Tip: Controlling input impedance via Snapshot/footswitch

1 From the Input block, press and turn the Guitar In-Z knob. This activates it for snapshot control.

2 Set the value however you want per snapshot.

For example, if you have three fuzzes in a row followed by an amp (?!), leave the Guitar In-Z set to a lower impedance for any snapshots where a fuzz is on, and set it to 1M Ohm for any snapshots where all three fuzzes are bypassed.

If you have a single fuzz and would prefer to just turn it on and off with a Stomp mode footswitch, you can also do this:

1 Press and hold the Guitar In-Z knob. Helix jumps to the Controller Assign page for that parameter.

2 Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller) and then press the fuzz’s Stomp switch.

3 Set the Min Value to 1M Ohm and the Max Value to whatever impedance sounds right for that fuzz. Now turning the fuzz on and off will also change the impedance circuit.

– from Digital Igloo on the gear page forum.

Getting started

I received an email asking for help getting started with the Helix and it got me to thinking about how I was able to dive in back when I first got this unit.

A great starting place is the Line 6 Helix channel on YouTube. They have a great many videos that are easy to follow and provide nice variety.

From there, check out The Helix Channel and any other video resource that you can find, such as videos by Pete Thorn.

Once you get the basic grasp of moving around the interface (which doesn’t take long), you’ll find yourself more focused on the particular sounds you want.

Once you get to that point, start reading up on how a guitar was recorded on a particular track you like, then, using the Helix, copy it.

Nine times out of ten, you can get the sound you are going for by just reading about how a guitar was recorded then emulating it.

If you want to do less research, lookup your favorite guitar/bass players on EquipBoard and see what gear they use. Now, create a preset with the gear they have listed. You’ll instantly be in the ballpark of the sound you want.

I hope that helps.

How did you all get started with the Helix? Feel free to share your story in the comments below.

Tip: Use Expression Pedal as Global Volume Pedal

As long as all your presets have Volume Pedal blocks (I believe almost all factory presets do), you can make the volume pedal global:

1. Press MENU and then Knob 6 (Global Settings).
2. Use the joystick to select the EXP Pedals submenu.
3. Turn Knob 5 (EXP 2 Pedal Position) to “Global.”

Originally posted by Digital Igloo: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/25029007/

Tip: Change Params w/Footswitch

1. Press and hold the Amp > Gain parameter knob. Helix jumps to the Controller Assign page.
2. Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller) and then press an unused stomp switch. Set min and max values to goose the Gain by a bit.
3. Press HOME and repeat steps 1 and 2 for any other parameters (up to 8 per footswitch) that might act like a boost—EQ Highs, Minotaur Level, Gain level, Multi Output Level, etc. Remember, you can also lower parameters by a bit from the same switch—just swap the min and max levels. So if you boost the amp gain and it’s too loud, you can simultaneously lower the Output level to compensate.
4. Touch-hold the footswitch from step 2 and then Knob 5 (Customize). Custom label the footswitch “Boost” and set the ring color to taste.

Bonus—None of the above uses any additional DSP or block locations.

Tip originally posted by DI and found at:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/helix-boost-pedal.1872822/#post-25022572

Tip: Fix That Squeaky Pedal!

Does your Helix’s expression pedal squeak? If so, check out this guide:

Helix Pedal Maintenance Procedure – HELIX – Knowledge Base – Knowledge Base – Line 6 Community

Tip: Parallel Compression

Have you ever found yourself in the position of wanting to reduce the overall dynamics of your sound while at the same time keeping much of the dynamics from your original performance?

If so, you should take a look at a tried and true, classic recording technique called Parallel Compression.

Parallel Compression is essentially the process of splitting your signal down two paths: an untouched path A and a crushed path B.

For example:

Path A will be your original performance. Nothing special needs to happen here.

Path B is where the magic happens. Add a compressor with a high compression ratio (10:1 and up). The idea is to put a hard limiter on this path to crush your signal.

Now, just blend these two paths together to your liking. Path A gives you your original performance. Path B gives you the parallel compression that will beef up your sound and give you more control over your dynamics.

This tip is geared towards the Helix (and guitar) but this technique is used all the time in professional recording situations on drums, bass, percussion, keys, you name it. Give it a shot.

For further reading:

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/parallel-compression-explained/?utm_source=insync&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20170520

Thanks to MusicLaw!

Tip: Guitar Amp List

Firmware: 2.21

Thanks to Dariusz

Tip: Experiment With the Studio Tube Pre

What was a great discovery for me, and may be of interest to other Helix Users, is that Helix has a Studio Tube PreAmp located in the PreAmp > Mic Models List! This Studio TubePre may be placed in Helix’s Signal Path(s) as a Block, once, or several times, and can be just as useful for guitar as it can be for Mics!

Try it positioned early in the Signal Path.

— MusicLaw

Tip: About the Leslie 145

The rotary speaker models are HX updates to rotary speaker pedals. So, they were originally designed to go before an amp. However, once they got in Helix, we realized that they are much more versatile. Let me explain what is going on in the effect.

The dry path is true stereo. The effected path is summed to mono.
The effected path goes through a simulated power amp. It’s nowhere near as accurate as the HX amp modeling. It was just to add some extra grit that one might find in a rotary speaker cab.
Then the signal splits and it gets the separate woofer and horn modeling. This includes filtering an EQ to model the speakers in the cabinet.

Now, how should it be used?

I would use it in one of two way: as a pre amplifier effect pedal, or as a post amplifier cab replacement.

If it’s being used before an amp mode, then there should definitely be a cab or IR model after the amp. The drive knob should be tweaked to the desired amount. I think the drive knob has enough range to distort with just a guitar level signal plugged in.

If it’s being used after an amp model, then the switch that turns on the rotary effect should also turn off the cab or IR block that is being used when the rotary effect is bypassed. Special care should be paid to the Dive knob in the rotary effect. Since it was originally designed to be an effect before an amp, the level coming out of an amp model can sometimes cause a lot of extra, unwanted distortion in the rotary effect. I’d start with the drive at zero and adjust up to taste in this instance.

Most people prefer to use the full amp models with the rotary effect. However, I’ve heard of some people liking to use the rotary effect after a preamp model, and then they will lean into the rotary’s drive knob. This is probably for a parallel path, or a patch where the rotary effect is never turned off.

Finally, I have to put out my standard disclaimer. There is no objectively wrong answer here. If it sounds good, then use it in that setting and enjoy. Users should use their ears and personal taste when setting this up. I’ve just outlined traditional settings for the rotary effects, but non-traditional tones can be exciting, groundbreaking, and inspiring. Dig in, folks!

— Ben Adrian

Tip: Parametric EQ Can Clean Up Bass and High Frequency Issues

Sometimes a particularly rough bass or high problem can be fixed using the parametric equalizer easier than high or low cuts. Often with lows you can clean up boominess with a 2 or 3 db cut in a fairly narrow Q in the frequency range around 180 to 220 hz. You can also take a bit of the edge off of highs without killing the whole range with a narrow cut of 2 or 3 db up around 4000 to 5000hz. Place this toward the end of your signal chain.