Application PILOT'S GUIDE A guide to the features and functionality of the Line 6 Helix application Rev. B. For use with Helix Devices with Firmware v2.00 ©2016 Line 6, Inc.
Contents Bypass Assign Panel Workflow 2 Creating a Bypass Assignment Switch LED Color Customizing a Scribble Strip Label 11 11 11 Controller Assign Panel 12 Creating a Controller Assignment Customizing a Scribble Strip Label 12 12 Command Center Panel 13 What’s in it for me? Workflow Overview Computer Connectivity Preset Compatibility 2 2 2 2 GUI Overview 3 Application Menus 3 Creating a Command Center Assignment Customizing a Scribble Strip Label Presets Panel 4 Globa
Workflow Computer Connectivity To put the Helix application to work, connect your Helix device to your computer’s USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port to establish two-way communication. If on Windows®, be sure to have the latest Helix Driver installed. You can download this at http://line6.com/software/, or simply choose to install the driver when you install the Helix application. Exit any other Line 6 applications that may be running. With your Helix device powered on, launch the Helix application.
GUI Overview Application Menus Above the main application window you'll find the familiar menu bar. To follow are descriptions of the included application menu commands for Mac® and Windows®. The Helix application has a very simple, easy-to-use interface. When connected, your Helix device is displayed at the top left with its current firmware version listed.
Presets Panel To open a Helix preset file, it is recommended to select an empty preset location (such as a "New Preset" within a User setlist) and click the Import button. A brief dialog will inform you that importing will overwrite any preset information in the selected location. Click Yes to continue. A system window will display a file browser for selecting the preset you wish to import. The preset will now reside on your Helix device in the selected location.
Changing Setlists To change the active setlist shown in the PRESETS list, click on the Setlist combo-box control. The currently-selected setlist will be indicated with an “open folder” icon. Renaming Setlists To rename the current setlist, Right-Click/Ctrl+Click on the setlist name within the Setlist combo-box control list.
Impulses Panel To import an IR to an index, first select the desired index location in the application's IMPULSES list and click Import. Continue through the Open window to select the desired .wav file you wish to load onto your Helix device. The IMPULSES panel provides a list of all impulse response files (along with their respective ID numbers in the left column) that currently reside on your Helix device. By default, IRs are saved to: To export an IR, click Export to display the Save As dialog.
Editor Window The EDITOR window is where you'll see the signal flow for your currently-loaded preset, appearing much like the screen on your Helix device. If you have not already done so, be sure to read through the in-depth information in the Helix User Manual to get an understanding of the features we'll be covering in the following sections.
Configuring & Managing Snapshots NOTE: Remember that you'll need to Save before switching to another preset to retain your edited snapshot settings within the current preset! The snapshot that is in use when you save your preset is the one that is recalled when the preset is loaded again.
Home Panel To toggle the bypass of any block, click the Bypass toggle button that appears above the block when hovering over it, or select the block and hit your spacebar. Alternatively, a Model Bypass button also appears for the selected block in the lower panel display. The Home panel is likely where you'll spend the most time, since it provides access to all aspects of your preset's signal flow at the top, and displays all editable parameters for the currently-selected block at the bottom.
Editing Model Parameters As you've likely discovered by now, there are several types of blocks that can be utilized in any preset: Amp, Preamp, Cab, Impulse, Effect, Looper, Split, and Merge. Once added to your tone, simply click on any block to select it, and then you'll be able to choose the desired model type and tweak its parameters in the lower display pane of the Home panel. To follow are a few editing tips (also see "Keyboard Shortcuts").
Bypass Assign Panel Bypass Assignments for Multiple Blocks For the Helix hardware, you can only assign the bypass toggle of a particular block to one footswitch at a time. But it is possible to assign the bypass function for multiple blocks to one, common footswitch.
Controller Assign Panel Minimum Value & Maximum Value Use the Minimum Value & Maximum Value sliders to set the range of control. For example, if assigning to an Exp. Pedal, the Min. Value would be your "heel down" value, and the Max. Value would be the "toe down" value. If assigning to a footswitch, toggling the switch would choose between your Min. & Max. values.
Command Center Panel You'll see a turquoise triangle above the control items here indicating those that include an assignment. To remove an existing assignment, simply select the control item again within the Control Selector and choose None from the Controller menu. This panel offers the options found within the Menu - Command Center screen of your Helix device, allowing you to create MIDI & CV output assignments to remotely control other gear.
To store your assignment settings within a snapshot, simply select the desired snapshot number from the Snapshots combo-box at the top of the EDITOR window, and then edit the eligible values of your existing Control Center assignments that you wish to be stored within it. (Also see "Configuring & Managing Snapshots" on page 8.
Global EQ Panel Adjusting Global EQ Parameters The GLOBAL EQ panel offers two panes in which you can view & adjust its settings. The EQ processing is active whenever its Bypass button is set to "On" in this panel (or via your device's Bypass button when viewing its Global EQ screen). The GLOBAL EQ Panel offers a large graphical interface for the Helix device's Global EQ (which is found from your hardware's Menu button and selecting Global EQ).
Keyboard Shortcuts The following keyboard shortcuts are available to speed up tasks when working in the Helix application. Where indicated, some shortcuts require that "focus" be placed on a panel or specific control to be able to trigger its function. To place focus within the desired tabbed panel, either click within the panel, press your Tab key to cycle focus between the LIBRARIAN & EDITOR windows, or select the desired panel from the application's Window menu.
Keyboard Shortcuts Mac® Windows® or or or or or + or + + + + or LIBRARIAN Window Function (Requires focus within Librarian) EDITOR Window Function (Requires focus within Editor) Navigates next/previous preset or impulse Navigates items in any expanded menu Navigates up/down to select blocks within signal flow Navigates items in any expanded menu No function Navigates left/right to select blocks within signal flow Loads currently-selected preset in PRESETS list, or currently-selected item wi
Keyboard Shortcuts Mac® Windows® LIBRARIAN Window Function (Requires focus within Librarian) EDITOR Window Function (Requires focus within Editor) To Rename the selected preset or IR in the Librarian list No function No function Copy the currently loaded snapshot to the clipboard No function Paste the copied snapshot (clipboard contents) to the currently loaded snapshot No function Rename currently loaded snapshot Click on any preset or IR for context menu options (Copy, Paste, Import, etc.
Application Preferences It is possible to configure a few application preferences, if desired. To get there on Mac®, select Helix > Preferences from the application's main menu. On Windows®, select File > Preferences. Preset Numbering Format Presets in Helix can be numbered as bank numbers & letters or by 000-127 (corresponding to MIDI) depending on which is more convenient for you. This setting will also sync or modify the Helix device's setting.
Line 6 Updater & Additional Resources Click the Update button for the desired firmware version. The release notes are shown before continuing with the update process. Click Accept and accept the terms and conditions to start the update process. There may be some instructions displayed before update begins. Be sure to read the prompts carefully and Line 6 Updater will assist you in performing the update in minutes.
