silverhead

Note that the recorded loop will be erased when you power off the HD500. You will have to record it again at each gig, which implies you have the audio with you on some external device. An alternative would be to connect the external device to the HD500 using its cd/MP3 input. You would start/stop the audio playback as desired using the external device.

Not sure what you mean by "use it as a master". Explain?

What Line 6 device are you using? Although the error message identifies the Flextone III that's not necessarily what you're using as far as we can tell. I suggest you post this again in the sub-forum associated with your device.

What type of Variax do you have? Helix is compatible (over VDI) with Variax JTV and later models. It is not compatible with earlier models up to and including Variax 700. Similarly, Helix with the latest firmware operates as a Workbench HD interface for the same models.

The latest Firehawk manual describes the procedures for editing directly on the device. See above tabs. Support - Technical Support - Manuals.

This is normal when the Looper block is in the PRE position, at the front of the signal chain. If you want the recorded sound to remain the same when switching presets place the looper block in POST position, at the end of the signal chain.

Excellent improvement to my suggested procedures, HonestOpinion. I should have recommended that the installation instructions be followed from the beginning. You're absolutely right - the backups come first.

Yes. Here's how I would proceed.: 1) Download and install the Helix app package (editor, driver, and Line 6 Updater program) on your computer where you have an Internet connection. Read and follow (and print out) the installation instructions.Fopllow the instructions up to the point where you are directed to rune the Line 6 Updater program to install the firmware. None of this requires the Helix device to be connected. 2) Download but do not install the firmware file. Note where it is located on your computer. 3) Bring the computer, a usb cable and the printed installation instructions to your rehearsal space where your Helix device is. 4) Connect Helix to your computer and run the Line 6 Updater program. Select to install from the file on your computer rather than from an internet connection. Point the installer to the firmware file on your computer. Continue to follow the remaining installation instructions from your printout.

Same support team. Open a support ticket and they will respond.

Yes. Assign all three FX blocks to FS1. Manually turn ON distortion and Flanger, and turn Chorus OFF. Save the preset. Henceforth recalling the preset will recall the saved on/off states of the FX blocks, and pressing FS1 will toggle the state of all three FX blocks simultaneously.

Yes they are still in production. You're right - it's difficult to find one in stock here in Canada. You could order one through the Canadian distributor, Long & McQuade.

Here's a potentially relevant snip from the manual: IMPORTANT! Snapshots make it easy for multiple blocks assigned to the same footswitch to end up in unexpected states. For example, if FS2 toggles between Delay (ON) and Reverb (OFF) blocks and a snapshot turns the Reverb on, FS2 will suddenly turn both blocks on and off together.

I think I gave you incorrect info on this point. I'm not at me Helix right now so can't experiment but I don't think you can, in fact, turn an Input block on/off. It's always on. I'm not 100% certain about this either, but try assigning the Input value (none, Multi, etc.) to the snapshot controller and then assign the value None to the block in the Snapshot where you don't want any input from that block. Sorry for the confusion - I've never actually used snapshots for this purpose. As indicated earlier I use separate presets for this. Another alternative might be to use a VOL block immediately after the Input block in both paths. Assign both Vol blocks to the same expression pedal and use opposite max/min settings of 0% and 100% for the pedals. Rotating the pedal from heel to toe will blend the two inputs. At the full heel/toe positions you can silence one of the Inputs.

Note: unless you need to change from Variax Mags to Model instantaneously during a song it may be easier to simply use different presets rather than a dual-path preset and snapshots. If you can tolerate a few milliseconds lag in the sound (e.g. between songs or at a suitable moment within the song) you could just switch presets rather than snapshots.

You can control Variax model selection and alternate tunings using Snapshots. Assign those parameters to the Snapshot controller as you would any other parameter (push and rotate the parameter knob) and set the desired values for each Snapshot. The pickup selection (Variax Mags or Model) is done via the Input block. To be able to switch that assignment you need to create a dual-path preset. Assign one input block to the Variax Mags and the other to a model as described above. Then assign the respective Input block's on/off state to the Snapshot controller.

You simply start recording a new loop, as if it were your first take. Each time you hit the Record (not overdub) button a new loop is started, replacing any previously recorded loop.

Try this. Don't know if it's any simpler to format for printing. https://helixhelp.com/models/

You need to copy/paste. You can't modify/customize the stored model in the firmware library. What I and others do is simplify the 'search' for the desired model settings by using a designated preset in the factory setlist called Templates. There I create a preset containing my favourite models and my preferred settings. I never actually use or listen to the preset. That way I always know where to find the desired model so the copy/paste operation takes minimal time and effort.

I now see your first post. Seems that approving this post tagged your username as an approved poster, meaning your earlier post also became visible. No need to try again.

I agree that you will probably find it best to start from scratch with Helix. But in terms of conversion tips..... You can run the HD500X Edit program without the HD500X device connected. So having saved your HD presets to your computer you can then disconnect the HD and connect Helix. Run both Edit programs simultaneously. You will be able to see all the details of the HD preset and manually recreate the settings in Helix. After doing this a few times you will probably realize that the amount of tweaking required to get similar sounds is not worth it and you will lose your enthusiasm for the idea of converting the presets. Besides, Helix tones are far superior, imho. Trying to simply recreate the Pod Hd sounds on Helix is doing yourself a disservice.

It generally takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on your time zone and the content of the post. If you post during business hours in North America it shouldn't take very long. If the post violates the forum's terms of use it won't be approved and you won't be informed. I can't see an earlier post by you. Perhaps something technical went wrong with your first post. Try again.

You can use only Snapshots 1 and 4 if you wish. Snapshots 2, 3, and 5-8 will still be present but you can ignore them.

I would try using a different USB port on your computer (preferably on the rear panel rather than the front panel which often use an internal hub) and run Line 6 Updater again. If that still fails and you have access to another computer I would try that.

I agree with cruisinon2 here. It's easy to fall into analysis paralysis in the digital world. I try to focus on the sound in the way cruison2 describes. I know some people would like the ability to measure a metered signal level at each point in the chain but beyond a certain point that approach seems like a lot of wasted time, thought, and effort to me.

If you don't plan on using any amp or cab models you should also consider the Line 6 M13 stompbox modeler. It can also be used in a 4CM configuration and may be more suited to your needs.