Line 6 Helix Rack Multi-Effects Guitar Processor

Line 6 Helix Rack Multi-Effects Guitar Processor

Helix® Rack 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. Helix Rack features extensive analog and digital I/O, including wordclock for syncing to studio gear. The optional Helix Control foot controller adds capacitive-touch footswitches and customizable scribble strips.

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.

SMART CONTROL
Pairing the Helix Control pedal, (sold separately), with Helix Rack lets you more easily access the processor’s full functionality. Features include 12 capacitive-touch footswitches with colored LED rings and customizable scribble strips, three expression pedal inputs, and hands-free editing when in Pedal Edit mode. No other foot-controller offers these features or merges with Helix Rack as effectively.

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.

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.

EXPRESSION PEDAL OPTIONS
Up to three optional expression pedals can be connected to Helix Rack or Helix Control and assigned to control nearly any parameter or combination of parameters.

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.

Features:

• Power Switch - Just in case you ever stop playing for more than a few hours.
• Guitar In - Connect your primary instrument here. The variable input impedance and a selectable pad are digitally controlled.
• Save - Press to rename or save changes made to the preset. Press twice to quick save.
• Menu - Press to go deeper into Helix Rack. 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 Rack. 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.
• Tap/Tuner - 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.
• Phones Out - Connect stereo headphones here and use the Phones knob to adjust the volume.
• 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 Rack 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.
• Guitar Thru (Buffered) - The signal received at the Guitar In input on the front panel passes directly to this output without A/D/A conversion.
• AC In - Connect Helix Rack to a grounded AC power outlet.
• Expression 1/2/3/Toe Switch - Up to three optional expression pedals and a toe switch can be connected to Helix Rack 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 Out - Connect to the expression pedal input on stomp boxes or the CV (Control Voltage) input on vintage pedals or synths.
• MIDI In, Out/Thru - Connect Helix Rack to your MIDI gear. Helix Rack sends and receives Program Change, Continuous Controller, and other MIDI messages.
• Helix Control - Connect Helix Rack to Helix Control via a CAT-5 (included with Helix Control) or EtherCON cable.
• 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.
• Wordclock In - To synchronize the Helix Rack digital outputs to an external wordclock source, connect the external device via a BNC cable. Engage the Terminator switch if Helix Rack is the final device in the wordclock chain.
• S/PDIF In/Out - Connect Helix Rack 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 Rack and Line 6 Powercab Plus active guitar speaker systems. Connect Helix Rack to professional digital equipment using an AES/EBU (110-ohm XLR) cable.
• USB - Helix Rack functions as a multi-channel 24-bit/96kHz audio interface for Mac® and PC, with DI, re-amping and MIDI capabilities built in. Helix Rack can also record to an Apple® iPad® (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit).