silverhead

You can't directly transfer HD500X tone files into Helix. You can run the HD500X Edit program without an HD500X device connected to inspect the detailed preset settings and then manually recreate the settings in Helix. However, this will never sound identical to the HD500X preset (and why would you want it to? Helix provides better tones). Consider it a starting point for tweaking.

The quickest way to get going is to read the Helix 'Cheat Sheet'. It should be in the box when Helix arrives. You'll also find it in the Manuals section of this website.

What will you do, then?

I would call it an expense, not an investment. It's market value will certainly decrease over time, not increase. As a customer, I am buying it (and any other depreciating product) for what it can do today - not what it might do at some future time. If I buy it for $1,500 today I do not expect to be able to sell it for more later. Based on Line 6 history I do expect that it will receive periodic updates and improvements for at least a few years. But I don't expect to be able to dictate their content or timing. And I expect it to be less frequent than Fractal - always has been.

It wasn't a business model. The processor chip they used in the HD500 suddenly became unavailable. So they sourced a new (faster, of course) processor and launched the HD500X model. There are no plans to upgrade Helix hardware.

Make sure your speakers are connected to the Helix outputs. Your internal computer speakers are bypassed when the Helix device is connected. Helix becomes your computer's soundcard.

You will need to connect your Variax to your computer using a Line 6 interface device that supports Variax Workbench communications. The Firehawk 1500 is not a supporting device. Your JTV-89 was originally equipped with an additional piece of hardware and cables that serves this purpose. It is called the Workbench USB Interface and is a fairly small rectangular device. If you have it, use that to connect to your computer. Then run Line 6 Monkey to update the firmware. If you don't have this device you could try to contact the previous owner and inquire about it. If you can't get it you will need to at least temporarily obtain a compatible Line 6 device (Pod X3/HD series with VDI connection) or obtain it separately by purchasing the Variax Workbench HD product. Here are the update procedures: http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/guitars/variax-guitars-bass-workbench/variax-reflash-and-software-update-instructions-r309

Are you using the editor program on your computer while this is happening? If so, the behaviour you describe is normal. You can restore the saved settings from the device by using the Receive command in the editor. The unsaved changes are kept in the editor's buffer while you change back and forth between presets. Editing directly on the Pod device, without using the editor, should not retain any unsaved changes while you switch presets.

You're right - the driver I was talking about is for a Wndows machine. I think you're good to go now in the Mac world but someone more familiar with that world can hopefully advise you now.

The Helix application version 1.11 is the editor. The file you download is the installer file. Run it to install the app/editor. Then download the installer for the Line 6 Updater program. When you run this installer program you can also install the Helix driver. With the driver and the Updater program installed, you run the Updater program to update the Helix device firmware.

Wrap some elastic bands around the base of the Function 1 footswitch to prevent it from engaging.

Oh, alright. No more speculating about free wireless features replacing the VDI cable, including wireless power transmission.

That's cool. But there's another (better?) way to sweep through the IRs without stopping to play. Use the Looper in pre position to record something, the put your guitar down and playback the loop while using the IR selection knob to audition them all.

Oh, well.... If we're speculating...... HELIX will replace Workbench. It will be included in the next public (not beta) release of the HELIX editor, hence no need to ever upgrade HELIX to become a Workbench interface. All Helix presets will be able to store up to five Variax models, just like one of the Custom model banks on a Variax. You will be able to assign HELIX footswitches to control model selection within a preset. No more messy handling of the pickup selector switch. 😎😀 Anybody else?

Nobody knows, except for Line 6. And apparently they aren't saying anything else at this time.

Pages 8 and 9 of the Pilot's Guide seem to describe this quite clearly as far as I can see. The Remote App section begins on Page 8. There it shows the Menu/Back button labeled A and describes how to access the Main Menu in the app, and page 9 describes the Main Menu items including the Cloud Search icon.

The Line 6 Updater program only deals with updating the Helix device firmware, identified by the *.hxf file type. The latest firmware is version 1.10 and you probably already have it installed on your device. Version 1.11 is the latest Helix app/editor. It installs on your computer, not the Helix device. You download the installer file and then execute it on your computer to install the application, just like other applications you install on your computer. You don't use Line 6 Updater for this.

I have no idea.

The About Helix info displays the current app/editor firmware version. The display in the top left of the app, beside the icon of the Helix device, displays the device firmware version. In the screenshot posted above they are both accurate. Device firmware 1.10 and app/editor firmware 1.11

Yes you can transfer your HD500 presets directly into the HD500X using their respective Edit programs. You can't always do the reverse because with the HD500X and its additional DSP you can create presets that would exceed the HD500 limitations. As you say, there is no need to upgrade but if the price is right you never know when the extra DSP and improved footswitches could come in handy. But in your case I probably wouldn't consider it for more than a few tens of dollars. But don't worry about having to rebuild all your presets. You won't have to as long as you save them to your computer before giving up your Hd500 device.

The best way to lobby for any new feature or feature change is to open a feature request on Ideascale. This is the space that Line 6 has set up for this purpose, and monitors when considering product updates and new products. http://line6.ideascale.com/

Thanks guys. I'll check out different picks as well as strings.

Great. Glad things are working out. I know it can be frustrating dealing with uncooperative technology sometimes. Good luck tomorrow! Don't hesitate to start another thread if you have further problems.

Did you see my latest post re: the driver?

Oops.... My apologies. Apparently it's not visible in the public listing. As a Line 6 Expert I have access to some items that are not publicly available. When I logged out I could no longer see it. Have you installed the AMPLIFi driver on your computer? This driver does appear in th Software downloads section. With that, and the AMPLIFi device connected via USB, Line 6 Updater should see it.