Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Floor Processor

Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects Floor Processor

Helix® Floor leverages dual-SHARC® processing and HX® Modelling to deliver the authentic sound and feel of analog amps and effects, and its player-friendly interface sets the standard for ease of use. Features include a large colour LCD, capacitive-touch footswitches, customizable scribble strips, extensive analog and digital I/O, and an onboard expression pedal.

AUTHENTIC TONE
The dual-SHARC audio engine in Helix products accurately recreates the sonic characteristics and dynamic playing response of classic and modern amplifiers and effects.

HX CABS/IMPULSE RESPONSES
Helix cabinet models offer a choice of 12 microphone types that may be positioned at various distances from the speaker cone and cabinet for additional flexibility. Third-party impulse responses may also be loaded.

COMPONENT MODELING
Each stage of an amp’s circuitry is measured and the results matched to the original during the modelling process, ensuring realistic sound and an authentic playing experience.

BEHAVIORAL MODELING
HX Modelling technology captures the unique behaviour of analog effects devices by measuring their individual components, resulting in authentic recreations of even notoriously difficult-to-model effects such as germanium fuzz and “bucket-brigade” analog delay pedals.

INTERACTION
Helix family products feature an intuitive interface that replaces unwieldy menu diving with straightforward interaction.

FOUR STEREO SIGNAL PATHS
Helix processors feature four stereo signal paths, enabling the creation of sophisticated presets with numerous effect and other blocks. The signal paths may also be configured independently, making it possible to process up to four instruments simultaneously, and presets using only two paths can support true Preset Spill over.

SNAPSHOTS
Snapshots enable you to create up to eight variations within a single preset and seamlessly transition between them, without the audio dropouts that occur when switching between presets.

COMMAND CENTER
Helix processors can serve as the command center for any rig. They can send up to six MIDI commands at preset or snapshot recall, and dedicated relays enable external amp switching. External expression pedals and footswitches may also be connected for additional control.

SCRIBBLE STRIPS
Thirteen of the Helix Floor footswitches have associated scribble strips that display their current assignments. The footswitch LED colour and scribble strip label may even be customized. If more than one block or parameter is assigned to a single footswitch, the scribble strip may read “MULTIPLE (X)," where X is the number of assignments.

CAPACITIVE-TOUCH FOOTSWITCHES
Simply touch a footswitch to instantly jump to any block and quickly adjust a parameter or assign controllers. Color-coded LED rings convey footswitch assignments and status at-a-glance.

EXPRESSION PEDAL
The built-in expression pedal controls volume, wah, or any parameter or combination of parameters. Hands-free Pedal Edit mode lets you edit any block parameter using your feet.

HX EDIT
The free HX Edit software features the same intuitive user interface as Helix processors. Create complex signal chains with ease, adjust settings and parameters using dedicated sliders, customize footswitch labels, and much more.

HELIX NATIVE
The Helix Native plugin brings the power of Helix to any digital audio workstation. Preset compatibility across the Helix family allows presets created in the studio using Helix Native to be transferred to Helix hardware processors for live performance—and vice versa. Registered Helix and HX product owners receive a substantial discount on Helix Native.

VARIAX CONTROL
Helix processors support 2-way Variax® guitar integration when the two are connected using the Variax Digital Interface (VDI). Toggle between two instrument models with a footswitch, control Helix amp and effects parameters using the controls on your Variax guitar, change string tunings when switching presets or snapshots, and much more.

POWERCAB
The Powercab® family comprises the Powercab 112, Powercab 112 Plus, and Powercab 212 Plus active guitar speaker systems—all of which provide an authentic “amp-in-the-room” playing experience when paired with Helix amp and effects processors. Powercab Plus integration with Helix via L6 LINK™ is especially powerful, transmitting multiple audio signals and command data over a single cable.

Features:

• Save - Press to rename or save changes made to the preset. Press twice to quick save.
• Menu - Press to go deeper into Helix Floor. You'll find Command Center, Global EQ, Global Settings, and other menus.
• Preset - Turn to select presets. Press to open the Setlist view, where you can access up to 1,024 preset locations.
• Home - If you ever get lost press this button to return to the Home screen. Press again to toggle between traditional Signal Flow view (shown) and Performance view.
• Amp - Press to quickly jump to the tone stack parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) of any Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp models in the current preset. If your preset has more than one of these types of block, press multiple times to cycle through all tone stacks.
• Main Display - This large colour LCD is your window into the power of Helix Floor. Most functions may be selected and edited without any menu diving.
• Bypass - Press to turn the selected block on and off.
• Action - Press 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.
• 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.
• Page - If the selected block or item has more than one page of parameters, the center inspector line will display a thin coloured scroll bar. Press < Page or Page > to view more parameters.
• Volume - Turn to control the main output volume.
• Phones - Turn to control the headphone volume (Phones output).
• Knobs 1-6 - Turn one of the six knobs below the main display to adjust the value of the parameter above it. Press the knob to reset the parameter value. If a rectangular button appears above a knob, press that knob to engage its function. Press and hold the knob to quickly jump to the Controller Assign page for that parameter.
• Scribble Strips - Thirteen of the Helix Floor footswitches have associated scribble strips that display their current assignments and the footswitch LED colour and scribble strip label may even be customized. If more than one block or parameter is assigned to a single footswitch, the scribble strip may read “MULTIPLE (X)," where X is the number of assignments.
• Up/Down Switches - Press FS1 or FS7 to select the next or previous bank of presets. Press FS1 and FS7 simultaneously to enter Snapshot footswitch mode. Press and hold both FS1 and FS7 to cycle through Bank, Preset, and Snapshot Up/Down.
• Stomp Switches - While in Stomp footswitch mode, press a footswitch to toggle its block(s) on and off. Touch a footswitch to select its assigned block or item. Touch it repeatedly to cycle through multiple assigned items. Press and hold the footswitch to assign it to the selected block. Press and hold two footswitches to swap all of their assignments.
• Preset Switches - While in Preset footswitch mode, press a footswitch to select a preset.
• Preset Stomp Switch - Press FS6 to toggle between Preset and Stomp footswitch modes. Press and hold it to enter Pedal Edit mode, enabling you to edit blocks with your feet even while playing.
• Tap/Tuner Switch - Press two or more times to tap in the BPM (beats per minute) of any tempo-based effects such as delay or modulation. Press and hold for one second to open the Tuner.
• Expression Pedal 1 (and 2) - The onboard expression pedal controls volume, wah, or any assigned parameter or parameters. Hands-free Pedal Edit mode allows you to edit any block parameter with your feet (LEDs indicate which block/parameter is active).
• Exp 2 and 3 - Up to two optional expression pedals can be connected to Helix Floor and assigned to control nearly any parameter or combination of parameters.
• Ext Amp ½ - Connect a traditional amp using a TS or TRS (1=tip, 2=ring) cable to switch amp channels and/or engage the amp’s reverb, tremolo, or other onboard effect.
• CV/Expression Out - Connect to the expression pedal input on stomp boxes or the CV (Control Voltage) input on vintage pedals or synths.
• Guitar In - Connect your primary instrument here. The input impedance and a selectable pad are digitally controlled.
• Aux In - Connect a secondary guitar or bass with active pickups here.
• Mic In - Connect a microphone here to process vocals or record to your computer via USB. This XLR jack provides switchable 48V phantom power for microphones that require it (condensers and some ribbons). A variable low-cut filter is also provided.
• Sends/Returns 1-4" - These 1/4" inputs and outputs can be used as standard effects loops for inserting pedals and other external devices into your signal chain, or as additional inputs and outputs for connecting keyboards, drum machines, mixers, and other gear. Helix Floor can process up to four musicians/instruments simultaneously (in stereo), with discrete inputs and outputs.
• Ground Lift Switch - Press to eliminate hum and buzzing due to ground loops.
• XLR Outs - Use XLR cables to connect to gear with balanced inputs, such as PA mixers, powered FRFR or PA speakers, and professional studio gear. When connecting in mono use only the Left/Mono XLR jack.
• 1/4" Outs - Use unbalanced (TS) 1/4" cables to connect to your amplifier, FRFR speaker(s), studio monitors, or other playback system. When using a single amp or speaker, connect only the Left/Mono 1/4" jack.
• Phones Out - Connect stereo headphones here and use the Phones knob to adjust the volume.
• Variax Input - Connecting a Line 6® Variax guitar to this input provides power to the guitar and facilitates remote effects control, instant preset recall, and digital audio transmission.
• MIDI In, Out/Thru - Connect Helix Floor to your MIDI gear. Helix Floor sends and receives Program Change, Continuous Controller, and other MIDI messages.
• S/PDIF In/Out - Connect Helix Floor to consumer digital equipment using S/PDIF (75-ohm RCA) cables.
• AES/EBU, L6 LINK - L6 LINK provides easy and optimal digital audio connectivity between Helix Floor and Line 6 Powercab Plus active guitar speaker systems. Connect Helix Floor to professional digital equipment using an AES/EBU (110-ohm XLR) cable.
• USB - Helix Floor functions as a multi-channel 24-bit/96kHz audio interface for Mac® and PC, with DI, re-amping and MIDI capabilities built in. Helix Floor can also record to an Apple® iPad® (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit).
• AC In - Connect Helix Floor to a grounded AC power outlet.
• Power Switch - Just in case you ever stop playing for more than a few hours.