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About to order my Helix


Anteater74
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I'm in uk and am about to order my Helix. I already own a pod hd500x.

 

Can i get ahead and download any software on my pc before the unit arrives?

 

Also..any quick tips for a new Helix user?. Will my hd500x experience be useful in creating tones?

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The software communicates with the Helix unit when updating. The HD modeling experience will help some, but they are totally different units. 

It's pretty easy to get started. Just hook it up and turn it on, follow the update instructions exactly, then adjust for taste and play.

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You will certainly adapt faster to the interface because the HD500 shares a lot in common with how resources are categorized and how signal paths are created.  The major areas that will differ will be in the globals, more advanced routing options, features like snapshots, and also the options associated with certain things such as cabinets and IR's.  Most of what you had on the HD will be there plus some very cool new amps.

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Download and install the appropriate (PC, IOS) Editor software, version 2.11. Also the Line 6 updater in case you need to flash the firmware to 2.12. 

 

 

Tips:

1. Do not expect to "replicate" an exact tone from your favorite recording. Too many factors go into it. Get something close and enjoy playing. 

2. Start simple. Drop in an amp model, a cab model, and maybe a  reverb/delay in between. It will sound great. 

3. Pay close attention to the simple models that Sean Haley plays on the Line 6 Helix videos. Simple is good. Having key effects in parallel keeps things from getting muddy. 

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I'm in uk and am about to order my Helix. I already own a pod hd500x.

 

Can i get ahead and download any software on my pc before the unit arrives?

 

Also..any quick tips for a new Helix user?. Will my hd500x experience be useful in creating tones?

 

You could download the manual... http://line6.com/support/manuals/helix/

And then peruse all the threads on this forum, join the Facebook groups

and read this whole thread.... https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line6-helix.1586637/page-1... All 34,000+ posts

(I think there may be a "few" other Helix threads on that site as well...)

 

This is a great thread for getting to know the amps and effects - http://line6.com/support/topic/19961-helix-amp-model-gallery-real-controls-vs-invented/

And another good Helix Reference site - http://helixhelp.com/pmwiki.php

 

;)

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Congrats on getting your Helix!

I went from the HD500 to the Helix back in Oct. of 2015.

 

Very happy with that move!

And that was long before the many improvements that have occurred since (like Snapshots).

 

Enjoy!

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I'm in uk and am about to order my Helix. I already own a pod hd500x.

 

Can i get ahead and download any software on my pc before the unit arrives?

 

Also..any quick tips for a new Helix user?. Will my hd500x experience be useful in creating tones?

 

I loved my HD500X, but it's back in it's box now.  The tones you can get from the Helix are well worth the change, you won't be disappointed. :)

 

You could download the manual... http://line6.com/support/manuals/helix/

And then peruse all the threads on this forum, join the Facebook groups

and read this whole thread.... https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line6-helix.1586637/page-1... All 34,000+ posts

(I think there may be a "few" other Helix threads on that site as well...)

 

This is a great thread for getting to know the amps and effects - http://line6.com/support/topic/19961-helix-amp-model-gallery-real-controls-vs-invented/

And another good Helix Reference site - http://helixhelp.com/pmwiki.php

 

;)

 

Very useful links, particularly the amps reference page, thanks.

 

-

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I just did the migration from HD500X to Helix about three weeks ago... so I know how you feel. I just posted a related story here:

 

http://line6.com/support/topic/26073-1st-band-rehearsal-with-the-helix/

 

The big thing you will find is how EASY it is to recreate you tones in the Helix... and how quickly you can make them even better. Keep a copy of the manual handy.. but I haven't had to crack it open anything more than just a few times.

 

Watching a bunch of the Helix videos on YouTube really helped me get and idea for how people are constructing tones, and way to leverage that in my own tone building.

 

You are going to have so much fun!

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I'm in uk and am about to order my Helix. I already own a pod hd500x.

 

Can i get ahead and download any software on my pc before the unit arrives?

 

Also..any quick tips for a new Helix user?. Will my hd500x experience be useful in creating tones?

 

If you play live, keep the HD500x -- as it makes a pretty nice backup rig.  But outside of that function, the HD500x won't see much use.  The Helix is just better in every way.

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Helix arrives tomorrow. I cannot wait to get going on this!

Congratulations!  Get ready for the ride.  Just look for a out of the box preset that will be similar to what you currently use for, say, a warm up sound.  Play for awhile.  Next search this forum for information about settings and such.  Then just go through each amp sim and create create create to your hearts content.  I've been using the Helix for abut a year and find something new every week to either use to improve my settings or completely revamp.

 

Dennis

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In my experience, you should just try out the amp+cab model, then split out the cab from the amp, play around with different cabs / mics with the same model and settings, and maybe try parallel routing and two cabs, then add effects to taste.  You're going to have so much fun!

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