Line 6 Helix HX Update 3.6. We need to talk about this firmware...

[@IamtheFerryMan]

The Grammatico sounds beautiful set clean. That amp has a lot of personality. I'm glad I get to say that about a modeler.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Yeah its sweet!

[@artytoney2057]

Well steve your worth the wait lol good luck on video with Jessica and thanks for input here , I play a lil on high gain side but loving both new amps

[@SteveSterlacci]

Thank you Arty!

[@ericp7187]

I actually found the Helmsley can get some great high gain tones with a distortion pedal (almost any pedal sounds good-Line 6 wasn't kidding that Helmsley takes pedals like a champ).

[@artytoney2057]

@ericpriest7187 yes your right , i wasnt 3xpecting alot on high gain side when i saw these 2 amps and i knew there would be some good clean sounds but both surprised me , they both have great unique tones at both ends of the spectrum , have good day bud

[@alexdenton6586]

Modeling is the way

[@SteveSterlacci]

This is the way

[@lancenunez8252]

So far, my fav of the new stuff is the fuzz. Also, the rotary thing is nice, but not many folks talking about it.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Probably cause its awful when you pull it up stock 😅

[@stuartangel8212]

@@SteveSterlacci your right sounds like garbage with stock setting

[@stuartangel8212]

Havent checked out the Elmsley amp yet but the Dumble sounds great for me and for the first time im using the stock cabs. Both Matchless cabs and the 1 12 open back sound terrific. Great video once again.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Yesss!!

[@jakestewartmusic]

The Triple Rotary is my favorite new feature. It's like the doppler and stereo imaging effects of rotary speaker without the sometimes boomy/woofy cabinet resonance baked into most rotary effects. I like the Drive at 0, Headroom and Separation and Ramp cranked, and I actually turn the second and third rotors down a bit from stock. Imo so far, this gives the widest, cleanest, and most distinguishable vibrato. Having all the rotors cranked actually kind of waters down the doppler vibrato effect imo.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Yessir! Its a great effect. I did the same

[@love4thetruth]

On my tele the new Grammatico sounds great. Has a compressed feel. I love it.

[@stuartangel8212]

Me too it may replace the twin in my main country preset

[@davidsloan8310]

Loved that Elmsley sound. Please do a tone.

[@TheMultiProp]

Yes please, make that preset available! And a video too :)

[@brighterhealthshop]

The amps are killer. I love that Helix update often, every time improving the unit. Just got my 1st Variax guitar. I'm in heaven.

[@SteveSterlacci]

You jave unlocked unlimited power!!

[@brighterhealthshop]

@@SteveSterlacci Next acquisition is the JTV89F!!!

[@GCKelloch]

Keep in mind that the tone stack in a Dumble style amp is wired b4 all the preamp gain stages, as opposed to in a Marshall where it's at the end b4 the PI stage. Speaker headroom is also irrelevant in IRs. There is no dynamic change in an IR response regardless of input level so they don't compress or break up as does a real speaker. However, there is some amount of resonance change over the length of the IR sample. It can build up and decay in that span, and that affects the transient response. A G12H speaker has both a quicker transient response and more treble than a G12M speaker due to the stronger magnet. To soften the transients (and amp section square waves), you'd actually want a dynamic mic IR on it, but moving a crisp ribbon mic off center might suffice. Dumbles tend to sound best with Celestion G12-65 and/or EVM12L speakers with wide dust covers that absorb some upper-mid harshness, but Creambacks sound good too. I'd actually try placing the SM57 at 1" away from the G25 IR, and right on center. Maybe engage the 45d angle switch if it's too bright.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

Damn, that's some impressive knowledge!

[@StratsRUs]

Sounds pretty great to me.I will update soon.Thanks and well done.

[@clivethomas2039]

I was disappointed that the Matchless cabs hadn't made the 3.50 update. But they were so worth waiting for. For me the best bit of 3.60.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Agreed!!!

[@galelongputt]

Hi, Steve. I watch most of your vid's, but particularly enjoy your Helix toots. Your bud', Gale 😊

[@jerryreff1857]

Very cool Steve. Give me a call next time at Sweetwater if you have time for coffee or a beer.

[@sboy1955]

On the bottom end, the Aqua Sledge is pretty great.. playing it tonight in fact 🤙🏽

[@Brentoramaford]

Would enjoy seeing a dialing in on the Elmsley! I’m loving it and looking at swapping it with what I normally use for clean amp presets.

[@kane6529]

Glad to see I’m not alone with John Cordys presets not sounding the same for me 😂 I’ve always thought it’s because I suck but your an amazing player and seem to encounter similar results! His Eric Lead sounds so amazing in his videos sounds awful for me with my LP and Strat both 😅

[@SteveSterlacci]

I liked his presets a lot! It was the stock L6 preset that I thought sounded like butt. I go through his 2 and gave them pretty high praise

[@JerryCastaldo_NYC]

Good work Steve!

[@John-e4p1x]

I just updated my Firmware to the TONE X pedal.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Its a great machine!

[@2ShadesOfGray]

What this device needs for the solo performer is midi timing for the loopers

[@3mstudiospalmdesert]

That's the beauty of electric guitar. Everyone's taste is different. The Grammatico was instantly my fave amp in Helix. I thought that first chord you played was sick sounding.

[@jburdsinfuse]

I love Cordy’s snapshots…BUT…playing live, I pretty much always have to dial in the amp completely dry and pretty bright. It’s easier for me to add reverb (Big Sky) and delay (Meris LVX) in the loop. Unfortunately, it makes most of the patches from 3rd parties useless because they’re dialed in with delay and reverb built in to the core sound.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Interesting! I dial in dark for live use. I think any preset should be tweaked to the persons liking

[@jkloftin5872]

I'd love to here more about the Emsley!

[@SteveSterlacci]

I'll put it on the list!

[@alien4422]

When I updated I did not get prompted to back up. But I was not bothered and updated anyhow. I was surprised to find that my presets were untouched even though the new amps are there and my version now says 3.6

[@SteveSterlacci]

Its an automatic prompt that you have to click. You can still create a backup and then factory reset, which is always recommended by L6 to avoid any weird bugs

[@alien4422]

@@SteveSterlacci I must have missed the prompt when I was doing other things in the house. I will back up and do a factory reset tomorrow.

[@The_Koolaid_]

John cordys presets sounds nice gonna need those

[@SteveSterlacci]

Yep!

[@guitarman...]

First of all, thanks a lot Line 6 for the regular updates. I got my unit in 2016 and feel so happy to get these updates. However, I did not like this update. I lost the feel under my fingers with this update. My presets felt squishy and less immediate in response. Went back to 3.50 and things are good again. Any of you felt this way with the 3.60 update?

[@SteveSterlacci]

Hmm strange. I have not heard of anyone else experiencing this. Could it be a global setting that didn't transfer over ? Could be input pad, global eq or something like that?

[@austinsmithofficial]

Where can I download the john Cordy preset around 9:00 ?

[@SteveSterlacci]

Its in the stock presets from the update. I show you how to get them

[@steveliberty]

Nice video Steve. I am not much of a Dumble guy when they are overdriven - not the overdrive character I lean towards (unless of course you have Carlton or Ford's hands - they make them sound great). But I did like Cordy's clean preset. The Elmsley is more my style overall. I look forward to trying it out, although lately, I've been using ToneX for amps, and Stomp for effects.

[@jfo3000]

The disclaimer with Dumble amps is that he built every amp custom, including the chasis, for each artist, to help them get their individual sound...they all sound different...according to the literature. So, probably, which Dumble was modeled?

[@JM-eq3sx]

3:35 - 4:20... Acid flashback? Thoroughly confusing.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Its not confusing if you're familiar with creating backups and exporting presets. But it I triggered some internal trauma, I apologize 😅

[@JM-eq3sx]

@@SteveSterlacci I'm a fairly longtime subscriber and fan of your videos Steve. That section seemed important enough for you to take the time. But people who are completely immersed in a thing sometimes take it for granted that others will understand their shorthand. Maybe you've had that experience. So - this only took a couple of minutes to transcribe, and I did it mostly to see if I was missing the "not confusing" part. I still think it's confusing. Have a friend read this out loud to you, or just read it out loud yourself and see if you can understand it. :) Still a fan, even if you disagree. "What I'm gonna do is go to my buddy John Cordy's presets that are now, um, in this update, and if you don't have these, you need to, when you do your factory update, uh, factory reset, after you do your factory reset you'll need to pull these off, or import just presets instead of doing a whole backup so once you do your factory reset after the update, you can go right into here and pull these off of the line, export them into your preset folder, and then when you install your update, reimport them, or, you could take your favorite presets and just put them in a folder, factory reset, and then just import your presets without installing your backup."

[@SteveSterlacci]

@J M all good man. I actually have a whole video on this process as well that I did for the 3.5 updated stock presets. I appreciate the support over all this time. Im just breaking balls! If it's easier to read this, make a backup, factory reset, export presets you want, reinstall your backup, import the presets you wanted

[@IamMusicNerd]

I left the modeling ecosystem awhile back and switched to the capture systems, and have been much happier with the results. But it is nice that they still are updating the Helix systems.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Incorporating them into one another will be the future until L6 gives us captures, or lets us house captures on board

[@ksharpe10]

@@SteveSterlacci SuPPOSEDLY KEMPER is coming, when? with their so called Liquid profiles, that makes a capture/modeller tweaking friendly if that makes any sense. I keep thinking of Terminator 2, liquid metal LOL. WHEN WILL it COME the owner of KEMPER says it is or has been engineered and he says he PATENTED it, ODD to think they could Patent it unless it is Mechanical or some special chipset, but he says it goes into SOFTWARE of existing units, 13 year old Kempers get new LIFE????

[@SteveSterlacci]

I may have to get a kemper before that comes!!!!

[@skidogbill]

Loves me some cream backs too. Is the Matchless G25 closed back? It sounds really similar to the Celestion Creamback IRs, which I use all the time.

[@micuronium]

I’m still waiting for a Creamback 4x12 and a Auto-Wah that uses an LFO (a true auto-wah, not an envelope filter). I finally had to get a Celestion IR Creamback 4x12.

[@boabglen]

Hi Steve, Appreciate the content. Fairly new Helix user here. I accidentally deleted some presets last time on the 3.5 update (first time doing it) and didn't back it up first. So my question is with this new update I'll need to back up and save in editor first? Then update? Then when update will my presets be in the new update or will I have to add them in there after I update? Analog man here and this digi world intimidates me. Are there any super clear videos on this process? Thanks 😊 Robert

[@ericmorrison4188]

I’m in the same boat…. I’ve got sooo many updates to update.. trying to figure it out.. but I’m uncomfortable with the process..

[@SteveSterlacci]

Hey Robert! SO sorry I missed this comment. You would need to try out and export presets you like BEFORE you install your factory update. You can also just highlight them all, export to a folder, install your backup, then drag the new presets over. I think someone also added them to customtone

[@stm113]

Have they made improvements to the modeling quality? That’s what they need to really concentrate on. I love Line 6, but they need to work on the gain textures and note separation.

[@SteveSterlacci]

For the mid gain stuff I do, its never been a problem for me personally. I enjoy the results i get. If you use high gain, have you hit it with the horizon drive?

[@stm113]

@@SteveSterlacci I haven’t in a while. I got a FM9 a little over a year ago and have just been using that. I have an Axe FX II as well. The Helix got more use for a while because the convenience of it being a floor unit but the FAS modeling is always superior. It just “feels” right. But the Helix is a great piece of kit. Some will say it’s just preference and that there’s not really a discernible difference. I’m guessing those folks have never actually played an Axe FX or FM. I want Line 6 to get their modeling there though.

[@SteveSterlacci]

@SHAWN Miles ah I gotcha. Idk if you have seen any of my others, but I have extensive experience with FM9, Helix and Quad Cortex. I think the end results are negligible. Feel is subjective. For a long time I was on the kool aid that the fractal was way better, but as I would go back and forth on a regular basis, I would not say any is "way better" than the other. Different work flows, same end results. They're all great at what they do!

[@stm113]

@@SteveSterlacci I have to disagree with the results being negligible. I have 20’years experience with Line 6 products going back to my first Flextone II, to a Vetta, POD Xt, POD X3 and Helix. You could say I’m a fan. I have a little over a decade with Fractal. The thing is I’ll use the L6 stuff and thing is I dig the L6 stuff then when I go back to FAS it’s like “wow, this is what I’ve been missing”.

[@SteveSterlacci]

@SHAWN Miles i go back and forth with myself on this stuff all the time lol

[@leitocurra]

good vid bro, very clear!! ..question .. ¿ Does version 3.6 bring improvements to the audio or IRs that already came or did they only add amplifiers and new modules?

[@SteveSterlacci]

They did that in 3.5 ! Thanks for checking it out

[@grahamjohnston8489]

Elmsley with a real pedal (like a Gov’ner) is awesome!

[@paulianhodgson]

I am pretty new to the Helix, where can I find those presets? Are they built into the new firmware update?

[@SteveSterlacci]

I have a video showing how to get them! I think i called it "line 6 hid these presets or something

[@hellqvisten]

Hello! Just bought the giging preset, love it so far! Do you have any global eq on, either live of when dialing up the preset?

[@SteveSterlacci]

I have none on currently. I only use it if a venue or PA is bright and basically hi cut it til its better lol

[@Alec_McCloskey]

How do you get to John’s presets?! Just picked up an HX Stomp XL and loved the “Screams Dumb” preset

[@SteveSterlacci]

I explained it poorly in the beginning. Have to export them after factory reset. I have a whole vid on how to do it from the 3.5 update

[@kristofkolosnagy9152]

I'm a bit disappointed as a bassist that they didn't deliver us the Mesa Powerhouse 610 in the new cab engine :(

[@SteveSterlacci]

Maybe someday!

[@aim2plz75]

Hi Steve! I had the same thing happen with the new factory presets except they are NOT in my backup either. Thankfully I have everything else. Suggestions? Are the new 3.60 presets available anywhere? Thanks!

[@SteveSterlacci]

They won't be in the backup. Your backup contains the old presets! So, dont backup if you want to try them. Or, i think someone uploaded to customtone

[@flapjackbeans]

can you help me after update i did factory reset as asked by line 6 support.all the volume is very low now i can't get it louder i use 2 myched power speakers im lost.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Your global settings probably changed from Line to Instrument/mic level

[@flapjackbeans]

@@SteveSterlacci thanks don’t understand it all but they are line I notice if I play factory 2 it’s louder Is there anywhere where I can see someone set it up from new baby in very simple terms.

[@SteveSterlacci]

@@flapjackbeans yeah there are a lot of videos out there on that. Have you imported your backup? All your presets should be the same after that

[@Duuus-Buuus]

Are you using with windows 11 and are there any issues I should be concerned about before purchasing HN ?

[@SteveSterlacci]

I am still on windows 10. But i have not seen complaints in any forums or groups

[@zyxomma1]

"This preset is garbage" [makes the best sound a HX has ever made]

[@SteveSterlacci]

I believe you have misquoted me zyxomma

[@zyxomma1]

​@@SteveSterlacci More of a paraphrase 😉

[@ericajohnson7535]

I really wish they'd just fix the outstanding bugs. Enough amps/effects already... just my 2c

[@SteveSterlacci]

What outstanding bugs are you experiencing?

[@ericajohnson7535]

@@SteveSterlacci left/mono not being mono, until I plug/unplug something into the right side, then it's mono. Plus since 3.5 the new bypass behavior doesn't work correctly--you can accidentally overwrite another unrelated preset without you knowing it.. Still unresolved several versions later.

[@SteveSterlacci]

​@Erica Johnson you mean its not summing to mono? You can always put a mono gain block in the chain if thats what you're looking for

[@ericajohnson7535]

@@SteveSterlacci I want stereo to XLR and mono to Left/mono. That is not happening until I do what I described. It's a bug.

[@SteveSterlacci]

@Erica Johnson I'm still unsure of what you're describing. Are you looking for stereo xlr outs and then a L/mono quarter inch output to a FRFR or amp?

[@electronik808]

Is 3.60...

[@jermundargardsvik5122]

"That Gilmour guy..." Jeez... You lost me there...

[@SteveSterlacci]

It was a joke friend lol

[@davidrebel]

According to your feedback at 11:25 minutes you're not playing at wife-approved-midnight-bedroom-level, are you? 🙂

[@SteveSterlacci]

Always 😄🫠

[@josephmartinez2133]

🙏🏽

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Still no nobels..... What is wrong with those people, too many shoe gazers working there

[@stuartangel8212]

Yes a nobles would be nice

[@svtbass]

They should get rid of some deadwood BASS cabs and give bass players what we need They have so many guitar cabs and amps and ODs. If people cant get a great sound on what is already in the units, Maybe they need to try another guitar or take some lessons. Put an GR Gain Reduction meter in HX EDIT so we can see dB reduction in Compression blocks. That is need more than just adding one more guitar amp.. AND give the bass player a Good Sounding B15 1-15 cab and a good sounding 810. The current ones are very Dark and not like any real life 810 I have owned or played

[@arkangel6964]

I just bought a Line 6 helix to make live easier, and it made it worse. it's sad because I spent a lot of money. when I connect my USB cable to the computer, my computer doesn't recognize it, so it won't install the drivers. I have the top-of-the-line OMEN, with Windows 11/all my other gear connects and is visible. and yes I went to the line 6 site and downloaded all the tools, but still nothing. Any advice. i wish someone would do a video for a solution. Thanks for any help.

[@svtbass]

@@arkangel6964 I just got the Ampeg SGTDI... I think Im digging it more than the HX Stomp cabs