Glossary¶

Short explanations of MatchPatch terms. These are written for musicians, not software developers.

Adjusted File¶

The Helix file MatchPatch saves after calculating level changes. This is the file you import back into the Helix after checking the results.

Analysis Interval¶

How often MatchPatch checks loudness while listening through the recorded audio. A shorter interval checks more often.

Analysis Window¶

The length of audio MatchPatch listens to for each loudness measurement. A longer window can be steadier, but it needs enough recorded audio.

ASIO¶

A low-latency Windows audio driver type often used by audio interfaces and processors. If you use hardware mode, the Helix audio device may appear through ASIO.

Backend¶

The way MatchPatch gets sound to measure:

hardware measures a real Helix;
loopback tests the app without a Helix;
simulated uses a fake processor for testing.

Block Size¶

The audio buffer size used while recording and playing audio. Most users can leave this at 0, which lets the audio system choose.

Crest Factor¶

The gap between the loudest peaks and the average energy of a sound. A sharp, spiky rhythm part has a higher crest factor than a compressed lead tone.

Custom Adjustment¶

A manual loudness exception for one preset snapshot. For example, you can tell MatchPatch to make snapshot 2 of 01A 1.5 dB louder than the normal target.

dB¶

Decibels. Guitar processors use dB to describe level changes. A +3 dB change is louder; a -3 dB change is quieter.

Deadband¶

A small level-change range where MatchPatch may leave things alone. This avoids tiny edits that do not matter musically.

DI¶

Direct input. A clean guitar recording before amp, cab, and effects. MatchPatch plays this clean recording through every preset so each preset is measured from the same performance.

Gain Delta¶

The level change MatchPatch calculated for a snapshot. In the table, this is the Delta dB value.

Hardware Mode¶

The backend that measures a real Helix. Use this for real results.

Helix¶

The Line 6 Helix guitar processor family. MatchPatch currently focuses on Helix .hls setlists and .hlx presets.

LUFS¶

A loudness measurement that is closer to perceived loudness than a simple peak meter. MatchPatch uses LUFS to decide how much each snapshot should move up or down.

Loopback Mode¶

A no-hardware mode where MatchPatch measures the reference DI directly. It is good for learning the app, but it does not measure your Helix tone.

Measurement CSV¶

A file containing measured loudness and crest-factor results for each preset and snapshot. Most musicians do not need to open it.

Measurement File¶

A temporary Helix file created for measuring. It changes routing so MatchPatch can send the DI into the Helix and record the result.

Warning: A measurement file is not meant for live playing.

MIDI¶

The control connection MatchPatch uses to switch Helix presets and snapshots during hardware measurement.

Output Block Level¶

The final output level inside a Helix preset. MatchPatch adjusts this level per snapshot to balance loudness.

Patch¶

Another word for a preset. On Helix, a patch or preset lives in a slot such as 01A or 12D.

Pre-Roll¶

Silence recorded before the reference DI starts. It gives the audio recording a little room before the performance.

Post-Roll¶

Silence recorded after the reference DI ends. It gives the audio recording room for latency and short tails.

Preset¶

A stored Helix sound, usually one song, tone, or rig.

Reference DI¶

The clean guitar WAV MatchPatch plays through every selected preset. A good reference DI should match your real playing style.

Round-Trip Latency¶

The small time delay caused by sending audio out to the Helix and recording it back into the computer.

Routing¶

The path audio takes. In hardware mode, the reference DI leaves the computer, goes into the Helix, and the processed sound comes back to the computer.

Simulated Mode¶

A no-hardware mode that pretends to be a processor. It is useful for testing the workflow, but it is not a real Helix measurement.

Snapshot¶

A variation inside one Helix preset. For example, one preset might have Clean, Crunch, Lead, and Solo snapshots.

Solo Boost¶

Extra level added to snapshots that MatchPatch recognizes as solos. The default solo boost is 3 dB.

Steering¶

The automatic preset and snapshot switching MatchPatch performs during hardware measurement.

Target LUFS¶

The loudness MatchPatch tries to match. If a snapshot is below the target, MatchPatch raises it; if it is above the target, MatchPatch lowers it.

USB Channels¶

The audio paths between the computer and Helix over USB. MatchPatch needs the playback and recording channels to match the Helix routing.

WSL And WSLg¶

Windows Subsystem for Linux and its graphical app support. Some users run the MatchPatch GUI from WSL while hardware measurement uses a Windows audio setup.