soundog

Yeah, use separate preset for each guitar if they are really disparate. Put a gain and EQ block at the front of the path to tweak. Then you can just replicate presets accordingly.

Sort of what silverhead said .... experiment with merging or sending both paths out, for example, Send 1, then put your looper on a third path with Return 1 as the input. See what happens.

I use a MIDI controller to "mix" output levels and Block parameter settings (such as drive, amp settings, delay mix, reverb mix, etc). Normally my input and output Blocks and most of my FX blocks don't change between Presets. BUT when I change Presets all Block parameters (other than Global) are reset to the values saved with the Preset. So, of course, that totally messes up the "mix" and everything has to be readjusted. This is problematic when playing in different venues with different acoustics, because everything needs tweaking: levels, reverb and delay times, EQ, etc. As a workaround, I've been experimenting with a $99 Akai MidiMix MIDI controller (9 faders, 24 knobs, 16 switches) that has a unique "Send All" button. The button instantly sends all controller CCs with their current settings. Now, during a performance, I can change Helix Presets, then press the MidiMix button and *voila* my mix and FX settings stay exactly the same!) FYI, I've added a request for some sort of "Pass Parameters Between Presets" Helix functionality, so you can vote for it on IdeaScale if its of interest to you: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Pass-Parameters-between-Presets/817049-23508?submitted=1

Try using a momentary switch rather than a toggle, with the Helix set to "momentary."

The one with the Helix pedal is about 38" in length, so would guess its the same....

Return that sombitch.

http://bfy.tw/5G41 BTW, you can always add an EQ as your last output block in a path to get things sounding nice from your PA if its nose-like. I use my Helix with a Bose L1 and the frequency curve is pretty darned flat. I've been impressed by the response.

Joy for us Apple Bonkers. Thx, Line 6 .... I use the Helix in the studio and live and have been waiting for this one.

The IR Mix does not work as expected. A user should be able to match 100% IR Level and 100% "non-IR" level and then use Mix with no volume changes. Try that using 100% Mix (100% IR) so that its volume is equal to the un-effected guitar level when the IR Block is bypassed. If levels are set to sound the same between 100% and bypassed (0%) IR, then the Mix control should provide a smooth blend at any setting. I can't use up a separate path for this as a workaround, as I'm using the Helix as a 4-channel mixer and all paths are taken. I've reported it as a bug...

Yes, I totally agree. Custom preset scales/key are the way to go. The "intelligent" modes aren't as fast and reliable, especially with ambient background noise. Besides, folks know what key their songs are in anyway!

Yes, Aaronshort .... please vote for it here: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Voicelive-type-vocal-processing/772456-23508#idea-tab-comments You need to sign up for IdeaScale, and then you can vote for Helix features. Or request new ones.

Thanks, Silverhead. At least for the V300, the model selections are similar to the JTV and Standard and may translate Helix -> V300 just fine. The Acoustic 700 has completely different models, no Custom 1, no Custom 2, no 5 position pickup selector. So, I spent some time sussing it out. If you move the VA700 controls and knobs you can see what it effects on the Helix Variax controls, and then the opposite proves to be true: Helix -> VA700. Here is which VA700 knob selector models are selected from the Helix (and whatever models and tunings you have saved in the VA700 for each knob selector location is what you get): Helix VA700 Lester1 = Jumbo Lester2-Dread Lester3 = Triple ) Lester4 = Parlor Chime4= Sitar Chime5= Shamilamalama R-Billy1 = Mandola R-Billy2 =Banjo RBilly3 = Sqr Neck RBilly4 = Rnd Neck RBilly5 = Blues 12 Special1 = Folk 12 Special2 = Nylon Special3 = Jazz Special4 = Gypsy Special5 = C&W The Volume control effects the VA700 Volume. The Tone control effects the VA700 Mic Position (tone). The Tuning controls on the Helix have no effect on the VA700 tunings, so you have to have those preset the way you want them on the VA700.

Yep, Silverhead is correct. Don't Force changes nothing. So either force a tuning (even a standard tuning) or force a model selection that has the tuning stored in your Variax. Or make your Variax model/tuning change manually on the guitar.

You're right, a 0-127 just toggles, it doesn't dictate the state (0 ≠off, 127 ≠on). That's a big bad bummer. That means you have to make sure you toggle MIDI buttons to the correct state before you exit the patch. I'm not quite following what you're saying about the patch changes. Mine behaves as I would expect with patch changes; if I have effects set to "zero" or toggled off and save those statuses with the patch, they are recalled with the patch (even if I change parameters and then exit without saving).

Use CC 49 to control footswitch 1, CC 50 for 2, etc. The footswitches respond to data 0 for off, and 127 for on. Works great. I do wish you could do clock synch, though.

Good idea to use a DI that is phantom powered. I hate wall warts!

They don't sound good on vocals. TC stuff applies formants to the harmony(s) so they don't sound like chipmunks. We need dedicated vocal effects on the Helix because it has a vocal mic input! For vocal, roll off the bass, use the LA Studio Compressor, Parametric EQ if needed. Then light on some delay and a plate reverb. The mic pre in the Helix is excellent. That's why I wish they would add a good vocal harmonizer. I could use it for my sax!

OK, so I now find that using the Helix "Variax Model" knob does indeed select Acoustic 700 models. But I haven't figured out any predictability. Anyone out there in Line 6 world know how to translate JT or Standard Variax model commands/codes to those of the Acoustic 700? It seems sort of random short of lots of trial and error experimentation....

Thanks to both of you!

I was getting my Helix set up for a gig this weekend for a venue that has bad acoustics. Since I've got multiple instruments (and vocal) paths, I knew Global EQ would be the best way to tune the overall EQ quickly. But I found you currently can't use "Learn Control" or an external MIDI controller to tune the EQ .... you have to stoop down and go into menus to do it. Since many of us are already using a MIDI controller, tablet, or phone to fine tune the Helix via MIDI, it would be great if a user could quickly tune Global EQ fast and on the fly. I submitted this as a request to Idea Scale. Please vote for it: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Global-EQ-Learn-Controller-MIDI-CC-Support/816049-23508?submitted=1

I need to buy a set of piezos for my trusty Variax Acoustic 700. What can I use and where can I buy them? Thanks! :)

...as long as you get a close impedance match you should be fine. An electric guitar is about 1M or so, and a microphone around 3k or so. Any decent DI/direct box should do the trick. The phantom power on the XLR input can be turned off in the global settings.

The Helix can select James Tyler and Standard Variax presets when changing patches. But can it or will it be able to do the same for older Variax models, especially the Variax Acoustic 700?

How do you get -12 (octave down) parallel? My Workbench HD with Variax Standard only allows me to do Parallel Pitch at +12 (an "octave up"). No other options are available to me ... just +12 or nothing. My Variax 700 Acoustic (using the old non-HD Workbench) allow any setting, including -12 (octave below) parallel. That's what I want to achieve (on just my low E and A strings). Its sounds nice and beefy, like a bass playing in unison. But I can't get this on my Variax Standard (or JT). Yes, I can achieve this tone somewhat using the Variax magnetic pickup blend. But that limits me to standard tunings, so I can't use alternate tunings for this. Or I could set my tuning up -12 and use +12 parallel (to get standard tune), but that sounds crappy and nowhere near as natural as the -12 setting available on the VA700 with original Workbench. So .... is there anyway to simply dial in Parallel Pitch at -12 (an octave below) my base string tuning?

...you aren't supposed to swell and get dirtier in church.