Editing Factory Presets problem

[srussell58]

I was trying to edit the first factory preset US Double Nrm.  I removed the first block a volume pedal, I tried to put a new model (distortion) I could not move my joy stick to it, it was like it was grayed out or not selectable.   I am new to this so not sure what I might be missing.  I was able to make my own preset from scratch no problem.  I just wanted to add a second over drive after the input and I could not.  Any ideas would be helpful...thank you.  Steve

[silverhead]

A greyed out menu item generally means it is not selectable because there is insufficient DSP available in the preset for its selection. In this case it indicates that the preset was already very near the maximum DSP capacity of Helix, and removing the VOL block did not free up sufficient DSP for the more DSP-demanding  distortion block.

 

Not sure that this is the case with the first factory preset but it is the most likely explanation.

[rd2rk]

To free up DSP, Click the Arrow (output block) at the end of the signal chain. From the menu select Path 2A. Cut/Past the looper and some other stuff from path 1A to the end of 2A. Move some stuff from the beginning over to the right. Now add your distortion.

 

You might want to consider, rather than modifying the Factory presets, copy the ones you want to mod to a different bank and rename them, then mod them there. That way, if you hose it up, you've still got the original, you can start over!

[datacommando]

9 hours ago, srussell58 said:

I was trying to edit the first factory preset US Double Nrm.  I removed the first block a volume pedal, I tried to put a new model (distortion) I could not move my joy stick to it, it was like it was grayed out or not selectable.   I am new to this so not sure what I might be missing.  I was able to make my own preset from scratch no problem.  I just wanted to add a second over drive after the input and I could not.  Any ideas would be helpful...thank you.  Steve

 

Hi Steve,

 

I have to concur with the information the other two posts above, greyed out item usually means you have run low on DSP power. I’m not in the studio right now, so I’m unable to call up the preset to check this out.

 

The problem you describe reminded me of something that recently came up in another thread on here. I started to recreate a problematic patch, which contained two overdrive blocks, I added a Minotaur no problem, but when went to add a TS808 - no way, greyed out! Luckily a fellow contributor to the forum spotted my very basic error - I had placed a stereo version of the Minotaur drive model in the path. That was the reason that the Helix ran out of steam. Now, I have never felt the need for a stereo overdrive, and doubt that I ever will, but the option to add one is in there and can trip up the unwary (me).

 

My advice is - always work on a copy and stick to mono models before the amp block and stereo for modulation, delay and reverb post cab/IR.

 

 

[datacommando]

15 hours ago, srussell58 said:

Any ideas would be helpful...thank you.  Steve

 

Hi once again Steve,

 

Now I have had a chance to fire up my Helix and check out the situation with Factory Preset 01A US Double Nrm. 

 

Just as we thought, it's an example of what happens when you run out of Digital Signal Processing power - certain blocks cannot be added because they require more DSP than is available.  

 

This particular preset, which is a simple serial chain comprising: Vol > Red Comp > Minotaur > Chorus > Amp/Cab >'63Spring > OpTrem > 6Sw Looper. It has all been built on the single top path of the Helix and as such is utilising all the power from one of the 2 DSP processors available. The way to get round this is mentioned by "rd2rk" in the comments above, simply move everything behind the amp/cab block down to the second path, effectively bringing into action the second DSP.

 

Helix user and forum contributor Ben Vesco (Malhavok) has compiled a list of Helix DSP allocation for people to see what effects a guzzling the power.
Find it here:

http://benvesco.com/store/helix-dsp-allocations/

 

Oh!, Yeah. Always work on a copy.

 

[jpdennis]

38 minutes ago, datacommando said:

Oh!, Yeah. Always work on a copy.

 

 

12 hours ago, rd2rk said:

You might want to consider, rather than modifying the Factory presets, copy the ones you want to mod to a different bank and rename them, then mod them there. That way, if you hose it up, you've still got the original, you can start over!

 

You both cannot say that enough