2.10 OWNER’S MANUAL 90-20-0451 - B (For use with Helix LT Firmware 2.10) 0•1 ©2016 Line 6, Inc.
Contents The Blocks 4 What’s In the Box? 4 Top Panel Back Panel Home > Signal Flow View Home > Performance View Quick Start 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 Clea
Please Note: Line 6, POD Farm, 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.
Welcome to Helix LT Block Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as amps, cabs, effects, splits, loopers, inputs, outputs, and impulse responses. Path A path represents the signal flow of your tone. Helix has two separate Thank you for purchasing a Helix™ LT multi-effects pedal, 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.
Top Panel LT 3 4 SAVE 16B Dream Rig Duet 1 8 9 BYPASS ACTION VOLUME EXP 1 PRESET 2 12 7 1 EXP 2 13 Delay Harmony Delay VIEW 1/8 [37%] D Minor 40% 0.
1. Main Display This large color LCD is your window into the power of Helix LT. 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. 2. PRESET Turn this knob to select a preset. Press the knob to open the Setlist menu. See "Selecting Presets and Setlists" 12. VOLUME Turn this knob to control the main output and headphones volume. 3. SAVE Press this button to rename and save changes to a preset. 4.
Back Panel LT EXP PEDAL 2 GUITAR IN RETURN EXT AMP 1 16 SEND 2 17 1 18 XLR OUT LEFT/MONO 2 PHONES VARIAX PUSH LEFT/MONO GND LIFT 19 1/4” OUT RIGHT 20 MIDI IN RIGHT 21 16. EXP PEDAL 2/EXT AMP An additional expression pedal can be connected to DIGITAL OUT AES/EBU | L6 LINK 22 23 24 USB POWER 28 OUT/THRU 25 26 27 22. PHONES Out (12Ω) Connect stereo headphones here; turn the VOLUME knob Helix LT and assigned to adjust a wide variety of parameters.
Home > Signal Flow View 90% of your daily tone building is accomplished from the Home > Signal Flow screen. Press at any time to return to the Home > Signal Flow screen. If you don't see something similar to the illustration below, press Select an input block and turn the joystick to set the input source.
Home > Performance View Performance view displays assignments of the middle eight footswitches, so you know exactly what you're stomping on in the heat of battle. Press to toggle between the Home > Signal Flow and Home > Performance views. NOTE: The footswitch layout below is not typical; normally you would press the MODE switch to toggle between Preset (8 presets) and Stomp (up to 8 stomps) footswitch modes.
Quick Start 4. Press to open the Menu. 5. Press Knob 6 (Global Settings). The Global Settings screen appears: Global Settings Setting Proper Output Levels 1. Make sure the VOLUME knob is turned down. Firmware Version 2.10.0 Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays Ins/Outs 2. Connect a guitar to the GUITAR IN jack. Off Line Line Instrument Instrument 0.0dB Guitar In Pad 1/4” Outputs XLR Outputs Send/ Return 1 Send/ Return 2 USB In 1/2 Trim 6.
Selecting Presets and Setlists 4. Press to return to the Home screen. You should see something like this: 1. Turn PRESET to select presets within the current setlist. 01A Quick Start Helix LT 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. 1 2.
Stomp Footswitch Mode Snapshot Footswitch Mode While in Stomp mode, each of the middle eight footswitches can do a number of things: Similar to the snapshots feature in some high end digital mixers, each of the eight snapshots in Helix LT stores and recalls the state of certain elements in the current preset, including: • • • • Toggle one or more blocks on and off Toggle between two values of one or more parameters • All of the above, even simultaneously • Generate a MIDI or External Amp control
Looper Footswitch Mode NOTE: If you press while loop playback is stopped, this will always record a new loop, and any previous recording will be discarded. A third footswitch mode—Looper mode—is only available if a Looper block has been assigned to a footswitch in Stomp mode. Nearly all factory presets have a Looper block assigned to a footswitch, but your custom presets may not. Looper Type Max.
Selecting Blocks/Adjusting Parameters 2. Press the footswitch displaying the block you want to edit. The block's first page of parameters appear at FS1—FS6. 16B Dream Rig Duet Mode BACK Peak Gain Range Drive A B C D VALUE– VALUE+ EXIT PAGE PAGE Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as amps, cabs, effects, splits, loopers, and even inputs and outputs. 1 Mix 1.
Bypassing a Block 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. 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. Turn the joystick (or move it up and down) to select items in a list.
Choosing an Input 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. From the Home > Signal View screen, move the joystick left to select an Input block and turn the joystick. TIP: To view a list of available outputs, press the joystick. Normally you should select “Multi,” which includes two simultaneous inputs: Guitar and Variax. Moving Blocks 1.
Saving/Naming a Preset 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" 1.
Serial vs. Parallel Routing ...or maybe a single Amp block splitting into two separate Cab blocks... 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: ...or two separate Amp and two separate Cab blocks... For more sophisticated tones, a parallel (two stereo paths) signal flow can be created.
Moving Split & Merge Blocks for More Parallel Routings 1 into 2 Move the Merge block down to path B. The Merge block shifts right and a duplicate Output block is created: 1. Use the joystick to select the point where paths A and B split or merge. "Split" and "Merge" blocks only appear when selected, but can be adjusted and moved like any other processing block. In this example, the Input block is split to paths A and B, each with its own Output block.
Dynamic DSP Super Serial A serial path has eight processing block locations. If that’s not enough, you can use parallel path B to create one big “super serial” path. Like nearly all modern audio processors, the Helix LT engine is based on DSP (Digital Signal Processing). Some models require many times more DSP horsepower than others, so it makes logical sense that fewer of those models could exist in a tone. To work around this, some processors restrict you to one amp, one reverb, one delay, etc.
What is Variax? Tips to Optimize DSP • • • • • • • Each of the two primary paths utilizes its own DSP. If all of your blocks are on paths 1A and 1B, you're only using half of the available horsepower! If you plan on creating tones with two or more amps and more than a handful of effects, expect to use both paths 1 and 2 Line 6 Variax guitars feature special electronics that model the sound of other specific guitars and instruments, as well as allow for instant retuning of each string.
The Blocks Input > Multi and Input > Guitar blocks have an additional Guitar In-Z parameter. Helix LT has an impedance circuit on its Guitar Input that affects tone and feel by loading your guitar's pickups as they would by an effect pedal or amplifier. A lower value will typically result in some high frequency attenuation, lower gain, and an overall "softer" feel. A higher value provides full frequency response, higher gain, and an overall "tighter" feel.
Output L6 LINK Output Alternatively, the digital XLR connector can be used for L6 LINK output (use of a 110Ω XLR cable is recommended). L6 LINK provides easy digital audio connectivity between Helix LT and Line 6 StageSource speakers and/or DT-Series amplifiers. Two StageSource speakers or DT amps can also be connected in series via L6 LINK and your stereo Helix LT signal is intelligently split, with the left channel going to the first StageSource or DT and the right channel to the second.
Effects Dynamics Models Many Helix LT effects blocks can be either mono or stereo. Stereo effects display after the model name. Select an effects block and turn the joystick to change its model.
Modulation Models Reverb Models Model Subcategories Based On* Model Subcategory Based On* Chorus Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Plate Stereo Line 6 Original 70s Chorus Mono, Stereo BOSS CE-1 Room Stereo Line 6 Original Line 6 Original ® Trinity Chorus Stereo DyTronics Tri-Stereo Chorus Chamber Stereo Bubble Vibrato Mono, Stereo BOSS® VB-2 Vibrato Hall Stereo Line 6 Original Vibe Rotary Stereo Fender Vibratone Echo Stereo Line 6 Original 122 Rotary Stereo Leslie 122 Til
Wah Models Parameter Description Rate Adjusts the rate of the effect, with higher settings providing faster rates. Press the knob to toggle between numeric and note values. Not all Rate parameters can be synced to note values, as they may be non-linear and highly interactive. Time Adjusts the delay/repeat time, with higher settings providing longer delays. Press the knob to toggle between ms and note values.
Amp+Cab Amp Models Amp+Cab blocks are convenient in that when you select an Amp model, its matching Cab model is automatically loaded. To change the amp model in an Amp+Cab block, press until the cab icon is white and turn the joystick. The first page of Amp+Cab parameters is called the tonestack, and represents the knobs you would see on the real amp's panel: Amp+Cab Stone Age 185 3.4 2.5 5.0 3.4 2.
Tonestack and deeper amp parameters found on subsequent pages may differ depending on the amp model selected.
Cab Cab Models Model There are two subcategories of Cab blocks—Single and Dual. Not surprisingly, dual Cabs take twice as much DSP as single Cabs. To change the first cab model in a Cab > Dual block, press until the right cab icon is white and turn the joystick.
Impulse Response (IR) Mic Models Model Based On* 414 Cond AKG® C414 TLII 84 Cond Neumann® KM84 67 Cond Neumann® U67 87 Cond Neumann® U87 47 Cond Neumann® U47 112 Dynamic AKG® D112 12 Dynamic AKG® D12 7 Dynamic Shure® SM7 Impulse Responses are mathematical functions representing the sonic measurements of specific audio systems (for Helix LT, speaker cabinet and microphone combinations). Helix can load and store up to 128 custom or third-party IRs at a time.
Impulse Response Settings Send Settings Knob Parameter Knob Parameter 1 IR Select 2 Low Cut 3 High Cut 4 5 Mix Level Description Selects one of the 128 available IR locations. If a location contains an IR, the inspector header displays its name; otherwise, it reads "." Filters a portion of the IR's bass and/or treble frequencies, which can help remove rumble and/or high-end harshness. Description 1 Send Adjusts the level sent to your external devices.
Looper Split > A/B Settings The signal can be sent in different amounts to Paths A (upper) and B (lower). Helix LT can add one mono or stereo Looper block per preset. Knob Parameter 1 The Looper can exist anywhere on either Path 1 or Path 2. Also see "Looper Footswitch Mode" Route To Description Determines the amount of the signal sent to Path A vs. Path B. Press the knob to set to Even Split.
U.S. Registered Trademarks * All product names used within this owner's manual are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Line 6. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Line 6’s sound model development. 5150 is a registered trademark of ELVH Inc. LA-2A and Teletronix are registered trademarks of Universal Audio, Inc.
Tuner 2. Pluck an individual string on your guitar. 1. Hold the TAP footswitch until the Tuner screen appears: 3. To exit the Tuner, step on any footswitch. –3 –50 B When a box left of center is lit red, your string is flat. When a box right of center is lit red, your string is sharp. When the center box on the lower row is lit green, the top row of smaller bars can be used for more precision. When both arrows are illuminated, your string is perfectly in tune. All tuner settings are global.
Snapshots • 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") Depending on how you set them up, snapshots can act as eight variations of the same tone, eight drastically different tones, or any combination thereof—all within the same preset. In many cases, a single preset's snapshots may accommodate all the various tones required for a song. In the upper right corner of the LCD you'll see a camera icon.
Snapshots > Parameter Control The parameter's value appears white and in brackets, indicating a controller's assigned to it—in this case, the Snapshots controller: In addition, parameters can be set to jump to specific values with each snapshot. [37%] Here’s an example where seven parameters (out of a possible 64) are updated instantly with each snapshot: Snapshot Variax Model Amp Gain Delay Mix Split A/B Pitch 1 INTRO Spank-1 4.5 35% Path A 100 0 #27 -7.2dB 2 VERSE Spank-1 4.
Snapshots > Command Center Using Snapshots Snapshots also store and recall the following MIDI and Ext Amp messages sent to external devices from the Command Center: Okay, sick of reading and ready to jump into snapshots? Here we go... • • • The value of any Instant 1. Press BANK and BANK footswitch mode.
5. Press Knob 6 (OK). NOTE: If you've changed "Global Settings > Preferences" > Snapshot Edits to "Discard," you must save the preset before selecting a different snapshot; otherwise any edits will be discarded! Swapping Snapshots Copying/Pasting a Snapshot 1. Touch (but don't press) the two snapshot switches you want to swap until the following dialog appears: Instead of creating a new snapshot from scratch, you may want to copy an existing one to another snapshot location and tweak just a few things.
Determining Snapshot Edit Behavior SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE]. Say you’re on Snapshot 2 (VERSE) and you change a few things—switch a delay block on, switch a mod block off, tweak an Amp’s Gain parameter from your Variax’s Tone knob, etc.
Arranging Preset, Snapshot, and Stomp Switches 1. Press Tips for Creative Snapshot Use • and then Knob 6 (Global Settings). • 2. Move the joystick to select the Footswitches submenu. Global Settings Ins/Outs • Firmware Version 2.10.0 Preferences • MIDI/Tempo • Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays • Footswitches On Touch Select 8 Presets Auto Return Preset Mode Snapshot Mode Switches Switches Banks • Up/Down Switches • 3.
Bypass Assign Manual Bypass Assign A Stomp mode footswitch is the most obvious method for turning blocks on and off, but Helix LT can also engage or bypass a block automatically when moving an expression pedal or the Volume or Tone knob on a Variax guitar. For example, moving EXP 1 forward past the heel down position can enable a wah or Pitch Wham block and returning EXP 1 to the heel position will bypass it again.
EXP Pedal Moving the expression pedal automatically enables (or bypasses) 1, 2 the block. SHORTCUT: Alternatively, press Knob 6 (Learn) and then send Helix LT a MIDI CC message. The message is automatically selected. See "Controller Assign" for more info. Selecting EXP Pedal 1 or 2 displays Knob 2 (Position) and Knob 3 (Wait). Position determines where in the expression pedal's travel the block is enabled or bypassed. 0% is heel down; 99% is toe down.
Customizing a Footswitch Color Tips for Creative Bypass Assignment • 1. From the Customize screen, turn Knob 5 (Switch LED) to select the desired color (or turn it off). • Normally, you should leave this set to "Auto Color." 2. Press Knob 1 (Cancel) or to exit.
Controller Assign 2. Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller). The button’s brain icon glows blue and the header reads “Move/use controller to learn...”: Helix LT provides a wide variety of tools for controlling your tone during a performance.
Manual Controller Assign 4. Turn Knob 1 (Parameter) to select the parameter you wish to control. The Controller Assign screen is where you manually assign parameters to be adjusted in real time by controllers. 1. Press 5. Turn Knob 2 (Controller) to select the desired controller. None Removes the controller assignment. to open the Menu. Exp Pedal 1 The most common type of controller. Used to control volume, wah, or 2 Pitch Wham, etc. 2. Press Knob 2 (Controller Assign).
Clearing a Block's Controller Assignment(s) • 1. From the Controller Assign screen, select the block whose controller assignments you want to clear and press ACTION. 2. Press Knob 1 (Clear Controllers). • Clearing All Controller Assignments • 1. From the Controller Assign screen, press ACTION. • 2. Press Knob 2 (Clear All Controllers). The following dialog appears: • Clear all controller assignments from every block? Cancel • OK • 3. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Command Center 4. Turn Knob 1 (Command) to select the type of command you wish to transmit. Not all command sources can send the same types of commands. Select "None" to remove any existing command assignment. Helix LT also just so happens to be a world-class master remote control for your entire touring or studio rig. Each of its Stomp mode footswitches and expression pedals can be used to send a variety of MIDI or External Amp commands to your guitar amps, vintage pedals, synths, or even other modelers.
Bank/Prog Knob Parameter Description Knob Parameter 2 MIDI Ch Sets the Bank/Program message's MIDI channel (1-16). When set to "Base," Helix LT follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the "Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo" page. 3 Bank CC00 Sets the CC#00 (Bank MSB) value. Select "Off" if the receiving device shouldn't respond to Bank MSB. 4 Bank CC32 Sets the CC#32 (Bank LSB) value. Select "Off" if the receiving device shouldn't respond to Bank LSB.
Copying and Pasting a Command Customizing a Command Footswitch Label 1. Select the location containing the command you wish to copy and press ACTION. 1. From the Command Center screen, select Footswitch 1-5, 7-11, or Exp Toe with a command assigned and press Knob 6 (Customize). 2. Press Knob 1 (Copy Command). The Customize screen appears: 3. Select the location to which you want to paste the command— even in a different preset—and press ACTION. Customize 16B Dream Rig+Vocals K L M 4.
Global EQ 3. Press BYPASS to turn Global EQ on and off. SHORTCUT: From the Home screen, press and hold BYPASS to turn Global EQ on and off without having to navigate to the Global EQ page. Global EQ has three fully parametric bands plus variable low and high cut filters, and is used for compensating for the wide disparity in acoustic environments on tour or when traveling from studio to studio. Global EQ is applied to all setlists and presets, and can be heard from the 1/4" outputs, XLR outputs, or both.
Global Settings Resetting All Global Settings The Global Settings menu contains additional parameters that apply to all setlists and presets, such as input and output levels, custom footswitch mode settings, etc. The upper right corner displays the current firmware version. Visit line6.com/support for information on the latest Helix LT firmware updates. 1. From any Global Settings submenu, press ACTION. 1. Press Resetting the Global Settings returns them to factory default.
Global Settings > Ins/Outs Page Knob Parameter Description 1 Guitar In Pad If your guitar or bass has active or really loud pickups, you may want to turn this on. There's really no rule; use what sounds best. 2 1/4" Outputs Choose "Instrument" when connecting the 1/4" outputs to stompboxes or the front of guitar amps; choose "Line" when connecting to mixers, studio monitors, or standalone recorders. When using a single amp or speaker, connect only the LEFT/MONO 1/4” jack.
Global Settings > Preferences Knob Parameter Description 1 Determines whether or not any edits made to a snapshot (block on/off, parameter control, Command Center, tempo) are remembered when returning to that snapshot. When set to "Recall," any snapshot edits are recalled when jumping from snapshot to snapshot, and appear as you last left them. When set to "Discard," any snapshot edits are discarded when jumping from snapshot to snapshot, and appear as the preset was last saved.
Global Settings > Footswitches Knob Parameter Description Touch Select If you don't want Helix LT to automatically select assigned blocks or items when you touch a switch top, or engage Quick Bypass Assign when you touch a switch top for 2 seconds, set this to "Off." If you play barefoot, you might want to turn this off as well. 2 Preset Mode Switches By default, Preset footswitch mode displays eight presets (four on each row).
USB Audio Helix LT functions as a USB 2.0, multiple-input/output, 24-bit - 96kHz, low-latency audio interface for Windows and Mac computers, as well as for iPad and iPhone mobile devices (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter), and is compatible with all major DAW software.
Hardware Monitoring vs. DAW Software Monitoring Global Settings 16B Dream Rig Duet Use of the default "Multi" settings for both the Input and Output blocks provides hardware monitoring, which allows you to hear your live input signal at all times, independent of your DAW software's monitor settings. Hardware monitoring can be desirable since it allows you to hear your live guitar with Helix processing added and essentially "latency-free," since the monitor signal is not routed through your DAW software.
4. Set both tracks' outputs, as well as the DAW Master output, to Helix LT USB 1/2 to allow all tracks to play back through Helix LT. USB DRY DI GUITAR RE-AMPED GUITAR NOTE: Setting the stereo track's output to Helix USB 1/2 allows you to hear your processed tone via the Helix LT hardware monitoring while recording. For this configuration, disable software monitoring on all DAW tracks. TRACK 1 (Dry DI Guitar) TRACK 2 (Processed Guitar) TRACK 3 (Re-amped Guitar) 16B Dream Rig Duet 5.
ASIO Driver Settings (Windows only) Default Bit Select the Bit Depth at which Helix LT will operate for recording Depth and playback with your DAW software. 24 bit or 32 bit are recommended for quality audio production. When using Helix LT as an audio interface for Windows DAW applications, it is highly recommended to configure the software to utilize the "ASIO" Helix driver. The Line 6 ASIO driver offers the superior, low-latency audio performance required for DAW recording.
MIDI MIDI CC Helix LT has reserved specific MIDI CC messages for global functions; these CCs cannot be used as controllers. If you attempt to learn a CC message reserved for global functions (see "Controller Assign"), the following dialog appears: NOTE: Helix LT transmits and responds to MIDI messages over USB in the same manner as via its MIDI connectors. For USB MIDI operation on Windows computers, it is necessary to download and install the Line 6 Helix ASIO driver, available from line6.com/software.
MIDI CC# Value Function 66 0-63: Full; 64-127: Half Looper Full/Half Speed switch (FS10) 67 0-63: Off; 64-127: On Looper block on/off (if available); also enters/exits Looper footswitch mode Additional Controls 0 0-7 Bank MSB 32 0-7 Bank LSB—Setlist select 64 64-127 Tap Tempo 68 0-127 Tuner screen on/off 69 0-7 Snapshot select 70 0-127 71 0-127 72 0-127 73 0-127 74 0-127 75 0-127 76 0-127 128 0-63: Oh; 64-127: Nooo Additional global MIDI commands (reserved for
