soundog

Very very useful info! Thanks for posting it....

They're complicated too.

It's complicated.

As said, if you've kept your Helix for 180 days, just sell it (though the Native license won't transfer), buy the Stomp and continue using Native. Should you sell your Stomp, the license associated with it will be unused, so it will give it better resale value. FYI, you can't sell or gift the discount 1-time license.

Thank you, @akatomcox — that's the way I assumed it would work. It would be ideal if Line 6 would supply modeling (with cabinet/IR) to match the Catalyst, either standalone or within Helix Native. That would avoid reamping, and the user could experiment with different Catalyst tones in a song while mixing, after laying down the dry track.

Thanks @akatomcox, it would be great if you could check it out. I'm amazed Line 6 didn't document this function, as the documentation for audio recording from the Helix is very thorough and useful.

Second!!

Very true. Thanks for the post. I wonder if, perhaps, Line 6 assumed everyone would record tracks via Helix USB, so they made those input levels anemic. I'm like you, though — I record via an audio interface (its my input/output/monitoring "hub" for all audio to and from my DAW). Bottom line, folks, keep those HXN input levels low!

A nice solution would be to support rotary encoders. That way, a knob could be turned and the value would increment or decrement from the current position. No jumping values from potentiometers.

Briefly, you connect Catalyst to Macbook via USB cable. Then use software on Mac to send MIDI data out. Garageband doesn't support MIDI out (that I'm aware of). You could use a cheap/free DAW like Reaper, but that's overkill for what you need to do. I suggest getting a couple of OSX apps from the App Store: Pocket MIDI (to send and monitor MIDI messages). Free. There are also other software MIDI command "senders". I like TouchOSC, but it takes time to use it. If you can fly a commercial jet, I'm sure you could figure it out. MIDIPatch (to easily route your MIDI from your Mac to the Catalyst). $2 You'll need to spend a little time learning how to use Pocket MIDI since you're new to the whole shebang. Also simpler than a jet console. Tip: after connecting the Catlayst, use Audio MIDI Setup (application included with every Mac) to ensure the Mac recognizes the Catalyst (look in the MIDI section of the app, and it should appear). If it appears, you can send commands to it (use Pocket MIDI). Ensure routing using MIDIPatch.

Use your Loudness Meter in Logic. It will get you close enough, then you can tweak by ear if needed. Use the Looper to play the same passage, using heavy handed full-string strums to set a peak, with you guitar volume levels set as high as you would typically use them. I'd aim for -10 LUFS. You are just setting levels relative to each other.

It just means the MIDI control mimics the physical (amp) knob or button behavior. If your amp volume knob is set at 12 o'clock, then you turn your matching MIDI controller potentiometer knob up or down, you can remotely control the amp volume from full off to full on. Same for the other buttons. The Effect "not match" could be a typo?

Same, although I don't use the preamp. Also, I played around with acoustic guitar IRs (3 Sigma and others) but never ended up liking them. Your guitar/pickup may sound better, though. The other thing I always use for live gigs is a sound hole cover .... a big black rubber one that I think was made out of old stinky recycled tires. It really cuts down on feedback! Won't work for a sound hole pickup, though (Also, roll off the low end using Helix EQ as needed.)

The Ampero has a female B connector, so would be acting as a "peripheral", which you would connect to a "host" (computer, phone, tablet). So no for that one. The MC3 also has a female B, but it has 4 TRS (1/4" stereo jack) MIDI outputs. That's interesting. You would need to contact them to see if it might work to create a TRS to USB cable. I kinda doubt it, but check. The host board shown is a model made to connect to a 5-pin MIDI jack. And yes it needs a power supply. So power in, then you connect a USB controller up to the big USB A female connector, and wire up a 5-pin DIN connector for the MIDI out. I'm with you, the Cat 100W might be a lot easier if you don't want to use it with a computer or phone, and for $100 more avoids the headache all together. Plus, the other fellow said you could run it at 50W if needed. Tempting, right?

You really need a MIDI USB to MIDI USB host device, and I can't seem to find any online any more. I'm guessing the market is too small? There are probably some Raspberry Pi or Arduino folks who have made them. You essentially just need a little host board that will accept USB-A input and send MIDI out via a female USB-A (which would connect to the Catalyst USB B in). Here is a decent educational video (good to put you to sleep) on MIDI stuff, MIDI hosts, cabling, etc.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuKnk3HaZFA Also a video of a fellow who hacked a MIDI USB to MIDI USB setup, but his solution requires a lot of spaghetti and workarounds. Messy, but works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuKnk3HaZFA Re the Airstep, yes ... their website specifically says it will serve as a USB host, so it should work. Expensive though! My old host board was around $30 (but then had to add a USB connector and a case).

There are plenty of MIDI controllers that use USB only, but most of them require a "host" (iPhone, computer, tablet, etc) to handle the USB/MIDI transmission. The Catalyst 60 has a female B connector, which accepts a male B connector coming from a computer/host (A connector side). Without a host, you will need to add a low-cost standalone host, such as a USB Host Controller Board linked below. I use a hobbytronics board sometimes with a Korg nanokontrol and it works great. You may need to shop around for the type of USB controller you need (need knobs? switches? faders? footswitches?). https://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/usb-host-board-v24 https://www.kequete.com/usb-host-controller-development-board-v24.html

Nope. The Catalyst manual lists all of the MIDI commands supported. The Catalyst apparently doesn't send or receive clock info. It does support Tap Tempo via MIDI CC taps. You'd have to use software or hardware that could take MIDI clock from the HX FX and translate it to CC "taps" to send to the Catalyst. I do a similar thing using Set List Maker on iOS.

See if this thread helps you...

The 60w supports MIDI via USB (though no 5-pin MIDI support). And, yeah, 100w is overkill for your room. Of course you could turn it down, but why pay extra $$ for volume you won't need? What do you want MIDI for, and would MIDI via USB be good enough (send MIDI via iPhone, computer, or USB footswitch/controller). These days, USB controllers are plentiful.

The Stomp manual has a good section on USB audio routing. Once you get it figured out, it's very flexible. And, yes, you can get your USB audio via an iPhone or iPad with a Camera Connection Kit.

something like this? A —— dry guitar —amp | fx, etc —— MERGE ——> out | | B | —-pitch shift-| Its not clear to me how you want to use the looper, but it sounds like you also want on Path B for pitch shifting. Use Merge to mix your pitch-shifted guitar (path B) back into path A right before the output. You can set the blocks on path B to be 100% "wet." This might help:

There are talented folks selling/giving away presets that are very good at re-creating tones and making IRs for Helix. I think any of them could come close to duplicating the tones from a Catalyst. From my perspective, the Catalyst is a completely separate product from Helix. Its kinda like a slimmed down Helix modeler with built-in amp and cab. If I didn't already own a Stomp and a StageSource 2LT, I'd probably grab one for a good time.

An EtherCon female RJ45 connector (Variax) would cost a manufacturer about $3. Add a few more circuit components, and it wouldn't have added cost much. But I'm guessing Variax wasn't a "must" for the amp's target market. My gripe is that there is no Variax on the Stomp!!

@silverheadis right. I had a similar situation, and Line 6 support (via a ticket) was very helpful. After your sell/buy you will essentially have 2 hardware devices, and 2 HXN discount licenses (one used, one not). But Line 6 support will need to "push the right buttons" on their end to handle the HXN licensing. To do that, the person buying your Helix Floor will need to have a Line 6 account, and hopefully then they should be able to make it all work. But definately open a ticket and explain everything first before you put your Floor up for sale, so things go smoothly without surprises for buyer or seller.

Sennheiser HD 600 user here; sounds great through my Stomp!