Popping between snapshots on just one preset BUT I'm not using multiple amps.

[HeartySalmon]

So I've created a preset and I just have a clean, drive, and lead snapshot.  All I've done in changed amp gain levels and turned a drive pedal on for the lead snap.  I get the "spillover" popping between the three snapshots going both to and from them.  I've moved the amp and cab down to a split block and it still happens.  Most of what I've seen dealing with the popping when switching has to do with dual amps.  This hasn't happened on another preset I've done and this new preset is the only instance of it I've had through 3 days. 

 

Any ideas?

[silverhead]

I wonder if it's actually possible in the analog world of pedals and amps to instantaneously change the parameter levels as your snapshots are doing. If even possible, would it result in the same popping? If so, that's your answer: the models are accurately reflecting the behaviour of the physical devices they are based on.

 

Do your other presets have the same type of level/gain changes when switching snapshots?

[HeartySalmon]

On 12/10/2025 at 10:48 AM, silverhead said:

I wonder if it's actually possible in the analog world of pedals and amps to instantaneously change the parameter levels as your snapshots are doing. If even possible, would it result in the same popping? If so, that's your answer: the models are accurately reflecting the behaviour of the physical devices they are based on.

 

Do your other presets have the same type of level/gain changes when switching snapshots?

It might just be the gain levels changing on the amp, though I'm not going from 0 to 10 on the gain.  More like 2.5 to 4 and 4 to 6, along with turning on a tube screamer.  It doesn't seem to happen with pedals on other presets and/or amp models.  And it certainly doesn't happen on the factory presets.  I do know I've done some pretty stupid knob sweeps on tube amps in the past, and never any popping or anything like that.  It's also not instantaneous like it is on the Helix, which is a fair point and at least food for thought.  I will note that I've done similar snapshot adjustments on the OG and not had this issue.  The only time I had popping on the OG Helix was when I was going from a clean amp to a heavily driven amp.  

I just thought it was odd that this is happening in just this preset with just one amp in the chain. 

[silverhead]

Yes, that is odd. You could open a support ticket to report a possible bug.

[jpdennis]

On 12/10/2025 at 9:10 AM, HeartySalmon said:

It might just be the gain levels changing on the amp, though I'm not going from 0 to 10 on the gain.  More like 2.5 to 4 and 4 to 6, along with turning on a tube screamer.  It doesn't seem to happen with pedals on other presets and/or amp models.  And it certainly doesn't happen on the factory presets.  I do know I've done some pretty stupid knob sweeps on tube amps in the past, and never any popping or anything like that.  It's also not instantaneous like it is on the Helix, which is a fair point and at least food for thought.  I will note that I've done similar snapshot adjustments on the OG and not had this issue.  The only time I had popping on the OG Helix was when I was going from a clean amp to a heavily driven amp.  

I just thought it was odd that this is happening in just this preset with just one amp in the chain. 

 

I just finished creating two presets using a dual amp and dual speaker setup.  I'm going to be trying some live tests either later tonight or first thing in the morning before an exam I have.  I will report back after noon PDT tomorrow.

[HeartySalmon]

On 12/10/2025 at 8:46 PM, jpdennis said:

 

I just finished creating two presets using a dual amp and dual speaker setup.  I'm going to be trying some live tests either later tonight or first thing in the morning before an exam I have.  I will report back after noon PDT tomorrow.

Interested in your results, but my preset is just one amp - a German extra blue.  I didn’t have time to mess with it tonight, but I’m going to try and adjust it tomorrow and if no joy I’ll send a ticket.  

[jpdennis]

On 12/10/2025 at 7:49 PM, HeartySalmon said:

Interested in your results, but my preset is just one amp - a German extra blue.  I didn’t have time to mess with it tonight, but I’m going to try and adjust it tomorrow and if no joy I’ll send a ticket.  

 

As far as my presets using snapshots, I do not have the pop in between.  One uses the EV Panama Blue amp, another uses a Mesa Rhythm 2, another uses a Mesa Lead and changes to a Mesa Rhythm 1 as needed.  These three presets have amp adjustments (tone, gain, etc.) that also adjust via the snapshots.  I set up one similar to Gary Moore's on stage of two Marshalls (though I couldn't get the same Marshall model I wanted due to DSP limits).  One of the Marshalls is an Brit Plexi Agoura model and the other Marshall is a Brit J45 Nrm that is NOT from the legacy set of amps.  These four also blend in and out FX blocks via snapshots.  I use a meter to make sure all my snapshots are as "best case scenario" are full on level matched so the sound man doesn't hunt me, so to speak.  No pop as I switch the various snapshots.  One caveat is I do not use the default cab mics and adjust direction as well as distance for the ones I use, which are varied based upon my ear.

 

Also, to note, I've used various analog Tube Screamers over the past (wow I'm that old but I refuse to say "back in my day" oh God I just typed it), well since they first came out.  I use the Scream 808 more like a boost while using the Heir Apparent or the amp gain/vol/level settings for more "kick".  And I might use a Blue Comp for the extended note technique with the amp settings at times.

 

Now, for a preset where I was able to recreate a pop, I have one for the Agoura Fender Blackface (US Double Black) and Legacy Fender Blackface (US Double Nrm).  I wanted to A/B them and see what settings I had to dial in to get them as close to equal level as possible.  I set that up on a footswitch only and not using snapshots.  While I was trying to normalize the volume I notice I do get a pop that sounds like static three or four out of five times I use the footswitch to run one on and one off alternatingly.  It would be as if I'm hitting the front of the amp (as one turns off and the other turns on) with a old fuzzface.

 

I'll setup a German Xtra Blue when I have time and report back if I get the pop.  If I don't report back then I didn't get the pop.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Also, if you want to have Line 6 engineers really work through your issue you can upload them your preset when you create the support request using the online support link.

 

jpd

 

 

[jpdennis]

On 12/10/2025 at 7:49 PM, HeartySalmon said:

Interested in your results, but my preset is just one amp - a German extra blue.  I didn’t have time to mess with it tonight, but I’m going to try and adjust it tomorrow and if no joy I’ll send a ticket.  

 

I did not notice any pops.  I've attached a preset using the German Xtra Blue.  It uses Stadium built in blocks (no custom IRs or anything) so no surprises for you that way.  You can import if you'd like to test with my preset.  It could be my playback of either headset or FRFR EV12.  If you get the same pop in your environment just using the preset as I've set it up you will have to look at your playback.  One caveat is, at this time, I am not using any other FX looped devices or otherwise other than the Helix Stadium XL itself and my headphones and FRFR.

 

I would attach the double marshall preset, but, I've noticed that periodically, once I created the Marshall preset (I call it Gary's Blues) I have to go into global settings and reset the F6 mode 1 and F6 mode 2 setting by rolling off Stomp A and Snapshots then roll back when "stuck" in snapshots.  In other words the Stadium will lock on Snapshots and Stomp A is unusable until I use the hamburger menu to "trick" F6.  I will be opening a ticket with support on that issue.

 

Hope this helps in your quandary.

 

jpd

German Liebe.hsp

[gbr13697]

I have had some pops changing snapshots that I thought were coming from the amp, but appear to have more to do with delay blocks, and particularly changing timing from 1/4 note to dotted 1/8. I have also had pops changing channels on the AC30 model.

[HeartySalmon]

On 12/11/2025 at 1:57 AM, jpdennis said:

 

I did not notice any pops.  I've attached a preset using the German Xtra Blue.  It uses Stadium built in blocks (no custom IRs or anything) so no surprises for you that way.  You can import if you'd like to test with my preset.  It could be my playback of either headset or FRFR EV12.  If you get the same pop in your environment just using the preset as I've set it up you will have to look at your playback.  One caveat is, at this time, I am not using any other FX looped devices or otherwise other than the Helix Stadium XL itself and my headphones and FRFR.

 

I would attach the double marshall preset, but, I've noticed that periodically, once I created the Marshall preset (I call it Gary's Blues) I have to go into global settings and reset the F6 mode 1 and F6 mode 2 setting by rolling off Stomp A and Snapshots then roll back when "stuck" in snapshots.  In other words the Stadium will lock on Snapshots and Stomp A is unusable until I use the hamburger menu to "trick" F6.  I will be opening a ticket with support on that issue.

 

Hope this helps in your quandary.

 

jpd

German Liebe.hsp 51.64 kB · 1 download

Here's what I've found:  There is a weird "sweep" (or tone suck) on the Bogner from 0 to between 3-4 on the drive setting.  I had it down to 2 for Clean, 4.6 for drive, 6.2 for Lead with the Tube Screamer on.  There is an audible click or pop when you turn the pedal on in any snapshot.  And the pop (or possibly tone suck from the drive) changing from Clean to Drive.  So I tried Clean with the drive higher and my volume knob rolled back.  Better, but still noticeable.  I swapped the Screamer for the Heir Apparent and the click and noise from Drive to Lead disappeared.  

 

Your pre didn't change the drive setting for most snaps and nothing bad on the one that did.  And I heard no audible change engaging the 808 anywhere on your preset.  So I created another one with just the Bogner, cab, and an 808.  Click city.  AND when you open 808 Click preset, the gain is weird until you move the drive setting down and then it, like, hits its proper level?  Your preset was also much quieter than mine. 

 

Try them and let me know what happens.  I'm submitting a ticket. 

 

ETA:  I do understand that the amp is high-gain and I may just be beating a dead horse and need to go a different route.  Just interesting that I found these issues while playing around. 

 

Bogner Test.hsp 808 Click.hsp

Edited yesterday at 02:10 AM by HeartySalmon
Corrections and additions

[jpdennis]

On 12/11/2025 at 5:57 PM, HeartySalmon said:

Here's what I've found:  There is a weird "sweep" (or tone suck) on the Bogner from 0 to between 3-4 on the drive setting.  I had it down to 2 for Clean, 4.6 for drive, 6.2 for Lead with the Tube Screamer on.  There is an audible click or pop when you turn the pedal on in any snapshot.  And the pop (or possibly tone suck from the drive) changing from Clean to Drive.  So I tried Clean with the drive higher and my volume knob rolled back.  Better, but still noticeable.  I swapped the Screamer for the Heir Apparent and the click and noise from Drive to Lead disappeared.  

 

Your pre didn't change the drive setting for most snaps and nothing bad on the one that did.  And I heard no audible change engaging the 808 anywhere on your preset.  So I created another one with just the Bogner, cab, and an 808.  Click city.  AND when you open 808 Click preset, the gain is weird until you move the drive setting down and then it, like, hits its proper level?  Your preset was also much quieter than mine. 

 

Try them and let me know what happens.  I'm submitting a ticket. 

 

 

I'll try yours and report back.  I am using DT 990 Pro 250 ohm for playback.  That could be the reason the preset was quieter than yours.  I will find out.   

 

Glad to help.  I tried to normalize the levels across the snapshots because I use the pots on my guitars for 95% of all volume nuances.  I may have missed something since I use the 808 as a boost more than a drive.

 

more L8r

 

jpd

[HeartySalmon]

On 12/11/2025 at 9:22 PM, jpdennis said:

 

I'll try yours and report back.  I am using DT 990 Pro 250 ohm for playback.  That could be the reason the preset was quieter than yours.  I will find out.   

 

Glad to help.  I tried to normalize the levels across the snapshots because I use the pots on my guitars for 95% of all volume nuances.  I may have missed something since I use the 808 as a boost more than a drive.

 

more L8r

 

jpd

I was using my IEMs. Also forgot to mention that the tone suck exists from clean to drive with Structure on either low or high on the clean settings. 
 

I’ll wait for your input before I submit the ticket as that information will be helpful, one way or another. 

[jpdennis]

On 12/11/2025 at 7:14 PM, HeartySalmon said:

I was using my IEMs. Also forgot to mention that the tone suck exists from clean to drive with Structure on either low or high on the clean settings. 
 

I’ll wait for your input before I submit the ticket as that information will be helpful, one way or another. 

 

The 808 patch does have the static pop. If I set the Level on the 808 to 4.3 or lower the static pop goes away.  I only get the static pop in the Bogner preset when I return from the third snapshot (Lead) to either snapshot 2 (Drive) or 1 (Clean).  I set the Structure on the Amp in Lead to Low and the pop is minimized but still there.  I am wondering if the Line 6 team actually used the original 808 with the JRC4558 op-amp crystal.  I know there were a couple mods done on the original if it was too ice-picky for the amp a player was using.  If so that static pop may be inherent to the model itself.  I may very well be wrong and they used a later model 808.  You can use this thread to point them in the correct direction once you upload your presets in the ticket.  Good luck.

 

Now for the "pop" from Clean to Drive wasn't really static to my ear.  What I am hearing is what my analog JP2C+ gets if I slam the front of it with a higher gain channel "hot" change.  From my experience and the experiment I set up in my studio, the Line 6 model is working as expected when an analog amp goes through the same type of "hot" change.

 

Sidebar, I create my patches using my headphones.  Then I do a pre-board check a few hours before setup/soundcheck for the venue.  It is there that the sound person and I work on the final volume settings.  99% of the time I do have to increase final volume either with a gain block added or the output level increased.  I did go back to my Germain Liebe patch and adjust the 10 graphic to +4.4dB on the 2k band, +11.8dB on the 4k band, +8.6dB on the 8k band, and +5.4dB on the 16k band.  I then increased the Matrix 1/4", XLR, Phones Output level to +7.2 on that patch.  I put the input gate to on for snapshots 4, 5. &6.  I then have a closer level matching your Bogner test.

 

I do hope I've helped and not confused the issue.  Also, we each have an individual "ear".  What you love to hear for tone is unique for you and you should never change that because another's ear is different.  Be you and play on!  And remember to understand your FOH sound person is the true hero to help you cut through the mix.

 

jpd

[HeartySalmon]

Thanks for the reply. On the Bogner Test clean snapshot, play a chord and roll the amp drive down to zero and back up. You’ll hear something there that is different than a hot load. I get what you’re saying about that. Might just be the way it is. 
 

On the 808 test the amp drive is at 7 but sounds lower. Until you move the amp drive setting and it “resets” to where it actually should be and if you go back to 7 it sounds like it has the drive it should opposed to where it started. 
 

And yeah, everyone likes their own town. I create my presets based on how I know I need to sound with my band.  We usually run our own sound so I’m usually my own hero!

 

appreciate you taking the time. I’ll reference this thread in the ticket. 

[jpdennis]

On 12/12/2025 at 9:41 PM, HeartySalmon said:

We usually run our own sound so I’m usually my own hero!

 

Very cool. 

 

Thanks for the reply.  My sound person from 2017 created a nice global EQ that I closely matched on the Stadium.  I create my patches without it when I use the headphones.  I engage it when testing using my FRFR since I can copy and paste the GEQ to the three individual output (1/4" XLR Headphone matrix).  It was really effective for the in the room amp sound and cutting through the mix for my patches.  I like the way this has been expanded for the Matrix.

 

Good luck with the support ticket!  Let us know the outcome once support gives the final piece of information.

 

jpd