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https://youtu.be/oyNLiP36O2s Good evening, Your opinion on this test

A lot has been written here seeking a solution to the problem of balancing volume levels between presets. One solution that has been offered has been to play into a DAW and watch the output monitor. I ran across this product by TC Electronic for monitoring output levels and figured it might be a solution. I'm not sure it's possible, but it would be nice if this could be used apart from a computer and be used directly plugged into the Helix. Website: http://www.tcelectronic.com/clarity-m/ Technical details: http://www.tcelectronic.com/clarity-m/tech-specs/ It is obviously designed to work in conjunction with a DAW, but could it also work plugged into the USB output or SPDIF output of the Helix directly. My only reason for suspecting this is that Helix outputs 8 channels to a DAW and this device, in the technical specs, indicates that it can monitor individual channels. But I'm hoping someone here can say whether I'm way off or if it's a possibility. Of course, I guess one can always just use it via a DAW, but that would defeat the purpose of having a small device independent of a computer. If it doesn't work with Helix directly, does anyone know of something else that does? If not, I claim it as my intellectual property. Anyone know a good IP lawyer?

I've been using line 6 since the company started. I was an endorsee for quite awhile until recently but still use line 6 and I currently use the Helix as my main live rig. I'm waiting on the Helix Native plugin anxiously so I can use it to record my newest songs with. I started using line 6 to record all my albums with back when I had the pod pro rack mount unit, then later continued using the podfarm VST. Anyway, If you like shred Instrumental guitar, you can now download my latest album for free https://marcpattison1.bandcamp.com/album/risen-from-the-ashes-2 Since it's been downloaded on torrent sites over a million times, I figured I may as well give it away now anyway. If you like it, I'll be releasing a new album in a couple months. You can either stream it or if you want a physical copy just click on buy and leave the dollar amount at 0. If you wish to pay as little as a $1, that's totally up to you I originally got endorsed/endorsed Line 6 back when Tim Goodwin was the rep over 10 years ago, but I was one of the first to buy their combo amps when they first came out when nobody knew who they were. I was recently told that there is no longer an artist program, but I still continue to use Line6(and unofficially endorse them) even though I no longer get a discount or artist privileges. That's how much I believe in their products! I've been one of their longest supporters and I'll still tell everyone I know how great I think their products are. At least one of us is loyal!! I officially endorse ESP guitars, Peavey Amps, DiMarzio Pickups, Steinberg/Yamaha software, Cool Picks, M-Audio Studio gear, Eventide, Line 6, (unofficially ) Morley Pedals, and Overloud software.

Hi all, I'm a Line 6 user since 1999, when I bought the first POD: I went through the red bean, the Pod XT, the Pod HD500X, and now the Helix. For this reason my review might be biased but anyways I'll start off saying that the Helix to me it's the best guitar processor available today, and it's not (mainly) about the sound. I've been a touring guitarist, producer, and studio musician for almost 20 years now and I always had the need to have a great range of tones available in a conveniently portable way: for this reason when Line 6 came up with amp modeling I jumped on it without thinking. Even if I'm a Line 6 fanboy I'd say that the first processor that actually got me to the point of not carrying an actual amp around at all times in the studio was the HD500X (it was good enough-ish), but even then I could tell the difference with my hands even more than with my ears. Enters the Helix. The tone quality you can get out of that thing is superb, right there at the top with the other big modelers on the market (I checked them out myself and they're all beautiful machines in their own respect) in terms of both sound and "tactile" feeling. That's all I will say about the sound. What made the difference big time for me are the "side" features: user experience, audio interface, midi control, variax integration, desktop patch editor. From the second i plugged it in my computer usb port everything worked as I expected to, the setup has been a breeze, and the routing made complete sense. The same afternoon I got it I've been able in just a few hours to setup both my live AND studio setup: main monitors, "boombox" monitors, record without latency the processed and the reamping tracks all without a single glitch, in a super smooth workflow that needed me to look at the manual no more than a couple of times. And more: I've been able to setup a patch with which I control all my live set, including a laptop with sequences, guitar patch switching with program changes, a processed microphone, and various snapshots..all neatly labelled for clarity to control everything with my feet, without a single hiccup or dropout in sound, and it all worked as expected!! The Helix has been an absolute joy to program, it has become the command center of my setup both in the studio and on stage, and it has exceeded all my expectations in terms of functionality and ease of use. I can carry it around in a backpack and it even sounds excellent.. Negative point? I wish the included USB stick were larger. I'll close this fanboy review saying that the Helix gave me the same feeling of amazement I got when I demoed the very first Pod in a shop in NYC almost 20 years ago, the same excitement that got me to write this review, something I actually never do. Looking forward for the plugin version, keep up the great job Line 6.

HI Guys, I just recently got a Helix and consequently a newbie. I made a preset with two signal chains in parallel panned left and right. I have my Helix connected to an audio interface (steinberg ur44) with two cables running from L and R outputs of the helix and then to the interface's 2 and 3 inputs. When I open the UR44 mixer I notice that only one channel is receiving an audio signal (channel 3) and the other one is dead silent. I swapped the cables to check if the problem was the cable but it turns out it wasn't. I also opened Sonar to check the mixer in there as well and got the same result. Finally, I connected my headphones to directly to the Helix and voila! there I can here the difference, true stereo! So, what am I doing wrong or missing? Why can't I hear my stereo preset on my computer? Any suggestions, advice would be great! Thanks, Paul

So I'm considering a Helix rack as my main guitar setup and the only thing that I really want to know is how good are the amp models and IR's really? I've seen plenty of youtube reviews and testimonies online about how good the uni is as an 'fx' only box, but I'd love to use it as an amp sim while using my own pedals. I'd obviously be happy to use some of the inbuilt effects when I need them, but how do the amps hold up on their own is what I need to know. Just to note as well, I mainly play clean or light crunch so I'm not hugely bothered about the Mesa or Soldano sims being 'fizzy' or whatever. Thanks in advance for the help!

I was wondering if there is a current amp reference sheet, possibly with updated information as well as amp names and references? ​All I have found was an old screenshot of the original amps. Thank you

Hey guys, Just released this new Helix video. I really wanted this to be a solid rock track with a few different types of tones. I initially wanted to use a marshall amp model but I ended up using the Solo amp models exclusively for the guitars. The midrange on those amps is just insane! For the bass I used the Tuck n' Go amp with the Obsidian 7000 drive pedal. After some tweaking with that pedal I found that for me it works best when the eq is set completely flat. I'm using some very nice IR's from OwnHammer that are quite new and unique! It's the MR82 which can be found here: http://www.ownhammer.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=179 It's based on a Marshall 4x12 tall cab. Definitely check those out if you dig the tones. Here is the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sey4dPl_LU

Let's share opinions on great speaker options and experiences . So I got the helix to replace my physical rockerverb amp and cabs , the idea being I use an frfr monitor to throw the sound out there for rehearsals . So first I tried the laney iron hearts irtx thing . Great great sound from all the presets though at practice I had to crank it up to nearly full as we have a loud drummer - pushing it to the max resulted in too much feedback . . . It just about held together but needed much more - it's tiny and only 200 watt. Sooooo that's sent back and to replace it I have the Yamaha dbr15 on the way. It's still full range but a 15" come and 1000 watts and much more ruggedly built with 5 year warranty. I'll let you know if it's any good ! What are you guys using ? My fallback option will be the atomic clr but that's worse case scenario as it means another 350quid. High hopes for the Yamaha

Let me begin this by saying I LOVE my Helix!!! It's awesome and I'm so thankful for Line 6 making such an incredible unit!!! But, if they make a Helix XT (or Double Helix ðŸ˜). I want the top and bottom paths to have double the DSP. Two exp pedals built on. 6-8 more footswitches. Touch screen display. An algorithm that completely smooth out the spikes in volume and timing warble when switching between drastically different snapshots. Input and output meters. A dedicated knob for Time (BPM Knob) that can be disabled for live play so you don't bump it. Pedals: A true polyphonic pitch shifter update for the Dual Pitch. Modulated Reverbs Amps: Boutique amps like Jackson or Morgan Just the little things... I really do love the Helix!!! And even just the 4 DSP Chips would be great!

I've had the Helix now for a few weeks. I was getting it set up to play live tonight and noticed a few issues. I'm using the Helix as a pedalboard into the front of a PRS DG30 amp and I'm using a PRS DGT guitar. The DGT guitar is very responsive to volume. The level of volume does not drop much when going from 10 to 6, it just gets cleaner. Typically I drive it on 10 but go down to 6 or 7 to clean it up. I noticed tonight that the minute I would take the guitar volume off of 10 there was a huge volume drop and by the time you hit 7 or 8 the tone was very thin and very low volume. I've noticed while getting used to the Helix that my amp tone has been slightly muted, muffled, even stiff feeling so I plugged straight into the amp after sound check and there was the tone, lively, gritty, responsive, etc. As soon as I plugged the Helix back in it was that same stiff tone, the amp had lost the great tube breakup and it sounded like there was a blanket over it compared to plugging straight in. I have the Helix volume set between 12:00 and 1:00 and even if I turn it all the way up the guitar and amp still react the same way. I've been playing the DGT for almost 8 years and I love being able to manipulate the guitar volume for my tones so this is weird how the volume drops off so rapidly. To play the gig tonight I had the volume knobs and tone all on 10 the entire time and I don't play that way. I'm loving the Helix as my pedalboard so any suggestions would be appreciated. Any thoughts?

Hi,help needed¡¡¡ i´m pretty sure that i´m doing something wrong but this is the problem: i want to use helix as a swticher for a couple of distortion pedals. selecting the send and return routing no problem at all and assing this loop to a switch is ok. BUT,as soon as i hit the guitar harder,the (lets say) dry clean signal of the guitar appears as loud as the processed(EXTERNAL TS 808 into one loop). Any ideas everything is straight into the input of the amp. Help will be much apreciated

Hi Just loaded up 2.20 with no issues during the upload but I now have a problem. The volume control on the front, next to the phones vol, jumps the volume up in stages rather than smoothly as it did before the upload. It reacts much like a valve amp does, not on, then on loud except that it has this effect all the way through so there is no smooth transition from silent to very loud. Anyone else finding this?

Ive tried several different methods that I've found on the forums, FAQs, Knowledge Base, ect, and I cannot for the life of me get my Helix Rack to connect to my laptop. I went into the device manager and it shows the Helix in several places, as it should, but the Updater says that the transmitter failed, no matter if I try having the Helix on and plugged into a USB port before I power up the computer, or if I plug the Helix in while the computer is already on, or whatever. I went through the device manager and right clicked on the helix in each place it was listed and clicked on the "update driver" option. I made sure that the computer was set to automatically update drivers. But if I go into "this PC", it doesn't show the Helix at all. I did a global reset too, no joy. My Helix is still running version 1.06.5, do I have to maybe use an earlier updater and do the updates in order, or should jumping ahead to the current version 2.20 work? Also, I've read that Helix units don't get along with some USB hubs. When I was looking around in the device manager, it appears that this laptop has nothing but hubs. Could that also be one of my problems? Thanks in advance. :)

The original pod and flextone had a cool "delay swell" effect where the note would sound and delay after the note was struck... Anyway can this effect be achieved with the new swell effects from the update and if so how? thanks

Could someone out there please explain to me in a simple step by step manner how to set up a 1 into 2 Routing as seen on page 18 of the Line 6 Helix Manual? I'm not the most tech savvy person and maybe owning a Helix is a mistake altogether on my part but I'm finding the manual does a great job of showing you all the cool stuff Helix you can without actually explaining how to do it. Any advice others may have would be greatly appreciated and feel free to explain things as you would to a 4 year old because that's how I'm feeling at the moment. Cheers!

Looking at buying a Helix and eventually will probably want to pick up Helix Native. So if I buy a used Helix, does registration transfer to that new owner and is the new owner eligible for the $99 purchase price of Native that I understand will be offered to full Helix owners? Thanks.

Fellow String Slingers... I need help with an issue. My use case for the Helix is FX only - I have 2 VERY awesome amps that get me every tone I'll ever need. Because I'm using Helix only for FX - AND because Helix can have up to 32 blocks in a chain - I was really hoping to add an external MIDI controller (like 12 extra buttons.) and be able to use it to control the FX on/off of the blocks NOT controlled by the Helix pedals. I play in a 90's cover band - and Basically my main sounds are easily accessed through the built-in pedals. The bonus of having up to 10 pedals on the unit at a time has been great. But, rather than switch patches for some of the other crazier effects, I'd like to have an external MIDI Controller turn on/off some fx Blocks with the push of a button. When Helix originally came out - I was hoping the Helix Control could connect to the Floorboard and unlock up to 20 combinations of buttons at a time - but no dice..(YET?) SO - the issue I'm having is - I connected my old HD500 to see if the concept will work - but I can't find ANYWHERE in the controller config, or the manuals, etc. where the parameter for On/Off is set? You can use an external controller for any of the other parameters on an effect - but not "on/bypassed". Reading through the literature - it almost seems like you would need to have an effect assigned to an existing pedal on the Helix, then cc that pedal with one of the reserved CC numbers - which is totally useless..and redundant. Also - any plans to make External amp control polarity configurable so that you can control what channel is on when the LED is lit. (I.E. clean= LED off, dirty = LED on) I saw this was a feature request on Idea scale. Finally - is there a way to configure Helix such that, when the expression pedal moves past say 5% an fx block turns on, instead of having to push the EP button. (I think I've seen elsewhere that the answer is "no") Basically for Auto-engage whammy, in my case? Am I missing something stupid? Or are these just limitations? Also - Eye Candy: Grunge on.

HI everyone, I have been trying to connect an external distortion pedal and Chorus pedal to the effects loop of the Helix. It works, except it seems like the Distortion pedal makes a lot of noise, even when I try using a Noise Gate. Could I be placing the noise gate in the wrong order? The distortion pedal is a Wampler Triple Wreck pedal, chosrus pedal is a Dreamscape from T.C. Electronics. But I believe it has to be the external distortion pedal because if I turn off the external chorus, there is still a lot of noise coming from the Wampler Triple Wreck distortion. I am not sure if I just have the effects out of order or if I am just not placing the noise gate in the proper place in the chain. Here is how I have it setup: Volume Pedal->Effects loop (For distortion pedal and Chorus), Noise gate, Delay, Reverb. I have tried using a noise gate and a hard gate, but I cannot seem to make the Distortion pedal quiet. Can anyone offer some advice and/or solutions to my issue? I would sincerely appreciate it! Thank you everyone.

Hi, I tried to connect my helix via xlr direct into the m20d (also tried into L3t and from L3t out into the m20d). There was quite a bit of clipping going on even though the meter was not showing any clipping. I wanted to to trim (using the auto trim option in m20d) but the mixer could not adjust saying "signal too hot". It is a bit weird since I did not have the impression I played very loud. In the helix I did just update to firmware 2.2 and all global settings are on "default". The xlr out is set to line level. The big volume know was set to the middle position. Very strange. Anybody has experience with that? Tks Markus

Hi, recorded this live (live over VoIP) in real time over the internet from Denver, SF and Canada. All improvisation then made a video for it. HELIX sounds great! https://youtu.be/l4Z4bYPsUuw

Hey Guys, I'm struggling to decide what I need to buy. I have a Helix and love it. I am trying to decide on FRFR or Amp. Heres my dilemma. I want to use FRFR so I can get the most out of the Helix BUT I want the speaker to also have a pre amp just incase the Helix goes down. Then I can quickly just use the amp as a backup. I love the idea of the Firehawk 1500 however I want something that is lighter and more portable. Any suggestions?

Hey everybody, I just pushed out a huge update to http://helixhelp.com Everyone will probably need to update their bookmarks due to some changes I had to make in the upgrade. The site is way more robust and expandable with a modern design and pretty pictures of each amp. I've also started adding the Release Notes for each firmware release and have the Helix Cheat Sheet available on the home page. Also, don't forget to checkout my new IR Manager. There is a beta available for Mac with a Windows version soon to follow. You can find it at Helix Help as well. One more thing... Make a new patch with the new Line 6 Badonk... It sounds amazing! Happy picking, Jason

Vintage Swell Preset.zip

I'm a guitarist currently using the Helix for a top 40 cover band gig on a cruise ship. I bought the Helix because I thought its stylistic versatility and relatively small size would make it ideal for the kinds of music I have to play as well as traveling. I've been a mainly a jazz guitarist for most of my life playing archtops through tube amps with little to no effects. For this reason I have little experience with multi effects boards of this kind or any digital amp modeling. The majority of the playing I do on the cruise ship is in a dance lounge playing through a cheap marshal combo amp. I started playing here a month ago I quickly learned that I could not use any amp model blocks while plugging in to the front of the marshal amp because the sound was excruciatingly bright, harsh and unusable. If I plug the Helix into the effects loop in the back of the amp I can use amp models and they sound better, but after a month of trial I know my clean tone for rhythm guitar sounds better if I just rung straight though the helix with no amp models at all and get my sound from the marshal amp. So what I've been doing is plugging the helix directly into the front of the amp and using the helix only for reverb, delay, chorus, wah and other modulations ect. This is working pretty well for my clean rhythm tones and ambient effects. I'm still feeling kind of bad that I spent so much on this pedal and I'm only using it for a delay and reverb. The real problem is that i've still not been able to produce a reliable lead distortion sound for soloing and playing rhythm distortion parts. All of the distortion and overdrive blocks in the helix sound and feel terrible when plugging the helix into the front of the marshal amp. They become boomy, fuzzy and mushy sounding when I hit the E or A string and they also generally have this hard, stiff and sluggish response that make it impossible to play fluidly. I'm getting pretty frustrated and discouraged because I've been spending a lot of time every day over the past month tinkering with the helix and reading forums about how to optimize it. I now realize it's common knowledge that the Helix was not designed for use playing live straight into to guitar combo amps so its my fault for not researching more before I bought it. I'm feeling like I should have just spent the same amount of money on a pedal board with stomp boxes. I really want to get back to spending my free time practicing and studying bebop, harmony and musical things rather than spending hours a day trying to get a basic distortion sound to feel good. So I would be really grateful to anyone who could give me their thoughts on how to get a good distortion sound from my helix playing through a marshal combo amp on stage. Thanks and I hoping to hear from someone.