panthur Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I have a couple of essential questions. I appreciate the information might not be available yet, but I can't wait to find out, lol. 1. Has the USB implementation changed ? - The showstopper. This was a huge flaw on the Pod HD. Big driver issues early on which damaged hearing and headphones as the thing gave out a full volume squeal regardless of settings. Line 6 blamed this on the host environment for a long time. Then it turns out that the USB connector crumbles to pieces if you breathe heavily on it, again Line 6 deny. If the USB hasn't been fixed, I'm not buying one. Fool me once... 2. Can a foot-switch be assigned to an individual parameter ?. To me this seems like an addition that would add soooo much value that I'm disappointed it never came to POD, especially when DSP time is limited. The flexibility this adds to the floorboard is immense, especially considering the foot-switches can now be momentary. If the answer to both of these is yes, then take my money ! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevevnicks Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 try using fresh mints before breathing on usb port, see if that stops the crumble effect ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 1. It seems to me that Line 6 did acknowledge the whole issue with volume spikes and issue firmware update(s) to deal with it. But, yes, the USB implementation is different on the Helix in the fact that it's 8-in and 8-out. As far as the USB connector, I don't really have any idea if it's a different part or not. It seems fine to me. 2. Yes, you can use switches as controllers. You can assign up to 8 parameters to each footswitch in addition to assigning effects or amp blocks to be turned on an off by switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_Igloo Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 2. Yes, you can use switches as controllers. You can assign up to 8 parameters to each footswitch in addition to assigning effects or amp blocks to be turned on an off by switches. Not quite. It's 8 total assignments per switch, which is shared across blocks, parameters, and Command Center messages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Not quite. It's 8 total assignments per switch, which is shared across blocks, parameters, and Command Center messages. OK, that makes sense. At least I got the 8 part correct... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevevnicks Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 what makes me laff is how, now all of a sudden the USB port connector is supposed to be weak ?? sorry thats just rubbish in my books. my HD500 is best part of 5 years old and the USB connector has not broken due to being a weak made part ? i'll go as far to say its down to how you look after or even handle your product there is only 2 ways i can see that would break the USB port on the HD500 and thats by forcing the cable in while wiggling around, but why would i do that ?or by catching the usb cable and ripping it out at an angle. other than that, the port is a standard design part, used in thousands of products also if this was a true fact there would be piles of HD500's along with thousands of other products with this defect concerning the USB port that the OP stated .. i call BullSh!t .. too heavey handed is the only reason i can find that would break the USB port on the HD500 as well as it would on any device. but after saying that maybe people used a cheap cable that was not a good fit so if the cable was pulled at an angle, say when the device is move, this could snap the the center part of the hd500's USB port same as it would any other device. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lachdanan0121 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 what makes me laff is how, now all of a sudden the USB port connector is supposed to be weak ?? sorry thats just rubbish in my books. my HD500 is best part of 5 years old and the USB connector has not broken due to being a weak made part ? i'll go as far to say its down to how you look after or even handle your product there is only 2 ways i can see that would break the USB port on the HD500 and thats by forcing the cable in while wiggling around, but why would i do that ?or by catching the usb cable and ripping it out at an angle. other than that, the port is a standard design part, used in thousands of products also if this was a true fact there would be piles of HD500's along with thousands of other products with this defect concerning the USB port that the OP stated .. i call BullSh!t .. too heavey handed is the only reason i can find that would break the USB port on the HD500 as well as it would on any device. but after saying that maybe people used a cheap cable that was not a good fit so if the cable was pulled at an angle, say when the device is move, this could snap the the center part of the hd500's USB port same as it would any other device. While I can't speak for the HD series, I will say that for a fact the Pod Studio GX1 has a very crappy usb port. But then again that is basically the cheapest physcial product that line 6 sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panthur Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Great news about the foot-switch control !. :) Debating the old Pod HD is kind of off topic as it's widely covered already, my point is that the Helix is, according to Line, 'Tour-grade' Tour grade means that it must withstand advancing punters when things get a bit too exciting. The occasional stage invasion means that the cables may well get stepped on. Considering that a big feature is the 8-in/8-out interface, a single point of failure like a cheap USB connector would be a horrendous oversight, and it does look very similar to the one used on POD. I can understand it on the POD's because they're built to meet a price point where every penny counts, but the Helix isn't being marketed as such. Tour grade means using something like this.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panthur Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Had a response from the Line 6 Facebook page. The part has been updated :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncann Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 This is indeed good to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevekc Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Helix is, according to Line, 'Helix is Tour-grade' IMHO - After these mods: Locking IEC AC Inlet ( and a X3 Live style protective bar for the LCD/Knobs) and Neutrik USB Connectors would I classify the Helix as "Tour Grade" http://www.neutrik.com/en/multimedia/multimedia-connectors/usb/ Product Guide - Section Data Connectors http://www.neutrik.com/en/multimedia/usb/nausb-w http://www.neutrik.com/en/multimedia/usb/nkusb what makes me laff is how, now all of a sudden the USB port connector is supposed to be weak ?? sorry thats just rubbish in my books. my HD500 is best part of 5 years old and the USB connector has not broken due to being a weak made part ? Need to hang out at the POD HD Forum more or play gigs where Dancers jump on stage and walk on your gear POD HD500X Dead? http://line6.com/support/topic/14558-hd500x-dead/?hl=usb M Check your usb port. The center plastic square broke in mine and caused it to short out. USB port - mine broke, too. In exactly the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panthur Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 To be honest, the Neutrik USB connector or something similar is what should be on a 'tour-grade' piece of equipment. If a Neutrik type connector it's good enough for the Variax connector, why not elsewhere ?. Its a shame, but at least they've addressed it some way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevevnicks Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 or simple answer is dont stand on it or get yourself so excited you tap dance the crap out of the USB cable .... im guessing this is more of a problem for our american cousins as they are more excitable than us stiff upper lip brits lol (sorry just joke'n) im mean if ever a white man didnt have rhythm while dancing the english are the kings, well in our defence we do have morris dancing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panthur Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 I'm from the UK and I've seen many an excited brit, usually crashing in the direction of my pedalboard with pint in hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRSGuy Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 Just because I am curious...do some of you guys/gals gig with the USB cable connected??????? If so, why????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panthur Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 I used it to record the performance on my laptop. Great for listening back and improving, especially on the vocals. Alternatively you can split the chain to record a dry signal which can be 're-amped' after the show. The Helix is 8-in / 8-out I think, which would probably have a whole lot more potential uses :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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