spikey

Yea the "real-time listen to and adjust" is a must have. Period ! So Im hoping it can be at some point integrated into the editor.

Wow good info here guys- Thanks! Altho I don't have any Line-6 FRFR cabs yet (they look sweet) Am I going to regret not having L6-Link at some point?..., and since Im planning on using 2 Atomic CLR's (500 watts each and I already have them) for FRFR for my Helix, I assume that Helix needs IR's and Mic simulation ON, and outs needs to be set for PA/FRFR... Correct?

Yea I can see the pain you are talking about, and doubt that many would want to use this way over a slick looking slider built into the icon IR within the Helix routing screen. So at this point, when you save that patch, are the 2 IR settings also saved with it? Also, can you vary the amount of each IR per patch, say 33% of one IR and 66% of the other with Helix yet? You can do this partial % amount setting with Cab-Lab not just with 2 IR's but with many more, and using a slick GUI in the process- that was my point. :) Hope Helix and Line 6 guys can come up with a compatible way to do this too!

Fractal Audio uses a 3rd party app called "Cab-Lab", that allows you to add 2, 4 , 6 or more Cab IR's in a GUI setting mix down and match with sliders (to mix and match as you see fit) and listen to the results in realtime. Im hoping to see the same for Helix at some point.

Used to, before "touch sensitive switches" you could break in a switch by using it. Could be just a new switch that needs to be pressed a few times to "clean" the contacts a bit and then the problem just disappears forever. Or it could be a bad solder joint on a board. Since they are touch sensitive I just don't know now. Try working the switch about 50 times with your finger and see if there is any change.

Maybe Line-6 will read this and re-evaluate its design or settings for changes on the production line. Or maybe not :P But since you do have "External controller pedal input options" just use the stiff "built-in" pedal as an overall volume pedal and use the more accurate feeling "Mission" external pedal (you did buy a Mission pedal, right?) for Wah etc etc...

I say give Helix time to catch up first, (before boasting how superior it is to the other two)- there is time, and competition is always good for the pocketbook... It will one day have the same if not more goodies as those two do now- Hell its brand new and slung out the door so fast the contractual ink to meet the deadline is not completely dry on the paper yet... And the Rack unit is still a month off from hitting the vendor shelves! As far as having Helix settings adjusted by my iPad, Id really like the have the desk top editor 1st. But later on this (as it has many possibilities) would be a kewl feature too.

Done!

Scenes! Works killer with Axe-edit and I would love to see this implemented too, at some point. If you have not heard of "scenes", imagine each preset/patch with 4 variations of that same patch, just a click/step away!

I dunno, I remain optimistic that it will be functionally better than some think, have more options than we are seeing at present, and better than others predict it will be. Why? Because this, at least for the next 6 months, is Line-6's Flagship...

Id rather see what the editor has that we haven't seen. But thank you for playing..... Thanks zan for the pic!

A long time ago on the Vetta IIRC, there was a 3rd party software that made the Amp names what they really were. Not sure thats even possible with Helix.

I don't mind the editor using the same icons as whats on the Helix display. Makes it simple to use and keeps the current gui in focus. Tabs are a great idea too. Some pics of where Line 6 is right now would go a long ways too (wink wink). ;) Oh come on - even if its not up to me to decide, every Guitar preamp worth its salt these days has an editor of its own. Quick-Pics of the Helix editor isn't breaking an NDA or camera, or releasing dark secrets as long as there are no detailed descriptions of its function and use. If it looks like the screen on the Helix, we have all already seen that anyway...No, I don't wanna take anyone away from programming time to post a few editor pics, but if they are indeed that short on folks then they need to hire some help... B)

Helix should (as always YMMV) leave the bean and the HD500(x) in its dust tone wise. In fact Id be real surprised (while filling out an RMA) if it doesn't.

Ive yet to find amp software to equal Fractal or Kemper (I don't have the Helix yet) hardware tone wise, but your workflow is interesting. Nice to read the Helix and some software amps can work together!

My Editor prediction- 2nd week of April...

FYI and if you were wondering as I was, was told today by a Sweetwater rep that they expected the Rack units by the 1st or 2nd week of April. Thats subject to change of course if they make it earlier.

I don't have mine yet, but I believe that there are some already installed and ready for use the Helix, and there are 3rd party IRs available for free and for purchase.

I believe I read somewhere to disconnect the controller when updating- correct guys?

LOL yea well... :D :P

Was that in March yes you are correct sir, or April yes you are correct sir? :P

IR's (mic and speaker simulators) are used in the Helix to "mimic" if you will, speaker cabs and the mic that was used in recording the sound of the speaker cabinet. Without the "impluse response" (IR) and then played thru studio monitors, the amp (by itself without a speaker) would sound sterile and tinny. Because most of the tone comes from the speaker cabinet, and because its being played without the speaker/mic simulation. Does this help?

1st one listed under "Helix"

Yep that looks right to me. Most powered monitors worth their salt have XLR inputs, and this would free up your un-balanced 1/4" outputs for the 4 cable method.

fyi- The reason I used the word "Buffered" is because thats what Line 6 used on the back of the Rack unit.