Search the Community

Helix/HX 3.80 (released November 19, 2024) includes 6 new amps, 4 new cabs, 1 new effect, and bug fixes and is strongly recommended for all users of Helix and HX. How do I update to 3.80? (except HX One) Updating Helix/HX Hardware With Helix/HX connected to your computer, launch HX Edit 3.82 (3.01 or higher), and make sure you're signed in. HX Edit knows when a new update is available and will walk you through the entire update procedure for both hardware and software, including backing up everything to your computer. IMPORTANT! If you're running HX Edit 3.00 or older, download HX Edit 3.82 and repeat step 1. HX Edit 3.82 (macOS): https://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=12926 HX Edit 3.82 (Windows): https://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=12927 If your Helix Floor/Rack/LT is currently running firmware 3.15 or older, halfway through the update to 3.80, Helix's LCD reads "Boot Failure. Entered Update Mode!" THIS IS NORMAL. Breathe deep, everything is fine. You're almost there. HX Edit will display a message indicating the device must be reset. Click resume and wait for the second part of the update to complete. Perform a factory reset. IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP FIRST, AS A FACTORY RESET WILL ERASE ALL YOUR WORK! Helix Floor/LT: While holding footswitches 9 & 10 (bottom row, 2 middle switches), turn on Helix Floor/LT Helix Rack: While holding knobs 5 & 6 (2 furthest right knobs below the screen), turn on Helix Rack HX Effects: While holding footswitches 6 & TAP (2 farthest right switches on the bottom row), turn on HX Effects HX Stomp: While holding footswitches 2 & 3, turn on HX Stomp HX Stomp XL: While holding footswitches C & D, turn on HX Stomp OPTIONAL: Performing a factory reset loads the new 3.80 Factory Presets, but restoring from your backup will overwrite these. Spend some time exploring these and export the factory presets you want to keep (or drag them to your desktop). If you have unused setlists in Helix Floor/Rack/LT, you can also export the entire FACTORY 1 bundle for loading into an unused setlist later. From the top File menu, select Restore From Backup... If you don't have any important presets in Setlist 1, click the disclosure triangle next to Presets and uncheck the first setlist's box; this will retain 3.80's FACTORY 1 setlist. Select the backup file created in Step 1 and click Restore Backup. If you run into trouble, check out this link. Updating Helix Native Before updating Helix Native, it is highly recommended that you export a preset/setlist bundle. Click the gear icon in the lower left, select the Presets/IRs tab, and then click Export Bundle. Some hardware compatibility modes (HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX Effects) do not have this feature as they have only one setlist. In these cases, at the top of the preset list, click the yellow EXPORT to export the setlist. Quit your DAW and download and install Helix Native 3.82: Helix Native 3.82 (macOS): https://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=12929 Helix Native 3.82 (Windows): https://line6.com/software/readeula.html?rid=12928 Open your DAW and open an instance of Helix Native. OPTIONAL: The only way to hear 3.80's new factory presets is to restore them. IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE YOU'VE EXPORTED A BUNDLE (OR ANY IMPORTANT SETLISTS) FIRST, AS RESTORING FACTORY SETLISTS WILL ERASE ALL YOUR WORK! Click the gear icon in the lower left, select the Presets/IRs tab, and then click Restore Factory Setlists. Click Yes. I updated but why don't I see [Model X] in HX Edit? HX Edit can't magically pull new model names and graphics from your Helix/HX hardware; you must update HX Edit as well (which you would've done had you followed "How do I update to 3.80?" above). My Helix/HX is at version X.XX. Can I go straight to 3.80? Yes, but note that if you're starting from 2.80 or lower, the update may appear to happen three times and will take notably longer than 30 minutes. This is normal. New Amps in 3.80 Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL Amp/Preamp > US Super Nrm, based on* the Fender® Super Reverb (normal channel) Amp/Preamp > US Super Vib, based on* the Fender® Super Reverb (vibrato channel) Amp/Preamp > German Xtra Red, based on* the Bogner Ecstasy 101B (EL34) (red channel) Amp/Preamp > German Xtra Blue, based on* the Bogner Ecstasy 101B (EL34) (blue channel) Amp/Preamp > EV Panama Blue, based on* the EVH 5150III 100 [6L6] (Blue channel) Amp/Preamp > EV Panama Red, based on* the EVH 5150III 100 [6L6] (Red channel) New Cabs in 3.80 Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL Cab > 4x10 US Super (Single, Dual), captured from* the Fender® Super Reverb Cab > 4x12 Cartog Guv (Single, Dual), captured from* Ben Adrian's Cartographer cabinet (Modified Lee Jackson 4x12 with Eminence Governor speakers) Cab > 4x12 Cartog C90 (Single, Dual), captured from* Ben Adrian's Cartographer cabinet (Modified Lee Jackson 4x12 with Mesa C90 speakers) Cab > 4x12 SoloLead EM (Single, Dual), captured from* the Soldano SLO 4x12 cabinet New Effects in 3.80 Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Effects, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX One Wah > Teardrop Bass Q (Mono, Stereo), based on* the Dunlop 105Q bass wah Position—Sets the position of the wah's pedal position. By default, this is assigned to Expression Pedal 1. You may set the Min and Max value parameters to set the wah's frequency sweep range from the Controller Assign menu Q Trim—Controls the Q or bandwidth of the effect. Lower values boost a wider frequency band and higher values boost a narrower frequency band Vol Trim—Emulates the actual pedal's side volume trim knob Mix—Controls the wet/dry mix of the wah effect. When set to 0%, no wah effect is heard; when set to 100%, no dry signal is heard Level—Sets the overall (transparent) level of the block *NOTE: All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development. New HX One Features in 3.80 HX One only: The On/Off footswitch state is now saved with the preset HX One only: You can now view the preset name instead of the model name in the Home view. Configure this in the new Global > Display setting: Auto (default): Displays the preset name by default. When scrolling through models using the effect encoder, the model name appears and persists for 3 seconds after the last adjustment before reverting to the preset name. When editing model parameters, the preset name briefly switches to the model name, persisting for 3 seconds after the last edit before returning to the preset name Model: Always displays the model name Preset: Always displays the preset name. HX One only: Added support for MIDI control of the Shuffling Looper HX One only: Introduced a new MIDI command for preset navigation (CC72): CC72, value 0-63: Previous preset CC72, value 64-127: Next preset HX One only: The chromatic tuner is now available when HX One is set to True Bypass Bug Fixes in 3.80 Delay > Cosmos Echo would apply the same wow/flutter modulation to the left and right delays, making it appear in certain cases as though the Spread control was inoperable—FIXED If you let your Helix/HX box sit, doing nothing for many hours, certain delay and modulation effects could stop processing audio until the preset was reloaded—FIXED Delay > Poly Sustain could sometimes exhibit glitching audio if Random or Random Speed knobs were maxed out—FIXED If the Amp > Ampeg B-15NF's Bass parameter was set to 10.0, the model could gradually lose volume over the course of 30 minutes or so—FIXED If the Amp > Mandarin Bass 200's Bass parameter was set to 0.0, the model could lose volume over the course of 30 minutes or so—FIXED HX Stomp/XL only: In certain configurations, output USB 5/6 would not always mirror the instrument input—FIXED HX One only: There was an issue with Looper > Shuffling Looper when exiting the preset list by pressing both footswitches—FIXED HX One only: Stereo models could collapse to mono when the insert position was set to Post—FIXED HX One only: Looper undo/redo states could become reversed when controlled via MIDI—FIXED HX One only: Certain Delay effects could result in glitches when receiving MIDI Clock changes while Note sync is disabled—FIXED HX One only: In some cases, Flux Min and Max values may not update after resetting the parameter to its default—FIXED Other minor fixes and improvements Known Issues There is a known issue in HX Edit 3.80 on Apple silicon computers (M1, M2, M3, M4) where some global settings are not properly restored from a backup file. A hotfix for this issue is forthcoming. Windows and Intel Apple computers are not affected by this issue.

HX STOMP FAQ That thing looks small. Is it small? Considering the amount of hardware inside, HX Stomp is practically microscopic—its footprint is smaller than a Line 6 M5 pedal, and pretty much identical to that of a three-switch Strymon. We spent a stupid amount of time and effort cramming massive power into a tiny chassis. It’ll even fit into the small top pocket on Helix Backpack. Helix Backpack was out in 2016. That pocket was designed for HX Stomp all along? Maaayybe? Okay, we agree that it’s small, but what IS it? At the risk of hyperbole, HX Stomp may be the most powerful and flexible compact stompbox ever made. It can replace multiple pedals on your board (so you have room for more!). It can act as the ultimate fly or backup guitar/bass rig—except it may provide enough simultaneous amps and effects to be your main guitar/bass rig. It can be used to expand the DSP/model set of existing pro modelers; throw it in your Kemper, Fractal, or Atomic’s effects loop to add all Helix amps and effects. It’s also a world-class portable guitar recording interface with programmable impedance circuits, zero-latency monitoring, multichannel re-amping, and headphone amp. (One might suggest it’s the perfect front end for the Helix Native plug-in.) HX Stomp can become whatever you want it to be. How does it sound compared to Helix? Aside from the maximum number of simultaneous effects and amps—six blocks total—HX Stomp sounds identical to Helix. They have the same effects, amps, cabs, IR loading, 24-bit/192kHz A/D/A converters, analog impedance circuits, and patented guitar ins with 123dB of dynamic range. HX Effects is the same price. How is HX Stomp different? HX Effects is designed to be the centerpiece of your pedalboard, giving you full control over individual Line 6 effects, your MIDI-equipped pedals, and your amp switching. HX Stomp is a programmable amps+cabs/IRs+effects stompbox that seamlessly integrates into a wide variety of environments and applications. TL;DR: HX Effects is for amp and pedalboard guys, HX Stomp is for modeling guys… but amp and pedalboard guys might love it too! What ins and outs does it have? Left/Mono and Right 1/4” Inputs—switchable between instrument and line for use with passive guitars/basses, active guitars/basses, keyboards, synths, drum machines, electric nose flutes, and more Left/Mono and Right 1/4” Outputs—balanced/unbalanced for feeding amps, FRFR speakers, or the front-of-house mixer. 1/4" outputs are 600-Ohms. 1/4" FX out is 1k-Ohm. Stereo 1/4” TRS Send—with a Y cable, two separate mono effects loops (or one stereo effects loop) can be accommodated Left/Mono and Right 1/4” Returns—globally switchable to act as an always-on Aux In for monitoring mixers or MP3 players 1/4” stereo headphone out - 1k-Ohm. 1/4” EXP 1/2, FS4/5 Input—can accommodate two expression pedals, two additional footswitches, one of each, or the Mission Helix pedal with toe switch (sold on our US shop here) MIDI In and Out/Thru USB—for recording to/jamming along with Macs, PCs, iPads, and iPhones. (iPads and iPhones require the Apple Camera Connection Kit.) HX Stomp can feed both stereo paths into your computer—along with dry versions for reamping—simultaneously DC In Wait. How did you fit all that into something the size of two Tube Screamers? Black sparkle magic. I hate editing little pedals with screens. How easy is HX Stomp to use? Very. WATCH THESE VIDEOS (around 10 minutes total) and you’ll be a master: line6.com/meet-hx-stomp The full manual is up too: line6.com/support/manuals/hxstomp How’s the build quality? Won’t you mess with the knobs when you stomp on it? HX Stomp is built into a sturdy die-cast aluminum alloy case with the same footswitches and metal knobs from Helix. If you’re still worried, note that while in Play view, the four knobs closest to the switches are disabled. How can I do anything with only three switches? You can do a lot with three switches, but if you really need more, two additional external switches can be connected. HX Stomp also responds to a wide variety of MIDI commands, and any block or parameter can learn (or be manually assigned to) an incoming CC message. Plus, from the main Play view, you can press <PAGE/PAGE> or an external footswitch to select one of four footswitch modes on the fly. Can it do 4-Cable Method? Yes. After hooking everything up, just add an FX Loop block to your tone; any blocks before the FX Loop will appear before your real amp’s preamp and any blocks after the FX Loop will appear between your real amp’s preamp and power amp sections. There are even 4-Cable Method presets to get you started. (Note the “4CM” presets won’t pass audio unless everything’s hooked up correctly!) Does HX Stomp have true analog bypass? Yes. You may choose either analog bypass or DSP bypass with trails. To bypass everything press both the upper and lower knobs together (or assign a footswitch to All Bypass). Is there a Looper? HX Stomp includes a mono or stereo 1 Switch Looper that can be placed anywhere in the signal flow. Is there an editor? Yes. It uses the same HX Edit application as Helix Floor, Helix Rack/Control, Helix LT, and HX Effects, except with 126 presets and a simplified signal flow. Just update both HX Stomp’s firmware and HX Edit to 2.70. Both should be available very soon. Can HX Stomp load Helix Floor, Helix Rack/Control, Helix LT, or HX Effects presets? As long as the preset has six or fewer blocks, you can use the latest version of HX Edit (2.70, out very soon) to access both devices at once and copy and paste blocks back and forth. Rebuilding a Helix preset in HX Stomp shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds. Can HX Stomp presets be loaded into the Helix Native plug-in? Not currently, but individual blocks can be copied and pasted between HX Edit 2.70 and Helix Native 1.70. Again, rebuilding an HX Stomp preset in Helix Native shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds. I know a bunch of us wanted something smaller than Helix LT, but did you have to make it THAT small? < disapproving side-eye > From the beginning, we understood that for HX Stomp to see the widest ocean of adopters (pedalboard guitarists, traveling guitarists, bassists, buskers, keyboardists, producers, fans of desktop PODs, curious Pedalboards of Doom members who post anti-modeling memes, etc.), it needed to be almost obnoxiously portable and convenient. That meant squeezing it into a pedal, not a slightly smaller traditional floor modeler—with a tough-as-nails chassis—but never sacrificing any sound quality or what it means to be Helix/HX. Yeah, but that honkin’ huge DC-3G power supply is like a third the size of the entire pedal! The power supply is large, yes. To ensure the same signal integrity of its bigger brothers, we needed a burly power supply. That said, here’s a far-from-comprehensive list of third-party power supplies that we’ve tested with HX Stomp: Strymon Zuma R300—Appears to work fine when doubling up TWO 9V outputs (-140dBr) Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 4x4—Appears to work fine when doubling up TWO 9V outputs (-124dBr) IMPORTANT NOTE #1: HX Stomp’s sophisticated circuitry pulls notably more than your average pedal. Hence, we used a DC IN jack with a larger center pin to sort of disincentivize people from throwing whatever at it. The stock DC cables that come with the power supplies listed above will NOT fit. Note that Eventide does the exact same thing with their H9. IMPORTANT NOTE #2: YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. Feel free to use this FAQ as a starting point, but Line 6 is not responsible for any damage incurred when using HX Stomp with any third-party power supplies. That is, if someone writes "B-b-but Line 6 said I could use [power supply X!]," someone will hopefully refer them to this post where I make it perfectly clear that we only *officially* support our DC-3G. Can HX Stomp run on batteries? No. The chassis gets a bit warm after a while. Is that normal? Yes. HX Stomp isn’t a budget modeler—it’s a hardcore, professional solution with four circuit boards (one with 12 layers) crammed with serious analog and digital circuitry that happens to have been meticulously squeezed into a tiny chassis. It’s gonna put off a bit of heat. Totally normal. Why do certain presets not pass any audio, or are muted? Presets labeled 4CM may not pass audio since the FX Loop block is turned on in the preset. Without the proper cable connections, the preset will not provide any output. The FX Loop block can be manually bypassed, or taken out of the preset. Please see the manual for more info on connections with 4 cable method. If you connect all the jacks on the sides, it kinda looks like an octopus. The most commonly used jacks are all on the back. Besides, octopuses are awesome. Have you seen them open jars? Excuse me, but the plural of octopus is octopi. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=plural+of+octopus Dimensions/weight? Including the jacks, 7”w x 5”d x 2.5”h; 1.75 lbs. What’s the price? $599.99 US street. When is HX Stomp available? Now.

To rename your desired setlist within the HX Edit 3.0 or above, be sure to click on the setlist name with your LEFT mouse button and hold it for a second. When you use a longer mouse click you should see the cursor appear with a blue highlight. Then, you can rename your selection. This will not work within the drop-down menu. Only the selected setlist name.

Here are some recovery steps if the update fails when using HX Edit, or Line 6 Central on your system. Make sure your laptop is connected to power, or be sure to check your USB cable connections. If you're on a desktop system, we recommend connecting to the rear USB ports near the power source. 1) Download and install the latest version of HX Edit BEFORE you run the update. This installation will also include the latest drivers. If you're on a Windows computer, it may be helpful to restart after the installation. https://line6.com/software/ 2) Put your Helix into update mode, by pressing and holding buttons 6 and 12 while you power on the Helix. For the HX Stomp, press and hold down the RIGHT page button while power on the device. (You may get a blank screen that is white, or black - this is normal for the HX Stomp) 3) Use Line 6 Central (NOT HX Edit) to run the latest firmware update again. Make sure only the Line 6 Central is running during the update, close all other recording applications. (If the Helix is in update mode, it should show up on the screen as a device after Line 6 Central is open after you sign-in. If the Helix doesn’t appear, try re-booting the Helix normally, you should also try different USB ports on your Mac or PC).

Some users have reported getting an error message when installing Line 6 product drivers on Windows 10 or 11. The error message will mention that Line 6 drivers are not being recognized or are being blocked after installation. The best workaround for this is to disable Memory Integrity under Windows security settings. You can find this feature under Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation details. See this article from Microsoft for further details: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/device-protection-in-windows-security-afa11526-de57-b1c5-599f-3a4c6a61c5e2 This is a known issue to our team, and for now the best option is to disable Memory Integrity as a work-around. We will continue to monitor this issue for our driver releases.

Problem: After upgrading to macOS Catalina, some mac users found that some apps can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. A dialog box pops up, click "OK" button and the application will close. Solution: Make sure you have dragged the installer package to /Applications to complete the installation. Our users have found that dragging the package into the Applications folder works best. This package appears after the installer .dmg file is opened. Problem: If you try to open the installer you downloaded, and you are blocked by the Mac System. You may need to disable the gatekeeper within your system preferences. You may see a prompt like this: Solution: 1. Go to “System Preferences” then “Security & Privacy”. Under the General tab, you will see a message at the bottom, “Application "Line 6 Updater" was blocked from opening because it is not from an identified developer.” 2. Click on “Open anyway” and the application will be opened.