Tag Archives: Helix

Line 6 Releases Helix Firmware 2.20

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Line 6 LogoLine 6 is proving its commitment to its flagship Helix line of effects processing tools with the recent release of upgraded firmware for Helix hardware devices. Helix firmware 2.20 works with Helix Floor, Helix Rack, and the recently released Helix LT. According to an e-mail from Line 6, the new firmware includes these features:

…offers guitarists an additional suite of HX amp models, including new amps, cabinets and effects, with a special emphasis on models for bass players. The release will also feature a host of functional upgrades and a newly crafted set of impulse responses.
Included in the update are 6 amp models, 7 cabinet models, and 9 effect models. A total of 11 models are designed for bass players. Highlights in the release include models based on* the Pearce BC-1 bass preamp, a Darkglass® Electronics Microtubes® B7K Ultra bass preamp/overdrive/EQ pedal model, and Line 6 Badonk, an original Line 6 amp model inspired by the original high gain Big Bottom model.
Helix 2.20 also introduces the Line 6 Allure IR Pack, a free download of new speaker cabinet impulse responses created by Dan Boul of 65 Amps fame.
The e-mail also noted that the firmware update will allow owners of Line 6 Variax guitars to use the Helix as a bridge between a Variax and a host computer for connecting to Line 6 Workbench software. The firmware update is a free download for owners of all Helix hardware products.

Line 6 To Release Helix Native Audio Plugin

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Helix PluginLine 6 has been innovating the audio hardware and effects space for decades. The company made a big splash with the release of its latest flagship guitar effects processor, Helix, in 2015. And while the hardware version of Helix has proven to be very popular with musicians, Line 6 identified a need for Helix’s effects outside of an all-in-one piece of gear. That’s why Helix will soon be released as an audio plugin, with native versions available for most popular digital audio workstations:

Helix Native is a world-class guitar processor plug-in that accurately recreates the dynamic sound and feel of vintage tube amps, cabs, mics and effects with award-winning HX modeling. It allows guitarists and engineers to accurately recreate the dynamic sound and feel of vintage tube amps, cabs, mics, and effects in professional DAW environments and they can now bring those exact tones to the stage by simply transferring their plug-in presets to their Helix hardware.

And:

Seamless workflow and broad compatibility. The Helix Native plug-in features broad compatibility with your DAW of choice, offering powerful 64-bit performance on AAX, AU and VST3 platforms. It also tightly integrates with Helix hardware so you can take your presets from studio to the stage—and back again.

Pricing is not yet available for the Helix native plugin. Line 6 has marked the plugin’s status as “coming soon,” with no further release details.

Line 6 Helix Software Editor Released

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Helix EditMusical instrument and audio equipment manufacturer Line 6 made waves in the guitar gear field when the company released the Helix processor last year. The Helix is Line 6’s first next-gem level processor, packed with high-end hardware and software designed to give guitarists access to the best possible tones.

The Helix processor itself comes with one of the industry’s largest built-in displays. But Line 6 promised it would release a computer-based application guitarists could use to create and edit Helix patches. (This follows suit with other Line 6 products that have also had their own computer-based editors.) When Helix units first shipped, the software editor was not yet available. Making good on its promise, Line 6 has now delivered its computer-based software editor for the Helix. From an e-mail sent today by Line 6:

Drag and drop amps, cabs, and effects to build complex signal chain
Quickly reorganize, rename, edit tones, and modify footswitch labels

Visualize every detail of your tone editing workflow on your computer

The Helix Edit application is a free download from the Line 6 website. In order to find it, go to the software download page, select “Helix” from the products menu, leave the software menu set to “All software,” select the appropriate OS for your computer from the operating system menu and then check the “Beta” box on the right before clicking the Go button. The Helix Edit software will come up as the first downloadable item on the next page.