silverhead

You're not missing anything, and they didn't forget it. It's just not there, one of hundreds of real-world pedals that aren't modelled in Helix. You can use Ideascale to suggest that it be added.

I have Global Settings - Footswitches as follows: - Preset Mode Switches: 8 snapshots - Stomp Mode switches: 10 switches - Up/Down Switches: doesn't really matter - select Banks or Presets My display shows 10 footswitches. When I want to change to a different tone I hit the Mode switch and then the display shows the Up/Down buttons to allow me to switch to a different Bank/Preset as determined by the above Up/Down Switches setting. Having selected a new preset the display reverts back to showing the 8 snapshots available in that preset, allowing you to select your desired snapshot. Hitting Mode again displays the 10 footswitches. Is that what you're looking for?

A snapshot always stores the on/off state of each block. But there's nothing preventing you from keeping all the block states the same in all snapshots. Then the snapshot will affect only the parameters.

Make sure that you are using both paths (1 and 2) and not just the split-path capability in each (e.g. 1A and 1B). You can create a preset that uses 2 amps - one in path 1A and another in path 1B. This setup utilizes only half the available DSP because each of paths 1 and 2 are served by their own DSP processor. Instead, create a preset that uses one amp in path 1 and the other in path 2.

Just a (probably unnecessary) reminder: back up all your presets before taking it in for servicing. In fact, back them up now in case it just doesn't start next time you turn it on.

Right - a Pro - sorry I missed that. It certainly could be a power fluctuation. But it could also be that the internal power supply is failing. If it were me I would just keep an eye on it for now. Repeated events like this would make me take it for servicing.

Are you connecting your bass and keyboard to the Sonic Port VX or recording them via the VX mic? If connecting them, describe the connection you are using.

.... and I have a feeling that they did, and feel that it works just fine in most circumstances........ Is it perfect? No. Does that make it unusable? No.

That's often an indication that the power supply (the wall wart thing) is failing. Try or buy a replacement but make sure the specs are EXACTLY the same.

After updating did you restart Helix while holding down knobs 9&10 (5&6 on the Rack model) to rebuild (not just restore) all presets?

Yes that's normal.

Try holding down the POD's left (or right?) nav key while powering up. If you can get it to start up in this mode try reinstalling the firmware. Or, if you can get your hands on another power supply with EXACTLY THE SAME SPECS, try it. If neither of those things work it needs servicing.

After an update Helix automatically restarts and rebuilds the factory presets but not the user Setlists. Perhaps that's what you're recalling.

The update does not do this automatically. It must be done manually.

Check the USB port on your HD500X. Is there a black rectangular plastic piece in the port? If not, and you can see the 4 pins inside the port, you may have just shorted out the USB connections in your POD. I can see this causing your computer to reboot. I suppose it's possible that this affected your amp and pedal too via some sort of power surge from the shortout. If that black plastic piece is gone your POD definitely needs servicing.

There is no 'Clear' function for presets. Like DarrellM5 says, just copy a blank preset over it.

I've never used an amp with Helix - direct from XLRs into mixer. Sounds amazing. Don't know what's wrong with your setup but must be something. Not likely that two Helix devices have the same fault. If you are connecting your XLRs into mic preamps in the mixer you could try setting Helix to Mic output level.

Immediately after each update, did you hold down knobs 9&10 (or 5&6 on the Rack) while restarting the Helix device? This is a requirement, not optional, in firmware 2.0.

I suggest you open a support ticket now. It's likely that no one can confirm this behaviour because it's not normal. While awaiting a response to your ticket, I suggest you (re)read the documentation on Snapshots to make sure you understand how to work with them and what behaviour you should expect after each operation you do. EDIT: In particular, examine the SAVE and DISCARD global setting for Snapshots.

I would start with the Helix Cheat Sheet that came in your box, and with Preset 1A (called Quick Start) in the Templates setlist. Use the Cheat Sheet to figure out how to find that preset and copy it to preset 1A of the User1 setlist. Then, using your User1 Quick Start preset, start modifying it by selecting different amp and FX models and playing around with their parameter values. Copy and Save versions of this preset as you wish to get familiar with that process. Also Export different versions of the preset to your computer. This is important because you will want to make backup copies of your own presets regularly. Practice adding, changing, removing and reordering your amp and FX blocks to hear and see the results. Learn to assign footswitches to turn FX on/off as desired. Any and all practice you do at this stage will be valuable. Don't worry about messing anything up - you really can't do any damage. You can get yourself quite confused, of course, and you should expect that in the early stages. Keep your documentation handy, both user guide and advanced guide that came on your usb stick with the device. It should be compatible with the factory installed firmware. At some point you should update your device, the editor, and the documentation to the latest versions of firmware and software. You will find online procedures for this in the Support - Knowledge Base area of this website. Have Fun!! And don't hesitate to come back here with specific questions as you encounter different situations.

That seems odd. First step in troubleshooting: Close the editor (Helix app) and power cycle both your computer and the Helix device. If that doesn't fix things reinstall the Helix app/editor. The try using different usb ports on your computer. If all of the above fails open a support ticket.

Clicking on the camera icon in the editor will allow you to select the Rename Snapshot option. You can also do it by clicking and holding your mouse over the snapshot name. In both cases make sure to hit the Enter key to complete the operation.

POD HD has a maximum of 8 blocks. You can't add anymore.

One caution about using a standard Ethernet cable long term - it may cause damage to the Variax VDI connection/jack. The VDI cable includes protective housing on the end that results in a more stable and secure connection where the cable end will not move in the socket. A standard Ethernet cable is unshielded at the end and the connection will be loose. The resulting movement of the cable in the connector will, over time, bend the wires in the Variax jack and cause the connection to fail. This may also require an expensive repair to your Variax.

You're right that there are two modelers. The Variax is a guitar modeler and the AMLPLIFi is an amp/FX modeler. Using both together allows you to use different combinations of guitars and amplifiers. The question of what amp to use with Variax has no 'right' answer. There are historical combinations that you can use to create familiar sounds. For instance, an early Beatles sound can be obtained by pairing a Gretsch (R-Billy) or Rickenbacker (Chime) Variax model with a VOX (e.g. AC-30) amp. Or you can get a sound like John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and a million other artists by pairing a Fender guitar (T-Model or Spank) with a Fender amp (Deluxe, Bassman, Blackface...). Or go Led Zeppelin and Guns 'n Roses with a Les Paul (Lester) guitar with a Marshall (JCM-800, Park 75,...) amp. Or a Jazz style with a semi-open guitar body (Semi or Jazzbox) with the Roland JC-120 amp. Or...... on and on. But again, there's no right answer. Just like in the real world you can connect any type of guitar to any type of amplifier. Experiment to find the sounds that you like.