Released 8/6/2019
Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, HX Effects, HX Stomp
I have a new WX1850 Skeeter with two Helix 9 units and Ultra with iLink. The PC software from Hummingbird will not run on my Mac with OS X. I get a message that it is not supported so I can’t upgrade the software. Helix3 Pro is only available through the e-fense forum. Become a member of the e-fense Forum to get support and learn from e-fense experts and other users of the number one computer forensic tool used by law enforcement, government agencies and computer forensic experts around the world.
For complete driver and OS compatibility details please see our forum post.” Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access? “We expect the price to go up as our game compatibility improves. If we can resolve the driver incompatibility, we expect to leave Early Access at. The current version is V5.19, revised 27th August 2018. Beta version downloads are hosted at AV Nirvana, home of the REW support forum.To view the REW revision history click here.
The following instructions are only for those who've already successfully updated their Helix/HX Hardware to 2.80. If you're currently running an older version, click here for instructions on how to update to 2.81 from 2.71 or Earlier.
Connect your Helix/HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB and turn it on. Do not use any sort of USB hub.Open the 2.80 version of HX Edit (NOT the new HX Edit 2.81).From the top File menu, select 'Create Backup...'Click 'Create Backup.'
If you don't currently own Helix Native, skip this step.Open any instance of Helix Native 2.80 (NOT the new Helix Native 1.81) within your DAW and click the 'My Account' button in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window.From the General tab, click 'Export Bundle.'Choose the destination folder and click 'Save.'
Turn off or disconnect any connected Helix or HX hardware.Log onto line6.com. Once logged in, download HX Edit 2.81, available here:HX Edit 2.81 for Max OS XHX Edit 2.81 for Windows 7, 8, or 10Read the Software License Agreement (hahaahaaa!) and click 'Accept and Download.'Once the software has downloaded, double-click the installer and follow the prompts.
If you have Helix Rack/Control, turn off Helix Control. Also, shut down all Line 6 software or any programs that use audio, like DAWs, iTunes, Spotify, video games, etc.Connect Helix/HX to a Mac or PC via USB (do not use any sort of USB hub) and turn it on.Launch Line 6 Updater, enter your Line 6 Username and Password, and click 'Sign In.' A big green box appears with a picture of your Helix/HX product. Click the big green box and then click 'Update' next to Version: 2.81.Carefully read the instructions, click 'Continue,' and then 'Accept.' When finished, your Helix/HX device restarts automatically and may begin rebuilding your presets. If so, let it finish.
If you run into an issue during the update process such as the update procedure not completing or if you receive an error message, we strongly recommend trying a different USB port and/or USB cable. USB 2.0 or greater ports and cables are highly recommended. For Windows computers, USB ports on the back of desktop PCs have proven to be the most reliable.
The following procedure will COMPLETELY ERASE ALL OF YOUR CUSTOM PRESETS! If you want to keep them, make sure you back them up first! (See 'STEP 1a—Backing Up Helix/HX Hardware' above.)
Turn off your Helix/HX processor.Depending on your type of Helix/HX product, follow the procedure below:Helix Floor/LT—While holding footswitches 7 and 8 (two left-most switches on the bottom row), turn on Helix/Helix LT. Wait for 'Will restore stock Presets and Setlists...' and let goHelix Rack/Control—While holding knobs 3 and 4 below the screen, turn on Helix Rack. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' and let goHX Effects—While holding footswitches 5 and 6 (middle two switches on the bottom row), turn on HX Effects. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' and let goHX Stomp—While holding footswitches 1 and 2, turn on HX Stomp. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' to appear on the screen and let goHelix Native—Click the gear icon in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window. From the Presets/IRs tab, click 'Restore Factory Setlists'
Connect your Helix/HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB (do not use any sort of USB hub) and turn it on.Open the NEW VERSION OF HX Edit 2.81 you installed in 'STEP 2—Updating HX Edit to 2.81' above.From the top File menu, select 'Restore from Backup.'Browse to the backup file and click 'Open.'
If you don't currently own Helix Native, skip this step.Open any instance of Helix Native within your DAW and click the gear icon in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window.From the Presets/IRs tab, click 'Import Bundle.'Browse to the location chosen in STEP 2 above and click 'Open.'
The following instructions are only for those who have not yet updated their Helix/HX Hardware to 2.80. If you're already at 2.80, click here for instructions on how to update to 2.81 from 2.80.
Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, HX Effects, HX Stomp
Connect your Helix/HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB and turn it on. Do not use any sort of USB hub.Open YOUR CURRENT VERSION of HX Edit (NOT the new HX Edit 2.81).From the top File menu, select 'Create Backup...'Click 'Create Backup.'
If you want to load the 2.8X factory presets and hotkey templates, it's better to manually back up individual setlists, so you can later import them into empty setlists. To do this, from the preset library along the left side, select the setlist you want to back up and click 'Export.' Choose a destination folder and click 'Save.' Repeat for any other setlists you want to back up.
If you don't currently own Helix Native, skip this step.Open any instance of YOUR CURRENT VERSION of Helix Native (NOT the new Helix Native 1.81) within your DAW and click the 'My Account' button in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window.From the General tab, click 'Export Bundle.'Choose the destination folder and click 'Save.'
If you want to load the 2.8X factory presets, it's better to manually back up individual setlists, so you can later import them into empty setlists. To do this, from the preset library along the left side, select the setlist you want to back up and click the small yellow 'Export.' Choose a destination folder and click 'Save.' Repeat for any other setlists you want to back up.
Turn off or disconnect any connected Helix or HX hardware.Log onto line6.com. Once logged in, download the latest version of HX Edit, available here:HX Edit 2.81 for Max OS XHX Edit 2.81 for Windows 7, 8, or 10Read the Software License Agreement (hahaahaaa!) and click 'Accept and Download.'Once the software has downloaded, double-click the installer and follow the prompts.
Installing HX Edit 2.81 automatically installs the latest version of Line 6 Updater, which is required to update the firmware.
If you have HX Effects or HX Stomp, skip to STEP 3b below instead.If you have Helix Rack/Control, turn off Helix Control. Also, shut down all Line 6 software or any programs that use audio, like DAWs, iTunes, Spotify, video games, etc.Connect Helix to a Mac or PC via USB (do not use any sort of USB hub) and turn it on.Launch Line 6 Updater. The latest version was automatically installed when you installed HX Edit 2.81 in 'STEP 2—Updating HX Edit to 2.81' above.Enter your Line 6 Username and Password and click 'Sign In.' A big green box appears with a picture of your Helix product. Click the big green box and then click 'Update' next to Version: 2.81.Carefully read the instructions (HEY! DID YOU BACK UP FIRST?), click 'Continue,' and then 'Accept.' A warning dialog appears, telling you that Helix will be reset twice.Think 'Hmm, maybe I should've backed up first? Nah, I insist on subverting the dominant paradigm,' and click 'OK.' Helix begins updating. As wholly expected, because we warned you... because you always read the instructions... halfway through the update process, Line 6 Updater displays a second dialog and Helix's LCD reads 'Boot Failure. Entered Update Mode!' THIS IS NORMAL. DO NOT FREAK OUT, TAKE A PHOTO, AND THEN POST IT ONLINE BECAUSE EVERYONE WILL MAKE FUN OF YOU FOR NOT READING THESE INSTRUCTIONS.MoveAlong.jpg.178f5fc3b9e6bdeec47d4a5935e47444.jpgClick 'OK' again. When finished, Helix restarts automatically and begins rebuilding your presets. Let it finish.
This may take some time. If Helix appears to not respond for many minutes, see the message directly below step 8.
If you have Helix Rack/Control, turn on Helix Control. Helix Rack reads 'Helix Control must be updated to work properly. Update now?' Press Knob 6 (OK) to update Helix Control.
If you run into an issue during the update process such as the update procedure not completing or if you receive an error message, we strongly recommend trying a different USB port and/or USB cable. USB 2.0 or greater ports and cables are highly recommended. For Windows computers, USB ports on the back of desktop PCs have proven to be the most reliable.
Updating the firmware does not automatically load any new presets. See 'STEP 4—Loading the 2.8X Factory Presets/Templates' below.
If you have Helix Floor, Helix Rack/Control, or Helix LT, follow STEP 3a above instead.Shut down all Line 6 software or any programs that use audio, like DAWs, iTunes, Spotify, video games, etc.Connect your HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB (do not use any sort of USB hub) and turn it on.Launch Line 6 Updater. The latest version was automatically installed when you installed HX Edit 2.81 in 'STEP 2—Updating HX Edit to 2.80' above.Enter your Line 6 Username and Password and click 'Sign In.' A big green box appears with a picture of your HX product. Click the big green box and then click 'Update' next to Version: 2.81.Carefully read the instructions (HEY! DID YOU BACK UP FIRST?), click 'Continue,' and then 'Accept.' When finished, your HX device restarts automatically.
Updating the firmware does not automatically load any new presets. See 'STEP 4—Loading the 2.8X Factory Presets/Templates' below.
The following procedure will COMPLETELY ERASE ALL OF YOUR CUSTOM PRESETS! If you want to keep them, make sure you back them up first! (See 'STEP 1a—Backing Up Helix/HX Hardware' above.)
Turn off your Helix/HX processor.Depending on your type of Helix/HX product, follow the procedure below:Helix Floor/LT—While holding footswitches 7 and 8 (two left-most switches on the bottom row), turn on Helix/Helix LT. Wait for 'Will restore stock Presets and Setlists...' and let goHelix Rack/Control—While holding knobs 3 and 4 below the screen, turn on Helix Rack. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' and let goHX Effects—While holding footswitches 5 and 6 (middle two switches on the bottom row), turn on HX Effects. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' and let goHX Stomp—While holding footswitches 1 and 2, turn on HX Stomp. Wait for 'Will reset Presets...' to appear on the screen and let goHelix Native—Click the gear icon in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window. From the Presets/IRs tab, click 'Restore Factory Setlists'
Connect your Helix/HX processor to a Mac or PC via USB (do not use any sort of USB hub) and turn it on.Open the NEW VERSION OF HX Edit 2.81 you installed in 'STEP 2—Updating HX Edit to 2.81' above.From the top File menu, select 'Restore from Backup.'Browse to the backup file and click 'Open.'
If you instead exported individual setlists and loaded the 2.8X factory presets/templates (and want to keep them), from the preset list along the left side, select an empty User setlist and then drag the saved setlist file (from the tip in STEP 1) into the preset list
You may notice that after restoring from a backup (or loading in previously stored setlists or individual presets) that preset switching times are slower than normal. Restart Helix/HX, and you'll see the display read 'Rebuilding preset [XXX]'. Wait for it to rebuild your presets, and they will load faster.
If you don't currently own Helix Native, skip this step.Open any instance of Helix Native within your DAW and click the gear icon in the lower left corner to open the Preferences window.From the Presets/IRs tab, click 'Import Bundle.'Browse to the location chosen in STEP 2 above and click 'Open.'