Helix Update 2.11 unit freezing up

[maxolla]

Has anyone been experiencing the problem I’m having?

 

I've had this problem since purchasing the unit with it hanging for seemingly no reason and at odd times.  I updated the firmware whilst following all of the instruction and holding my mouth in the right position and all that.  After the update it seems to work for a while and now it hangs several times a playing session.

 

The scenario goes like this:

I’m playing along having a good ole time and I go to change a preset or parameter and all the controls are inoperative.  Only solution I’ve found so far is to power cycle the unit.  Luckily I haven't had this issue live because I’m not playing live at the moment.  If I were playing live I would not count on this unit as of right now.

 

I love the sounds and ease of use otherwise!   I like this unit way better than the Axe FX for ease of use but not for reliability.  The Axe FX was solid as a rock in terms of glitch free.

 

Anyone else having this issue?

[hideout]

Sorry to hear that. My experience is the opposite. 2.0 seemed a bit sketchy as it crashed twice at my gig but 2.11 seems more solid. Have you tried redoing the update?

[MusicLaw]

The only intermittent lethargy I have encountered is a mere hickup with the rotary operation of the Joystick encoder. When stepping through the Models of an Amp+Cab Block, regardless, if rotating the Joystick Clockwise or Counter-clockwise every so often the next model is not selected. The Helix seems to ignore the encoder's instruction pulse and skips a beat. The very next rotation click works. See: http://line6.com/support/topic/24499-joystick-rotation-model-selection-bug/ This has been reported to Line 6. I'm still on fw 2.10. My Helix is not used connected to a computer.

[specracer986]

I've had my Helix about seven months I think, and I've had it freeze four times that I remember. The last time was a couple nights ago at band practice. I was in the middle of a song and went to change snapshots and it wouldn't change. I still had the original snapshot active, so I was able to finish the song, but I had to do my rhythm parts with my solo snapshot, which was awkward. I then rebooted it and it was fine the rest of the night. I am on 2.11, like you. I think I've had it happen with each version of the firmware. I'm concerned, but I'm still going to gig the Helix. I have too much time invested in it, not to use it.

[zooey]

I've had the same sort of freeze, where it still plays audio but all controls are unresponsive, maybe 3 times total, and not since 2.0. Wasn't connected to a computer any of those times.

 

Agree it's not great, and hard to reproduce or debug.

[jbuhajla]

Are you connected to your computer via USB when it hangs up?

[specracer986]

Are you connected to your computer via USB when it hangs up?

 

I've had it happen while editing and while just playing without a usb connection. The other night at practice, I had no usb hookup when it froze mid song.

[DunedinDragon]

Make sure you haven't inadvertantly thrown the Helix into another mode.  It's easy enough to do by accidentally hitting the both preset up/down switches at the same time.  The first time I did it I thought the unit had frozen because none of the footswitches would respond.  But all I had to do was hit the "Exit" button and it went back to the normal mode and all was fine.

[specracer986]

That's definitely not what happened to me. I switched to snapshot 3 to do my solo, went to switch back to snapshot 2 for the next verse, but it wouldn't switch back. There were no mode changes.

[jbuhajla]

Since running 2.11, I have had zero freezes. I used to get them on 2.01/2.10 mostly when connected via USB to mac. 

[DunedinDragon]

All of these problems serve to reassure me I'm glad I don't use snapshots.....

[amsdenj]

Freeze ups could occur if you didn't reset globals and restore presets (FS 9-10) after the last update. Then re-import your patches and let them get rebuilt too. Freezes can occur when there's data in a patch that is inconsistent with the version of Helix. If this happens with a particular patch, try rebuilding the patch from scratch.

[jbuhajla]

All of these problems serve to reassure me I'm glad I don't use snapshots.....

You're missing out. Once you go snap, there's no going back. Just kidding...some players just don't have the need for that functionality. 

 

So far ZERO issues with 2.11 and snapshots for me. I use snapshots on 90% of my presets. and those presets are built "per song". The other 10% are templates that I built that I can add snapshots to later. 

[phil_m]

You're missing out. Once you go snap, there's no going back. Just kidding...some players just don't have the need for that functionality. 

 

So far ZERO issues with 2.11 and snapshots for me. I use snapshots on 90% of my presets. and those presets are built "per song". The other 10% are templates that I built that I can add snapshots to later. 

 

Yeah, I've been using snapshots for almost a year now (I had an early pre-beta build of them), and I don't think I could go back. I haven't had any issues with 2.11 either.

[DunedinDragon]

You're missing out. Once you go snap, there's no going back. Just kidding...some players just don't have the need for that functionality. 

 

So far ZERO issues with 2.11 and snapshots for me. I use snapshots on 90% of my presets. and those presets are built "per song". The other 10% are templates that I built that I can add snapshots to later. 

 

I understand how people might like the usefulness of snapshots.  But even before we had snapshots I wasn't among the people clamoring for them  The features already available were more than enough to handle the things I needed to do.  Once they came out and I saw what they did and how they worked it wasn't something that added any benefit to the way I was doing things, but it certainly added complexity due to the additional layer of abstraction they represent.

 

I guess I'm just a "production" kind of guy from so many years in as an engineer.  Keep it simple and straightforward and you're less likely to run into problems that might impact production and/or maintenance.

[maxolla]

just an update.

 

I’ve been in touch with Line 6 tech support and I’m going to reset globals and basically get rid of all my presets and rebuild them from scratch.

On any other unit that would be a massive undertaking but on the Helix its not that big of a task.  I’m hoping that this glitch is behind us as Helix is an incredible tool if it has truly become reliable.  On to bigger and better things like writing, playing, and all the rest.

 

Thank you all for your input.

[jbuhajla]

Thanks for the follow up.

[maxolla]

Just as a follow up.  I was contacted by support and they said the same thing as Amsdenj.  Rebuild your presets after resetting globals.  I did just that!  I reset globals and then I built a couple of patches from scratch.  In one of the patches I put in volume pedal control at the beginning of the chain.  I just got through playing it and I had an occurrence which I experienced with previous firmwares.  In the midst of playing the volume goes to zero unexpectedly.  The only way the sound will come back is to just touch the volume pedal and then the sound is back.  This has happened twice in two days of playing maybe 30 minutes a session.

 

I have contacted support and I will let you know what they come up with.  I have not had an all out freeze as of yet.

 

 

 

Freeze ups could occur if you didn't reset globals and restore presets (FS 9-10) after the last update. Then re-import your patches and let them get rebuilt too. Freezes can occur when there's data in a patch that is inconsistent with the version of Helix. If this happens with a particular patch, try rebuilding the patch from scratch.

[silverhead]

Just as a follow up.  I was contacted by support and they said the same thing as Amsdenj.  Rebuild your presets after resetting globals.  I did just that!  I reset globals and then I built a couple of patches from scratch.  ....

When we say 'rebuild your presets' in Helix we don't mean rebuild them manually from scratch. There is a Rebuild feature in Helix that takes existing presets, usually from an earlier firmware version, and automatically rebuilds them to make sure they are compatible with the new firmware. That is done automatically at power up each time Helix detects that new presets have been imported that have not yet been rebuilt.

[jbuhajla]

Just as a follow up.  I was contacted by support and they said the same thing as Amsdenj.  Rebuild your presets after resetting globals.  I did just that!  I reset globals and then I built a couple of patches from scratch.  In one of the patches I put in volume pedal control at the beginning of the chain.  I just got through playing it and I had an occurrence which I experienced with previous firmwares.  In the midst of playing the volume goes to zero unexpectedly.  The only way the sound will come back is to just touch the volume pedal and then the sound is back.  This has happened twice in two days of playing maybe 30 minutes a session.

 

I have contacted support and I will let you know what they come up with.  I have not had an all out freeze as of yet.

 

Do you have the volume block assigned to EXP1 or EXP2?

[maxolla]

When we say 'rebuild your presets' in Helix we don't mean rebuild them manually from scratch. There is a Rebuild feature in Helix that takes existing presets, usually from an earlier firmware version, and automatically rebuilds them to make sure they are compatible with the new firmware. That is done automatically at power up each time Helix detects that new presets have been imported that have not yet been rebuilt.

 

Thanks Silverhead.  I have updated to the 2.12 and have started additional testing to see if I get a volume zero with the mission expression pedal or a freeze.  If I get either I already have received an RMA to return the unit for a new one.

[maxolla]

 

Do you have the volume block assigned to EXP1 or EXP2?

Expression pedal 1 and toe switch.

[jbuhajla]

Expression pedal 1 and toe switch.

 

I have the Helix floor model. I only use a single external expression pedal assigned to EXP3. I use the on board pedal for EXP 1 and 2. 

 

Since I have changed all of my volume blocks to EXP2, I have not had the volume drop issue. I use a volume block on the front of the signal chain in all of my presets, and no drops. 

 

EXP2 is the default (for whatever reason). Try that and see if it goes away. 

[ThePup]

My Helix froze today. I had to recyle the power switch. I followed the instructions fully.

[willjrock]

My helix froze within the last five minutes. I too had to recycle the power switch, and I followed the instructions fully. 

[duncann]

Shortly after updating to 2.12.0, Helix locked up during the startup process. The animated DNA strand just stopped. The same thing happened before with previous updates. A power cycle was the only thing to do, after which all seemed normal.

[rickthestick]

A week ago, ...at a gig, :o mine froze on me. Had to reboot in the middle of a tune. Doing a looping solo act, it was not what you want to happen live. I have since found this to happen again, same patch, very consistently now. I haven't changed anything in the patch and it worked up until last week. Now, I don't dare use it. I have overwritten the patch with the same one that always worked without an issue but it still locks up.

[willjrock]

A week ago, ...at a gig, :o mine froze on me. Had to reboot in the middle of a tune. Doing a looping solo act, it was not what you want to happen live. I have since found this to happen again, same patch, very consistently now. I haven't changed anything in the patch and it worked up until last week. Now, I don't dare use it. I have overwritten the patch with the same one that always worked without an issue but it still locks up.

Well if you can repeat the issue, thats like the most important thing. Trying to get to the bottom of it would be a lot more helpful than avoiding it. I hope you told support at the very least..

[silverhead]

.... I have since found this to happen again, same patch, very consistently now. ....

 

This will be very helpful for debugging any issue. As willjrock suggests, please open a support ticket to get the details to Line 6. And DON'T lose that patch - Line 6 may want you to send it to them.

[gtssound]

Hi All. I am having this same issue. I am connected to a MAC using Helix Rack with floor board and JTV 69 Variax. Goes well for 5 minutes or so then nothing, no control, no switching, no ability to get out of the preset using the Helix interface or PC editor either its a full off then onn to get the thing working again. Variax also not working consistently. Sometimes on Sometimes off, presets wont load the guitar changes as programmed either. Its an expensive brick until it works like it should and will probably go back in the box and sit in the bottom of the cupboard for the next ten years unless an update sorts the issue. I live in Dubai so the local support is less than 000000. Love the depth of the audio the unit produces, hate the black box that wont work at the time I get free time to lay some tracks down so its back to trusty reliable ten year old Vox Tonelab / NI Ampltube / trusty MkV boogie and original Les Pauls / Strats / Banjo. As a guide, just before I began writing this I turned the unit on again and did nothing without either the JTV or a guitar plugged in, no PC / USB link editor working and now the unit is frozen solid with nothing working. I type fast, so its probably less than 3 minutes on and already locked up. I'd speculate there's a faulty DSP or other chip getting hot in there somewhere. Oh and ALL presets are factory, I have only had the thing two weeks and have updated to 2.11 and not been game to do any serious scratching around and making presets of my own yet. So Factory as can be other than update. Yep...pretty disheartened at the minute as these things are ~USD750 more expensive to buy in the UAE than they are everywhere else. My wife keeps saying...you should never buy the current electronics until everyone else finds out the bugs...but i didnt listen

[spikey]

I’m playing along having a good ole time and I go to change a preset or parameter and all the controls are inoperative.  Only solution I’ve found so far is to power cycle the unit. 

 

 

I've seen this too, esp. when using the editor. And its been there for at least two updates now. I do not think it's because of V2.11. 

[pilottes]

Same here. 2.12 and still have treeze ups. Typically when using home, amp button and other editing actions. Seldom freeze just by using it.

 

Some FW revisions were worse than others but freezes are a comon occurence. Had my Helix for 10 months now. Just switched to FRFR and I'm dealing with very few patches. Still I have freezes.

 

But! Still pretty happy. It will get more stable in time.

[jbuhajla]

If you are connected to PC/Mac via USB when it freezes, just try unplugging the USB cable to see if it unfreezes. I haven't had any freezes since 2.10, but when it did, I was connected to editor. I just unplugged the USB, and was back in business without having to cycle power. 

[amsdenj]

I had a freeze during rehearsal this week on a patch I use almost constantly. Nothing changed in the patch. I do have a volume pedal in the patch, and I noticed shortly before the freeze that the volume was too low. I noticed the volume pedal had been turned down (I have it set to one lower the volume of input to the amp a small range for changing the amp drive). When I pushed the volume pedal down to turn the volume back up, I noticed it had no effect. Then I noticed none of the other switches or dials did anything. I had sound, but no interaction with Helix. Had to reboot. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the volume pedal issues others have experienced.

 

This is very concerning as I can't have this happening during a performance.

[zooey]

I've had that form of freeze happen several times, where it still passes audio, but all controls are unresponsive. First time was months before I heard about volume pedal issues, don't remember which firmware. It's not at all common for me, but it would be a huge drag live.

[jbuhajla]

I had a freeze during rehearsal this week on a patch I use almost constantly. Nothing changed in the patch. I do have a volume pedal in the patch, and I noticed shortly before the freeze that the volume was too low. I noticed the volume pedal had been turned down (I have it set to one lower the volume of input to the amp a small range for changing the amp drive). When I pushed the volume pedal down to turn the volume back up, I noticed it had no effect. Then I noticed none of the other switches or dials did anything. I had sound, but no interaction with Helix. Had to reboot. I'm wondering if this has something to do with the volume pedal issues others have experienced.

 

This is very concerning as I can't have this happening during a performance.

 

Which expression pedal do you have assigned to the volume block?

[willjrock]

Also, often i get freezes when

 

You're missing out. Once you go snap, there's no going back. 

 

Ya know the one thing that about snapshots that doesnt thrill me is that its the one parameter where i HAVE to reach for the mouse. It would be nice if that were addressed.

 

I've seen this too, esp. when using the editor. And its been there for at least two updates now. I do not think it's because of V2.11. 

Nope because i updated in attempt of get rid of it, and it pretty much did. errr it was the last "minor" update (before this most recent) I remember because i had no reason to update, and Helix became completely unusable , and was the sole reason for my update.

[silverhead]

......

 

Ya know the one thing that about snapshots that doesnt thrill me is that its the one parameter where i HAVE to reach for the mouse. It would be nice if that were addressed.

 

 

......

There is a keyboard shortcut to assign a snapshot controller.

http://line6.com/support/topic/25360-snapshot-parameter-change-in-edit-program/

[willjrock]

There is a keyboard shortcut to assign a snapshot controller.

http://line6.com/support/topic/25360-snapshot-parameter-change-in-edit-program/

Yeah, alt+click allows you to enable the funtion, but once your values are set you have to reach for the mouse every time you wish to audition a different snapshot.

[duncann]

Yeah, alt+click allows you to enable the funtion, but once your values are set you have to reach for the mouse every time you wish to audition a different snapshot.

 

I imagine you could assign a keyboard shortcut in whatever DAW you use to send some midi to switch snapshots, or most anything else for that matter.