Using Multiple Blocks in Series

[PeteSnow]

I just recently purchased a Helix and I have been able to assign effects to different blocks.  One of the reasons I purchased this unit was in order to emulate the analog behavior of my old stomp boxes which are daisy chained in series.   I noticed that I can toggle between different blocks but I cannot run the different blocks in series.   Is this by design?   Is it possible for example;  to have a Delay set on block 08A and a phaser on 08B and run these blocks in series or do I have to create a separate block with delay and phaser bundled together.

[silverhead]

Your reference to block 08A and 08B confuses me. Are you talking presets/patches, or do you mean paths A and B within one of the two signal chains in any preset?

 

When you place different blocks in the same signal path (say Path 1A) in the same preset they are in series. You can drag/drop one of them down into path 1B to run them in parallel if desired. And you can route the output of Path 1 into the input of Path 2 to create an extended serial path. The lines that connect the blocks in the signal flow view depict the actual order and flow of the signal being processed by the various blocks.

 

To emulate the behaviour of your analog stomps, just select the associated FX blocks in Helix and place them in the same order in the signal chain that you have them in your analog world. You can toggle each FX block on/off independently so you can have as many as you want active at the same time, in series.

[phil_m]

Sorry, but I'm totally confused by this question... You certainly can run blocks in series. You can actually put all 32 blocks in the Helix in a series configuration if you want to (probably won't be able to use all 32 because of DSP limitations, but the layout option is there).

[PeteSnow]

I just bought this unit yesterday and I am trying to get used to the terminology.  I have two rows of foot switches that by default are labeled as "Banks"(is this a path?).  Each Bank has four assignable foot switches(I found these in the 'Template' section).  Bank 1 has switches labeled 08A, 08B, 08C and 08D.   I have assigned effects to each of these switches.  Can I run these in series?  Currently,  they toggle between each other.  Can I run these blocks together?

[PeteSnow]

I see where I can assign multiple effects in series and assign them to a single switch but what I want to do use multiple switches simultaneously.  Like an old school analog stomp box setup

[gunpointmetal]

You need to hit the MODE switch so your buttons are not "ABCD" because then you're switching between PRESETS instead of EFFECTS. Choose one of the ABCD PRESETS, then you can add an effect to the chain, gently touch one of the switches and a menu will pop up asking if you want to assign the footswitch, select OK by pressing the far right encoder below the screen. Now when you press the corresponding switch, that effect turns on and off. Repeat the process with different switches for each effect you want to add (or put multiple effects on the same switch). Each PRESET (ABCD) can be an entirely different signal chain with different footswitch assignments, if you want.

[taylorbeats]

The foot pedal mode is where this can be solved.  Right now you are set up in a mode that assigns a preset to each foot switch with bank up-down on the left.  YOu cant do what you describe in that mode.

 

You need to go to global settings and change the footpedal mode to "stomp" mode, and choose 8 or 10 stomps.  You can also do a combination of preset-stomp, preset-snapshot and choose whats on top and whats on bottom.

 

I would recommend you sit down with the unit and just start pushing buttons and whirling dials, you can learn a lot that way.

[silverhead]

I just bought this unit yesterday and I am trying to get used to the terminology. ...

 

OK - the first thing you need to do is read the manual(s).......

http://line6.com/support/manuals/helix

 

Once you have the basic terminology and concepts clear in your mind you can ask more understandable questions.

[datacommando]

Ditto

http://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c975d5787c3e351aa0/application/pdf/Helix%202.0%20Owners%20Manual%20-%20Rev%20D%20-%20English%20.pdf

 

you beat me to it silverhead.

 

Another one learning to fly without basic instruction.

[PeteSnow]

I definitely have been "pushing buttons and whirling dials"!  LOL.   It makes sense that I have created presets instead of effects.   And yes, I have been reading the manual.  

[jbuhajla]

Post a pic of your preset, that will help. I have a feeling that you are trying to connect path 1 and path 2 so it is a "super serial" workflow. 

[jbuhajla]

Watch these videos too. You may pick up a few pointers. 

 

http://line6.com/helix/resources.html

[PeteSnow]

This is ridiculous!   The reason you have forums and chat rooms is in order to ask questions.   Gear Head was able to intelligently explain what I was doing wrong and point me in the right direction.   Iknowathingortwo and Uberguru;   you guys just seem like a couple of arrogant little pricks with nothing better to do than critisize  others.  Go crawl back under your rocks! 

[gunpointmetal]

I think they were trying to be helpful, as both Silverhead and Datacommando have been very informative with other users, but if things aren't making sense, sometimes the manual makes it even more confusing.

[jbuhajla]

This is ridiculous!   The reason you have forums and chat rooms is in order to ask questions.   Gear Head was able to intelligently explain what I was doing wrong and point me in the right direction.   Iknowathingortwo and Uberguru;   you guys just seem like a couple of arrogant little pricks with nothing better to do than critisize  others.  Go crawl back under your rocks! 

Well that's pretty much uncalled for. There was no criticism in any of the above posts. There are a LOT of people that ask questions on here that are indeed answered by looking through the manual as well as getting a new user on the same page in terms of terminology. I doubt lashing out will get you much help. \

 

Blessings...

[taylorbeats]

Everybody is way too sensitive, me included.  I'm sure the intentions were good, going back and reading what was provided, certainly can be interpreted differently, especially if you haven't had your coffee yet, or morning snack.  Highly recommend a small bowl of snickers (for everybody) to keep the "Betty White" syndrome at bay.

 

PeteSnow-there are very few "tools" on this forum, and those two definitely are not a part of that group.  We all suffer a bit from the "Why Am I Talking" flow chart though...Google it.

[MusicLaw]

PeteSnow:

 

Your original use of the term "Block" is likely what contributed to the confusion.

 

A "Block" in Helix lingo, is a particular Model of an Amp or FX, and the Input and Output points, all in Helix's Signal Path of a Preset. Helix has Eight Setlists of Presets. Each Setlist has 128 Presets. The first two Setlists are named "Factory 1" and "Factory 2"; the last is named: "Templates."

 

Helix's Scribble Strips, Footswitches, and Display Screen, respond somewhat differently in each of Helix's three main operational Modes: Preset Mode, Stomp Mode, Snapshot Mode. There is also a 4th Pedal Edit Mode. As you step through each of Helix's different Modes, things work a bit differently. And, you may customize how Helix displays things in the Global Settings.

 

The first few pages of the Helix 2.0 User Manual (Rev D) PDF, available from Line 6's site does a really good job of familiarizing you with these terms and concepts. The latest version is dated July 2016. There is also a PDF Graphic depiction of the screen, buttons, knobs, controllers, etc. that is worth looking at. There's a bunch of great info in the User Guide, but the first few pages are really the foundation to understanding how to make Helix sing!

 

Once you have a basic foundation of the terms and concepts, were all here to assist.

 

Hope this helps.

[rvroberts]

This is an example of something I'm seeing a fair bit of on the forum.

There is a sense that a poster deserves to have their problem attended to - almost like they are paying someone for support rather than asking a favour........

There are real and complex problems - there are things that are not well explained in the Heix-verse and there are ideas and concepts that might be worth discussing/debating.

I think that's what this forum should encourage.  

I equally think it is unacceptable for a new user to expect to get full attention without any attempt to learn about the piece of technology they have just bought.

I think most of us solve the majority of our problems with the manual, google and Youtube.  I think that's as it should be.

Then what you get on the forum should be the stuff that isn't really easy to get on the above.

Line 6 could help by directing all new users to a batch of YouTube videos that get them up and running.

Being abusive should be an offence that can have you removed.

I have been on other technical forums where well documented questions just get RTFM.

People here are a lot more patient than that - but there is a danger that a place where there is too much noise is somewhere experienced users start to drift away from.

[phil_m]

Line 6 could help by directing all new users to a batch of YouTube videos that get them up and running.

 

There are a bunch of videos linked directly from the Helix product page under the resources link... They recently did a pretty big overhaul of it.

 

http://line6.com/helix/resources.html

[PeteSnow]

The bottom line is that this is a forum courteously sponsored and hosted by line six so that users can learn and share experiences.  If a member of this or any forum does not want to intelligently answer a posted question then they should not respond to that post.  Even before I purchased the Helix, I was reading over the manual and scouring over YouTube videos.

 

I am not going to personally tolerate individuals  who make condescending remarks such as "Once you have the basic terminology and concepts clear in your mind you can ask more understandable questions"  or "Another one learning to fly without basic instruction", telling me that I should read the manual.

 

Certain topics in the manual are very ambiguous; for example the 'Stomp Footswitch Mode' section.  Evidently, my question was "understandable" due to the fact that it was answered by a couple of members within a few minutes of my original post who steered me in the right direction.  I thank you guys for that.   

[gunpointmetal]

I doubt they intended to be snarky, but often the "RTFM" suggestion does come off that way. Glad you found the information you needed.

[PeteSnow]

Thanks to you Gear Head.  You steered me in the right direction and I was able to emulate my old stomp box configuration.  Your advice also opened my mind up to the possibilities this hardware has to offer.  As a working musician, I just needed to get up and running as quickly as possible.  Understanding the difference between 'presets' and 'effects'  brought it home for me.  Thank you very much steering me in the right direction.

 

Everyone has a different learning curb and their own unique conceptions as it pertains to gaining knowledge in life.  Learning about the Helix is no different.   It is a pretty amazing piece of hardware.  Each user is going to customize it for their own unique needs.   If a user(the majority of who are Helix owners) has posted something on this board, whether it is a new user or an advanced user,  it because they most likely needed answers regarding a $1500 piece of hardware they just purchased that they could not find anywhere else. 

 

When people make derogatory and condescending comments on a public board such as this, my  answer is this.  Create your own board.  It is pretty easy.  Go to Godaddy.com,  buy a domain name, something like 'helixsnobs.com'.  Find yourself a hosting company; 'Hostgator' is pretty inexpensive. There is freeware; Opensource server side chatroom software available that  does not take rocket science to install and use.  This way people can be screened for their worthiness... 

 

Anyways, thanks again Gear Head!

[silverhead]

I doubt they intended to be snarky, but often the "RTFM" suggestion does come off that way. Glad you found the information you needed.

 

.....

When people make derogatory and condescending comments on a public board such as this, .....

I was certainly not intending to be derogatory or condescending. I make a lot posts here and inevitably I will not choose my words carefully sometimes. This was one of those times. The only thing I was trying to say is that your question showed some confusion in the basics, and I felt that the manual would help. That's all. My wording was unfortunately clumsy. I am sorry that you were offended

[datacommando]

I doubt they intended to be snarky, but often the "RTFM" suggestion does come off that way. Glad you found the information you needed.

When people make derogatory and condescending comments on a public board such as this...

No one intended to come across as snarky, but your original post did seem to have been made by someone who had not even bothered to read the manual. I would expect the usual response, on any user forum anywhere on the internet, to be along the lines of RTFM!

 

I usually try to help with queries about Helix stuff, or point people to the place where they can find an answer. In the case of your original post, it appeared that the most basic guide would be the solution required. You decided that didn't like my reply, that's fine, I won't lose any sleep over it!

 

Have fun with your Helix.