rd2rk

Cross posting. I'll have a look at your preset tomorrow.

I DL'd the manual for your mixer. You have two "mixer" pages. "GAIN" and "MIX". GAIN is the equivalent of the INPUT GAIN KNOB on an old-school analog mixer like my Behringer. It is also the equivalent of the INPUT GAIN KNOBs on my Scarlett. This page is used to set the optimum Input Level for the mixer's pre-amps. The way you set these levels is to pull the Channel Level slider all the way down on the MIX page (no sound comes out), then play HARD with BIG CHORDS while pushing up the Channel Level slider on the GAIN page. When the meter hits the RED, pull it back just until it no longer hits the RED. This is the optimum level for the pre-amps. If that means that the slider is all the way down, that's OK! The knobs on my Behringer are BARELY cracked, and my Scarlett's knobs are always at zero. This is with an empty preset and the Helix BIG KNOB dimed (0db) and results in an Output/Recording Level of <>8db in the Scarlett SW and in Reaper. When I add any Amp+Cab (default settings) that takes the level down to <>-14 to <>-10db. The general recommendation for Input Levels in a DAW is between -18db and -12db. I've seen it as low as -8db, but that's pushing it IMO. Minor adjustments can be made with the amp's Channel Level. A couple of db either way will not have a major effect on the downstream FX. What is the Ideal Level to Record Tracks into a DAW? - InSync (sweetwater.com) Bottom line - don't worry about where the GAIN slider is set, as long as you keep it out of the RED you're good. Build your presets starting with the Amp and Cab. As you add FX, keep track of that GAIN Level. If an effect increases it, lower the Output of the effect and vice versa. NOTE: I use the IKMM T-Racks metering app in Reaper because it's easier to read than the Scarlett SW and default Reaper Channel meters. It also contains a LUFs meter. Reaper also has the FREE JS Loudness Meter which also has LUFs but isn't as pretty ;-) Yours has that cool segmented display, so you should be good to work off of that.

Yes.

All paths are stereo. Stereo blocks maintain stereo output. Mono blocks collapse the signal to mono. A mono signal is actually dual mono - the same signal on both the LEFT and RIGHT of the path. A mono signal into a stereo block restores stereo. Using the "PAN" parameter of the SPLIT and MIXER blocks is how you control the routing of stereo or mono signals in a path. Experimentation, especially when using headphones, will help you to fully grasp the ins and outs as explained above. HINT - the stereo Ping-Pong delay is invaluable when learning how it all works.

I have to wonder what kind of mixer you're using to have this problem. My studio mixer is a Scarlett 18i20. I tried several amp+cab combinations using default settings and even the clean amps (most dynamic/least compression) were only hitting <>-7.6db on the Scarlett and in Reaper. Next, I broke out my ANCIENT (had to search through the closet) Behringer Eurorack UB1002. I had to turn UP the Input Level to tickle the red light, and that was hitting the guitar harder than I ever do when playing. This has to be the result of something that you're doing in your presets. Attach one of the "problematic" presets and I'll have a look at it.

@quigster- please don't take our frustration personally. After Snapshots, the intricacies of the stereo signal flow are the most difficult thing about Helix to grasp or explain, and those of us who are regulars here sometimes get a little crazy trying to explain it. The preset I sent took me most of an hour to put together because I had to relearn how to do it, and I've had my HXS since its release and use it every day! Play around with my preset, study the panning techniques that I used, and it will eventually click for you! @datacommandohave a beer on me! If I still drank I'd be having TWO! ;-)

I tried to duplicate your problem but could not. The Para EQ boosts the same amount (measured by meter) in either path. Attach the original preset and I'll see if I can find your problem.

I'm not sure I get what you're saying, but here goes: I don't have the HXFX, but AFAIK the HXFX and HXS have identical L/R Input implementations. You'll need 2 instruments for this, one plugged LEFT and the other RIGHT. Attached is a demo preset created on my HXS. There're no amps, so it should work fine on your HXFX. I've placed a DISTORTION Block on Path A (LEFT) and a MODULATION Block on Path B (RIGHT) so that the paths are clearly defined. The paths are split A/B. The paths in both BOTH the SPLIT Block and the MIX Block are panned HARD (100%) L/R, thus completely separating the LEFT and RIGHT Inputs to the LEFT and RIGHT Outputs respectively. By default the Output Block PAN is set to CENTER. With BOTH instruments connected you'll hear both instruments on both Outputs. If you drag the Output PAN full left you'll only hear the LEFT instrument. Dragged full RIGHT you'll only hear the RIGHT Instrument. With only the RIGHT connected you'll only hear the RIGHT Instrument (PATH B). With only the LEFT connected you'll hear the LEFT instrument on both sides, but if you drag the PAN full LEFT you'll only hear PATH A. Dragged full RIGHT you'll only hear PATH B. This shows that when ONLY the LEFT Input is in use the signal goes to BOTH paths. That's what LEFT/MONO means. But when only the RIGHT Input is in use, only the RIGHT Input/path is active. When BOTH inputs are in use, the LEFT/MONO input ONLY goes LEFT, and vice versa. Hope this clarifies the way that the inputs work and answers your question. EDIT: to use ONLY the LEFT/MONO input and switch from Path A to Path B, change the SPLIT Block to A/B and assign a FS to the ROUTE TO parameter. quigster.hlx

Two reasons I know of. Some folks like to be able to control the mix of a "dry" signal with a "wet" signal. If you run a delay in parallel with a reverb it allows you to control how "wet" the delays are. The volume discrepancy is a result of the effect of "Pan Law". Search for it here or google it.

When asking for assistance it helps to specify which Helix you are using. On my Helix Floor: Ins/Outs>Volume Knob Controls=1/4" I believe that this works the same way on the LT.

OP was asking about using Snapshots, so that's what I focused on. Whenever using Snapshots, attention must be paid to everything in the Snapshot. There's lots of ways to do most everything in Helix. That can be a blessing or a curse.

If the SW was "so buggy it won't even launch" it wouldn't work for ANYBODY! Shut down Helix. Reboot your computer. Make sure that your computer is fully updated and not having any issues. Uninstall HX Edit, reinstall including ALL drivers. Turn OFF Real-Time Virus scanners. Start over, using Line6 Updater. If you're still having problems, come back. I know it's frustrating, and you'll REALLY hate this - I've had my Helix since 2016 and never had a single problem updating. Some of us are just lucky. Hmmm...maybe I should check my Lotto ticket...

OP's question was "Is the resultant sound fairly good or is it quite bad?" I didn't say that there was NO REASON to do it. I said (I'll say it in more detail) that the FX loop adds a very small amount of noise to the signal and placing a GAIN boosting device (which always adds its own noise to the signal) in the loop then BOOSTS that small amount of noise. And THAT is the reason it sounds different putting it in the loop vs putting it before Helix. Adds and boosts extraneous noise. IME means "In My Experience". It means that I've tried it. Part of the reason I'm digital is that I don't like extraneous noise. But, hey, if it works for you, go for it! Here in the Digital Wonderland there's No Rules! If it sounds good to YOU, then it IS good! YMMV and all that.

Yes. Both have stereo Ins and outs. However, you are limited to 8 FX total, and which ones you'll be able to use depends on the DSP load of the FX. For example, if you're planning on using separate HX amps, which are MONO and DSP heavy, you might be VERY limited in the # of FX that you can use.

Plug your second instrument into an unused RETURN. Place its Block wherever you want the second instrument to enter the signal chain. Set the Level to +6db (or whatever works) and the MIX to 100%. To use the first instrument, SAVE the Snapshot with the RETURN Block BYPASSED/OFF. To use the second instrument, save that Snapshot with the RETURN Block ACTIVE/ON. Assuming that you're routing PATH 1 into PATH 2 and the SPLIT on Path 2 is already in use, place the SEND of the RETURN you used with DRY THRU set to -120db (OFF) wherever you want the second instrument to EXIT the signal chain and do the same thing with the BYPASS Snapshot assignment (BYPASSED/OFF for instrument 1 and ACTIVE/ON for instrument 2) to route the signal to the alternate output destination. The second instrument level might not quite match the level of the first, but you can assign to Snapshots either the Channel level on the amp or (I would use) the Output level to compensate. NOTE - if you're ONLY using 1/4" or XLR in MONO you can save a Block by foregoing the SEND and assigning the Output PAN parameter to the appropriate snapshots. Note that you lose the Auto Impedance function on the second instrument, but that only matters if you MUST use FX with <1M inputs. The RETURN is 1M, so it will load the pickups accordingly. Attached example preset demonstrates the technique. I created this on my HXS but it'll work the same on Helix, just use the appropriate SEND/RETURN. John1912.hlx

Upvoted!

Time to open a support ticket.

Is it that way in EVERY preset? If not, maybe that preset is corrupt and you need to recreate it. If it's the same in ALL presets, then it sounds like you've done all that you can do. Open a support ticket.

IME putting an OD/DISTORTION pedal in the FX Loop tends to boost the small bit of noise that exists in the FX Loop. These pedals are meant to be placed between the guitar and amp and work best with Helix when placed between the guitar and Helix. YMMV.

I must be misunderstanding your workflow, because you cannot, nor have you ever been able to, save a single snapshot. Snapshots are saved by saving the preset, which saves ALL of the snapshots in whatever state they're in. Snapshot Edits=RECALL prevents the loss of your changes between snapshot tweaks, WITHOUT saving the preset, unless you change presets WITHOUT saving, in which case all changes are lost, so maybe that's what you mean? I must be misunderstanding because I know that you're no rookie at this, you've been at it a long time and you're a performing PRO. Whatever, the important thing is that your workflow works for YOU, so ROCK ON!

Helix doesn't SAVE a Snapshot until you SAVE the preset. I don't recall how it worked in 3.15. I seem to remember that the FUNCTION of a FS was always set the same in all Snapshots. Didn't it used to set all Snapshot BEHAVIORS for a switch the same until you SAVED the preset? IOW - set a FS to HX Snapshots FUNCTION and the BEHAVIOR to go to a different Snapshot and it set that FS to THAT behavior in all Snapshots? I like the way it works now, as I would rather set the FS FUNCTION's BEHAVIOR in each snapshot per my needs. I could be mis-remembering how it worked previously, I'm not sure what I had for dinner last night... :-P Only ONE save is necessary if you have Snapshot Edits set to RECALL.

SÌ. Imposta il comando istantaneo (fulmine) su Bank/Program. Imposta MIDI CHANNEL sullo stesso canale del ToneX. Impostare CC00 su 0 (PC# 0-127 nel Banco 1) o 1 (PC# 0-21 corrispondono ai preset 128-149 nel Banco 2). Tieni presente che mentre il ToneX SW numera i BANCHI come 0-49 A-B-C, sto usando i MIDI BANK n. 0 e 1. Usa lo stesso Instant Command in ogni istantanea, impostato sulla destinazione ToneX desiderata. Yes. Set the Instant Command (lightning bolt) to Bank/Program. Set MIDI CHANNEL to the same channel as ToneX. Set CC00 to 0 (PC#s 0-127 in Bank 1) or 1 (PC#s 0-21 correspond to presets 128-149 in Bank 2). Note that while ToneX SW numbers BANKS as 0-49 A-B-C, I'm using the MIDI BANK #s 0 and 1. Use the same Instant Command in each Snapshot, set to the desired ToneX destination.

To expand on what @theElevatorssaid - When you assign a FS to a function, HX Snapshot in this case, that FS retains that function in ALL snapshots. If you the assign that FS to go to a specific snapshot all of the other snapshots retain the DEFAULT - in this case, NEXT, which is the same as Snapshot UP. So, when you get to the destination snapshot from Snapshot 1, the FS assignment in that snapshot is NEXT by default. You have to assign a behavior for that FS in EVERY snapshot. IOW - if FS1 in SS1 calls SS5, FS1 in SS5 will be NEXT unless you assign it to do something else, say, go to SS3. When a function in a SS is assigned to a FS, that FS must be assigned to a specific behavior in EVERY SS else those Snapshots default to NEXT.

Maybe it's time to contact support?

In Global Settings>Ins/Outs you can set the Sends/Returns to either INSTRUMENT (1M) or LINE. What you lose is the AUTO INPUT-Z - if the device you're using has that. When asking for help on this forum, it's helpful to specify which device you're using.