silverhead

I'm on Windows 10 running Firefox.

Yes trhere are new factory presets. Don't know how many but at least Factory 1 32 A Space case.

http://line6.com/support/topic/31856-v250-installation-procedure/

That's curious. I don't see those instructions after hitting the Accept button. I see what looks like the Line 6 Home page - which I thought was strange and perhaps indicates some glitch on my end. Just to be 100% certain ... can other readers here please confirm whether or not they saw the installation notes the Honest Opinion sees when running Line 6 Updater? The reason I made this post in the first place was that I couldn't find any installation notes at any point in the process. From a logistics perspective I think that Line 6 should have provided this HX Edit v2.51 backup requirement information before users have already begun the firmware installation using Line 6 Updater. That's why I am confused about this. Anyway, thanks for the alert. Assuming we get confirmation I will change my original post.

That's curious. I don't see those instructions after hitting the Accept button. I see what looks like the Line 6 Home page - which I thought was strange and perhaps indicates some glitch on my end. Can other readers please clarify exactly what they see after hitting the Accept button at the beginning of the Line 6 Updater process? If you see what Honest Opinion is reporting then certainly you should follow those instructions.

Yes - turn Helix Control off before updating. Thanks for the additional info spikey.

I am having trouble finding the installation/backup notes that you are quoting from. Where exactly do you see these? I didn't notice them in the Line 6 Updater program v1.12 the first time I installed v2.50, and I have just repeated the installation in an effort to find them. I still did not see them. I don't recall hearing anything about that during beta testing.

I'll bet you say that to all the new amps....... ;)

Sorry - I don't know the full story re: new/changed presets, neither for v2.3 nor v2.5. As for the extra effort award....no time. I'm busy washing my hair tonight..... :P

Yes - I recommend backing up and restoring setlists.

I expect there's a huge demand on the Line 6 server(s) right now. Try again later. (.. although detection of the Helix device should probably not require their server. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB.....)

I have seen a couple of posts and some early confusion......seems the formal installation instructions may not be readily visible during the process. 1) Backup existing presets and setlists as desired using HX Edit v2.30, then close the HX Edit program. NOTE: Use the full system backup feature if you wish but see below for impacts during the restoratoin procedures. 2) Download HX Edit v2.51. Install all components, particularly the new Line 6 Updater program. Optionally use HX Edit v2.51 to make another set of backup files.** If you have Helix Rack/Control turn off the Control unit now. 3) Connect Helix via USB and run the new Updater program. The process will not overwrite any existing presets/setlists (not even factory stuff) so the automatic post-installation restart and Rubuilding Presets phase may be longer than before. If you have Helix Rack/Control turn on the Control unit now. Confirm the Controller update process. 4) If you want the new factory presets* you need to perform the startup sequence to restore stock presets and setlists. See: http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/effects-controllers/helix/helixltfx-reset-procedures-and-troubleshootin-r768 5) Restore user setlists from you backup. Use the v2.51 backup files; if you have issues try the 2.30 backup files. NOTE: If you used the full backup feature, and decided to do the startup sequence that restores the factory presets and setlists to get any new factory presets, make sure to uncheck the factory setlists when you restore from your backup. Otherwise, you'll overwrite the new factory setlists with the old ones from your backup. *e.g. Factory1 32A Space Case showcasing a couple of the new reverbs. I don't know whether this is the only new preset. ** Early on there was some confusion (see later posts in this thread) about whether the v2.30 or v2.51 backup files should be used. Turns out you can use either. Two sets of backups is an extra precaution. HX Edit v2.51 is backwards compatible with Helix firmwar v 3.0.

HX Edit v2.51 is there now.

Download and install HX Edit v2.51 (after backing up using v2.30). Install all components of HX Edit v2.51, including a new Line 6 Updater. Run the new Updater.

Backup using HX Edit v2.30Download HX Edit v2.51; install all components. Connect Helix via USB and run Line 6 Updater

I agree in general. I think a good start would be to simply change the default setting in the New Preset factory settings to Custom rather than Don't Force, with a string setting of zero for all strings. That way every time you switch to a preset Helix would force a standard tuning unless you have specified a real custom tuning. Don't Force would still be available but not the default.

That has happened to me also. I think I recall that when I checked my Helix preset settings for Variax the Tuning setting was Don't Force. I had to edit the preset to set the Tuning to Custom and the string offsets all to zero. My understanding is that in both cases Helix did what it was told - in the former setting it did not change the tuning, leaving it in Eb. In the latter case it changed the setting to a custom tuning with a standard tuning setting. .... but my memory may be faulty, and I know you are an experienced Helix/Variax user so you may have already checked into this.......

I'm looking forward to, on the day after the update is released, the first new thread asking when the next update is coming.

Yes, two instances. They should sound different because the underlying modeling technology is different. Which one sounds 'better' is, of course, a subjective opinion.

I am impressed by anyone who could instantly recognize a specific FX pedal, among the many dozens available, by its icon. I prefer the coloured generic block because at least I know instantly what sort or category of FX it is. Personally I can't distinguish between a Rat, Fuzz, Bubble Phaser, Spring Reverb, or anything else by a little picture of the actual real world pedal. I think I would start to feel like I'm in the middle of a game of Where's Waldo.

The update no longer installs the latest factory presets either. I recommend that everyone save individual setlists before updating. After the update restart Helix using the Restore Factory Presets startup sequence, then also back up the factory setlists individually so you will always have a copy of them on hand. Then restore your custom setlists.

Click on your photo icon in the above post that you made. This brings you to your member page. Select Edit my Profile in the top right area of the page. Then select Email and Password in the left column. Edit email address as desired.

The max time of a recorded loop is not, imho, the most important factor in rendering the Helix Looper usable for live performances. The more important factor is the complexity and timing of the tap dancing required in real time to use the footswitches to navigate back and forth between looper mode and performance mode. You can test that out for yourself with the current looper. Try to record a loop for the rhythm guitar, switch to another preset/snapshot to solo over the loop, then return to the original rhythm setting to continue the next verse of the song - all without missing a beat in the tempo or a desirable note in the solo. And if you also happen to be the singer and need to manage the vocals as well ..... good luck. Here's a post I made some time ago after briefly thinking I might be able to manage it..... http://line6.com/support/topic/17997-using-helix-looper-live/

Make sure your DAW is configured to use Helix and its ASIO driver as the audio input/output device. Also make sure your monitors/headphones are connected to Helix, not your computer. Turn off any software Record Monitoring in your DAW.

I think that Yamaha, who purchased Line 6 after the Llive Sound products (StageScape and StageSource) were released, has killed further development of these products in favour of their own competing products, perhaps integrating some Line 6 technology into Yamaha products. But that's just my opinion.