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FR: A tiny HELIX pedal like the AmplifireBox for open-mic and small gigs


d0stenning
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 i'd like to be able to take to very small gigs, venues and open-mics so I don't always have to lug around my full-size HELIX floor unit.

 

So a HELIX the size of an AmplifireBox could fit in the pocket of my Variax JTV guitar-case!. 

 

The IdeaScale is here for you to up vote:  https://line6.ideascale.com/a/idea-v2/913888

 

 

 

Such a unit would have to be able to have a USB socket capable of audio ins and outs - in order to connect to an iPad or iPhone. Just like its grown up sibling. The AmplifireBox doesn't have this.  But being a HELIX the HELIXbox would need to. 

 

Ideally it would also be able to provide power to the iPad over USB when connected to a wall wart.

 

 

http://atomicamps.com/amplifirebox/

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Lol. I bought the Helix (within 5 days of first becoming aware of it) specifically BECAUSE I could bring it out to open mic nights and have fantastic tones as if I had a well-equipped wall of amps and several effects boards. Just plug into the same PA input I usually plug my guitar into, and wail away. I haven't done so yet, but I probably will this weekend. This thing can scale all the way from open mic to full band mix. I'd be surprised if something like what you're proposing could even be made. Compared to Helix, it'd have to be very limited.

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I find the idea of having to physically connect an iPad or computer to a device in order to access all the setting not all that appealing... I'm not a fan of these "black box" sort of devices where you don't have any indicator or what the preset you're using is actually doing. It just seems like it would be so much more useful if there was some sort of screen that could show you and let you manipulate the signal chain.

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All i'm after is a HELIX that I can fit in my Guitar gig bag - So I guess basically a HELIX-Pod   :)

 

I love my floor HELIX.  I just want to minimise what I have to take out for those jams and open mics where i'm only going to get to play a max of 3 songs or less - and don't want the fuss, or when the sight of a huge floorboard just makes the FOH guy or jam-organiser balk and just tell me to go thru a normal amp!

 

People are often allowed to bring and use small pedal effects - like loopers - to open mics and jams - to plug into whatever guitar amp is available there for everyone - but a full-size pedalboard-riga like HELIX sometimes raises objections  - and a "keep it simple man - just plug yer axe into our amp" type of comment

 

Oh...........   and I want the Moon On A Stick......  as always   :)

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I think there's a real market for something like this, myself.

M9 chassis or similar size. Maybe a touch smaller if possible.

Just one path.

Limited amps is okay, but probably not necessary to save money.

No IR loading if that saves any money.

 

limited display.

 

Only one in, TRS balanced 1/4" outs, maybe one loop but seriously, not even that. Headphone output. ONE EXP jack.

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I'd buy a Helix Mini. I've posted about this before, but almost all of my gigs are fly-ins, and I need to be able to carry my pedal board along with my hand luggage, and the regular Helix is just too bulky. I currently use a Pedaltrain Nano+ with the bare essentials on it; if Line 6 could make something that size, including a mini expression pedal, I'd get my wallet out right now.

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Are you specifically looking for a Helix quality thing because there are lots of others that I think would accomplish what you want. I've seen several people on several occasions use several of these over the years using adapters to get to where they need to input them.

 

Sansamp G2

http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/sansamp/gt2.html

Irig2 & IrigUA

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irig2/

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigua/

Line 6 Pocket Pod

http://line6.com/pocket-pod/

Zoom

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/guitar-bass-effects/multistomp/zoom-ms-50g-multistomp-guitar-pedal

Korg Pandoramini

http://www.korg.com/us/products/effects/pandoramini/

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I think there's a real market for something like this, myself.

 

M9 chassis or similar size. Maybe a touch smaller if possible.

 

Just one path.

 

Limited amps is okay, but probably not necessary to save money.

 

No IR loading if that saves any money.

 

limited display.

 

Only one in, TRS balanced 1/4" outs, maybe one loop but seriously, not even that. Headphone output. ONE EXP jack.

 

My bottom line is that any patch created on the original HELIX should be playable on this new box. It needs to have exactly the same DSP and CPU power. 

 

I might be willing to compromise on omitting the looper ( since i don't think its enough for modern performances anyway ) but 

the unit needs to support impulse responses. And have all the amps.

Sonically and sonic-option wise It needs to be a HELIX. 

 

Frankly the only constraint on it needs to be size limitations. Not cost.

 I'm fine if the unit ends up costing way more than other units like those mentioned in earlier replies here.

 

Same analog quality circuitry throughout. Otherwise it degrades the HELIX brand. And would cause confusion. 

 

<limited display.Only one in, TRS balanced 1/4" outs, maybe one loop but seriously, not even that. Headphone output. ONE EXP jack.>

 

Yes i'd accept most of those limitations. Don't mind even missing the headphone output if it saves money.  One exp jack for swells -if one needs more control over snapshots etc... . 

It would be handy to have an extra USB A socket  to plug in external MIDI foot pedal units too.

 

 

And as i said before it must have the same USB features as the original.  

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