenario.. still be able to use my Eleven Rack, but lose the Eleven Rack editor on PC. (which isn't ideal, but it also isn't that tragic of a loss either) Sorry if I am being annoying with this. I am not trying to bash Helix at all, matter of fact, other than this problem I freaking love the thing.

I am getting a lot of pops and cracking while trying to ReAmp with the Helix Rack. I've updgraded to FW2.00, I have downloaded new USB drivers, I have checked ASIO. I have tried 2 different cables, different ports. I also have a Furman Power Conditioner (and not one of the cheap ones) I have an audio file of the pops and crackles. I got the Helix Rack for studio use, and a ReAmping unit... However its not cutting it. I have had trouble with pops and crackles since I got it, for a while they seem to go away. Now they are back and are worse. I have another thread where I posted some of my trouble shooting steps. http://line6.com/support/topic/21369-helix-common-troubleshooting-steps/ If I try to ReAmp through usb, I get pops and crackles, especially if I try to use USB 3/4. Its constant popping and crackling. Even when there is nothing playing through it. Which is what I have in the audio file. Also the audio file is in a project that has nothing but the pre-recorded guitar in it. (which doesn't have the popping and cracking when just playing them without ReAmping) If I try to ReAmp Left guitar, and right guitar (2 separate signal chains, choosing 2 different USB inputs on the input blocks) the problem is immediate. It isn't my pc, as this does not happen with my eleven rack. Only the Helix. I love the sound/routing capabilities, but if I can't get this basic function working then the entire Helix purchase is useless to me. I am at the point where I am wanting to return the product for a replacement because I think there is a defect in the unit I have with the USB routing. Thus makes the unit void for ReAmping for me. However, if I get it back and the pops and crackles are gone, good then I will keep it. If not, then I will just have to stick with my eleven rack, and plugins, and spend that money elsewhere. Is anyone else getting this problem? Only thing I haven't done is upgrade to Win10. Because if I do, then I cannot use my ElevenRack anymore, not compatible with Win10. The DAW I use is FL Studio 12. (newest non-beta release) I really would like to get this resolved, I love the idea of the Helix, but in the real world senario for me personally it is unsatisfactory. Would Re-Installing the new FW be worth trying? I have already tried factory reset. This is a very bad day for me. How do I upload an audio file to this site?> The attachment in the post didn't work....

I am not gonna lie, I was expecting an update. As it has been a bit since the last one. However, I was not expecting it to be this great and massive. I was expecting tuner, and some bug fixes, and optimizations. We get all that plus snapshots, plus new models (Mk IV) a new Line 6 original amp, and some new effects (including a vintage digital delay) Fantastic!

Id rather not, all I have atm is crappy phone speakers. Lol.

Massive update. Nice. I have always wanted a Mesa mk IV. Also it was one of the 3 amps I was wanting the Helix to get. Btw how is that model? I wont be home for a few more hours, and I gots to know. Thank you Line 6.

By chance how many things do you have plugged into usb 2.0 slots on your pc? If you have a usb 3.0 slot try plugging into that. You may just have too many usb 2.0 things plugged in to accomodate an 8 in, and 8 out audio interface without interruption. I have half a dozen usb 2.0 in use on my pc. Mine was popping and crackling, moment I went to USB 3.0 that stopped, because I hardly have anything plugged into the USB 3.0 slots.

That one made me chuckle.

Ok I have reduced the gain/trim on each speaker to the minimum the knobs will go. I have the Helix still set to LINE lvl in XLR. Instead of the master volume on the Helix riding just above 9 o clock, it is closer to 10 o clock. 11 o clock is still too loud for me for most situations. Any ideas? At this point should I try setting them to Mic lvl, or would that be detrimental?

I dont see a trim, I see a gain. Which those are already set low. I can probably go a little bit lower. I will try that while remaining at LINE lvl. When I looked once I got home the gain was slightly higher than I remembered, but still pretty low. I will report back my findings. Thanks for the input.

I know this as a common rule. However, I was speaking of already loud monitors.

I thought this could be a troubleshooting steps thread that we can all post what we had problems with, and how we fixed them. I had bad popping and crackling when using my Helix rack as audio interface. Drivers up to date. ASIO set correctly. My Eleven rack doesnt have this problem when I A/B the two units. I actually narrowed the problem down to old bad cables I had from my mission exp pedal going into the Helix floor controller. Disconnected those cables and ALL popping and crackling stopped with my Helix. I was so relieved. So if you guys have any poppingor crackling, you might want to check this. I am waiting on 2 more cables to get in to seeif it was the cables or the ep pedal itself. Either way its better than the Helix itself. IMPORTANT EDIT: I am still running into the popping and crackling issue like I was before. Although it isn't as much as it was before to be fair. This is after completely disconnecting my floor controller from my Helix Rack. So I am still going through some more trouble shooting steps of my own before I create another thread about it, or contact Sweetwater for a replacement. EDIT #2. I have since narrowed the problem down to usb 2.0. When I plugged it into a 3.0 slot it works just fine. I dont think it is a problem with the usb 2.0 persay, its just I had almost all of my 2.0 slots occupied on my pc, and hardly none in my usb 3.0. Which leads me to think it was my usb 2.0 on my pc was stretced too thin to accommodate an 8 in 8 out interface on top of all of it comfortably. No matter it is all working good now. I will only edit this if something changes.

I think I will give it a go. I tried it briefly yesterday,and if my ears aren't deceiving me I thought I noticed a lower noise floor going mic lvl out of the xlr. Thanks.