macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Hey Helix users. Anyone else getting crazy, non-articulate muddy sound from their Helix? I have tried every connection method possible, 3 different FRFR speaker setups, and using it with reference headphones (sennheiser HD 800s, as well as 2 other consumer-grade pairs for comparison.) Also have tried 3 different guitars, each with different pickup configurations. Lastly, all firmware is up to date and I have clean-rebooted to original factory settings. Mostly I'm getting mush as if I'm listening with industrial earplugs jammed in my ears, and in some cases, nearly all effect and no actual guitar tone. I have even gone as far as setting the global EQ to almost a full bass cut, AND have tried putting a hardware EQ in the chain. While I know speaker and output connection variables are impossible to troubleshoot, I would think I would get some clear sound from headphones. But no dice. Anyone? Bueller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Does this apply to all presets or one's you've built? It's hard to believe given the range of output types you've used that everything would sound muddy unless something is messed up within the preset, or something is messed up in the global settings somewhere. The first step I'd take would be to make sure all your global settings are on the default settings and make sure your global EQ is turned off. Then try it with some of the presets that come with the Helix. It would also be handy to know what specific FRFR speaker setups you've been using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Seems like you've done all the reasonable troubleshooting... boomy low end is a common gripe with FRFR setups, but can usually be remedied with appropriate EQ. Perhaps it is a faulty unit? If you're creating your own patches, you could try uploading one or two, and someone can give them a test drive ams see if they have similar results... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Are you plugged into the Guitar In? Have you tried messing with the Input Z parameter to see if that makes any difference? Its default setting is Auto, so in most cases, that means the input impedance is usually 1 MOhm, but there are some instances where it could be lower. But this setting is saved preset to preset, not globally, so it shouldn't be across the board. I don't know... Honestly, I don't recall anyone saying the Helix sounded muddy out of the gate. I've more often heard the opposite complaint - that things sound too bright or harsh. Although, now that I'm thinking about this, I do remember one guy over on TGP who was had a similar complaint about his LT - it was muddy, etc. In his case, it turned out to be a bad guitar cable causing problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 These issues are with the default, pre-loaded presets and not with anything I've downloaded or installed myself. I have reset the unit to factory defaults (per Line 6 customer service) by initiating a full system reboot (hold down buttons 9&10 while powering up, should anyone else need to do this) Essentially i have a 15 lb doorstop at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, macmommasman said: These issues are with the default, pre-loaded presets and not with anything I've downloaded or installed myself. I have reset the unit to factory defaults (per Line 6 customer service) by initiating a full system reboot (hold down buttons 9&10 while powering up, should anyone else need to do this) Essentially i have a 15 lb doorstop at the moment I would open a service ticket at this point... or return it if you're still within that window, and start fresh with a new unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Thanks phil_m. Yeah I have tried different cables to ensure that wasn't the case, and have tooled around with the input parameters. I WISH mine was too bright and harsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Any way to upload a clip recorded via USB? Honestly it sounds like you got a faulty unit (which happens in large-scale manufacturing occasionally) and if that's the case, L6 will take care of you (given it was purchased new, recently, anyways). But muddy is not the default sound of these units, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 That's my thinking, gunpoint. I have, indeed, opened a ticket. Hopefully Line6 will make it right. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 BY THE WAY. Really appreciate the community chiming in with suggestions. Thanks a bunch, peeps. Already digging being part of the collective. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_m Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 One other troubleshooting thing you might want to try is to go to a blank preset and see what your guitar sounds like. Ideally, put the Helix between your guitar and an amp. Make sure the input pad is off, the 1/4" outs are set to instrument level, turn the master volume knob all the way up, and make sure the Global EQ is bypassed. This will give you unity gain. If the input is doing something weird to your signal because of a hardware issue, you would be able to hear it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 I'll give it a shot, Phil. I have certainly tried just going clean into the FRFR with a brand new patch. But again, assuming the headphone output shouldn't be colored in any way, not holding out too much hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocco_Crocco Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Post a muddy preset here and people can download it and check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feffa86 Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Preset wont help if its something with the unit. Can you make a clip of what it sounds like? I'm intrigued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmommasman Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Actually, already boxed up for shipment back to L6 for repairs. Will let you all know the results. Thanks again, peeps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willjrock Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Thats why it should have been done when gunpoint asked instead of ignoring him after he spent his valuable time trying to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r00t_acc3ss Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Hey I know it's late but any update on your muddy tones? I'm facing the same issue with my Helix LT & JEM 555 :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmalle Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Muddy usually refers to too much emphasis somewhere 100-450Hz frequency spectrum. A guitar can produce muddy sounds when it sounds dull. This can have multiple reasons: old strings, closed tone knob, a too distant pickup, very long cable, some kind of electrical defect. Check your dry unprocessed guitar sound and make sure it is balanced. If that is not the cause of your problem please tell us how you use the Helix / what you're listening through and what your goal of a sound is that you want to achieve. Ideally you'd also provide a patch that sounds muddy to you and even a recorded clip with a dry guitar and processed sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 6 hours ago, r00t_acc3ss said: Hey I know it's late but any update on your muddy tones? I'm facing the same issue with my Helix LT & JEM 555 :( Hi, You have resurrected a thread from 2018, therefore you must feel this is important, but your not exactly helping us. Have you tried the suggestions posted previously? You aren’t giving anyone much to go on in your shout for assistance. Simply saying “I'm facing the same issue” is pretty meaningless - “muddy tones” - compared to what. What/how are you listening to your LT? As suggested by “Schmalle” in the post above, post an audio example and or preset you find “muddy” with an explanation of your listening environment. Hope this helps/makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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