Matrix Mixer Does Not Save With Presets?

[neonjohn]

I've noticed after setting up a great electric guitar/mic/aux backing preset using the Matrix Mixer - and then setting up another preset for acoustic piezo/mic/aux with different Matrix Mixer settings - that it completely messed up the original mix for the electric. I totally get the usefulness of having the Matrix Mixer be Global, but for me it would be much more useful if it could be saved per-preset.

 

So my question - am I seriously missing something here? I don't see a Global setting for the Mixer being Global vs Preset. If it is always Global, I'd put in a request for having it Per-Preset as an option.

 

Hopefully someone will tell me I'm an idiot and there's an easy fix. I'm a longtime Pod>Helix user, and a retired pro sound designer - but I am getting long in the tooth and sometimes miss the obvious.

BTW, if anyone from Line 6 sees this - kudos to all!!! The Stadium XL is a spectacular piece of gear!!!

[rwandering]

I believe it is only global.  It might be useful if you could make it per preset.  That said, you can manage the outputs related to the preset, well, per preset by sending them directly to the outputs.  That is what I did (I have an elec guitar/2 piezo guitars setup as my normal gig configuration).  

[silverhead]

It’s global, at least per output (1/4”, XLR, Phones). Submit your request.

 

There was an earlier topic about this. I’m not a retired pro sound designer but I think that having the Matrix Mixer settings global is OK as long as your presets and your Aux levels are balanced. In fact, the introduction of the Matrix Mixer in Helix Stadium might suggest that this is a new issue. It isn’t, and the Matrix just makes it more obvious.
 

Preset levelling has been a topic of much conversation here for years, with some users finding that their preset levels bounce all over the place. While cumbersome balancing the levels is a one time effort that’s worth doing. That applies to both your guitar and mic inputs. Everyone needs to pay attention to this when creating any new preset; the output level of the new preset should be consistent with existing presets. After leveling your presets a global setting for your presets in the Matrix Mixer is fine. Lots of threads here about how to do this without using the Matrix Mixer.
 

The same thing applies to the backing tracks through the Aux input. Again, for years before the Matrix Mixer came along users have been playing backing tracks through the Aux input (perhaps you have done so on your POD or Helix) and have faced the same issue: if each backing track comes in at a different level you have to deal with it. Another cumbersome but worthwhile one-time effort. And once that’s done a global setting for the Aux input in the Matrix Mixer is fine.

 

In my opinion a Matrix Mixer that operates at a preset level is just putting a band-aid on the underlying issue: gain staging and levelling. The final stage of signal processing is the worst place to try to fix those issues.

[rondesjardins]

+100% for enabling Matrix mixer settings pre preset. To me this will be important when Showcase arrives, to enable the user to make adjustments at the gig if the mix of tracks is not working. I'll be curious to see if the matrix mixer settings can be saved "per song" in Showcase, or if it will still be a global setting.

I do see tremendous value in levelling all presets and backing tracks as much as possible. When Showcase arrives, it'd also be very handy to be able to control the overall mix level/output of SONGS with the expression pedal.

[silverhead]

On 11/26/2025 at 9:14 AM, rondesjardins said:

+100% for enabling Matrix mixer settings pre preset. To me this will be important when Showcase arrives, to enable the user to make adjustments at the gig if the mix of tracks is not working. I'll be curious to see if the matrix mixer settings can be saved "per song" in Showcase, or if it will still be a global setting.

I do see tremendous value in levelling all presets and backing tracks as much as possible. When Showcase arrives, it'd also be very handy to be able to control the overall mix level/output of SONGS with the expression pedal.

While the Showcase feature is not yet available there is some publicly available knowledge about it. One thing we know is that the Song feature supports Preset/Snapshot changes at any point in the Song.

 

So here’s a dilemma if Line 6 were to support Matrix Mixer settings on both a Song and Preset basis: the settings may be different. Which setting should take priority? Inevitably about half the users will be annoyed at the choice. Sure, there will probably be different ways around this but it highlights my point. Gain staging and levelling are fundamental aspects of audio production, and the worst way to address any level issue is to apply a band-aid at the final moment. If preset levels and backing track input levels are balanced beforehand there is no problem with global Matrix Mixer settings.