scottwilliams

Hi - mostly trying to confirm I'm doing this the 'best' way: I am using 4CM with HX stomp and tube amp w/ FX loop. I am able to have wah/gain pedals before HX and time-based in the FX loop of the amp, and using an FXLOOP block in HX to switch between the tube amp and an HX preamp model. This all is working very nicely. I am using a Y-split just before the end of the HX path that splits off to a cab model and then goes back to the main L/R out at the end of the HX path. I have the "A" side of the Y split panned 100% Left (which goes to the cab model) and the "B" side of the split panned 100% Right (that goes to the return on the tube amp FX loop. If I run separate 1/4" cables from the L and R outs on HX, the Left sends cab sim out to PA (and amp does not get cab sim) All works great, except: the HX output to PA seems really low compared to similar helix patches - is that because the Ysplit effectively halves the volume to each output? Also, when using the USB from the hx to connect to logic, that signal is also very low compared to running similar helix patch to DAW via USB. is there always a difference in the output from HX and Helix, or is this potentially also because the Y split is involved? Hope that makes sense. Thanks!

Hi - I am having an issue somewhere in my rig (Guitar- helix- Fender FR12 amp/FRFR). Occasionally, the volume will just drop approx 25-50%. Just sitting and playing, not touching any controllers/knobs/etc. Has anyone ever had this happen with their Helix? My guess is that it's a problem with the FR12, but the service center is not close, so trying to make sure I'm not missing something obvious. I have not been able to repeat the problem intentionally, but did a lot of the basics... different cables, jiggling the cables and making sure everything's plugged in all the way... doesn't seem to be input jack on guitar. Maybe will try a reset on the helix, but I had done that fairly recently. Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Could have sworn I tried to get back to stomp mode at the gig.... that was one of my first thoughts, but didn't seem to fix it - not sure what I did wrong.... feeling kind of silly now... thanks!

Hi - I use my hx stomp on my pedalboard w/ 4CM. Works great.. usually. Last night gig set up went fine, all working as expected, then shortly before start, no sound. my 4CM preset uses fx loop for one of the blocks and somehow fx loop block got turned off... then noticed that none of the assigned blocks were being controlled by FS 1,2,3 and the buttons are 'white' not the colors for the fx blocks as you'd normally see. tried unplugging, restarting hx, no change. I did a hard reset (buttons 2&3 onstartup) this AM and it seems back to normal w/ factory presets and after restoring from my backup - PHEW! Wondering what I could have done at gig in case this happens again? (at gig wouldn't be able to restore from backup... is there a restore process that keeps the presets for ex?) Thanks!

HI - I have similar question to above. I have been using helix live for a long time, but haven't done a ton of recording at home with it I understand the for digital recording it doesn't need to have a 'hot' signal. I also understand that some amp models are louder than others and I use a bunch of different models and am able to get volumes matched OK and get good signal to PA and/or powered speakers (i don't always run the big knob at 100%, but the general consensus seems to be that 100% is best sound... sometimes it's just too loud... plus, for seeting USB levels, I think the big knob doesn't matter anyway) However, I am using my lowly garage band to try to do some basic demos. When I use the GB drums, those WAV forms are quite high level.. I usually lower them a bit, but it just seems that I should be recording my other signals (guitar, bass, vox) at similar levels just to simplify mixing and have some consistency. Helix patches that seem very loud into a normal mixer and/or powered speaker are super low volume in GB. So low, that (even if the sound quality is theoretically good) they can't be mixed high enough. (for ex; deluxe reverb with gain around 5, master at 10, ch. volue 8-10) Do most users have one set of presets for recording and another for live? When I boost the helix final output stage (for live, I typically leave that at 0, but to get what looks like a good/useful level in GB requires boosting that up roughly 10db), then the patch seems way too loud for live use? (with the 'live' presets I use, that signal is pretty hot going to our mackie PA mixer... I usually have to have the trim on the channel down all the way, so seems weird to have to boost so much when recording? Also, don't want to have 2 sets of presets and don't want to have to adjust volumes every time I go to a gig. thanks in advance for any help!

thanks for the replies. I noticed today that it's not just the wah, it doesn't switch from exp1 to exp 2 either. I have filed support ticket. thanks!

this worked fine for a long time. I know to push down hard. I have bypass assign for wah set to exp toe/switch the exp pedal does adjust the wah, but i can't turn the way on or off wtih the toe switch anymore. on all presets Any help would be most appreciated.

HI - I am using Helix and HX stomp for some acoustic gigs. My taylor in particular seems to be sensitive to phase issues (which either suck tone, cause feedback or both). I had a phase switch on my fishman aura and i see that it's a feature on some higher end acoustic pickup /preamps..... Is there a way to do this with the helix? Thanks!

Hi - I am considering a PC (or PC+). Would be mostly for electric guitar gigs, but I'm using a bose l1 pro for acoustic gigs and sometimes might want extra monitor for that. What I'm wondering is if for acoustic duo gigs if the PC full range mode would work OK to run the whole mix (acoustic guitar/looper, 2 vox)? Is anybody doing this? Results? Not a dealbreaker for me, but easier to justify if i can get more 'mileage' Thanks!

well... thanks for the comic relief.. FWIW, I have looked in manual, but even the part you quote doesn't seem to address how to connect a single expression pedal, and there were a bunch of folks on the forum - including the other guru above - who seemed to indicated the M audio pedal would work without modification. I guess I'll find out one way or the other tomorrow. Thanks!

that explains/confirms - thank you!

Hi - I am trying to switch from using a rock stomp 2 button footswitch with the hx to dusting off my old midi mouse to change HX presets (so that I can use an expression pedal for volume, etc. on the Hx stomp). It works well, but hx doesn't respond to the midi mouse on 128, 127 (and maybe 126). Not a huge deal ( I can reorganize HX presets), but just making sure this is 'normal' - I did see the post that on the newer morningstar unit, there's a way to set the range so that it only goes to 125... I assume to avoid this blank spot on the HX? Thanks!

i did see the option for "position" which it kind of 'forced' if I selected FS2... unless there's another place to set it that I didn't see, I'm pretty sure that was set as you've indicated it should be. Either way, for the moment, I am taking datacommando's advice and trying a different expression pedal. Pretty sure I can still return the Moog. Thanks!

hi - thanks - I did manage to get that to stop... I think it was the polarity setting on the moog exp pedal (i reset and restored).. I've updated topic... it works now, but only switches between 0 and 100% - nothing in between?

moog expression pedal - TRS cable i have switch on moog set to 'other' have tried polarity both ways on helix only does 0% or 100% no smooth swell in between any tips much appreciated!

Hi - 1. had a few incidents where playing through helix and there was a very loud pop, then no audio. had to restart to get audio back. have had several weird things happen when looping. Re-installed update, happened again. did another complete wipe/update/restore and was fine for a few weeks 2. last night, looping fine for several songs then could not make the loop stop. had to switch to an empty patch 3. tonight, looping at home. Same very loud pop, but this time audio came back, loop continued to play, but now the pop happened many more times - the first pop happened just playing to the loop (not recording), but it almost seemed like it recorded the pop, but the pop didn't happen in the same place every time, so can't really tell. of course, cannot replicate this .... switched patches and tried looping again and it was ok. has anyone had any similar problems? FWIW, I also have that problem where the reverbs turn off after the unit has been on for a while... no idea if these issues are related at all. Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi - very happy to be able to put looper controls into a preset using command center! i used it at gig and went well, but realized i needed one more looper control. (since I sometimes have to record a section to solo over later, it's important to be able to use STOP to end the loop so it's ready when i need later in the song) Now have Undo, Rec/OD, Play, Stop problem is that my play and stop switches have to be pushed twice to respond.. i can't figure out anything wrong in the settings. after recording a loop, the buttons seem to work ok the first time, but if i stop the loop, then it takes 2 pushes on play to play it and then 2 pushes on stop to stop it. Any assistance would be much appreciated!

Hi - very happy to be able to put looper controls into a preset using command center! i used it at gig and went well, but realized i needed one more looper control. (since I sometimes have to record a section to solo over later, it's important to be able to use STOP to end the loop so it's ready when i need later in the song) Now have Undo, Rec/OD, Play, Stop problem is that my play and stop switches have to be pushed twice to respond.. i can't figure out anything wrong in the settings. after recording a loop, the buttons seem to work ok, but if i stop the loop, then it takes 2 pushes on play to play it and then 2 pushes on stop to stop it. Any assistance would be much appreciated!

Hi - thanks for helping..... I did try restarting while not connected to USB, but didn't help. Wound up doing a reset and was able to load a backup. I guess with computers there's always the risk of something like this and I prob. should have been better prepared. Normally, it's ok to power up/power down while connected to computer via USB? I'm guessing this was caused somehow by cutting power to the unit while it was connected to computer (Although Ive done that hundreds of times before)... or maybe just a weird fluke... curious to see what tech support says when they get back.

PPS - when i try to load my backup, I also still get the HX edit message saying failed to initialize error -8201. may have to try full factory reset...

PS HX edit shows code 8201 if that helps

HI - restarted helix tonite (had used in AM with no problems) - I had it connected via usb to iMac with mojave... when i started back up, no presets in helix for my user 3,4,5, which is where all my current presets are (were)... factory ones are there and some really old ones in User 1 and 2. HX edit says failed to initialize... have already restarted once, but they didn't come back.... I can load backup I guess, but haven't backed up in a couple of weeks and had made a bunch of presets i really loved.... Never had anything like this happen before and didn't think I needed to back up that often... lesson learned, I guess If anyone has any ideas on how to revive the missing ones, please LMK! Thank you!

Thank you for confirming that... I guess it's a road trip to the service center! As an expert, do you have any info/insight for deciding between getting this fixed of ponying up for a powercab? Thanks!

Hi - Wondering how you would compare the DT25 to the Powercab? If you could only have one, which is better? more 'amp-like'? Thanks!

This is probably coincidence, but have had 2 issues lately that seem potentially related to using helix with the DT25. First, my helix lost all output shortly after connecting to DT25 (which was sounding great BTW). Luckily have the extended warrantee on helix and that was repaired and has seemed fine for a month or so now. Have since tried the DT25 on 2 gigs and was fine. today was trying some new settings on helix (in particular playing with the DT25 Class A, class A/B and pentode/triode options, which are a great feature) ... was playing a bit after making adjsutments and then there was a volume drop and I heard a little 'static' then the amp died.. no power light, no sound. Speaker protection fuse was fine. Questions: 1. I have seen some threads indicating that tubes could cause problem... if it's just tubes, would power still not even come on? Should I just try new tubes first? 2. I'm assuming that if I take in for service, could be $300 roughly, which isn't awful, but wondering if anyone has compared the sound and feel of the DT25 with the Powercab? 3. Is there any reason to think that the powercabs might play more nicely with helix than DT25? any reason to think powercabs would be any more reliable than DT25? Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you!