Line 6 Helix

duotone

Anyone using this with a Variax?

I used it for the first time tonight with the Variax (300 model)...I’m a happy camper so far, although It had the Individual String tunings greyed out.  I guess that this isn’t available with the 300 model, maybe just the newer models?

Struggled getting a decent acoustic sound...but am off now to google!

gibsongretschfan

I am in the midst of building a Helix centred rig some of you might find fun

Its for a covers band where I need to play the "other bits"... so it's electric, acoustic and some keys

I am running Roland A88 and A49 midi controllers into a MacBook Pro with Mainstage and Kontakt and Reaktor over USB TO Helix , a Waterloo WL14x with trance Amulet M Phantom into Helix Mic Input and the electric is wireless into Helix for roaming around onstage

im going to add a Powercab Plus so I can have monitoring for keys and acoustic and then a proper electric speaker sound when needed

Helix is controlling all patch changes in Mainstage etc

its tonnes of fun

digitalscream

duotone said:

Anyone using this with a Variax?

I used it for the first time tonight with the Variax (300 model)...I’m a happy camper so far, although It had the Individual String tunings greyed out.  I guess that this isn’t available with the 300 model, maybe just the newer models?

Struggled getting a decent acoustic sound...but am off now to google!

Yeah...it's only properly compatible with the Variax Standard and later models.

TimmyO

gibsongretschfan said:

I am in the midst of building a Helix centred rig some of you might find fun

Its for a covers band where I need to play the "other bits"... so it's electric, acoustic and some keys

I am running Roland A88 and A49 midi controllers into a MacBook Pro with Mainstage and Kontakt and Reaktor over USB TO Helix , a Waterloo WL14x with trance Amulet M Phantom into Helix Mic Input and the electric is wireless into Helix for roaming around onstage

im going to add a Powercab Plus so I can have monitoring for keys and acoustic and then a proper electric speaker sound when needed

Helix is controlling all patch changes in Mainstage etc

its tonnes of fun

That sounds like an ace setup 

duotone

digitalscream said:

duotone said:

Anyone using this with a Variax?

I used it for the first time tonight with the Variax (300 model)...I’m a happy camper so far, although It had the Individual String tunings greyed out.  I guess that this isn’t available with the 300 model, maybe just the newer models?

Struggled getting a decent acoustic sound...but am off now to google!

Yeah...it's only properly compatible with the Variax Standard and later models.

Cheers

Happily the other tunings such as ‘Drop D’ ‘Open G’ etc. does work.  Tbh it’s only something I would occasionally use, but good to know @digitalscream ;

hobbio

All I've done so far is play well-known riffs really badly through the presets that were designed for them. The sounds are amazing. I'm excited to get to grips with it more.

meltedbuzzbox

I've just installed the latest update.

Sooooo much happier with the tuner

horse

gibsongretschfan said:

I am in the midst of building a Helix centred rig some of you might find fun

Its for a covers band where I need to play the "other bits"... so it's electric, acoustic and some keys

I am running Roland A88 and A49 midi controllers into a MacBook Pro with Mainstage and Kontakt and Reaktor over USB TO Helix , a Waterloo WL14x with trance Amulet M Phantom into Helix Mic Input and the electric is wireless into Helix for roaming around onstage

im going to add a Powercab Plus so I can have monitoring for keys and acoustic and then a proper electric speaker sound when needed

Helix is controlling all patch changes in Mainstage etc

its tonnes of fun

 Sounds cool. Other than re-amping I hadn't really thought about audio over usb as an input option.

I've recently started early experiments putting keyboards through my LT. Partly for the FX, partly to consolidate inputs like a small mixer, partly to tame the low end and peaks at volume.

I should probably also look into what I could add with midi - maybe it could manage programme changes for me across a number of keyboards, and the midi controller options probably open up a range of new possibilities.

Stevepage

Is it worth spending more and going for the full fat Helix over the Helix LT?

I've been considering getting one for recording, practicing with headphones in and using it for rehearsals/gigs by going straight to the front of house (maybe an frfr at some point). I'm just wondering if paying 300 - 400 quid less for the LT would be a better idea for my needs?

Bezzer

@Stevepage check Ross's guide here for the full breakdown:

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/142161/the-helix-buying-guide#latest

Gotta say, for me the scribble strips are invaluable ... just easier to read.

simonk

Stevepage said:

Is it worth spending more and going for the full fat Helix over the Helix LT?

I've been considering getting one for recording, practicing with headphones in and using it for rehearsals/gigs by going straight to the front of house (maybe an frfr at some point). I'm just wondering if paying 300 - 400 quid less for the LT would be a better idea for my needs?

I have both... an LT for gigging and a Floor that lives in the studio. The Floor gives you extra ins/outs, scribble strips and (perhaps) feels more robust. Having said that I must have done 100 gigs or so with my LT and it hasn’t missed a beat and its had a fair amount of beer poured over it.
Both would work fine for your scenario so weigh up if the extra connectivity and scribble strips are worth the extra.

Stevepage

Thanks Gents!

I've just bought a used Helix LT from guitarguitar. Will arrive here Sunday, can't wait!

Stevepage

So the Helix LT arrived earlier and it sounds pretty damn good. However is there a way to edit and load presets on to the unit via an editor software like Line 6 used to do with Gearbox?

guitarmangler

Stevepage said:

So the Helix LT arrived earlier and it sounds pretty damn good. However is there a way to edit and load presets on to the unit via an editor software like Line 6 used to do with Gearbox?

Yup. Just use HX edit from the line 6 site.

https://line6.com/software/

Stevepage

Thanks that's helped a lot. Having only used the Helix through some cheap computer speakers it's sounding pretty good. Tomorrow I'll try with my ATH-M50s then I'll book some where to try it out with a PA. So far I think I picked the right version of the Helix

Kebabkid

Stevepage said:

Thanks that's helped a lot. Having only used the Helix through some cheap computer speakers it's sounding pretty good. Tomorrow I'll try with my ATH-M50s then I'll book some where to try it out with a PA. So far I think I picked the right version of the Helix

Nice one.

Let us know how you get on, Steve

guitarmangler

Just a heads up, line 6 have 30% off helix native with the code cyber30 until the 3rd of December.

Stevepage

Oh ffs I just bought that yesterday

rossyamaha

Stevepage said:

Oh ffs I just bought that yesterday

Go to support on the site and log a ticket. They might be feeling generous and sort something. 

Stevepage

Has any one had trouble running the Helix with Reaper via the USB?

I've tried everything and I either get no audio playback or when I do its clicky/fuzzy. I also can't hear audio through the helix (videos playing on youtube etc) except for my presets.