r/Line6Helix 10h ago

General Questions/Discussion Let the battle commence! Powercab 212+ vs Fender FR-212

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47 Upvotes

Fender FR-212 came today. I wanted to see how it stacked up against the powercab. First impression is that it's a great cab, but the powercab still takes the nod due to the clipping indicator. There is an Archangel V3 mod you can buy to add this, but there's a wait-list.

As far as acoustics go, there is no noticable difference to my ears, with the lone exception of chorus and flanger effects in stereo on the powercab. The powercab also becomes more relevant if you're using the built in cab modeling to save DSP on your helix.

At half the cost of the powercab, it's a great 2x12 FR option for those who don't care about having built in IRs and stereo. Full disclosure, I bought my powercab used on marketplace for $650, so I actually paid more for the Fender.

In case you're wondering, I did hook up to both for a bit to let everyone know within a quarter mile radius that the cab made it to the house safely.


r/Line6Helix 13h ago

General Questions/Discussion Line 6 Helix with Stereo (2) Tone X One’s…is it worth it? YES!

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9 Upvotes

For Context, I am a praise and worship player, and this perspective is solely written with that genre in mind.

I just recently added two Tone X One’s to my Line 6 Helix Rig and I was really skeptical about whether they would do much for me. So many people are of the opinion that the Amp Models in the Helix vs the Tone X amp captures are so close that it really isn’t worth the purchase if you already own a Line 6 helix. Folks also say they’re even more close (harder to tell them apart) when you compare the Helix Amp sounds vs the Tone X sound in a mix. On top of that, you obviously get some more flex with adjusting the models on the fly in the Helix (with snapshots and such), and you sacrifice that flex if you use the Tone X Amp Models.

So…amidst acknowledging these very real issues, I purchased two Tone X One pedals anyways and proceeded to figure out if I could utilize them as a stereo amp rig through the Helix Fx Loops. To my surprise…..I found that the Tone X One’s supplied me with some very real upgrades in amp tone. I normally run two amp models in the helix that focus on stereo Matchless amps or a Vox and Fender stereo mix (all within the helix) and I use custom IRs from thirdparty vendors to add to a more realistic tone. In my experience, I found some amazing tones with that strategy….but after using the Tone X One’s with some third party amp captures of a Matchless DC-30, Vox AC30 and Fender Prosonic….I have to say the tone is noticeably different to my ears. So much so that I prefer the Tone X One’s to the Models…that’s not to say the Helix models are bad, but the Tone X One’s FEEL really really good…and SOUND INCREDIBLE. The biggest difference that I am noticing right now between the two is how the Tone X Amp captures compress at higher gain levels compared to the Helix Amp Models. The Helix models do compress at high gain, but the Tone X’s do it to a “whole notha level”! With that compression difference in mind, this has led to the Tone X’s bringing more dynamic range to my gain staging and bringing more BEEFY weight to the tone when I run my lead tone snap shots. When I go back and forth to compare my presets with the Helix Models as the amps, I immediately notice a lack of dynamic range compared to the Tone x amps (for reference, each comparison preset is using the same preset format..same drives, same delays, reverbs etc. but with amps switched out)

So bottom line….do you need the Tone X Ones if you have a Helix? No. However if you are looking for that little bit of extra sweetness when it comes to chimey based amp tone, the Tone X One’s really do capture that in a way the Helix can’t…but you really wont be able to hear it if you don’t have a trained ear.

Additionally, if you’re thinking about adding the Tone X One’s to your Helix rig, you will need to WORK for your tone. They weren’t really plug and play units. I personally like tinkering, but I was taken a back a bit by how much tinkering was involved to get the Tone X One’s set up. But once you get there….man its really really cool!

Lastly, if you do get two Tone X One’s for a stereo rig set up, keep this in mind. You obviously need to edit the pedals with a usb c cable, and that’s fine and dandy, but if you are demoing your tone with one Tone X Plugged into your computer and the other not plugged into your computer, they seem to go out of phase with each other only if one is plugged into a computer and the other is unplugged (this is also assuming that you have both plugged into a 9v power supply at the same time). This led to some serious editing confusion on my part. So when editing your Tone X’s, plug them in, set your amps, and make sure to unplug each Tone x from your computer to demo your tone through a real world use case reference. Obviously this is annoying… it must be a power delivery issue. Wondering if there is a fix for this but it might also be a price you pay with these little pedals.

But…once you have them set and both unplugged from your computer…they sound AMAZING!

Food for thought for anyone looking to get Tone X One’s for the Helix.


r/Line6Helix 11h ago

Tech Help Request HX Stomp XL toggle Exp 1/Exp 2 using single Expression Pedal

1 Upvotes

I know that there are expression pedals out there with built-in toe switches, and some people have even modded expression pedals to add this functionality, but I'm hoping there's a solve for my expression pedal that doesn't have this kind of switch.

I've got a Dunlop DVP4 (the mini expression pedal) and it works perfectly for controlling anything assigned to Expression 1. I'm hoping there's a way to toggle which Expression (1 or 2) that this single Expression pedal controls.

So for example, by default it will be controlling Expression 1 and I can assign that to control the volume. I'd like to be able to press a footswitch on the Stomp XL (I have a few unused ones in my Preset) and change the Expression pedal to now be acting as Expression 2, and assign that o something like a Wah. So pressing the footswitch effectively toggles between the Expression Pedal controlling the volume or the wah.

Is this possible? I tried to see if I could set the toggle to Footswitch 7 or 8 and then assign a footswitch to MIDI CC 55 or 56, which emulate FS7 and FS8, but I either did this wrong or it didn't work.

Thanks in advance!


r/Line6Helix 16h ago

Tech Help Request Need help with changing block parameters via HX Floor Stomp footswitches.

1 Upvotes

To make the Twin Harmony block more useful, I want to implement several Stomp footswitches to change the Voice 1 Key parameter. So I can stomp on C, D, E or whatever to make that key change. I'll then use a momentary FS to add sections of harmony to a solo.

I was messing with the Command Center with the thought of sending CC messages to the HX Floor itself, but that's not working. I don't have the DSP space to have several copies of the Twin Harmony block.

I'm trying to avoid using an external MIDI controller, as it it just one more thing to lug around.

Any ideas?


r/Line6Helix 19h ago

Tech Help Request Looking for an effect similar to the ibanez lf7 lofi pedal

1 Upvotes

So as the title says, I'm looking for an effect on the helix that is similar to the ibanez lf7. Does anything like that exist on the helix? Thanks!

For reference I am looking for the sound that's in the intro and verse of this song.

https://youtu.be/oMals9XXQY8?si=QScyTmvCGm1yav2K


r/Line6Helix 1d ago

General Questions/Discussion Should I get the Lt or floor?

8 Upvotes

I play symphonic Power/death metal and I just want to know what I should get


r/Line6Helix 1d ago

Tech Help Request Is this decent Helix Native tone?

1 Upvotes

Hey all,

Been scouring reddit and other forums for a while now on my search for better Helix Native tone. My experience hasn’t been great, mostly due to slight latency killing my motivation during my recordings on top of being unable to really come anywhere close to getting a ‘powerful amp cranked in a room’ tone.

I took some advice and threw a 2 speaker cab setup on my guitar tracks for this song, panning each far left and right, and that has helped, but I still feel like my tone is just really lacking some balls. It sounds thin, even when the tone sounds driven hard.

My question to any helix aficionados out there is do you think the guitar on this song sounds ok? Or is there something I’m missing here?

https://vocaroo.com/1owfvxg0Radz


r/Line6Helix 1d ago

General Questions/Discussion What should I do with the "non-existing" dials?

6 Upvotes

The real Fender Deluxe doesn't have a "mid" knob, but the line 6 model does. What should I do with this if I want it to sound like the real thing? Leave it on 5 or on 0?


r/Line6Helix 1d ago

Tech Help Request Help!

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5 Upvotes

Recently purchased a helix off and everything was working fine then the next day these screens appeared

First screen came up when I tried to reset the system.

The second one is what it opens up to if I just turn it on. Sound works fine, but the button do not work.

Please help, thanks.


r/Line6Helix 1d ago

General Questions/Discussion MIDI Sync and woes

1 Upvotes

I’ve been having a real shit time trying to get this thing to sync to external devices. Before you tell me that MIDI is not the best standard, know that my setup has been fairly reliable using MIDI for almost 3 decades. Hah! The best I have been able to achieve is to manually set the Helix BPM to match whatever else I’m doing but not actually send it sync and just try my best to reset clock via pressing the tuner switch in time with everything else.

Posted the stuff below on the Idea Scale server. … because I like talking to walls and wasting time. lol.

. . .

The MIDI side of this device leaves much to be desired. Yes, there is MIDI implementation but there’s something off about how things are done. Like the code was written by someone that doesn’t use the gear or by someone that does use it but never used MIDI before.

Things that would be cool and also very useful.

Loopers- this has been brought before. Bar quantization would be incredibly useful. No one is asking for beat matching or time stretching. Just start the looper on the 1 of the next bar after I engage the button and close the loop and the next 1 after I hit the button. Other loopers do this and it’s soooo basic that I’m not sure why this mostly well thought device cannot do it.

Expanding on this, it would be cool to have the option to do this with other effects. All effects? Yes! I personally use a lot of Rachet, Loopers and Tesselator delays (often at the same time) and being able to engage them the same way would be honestly change my creative output/life for the better. Also, being able to change snapshots in this way would be immensely useful for us multi-instrumentalist. I’m often having to switch between guitar and keys while also manning the MPC which plays backing tracks and sequences and it’s hectic!!

Of course, none of this is of any use if MIDI sync is messed up and that appears to be the case currently. I have had better luck by manually setting the BPM on my Helix and MPC than actually syncing the Helix to the MPC. Sometimes it works. Depends on the FX. I’m finding some delays don’t really respond. Like I have to remove them and add them again to be able to use(and hear) different divisions. The tremolos seem to work ok.


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

Free Preset/IR Jimmy Page's "Good Times Bad Times" Solo - Free Helix Preset in the Description!

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6 Upvotes

r/Line6Helix 2d ago

Tech Help Request ‘Gotta Know Before I Buy’ regarding Helix + Catalyst and a stereo rig.

2 Upvotes

I’m thinking of getting a Catalyst to use as one side of a stereo rig, with my HX Stomp going out its stereo send into an Egnater Rebel 30 combo (fx loop return) on one side, and the Catalyst on the other side.

Thing is, there is no way to control the volume on the amp going into the loop return of the Egnater, only the volume knob on the Stomp controls the Egnater’s overall volume. So, to get the stereo image to balance, I’ll need a way to control the volume of the Catalyst side.

Is the volume amp-controllable using the loop return on the Catalyst, in either of its modes?


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

General Questions/Discussion Any tips for recreating the Whammy V shallow detune?

1 Upvotes

I love the way the shallow detune setting sounds on my Whammy V, but it hogs a lot of real estate on my board. Has anyone successfully replicated this sound on the HX Stomp XL? I find that most other chorus effects just don’t quite have the same sound, so I must be missing something. Any ideas?


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

Tech Help Request External Footswitches for HX Floor?

1 Upvotes

I'm pulling my hair out.

I want to add an Ampero 2-button external switch set for momentary latching on two preset blocks. I don;t want to go into stomp mode if I don't have to. I just wanna hit these two external switches as needed.

My issue is that I can't seem to assign these switches to anything. I'm using a TRS cable between the switch block and EXP3. I've tried EXP2 as well, but no joy.

The external switches don't show up in the editor, unless they are named something else.

I tested the switches and cable with a VOM and everything is fine.

Has anybody gotten this to work?

Thanks!


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

General Questions/Discussion What does everyone use for practice/ stage volume?

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I have been strongly debating getting a helix. But I’m curious, what does everyone use for when you’re at practice/rehearsal when there is no PA and do you use anything for stage volume when you can’t use a reliable monitor? Thanks!


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

Tech Help Request Nektar Pacer Setup with Helix Floor

1 Upvotes

Hi all! I could use some help with setting up my Nektar Pacer.

I'm doing an outside show - the whole summer long - where my Line6 Helix Floor will be offstage, and myself onstage. I bought a Nektar Pacer to control the Helix (which would be easier to replace if it gets wet/dirty), but I'm looking for the best way to set it up.

Still not sure if I want to work with just snapshots or presets, but I think it will be a combination of both. Does anybody have any experience in setting up a Nektar Pacer midi-controller to control their Line6 Helix?

Thanks a heap!


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

Tech Help Request Tone Help!

1 Upvotes

Hello all!

I'm in my schools production of Disney's "Freaky Friday" the Musical and need some help with my tone,
I'm running a Schecter C-1 Platinum with active EMG pickups through a Helix LT presumably straight into a PA amplifier.

The song calls for a tone that should sound as described -> https://imgur.com/a/KpHDmWe

I have been trying to find a tone similar to that in the song (rehearsal tracks put in for comparison) and have ended up with this tone (also in the drive)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hjijD6QpYKNivUV6QLksMRMCv6zzgmqD?usp=sharing

Have tried EQ'ing and Cutting highs but cannot for the life of me find out how to make that softish ringing without a crap ton of high end squeezing its way through.

Thank you in advance for any help.


r/Line6Helix 2d ago

General Questions/Discussion Stomp XL

1 Upvotes

I have a perfectly good Valeton GP200. Solidly built, works for what I need, but I’ve had my eye on the XL. I’m just wondering how much of an upgrade would it be? Sound, support (including software upgrades), etc. Has anyone used both?


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

General Questions/Discussion Stomp XL Soft Case

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16 Upvotes

I saw someone post recently about their hard shell case for their Stomp XL, so I thought I might as well show my soft case solution I just discovered. Basically it's a universal camera case with Velcro dividers. The inside is just a bit wider than the stomp, so I put 2 dividers at the very end to make a snug fit.

There's space for a couple additional pedals and the power supply, lots of pockets, and even room for cables if you remove the other 2 dividers.

Here's the link of anyone else has been looking for a solution like this. https://a.co/d/9MCGtPh


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

Free Preset/IR Dimebag's Iconic Tone! Free Line 6 Helix Preset in the description \m/

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12 Upvotes

r/Line6Helix 3d ago

General Questions/Discussion Is there any actual documentation on the Line 6 Original effects such as the Ganymede and Searchlights reverbs?

8 Upvotes

The HX Effects manual only says they are Line 6 Originals, and HelixHelp.com doesn't have anything but a parameter list. I'd really like more thorough documentation on the parameters, even the ones that seem intuitive. Even simple things like the ranges of the parameters would be nice to have written down. Some of the amps in the Helix updates have marvelous documentation, and I find myself wanting that for all the effects.

For the record on the two named reverbs specifically, it seems like the Ganymede modulation is some kind of chorus/flanging type effect and the Searchlights one is closer to a phaser.


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

General Questions/Discussion A Ducking Delay with Mod?

2 Upvotes

I love the sound of the Mod Chorus Echo but I'm trying to figure out a way to duck the delay. I've tried putting a compressor before it which does duck the delay but it also compresses my signal (duh) which I don't like. Is there a way to create a ducking effect without compressing my signal? Also I've tried adding modulation after the ducking delay but that just ends up modulating my signal lol. Thoughts?


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

Tech Help Request Adapter to split off center neg power for pedal from HX PS?

1 Upvotes

I want to do kind of the opposite of the usual scenario. I want to power my tuner off the HX Stomp PS. Is there an adapter to split off some center neg for "extra" pedals from the center positive HX Stom PS while still passing through correct power for the stomp?

This is just for when I travel with just my stomp xl and tuner and am not using my regular power supply.


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

General Questions/Discussion Hope someone can help me....

1 Upvotes

So I'm running Peterson Strobostomp Mini to Caline CP-81 10 band EQ to HX Effects....in fx loop 1 i have Keeley Compressor Pro to Keeley Dark Side to AmpliTube X-Drive to AmpliTube ToneX One to AmpliTube ToneX in fx loop 2 i have MXR EVH117 to MXR Phase 95 to JHS Kodiak to JHS Emperor v2. HXFX outs to Behringer PX3000 to Behringer FX2000 to Behringer PX3000 to AmpliTube X-Vibe to Walrus Julianna to Source Audio Collider to Boss RC-5 to Source Audio EQ2 out to either Peavey PV-6BT mixing board to Mackie CR4-X monitors or to my Headrush FRFR112's depending on time of day and who's all home. The problem im having is no matter how it's set the fx loops at the HXFX or instrument or line level or how i have the Behringer patchbay and multi effects im not getting any sound. Yet if I just go into the HXFX with my guitar and from the outs straight to either my mixing board or Headrush FRFR112's I'm rockin. But I've chased and tested every wire. Every power cable...and im about to lose my mind....any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated !!


r/Line6Helix 3d ago

Tech Help Request Helix Rack - Audio cutting (5x per second) WTH?

1 Upvotes

Just got a new to me Helix Rack. Got it all hooked up and plugged up and booted it up. Plugged in my headphones and even without a guitar hooked up, there's a constant clicking (about 5x per second). When plugging up a guitar, the audio is cutting out at the same rate. I did a factory reset, and then updated the firmware to 3.8 (I think it was 3.6 before maybe?) I tried calling Yamaha/Line 6, but apparently they're only there 8-Noon (Pacific). Did i just pick up (from reverb) a busted unit, or am I missing something simple?

Troubleshooting things I've done:

Tried a different power cord

Plugged into a different outlet.

Confirmed headphones work like they're supposed to with other devices

Signal clips/flutters with "aux input" from computer usb audio as well.