Line 6 Helix

sgosden

I think the issue people have is jumping in and trying to do everything at once. That's where the option paralysis comes in.

As @cabicular did, I also started by using helix to replicate my analogue pedal board (+ a drive pedal). Once I got my head around that I started playing with full amp blocks into a real cab. And last night at rehersals, my band mates didn't even notice I'd switched off the actual cab and was running direct into PA.

Drew_TNBD

I started off with a similar goal in mind - replace my pedalboard. Then I added in all the extra stuff over time.

Right now my Helix has been my main soundcard, effects pedal board, and amp modeller for ... coming up to 3 months now. I'm at a point where I'm really comfortable with it.

Sporky

I did much the same - recreated my previous pedalboard (with some extra facilities).

Now I spend quite a lot of Helix time seeing what happens if I combine things in silly ways.

Yesterday I did a parallel path so that the reverb went through fuzz and tremolo, but the dry signal didn't. That was odd. I might find a use for it at some point.

peteri

Question - one thing I'm not liking is the looper.

I have a LT and run bottom row of switches 4 snapshots, top row modifier pedals (so top row reads:

Chorus, Trem, Delay, Drive

Bottom row reads:

Clean, SRV, Angus, Metal

How are people integrating a looper? At the moment I seem to be faced with using a Ditto pedal or similar externally, or a midi controller pedal.

Anything I've missed?

Roland

These things take time. Whenever I've had a new FX unit, and I've been through three generations of them since the 1990s, it's taken a week or two to get an initial configuration that I'm happy with, and at least six months to really understand it. Once that investment is made then there's a lot you can achieve. 

Come to think of it, the same has happened whenever I've had a new car.

Sporky

peteri said:

How are people integrating a looper? At the moment I seem to be faced with using a Ditto pedal or similar externally, or a midi controller pedal.

I built an external looper controller - Arduino with a MIDI board, then a 6-button footswitch that does record/play/overdub/undo/speed/reverse.

http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/builds/FIGLA/FIGLA_and_Helix.jpg

I did a build thread that no-one read:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/76990/completed-project-figla-a-looper-controller-for-the-helix#latest

Were I doing it again I might buy one of those doodads that Thorpy's selling. A chunk more money, but a chunk less work.

sgosden

Sporky said:

peteri said:

How are people integrating a looper? At the moment I seem to be faced with using a Ditto pedal or similar externally, or a midi controller pedal.

I built an external looper controller - Arduino with a MIDI board, then a 6-button footswitch that does record/play/overdub/undo/speed/reverse.

http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/builds/FIGLA/FIGLA_and_Helix.jpg

I did a build thread that no-one read:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/76990/completed-project-figla-a-looper-controller-for-the-helix#latest

Were I doing it again I might buy one of those doodads that Thorpy's selling. A chunk more money, but a chunk less work.

that's very cool.

I have a behringer fcb1010 set up for helix looping at home.

live I don't loop much so just mush through with onboard jobbie.

Teetonetal

Sporky said:

peteri said:

How are people integrating a looper? At the moment I seem to be faced with using a Ditto pedal or similar externally, or a midi controller pedal.

I built an external looper controller - Arduino with a MIDI board, then a 6-button footswitch that does record/play/overdub/undo/speed/reverse.

http://www.monkeyfx.co.uk/pictures/builds/FIGLA/FIGLA_and_Helix.jpg

I did a build thread that no-one read:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/76990/completed-project-figla-a-looper-controller-for-the-helix#latest

Were I doing it again I might buy one of those doodads that Thorpy's selling. A chunk more money, but a chunk less work.

That is awesome!

Sporky

It works and everything.

Though it doesn't have feedback, so it doesn't know if the looper is already running, or if it's already in reverse. Not generally a problem though.

peteri

Looks a bit bigger than I need! One button for looper mode would be nice tho.

Big breakthrough last night - increased the sag control massively on the pre-amps I'm using for drive.

Makes the sound much more responsive and 'amp like'

Getting there!

Sporky

peteri said:

Looks a bit bigger than I need! One button for looper mode would be nice tho.

Gotcha.

Then a single button MIDI controller that sends CC67, alternating values of 0-63 and 64-127.

Musicman20

I've decided to spend more time with it. I got it new and sealed for an excellent price so it seems a shame not at least to try it for a week then send back if it isn't for me.

gearaddict

I had a bit more of a play last night - tried it through my 44 Magnum instead of the TH30 fx return (both into a 1936v 2x12)...also played a bit through headphones using the stock cabs.

I think mine's a keeper...it just sounds good. And I had my pedalboard pretty much replicated in 10 minutes...with expression pedal control of amp gain, drive, volume boost, reverb, delay, chorus. The performance mode works really well. I wasn't sure if that would be useful since you have to look at the screen then relate it to the buttons below but since the colours match, it is very instinctive. Mine's an LT so no scribble strips but I don't see that being an issue.

Started to get a bit of option paralysis when trying to choose an amp...do I go with a high gain amp and dial it back for crunch and clean, or a cleaner amp and use drives for hi gain? Too many options! Some of the factory presets with a crunchy Marshall being driven by a Klon or OCD sound great. I also liked the Line6 Elektrik amp, surprisingly...the Soldano ones are great too. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter...they would all work.

And I haven't even thought about running two amps yet...might try that - one clean, one dirty...hmmm.

One thing is it sounds quite different through the Magnum 44 compared to the TH30...the TH30 is much less toppy (one reason why I think I didn't immediately feel a lot of need to put in a hi cut eq I think). So...I think I'd need to tweak a fair bit if I wanted to swap between them (the Magnum is great for practice...). I guess ultimately going straight to PA would be the solution but that's a whole other rabbit hole, with cabs, IRs etc. Plus I guess one PA sounds different to another? Or are they pretty consistent, being FRFR?

If you go straight to PA, is it as simple as adding in a cab at the end of the chain and plugging into the desk? At its simplest?

Oh qq...how do you move blocks between path A and B?

fretmeister

Musicman20 said:

I've decided to spend more time with it. I got it new and sealed for an excellent price so it seems a shame not at least to try it for a week then send back if it isn't for me.

... is the right answer!

PM me an email address and I'll send you a couple of presets if you like?

Musicman20

fretmeister said:

Musicman20 said:

I've decided to spend more time with it. I got it new and sealed for an excellent price so it seems a shame not at least to try it for a week then send back if it isn't for me.

... is the right answer!

PM me an email address and I'll send you a couple of presets if you like?

Cheers!

handsomerik

PSA:

Helix Native is now available to buy/trial

sweepy

Downloaded and will try it tonight

Cabicular

Brevity snip
1. Plus I guess one PA sounds different to another? Or are they pretty consistent, being FRFR?

2. If you go straight to PA, is it as simple as adding in a cab at the end of the chain and plugging into the desk? At its simplest?

3. Oh qq...how do you move blocks between path A and B?

1. PAs are all different and rooms are all different but usually its minor tweaking rather than major surgery
2. Yes. Only thing to be wary of is setting the XLR to line or mic lever depending on how hot a signal the desk needs and also no phantom power or it sounds horrendous.
3. You don't. You copy paste then delete 

HTH

gearaddict

Ta!

Drew_TNBD

I think I'm gonna ... *gulp* .... sell all my single stomps.... I've not really used them for months now. The Helix has pretty much replaced the following:

Timeline
DD500
Nemesis
Small Stone
Polara
DC5 PSU
OCD
Micro Amp
Ibanez DE7

Question is... what do I buy in their place!?! I'm very fond of the Timeline, DD500, and Nemesis... but there's very little point in keeping them.