The Line 6 Helix guitar processor has taken the guitar world by storm, packing Line 6’s most realistic amplifier emulations to date, all the effects you could ask for, and innovative switching capabilities to manage your rig more efficiently than ever. And for spring 2019, the 2.80 Helix firmware update brings even more functionality to this option-packed tone solution. Players have been anticipating some of these changes since the debut of Helix — read on to see what’s new in Helix firmware 2.80.
New Amps and Effects
This Helix firmware update brings eight new amplifier models, based on classics like the 1958 Fender 5C3 Tweed Deluxe, as well as modern flavors like the Revv Generator 120 and the 2016 Grammatico LaGrange. You’ll find seven new effects models too, including drives based on the Hermida Zendrive and Analogman King of Tone, among others, a filter effect based on the Moog Moogerfooger Murf Filter, and Line 6-original shelf and tilt EQs.
New Features
Variax string level control
If you have a Line 6 Variax guitar, you can now remotely adjust the level of any string individually. You can even assign string levels to be controlled by Helix’s footswitches, expression pedals, or Snapshots. Whether you want to swell in specific strings for creative effect or just tame your high E string on certain passages, this can be an amazingly useful tool.
Remote control for PowerCab Plus and DT25/DT50
Do you have a PowerCab Plus modeling speaker cab, or perhaps a DT25 or DT50 amplifier? With this Helix firmware update, you can now remotely adjust parameters on up to two L6 Link-connected amps or cabs. Parameters for your cabs or amps can even be assigned to footswitches, expression pedals, or Snapshots, for maximum control over your entire rig.
Command Center Hot Keys
This is huge for DAW users: the Helix Command Center can now send QWERTY hot keys directly to your computer via USB. In other words, you can send key commands like Save, Open Project, Play, Record Enable, and Bounce to Disk to your DAW directly from your Helix. In fact, you can do this with any computer program that responds to key commands. Basically, if you can control it with keyboard commands, you can now control it directly from your Helix. Best of all, Line 6 has created Software Remote Templates for controlling popular DAWs, YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, and other applications, which means you won’t even have to program anything manually for these popular applications.
Per-block Snapshot Bypass
Ever wish you could change Snapshots without affecting one specific block? With this firmware update, you can now disable Snapshot control over that block’s bypass state.
New Snapshot toggle mode
Prior to this firmware update, pressing the current Snapshot footswitch just reloaded the current Snapshot. Now you have the option to make the current Snapshot footswitch toggle between the previously selected Snapshot and the current one.
Swap the Up/Down footswitches
Based on player feedback, you now have the option to swap the Up and Down switches. If you prefer Down to go up, and Up to go down, you now have that flexibility.
Tempo indicator
For better visual feedback, the scribble strip will briefly display the entered tempo whenever you change it.
Enhancements to Pedal Edit Mode
You can now tweak parameters for the Input and Output blocks with your feet, just as you can with the effects blocks.