soundog

"It's not loud at all but very audible clipping." Is a clipping LED lighting up on the monitor, or do you just "hear" the clipping? If an LED is lighting, it's odd that its not audibly loud unless there is something weird in the signal (current, sub frequencies, very high frequency noise, etc). Try #1) use a blank preset in Helix (no blocks, just clean guitar); #2 try a different XLR cable; #3 test using a different speaker or monitor.

I either play through it with no Stomp, just using the amp's tube distortion (gain up volume down) and it sounds great for in the house practice. With the Stomp (using Stomp amp and or amp/cab + effects) I run it with the gain turned way down and the volume up. In that case, it doesn't color things much at all, and there is no appreciable noise. Its surprisingly versatile for as few knobs as it has. If you want to use it with the Stomp doing most of the tone controlling, it's great for the price. I'd look for one with a 30-day return to try, though. Your tastes may vary. Also, there are good reviews on youtube so you can hear what it will do....

I'm kind of amazed at how my little Orange Micro Dark 20-watt sounds. And its cheap!

OMG, the playing is fantastic, but the cat battles in the background are also good. One cat magically teleports at 50 seconds in. He reappears in another dimension.

Haven't used one a guitar, but they are all about the same. Yes, it will work with Pitch Wham, etc. Pretty basic stuff. You assign (or are given) a CC controller # for the x-axis, one for the y-axis, and one for tap. So first figure out what your pad sends (read the manual, or use a MIDI monitor to see). Then just use the Helix's MIDI Learn function (all described in the manual) to assign which parameters you want to assign to the x and y axis, and what you want to toggle with the tap. Read manuals, they are good for you!

So @DunedinDragon brings up a good point: Helix Command Center will send most any MIDI you need from a preset, etc. My solo live setup is a bit complicated (solo performance, playing looper, guitars, sax, foot percussion, harp, etc; and I have no sound man, so need to use MIDI control to call up a digital mixer's routing, Helix presets, drum module presets, external fx modules, looper settings, lights, etc). I didn't want Helix presets to dictate my settings via Command Center (I needed more flexibility). So I ended up figuring out on paper the smallest number of MIDI "scenes" (dedicated to a specific sound (so, for example, a blues song with sax, acoustic guitar, distorted lead tone, harmonizer on sax). So these scenes could be called up generically (using a name such as "Blues Sax #3" in Set List Maker), and I could also apply the scene to any specific song title if I wanted. I ended up with about 10 basic "scenes" which could be applied to about any song I performed. I usually play from a set list, but this set up also allowed me to play any song I wanted (request, improvise, etc) without looking for the song title .... I could simply select a "sound" scene from Set List Maker, and all devices were configured at the tap of a finger. I only have to look at my iPad for a split second to make a selection. The beauty of Set List Maker (or BandMaker) is that you have a lot of flexibility in setting up how you want it to work. The app is quite deep, so you do have to spend some time with the manual and learn your way around. If you need more support, the developer (Arlo) hosts an online forum. He's always open to suggestions and evolving the software. So, yeah, Helix Command Center may do what you want. But I recommend that you first think through what you need to control via MIDI, and how you want to call up stuff when you are performing. Footswitch? iPad? Telepathy? The great news is that there are a lot of amazing options available.

I've used Set List Maker for years (the same guy makes BandHelper). I run it on an iPad mini. When I tap a song from my songlist on the iPad, it sends MIDI commands to all my equipment (including Helix) to put everything (mixer, etc) into the perfect state with any presets for the song. Highly recommended and easy to use.

Buy a good Siglent Technologies oscilloscope. But it'll cost you more than Q-Clone! ;-)

I use Q-Clone all the time. Its good stuff. Why not just use that, as it seems good enough to meet your needs. $30. Runs on Windows or Mac.

Yes, I use a Minilab MKii as a controller for Logic Pro X running Native, as well as for an HX Stomp. The pads are note value triggers, but can be reassigned as program change or switched CC controls using the Arturia MIDI Control Center software. The encoders are perfect for expression/parameter controls. They are relative, so after you pull up a preset, turning a knob will adjust the assigned parameter up (clockwise) or down (counter). You get 16 encoders, which is quite generous for the price! Exactly how you set up the Minilab to control Native will depend on your DAW.

BONUS! Native is 30% off until the end of the month. So if you're eligible for the $99 deal (via hardware purchase), you can grab it for $70.

Did you experiment with a high pass filter with a sharp rolloff, (12 or 24 dB/octave) placed before Native? Also, experiment with reducing your audio interface's input level.

There are also plenty of online articles on blocking Stratocaster tremelos. I simply used a wooden block (cut at slight angle on one side) in mine, so it was free. I've had no problems with it.

Not to disagree, but if you find a good electronics shop that can do repairs on "surface mount" boards, it would be worth a look. Its likely the neighboring "L" components would share the same value (probably inductors). You got nothing to lose, right?

Sounds risky. Read this:

That's great info ... didn't realize the project-specific limitation (I bounce/commit after I get a track where I like it). And thanks for your write up; its really useful!

There are plenty of good MIDI control apps for the iPad. Some a free/cheap and provide basic button layouts. Some are spendier and more customizable (MIDI Designer Pro ‪2 comes to mind). With a good app, you basically assign a button or control to any of the MIDI commands that the Helix device will understand (refer to your manual). Use with an Apple CCK (preferably the kind that also charges your iOS device). There are also "song list" apps that will send a selection of MIDI commands when you select a specific song title. Those are very useful to send presets...

Interesting. I tried the iRig mic and sent it back. For my guitar it was boomy and prone to feedback. Glad it works for you, though.The odd thing about acoustic guitars and amplifying them for stage is this..... Some pickup and/or mic systems work perfectly and sound great for certain guitars and certain stage acoustics or band mixes. Others do not. It takes lots of experimentation to find something that works good for you. When you do find the right combination, its worth all the effort....

I picked up that Arturia collection during a Black Friday sale; its great. But I still went mad!!

Ha! As long as we're hijacking this thread and revealing our shady past .... I first got into MIDI with an Amiga 500, Bars and Pipes sequencer software, and a Casio CZ-101 (I still have the Casio, and am refurbishing it). The fun never stops...

Ya know, even though its been out there for 40 years, MIDI still amazes me. Its so useful for composing in the studio for those of us who aren't keyboard players; MIDI-based virtual instruments (pianos, synths, drums, etc) are getting better every year, and MIDI as a controller has expanded the abilities of all sorts of stage lighting and music hardware like Helix. We've only started to choke the limits of MIDI's serial data flow

So much for a MIDI "standard" huh? Its maddening. I think Yamaha was the first manufacturer to decide to use C4 as middle C rather than the usual C3. So call them if you get p*ssed.

I like this method better for numerous reasons. Use whatever method suits your needs....

@rizzy -- this is interesting, thanks. The summing explanation for 6dB does make sense (as @phil_m also suspected). When I get some time freed up I plan on experimenting with Logic/Stomp mono and stereo paths. I'll let you know if I have any useful info to add to the conversation.

The little wood blocks were hand carved from Pinocchio's nose.