Line 6 Helix

horse

SteveF said:

I don't really have anything else connected to the Focusrite other than my monitors and a mic.  I guess the only questions are whether there is any latency issues when recording via USB on the Helix - I quite like that I can direct monitor on the Saffire (can the Helix do this too?) and can I actually route all system audio from the Mac via the Helix to the monitors as I described above?  

And I guess, is the Helix as good a quality mic preamp as the Saffire?

Yes, you can use it as an interface for everything, including audio playing on the Mac etc. I've never thought about it, but I guess you are hearing the 'direct' processed signal when recording - I've never had any latency issues anyhow. I think you'll be fine if you give it a go. Not sure on the preamp comparison as I don't use it for mics

menamestom

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

gearaddict

menamestom said:

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

Arse bag awful

gibsongretschfan

menamestom said:

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

Yeah pretty cool.... still think those octave up “shimmer” reverbs are naff though.

i seem to be using double tank and glitz

digitalscream

gibsongretschfan said:

rich75 said:

I've just seen that the Helix firmware has been updated to version 2.52. No new toys, but there are a few bug fixes:

• External Amp commands could not be transmitted when changing snapshots - FIXED
• In rare cases, Helix Rack could freeze when updating Helix Control - FIXED
• In some cases, an External Amp command (Tip only) could change the internal expression pedal from EXP 1 to EXP 2 (or vice versa) on Helix LT - FIXED
• In some cases, attempting to swap footswitch assignments when one switch was unassigned could cause Helix to freeze - FIXED
• Other bug fixes and optimizations

Its been pulled because it bricked a few Helices

Worth noting that Line 6 are replacing bricked ones right away instead of trying to find a way to resurrect them. That's pretty decent customer service, IMO.

stratman3142

digitalscream said:

gibsongretschfan said:

rich75 said:

I've just seen that the Helix firmware has been updated to version 2.52. No new toys, but there are a few bug fixes:

• External Amp commands could not be transmitted when changing snapshots - FIXED
• In rare cases, Helix Rack could freeze when updating Helix Control - FIXED
• In some cases, an External Amp command (Tip only) could change the internal expression pedal from EXP 1 to EXP 2 (or vice versa) on Helix LT - FIXED
• In some cases, attempting to swap footswitch assignments when one switch was unassigned could cause Helix to freeze - FIXED
• Other bug fixes and optimizations

Its been pulled because it bricked a few Helices

Worth noting that Line 6 are replacing bricked ones right away instead of trying to find a way to resurrect them. That's pretty decent customer service, IMO.

Slightly worrying but mine seems OK after applying this update. In future, I'll hold fire before installing new updates.

menamestom

gearaddict said:

menamestom said:

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

Arse bag awful

That’s exactly the tone I’m after as it happens!

For my punk band Arse Bag and the Awfuls

Cabicular

menamestom said:

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

Reverbs are reverbs to me
a bit of echo I have when the delay isn’t on. As long as there is a decent sounding spring then I don’t really care about the huge washing ambient tones
The new ones are interesting but I don’t have a use for them

digitalscream

stratman3142 said:

digitalscream said:

gibsongretschfan said:

rich75 said:

I've just seen that the Helix firmware has been updated to version 2.52. No new toys, but there are a few bug fixes:

• External Amp commands could not be transmitted when changing snapshots - FIXED
• In rare cases, Helix Rack could freeze when updating Helix Control - FIXED
• In some cases, an External Amp command (Tip only) could change the internal expression pedal from EXP 1 to EXP 2 (or vice versa) on Helix LT - FIXED
• In some cases, attempting to swap footswitch assignments when one switch was unassigned could cause Helix to freeze - FIXED
• Other bug fixes and optimizations

Its been pulled because it bricked a few Helices

Worth noting that Line 6 are replacing bricked ones right away instead of trying to find a way to resurrect them. That's pretty decent customer service, IMO.

Slightly worrying but mine seems OK after applying this update. In future, I'll hold fire before installing new updates.

It's nothing to worry about - the problems only occurred for folk updating from 2.12 to 2.52. Anybody on 2.20 or later is fine.

meltedbuzzbox

gearaddict said:

menamestom said:

How is everybody liking the new Helix reverbs?

Arse bag awful




I'm copywriting that! :-D

menamestom

Okay, downloaded 2.5 last night so had a good listen.  The reverbs are mainly nice, lush ambient verbs, so it's nice to finally get that in the Helix.  I'll probably still use the basic spring where I need a little bit of amp reverb but really nice to have the options. I'm not a shimmer fan but got some good sounds playing with the octives and adding a low.

I've been mainly using my amp and board lately, so need to try the Helix for a few more gigs.

paganskins

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

Specifically I'm looking at the Korg Nanokey Studio which can be battery powered. I wouldn't want it to do much with the helix directly but there are a few midi devices further down the chain connected by traditional midi which I'd like control over.

digitalscream

paganskins said:

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

No, because the port on the Helix isn't a USB host (ie it's a device that needs to be connected to a host like a computer, not a host that can have devices attached to it).

paganskins

digitalscream said:

paganskins said:

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

No, because the port on the Helix isn't a USB host (ie it's a device that needs to be connected to a host like a computer, not a host that can have devices attached to it).

Bum, I suspected there would be a flaw to my plan ...

Back to the McMillen QuNeo via their Midi Expander then.

paganskins

digitalscream said:

paganskins said:

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

No, because the port on the Helix isn't a USB host (ie it's a device that needs to be connected to a host like a computer, not a host that can have devices attached to it).

How about via something like this? Kenton Midi USB Host

digitalscream

paganskins said:

digitalscream said:

paganskins said:

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

No, because the port on the Helix isn't a USB host (ie it's a device that needs to be connected to a host like a computer, not a host that can have devices attached to it).

How about via something like this? Kenton Midi USB Host

I'd say this one might be a better bet:

http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/audio-midi/usb-midi-converter

paganskins

digitalscream said:

paganskins said:

digitalscream said:

paganskins said:

Quick USB midi question, probably for @Digital_Igloo ;: assuming it's self powered and doesn't need bus power would a midi controller connected directly via USB to a helix be able send and receive midi commands?

No, because the port on the Helix isn't a USB host (ie it's a device that needs to be connected to a host like a computer, not a host that can have devices attached to it).

How about via something like this? Kenton Midi USB Host

I'd say this one might be a better bet:

http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/audio-midi/usb-midi-converter

And half the price, thanks @digitalscream

Vaiai

Been asked to do a Queen gig and wondered if you guys have any good Brian May patches- getting set list tmrw so will know the actual songs and sounds I need to learn to replicate!

rich75

Vaiai said:

Been asked to do a Queen gig and wondered if you guys have any good Brian May patches- getting set list tmrw so will know the actual songs and sounds I need to learn to replicate!

There are a few attempts at Brian May patches on Line 6 Customtone, some of which sound quite good with a bit of tweaking. One of those would at least be a reasonable starting point.

Plectrum

Vaiai said:

Been asked to do a Queen gig and wondered if you guys have any good Brian May patches- getting set list tmrw so will know the actual songs and sounds I need to learn to replicate!

I believe he uses a Tubescreamer into an AC30. That should be easy to reproduce I'd have thought. The old sixpence he uses instead of a plectrum is also a very important component of his sound I believe. A 10p coin might do that job.