Bass – Line 6 Helix Patch

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. UPDATE YOUR FIRMWARE: Please upgrade the firmware on your Helix and the HX Edit software from Line 6 to the latest before installing this patch. Even if your Helix is up to date, the ‘HX Edit’ app needs to be updated as well. If you get an error importing a patch, the problem is most likely outdated firmware on your Helix/HX Edit. You will need at least firmware 2.80.

2. REVERBS: The 2.6 Firmware update changed the mix levels of the new (HX) reverbs. This patch accounts for those changes, so if you are not updated to 2.6 or later on your Helix, the reverb will not sound right.

HOW TO IMPORT THIS PATCH

1. Connect your Helix to your computer using a USB Cable
2. Download and instal the ‘HX Edit’ app from Line 6
3. In the ‘HX Edit’ app, drag and drop the patch into a slot in the ‘PRESETS’ column

SIGNAL FLOW AND EFFECTS

Here is the signal flow and effects:

1. Input
2. Volume – mapped to EXP 2
3. Scream 808 – Tube Screamer – mapped to switch labeled ‘Grit’
4. ZeroAmp Bass DI – Sansamp – not mapped to a switch
5. LA Studio Comp – mapped to switch labeled ‘Comp’
6. Ampeg SVT-4 PRO
7. 10 Band Graphic EQ – mapped to switch labeled ‘EQ’
8. Dual Delay – mapped to switch labeled ‘SWELLS’
9. Glitz Verb – mapped to switch labeled ‘SWELLS’
10. Glitz Verb – mapped to switch labeled ‘SWELLS’

USAGE

This patch is meant to be used in stompbox mode (there are no snapshots included).

GRIT:

We’ve added an 808 drive to this patch to give you a bit of overdrive for bass. This works well with upbeat rock songs (try it during Raise Your Head Weary Sinner or This Is Amazing Grace). For a regular ‘basic’ bass tone, leave it off.

COMP and EQ:

You have access to both the compressor and EQ blocks via the footswitches. We recommend leaving them on. Use the EQ block for final tone shaping to accommodate your bass or the venue you’re playing in.

SWELLS:

Bass swells can sound awesome – hit the ‘SWELLS’ button to turn on the big delay and reverbs.

ACTIVE/PASSIVE SWITCH:

Many bass guitars come equipped with active pickups, which have a much higher output level than passive pickups. The ‘Active/Passive’ switch adjusts the gain staging of the Sansamp block to accommodate for these different types of pickups.

• When the switch is off, the patch is suited for active pickups (less gain).
• When the switch is on, the patch is suited for passive pickups (more gain)

INPUT PAD:

In the Global Settings, there is an option under the ‘Ins/Outs’ menu to turn the input pad on or off When the Pad is on, the gain staging is lowered. We recommend turning the input pad ON if you are using a bass with active pickups. We recommend leaving it OFF if you are using a bass with passive pickups.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR YOUR SETUP

SETTING THE PATCH UP FOR YOUR GUITAR

All guitars and players are different, so you may want to make changes to suite your playing style and guitar. We set this up with a variety of basses using both active and passive pickup types. We recommend making a copy of the patch and changing the copy just in case you want to revert back to the original.

CHANGING THE OVERALL TONE:

The Amp block, Sansamp block, and EQ block all allow for tone shaping of this patch. We recommend starting with the EQ block to add low end or high end. Alternatively, the Sansamp (ZeroAmp Bass DI) block’s controls will have the greatest impact on the overall tone of the patch.

VOLUME CHANGES

If you would like to make this patch louder or quieter without affecting tone, the following adjustments can be made:

“Ch Vol” control on the amp block. This will increase or decrease volume without affecting the tone of the amp. This is the primary level adjustment tool I use for changing patch volumes.

Output block level. Changing the level control on the output block (the very last thing in the signal chain) will increase or decrease overall volume. We typically have this set at zero, but feel free to adjust this as you see fit.

CHANGELOG

Initial Release (1.0): 2019-11-07