Line6 Helix Rack, Helix Control 2.0 OWNER’S MANUAL

2.0 OWNER’S MANUAL

90-20-0370 - C (For use with Helix Rack Firmware 2.00)

©2016 Line 6, Inc.

0•1

Contents

Welcome to Helix

What’s In the Box? Common Terminology

Helix Rack Front Panel / Helix Control Top Panel Helix Rack / Helix Control Back Panel

Home Screen

Quick Start

Connect Helix Rack and Helix Control Setting Proper Output Levels Selecting Presets and Setlists

Preset Footswitch Mode

Stomp Footswitch Mode Snapshot Footswitch Mode Looper Footswitch Mode Pedal Edit Mode

Selecting Blocks/Adjusting Parameters Bypassing a Block

Choosing a Block's Model Choosing an Input Choosing an Output Moving Blocks

Copying and Pasting a Block Clearing a Block

Clearing All Blocks Saving/Naming a Preset Serial vs. Parallel Routing Removing Parallel Path B

Moving Split & Merge Blocks for More Parallel Routings

Dynamic DSP

Block Order and Stereo Imaging What is Variax?

		The Blocks
		Input
	4	Output
		Effects
	4	Amp+Cab
		Amp
	4
		Preamp
	6
		Cab
	8
		Impulse Response (IR)
	10
		Send/Return
	11
		Looper
	11	Split

11Merge

12Tuner

13Tuner Settings

14Snapshots

14Snapshots > Block Bypass

15Snapshots > Parameter Control

16Snapshots > Command Center

16	Using Snapshots

16Copying/Pasting a Snapshot

17Swapping Snapshots

	18	Determining Snapshot Edit Behavior
	18
		Arranging Preset, Snapshot, and Stomp Switches
	18
		Bypass Assign
	19
	19	Quick Bypass Assign
	20	Manual Bypass Assign
	17	Customizing a Footswitch Label
		Renaming a Snapshot

	18	Saving Snapshots
	20	Customizing a Footswitch Color
	22
		Swapping Footswitches
	22
	23

	24	Controller Assign	45
	24	Quick Controller Assign	45
	25	Manual Controller Assign	45
	26	Clearing a Block's Controller Assignment(s)	47
	29	Clearing All Controller Assignments	47
	30	Customizing a Controller Footswitch Label	47
	30	Command Center	48
	31
		Assigning a Command	48
	32
		Copying and Pasting a Command	50
	33
		Copying and Pasting All Commands	50
	34
		Clearing a Command	50
	34
		Clearing All Commands	50
	34
		Customizing a Command Footswitch Label	50
	36
		Customizing a Command Footswitch Color	50
	36	Global EQ	51
	37
		Resetting Global EQ	51
	37	Global Settings	52
	38
		Resetting All Global Settings	52
	39
		Global Settings > Ins/Outs	53
	39
		Global Settings > Preferences	54
	40
		Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo	54
	40
		Global Settings > Footswitches	55
	40
		Global Settings > EXP Pedals	55
	41
		Global Settings > Displays	55
	41
		Hardware Monitoring vs. DAW Software Monitoring	57
	41
		DI Recording and Re-amplification	57
	43
		ASIO® Driver Settings (Windows® only)	59
	43	Core Audio Driver Settings (Mac® OS X only)	59
	43	MIDI	60
	44
		MIDI Bank/Program Changes	60
	44
		MIDI CC	60
	44

2

Please Note: Line 6, POD, StageSource and Variax are trademarks of Line 6, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. L6 LINK, DT25, DT50, and Helix are trademarks of Line 6, Inc. All rights reserved. James Tyler is a registered trademark of James Tyler, used under license. Apple, Mac, OS X, iPad, iPhone, Logic, GarageBand, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. YouTube is a trademark of Google, Inc. Cubase and ASIO are trademarks and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Pro Tools is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.

3

Welcome to Helix

Thank you for purchasing Helix Rack, one of the most powerful and flexible audio processors ever created. We hope it helps drive your search for tonal bliss and spawns years of creativity, both on stage and in the studio.

As Helix Rack and Helix Control (purchased separately) are designed to be used together, this manual covers both.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Although Helix may appear complicated at first glance, it's designed in such a way that once you learn a few basic concepts and shortcuts, you'll be able to construct both simple and complex tones at nearly the speed of thought, with very little menu diving required.

Although you’re likely anxious to rip open the plastic and plug in, wait! At the very least, check out the big color Helix Rack/Control Cheat Sheet that came in the box, and keep it handy. Then read the "Quick Start" chapter of this manual and we’ll have you up and shredding in no time.

NOTE: If you prefer to edit tones from your Mac® or PC, download the free Helix editor application from line6.com/software.

TIP: Be sure to also visit line6.com/videos where we're always adding new video tutorials covering the latest Line 6 gear!

What’s In the Box?

Helix Rack

•Line 6 Helix Rack

•Full-color Helix Rack/Control Cheat Sheet (read that one first!)

•USB flash drive containing the Helix Rack/Control Owner's Manual you’re reading right now

•AC power cable

•USB cable

•Warranty card

Helix Control

•25-foot CAT-5 cable for communication with and power from Helix Rack

•Warranty card

Common Terminology

While reading this manual, you may encounter several unfamiliar terms. It’s important to know what they mean. Don’t worry—there’s no math.

Home

Block

Path

Preset

Setlist

Model

Controller

Send/

Return

IR

Variax®

L6 LINK™

The Home screen is your primary workspace for creating and editing tones. If you ever get lost, press to return to the Home screen.

Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as amps, cabs, effects, splits, loopers, inputs, outputs, and impulse responses.

A path represents the signal flow of your tone. Helix has two separate paths, 1 and 2, each with its own input(s) and output(s). Paths can be serial (single) or parallel (dual). Path 1 can be routed into path 2 for more sophisticated tones.

A preset is your tone. It consists of all blocks on the Home screen, footswitch assignments, controller assignments, and Command Center messages.

A setlist is a collection of presets. Helix has eight setlists containing 128 presets each.

Each processing block can accommodate one model (or in some cases, two models). Helix includes 45 guitar amp models, 7 bass amp models, 30 cab models, 16 mic models, and 93 effects models.

Controllers are used to adjust various parameters in real time. For example, the expression pedal can be used to control wah, or the tone knob on a Variax guitar can be used to control amp gain and reverb depth.

Sends and Returns are used to connect additional equipment to Helix for effects loops or processing multiple instruments simultaneously.

Helix has four mono sends and returns, but adjacent pairs can be selected for stereo operation.

IRs (Impulse Responses) are mathematical functions representing the sonic measurements of audio systems (for Helix, speaker cabinet and microphone combinations). Helix can store up to 128 custom or thirdparty IRs at a time. See "Impulse Response (IR)"

Variax isn't just a great guitar, it also contains special electronics that recreate the sound of other specific guitars and instruments, and allow for instant retuning of each string. Helix and Variax communicate with one another in unique and powerful ways. See "What is Variax?"

L6 LINK provides easy, single-cable, digital audio connectivity between Helix and Line 6 StageSource® monitors and/or DT-Series amplifiers.

See "L6 LINK Output"

4

FRFR FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) speakers, such as Line 6 StageSource monitors, have the ability to amplify a modeler without adversely affecting its tone, ensuring great detail, a wide sweet spot, predictability, and consistency from studio to stage. You could almost think of FRFR monitors as very loud, gig-ready studio monitors.

DAW DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) refers to any computer (or iPad) used for audio recording. The components of a DAW include an audio in-

terface, audio recording software (such as Cubase®, Logic, Garage-

Band, Pro Tools®, etc.), and monitoring system (amplifier & speakers or headphones). Helix functions as a high-performance USB 2.0 audio interface with all major DAW software - See "USB Audio"

5

Helix Rack Front Panel / Helix Control Top Panel

	5	6	16B Dream Rig	10 11
2	SAVE			BYPASS	ACTION	VOLUME	PHONES
	PRESET
			1		9

Dela

1/16

nor

40%

0.0dB

PAGE

PAGE

GUITAR IN	7	8
			12	TAP/
3				TUNER	17
			13	16

CONTROL

18 16B eaam Rig Duet

19

20

19

20

6

Helix Rack

1.Main Display This large color LCD is your window into the power of Helix.

2.Power Switch It's alive!

3.GUITAR IN Connect your primary guitar or bass guitar here. This jack provides

impedance selection and a switchable pad.

4. PRESET Turn this knob to select a preset. Press the knob to open the Setlist menu. See "Selecting Presets and Setlists"

5.SAVE Press this button to rename and save changes to a preset.

6. Press this button to dive a bit deeper into Helix, and you'll find Command

Center, Global EQ, Global Settings, and other menus.

7. If you ever get lost, press this button to return to the main Home screen.

8. Press this button once, or multiple times, to quickly jump to the tonestack

parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) of any Amp+Cab, Amp, and Preamp models in the current preset.

9. Joystick Move the joystick to navigate the main display. On the Home screen, move the joystick to select a block. Press ACTION and move the joystick to move the selected block. Turn the joystick to change the selected block’s model. Press the joystick to open the model list. Yeah, the joystick does a lot.

10. BYPASS Press this button to turn the selected block on and off.

SHORTCUT: Press and hold BYPASS to turn Global EQ on ( icon ap-

pears in the upper right corner of the LCD) and off.

11. ACTION Press this button to open the action panel for the selected block or screen. From the Home screen, the action panel lets you move, copy, paste, and clear blocks. Other screens may have unique action panels; for example, the Global Settings action panel lets you reset all global settings at once.

12. <PAGE/PAGE> If the selected block or item has more than one page of parameters, dots appear to the right of the item’s name. Press < PAGE or PAGE > to view more parameters.

13. Knobs 1-6 Turn one of the six knobs below the main display to adjust the parameter's value above; press the knob to reset the parameter's value. If a rectangular button appears above a knob, press the knob to engage its function.

SHORTCUT: For most time-based parameters such as delay time or modulation speed, press the knob to toggle between setting the value in ms or Hz and note divisions (1/4-note, dotted 1/8-note, etc.).

SHORTCUT: Controllers can be assigned to most parameters. Press and

hold a parameter’s knob to quickly jump to the "Controller Assign" page for that parameter.

14.VOLUME Turn this knob to control the Helix main output volume.

15.PHONES Turn this knob to control volume from the PHONES output.

16.TAP/TUNER Press this button two or more times to set the Helix tempo. Press

and hold to open the "Tuner".

17. PHONES Out (12Ω) Connect stereo headphones here; turn the top panel PHONES knob to adjust volume.

NOTE: Helix provides plenty of gain for high impedance headphones. With

lower impedance headphones, you may notice a bit of distortion if the PHONES knob is turned all the way up. This is normal.

Helix Control

18. Main Display This 20-character LCD displays the current preset number and name. Press and hold Footswitch 12 (TAP) to engage the tuner display on both Helix Control and Helix Rack.

19. Scribble Strips The twelve LCD scribble strips tell each footswitch's current assignment, so there are never any surprises during a show. If a particular footswitch has more than one block or item assigned, the scribble strip may read “MULTIPLE (X)," where X is the number of assignments. You can custom label scribble strips - see "Customizing a Footswitch Label"

20. Footswitches The capacitive, touch-sensitive footswitches have colored LED rings that tell you the current state of the assigned block or item. While in Stomp footswitch mode, touch (but don't press) a footswitch to quickly select the assigned block or item. Touch the switch repeatedly to cycle through multiple assigned items. See "Stomp Footswitch Mode"

SHORTCUT: While in Stomp footswitch mode, touch (but don’t press) a footswitch for two seconds to assign that switch to the selected block.

SHORTCUT: While in Stomp footswitch mode, touch and hold (but don’t press) two switches to swap the assignments between them (including any custom scribble strip names or LED colors).

SHORTCUT: Touch (but don’t press) TAP to briefly display the tempo panel. This lets you quickly fine-tune the current tempo without navigating to the

Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo menu.

7

Helix Rack / Helix Control Back Panel

WARNING / AVIS:

SHOCKHAZARD–DONOTOPEN.RISQUE DECHOCÉLECTRIQUE –NEPASOUVRIR. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

THISEQUIPMENTHASBEENTESTEDAND FOUND TOCOMPLYWITH THELIMITS FOR A CLASS B DIGITAL DEVICE PURSUANT TO PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRABLE OPERATION.

21		22		23		24		25		26		27		28
ANALOG INPUTS			SENDS / RETURNS

PUSH

POWER REQUIREMENTS

EXPRESSION PEDAL

EXT AMP 1(TIP)/

MIDI

HELIX

VARIAX

WORDCLOCK

DIGITAL

2(RING)

CONTROL

PUSH

PUSH

PUSH

USB

TERMINATOR

																			CAUTION	PRUDENCE
29		30	31		32			33	34		35			36	37		38		RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK	RISQUE D’ELECTROCUTION-
																			DO NOT OPEN	NE PAS OUVRIR

CONTROL

				HOST
		PUSH
	DC IN				USB

EXP TOE	EXPRESSION PEDAL
SWITCH	EXP 1	EXP 2	EXP 3

39		40		41		42		43		44

8

Helix Rack

21. AUX IN (10kΩ) Connect a secondary, active-pickup equipped guitar or bass here.

22. MIC IN Plug your microphone in here for processing your vocals or recording to your computer via USB. This XLR jack provides 48V phantom power for studio condenser mics and a variable low cut filter.

23. SENDS/RETURNS 1-4 These 1/4” ins and outs can be used as FX loops for inserting external stompboxes into your tone or as additional inputs and outputs for connecting keyboards, drum machines, mixers, and other gear. See "Send/ Return"

24. Ground Lift Switch If you are experiencing hums and buzzes, press this button in to eliminate ground loops between your equipment.

25. XLR OUT Use balanced XLR cables to connect to your studio gear or the house mixer, PA or FRFR speaker(s) when playing live. When using a mono playback system, connect only the LEFT/MONO XLR jack.

IMPORTANT! Never connect Helix Rack's XLR outputs to a device whose XLR inputs have 48V phantom power enabled!

26. 1/4” OUT Use unbalanced 1/4" TS cables to connect to your guitar amp, FRFR speaker(s), studio monitors, or other playback system. When using a single amp or speaker, connect only the LEFT/MONO 1/4” jack.

27. GUITAR THRU OUT Passes the signal received at the front panel Guitar In with no A/D/A conversion.

28.AC In Connect Helix to a grounded AC power outlet.

29.Expression 1/2/3/Toe Switch Move a connected expression pedal to

control volume, wah, or a combination of amp and/or effects parameters. (Optionally, expression pedals and a remote switch can be connected to Helix Control

- see item #44).

30.EXT AMP 1/2, CV/Expression Out Connect EXT AMP to your traditional

guitar amp to switch its channels or turn its reverb on and off. Use a TRS cable for dual operation (1=tip, 2=ring). Connect CV OUT to the expression pedal input on stompboxes or CV (Control Voltage) input on vintage pedals or synths.

31. MIDI IN, OUT/THRU Connect Helix to your MIDI gear for sending and receiving program changes, continuous controllers, and other MIDI messages.

32. HELIX CONTROL Connect Helix Rack to Helix Control's HOST port via a CAT-5 or Ethercon cable.

33. VARIAX Input This input provides power, digital audio, effects control, and instant recall between Helix and a Line 6 Variax guitar. See "What is Variax?"

34. WORDCLOCK IN Receives a clock signal from an external audio interface or digital mixer, synchronizing the Helix digital output to your system. If Helix is the last device in your BNC wordclock chain, press the TERMINATOR switch in (ON).

35. S/PDIF IN/OUT Digitally connect Helix to your studio equipment via S/PDIF (75-ohm RCA) cables.

36. AES/EBU IN Digitally connect Helix to your studio equipment via AES/EBU

(110Ω XLR) cables.

NOTE: S/PDIF and AES/EBU cannot be active at the same time. See "Global

Settings > Ins/Outs" on page 53 for more information.

37. AES/EBU OUT, L6 LINK L6 LINK provides easy digital audio connectivity between Helix and Line 6 StageSource monitors and/or DT-Series amplifiers.

Alternatively, digitally connect Helix to your studio equipment via an AES/EBU

(110Ω XLR) cable. See "L6 LINK Output"

38. USB Helix also functions as a high quality, multi-in/out, 24-bit/96kHz audio interface for Mac® and Windows® computers, with DI, Re-amping and MIDI functionality built right in. Helix can also record to an Apple iPad (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit). Use of a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port is required - Do not use an external USB hub. See "USB Audio"

Helix Control

39. POWER Switch If Helix Control is left switched on, you may switch both on and off from Helix Rack's power switch.

40.DC Cable Tie Reserved for potential future use.

41.DC IN Reserved for potential future use; for very long cable lengths, use a Line

6 DC-3G adapter (purchased separately).

42. HOST Port Connect Helix Control to Helix Rack via a CAT-5 (included with Helix Control) or Ethercon cable.

43.USB Reserved for potential future use.

44.Expression 1/2/3/Toe Switch Move a connected expression pedal to

control volume, wah, or a combination of amp and/or effects parameters.

NOTE: Adding a Wah or Pitch Wham block automatically assigns it to EXP 1. Adding a Volume Pedal or Pan block automatically assigns it to EXP 2.

9

Home Screen

90% of your daily tone building is accomplished from the Home screen.

Press at any time to return to the main Home screen.

Select an input block

Use the joystick or

Split block (only

"E" appears if

Merge block

Press BYPASS to

Hold BYPASS to

and turn the joystick to

touch a switch top

visible when

the preset has

(only visible when

turn block on and

turn Global EQ

set the input source.

to select a block

selected); move

been edited

selected); move

off(bypassed

onandoff;Icon

Each path can have one

(outlined in white)

down to create

down to create a

blocks appear

appears when

or two input blocks

a duplicate input

duplicate output

dim)

Global EQ is on

block

block

Press PRESET and then

select a preset

16B Dream Rig Duet

1

Snapshot) to choose

Turn PRESET to

turn Knob 5 (Select

one of eight snapshots

A

Select an output block and

PATH 1

turn the joystick to route the

signal to back panel jacks,

B

Path 2, or your computer via

Each of the two signal

USB. Each path can have

one or two output blocks

paths can be either parallel

(A and B) or serial (A only)

PATH 2 A

Turn the joystick to select

Delay Harmony Delay

Press <PAGE/PAGE> to

a model; press the joystick

1/8

[37%]

D

Minor

40%

0.0dB

view more parameters for

to open the model list.

the selected block. This

indicates a stereo model

block has four pages

Time

Feedback

Key

Scale

Mix

Level

Press knob to toggle between note value and ms (or Hz)

Value appears white and in brackets if a controller or snapshot is assigned to it

Turn knobs 1-6 to adjust parameters for the selected block

Press knob to return Levels to unity (0.0dB) and Pans to center

10

Quick Start

Connect Helix Rack and Helix Control

1.Using the CAT-5 cable (included with Helix Control), connect Helix Rack's HELIX CONTROL port to Helix Control's HOST port.

NOTE: Helix Control receives power from Helix Rack. Helix Control's DC IN

jack may be required for very long CAT-5 cable runs. In such case, use only a Line 6 DC-3G power supply (purchased separately - see the Line 6 Store).

2. Turn on both Helix Rack and Helix Control.

If Helix Control is left switched on, you may switch both on and off from Helix

Rack's power switch.

Setting Proper Output Levels

1. Make sure the VOLUME and PHONES knobs are turned down.

PHONES

2. Connect a guitar to the Helix GUITAR IN jack.

3. Connect the Helix outputs to your playback system.

OR

The Helix 1/4” and XLR output levels must be set to match your playback system. If you’re only using headphones for now, skip to step 9.

4.Press to open the Menu.

5.Press Knob 6 (Global Settings).

The Global Settings screen appears:

Global Settings						Firmware Version 2.00.0
		Ins/Outs	Preferences			MIDI/Tempo
	Footswitches		EXP Pedals			Displays
Ins/Outs
Off		Off	0dB		Off	Multi	0.0dB
Guitar In		Mic In	Mic In	Mic In		USB In 1/2	USB In 1/2
Pad	48V Phantom		Gain	Low Cut		Destination	Trim

6.If necessary, move the joystick to select the Ins/Outs submenu.

7.Press PAGE > to select .

11

8.Using Knobs 1 and 2 under the display, set levels according to the table below:

	Output	Are you connecting to...?	Then do this:
		Guitar pedal or the front of a guitar	Set 1/4” Outputs to
	1/4”	amp	“Instrument”
		Powered speakers with unbalanced	Set 1/4” Outputs to “Line”
		inputs or digital recorder
		Mic inputs on mixer or standalone	Set XLR Outputs to “Mic”
	XLR	mic preamps
		PA/FRFR speakers or studio monitors	Set XLR Outputs to “Line”
		with balanced inputs

9. Slowly turn up the VOLUME knob.

If you’re listening on headphones, slowly turn up the PHONES knob.

PHONES

Selecting Presets and Setlists

1. Turn PRESET to select presets within the current setlist.

Helix stores eight setlists, each containing 32 banks of four presets (A, B, C, and D). As we promised, no math - that’s a grand total of 1,024 preset locations. If that's not enough, your cover band should be asking for more money.

2. Press PRESET to open the Setlist menu:

1 FACTORY 1		15A	Cold Shot
2	FACTORY 2	15B	Hey Joe
3	USER 1	15C	Tom Sawyer
4	USER 2	15D	Untitled Streets
5	USER 3	16A	Have a Cigar
6	USER 4	16B	Bottle Message
7	USER 5	16C	Mad House
8	TEMPLATES	16D Run Like
1	FACTORY 1 16B Bottle Message

								SNAPSHOT 1
		CC32: 007
Rename			PC: 005			Reorder	Rename	Select	Rename
Setlist						Preset	Preset	Snapshot	Snapshot
	CC69: 000

Navigating the Setlist menu is straightforward:

Turn the joystick (or move it up and down) to select items in a list.

From the Setlist column, press the joystick (or move it right) to load its first preset.

From the Preset column, move the joystick left to go back to the Setlist column.

Turn Knob 3 (Reorder Preset) to move the selected preset up and down the list.

3.Use the joystick to select Setlist 8 TEMPLATES > Preset 01A Quick Start.

TIP: The dark text above Knob 2 displays the required MIDI messages for

recalling setlists, presets, and/or snapshots from external MIDI devices or software. In the illustration above, the FACTORY 1 setlist is recalled with a CC32 message of 007, the 16B Bottle Message preset is recalled with a PC (program change) message of 005, and SNAPSHOT 1 is recalled with a CC69 message of 000.

4. Press to return to the Home screen.

You should see something like this:

01A Quick Start		1

Amp+Cab							US Deluxe Nrm
5.0					5.1			5.0					4.4			2.0				8.0
Drive					Bass				Mid				Treble				Presence				Ch Vol

12

Preset Footswitch Mode

Preset mode is used to navigate presets in the current setlist.

1. If not already there, press FS6 (MODE) to select Preset mode.

The middle eight switches display two banks of presets and the active preset appears with a red LED ring and white scribble strip:

BANK	02A	02B	02C	02D	MODE
	Powercore	HechoDeEstrellas	Starsburn	The Bishop Game	HOLD TO EDIT
BANK	01A	01B	01C	01D	TAP
	None More Black	Dream Rig+Vocals	Jimi, Not Jimmy	DAW Remote	HOLD FOR TUNER

2. Press BANK or BANK to choose the desired banks.

The banks’ presets flash, indicating they’re ready to load.

3. Press one of the eight preset switches to load the preset.

NOTE: Footswitch behavior can be customized. See "Global Settings > Foot- switches"

Stomp Footswitch Mode

While in Stomp mode, each of the middle eight footswitches can do a number of things:

•Toggle one or more blocks on and off

•Toggle between two values of one or more parameters

•Generate a MIDI, External Amp control, or CV/Expression message

•All of the above, even simultaneously

If not already there, press FS6 (MODE) to select Stomp mode.

The middle eight footswitches display blocks' model names, parameter names, Command Center messages, and/or customized labels:

BANK		MODE
		HOLD TO EDIT

BANK	TAP
	HOLD FOR TUNER

NOTE: If a switch is assigned to multiple blocks or items, its scribble strip reads "MULTIPLE (X)," where X is the number of assignments, and stepping on the switch turns them all on and off. If some blocks are on and some are bypassed, stepping on the switch toggles each block's bypass state.

NOTE: While in Stomp mode, stepping on BANK or BANK temporarily enters Preset mode. Once you’ve selected a preset, Helix returns to Stomp mode.

13

Snapshot Footswitch Mode

Similar to the snapshots feature in some high end digital mixers, each of the Helix eight snapshots stores and recalls the state of certain elements in the current preset, including:

•Block Bypass—The bypass (on/off) state of all processing blocks (except

Looper), independent of any footswitch assignments. Also see "Snapshots > Block Bypass")

•Parameter Control—The values of any parameters assigned to controllers (up to 64 per preset). Also see "Snapshots > Parameter Control"

•Command Center—The values of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, and CV Out messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of any CC Toggle, CV Toggle, and Ext Amp messages. Also see "Command Center"

•Tempo—The current system tempo, if "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" > Tempo Select is set to "Per Snapshot." (By default, it's set to "Per Preset")

1.Press BANK and BANK simultaneously to enter Snapshot mode.

The middle eight switches flash, indicating a snapshot is ready to be selected.

BANK

5 SNAPSHOT 5

6 SNAPSHOT 6

7 SNAPSHOT 7

8 SNAPSHOT 8

CANCEL

BANK	1 SNAPSHOT 1	2 SNAPSHOT 2	3 SNAPSHOT 3	4 SNAPSHOT 4	HOLD FOR TUNER
					TAP

2. Press one of the eight snapshot switches to select it.

NOTE: Snapshots are powerful enough to warrant their own chapter. See "Snap- shots" for more information.

NOTE: If you don’t want Snapshot footswitches to disappear after selecting one, set "Global Settings > Footswitches" > Knob 4 (Snapshot Mode Switches) to “Manual Return.” In this case, Helix stays in Snapshot footswitch mode until you press FS6 (CANCEL).

Looper Footswitch Mode

Looper mode is only available if a Looper block has been assigned to a footswitch in Stomp mode. Nearly all factory presets in Helix have a Looper block assigned to a footswitch, but your custom presets may not.

Looper Type	Max. Loop Length (1/2 Speed)	Max. Loop Length (Full Speed)
Mono	120 seconds	60 seconds
Stereo	60 seconds	30 seconds

1.From Stomp mode, press the footswitch labeled “Looper” (if available).

Looper mode appears:

										EXIT
BANK				ONCE
							FULL			LOOPER
										TAP
BANK						1/2		REV	FWD
							SPEED			HOLD FOR TUNER

Switch Description

Step on to start recording a loop. Step on to end the loop and immediately start playback. Step on to overdub additional parts. Step on again to stop playback.

If you make a mistake on your last overdub, step on UNDO to erase it.

Step on to play the recorded loop once through.

Recording at full speed and then switching to 1/2 speed will also drop the loop down one octave. Recording at 1/2 speed will double your looping memory and switching to full speed will cause the loop to play at double speed (up an octave).

Step on REV/FWD to hear your loop backwards.

NOTE: If you press while loop playback is stopped, this will always record a new loop, and any previous recording will be discarded.

14

IMPORTANT! You may change presets while looping, but loop playback will stop unless the preset you select includes the same type of looper block (mono or stereo) on the same path (1 or 2) and is assigned to a footswitch.

NOTE: While in Looper mode, stepping on BANK or BANK temporar-

ily enters Preset mode. Once you’ve selected a preset, Helix returns to Looper mode.

2. To return to the previous mode, press FS6 (EXIT).

Pedal Edit Mode

Most blocks can be edited without taking your hands off the guitar; if you hate having to reach down and twist knobs, Pedal Edit mode will be your new best friend. Although Pedal Edit is not intended to replace proper controller assignment, in a pinch, it can also be used to tweak one parameter at a time during a performance.

1. Hold FS6 (MODE) for two seconds.

The preset's processing blocks appear on the footswitches, flashing:

MORE...

EXIT

HOLD TO SAVE+EXIT

If the preset has more than ten processing blocks, you may not see the block you want. Press FS6 (MORE...) one or more times until you do.

NOTE: Selecting a block in Pedal Edit mode has no correlation to any foot- switch assignment it may have.

2. Press the footswitch displaying the block you want to edit.

The block's first page of parameters appear at FS1—FS6.

500 ms	50%	20 Hz	84%	0°	25%
Time	Feedback	Mod Speed	Mod Depth	Mod Phase	Mix

							EXIT
	BACK	PAGE		PAGE	VALUE–	VALUE+
							HOLD TO SAVE+EXIT

If the block has more than one page of parameters, press FS8 (<PAGE) or FS9

(PAGE>) until you find the parameter.

3.Press the footswitch displaying the parameter you want to adjust.

Press and hold a Time or Speed switch to toggle between setting the value in ms or Hz and note divisions (1/4-note, dotted 1/8-note, etc.).

4. Use the expression pedal to adjust the parameter.

For fine adjustment, press FS10 (VALUE–) and FS11 (VALUE+). Hold FS10

(VALUE–) or FS11 (VALUE +) for faster adjustments.

To select a different block, press FS7 (BACK).

5. When finished, press FS12 (EXIT).

If you want to save any changes made to the preset, hold FS12 (EXIT) for two seconds.

15

Selecting Blocks/Adjusting Parameters

Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as amps, cabs, effects, splits, loopers, and even inputs and outputs.

1.From Stomp footswitch mode, briefly touch (but don’t press) the footswitch assigned to the desired block.

The selected block appears with a white box on both the main LCD and the scribble strip:

If multiple blocks are assigned to a footswitch, its scribble strip reads “MULTIPLE (X).” Touch the top of the switch repeatedly until the desired block is selected.

NOTE: Repeatedly touching a "MULTIPLE (X)" switch may jump to complete-

ly different screens, depending on its assignments. For example, if a switch is assigned to an effect block, an effect parameter, and a Command Center MIDI message, repeated touches will cycle through all three items on the Home, Controller Assign, and Command Center screens, respectively. Basically, anything on the switch is only a touch away.

Alternatively, move the joystick to select a block.

SHORTCUT: Press to quickly select the Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp block and its tonestack parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) appear. If a preset has more than one of these blocks, press repeatedly to cycle through all tonestacks.

2. Turn Knobs 1-6 below the screen.

Some blocks have more than one page of parameters, in which case dots on the right side of the inspector indicate the current page. For example, the dots below indicate that page 1 parameters are visible (the colored dot) and a total of four pages of parameters are available:

3. Press <PAGE/PAGE> to access more parameters (if available).

Bypassing a Block

If a footswitch is assigned to the block, press the switch.

Alternatively, select the block and press BYPASS to toggle the block on and off.

Bypassed blocks appear semitransparent and, if assigned to a footswitch, its LED ring dims and scribble strip label grays out:

NOTE: The switch's LED ring and scribble strip label reflect the color and bypass state of its most recently selected block or item, even if other blocks assigned to the same switch are enabled.

Choosing a Block's Model

To change an existing block’s model, select the block and turn the joystick.

To create a new block, select an empty location and turn the joystick.

Selecting models within the same category can be very quick. However, as Helix has hundreds of items to choose from, using this method to, say, change a mono distortion block (beginning of the list) into a stereo FX Loop block (end of the list) is very slow. Instead, you should open the model list:

1. Press the joystick to open the model list:

None	Mono	Multitap 6
Distortion	Stereo	Ping Pong
Dynamics		Sweep Echo
EQ		Ducked Delay
Modulation		Reverse Delay
Delay		Vintage Digital
Reverb		Transistor Tape
Pitch/Synth		Harmony Delay

Delay Harmony Delay

1/8

[37%]

A

Minor

50%

0.0dB

Time

Feedback

Key

Scale

Mix

Level

16

Most model categories include subcategories. For example, effects can generally be mono or stereo (stereo models display the icon). Amp+Cab and Amp models have Guitar and Bass subcategories. Cab models have single and dual subcategories.

Turn the joystick (or move it up and down) to select items in a list.

Press the joystick (or move it right) to view a category or subcategory’s contents.

Move the joystick left to go back one column.

IMPORTANT! If you encounter items in the list that are grayed out or unavailable, this means the current path (1 or 2) cannot accommodate that category, subcategory, or model. See "Dynamic DSP"

2.Using the joystick, select the desired category, subcategory, and model.

NOTE: Amp+Cab and Cab > Dual blocks are special in that they repre-

sent two models within a single block. To change the amp model in an

Amp+Cab block, press <PAGE until the amp icon is white and turn the joystick. To change the cab model, press PAGE> until the cab icon is white and turn the joystick.

To change the first cab model in a Cab > Dual block, press <PAGE until the left cab icon is white and turn the joystick. To change the second cab model, press PAGE> until the right cab icon is white and turn the joystick.

3.To close the model list, select an item in the far right column and press the joystick again (or press ).

Choosing an Input

Move the joystick left to select an Input block and turn the joystick.

Normally you should select “Multi,” which includes three simultaneous inputs: Guitar, Aux, and Variax.

TIP: To view a list of available inputs, press the joystick.

SHORTCUT: From any Input block, joystick left to jump to the Output block. From any Output block, joystick right to jump to the Input block. We call this the "Pac Man Shortcut."

Choosing an Output

Move the joystick right to select an Output block and turn the joystick.

Normally you should select “Multi,” which includes four simultaneous pairs of outputs: 1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2.

If Path 1 doesn't have enough block locations or DSP to accommodate your tone, it can be routed to Path 2:

Select Path 1’s output block and turn the joystick to select Path

2A.

Path 2’s Input block displays an arrow, indicating it is being fed by Path 1.

17

If Path 2 has two input blocks, you may select either Path 2A or 2B, or even split your signal further to both 2A and 2B. See "2 into 1" for an example.

TIP: To view a list of available outputs, press the joystick.

Moving Blocks

1. Select any block (other than Input or Output) and press ACTION.

The block appears “picked up” and the action panel appears. The inspector's icon shows you the directions in which the block can be moved.

Use joystick to move block; move down to create Path B

Copy	Paste	Clear	Clear All
Block	Block	Block	Blocks

2. Move the joystick left or right to move the block.

Moving the joystick down moves the block to a new parallel B path. See "Serial vs. Parallel Routing" for details.

NOTE: A block on Path 1 cannot be moved to Path 2 (and vice versa). You

can, however, copy and paste a block from one path to the other. See next section.

3. Press ACTION again (or ) to close the action panel.

Copying and Pasting a Block

Blocks from one path can be copied and then pasted into the same path, the other path, or a path in an entirely different preset.

1.Select the block you wish to copy and press ACTION.

2.Press Knob 1 (Copy Block).

3.Select the location you wish to paste the block—even in a different preset—and press ACTION.

4.Press Knob 2 (Paste Block).

NOTE: Inputs, Outputs, Splits, Merges, and Loopers can also be copied and pasted. However, if you, for example, try pasting the Looper into the Split block's location, Knob 2 (Paste Block) will be grayed out. Furthermore, if the destination path’s DSP cannot accommodate the copied block, the header will briefly read “Cannot Paste—Path 1 [or 2] DSP full!” See "Dynamic DSP"

Cannot Paste—Path 1 DSP Full!

Copy	Paste	Clear	Clear All
Block	Block	Block	Blocks

Clearing a Block

1.Select the block you wish to clear and press ACTION.

2.Press Knob 3 (Clear Block).

Clearing All Blocks

Clearing all blocks removes all processing blocks (including the Looper) and resets both Path 1 and 2 to serial. It does not affect Path 1A or Path 2A Input and Output blocks, nor does it affect the "Command Center"

1.Press ACTION.

2.Press Knob 4 (Clear All Blocks).

The following dialog appears:

Clear all blocks?

Cancel

OK

3. Press Knob 6 (OK).

18

Saving/Naming a Preset

1. Press SAVE to open the Save Preset screen:

Save Preset

J

K

L

M ‘ L a d y N e c k b e a r d

N

O

P

Replace 1 FACTORY 1 > 26A M’Lady Neckbeard

1 26A

Cancel	Delete	Insert	Setlist Destination					Save

Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor.

Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character.

Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following characters to the left.

Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to the right.

SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE].

2.Turn Knob 4 (Setlist) and Knob 5 (Destination) to choose the Setlist and Preset location you wish to overwrite.

Any of the Helix 1,024 presets can be overwritten.

3. Press SAVE again or Knob 6 (Save).

Serial vs. Parallel Routing

For many guitar tones, a serial (one stereo path) signal flow is more than adequate.

For example, our 8 TEMPLATES > 01A Quick Start preset has a volume pedal, wah pedal, Amp+Cab, reverb, and looper, but there's still room for distortion, modulation, and delay blocks:

For more sophisticated tones, a parallel (two stereo paths) signal flow can be created.

This lets one split the signal into two stereo paths, process them separately, and mix the two paths back together.

1.Select the Amp+Cab block and press ACTION to pick it up.

2.Move the joystick down.

The Amp+Cab block is moved to a newly created parallel path B (lower).

In the illustration above:

Our guitar signal goes into the Volume and Wah blocks. The signal is split to path 1A (upper) and path 1B (lower).

Stereo path 1A (upper) is sent to the Reverb and Looper blocks and Stereo path 1B (lower) is sent to the Amp+Cab block.

Stereo paths 1A and 1B are merged together after the Looper block and sent to the Multi Output.

3. Press ACTION again to drop the Amp+Cab block.

This preset probably doesn't sound ideal. A more appropriate tone may have paths 1A and 1B each with an Amp+Cab block, only to merge again before the Reverb...

19