kduck

Well...after finally upgrading to 3.5 last weekend, I now have this exact same issue on encoder #4. I know it was working fine before. I will try all the suggested steps above and report back. <sigh> EDIT: my unit is a Helix Floor vs. the OPs Helix LT. Same issue, though.

Not sure I completely understand your signal routing, but I'd stick a cheap mixer with a mic pre between the 2nd mic and the aux/return3 to boost the mic level before it hits the Helix.

Not the only way, but it is the easiest and safest, IMO.

Sounds like a ground loop to me. If you have a DI box with ground lift, try it between the helix and one of the amps. If the hum goes away, ground loop verified.

I use a Morningstar MC-8 and external pedal to control my whammy, but the MIDI commands should be similar to send from the HXFX. I have a Helix Floor, so I can't comment on exactly how to set up the HXFX, hopefully someone else can help out with specifics if needed. Before starting, make sure you know which Midi channel your Whammy is set to--the instructions are on page 9 of the manual. You may need to change the channel if you are using other MIDI devices. You will need to send on this channel from your HXFX. To change the settings on the Whammy, you use Program Change (PC), not CC. For each setting, there is a PC for selecting the setting in either bypass or active state. The Classic mode and the Chords mode (the toggle on the Whammy itself) each have their own PC numbers. An example using the excerpt from the manual you provided above: To engage the Whammy in "Classic Whammy 1 octave up" mode, send PC# 2 To bypass the Whammy, staying in "Classic Whammy 1 octave up" mode, send PC# 23 To switch the Whammy to "Classic Harmony 1 Octave up/down" mode in bypassed state, send PC# 42 To engage the Whammy in "Classic Harmony 1 Octave up/down" mode, send PC# 21 To engage the Whammy in "Chords Whammy 2 Octaves down" mode, send PC# 51 (page 11 has chords mode MIDI settings) To stay in "Chords Whammy 2 Octaves down" mode, but bypass the pedal, send PC# 72 (page 11 has chords mode MIDI settings) To change the pedal position via MIDI, you use CC11. Per the manual page 12, "A value of 0 on MIDI CC 11 corresponds to a toe up position and a value of 127 corresponds to a toe down position. Example: To engage the Whammy in "Classic Whammy 1 octave up" mode AND toe down, send PC# 2 THEN CC#11 value 127; to change to toe up, send CC#11 value 0; to change to pedal at 50% (unison), send CC#11 value 63 or 64 (1/2 way between 0 and 127). One nice feature of using MIDI to control the Whammy is that you can create intervals that don't exist in the manual settings on the pedal. For example, if you want to set it to Whammy up a 3rd, you can use the Whammy up 4th setting, then figure out the CC value corresponding to the pedal position that gives you the 3rd instead of the 4th. Hope this helps.

Octave/pitch effects usually go first or very early in the chain for the best tracking, but there is no wrong answer. Best part of having in the fx loop is that you can try it in literally every spot in your chain just by dragging it around in the editor!

You might try experimenting with a Studio Tube Pre >> LA Comp >> Room Reverb >> Retro Reel chain.

The sale is still going, I got the 70% off deal just a few minutes ago. I'll report back once I get a chance to try them out.

That monitor should work fine with the power amp you already have and will give you options should you decide to upgrade your power amp. Personally, I would go for the 12" (as long as you don't mind moving a bigger cab around)--it will move a bit more air and should give you better bass response. You will need a 1/4" to dual pole (speakon) cable (or adaptor) to run from the power amp to the monitor.

I don't own an Orange Terror or an NS2, so someone please check me on this... I think of your current setup as the following blocks: Plasma Pedal NS2 with [OD >>Fuzz>>Orange Preamp] in the NS2 loop Oil Can Delay Power section: Orange fx return >> Orange Power amp >> Orange Speaker Out >> Loadbox Speaker In load box line out >> AI >> DAW If you want to keep the plasma out of the NS2 loop (per your diagram) and keep the preamp/OD/Fuzz in the NS2 loop (per your diagram): Guitar >> Helix Input Plasma Loop: Helix Send 1 >> Plasma In >> Plasma Out >> Helix Return 1 NS2 Dirt + Preamp Loop: Helix Send 2 >> NS2 Input >> NS2 Send >> OD >> Fuzz >> Amp Input >> Amp FX Loop Send >> NS2 Return >> NS2 Output >> Helix Return 2 Delay Loop: Helix Send 3 >> Oil can delay input >> OC delay output >> Helix Return 3 Helix 1/4" output >> Amp FX Loop Return (optional) Helix XLR Out >> AI In the setup above your Orange preamp will always color the tone when the dirt loop is engaged. Alternatively, you can put your Orange preamp in its own loop. This would allow you to bypass the Orange preamp and use any of the Helix preamps instead. Or blend the Orange preamp with a helix preamp. Or put 2 preamps in series. Lots of possibilities. However, you will not have noise suppression on your Orange preamp (not sure if that is necessary or not). Guitar >> Helix Input Plasma Loop: Helix Send 1 >> Plasma In >> Plasma Out >> Helix Return 1 NS2 Dirt Loop: Helix Send 2 >> NS2 Input >> NS2 Send >> OD >> Fuzz >> NS2 Return >> NS2 Output >> Helix Return 2 Preamp Loop. Helix Send 3 >> Amp Input >> Amp FX Loop Send >> Helix Return 3 Delay Loop: Helix Send 4 >> Oil can delay input >> OC delay output >> Helix Return 4 Helix 1/4" output >> Amp FX Loop Return (optional) Helix XLR Out >> AI You'll probably (definitely) have to play with the send/return levels. If you want to use helix to process audio post load box, you could do that as well, but I'm assuming you would do that processing in the DAW. Hope this helps.

What @phil_m said + you have to push the toe down kinda hard when they're new--they break in after a while.

It's in the cheat sheet, available online: https://line6.com/data/6/0a0643391bb055fca90096a38/application/pdf/Helix Cheat Sheet - English ( Rev A ).pdf

Might want to double-check the mix :P

Try changing the mix to 100%.

I don't have an HX Effects, but I do have a Boss ES-8, which also has the jacks spaced very tight. I'm using both Lava Tightrope and George L's without any issues routing the 20 or so cables.

I've not tried this with my Helix floor's built-in expression pedal, but trust that what @codamedia and @theElevators have said is correct. I do, however, use a Morningstar controller and external expression pedal to do exactly what you describe.

No offense intended here, but why is this in the Helix forum? Isn't this better suited to the Lounge?

Yes!

I'm not aware of a swing parameter on any of the models. Maybe a try the new Euclidean delay with steps=9 and fill = 6? Sounds close to swing eights to me.

I highly recommend the Morningstar midi controllers (MC3, MC6, MC8) for what you are looking to do.

https://helixhelp.com/tips-and-guides/universal/bypass-assign

Check out Chad Boston's site: https://www.gearbyceba.com/line6-family-usa/01-jack-nuts-s2-cable-markers-usa

I don't own an aeros, but am close to pulling the trigger so I've been through the manual a few times. Nonetheless, everything below is just my brain droppings based on the aeros online resources. Have you checked your cables? (assuming one is a Y cable, since you are using the aux in on the aeros) Does the "tone suck" still exist with a stomp preset containing ONLY the f/x loop (no other blocks). Have you tried plugging the guitar directly into the aeros input (eliminating the stomp send)? Have you tried the main L/R In on the back of the aeros vs. the aux input? Have you checked the input/output routing and the send/return level in the aeros (aeros manual pg 26)? Have you checked the send/return level on the stomp (inst. vs. line)? Have you checked the mix setting on the stomp f/x block? Hopefully these will lead you in the right direction--good luck! Also interested in your impressions of the Aeros!

I have a 5E3 clone that I built and can confirm that the Helix is correctly modeling the way in which the controls on an actual Tweed Deluxe interact (the 2 volumes and the tone control all interact with each other). When turned up, the unused channel volume will decrease gain on the channel in use. Rob Robinette has a great article on the technical details here: https://robrobinette.com/How_The_5E3_Deluxe_Works.htm

Check this rig rundown out: https://youtu.be/zVqaFU3y-Jo?t=681