silverhead

Just to test..... what happens if you remove the ProFire from your setup and use the HD500 and its ASIO driver as the audio interface to your DAW?

It's an interesting question and I think the answer represents a strategic decision by Line 6 regarding their product portfolio. Line 6 is primarily an embedded systems designer. They produce hardware and firmware products that are aimed at live play more than studio work except as audio interface devices. These embedded systems operate in an environment that does not involve a consumer-oriented operating system like Windows or Mac. Products like Pod Farm and Mobile Pod are a step outside their sweet spot. These products require integration with commercial operating systems. Arguably, their mainstream products do as well in terms of USB drivers for audio interface, firmware updates and editor functions, but all of that is just control information and data streaming - it does not involve porting their DSP algorithms into the less controlled world of consumer hardware and commercial OS. I suspect that is much more difficult. As has been pointed out, products like Amplitube are already focused exclusively on the broad consumer market of software applications running on a commercial OS. Presumably a software company that considers this their primary product and market can do it better than a company like Line 6 whose primary products are embedded systems, and who ventures outside that world as a secondary concern. Does Line 6 want to compete with these companies head-on? That's their dilemma I think. Then again, we have just seen Line 6 release Mobile Pod 2.0, so is Helix Farm 1.0 on the horizon? Only Line 6 knows and they won't be saying until and unless they are nearly ready to release it.

If you have a Mac try GarageBand.

I didn't spend a lot of time using my Variax 300 with Helix and I don't recall testing the specific scenario you describe. But from the behaviour I recall this might work OK. The initial patch selection should set the Varaiax model properly. When you then use the pickup selector switch the Variax guitar will respond appropriately and select the new model. However, Helix will not receive this info properly and the Helix display (Variax page) goes wonky. Nonetheless, the sound being produced by the guitar and processed by Helix might proceed properly - it may be just a display issue. Then the display will be OK again when you reselect the patch on Helix. But all of this is theoretical based on unsupported technology. And bear in mind that a different older Variax model may behave differently than my V300. The only way to tell is to test this yourself with your guitar.

btw.... I have found that Helix works to some extent with my Variax 300. I can use Helix (not the Variax) to successfully store and recall a Variax model selection in a Helix preset. It seems that changes made on the Helix device are properly communicated to and received by the V300. However, the reverse is not true. Changes made on the Variax are not properly communicated to Helix. Try this with your Variax 700. Perhaps it will work for your needs.

I'm sure that's disappointing. I don't work for Line 6 and don't know if they have any plans to make Helix support earlier Variaxes. The Helix manual does specify that it only works with JTV and Standard.

Note that this is primarily a POD HD500/X feature, not an L-series speaker feature. It was introduced in a firmware update some time after the early releases. Make sure your POD HD firmware is up to date.

I think you would benefit from doing a little Google research on Recording Audio on Computer. You should get a broad overview on equipment and concepts that you need to understand and obtain before you can begin to understand how Pod Farm fits into that world. Broadly speaking you will need: - a computer - a software program designed to record audio from external sound sources (microphone, guitar, ...) to your computer. Pod Farm is not one of these. - an audio interface hardware device that sits between and connects your sound sources to your computer - optionally, other pieces of software that can apply digital signal processing to shape the sound of the audio signal. Pod Farm is one example of these types of software. It's a learning curve. You should start with a more general approach than just Line 6 gear and users.

What audio interface are you using?

It affects the Helix XLR Outputs when the connected device is delivering phantom power through its XLR inputs. This issue does not affect the Helix XLR Inputs, whether or not the Helix phantom power is on.

Not to my knowledge but worth a try.

Because not all ideas are cost-effective or reasonable to implement on current products. Some are feasible and those are often implemented in the current product (like adding a Looper to Firehawk). Some are not feasible and would require a complete product redesign (like adding more instances of certain FX blocks in Firehawk). Those are not implemented in the current product but may appear in later products.

Then the hiss will be there on the XLRs until and unless Line 6 resolves the issue. Meantime use the Helix 1/4" outputs.

Turn off the phantom power on your Bud amp input.

I think it's normal. It always happens after a firmware update, but even without updating I often see one or more presets being rebuilt when Helix powers up. Don't know why, or what circumstances trigger it, but it's never been a problem for me.

Sounds to me like you may have fried your Variax 300. One of the pins in the VDI (ethernet) connection is used to power the Variax when connected to a Line 6-compatible device. If that pin is also involved with power on your DuoVerb (or even if not) then it is very possible that you shocked your Variax to death. You should open a support ticket with Line 6: http://line6.com/support/tickets/add.html EDIT: OK - on looking at the DuoVerb I see it can be connected to an FBV floorboard, and provides power to it. Very likely, since they are both Line 6 products, the same pin is used to power the floorboard that is used to power the Variax. Unfortunately they probably have different power requirements.

Just so you know, I'm not one of 'you guys'. I am not employed by Line 6; I'm a user participating in these forums on a volunteer basis. Hence I can't address your concerns.

There is a program called POD HD500X Edit that you can download from here: http://line6.com/software/ You will find the program listed in the Software field. You will still need to connect your monitors/speakers to the Pod outputs; it becomes your computer's soundcard when connected via usb.

Firehawk was never designed to be the same as, or a replacement for, the HD500X. Don't know why you thought it was. Perhaps you should sell Firehawk and get a POD HD500X. Ideascale is used by Line 6 to learn about bugs that need fixing and to get ideas for features and improvements. Bugs are fixed in the current product. New ideas are implemented in current products where they make sense, but are often incorporated into future products. For instance, many of the design features in Helix were first proposed as enhancements to the POD HD product line. So, yes - everyone who has ideas for improvements to Firehawk should use Ideascale to suggest the ideas. But don't expect that every suggestion will be implemented. Some will probably find their way into future Firehawk firmware updates. But others, like the points you list, are likely never going to be added to Firehawk - it would require a complete redesign. And other ideas may appear in new products.

Check the pins in the VDI jack on your Variax 300. If you see any that are bent, fashion a small J-hook out of a plastic tie/wrap that you have lying around the house. Use it to gently straighten the bent pins.If the VDI jack on the Variax 300 is too badly damaged this won't work and you will need to take it in for servicing. Then use a VDI-type cable with the protective housing on the end to connect to the Variax 300 in the future. This is exactly why the special cables should be used. It will prevent such damage in the future. Does the Varaix 300 still work if powered by batteries and you use the 1/4" output jack?

What is damaged, and what exactly is the damage? A regular Ethernet cable, a Line 6 VDI cable, the Variax, or the Duoverb? If it's a regular Ethernet cable they can be replaced cheaply.

That's pretty basic. If it doesn't power on I would return it immediately.

True. Helix is not designed to be.a wireless device. I presume the cable you are talking about is the Helix audio output cable(s) to the mixer/FOH? You will also need a power cord/cable unless there is a power outlet on stage. I think to have a completely wireless stage presence you need the audio device (amp, Helix, whatever) in the backline where its cables are unobtrusive. Even if you are using a traditional analog pedalboard on stage with a wireless guitar setup you still have the power and audio output cable considerations, don't you?

The short board does not store any tones. It is a controller for (in your case) whatever AMPLIFi device you are using with the remote app. So what you want to search for is how to save/store a custom tone from the remote app to your AMPLIFi device. There are several AMPLIFi devices and the details may be device specific. I would check the FAQs here (under the Support tab above) for your device, or search the AMPLIFi user forum here. Once the tone/preset is stored on the device you can use the short board footswitches to navigate the device and select the preset.

Are you using the original Sonic Port or the more recent Somic Port VX? I have the VX and there ar settings on the device that allow you to select Guitar or one of the two Mic setups as the input. You can also control the Mic input level. Check these settings on your device. Also check your Input selection in the Mobile Pod preset. Click on the Input block on the preset signal flow view to see the options.