Manual

19
Dynamic DSP
Like nearly all modern audio processors, the Helix 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.
With Helix, we feel it's important to let you keep adding whatever you want to your
tone, even if you may eventually run out of DSP.
That said, there are some rules governing the number of certain types of blocks you
can add to a preset:
Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp blocks
Any combination, up to four (two per path)
Cab blocks (includes Amp+Cab
blocks)
Up to four (two per path; Cab > Dual blocks
are considered two)
Impulse Response blocks
Up to four 1024-point IRs (two per path) or
two 2048-point IRs (one per path)
Looper block
One
To see which models can be added to the current path, press the
joystick to open the Model List.
Grayed out items cannot be accommodated and are skipped over - See "Selecting
Blocks/Adjusting Parameters":
Modulation Chorus
ToneDepthPredelaySpeed WavShape
50%0.0Triangle5.02.02.5
Mix
Mono
S
tere
o
Optical Trem
60s Bias Trem
S
cr
i
pt Mo
d
P
h
as
e
U
bi
qu
i
tous V
ibe
Gray Flanger
Harmon
i
c F
l
ange
r
Courtesan Flange
Chorus
None
Distortion
Dynamics
EQ
Modulation
Delay
R
ever
b
P
i
tc
h
/Synt
h
Tips to Optimize DSP
• Some block types use much more DSP than others, such as amps, cabs, IRs,
and pitch shifters. Not surprisingly, the Amp+Cab block uses the most. EQ,
Dynamics, Volume/Pan, and Send/Return blocks use relatively little
• Some models may use more DSP than others in the same category. This is
especially true with amp models
• If you run out of DSP on Path 1, route it to Path 2 for more horsepower. If you
plan on creating tones with two or more amps and more than a handful of ef-
fects, use both paths
• Instead of a parallel path with two Amp+Cab blocks or two separate Amps
and Cabs, try adding a single Amp block followed by a single Cab > Dual block
(mixing two dierent Cabs can provide some substantial variations)
• The stereo version of an eects block will use roughly twice as much DSP as a
mono version of the same block. Likewise, the dual version of a cab block will
use roughly twice as much DSP as the single version
• Some model categories have “Simple” blocks, which utilize less DSP than
others
Block Order and Stereo Imaging
Most of the Helix eects models have both mono and stereo versions. A stereo block
displays after its model name in the inspector. The stereo imaging—or how wide
your tone appears with stereo speakers or headphones—is highly dependent on the
type of blocks you add and in what order.
Keep the following things in mind when building tones:
• All Amp+Cab, Amp, and Preamp blocks are mono, so any stereo signal sent
into these will be collapsed to mono. As such, it’s a good idea to add only
mono blocks before amps and preamps
• Adding a mono eects block will collapse any preceding stereo blocks on the
same path to mono
• If you’re only ever connecting Helix to the front of a single guitar amp or PA/
FRFR speaker, there may be no need to use stereo models at all (except, of
course, for models that are only oered as stereo!)
What is Variax?
Line 6 Variax guitars feature special electronics that model the sound of other specic
guitars and instruments, as well as allow for instant retuning of each string. Helix and
Variax work together in powerful and exible ways. You can:
• Store Variax model, tuning, and/or volume and tone knob positions with a
Helix preset and recall them instantly
• Turn the Variax volume and/or tone knobs to remotely control one or more
Helix amp and eects parameters. You could almost think of them as EXP 4
and EXP 5
• Split Variax modeled and magnetic signals, process them separately through
independent signal paths, and either mix them together or route them to dif-
ferent Helix outputs