Controlling Your Amp, Pedals, and Other Gear from the Line 6 Helix 

Mr. Castellano, you have by far the best getting started with HELIX I've ever seen. I've looked for a getting started and a progressive tutorial on HELIX. Your presentation skills, the camera work on showing exactly how to cable up each end and program the HELIX is excellent. Also, your review of your cabling and programming of the HELIX from video to video before presenting new material is incredibly helpful. Also, after teaching a new cabling technique along with the HELIX programing and then repeating prior to demonstrating what you have just created is again very helpful. You are a very good presenter and teacher and obviously a SME(Subject Matter Expert). Please keep your videos coming, they have helped me immensely. Thank You !!!

Boy you've mastered this beast in no time. Not sure how many false starts I've had reading the manual and trying to make sense of Command Centre. Now with this one great video I feel like you've completely demystified it. Bravo! Great work!

Excellent content Sir! And to think you are playing with one of bands I grew up with just puts a big fat cherry on top!

I’ve seen tons of videos all over RU-vid. Yours are the most practical and explanatory!!! Great stuff!!!

Great video, really well explained. I was surprised at the end when you said you'd only had it a couple of weeks, you sounded like a Helix expert. Thanks.

Yet another very useful video! I've been scratching my head on how to set my Blackstar head up midi via Helix! Thank you 🤘

WoW! Thank you so much for a great video. Now I have a shot at tapping into the helix capabilities!

Another great Helix video. Just so you know... I bought a Helix a few weeks ago, based on all the things I have seen you doing with it. Then, last week, I traded my POD HD Pro and Short Board in on a pair of Alto TS312 cabs. I love it! I still have my old Mesa 295 stereo rack head, and a Marshall cab (split for stereo), but have not used it since getting the new gear. Please keep these videos coming!

Back again - finished watching the whole video - I have never considered MIDI before. Didn't think I would ever understand its uses. You explained that so well that I think I will now use the MIDI capabilities of some gear I have owned for a long time and haven't taken advantage of (and old Roland BR8 digital effects/recorder and a ZOOM drum machine for instance). Thanks again Richie, I'm looking forward to more of your experiences.

Thanks, Richie, for this and your previous video on Helix routing. I have seen reviews of the Helix that wax lyrical about its routing and control flexibility but I never really understood how to use that in the real world. These videos have really helped.

I have sat for weeks trying to work this out with my Carvin legacy 2 !! Nailed it this evening Thankyou man

Keep these awesome videos coming. Been using the Helix by itself and shortly a new mesa boogie tube amp arrives. You have significantly made my setup with the new amp quick and easy! Thanks for taking the time to show us these setups!

FANTASTIC detail. So glad I got a Helix. Your videos have been super helpful. Thanks for taking time to create this and share.

Your videos are great. You explain everything with such intricacy and and make it sound so easy. Also, one hell of a guitar player. Total shredder. Only problem is, I'm not smart enough to comprehend everything all at once so I have to re-reference the video 10-12 times just to take it all in. Nice work bud. I wish you could just come to my house and help me because I learn much better that way.

This video has so much information in it, and it's all so incredibly easy to do.. My Peavey JSX is not a midi amp, but I found an adapter that allows you to control the amp with a midi controller (or in my case, a helix). I'm currently waiting for delivery so I can start doing this stuff!!!

1. Using the EXT jack to switch channels on a 2 channel amp 1:31, 4:45 2. Using the MIDI out to access functions on a MIDI enabled amp 9:56 3. Remotely controlling a stomp box's expression settings with CV 18:54 4. Adding and assigning additional expression pedals 25:15 5. Triggering sequencer events via MIDI 27:56

Nice demo of controlling amps and other pedals with the Helix. Also, that Engl with the Marshall cabinet sounds really good.

Wowza, Richie, thx a LOT for these vids. I hadn't followed L6's Helix (or other floor sets), cost was beyond me, BUT, the L6 Official demo vids were boring as heck. They were on variaxes, & talking mostly about their technical challenges. Your vids are the BEST I've seen. I had a TW-TD combo, a few, myself. Great stuff if you can find 'em. And BOC! What a fantastic catalog to be performing!!! I'd LOVE to see BOC in Honolulu. Rock on, Richie!

Really well explained video Richie 🎸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again... great job! Love your Helix tutorials, man.

Thank you for making this video. This is probably the best video out there regarding control. Cheers!

Richie, another stellar video! thank you~

Hi Richie. Thank you for all of the intuitive Helix videos you've been posting. They're all very informative and helpful. Could you make a video explaining how to hook up the Line 6 L2T speaker to the Helix along with your JTV guitar & guitar amp, essentially creating the 'Dream Rig' setup?

Man that was AWESOME!

Thanks for the video, it was a big help, BUT, my setup on the 4 cable method starting at 9:56 was quite different compared to the video and I would just like to share my experience. I own an EVH Mark III 5150 50-watt. It has three channels. The first two are together while the third channel is separate with it's own volume knobs and settings. In my case setting the program number didn't matter because the only channel that the Helix would notice by default was the clean channel regardless of the program number. On my particular amp it has a "learn" mode by pressing both channel buttons. Therefore, all I had to do was pick program 0 for clean, program 1 for crunch and program 2 for high gain. I hope this helps anyone out there.

Richie it would take a scientist’s to figure this out!!

Can you assign multiple effects and midi commands to a single footswitch? Build a complex chain and have it accessed by a push of a single footswitch. You've shown every function being individually assigned to separate footswitches.

Best heilix teacher

well explained,thank you.

Awesome!! I want try this configuration, thanks for the video!

Cool video again... thumbs up.

Hi Richie, i wonder if you can grab a hx stomp and do what we can with it like you did on helix, the hx stomp family would be glad to watch it and learn from you mate! Cheers! Keep coming!

Hands down the best and most informative Helix video I've seen so far. Thanks Richie! I have 3 questions: What kind of effects can you add to the microphone input in the Helix? And is it possible to hookup a wireless in-ear unit to the Helix to hear both the guitar and vocals at the same time and also have them panned left and right? Lastly, is it possible to add a Heil talk box to the fx loop? Thanks in advance!

Ha ha, Thank you. I've been trying to figure and find how to control my amp through midi . Thanks Man

A good thing to know is if you own a Mesa Mark 5:25 HELIX will not channel switch without getting an outboard midi switcher for the amp or using a ghetto y cord work around - this has been a public service announcement :)

I was just window shopping, & noticed the Line6 Firehawk doesn't have midi. But AYE, they have not only a effects loop, for 4-cable fun, it's dual path! Stereo. This could get really interesting, especially as they're getting tossed out for ~350ish used now. How many stereo stompboxes can I get for that kind of $? Not much. And the Firehawk DSP is the same family of Helix DSP? 👍

I'm amazed again :)

Richie, your videos are an absolute godsend. I DO have a further question though. In the first example, you plugged your guitar straight to your amp input and used the other cables to control parameters with the Helix. I have a Variax and I currently am using the Helix for all my tone, but I’m about to go back to using an actual amp, with this setup. Basically, is there a way to get the use of your first setup here while using a Variax cable to control my tuning changes and whatnot?

Hi Richie can I answer a couple of questions 1. Can you run bias FX in the effects loop of the helix 2. Could I utilise the orange Omec with the helix run bias fx in an effects loop 3. Can I use the helix to control the midi switching in bias Fx on my laptop Many thanks

Hey Richie thanks for the great vids can you do one on controlling multiple effects through the same loop please

Tryed this channel switching thingy on my Marshall DSL40CR and it doesn't switch channels at all. Hmm? Used 1/4 inch Jack's AND TRS cable as shown in the video and neither way works!! Dang it. I wonder if it possible to do it at all with a damn Marshall, or if it's impossible.

Hi Ritchie..I have a Headrush pedalboard but i gues its the same when it comes to 4 cable meth. I would like you to show me howe you hock it up in full stereo with 2 ams and 4 cable meth..im also intressted in howe it works if i like to connect center amp to get super wide stereo and that one in mono..Hope you can make a video with this..Tanks for a great video.

I'd really like to know if it's possible to change amp channels using the normal, non-MIDI channel switch output, but having different presets configured to different channels. How would something like that be possible?

I’ve just got my helix today. I have a Marshall AVT150 head. Is there any way at all to use amp control on this because it doesn’t have the same kinda connections. Btw your videos helped me decide to buy a helix so thankyou very much indeed. Loving it instantly

Hey Richie. I tried to change the LED on the foot switch using your “multiple” hack but it didn’t work. Is there another setting that I need to change? Anyone?

So if a MIDI AMP doesn't have a learn or store button, but it has a manual full of codes that do certain things/combinations would I just program the helix to those specific codes?

I know post is old, but for the longest time I'm trying to get this to work with Mesa boogie triple rectify... All I get is noise and using the jacks (no midi) nothing works... I love the helix but I'm always running into issues when it involves mesa boogie or marshall... Please help

Hi, i have Laney Ironheart amp and there is only 4-way footswitch midi plug. How i can switch my channels on and off with Helix LT?

Hey Ritichie! These Helix instructional videos are terrific! Quick question - how would you set up an OX Box in the 4 cable method scenario?

I know this is an old video, but hopefully you can answer this question, what setting do you put on global setting... if your set up is guitar to helix, then to seymore duncan 170, then to cab... Is it Instrument or Line....

Hi Richie i have a question, can i use a helix as a Splitter for use two Tube Amps? am trying but when i connect second one the sound is turn up a lot and is imposible to control, the things is, i want to use bouth amps with them tones and just send from helix modulations to the FX Loop. If you can help me please i will appreciate. Thanks so much

PARALLEL EFFECTS LOOP SOLUTION 4CM. I find you cannot run Helix Products in the effects loop if it's a parallel fx loop, because of the slight latency it goes out of phase (thinning the amp tone). Do you have a solution for this? I'm using a Laney Lionheart Amp by the way.

I’m looking to get the EVH EL34 head, and it has 3 channels. Would the helix still be able to do 3-channel switching with that type of head?

Richie: Great videos. I’m a new Helix LT owner and I’m using Helix LT with 4CM plus midi on my Blackstar 1046L6. I have programmed 4 helix switches to change channels on the amp. After the first time I’ve used the channel, the light stays on. Is there any way to switch the light on only for the channel you are using? Or can you program the display panel to show which channel is active? I’m a vocalist as well, so I take an in ear mix from the PA with my vocals and a bit of my guitar. So distinguishing between Crunch,OD1 and OD2 can sometimes be a tad tricky. I’m working my way through the rest of your helix videos, so apologies in advance if you cover this somewhere down the road... Btw, I’ve been loving the Genesis medleys as well. I have tickets to see Steve Hackett performing ‘Seconds Out’ later in the year. Hopefully, this madness will be over by November and I get to go....

How do you get the tap tempo to stop blinking?

I need hellllp. Lol. I am following ur videos step by step. I even have an engl Invader 2 but all the way up to the head switching channels does not work. I am doing exactly as you are then nothing. What could I be doing wrong? I'm doing 4 cable method with midi. I tried just using FX loop and trs cable. Still nothing

Hey Richie! I just switched to an amp with Midi Controller (previously using the TRS cable thing with my MarkV) and I was wondering if from the 4CM set-up and from the channel switching set-up that you shown if you could still use the Helix on snapshots mode from there ?! Thanks for the info and good job on the video! Cheers

Thanks man! The first method its all Im lookng for. Only the last step is missing for me. Since Im going from the amp to reactive load (without a cab) Should I go back to helix as Line In for direct recording?

2 Questions Ritchie 1-When you use MIDI to change channels on your amp is it as quick as a normal channel switch? 2. when you switch PRESETS or SNAPSHOTS on Helix via MIDI, is it instantaneous or is there a lag? If I cant get my Mesa 5:25 to work better with Helix I may change to a Mesa JP 2c+ ( which is midi controllable)

Does your amp receive CC signals for channel switching or PC? I can’t figure out how to change my 5150iii 50watt amp channels for each snapshot. Only for each preset.

Richie, perhaps you can help me. I'm needing to set my helix up to work with my amp as an fx only board. I want to plug into the helix from my guitar and have a couple overdriven available into the front of the amp via the Helix, but also have my delays, verbs, and mods effects looped into the amp. I'm not sure how to hook all that up properly? I currently have a analog pedalboard where I go from guitar into my overdrives, and then into amp input on my black star. All my time based effects are in the effects loop. I want to do that with my Helix. being my pedalboard.

Awesome! How do you incorporate TS amp channel switching within Helix' Snapshots? I'm wanting to run 4CM into my new Friedman Runt 50 head, and set up Snapshots...e.g., have one for "clean" with effects, "crunch", and "lead"...want both effects and amp channels to switch with one footswitch (snapshot). Thx!

Do I need the 4 cable method plus midi to do amp channel switching with the helix? Or can I just use a midi cable?

Hi! Just found your video and I think it was really great! I just recently found out that my Peavey 5150II may indeed be controlled by the Helix (haven't gotten the right cable just yet), which would allow me to run 4-cable method with amp control ("only" 2 channel switch, tho). Which is exactly what the doctor ordered. Now, my question is: If I add blocks (i.e. Tube Screamer, compressor, gate, etc) before the FX Loop controller, would that be the same as adding stomp boxes before the input of an amp - in other words, before the pre-amp? Thanks!

Is it possible to connect this to an amp head/cab where some patches could use the internal amp simulators and other patches use my real head and effects only?

What is the little amp behind you?

Great vids, I will be getting one of these very soon and my idea is to midi this to my boss gt 100, I guess I can control the gt 100 from the helix? I am thinking of using the harmonisers on both units to get a real Brian may type sound and things like that. Is it a case of putting it in one of the loops and sending CC messages to it?

Richie just curious if you experience any latency when switching between amp channels with the HELIX? I use a mini amp gizmo and Line 6 M13 that controls the channel switching on a Peavey JSX . Every time I switch channels there is a about a .25 - .50 second delay in switching. Was wondering if this was the case with Line 6 Helix as well?

Yesss !! So please you did this video, did you make that cable? Also, why did you use the guitar in and not the loop return?...........I cant stop perving over your Musicman, its beautiful :-)

CAUTION ABOUT AMP SUPPORT!!! Hello everyone, my HX Effects does not work with my Engl Sreammer 50. The TRS jack puts some extra voltage on the amplifier, the lead led always has a dim light even when the channel is off. The polarity of one button is right and the other is inverted. Changing from EXP to Amp in the preferences also does not solve the problem, however, using EXP we can change the polarity (strange).There is also an increase in the gain of the amplifier. Using a Boss FS-6 pedal works fine. Also with Behringer FCB1010. I reported the problem to Line6 who replied: "Hi, HX Effects ability to control external amp channel and/or reverb switching has been tested with many popular amps and heads. Unfortunately this does not guarantee compatibility with all products. Note that, depending on the circuitry of the channel switching jack in the guitar amp used, the EXT Amp function may not operate as expected. Best regards, Technical Support Line 6 Support Europe" This is a copy/paste from the manual. Therefore, you buy the equipment and if you are lucky it works with your amplifier. I find out there are 3 Volts at the tip of the EXT Amp jack, Line6 support does not confirm if this is normal or a defect. No replay from then, very poor suport.

Great video dude! I don't even own a Helix xD, but i do have an HX Stomp, GREAT UNIT. Just a question, related to the vp jr as expression pedal, I plugged the way you said but it seems to have issues with the sweep, when i get to full toe position, the parameter goes back to 0! Any idea hoy to fix it?

Is there any chance you could do a video with the Helix completely controlling a Roland GR-55? I am waiting on my Helix to come in. I use a SpiderValve currently with a GR-55, separate inputs. I will do stuff like covering Wanted Dead Or Alive, where I am running a clean guitar signal to my amp with a nice shimmer. Then I have my guitar (via 13 pin) running the GR-55 with a nice Didgeridoo and string hold on a D note while the GR-55 is also mimicking a 12-string. Then I have to switch off via GR-55 volume pedal for the first verse, and so on for bridge - chorus - verse. The the solo, I have to shut off my GR-55 while switching my shortboard to a lead channel. It would be awesome to see how to set up the Helix to completely control all the GR-55 features. Just hit a different button and it turns on the GR-55 with the strings and Didgeridoo hold running and the twelve string, then hit another and it muted the Didgeridoo and string hold, then hit another and it cuts out the GR-55 and gives me a Helix lead channel...

Can I utilize the CV(DC Coupled) to control bitwig studio 2?

my question is... why not just use snapshots to control your amp channel? then you can change your channel and effects.

What’s with the popping with the wha? It doesn’t at all sound natural

Can the 1st method (no midi needed) work with snapshots?

Can you control the Beat Buddy with Helix?

Hey can you do a video on a helix running a axe fx III! thanks! And Merry Christmas!

Hi, great vid tanks. For amp channel changing to save one footswitch could you have the first one toggling between Ch 1 and Ch 2 ?

Can you use this unit with two amps? Like a Fender Blues Jr and a Marshall Kerry King? And switch between these and add FX on them with just ONE click? For example: Patch 1: Fender Blues Jr w/chorus and reverb Patch 2: Marshall Kerry King w/overdrive and delay Tnx for response

Thank you for this. I recently got myself an HX Effects and I want to try this with my Blackstar Series One 45. Do you know if there is a way I can assign a single footswitch to toggle between my clean and crunch channels, rather than assigning a footswitch for each? Thanks.

Hi there. This seems to not be working with my Bogner Uberschall. Does anyone have this amp and have they tried doing channel switching through the line 6 helix?

I'm torn between the Helix and the FX8 but the Helix seems to have so much going for it. But can it do the same kkinda thing that Fractal does with the Scenes so that i touch ine knob and it changes channel and activates different effects and yadda yadda? basically can i pre-program my whole live set so i just have to switch through some banks when playing? Also and that seems more important: How do I know what MIDI signal Number i have to choose? I own a Laney IRT 60 which has 3 channels and reverb and boost but how do i get a hold of or where do i find the MIDI numbers to use the HELIX with?

Hi, just one simple question: Can you change between amps AND have some effects on just one of the amps, in just one button? For example: You have a Fender Twin, and a Dual Rectifier. Can you switch between those amps, and when you change to the Fender, you also add chorus and reverb, while the Dual Rectifier dont´t have those effects? With only ONE click on the board, like it´s a patch?

Never rely on pulling out, bro. :P

Hi Richie Your videos are great I have to say. Thanks. But I have a problem that I dont know have top solve. I am trying to switch channels on my amp with Helix ext amp output. I have a PRS Sonzera 20w and I have tried every cable possible. I get the Helix to switch but there is a huge HUM in the amp... Do you know anything about this? Best Regards Björn Egertz Stockholm Sweden.

Yer sick man. lol

Can the helix control 4 input changes on an amp? I have a 65 producer with 2 channels, each with a bump circuit

Okay real question. How would the EXT AMP channel switching work with snapshots???

The issue explained at 06:15 drives me nuts.

Hi man.well done great videos ,i have one question, maybe you can help me out please,i am connecting my line 6 Firehawk with 4 cable method with my PRS MT15 ,great amp ,power full ,fatty clean and punchy on channel two,how can i control my amp channels and not losing the clean controls on my amp?the prs mt15 is not a midi control function,its just selector switch pedal for channel one or overdrive channel ,two channel basically

so if I understand correctly my Peavey 6505MH which has two outs for footswitches would simply need two instrument cables into the two ext amp jacks and then both channel and reverb would be controllable on the Helix...right?

How does the Ext Amp Channel switching capability work when your normal foot switch has two buttons on it? I have a Peavey 6505mh and the foot switch controls the channel and the crunch switch. Id like it to just switch the channel from crunch to lead. Thanks in advance!!

Love your videos but can you be a little more strict about how you refer to signal flow. Like when you say something is coming from your return of your amp when the signal is actually going into the return of the amp I would rephrase it as "going to the return of the amp". Thanks again for keeping the direction of signal flow in your comments.

Hi there, great videos! I've got the Steve Morse engl head and just wondered which midi switches need to be in the on position on the back of the amp when being controlled by the Helix? Cheers, Steve.

When I connect the midi cable to my PRS archon head I get lots of ground noise. It will change channels. Just lots of noise. Any idea of what that could be??

Which ENGL amp and Marshall Cab is it?

fantastico sera que consigo fazer isto em hd 500 x ? rsrsrsrs

This board is smarter than me.

I just got this pedal and im mot computer guy by no means and am having troubles figuring it out. Frustrated as hell