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Hi Helixists Being already aware of this post which contradicts the manual on the 1/4" outs What is the official info on Helix's Outputs? XLRs: This ones clearly Balanced! Mic or Line Level switchable, but when in Line level -10dBV or + 4dBU? 1/4": Manual says unbalanced... but are they really? Again confusion comes from the aforementioned post. Instrument or line Switchable , but when in Line level -10dBV or + 4dBU? Sends: Same as 1/4" Would be sooo nice for the manual to be clear on this. :- ) Guix the Helixist standing by.

I have a 7 String ESP, HELIX and FRFR. Trying to come up with a tone that has that metal chug but enough high end to stand out, whilst not being overly distorted. Any help in replicating this sound to its closest would be much appreciated. Please check out Beggin cover by Violet Orlandi.

Good day folks. I Finally upgraded to a Helix LT from (HD500X). It is a mind blowing incredible pedal. I do have to sort out an issue that me and a friend, whom both have the same (Older) Marshall amp and same Helix pedal. We both are using this pedal with the 4CM and using a modeled clean tone. Now that we have the Helix and the ability to use snapshot mode we also want to utilize the clean channel of the Marshall by changing amp channel with the helix using the EXP pedal 2 jack. It works no problem changing the Channels but when plugging in the cable you instantly get a loud hum. We tried everything and googled it extensively. As far as we can tell it is also a problem with both the Helix and the (Axe FX units) with older amps. We tried a new DSL combo, it does not hum when using the Helix to switch channels. Talking to my amp tech he needs to meter the Helix jack for continuity and he thinks its either a ground loop or something affecting the switching matrix in the Head. Each jack on the DSL is a standard tip to sleeve short. But it is referenced to the chassis. When he comes into town this weekend he is going to trouble shoot it for me. I'm just curious if anyone else is having this issue on older amps? Has anyone had an amp tech fix the humming issue? Any help or incite will be greatly appreciated. Cheers Rick

Ok there are a bunch of posts on this topic but I didn't find any with pictures, or any that were specifically for a helix LT model, so following the instructions from those posts without being able to see what I was getting into was a bit scary. If you're a smooth-brained half-wit like me and you need pictures (and you have an LT model). Here you go. Here's the summary of what you're going to do. Take the back off. Loosen the expression pedal bolt. Apply some lube to the spacers that the pedal pivots with. Put the back back on and re-tighten the pedal bolt. 1. Take the back off. To do this, you need to remove almost (see exception below) every single screw you see on the back and sides. You'll need a small phillips screwdriver and a small hex/allen wrench (sorry I don't know what size the one I used is). EXCEPTIONS DO NOT REMOVE the 10 screws around the XLR left / right outputs, Variax / Digital Out ports, and power cord port. You don't need to remove the two screws directly underneath the pedal. I zoomed in on them in one of the attached pics. It's ok if you do remove them, but know that they hold a plastic support piece in place for the pedal to rest on inside. When you remove those screws that plastic piece will come loose and you'll hear it rattle around the inside and then think you've ruined your wonderful line 6 helix. You haven't. It will just scare the crap out of you and then you'll figure out later (like I did) that it reattaches really easily. 2. Loosen (don't remove) the tension bolt that the expression pedal rocks on. You'll need a 10mm hex/allen wrench for this. I made about 3 complete turns to loosen it to the point where the pedal rocks forwards and backwards pretty loosely. Three may be too many turns for yours - keep an eye on the nut at the end of the bolt and don't let the bolt come out of the nut. You're basically loosening it just enough so some lube can work it's way in between the white spacers/bushings and the metal where the pedal attaches. Ok so at this point, you've got the back off. The tension bolt is loose and you can see the two white spacers/bushings at each end of the expression pedal tension bolt. 3. Apply a very small amount of lube to the top of the spacers right up against where they touch the metal bracket/braces. By "a very small amount" I mean try to use as little as possible. If you use something that drips, clean up the drips. But try not to apply any amount close to an amount that would drip or spread to another area of the board. Apply some lube and rock the pedal back and forth. Do this until you feel like the lube has probably worked its way in some. Re-tighten the tension bolt. Rock the pedal. Still hear the squeak? Loosen it again and apply more lube. Follow this process until you are squeak free. Worked for me on the first go. What kind of lube should you use? I have no idea. Would be nice if someone from Line 6 could answer that in the comments. Other posts on this topic reference many lube suggestions including chapstick (of any flavor), white lithium grease, bike chain oil, silicon lube, this teflon dry lube, and others. I used a really thin bike chain lube called "Dumonde Tech Original". Don't use WD40 - it can be corrosive. Don't spray anything. Whatever you use, apply it to a small q-tip or a thin piece of plastic as an applicator. 4. Put it all back together. If you did end up removing those two screws under the pedal that I referenced above, reattach that plastic piece to the back first. Then put the back back on and screw all the screws back in. Be careful not to tighten too much and strip the screw holes. Just snug, hand tight. That's it. You did it. You're officially a hero now. No one will care that you fixed your squeak, let alone on your own, but don't let that stop you. Rock on with your invisible hero cape. You earned it.

The Helix and the Variax are a powerful combination. I know I can change the tuning of each individual string and volume of each string for each preset. I'd like to add a bass octave to the E string, but *only* the E string. In theory I'd like to take the bottom track and use it exclusively for modeling the lowest string to add a bass effect and then the top track for everything else. However, it doesn't seem that this is possible. I was wondering if any of you knew how I could maybe achieve that?

Hello, I want to send the MIDI Clock from my selected song in OnSong to my Helix - wirelessly. After days of experimenting I finally found this page OnSong's website that says OnSong' s MIDI Clock should never be used wirelessly due to latency problems. Since I'm a bit stubborn I thought there might be a way around this, where I can somehow use OnSong to send a MIDI message to the Helix to just set the BPM of the selected Helix Preset without using MIDI Clock. Any ideas if this is possible? Many thanks in advance! Peter

Hi There, I recently updated my Helix Lt software to the latest patch, this installed with no issues and my backup was downloaded onto the helix - no issues and I packed to go the my gig. I set up and turned on my Helix and it began rebuilding the database - I'm not sure why? When this had finished, I found it had managed to load all my presets correctly but the 'Cab block' was missing from each preset. Does anyone have any advice on this? Is the database rebuild standard after a software update? Thank you so much in advance and take care all

Hello Helix people, I've been thinking about getting HX Stomp, but saw local post selling Helix Floor on FB marketplace. It is about $800, the main caveat being that it has green line along the left side of the screen, which wouldn't bother me. And also it is quite beat up. I looked at Reverb and saw that $800 is a really good deal for one of this, so I am thinking about getting it instead of a Stomp, which in my area is priced at around $700. I will be able to meet up with a seller and check the unit, what should I look out for? What should be checked besides obvious inputs/outputs, all of the buttons/switches working? Thanks!

Hi community I really need your advice on this one, I downloaded a DarkThrone preset by Francie Fraser some time ago, I think back in 2019. I recently changed my PC, so I reinstalled everything, the DAW, Helix and other stuff, When I tried to import presets I get the following error; The issue is that I relly need this one and I can not afford to lose it that easily. I decided to review the components but I do not really know the best replacements for some of the "models" I used the https://dbagchee.github.io/helix-preset-viewer/ to have a better understanding of what I do not have, for instance the "Heavy dist pedal" is not available Which pedal should I use to replace it? With regard to the Brit Trem Jump I think can be replaced by Brit Plexi Jump? Please find attached the Darkthrone.hlx file. Everything else seems to be reproduceable. Thank you very much! Flow 1 input Split Y Vermin Dist Heavy Dist Simple EQ { "version":6, "schema":"L6Preset", "meta":{ "premium":0, "pbn":0, "original":0 }, "data":{ "tone":{ "snapshot6":{ "@tempo":20, "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0, "@valid":false, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 7", "blocks":{ "dsp1":{ "block0":true, "block3":true, "block4":true, "block1":true, "block2":true }, "dsp0":{ "block0":true, "block3":true, "block5":true, "block4":true, "block1":true, "block2":true } } }, "snapshot5":{ "@tempo":20, "@ledcolor":0, "@pedalstate":2, "@valid":false, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 6", "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block2":true, "block1":true, "block3":true, "block4":true, "block5":true, "block0":true }, "dsp1":{ "block0":true, "block2":true, "block1":true, "block3":true, "block4":true } } }, "snapshot3":{ "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0, "@tempo":20, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 4", "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block0":true, "block3":true, "block4":true, "block5":true, "block2":true, "block1":true }, "dsp1":{ "block2":true, "block1":true, "block4":true, "block3":true, "block0":true } }, "@valid":false }, "snapshot7":{ "@valid":false, "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block1":true, "block2":true, "block3":true, "block5":true, "block4":true, "block0":true }, "dsp1":{ "block0":true, "block3":true, "block4":true, "block2":true, "block1":true } }, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 8", "@tempo":20, "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0 }, "snapshot1":{ "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0, "@tempo":20, "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block4":true, "block5":true, "block3":true, "block1":true, "block2":true, "block0":true }, "dsp1":{ "block3":true, "block4":true, "block2":true, "block1":true, "block0":true } }, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 2", "@valid":false }, "global":{ "@variax_str1tuning":0, "@tempo":20, "@model":"@global_params", "@guitarinputZ":0, "@topology1":"SABJ", "@variax_str6tuning":0, "@variax_model":0, "@variax_str4tuning":0, "@variax_customtuning":false, "@pedalstate":2, "@cursor_dsp":1, "@variax_magmode":true, "@cursor_group":"outputA", "@variax_str2tuning":0, "@variax_str5tuning":0, "@variax_toneknob":-0.1, "@variax_str3tuning":0, "@variax_lockctrls":0, "@current_snapshot":0, "@topology0":"A", "@variax_volumeknob":-0.1 }, "snapshot4":{ "@valid":false, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 5", "blocks":{ "dsp1":{ "block2":true, "block1":true, "block3":true, "block4":true, "block0":true }, "dsp0":{ "block2":true, "block1":true, "block4":true, "block5":true, "block3":true, "block0":true } }, "@tempo":20, "@ledcolor":0, "@pedalstate":2 }, "dsp1":{ "inputA":{ "noiseGate":false, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlow1Input", "threshold":-48, "decay":0.5, "@input":0 }, "outputA":{ "gain":0, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowOutput", "pan":0.5, "@output":5 }, "outputB":{ "@output":0, "pan":0.5, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowOutput", "gain":0 }, "block2":{ "@position":3, "@enabled":true, "500Hz":2, "125Hz":0, "2kHz":2, "@model":"HD2_EQGraphic10Band", "Level":0, "31p25Hz":0, "62p5Hz":0, "@stereo":false, "@type":0, "16kHz":0, "1kHz":3, "8kHz":0, "@path":0, "4kHz":0, "250Hz":0 }, "block1":{ "@enabled":true, "@stereo":false, "@model":"HD2_VolPanGain", "@type":0, "@position":0, "Gain":-0.5, "@path":1 }, "join":{ "@position":1, "@enabled":true, "B Polarity":false, "A Pan":0.5, "B Level":0, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowJoin", "Level":0, "B Pan":0.5, "A Level":0 }, "block3":{ "Predelay":0.022, "Decay":0.35, "@path":0, "Mix":0.32, "@position":4, "@type":7, "HighCut":4300, "@enabled":true, "@trails":true, "@model":"HD2_ReverbHall", "Level":0, "LowCut":166 }, "block4":{ "Gain":0.55, "@model":"HD2_CompressorLAStudioComp", "Level":0, "PeakReduction":0.5, "@path":0, "Type":false, "Emphasis":0.2, "Mix":1, "@stereo":true, "@type":0, "@position":5, "@enabled":true }, "block0":{ "@enabled":true, "@model":"HD2_VolPanGain", "@stereo":false, "@position":0, "@type":0, "Gain":1.5, "@path":0 }, "inputB":{ "@input":0, "decay":0.5, "threshold":-48, "noiseGate":false, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlow2Input" }, "split":{ "Reverse":false, "@enabled":true, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowSplitXOver", "@position":0, "Frequency":650, "bypass":false } }, "snapshot2":{ "@valid":false, "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block3":true, "block4":true, "block5":true, "block2":true, "block1":true, "block0":true }, "dsp1":{ "block3":true, "block4":true, "block2":true, "block1":true, "block0":true } }, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 3", "@tempo":20, "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0 }, "dsp0":{ "block3":{ "BrtDrive":0.5, "Master":1, "Mid":0.8, "BiasX":0.5, "Bass":0.5, "@type":1, "NrmDrive":0.5, "@path":0, "Sag":0.6, "Treble":0.5, "@model":"HD2_AmpBritTremJump", "Ripple":0.5, "ChVol":0.5, "@enabled":true, "Bias":0.5, "@position":3, "Hum":0.6, "Presence":0.35, "@bypassvolume":1 }, "block4":{ "Hi Pass":10, "Input":0.4, "@model":"HD2_PreampVintagePre", "@enabled":true, "MicLine":true, "Output":1, "@type":1, "@position":4, "Polarity":false, "@path":0, "Low Pass":20000, "@bypassvolume":1 }, "block1":{ "@enabled":true, "Output":1, "@position":1, "@type":0, "Bass":0.5, "@path":0, "Treble":0.5, "Drive":0.65, "@model":"HD2_DM4HeavyDistortion", "Mid":0.85 }, "block2":{ "@path":0, "LowGain":0, "@enabled":true, "@stereo":false, "@type":0, "@position":2, "MidFreq":1200, "MidGain":4, "HighGain":0, "@model":"HD2_EQSimple3Band", "Level":0 }, "join":{ "B Polarity":false, "B Level":0, "A Pan":0.5, "B Pan":0.5, "A Level":0, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowJoin", "Level":0, "@enabled":false, "@position":8 }, "outputB":{ "gain":0, "@output":0, "pan":0.5, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowOutput" }, "inputA":{ "decay":0.01, "@input":2, "noiseGate":true, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlow1Input", "threshold":-22.5 }, "outputA":{ "pan":0.5, "@output":2, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowOutput", "gain":0 }, "block5":{ "HighCut":6500, "@enabled":true, "Distance":6, "@position":7, "@mic":6, "@type":2, "@path":0, "LowCut":90, "EarlyReflections":0, "@model":"HD2_Cab4x121960T75", "Level":0 }, "split":{ "bypass":false, "BalanceB":0.5, "BalanceA":0.5, "@enabled":true, "@position":0, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlowSplitY" }, "block0":{ "Level":0.85, "@model":"HD2_DistVerminDist", "Filter":0.7, "Gain":0.5, "@type":0, "@position":0, "@stereo":false, "@enabled":true, "@path":0 }, "inputB":{ "decay":0.5, "@input":0, "noiseGate":false, "@model":"HD2_AppDSPFlow2Input", "threshold":-48 } }, "snapshot0":{ "@tempo":20, "@pedalstate":2, "@ledcolor":0, "@valid":true, "@name":"SNAPSHOT 1", "blocks":{ "dsp0":{ "block3":true, "block4":true, "block5":true, "block2":true, "block1":true, "block0":true }, "dsp1":{ "block0":true, "block4":true, "block3":true, "block1":true, "block2":true, "split":true } } } }, "meta":{ "tnid":4328936, "band":"Darkthrone", "modifieddate":1552787657, "build_sha":"35792af", "appversion":40894464, "name":"Darkthrone", "author":"FrancieFraser", "application":"HX Edit", "song":"Earths last picture" }, "device_version":40894464, "device":2162692 } } Darkthrone.hlx

Moved~

My Les Paul is perfect at A440, but my bass has to be tuned to A436 to = A440. Come on you guys! What a girl to do??

Hello folks, They call me GEDD! I am fairly new to modeling. Got myself a helix floor unit a couple of months back. I have been expanding my knowledge in and around properly utilizing it. In this pursuit of creating my desired tones below are some questions i have for you. QUESTION 1: How do you choose a cab to compliment the tone that you have already achieved in the signal chain pre adding a CAB? QUESTION 2: Looking at the signal chain from every point of view (technical or otherwise) is a cab "mandatory" to be added in a signal chain if the you have already achieved the desired tone? I hope to get different takes on how each of you approach this part of the signal chain and what is the factual / feel reason that prompts you make the cab choices you make. I would also appreciate any tips or advise you have to offer. Thanks for taking the time in reading this post and contributing. Cheers - GEDD I have attached a custom tone file in which i have already achieved the tone i am looking for. Feel free to take a look. GRAM-GSG (EX).hlx

sorry if this is a noob question, but... i'm wondering which Helix/HX can do parallel amp + effects chains where the entire "Right" from in to out and entire "Left" signal from in to out are discrete? to be more specific, i'm hoping to process my electric guitar through two different signal chains: 1) clean guitar amp (amp + cab) w/ reverb 2) polyphonic octave down > dirty bass amp (amp + cab) [for simulated bass sounds i have an active splitter pedal that i can place before whichever Helix/HX to send my unprocessed guitar signal into the two inputs, if needed.

I’ve had both an hx stomp, and now a stomp xl, and my expression pedal is not working for swells. I plugged it into the expression 1/2 on the stomp, and then added a volume block to my patch. I tried putting my volume block at the beginning of my signal chain, after my amp, and at the very end. I also tried messing with the global settings. My issue is that it works for turning up and down my volume, but even though it’s before my reverb and delays, it shuts off the echoes and delays when I roll it back. I want the echoes and delay to continue decaying after I turn down my volume. Instead, it starts turning off my reverb and delay instantly as soon as I begin to roll back on my volume pedal. And this keeps happening regardless of where I put the volume block in my signal chain. I also turned up my decay time on my reverb block as far as it will go, and my volume block is still shutting off the decay. What do I need to do to get the volume block to work for swells?

Hi, Does anyone know if stomp presets can be used on helix floor? I saw some old posts that suggested that this isn’t possible, but wondered if things have changed with firmware updates etc? I want to purchase some presets for bass that have been marketed as stomp presets, however I have helix floor. Thanks in anticipation of your help, Neil

I have a helix floor and stomp xl. Been using Line 6 stuff since the first pod. Been reading this site for years and have enjoyed most of the conversations and have learned a ton. Thank you! For some of my patches I have a delay (or trem, or Chorus, etc.) and i have recently changed the timing to use the tap tempo. I would love to know how some of you are doing this. do you have it set to 1/4, 1/8??? which is easiest to change when playing live. I know this is a very open question, so let me explain why I'm asking. I have a hard time setting the time using the tap tempo live. For example, if I want it to get to 120, I can't really do that. I have not figured out the best way to make the adjustment by tapping. Let's take a slap back on the delay. I used to set it manually at 130 to 150. now I have it set to tap tempo 1/8. the thought being I could change it live depending on what I want. I know I need to just dig in and keep playing with it, and I will. I would like to hear how you guys have it set up. Is it easier to tap what you need when it is set to 1/4 instead of 1/8? Things like that is what I'm looking for. Thanks....

I practice with apps on my iPhone. I just bought a new Helix floor in April and can't figure out how to run my iPhone through it. In my old POD HD500xl there was an input. Not so with Helix. I've tried the AUX in but all the effects are added on top. I tried the returns but nothing sounds. Please help. Tired of double headphones!

Hi everyone, I really love the simple pitch and dual pitch blocks that are included in Helix. They really seem to have a very Low latency. On one of my pedalboards I'd like to include a pedal like that, but I can't justify including HX Effects/Hx Stomp on this specific board just for that single application. Is there any other pedal that will give a very similar sound while having a very low latency ( I don't care about polyphonic feature as I only use it for single note parts ). So far I wasn't able to find any kind of "Monophonic" pitch shifter pedal. Are there any pedals like that ?

Hey all - How do I wire up a Helix, a Mesa Mark VII and a Powercab 112+ to create a stereo rig, while properly using the effects loops? Is it actually possible, or do I need to get a cheapie amp with an effects loop to replace the Powercab? Clearly neither the 4 or 7 cable methods work; is this maybe a 5 or 6 cable setup? I'm a little stumped. Mods: cross posted to Powercab. If one or the other is inappropriate, please delete at your discretion.

Hey all - How do I wire up a Helix, a Mesa Mark VII and a Powercab 112+ to create a stereo rig, while properly using the effects loops? Is it actually possible, or do I need to get a cheapie amp with an effects loop to replace the Powercab? Clearly neither the 4 or 7 cable methods work; is this maybe a 5 or 6 cable setup? I'm a little stumped. Mods: cross posted to Helix. If one or the other is inappropriate, please delete at your discretion.

Hello, I am working on a MIDI controller with LED displays and I would like to use a backup file (format .hls) to retrieve the name and footswitch default status (i.e. what FS is on/off for each snapshot when I go to the preset or change snapshot etc). Since I don't change my setlist that frequently I am not trying to read directly from the unit but instead hard code the names and behaviors based on the .hls. I use a JSON parser to decode the .hls file and see there is a section called footswitch Here is an example (see full file in attachment) 'footswitch': {'dsp0': {'block0': {'@fs_enabled': True, '@fs_index': 5, '@fs_label': 'Volume ' 'Pedal', '@fs_ledcolor': 65408, '@fs_momentary': False, '@fs_primary': True}, 'block1': = etc.. Based on that, I originally assumed that each @fs_index would refer to a footswitch with @fs_enable for the status. However, that doesn't seem to be the case because I have a few setups with @fs_index > 5. To make things more confusing, I also see some presets without the 'footswitch' blocks though there are setup in the unit. Has anyone be able to understand how the hsl file work for the foot-switches assignment ? Any guidance on how to interpret the structure of this file ? Thank you. Pat. Test.txt

I have a helix and a variax. I want to use snapshots so there won't be audio ramp-up when you switch presets. I want a Strat sound on Snapshot 1 and a Banjo on Snapshot2, for example, but it appears that inputs can not be changed between snapshots on a preset. Is there a way to alternate variax tones (under input) between a given preset's snapshots? I'm looking at using two separate paths in a preset, but am not sure how to select paths in a snapshot.

I have had a Helix for about six months and I love it, although it has left me feeling like a total Luddite, having been a “Guitar/1 amp/a few stomp boxes” kind of guy all my life. I have primarily been using headphones with the helix up to now. However, on the rare occasion that I might find myself in the house without my wife and kids, I would like to have access to some kind of speaker set up that takes advantage of the Helix’s stereo capabilities. So far, whenever I have used any kind of speaker with a helix I have just run a 1/4 cable out of the left/mono output from the helix into the ‘instrument in’ input of my Yamaha THR 10 (where I’ve been using the Flat channel. I read somewhere that the THR10 is itself a stereo output if the aux input is used. Does anyone know - if I run a cable out of the Headphones output of the helix into the THR10 aux, would this give the Helix stereo output? I’d have to assume some kind of deterioration in quality. Another option I’m looking at is having: one 1/4 cable going out of the left output on helix into the ‘instrument in’ input of the THR10 (using flat channel), and; One 1/4 cable out of the right output from the helix into another speaker I’m guessing this would give the more desirable results? If so, does anyone have any recommendations for this second speaker? In either case please pick holes in the two ideas listed above. I don’t know what I’m talking about. This is all strictly for home use and so I’m not looking for earth shattering volume.

Just remind me - ( been out of things for a while ) on HELIX floor/Rack : if in settings I've set the PRESET/SNAP footswitch to flip between Stomp and Snap - does the display still always show PRESET/STOMP? or am I missing something?

(Preset + IR in attachment) Hi all (some older members may know me as VTM, when i created metal patches for the good'ol podXT). Today a title which was fully recorded with the HX Stomp (all guitars and bass). This one is special as it allows the guitarist to also play a bass line at the same time, using a signal split and a pitch shifter ! A quick taste of this tone here : StrongBBBAAAACK.wav DIR_Deasil_REC.hlx