Helix Talk

[dronerstone]

Sooooo..... any clues about when 3.9 might drop?

 

[molul]

Sooooo..... any clues about when 3.9 might drop?

I was going to say 2025 but I even wonder if we can expect yearly updates since 3.80 (as it took a long time and was quite short).

 

[dronerstone]

I was going to say 2025 but I even wonder if we can expect yearly updates since 3.80 (as it took a long time and was quite short).

Yup, same here - although that might imply 3.9 could be a bigger one, or they'd skip it and shoot right for 4.0, making it "the last big step" before dropping next-gen stuff.

Crystal ball situation, I'm afraid.

 

[Lele]

Sooooo..... any clues about when 3.9 might drop?

"Soon"

Considering the latest developments, I would expect just one update this year, within this year...

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

I have a head scratcher that someone might know how to answer. I’m trying out using NAM captures on my iPhone while connected to the HX Stomp and it’s working great. I set input and output to 5/6 and change the input block to USB 5/6 on the Stomp and everything is dandy. Since it’s no D/A/D conversion or such the added latency seems low. It’s fine up to this point, and I can use the Stomp for post-FX. Awesome stuff!

What I’m wondering about is if it would be possible to utilize the other inputs and outputs plus a send/return block to add the possibility of getting some pre-FX in there as well. Has anyone explored this? I tried understanding the manual and doing some trial and error but to no avail.

So, does anyone know if it’s possible to do a digital FX-loop on a HX Stomp?

 

[EOengineer]

One thing I’d love to see in the HX ecosystem that seems like an obvious omission is an ultra low latency single channel interface with the input impedance section employed by the other HX hardware that links up with Helix Native to provide a more integrated experience.

With more and more bands going silent I could see 3 of those (2 guitars and 1 bass) units being used as an aggregate device. This also solves a DSP limit issue for those who need more than HX hardware offers.

 

[sleewell]

I stumbled on the synth o matic yesterday when I was showing my kid stuff.

It's really cool for making some noise with lots of gain, reverb, and delay

Fitting into the set at some point for sure

 

[EOengineer]

I stumbled on the synth o matic yesterday when I was showing my kid stuff.

It's really cool for making some noise with lots of gain, reverb, and delay

Fitting into the set at some point for sure

That’s so funny I was just using it on a track in a session the other day. I love the HX filters and synth stuff. Even the legacy stuff is awesome.

 

[sleewell]

Agree.

I love all the legacy stuff tbh


The only problem I run into is fitting everything into one preset. It was already pretty much maxed out so adding the synth block fit but engaging it was not possible given what was already assigned.

But I evenually found the beat possible work around by using one extra preset and I think it's going to be sweet.


The helix is such a rad piece of gear. Years later I'm still really digging it

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I still have the Line6 FM4 Filter/Synth Modeler pedal with all of those legacy Synth/Filter effects...

mainly because the octisynth speed on the real pedal goes down to 0, stopping the oscillator altogether, making for some good random noise fun when stacked with harmony fx and delays.

I don't think they're ever going to fix this behavior, as much as I've asked.

 

[BenIfin]

Sooooo..... any clues about when 3.9 might drop?

"Soon"

Considering the latest developments, I would expect just one update this year, within this year...

Just re-checked. 3.80 dropped to the public just over 3 months ago - 19 Nov 2024

I would have thought / expected (?) no more than 6 months before 3.90 (?) ... even that seems to me to be a very long time "between drinks" (?)

Also - genuinely curious Lele - not sure what you mean by "Considering the latest developments" (?)

 

[Sascha Franck]

I think that we're pretty close to EOL regarding updates.
Too bad because there's at least some things that I'd really love to see, especially regarding the Stomp, mainly better parameter order (which is really soooo annoying when editing on the unit) and an option to really switch off all capacitive functionalities of the switches (which is as annoying).

 

[ragingplatypi]

One thing I’m a little baffled by is the idea of stopping the Helix, considering Line 6 has kept the “Pod” name and concept going for almost 30 years. In watching YT videos and reading articles you see Helix referred to as a recognizable symbol for a category of products the way the Pod was for decades.

 

[Lele]

Also - genuinely curious Lele - not sure what you mean by "Considering the latest developments" (?)

I simply meant that firmware updates have become increasingly infrequent, and I think there isn't any pressing deficiencies in the current Helix that would suggest a significant boost in sales from additional updates—especially those similar to the most recent ones, which introduced only a handful of new effects, amps, and other minor enhancements.

 

[laxu]

One thing I’m a little baffled by is the idea of stopping the Helix, considering Line 6 has kept the “Pod” name and concept going for almost 30 years. In watching YT videos and reading articles you see Helix referred to as a recognizable symbol for a category of products the way the Pod was for decades.

I'd say the Line6 name already has a good amount of prestige to it.

To me it makes sense to differentiate from the Helix name by not calling their next thing "Helix 2: Electric Boogaloo" but something new, to show that it is the new thing. People still think Helix is old simply because Line6 doesn't make a lot of noise about their modeling updates.

The POD name was already ruined by POD -> POD 2.0 -> POD HD -> POD XT -> POD X3 etc. where it became hard to track what is the latest and greatest when Line6 seemingly put out a new derivative product every year. Now it's basically for "lesser" Helix derivatives.

 

[pablo retamal]

I simply meant that firmware updates have become increasingly infrequent, and I think there isn't any pressing deficiencies in the current Helix that would suggest a significant boost in sales from additional updates—especially those similar to the most recent ones, which introduced only a handful of new effects, amps, and other minor enhancements.

Only last year the pattern of 2 updates per year was broken

 

[BenIfin]

Re:- HX Stomp Outputs.

The HX Stomp Manual says this about the Outputs:-

" ... OUTPUT L/MONO, RIGHT These 1/4" outputs can accommodate either unbalanced TS cables to connect to your guitar amp or other pedals or balanced TRS cables to connect to your mixing console or studio monitors. When connecting to a mono pedal or single amp, connect only the L/MONO 1/4" jack. ... "

So 3 quick questions

a => are these actually proper - true fully balanced outs (?) so I can just use a TRS 1/4" to TRS XLR Plug ?

or

b => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator needed / recommended ?

or

c => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator **only** needed / recommended if I am going 1/4" TS to TRS XLR ?

 

[ragingplatypi]

Re:- HX Stomp Outputs.

The HX Stomp Manual says this about the Outputs:-

" ... OUTPUT L/MONO, RIGHT These 1/4" outputs can accommodate either unbalanced TS cables to connect to your guitar amp or other pedals or balanced TRS cables to connect to your mixing console or studio monitors. When connecting to a mono pedal or single amp, connect only the L/MONO 1/4" jack. ... "

So 3 quick questions

a => are these actually proper - true fully balanced outs (?) so I can just use a TRS 1/4" to TRS XLR Plug ?

or

b => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator needed / recommended ?

or

c => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator **only** needed / recommended if I am going 1/4" TS to TRS XLR ?

It’s balanced. I use TRS 1/4" to TRS XLR Plug. Works great.

 

[DieSchmalle]

Re:- HX Stomp Outputs.

The HX Stomp Manual says this about the Outputs:-

" ... OUTPUT L/MONO, RIGHT These 1/4" outputs can accommodate either unbalanced TS cables to connect to your guitar amp or other pedals or balanced TRS cables to connect to your mixing console or studio monitors. When connecting to a mono pedal or single amp, connect only the L/MONO 1/4" jack. ... "

So 3 quick questions

a => are these actually proper - true fully balanced outs (?) so I can just use a TRS 1/4" to TRS XLR Plug ?

or

b => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator needed / recommended ?

or

c => is something like Radial Highline Passive Isolator **only** needed / recommended if I am going 1/4" TS to TRS XLR ?

I guess the answer is (c).

HX 1/4" outs are impedance balanced which isn't "true fully" balanced in the sence that there is only a signal on the tip, but not an inverted one on the ring. The ring contact however has the same transmission impedance as the tip ~300 Ohm.

Balanced is not to be confused with isolated. Isolated usually means there is a transformer that uses a magnetic field to transmit the signal between two isolated devices (electrons can't travel from one device to the other). Balanced means that there are two connections to transmit the signal that aren't ground. In the case of a TRS connection those are tip and ring, the sleeve (ground) is not needed for transmission and can be disconnected if the two devices have different grounds (the difference between the grounds is an alternating voltage that is a noise signal).
DI boxes can provide isolated signal transmission and a balanced output.

 

[Lysander]

HX 1/4" outs are impedance balanced which isn't "true fully" balanced in the sence that there is only a signal on the tip, but not an inverted one on the ring. The ring contact however has the same transmission impedance as the tip ~300 Ohm.

Note that impedance-balanced connections do differential output just fine - the caveat is that only the hot wire carries the full signal. Which is still being transmitted differentially, in a way which ensures compatibility with unbalanced inputs. Meaning, HX Stomp will do common-mode RF rejection just like a "normal" XLR on its balanced outputs.

Impedance-balanced outputs are still susceptible to grounding issues thou, which is where an isolation box comes into play.