Line 6 Helix Megathread - 2.80 update

[jbealsmusic]

Copy and pasted from GearPage.net thread: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/line6-helix.1586637/page-923#post-21275772

Available later today:

Helix Firmware v1.06.0 Release Notes

Helix v1.06.0 is a firmware update that includes new models, features, fixes, stability improvements, and optimizations. It is highly recommended that all Helix users perform this update!

It is also recommended that you back up your current presets by using the Helix application to create a preset bundle, allowing you to install new presets as part of the update process.

The easiest way to perform the update process is by installing the latest version of Line 6 Updater. Once you've connected Helix to your computer via its USB port (hubs are not supported), Line 6 Updater will recognize the unit and take you through the update process. Both the Helix application and Line 6 Updater may be downloaded here: Line 6 Software

New Amp Models

• Matchstick Ch1, based on* Channel 1 of the MatchlessTM DC30
• Matchstick Ch2, based on* Channel 2 of the MatchlessTM DC30
• Matchstick Jump, based on* jumping Channels 1 and 2 of the MatchlessTM DC30

New Effects Models

• Distortion > Teemah! (Mono, Stereo), based on* the Paul Cochrane Timmy® Overdrive
• Distortion > KWB (Mono, Stereo), based on* the Benadrian Kowloon Walled Bunny Distortion
• Distortion > Bitcrusher (Mono, Stereo)
• Modulation > Dynamix Flanger (Mono, Stereo)
• Modulation > Deluxe Phaser (Mono, Stereo)
• Modulation > Tremolo (Mono) and Tremolo/Autopan (Stereo), based on* the BOSS® PN-2
• Pitch/Synth > Simple Pitch (Mono, Stereo)
• Pitch/Synth > Dual Pitch (Mono, Stereo)
• Filter > Autofilter (Mono, Stereo)

* All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6.

New Features

• Swap Footswitch Assignments—This feature makes organizing Stomp footswitch mode a lot easier, especially when footswitches have multiple-assigned items or custom labels/LED ring colors. Touch and hold (but don’t press) any two stomp mode footswitches for one second. A dialog box appears, asking if you want to swap all assignments. Press Knob 6 (OK)
• When touch-holding a footswitch to invoke Quick Footswitch Assign (or touch holding two footswitches to swap their assignments), the dialog panel automatically closes after four seconds

Bug Fixes

• In rare cases, assigning a parameter to a footswitch may briefly display the parameter’s value above Knob 1 (Parameter) on the Controller Assign page —FIXED
• After returning to a preset while the looper is active, the Looper block and/or half-speed footswitch’s LED may not properly reflect its state(s) —FIXED
• In some cases, a Command Center > CC Toggle footswitch’s LED may not properly reflect its state —FIXED
• Helix may fail to respond when receiving a huge string of MIDI PC messages while on the Setlist view —FIXED
• After customizing the name of an auto-assigned EXP 1 block (Wah or Pitch Wham), the Volume Pedal may become unassigned —FIXED
• General stability improvements
• Other minor bug fixes and optimizations

Other Improvements

• When selecting banks by pressing FS1 (BANK UP) or FS7 (BANK DOWN), FS6 now appears as CANCEL, letting you dismiss bank queue without changing footswitch modes
• Expression Pedal 2 and 3 can now adjust values in Pedal Edit mode
• Factory presets leveled
• Additional improvements made to the factory preset bundle

Resetting Helix Globals / Loading the Newest Factory Presets

IMPORTANT! This procedure will completely overwrite all existing presets and setlists, as well as clear all user IRs and reset all global settings! Back up your presets and IRs before proceeding!

1. Turn off Helix.
2. While holding footswitches 9 and 10 (middle two switches on the bottom row), turn on Helix. Wait for the message “Will reset Globals and restore stock Presets, Setlists and IRs…” to appear and let go.

Known Issues

• Minor pops and clicks may be present when Helix is streaming audio from a Mac® running OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
• Minor pops and clicks may be present when Helix is streaming audio from an iOS® device running iOS 9.1 or 9.2 with Apple® Camera Kit
• Importing a Helix bundle while streaming audio over USB may cause the Helix application to disconnect

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Matchless? That came out of nowhere.

Kinda bummed because an XTC would have sounded badass.

 

[Vrollin]

No switchless wah cmon its got to be the easiest thing to set up, as soon as the expression pedal on board reads a paramater change engage the wah block, bypas when returned to fully open.....

 

[Ericjutsu]

Anyone else jave an opinion on them now that's its been?a few months?

 

[Vrollin]

Anyone else jave an opinion on them now that's its been?a few months?

Go back about halfway through this thread and start reading. I dont know what else there is to be said about them that hasnt been covered and repeated in this thread....?

 

[Dead-Pan]

I would like to hear some killer metal sounds from it.

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

Go back about halfway through this thread and start reading. I dont know what else there is to be said about them that hasnt been covered and repeated in this thread....?

Well, I'm also in the same boat as Ericjutsu. When I asked way back about good metal demos, some people said it was an unfair question as Helix was not officially announced back then. So, here I am asking again, like 3-4 months later:

1. How good are the metal amps, 5150, Mesa Rec, etc.? I'd also be interested in non-metal amps, say for 80's metal, prog, or fusion tones.

2. How does the sound AND the feel of the amps compare to Kemper, AxeFX?

3. Any demos by Ola, Fluff, or Merrow yet?

Thanks.

 

[Mathemagician]

There's like one decent video on YouTube for metal, I think the guy was selling some presets or whatever idk, but it was pretty solid. Personally I don't care when Ola does a demo. He seems like the nicest guy in the world but he makes everything sound exactly the same to me.

 

[Masoo2]

3. Any demos by Ola, Fluff, or Merrow yet?[/B]

Thanks.

Might not be what you are looking for, but John Browne's latest three posts on soundcloud are all Helix AFAIK

https://soundcloud.com/bearnoizestudio

 

[mikah912]

I got a quick drop chug Helix demo that's almost finished. Just needs bass, but I'm sick as a dog right now. I'll try to bang it out later tonight.

For the record, I LOVE it for metal. Even the default cabs are pretty good if you move the mics back and change the SM57 on one or both cabs to a Heil PR30. I also use it with Ownhammer Bogner EVH Celestion and Orange V30+Scumback 75 IRs.

 

[big_aug]

Love mine and all I play is metal. So easy to get a a solid sound. I love downloading other people's stuff off the custom tone thing and tweaking them. Amazing to see what people are coming up with

 

[mikah912]

https://soundcloud.com/guitdemoson/helixmetal

That's the latest metal clip. Just two tracks of guitar - mostly the 5150 with the onboard Uberkab V30 and T75 speakers - and a bass. I mixed a little of an Uberschall in with Ownhammers, but that's like 20 percent of the guitar tone, if that. Sorry for any sloppiness, but I am still kicking this really bad cold. Hope you all enjoy.

 

[Djentliman]

There's this His tone sounds amazing. I'm seriously considering getting one of these now. Especially with the Zzounds payment plans!

 

[Dead-Pan]

Last 2 posts, good sounds, not great. IMO.

 

[MASS DEFECT]

No switchless wah cmon its got to be the easiest thing to set up, as soon as the expression pedal on board reads a paramater change engage the wah block, bypas when returned to fully open.....

It's on Ideascale. Please vote it up!

Line 6 Ideas - by IdeaScale

 

[jsmalleus]

Seems the rack pre-order that was supposed to ship today got pushed back to 4/7 Might be a while before we get to join in the fun. I'd rather have a solid unit then than a rushed one now, but damn, been looking forward to finally trying the helix out.

 

[Blasphemer]

Strongly considering a Helix, mainly to use in a 4cm setup. I have couple questions:

• Is there any gap in audio when switching presets/patches? The POD HD had this, and it would be a bit of a dealbreaker for me.
• Is there a spillover option when changing patches? IE, when you have a preset with delay, then switch to one without, does the delay keep going?

 

[Vrollin]

Strongly considering a Helix, mainly to use in a 4cm setup. I have couple questions:

• Is there any gap in audio when switching presets/patches? The POD HD had this, and it would be a bit of a dealbreaker for me.
• Is there a spillover option when changing patches? IE, when you have a preset with delay, then switch to one without, does the delay keep going?

Unfortunately yes there is some gap when switching patches, however with the amount of processing power on this you can run two amps and have switches activate multiple functions on the one patch to avoid this.
No spill over either between patches.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

Is there any gap in audio when switching presets/patches? The POD HD had this, and it would be a bit of a dealbreaker for me.

Yes, there's a gap, just like the POD HD, no improvements.

Is there a spillover option when changing patches? IE, when you have a preset with delay, then switch to one without, does the delay keep going?

No spillover option. When you change the patch, your delay is simply cut off. Again, no improvements from the POD HD.

 

[mikah912]

"No improvements" is ridiculous.

You can do so much with parallel amps, paths and FX within a single patch that I find this to be a non-issue. You could have a clean/crunch/lead setup with switchable delay in a single patch. No lag. Spillover between every switch.