NOSaints79 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Am I missing something or is there no way to use tap tempo with the Optical Trem? Thanks! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cacibi Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Nope - I was a bit shocked too. Vote for it on Ideascale: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Optical-Trem-and-Ubiquitous-Vibe-speed/788191-23508 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I think this falls under the heading of "if there was a way to do it, they would have done it." From what I understand, the reason why some models don't have the ability to be synced via tap tempo is the way they were modeled. Some models, probably the majority, are model algorithmically - that is Line 6 develops essentially a mathematical model that models the entire effect. The controls for these models follow a linear or other function-based path for how the values correspond to the knob position. So syncing a delay or modulation rate is just a matter of doing a simple conversion. Other models are component-based. Line 6 tears them apart and models the behavior of every single piece in the effect (the whole modeling the light bulb thing). So with these effects, their behavior can be very non-linear and the controls interactive. So perhaps the speed of the Opto Trem changes slightly depending where the depth knob is or what the incoming signal is like. I don't exactly know what it is that's preventing them, but I'm guessing it's something like that. DI talks about it a little here: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line6-helix.1586637/page-491#post-20688101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cacibi Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I think this is implied in the qualifying language from the manual stating that not all rates can be set to note value/tap control. However, the answer to the question: "Do you want a component based Trem model that does not sync to tap tempo or an algorithm that does?" is: BOTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRalphN Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I love the Optical trem. It is one of my favorite. Most of my older and boutique teens did not have tap so I am good with it but I understand those that are used to tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSaints79 Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Thanks for all the replies. Some really good points! My POD HD500X had tap tempo on the Optical Trem, so I was sort of expecting it on the Helix. Not having a trem with tap tempo (like an Empress Tremolo for example) is the first and only major disappointment with me for this unit so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSaints79 Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Since it may not be possible to modify the existing Optical Trem, I've started an idea to add a model that does have tap: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Add-Trem-w-Tap-Tempo/788531-23508?submitted=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrsr Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I thought the whole idea of a modern multi FX unit is to have the ability to tempo sync (if wanted) all your effects. Not only does the line 6 fall short in not being able to send clock it also seems that some of the FX such as Tremolo (as discussed here) can't even be synced by using tap tempo. This is very poor ... I've had my unit for 3 days now and I'm contemplating weather or not I should return it! In my honest opinion ... this unit is supposed to be a "flagship" guitar processor and in that sense there should be a nuclear arsenal of FX available to the user. Not just three or so flangers and a couple of chorus sounds, which aren't actually that convincing! I think this unit has been released far to early to the public!! Come on Line 6 .... and what about the promised editor !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I thought the whole idea of a modern multi FX unit is to have the ability to tempo sync (if wanted) all your effects. Not only does the line 6 fall short in not being able to send clock it also seems that some of the FX such as Tremolo (as discussed here) can't even be synced by using tap tempo. This is very poor ... I've had my unit for 3 days now and I'm contemplating weather or not I should return it! In my honest opinion ... this unit is supposed to be a "flagship" guitar processor and in that sense there should be a nuclear arsenal of FX available to the user. Not just three or so flangers and a couple of chorus sounds, which aren't actually that convincing! I think this unit has been released far to early to the public!! Come on Line 6 .... and what about the promised editor !! This thread is outdated now. These effects have all been updated so they can be synced with tap tempo now. Additionally, concerning the tremolo models, a new trem model was added that gives much more control and allows for much sharper waveforms. Have you installed the latest firmware? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_Igloo Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I think this unit has been released far to early to the public!! Well, you could always pretend it doesn't exist until your personal desires are realized. Optical Trem does indeed sync to tempo. Press Knob 1 (Speed) and you'll see the value change from numerics to note values. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marrsr Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 "Optical Trem does indeed sync to tempo. Press Knob 1 (Speed) and you'll see the value change from numerics to note values." Hello ... thanks for your speedy reply. I have updated the Helix to the latest firmware (first thing I done before getting musically involved with presets etc) but nowhere in the manual could I see how to apply a tap signal or tempo to a tremolo effect. After reading your e-mail, I now understand that you need to apply a "CC No" to the tap and then assigning the trem speed to correspond to this "CC No" Wonderful .... Thanks for your time and information Regards Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 "Optical Trem does indeed sync to tempo. Press Knob 1 (Speed) and you'll see the value change from numerics to note values." Hello ... thanks for your speedy reply. I have updated the Helix to the latest firmware (first thing I done before getting musically involved with presets etc) but nowhere in the manual could I see how to apply a tap signal or tempo to a tremolo effect. After reading your e-mail, I now understand that you need to apply a "CC No" to the tap and then assigning the trem speed to correspond to this "CC No" Wonderful .... Thanks for your time and information Regards Ray Seems like something perhaps got lost in translation there. You don't need to worry about assigning a CC# at all. You just press knob 1 to change the rate parameter to a note value, as DI stated, and you're good to go. The tap tempo switch will now control the rate of the tremolo, and the timing will be in line with whatever note value you chose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HonestOpinion Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 This thread is outdated now. These effects have all been updated so they can be synced with tap tempo now. Additionally, concerning the tremolo models, a new trem model was added that gives much more control and allows for much sharper waveforms. Have you installed the latest firmware? .... You just press knob 1 to change the rate parameter to a note value, as DI stated, and you're good to go. The tap tempo switch will now control the rate of the tremolo, and the timing will be in line with whatever note value you chose. This thread should be marked as answered with a green box. Although this was a legitimate issue when the topic was first posted this issue has now been addressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_Igloo Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I have updated the Helix to the latest firmware (first thing I done before getting musically involved with presets etc) but nowhere in the manual could I see how to apply a tap signal or tempo to a tremolo effect. Phil's correct; you just need to press the knob. From the included one-page Helix Cheat Sheet (Knobs 1-6): Press to toggle between Hz or ms and note values From page 6 of the Helix Owner's Manual (Top Panel Overview): SHORTCUT: For most time-based parameters such as delay time or modulation speed, press the knob to toggle between setting the value in ms or Hz and note divisions (1/4-note, dotted 1/8-note, etc.). From page 24 of the Helix Owner's Manual (Common FX Settings—emphasis not mine): Speed: Adjusts the speed of the effect, with higher settings providing faster rates. Press the knob to toggle between Hz and note values. Choosing a Hz value provides a specific modulation speed in cycles per second; choosing a note value provides a time based on the current tempo. Not all Speed parameters can be synced to note values, as they may be non-linear and highly interactive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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