Edit your Helix on Linux
HX Edit runs only on Windows and macOS, so a lot of Linux players keep a Windows VM or a second computer just for the pedal. Helrig for Linux is a desktop app that connects to your Helix or HX over USB. It opens the preset the pedal is playing, edits it live, saves presets to any slot and manages your IRs. The editor is free; connecting needs Helrig Connect or Helrig Pro. One Helrig Connect license also covers Helrig for Mac, Windows and Android.
What you need
A 64-bit (x86_64) Linux machine, a USB cable, and the .deb, .rpm or AppImage from the download page. And a Helix Floor, Helix LT or Helix Rack, or an HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL or HX Effects.
The .deb and .rpm set up USB access to the pedal for you. The AppImage needs one rule added by hand; the install steps on the download page have it.
What works
One feature list, the same as in Helrig for Mac and Windows:
- Plug in the pedal and Helrig opens the preset it is playing, with its whole signal chain on screen.
- Edit it live: turn a knob, bypass a block or change a snapshot and you hear it from the pedal.
- Save a preset to any slot. Before Helrig writes, it keeps a copy of what is in that slot, reads the preset back to check it, and when the copy can be put back exactly, you can undo the save.
- Manage your IRs on the pedal: import, rename, remove and export.
- Everything the editor does in the browser: open, edit, convert between devices, and export a standard .hlx.
Live editing is off every time you connect, so you switch it on when you want it. Nothing is written to the pedal until you do, or until you save.
What still needs HX Edit
Firmware updates and full pedal backups. HX Edit runs only on Windows and macOS, so those happen on another computer. Before your first connection, make a full backup there.
If something looks wrong on your distro or desktop
Linux setups differ, and reports help fix them. Use “Report a problem” in the app, and say which distribution and desktop you run.
Questions
Can Helrig damage my pedal?
Helrig backs up the slot before it saves, reads the preset back to check it, and can put the old one back. It won’t save a preset it can’t write faithfully, or one over the DSP limit. Before your first connection, make a full backup in HX Edit, the same as before a firmware update.
Does HX Edit run on Linux?
No, only on Windows and macOS. Helrig has a desktop app for Linux that connects to your Helix or HX over USB. Firmware updates still go through HX Edit.
Can I use Wine or a VM instead?
People report that HX Edit under Wine fails at the USB step, so it doesn’t reach the pedal. A Windows virtual machine works, but it needs a Windows license. Helrig for Linux runs on Linux itself, with no Wine and no VM.
Do I still need HX Edit?
For firmware updates, yes. HX Edit runs on Windows and macOS only, so that step happens on another computer. Editing presets, live editing and saving to a slot don’t need it.
Disclaimer
Line 6, Helix and HX are trademarks of their respective owners. Helrig is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.