GadgetGuitar Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 After watching the video posted this morning (10-15-15) regarding the problem with the Helix and a Mesa V:25 not switching, I wanted to check out my setup. I ran a 4CM, everything works great with that setup on both a Mesa V:25 and a Mini Rect. Surprised of how quiet it was on clean/dirt even at high gain and volume. Problem is in the Amp Switch. Using the same cable that was supplied with the Mesa V:25, I get the same results. Amp switch on 1, 2 or 1/2 all do nothing for the channel switch. 2 and 1/2 will switch the EQ on/off. The Mesa mini Rect, using the same cable that was supplied with the amp, simply flashes the channel on off. It will not stay on channel 1 only the dirt channel which it goes to when the cable is plugged in. Both amps will switch to the dirt channel, no matter what channel they are in at that moment the cable is plugged in. Both cables are TS cables supplied by Mesa. Both foot switches supplied by mesa work the amp channel. Will post a video in the morning at work. Slow internet here at the house. The Amp Switching does not work with either of my Mesa amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_Igloo Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 We're aware of the issue and are currently investigating. This appears to only affect Mesa Mk V:25 amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 My Mini-Rectifier is not working as well. It will not switch the amp. Only flashes channel on and back. I have to hit the pedal twice to make it do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasjg Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Hmm... both Mesa V:25 and a Mini Rect. seem to be having the channel switching issue. This is three different people and now 4 different amps. Not a faulty Helix at this point. Something just not jiving.. maybe it is a voltage issue as DI suggested elsewhere. I am very interested to know what's the issue. I am sure it'll turn up soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZGuitar Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I will check my EG Renegade tomorrow. I'm sure Phil already has but for what it's worth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I, too, have this issue with my Mark V 25. I specifically got the Helix because it supported the amp switching. I really don't see what the issue could be, as the Mesa amps are a very simple short-to-sleeve switch. Can someone from Line 6 describe exactly how the remote switching port operates? I am willing to wait for a fix, but if this drags out for months and then we find out that it is unfixable, can Line 6 confirm that they will offer full refunds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger28 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 My guess is that your Mesa needs momentary switching and Helix is latching. Some devices allow both variations and some even let you set different times for the momentary impulse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 The Mesa is definitely latching. It has been tested by several people, including me. If you short to the sleeve, the channel changes. If you let go, it changes back. Something within the Helix (software or hardware unknown) is shorting the tip to the sleeve. Note that the EQ switching does work properly from the Helix. It is just the channel changing that is not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger28 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 That is weird indeed. Some amps do have mixed switch modes though. My Ecstasy had latching on Boost and Loop, but momentary for Channel changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger28 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hmmm just a wild guess, but have you tried switching the amp without any signal/audio cables connected? Maybe signal and remote use common grounds and some ground loop causes the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy2Gunns Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I had something similar happen with a Voodoo Labs control switcher and a Marshall DSL. The problem was that I was using a simple "Y" type cable. There is a cable called an "insert cable" that I was supposed to be using. Once I switched over to using the correct cable, I didn't have anymore problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Did this ever get resolved? Mesa 5:25 and Mesa Mini Rectifier 4CM channel switching does not work using the Helix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesumpter Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 If you use a mono cable and put it partially in (feel for the first click) to the Helix you can then control the channel but not the graphic. I've been using it this way as I always have the graphic on my 5:25 on anyway. Once I'd worked it out I put a bit of electrical tape on the shaft (!) of the connector to stop me from pushing it in all the way (in the Helix). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC-Tonequest Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I believe there is a resistor mod you do to the cable. Ask Digital Igloo. I'm hoping they come up with a fix for my Friedman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarDaveBenicia Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 OK - I just tried to get the channel switching working with my 2 Channel H....not only was I unsuccessful but now the amp switching on my amp doesn't work at all. The amp is set on the clean channel with no reverb and the blue channel light doesn't even light up. If I plug in either a mono or stereo cable from the Helix EXT AMP to the footswitch jack then the blue LED for the clean channel lights up but no combination of options allows it to work. This one has me truly stumped - and obviously very bummed out. I was planning to gig with the PRS this weekend. Now I have a non-functional amp. Major bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HonestOpinion Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 OK - I just tried to get the channel switching working with my 2 Channel H....not only was I unsuccessful but now the amp switching on my amp doesn't work at all. The amp is set on the clean channel with no reverb and the blue channel light doesn't even light up. If I plug in either a mono or stereo cable from the Helix EXT AMP to the footswitch jack then the blue LED for the clean channel lights up but no combination of options allows it to work. This one has me truly stumped - and obviously very bummed out. I was planning to gig with the PRS this weekend. Now I have a non-functional amp. Major bummer. Assuming you have not damaged your amp you may be able to restore proper operation by getting and connecting a more garden variety footswitch(don't use the Helix) and attempting to reset the amp. I think I had this happen one time when I was hooking up an Amp Gizmo to my Boogie and I was able to restore normal operation with the correct cable and switching things on and off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 It has been shown that if you swap the tip and ring, that the channel switch works properly. So, this is clearly an issue with the Helix, where the tip switching does not work properly, but the ring does. Can we please get an update from Line 6 regarding this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudomat Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 We're aware of the issue and are currently investigating. This appears to only affect Mesa Mk V:25 amps. no...!! there´s problems not only with the mesa, but also my vox amps f.e....i have immense ground loops and in case i´d cut the ground it popps really loud when switching, so you can´t use it without ruining the amp....;-( it seems only ring is ok, but tip doesn´t work... the really sad thing is, this seems to not be a software, but a hardware problem...i can´t understand, why they don´t use relay switching like every serious switcher!!!! so since i´d fear they won´t make hardware updates, this is really, really sad....!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 It looks like Santa will be delivering a helix to me on Christmas Day. The amp I have is a mesa mini rectifier. Is there a workaround or fix for channel switching with it yet? After looking at the knowledge base, it appears there may be a workaround for this problem. Can anyone confirm that it will work on a mini rectifier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 My Mini-Rectifier is not working as well. It will not switch the amp. Only flashes channel on and back. I have to hit the pedal twice to make it do that. Did you ever find a solution for your mini rectifier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 I have not found any solution to the Mini Rectifier or the 5:25. Apparently there is a way to make a cable not going to worry about modifying the cable. I run the Amp Channel switch on the board. My needs are not that I need that fast of switching. Just need it to go clean or dirty as needed for the song. Do not switch clean to dirt mid song all that much. Would make it easier but will wait and see what Line 6 can do to fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I have not found any solution to the Mini Rectifier or the 5:25. Apparently there is a way to make a cable not going to worry about modifying the cable. I run the Amp Channel switch on the board. My needs are not that I need that fast of switching. Just need it to go clean or dirty as needed for the song. Do not switch clean to dirt mid song all that much. Would make it easier but will wait and see what Line 6 can do to fix it. Thanks for the reply. I think I will try to make the cable as described in the Knowledge base. It involves an 11 K resistor. I just hope it works for the mini rectifier too. (I'm assuming it won't hurt anything by hooking this cable up to the amplifier) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 The resistor did not work for me. It does successfully prevent the channel from always being switched to channel 2 initially and does allow you to change from channel 1 to channel 2. However, once you change to channel 2, it will not change back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 The resistor did not work for me. It does successfully prevent the channel from always being switched to channel 2 initially and does allow you to change from channel 1 to channel 2. However, once you change to channel 2, it will not change back. You were using the Mark V:25 right? (Not the Mini rectifier) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 You were using the Mark V:25 right? (Not the Mini rectifier) Yes, the Mark V:25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I did not see the Knowledge Base article on the Mesa V:25? I was going to make one and test with the Mini Rectifier and the V:25. I know someone tried it and it did not work has anyone tried it and work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I did not see the Knowledge Base article on the Mesa V:25? I was going to make one and test with the Mini Rectifier and the V:25. I know someone tried it and it did not work has anyone tried it and work? I was going to but I didn't have an extra speaker cable sitting around to cut up. (I only have a mini rectifier) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I got a 10k and a 1k in the shop. Going to patch into my TRS cable to see how it switches. Nothing lost if it does not work. I just didn't see the Knowledge Base article, thought they pulled it because it did not work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I got a 10k and a 1k in the shop. Going to patch into my TRS cable to see how it switches. Nothing lost if it does not work. I just didn't see the Knowledge Base article, thought they pulled it because it did not work? Thanks for trying this. I look forward to seeing if it switches your mini rectifier. If it does, I guess I will be cannibalizing a speaker cable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2dconverterguy Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Here is a pic of the mod for the MKV:25 (The Mini-Rec might have a different switching requirement) I hope this helps seeya Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks for posting the picture. So I had the shop wire in 11k (a 10 and a 1 soldered in series) resistance on the tip of the TRS cable used for the channel switching. I get the same thing on the Mesa V:25, switches the EQ on/off very well and will NOT change channel. The channel goes to Channel 2 when the cable is plugged into the system. The Mini Rectifier does the same thing it did before. It Switches the amp channel but like a momentary switch it switches channel then goes back. Will not stay on the channel. I did have our shop guys test the cable with the resistors it is actually loading it at 11.1k. Still running the 4CM method when needed but I bring the amp switcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Here is a pic of the mod for the MKV:25 (The Mini-Rec might have a different switching requirement) I hope this helps seeya Joe That is exactly what I did with mine, and it fails as described above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2dconverterguy Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Sorry Guys, I do not have a Mini Rec or MKV:25... I originally pulled this resistor info from the Helix FAQ which has been superseded by this statement... http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/effects-controllers/helix/helix-and-ext-amp-controlling-r791 "Helix’s ability to control external amp channel and/or reverb switching has been tested with many popular amps and heads. Unfortunately this does not guarantee compatibility with all products. Note that, depending on the circuitry of the channel switching jack in the guitar amp used, the EXT Amp function may not operate as expected." After doing some research, I found that Elantric from V-Guitar Forum proposed that LED's present in the MESA footswitch might be part of the solution to the puzzle... http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line-6-helix-and-mesa-boogie-mark-v-25-channel-switching-issue.1628810/page-3 I am trying to figure out if this could work....I'll report back seeya Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks for posting the picture. So I had the shop wire in 11k (a 10 and a 1 soldered in series) resistance on the tip of the TRS cable used for the channel switching. I get the same thing on the Mesa V:25, switches the EQ on/off very well and will NOT change channel. The channel goes to Channel 2 when the cable is plugged into the system. The Mini Rectifier does the same thing it did before. It Switches the amp channel but like a momentary switch it switches channel then goes back. Will not stay on the channel. I did have our shop guys test the cable with the resistors it is actually loading it at 11.1k. Still running the 4CM method when needed but I bring the amp switcher. Thanks for trying this and posting your results. I wonder if it is worth hoking up a potentiometer to be able to quickly try different values? Is there a way to damage the Helix or amp with a bad resistance value? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2dconverterguy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 It looks like Line 6 is using open collector transistors for switching to ground as opposed to using relays. There seems to be an isolation problem between the EXT control 1 and EXT control 2 that might be mitigated by increasing the stated 11k resistance. The most reliable way is by using relays, like in the below pic, which I will wire up and test. The only drawback is that the relays need power, so you will need to provide 9VDC to the interface box. Seeya Joe 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2dconverterguy Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Howdy Folks, I was successful in getting the Helix to control the Mesa Boogie MKV:25... The box has two relays that isolate the two switching functions... it is shown powered by a 9V Battery, but ,an FX power Supply works as well. Instead of the short pigtail and single 1/4" phone jack, the box would probably be more useful with two 1/4" phone jacks... then you could use a long and short TRS cable to place the interface near the Amp or near the Helix... (wherever it's easiest to get power for an adapter.) Here are some pix of the interface box... Based on this schematic if you want to build one yourself... Here's a video showing the operation... https://youtu.be/wLhKsCm74TM seeya Joe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djy8131 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Nice work a2dconverterguy! Do you have a particular relay you used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a2dconverterguy Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Hey DJ... Here's a pic of the relay... standard OMRON, G6E-134P-ST-US (12VDC) There is a 9 V coil version, but, the 12 VDC coil works fine at 9 VDC... I hope this helps. seeya Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetGuitar Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Good stuff. I have an old BYOC drive pedal that I can use the housing and 9V input. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randycarpenter Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Does anyone know how/where to get something like that produced? I'm trying to see what it will take, since Line 6 does not seem interested in making the Helix function properly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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