ramirezdan

I've had this issue for a long time, but always attributed it to running too much stuff in my live set(plugins, softsynths, etc.) The glitches were annoying, but I figured I'd sort it out before taking the board on stage. 

I finally decided to rebuild a more minimal setup and am super disappointed that my clicks and pops haven't gone away. Ableton's CPU meter shows around 3-4% utilization. Activity monitor shows Live using around 40% or so. My sample buffer size is currently at 256. When using an Apogee Duet, the same project can easily handle a 64 sample buffer size. 

I've had this issue with 3 different Mac laptops. They're all Retina Macbooks with a clock speed of around 2.8ghz, 16GB ram, and a big SSD. 

A sample buffer size > 256 is probably unworkable for me, but in the meantime, I'll see if I can reproduce with a buffer size of 2048. 
 

On 5/29/2018 at 2:20 AM, DunedinDragon said:

My opinion is that after reading all they have to say about what they do my reaction is, "so what?".  What's in it for me at $500?  Given that's the price I paid for a HD500X and I knew all the great benefits I would have with it, I still can't cite a single, objective benefit I might get from this investment...other than negating my warranty.

You'd get a higher quality signal path. Whether or not that makes a difference in your setup is an entirely different thing. 

I compared a MOTU audio interface with the BLA mod vs. the same model without and I was pretty surprised at the difference. They do really good work. 

All that said, if you wanted to stuff $500 into the Helix, you're probably better off doing it before the input or after the output. 

On 4/18/2018 at 11:01 AM, cruisinon2 said:

 

Stuffing a Corvette engine into a Ford Festiva doesn't make it a sports car...;)

 

Yes, in the modeling world, we can theoretically do just about anything....and if that works for you, then have at it. But if I want a Fender Twin sound, then I want a Fender Twin sound....don't see much point in front-loading it with a Marshall. 

Weird car analogy aside, using a preamp in front of a high headroom amp isn't a weird modeling edge case. I've done this in the past with a Mesa Dual Rectifier's pre-out running into an AC30 or Twin. My buddy used to run his deluxe reverb with the preamp section of a JCM-900 in the return. 

"But if I want a Fender Twin sound, then I want a Fender Twin sound....don't see much point in front-loading it with a Marshall."
If that's the case, why would you even use a pedal in front of the Twin? That changes the sound. Dillenger Escape Plan plays with a Fender Twin and something tells me you wouldn't call their sound "a Fender Twin sound", but it works for them.

People push "whatever works" a bit much. There's a reason for conventional wisdom, but preamp models are basically no different than a distortion/gain pedal and anywhere you'd consider using one of those, you can use a preamp model.

 

9 minutes ago, cruisinon2 said:

 

Never mind...I thought you were referring to using, for example, one of the Marshall preamp-only models in front of another full-amp model....that's gonna get ugly.

 

The studio preamps are another story. But honestly, I've never found the need to use those with other amp models.... with Variax acoustic models, where I have no other amp model in the chain, yes. But that's all I've ever used them for. 

"for example, one of the Marshall preamp-only models in front of another full-amp model....that's gonna get ugly."

Depending on the full amp model, I don't think that's necessarily true. i.e., a marshall preamp in front of something like a Fender Twin should be usable. 
 

2 hours ago, MarkJarvis said:

What are you using the pre blocks for?...

 

reason i am asking is so far not really finding ever using them....I tried

1) Using as an amp before a cab

2) Using a pre before an amp block (yuk)

 

While they use less dsp I am not finding them useful so I am asking you what and how are you using them if at all.

 

 

I use the Helix preamps exclusively because I output the blocks to Dr. Z mini combos. Technically, this leaves me with 2 preamps, one power amp, and one cab, but the Dr. Z's are really simple(one knob), so the two preamps don't get in eachother's way too much. 

Look at the Helix preamps as a regular guitar pedal. They do things like distortion, gain management, and tone shaping. They sound thin/lame on their own because they're intended to be used with an amp, just like any other guitar pedal. 

i dont know if there would be too many in that category, users of helix who only ever used fx's - pretty pricey luxury

That's me. The scribblestrips are instrumental for controlling software with MIDI. The only alternatives that I found were things like this: http://www.famcmusic.com/store/liquid-foot?product_id=72

So, for an extra $200, you may as well get a bunch of effects and/or ampsims. I also use the audio interface capability of the Helix, but if I wasn't the HXFX would be pretty ideal and half the cost. 

I run my helix with snapshots and 10 stomp buttons on stomp mode. I use most of the stomp mode to control my digitech whammy dt.

 

When you open the command center editor for midi control in HX edit, the naming and color assignment options are missing from the first buttons of each row bit present on all others. This is not the case with the previous editor.

 

Bug or just an accidental oversight?

I'm running into this too. 

I ended up ordering one. <$200 to get 3 inputs with variable preamp gain into the aux in seems like a pretty good deal. I'll do a shootout between the guitar input and the aux input with various guitars/basses when I get it. I might throw the mic in with a DI too just to mix it up a bit. 

I hope I can send the Aux in to USB in 7 like I can do with the guitar, otherwise I just bought a $200 impedance matcher.
 

I'm using all 4 of my returns. 

 

After a bit of research, this 321 device from thegigrig seems to be a viable option if I need access to the BassVI and the Jazz bass, overkill if I only need the Jazz Bass. It would also accommodate an extra guitar, so I could have 4 instruments connected simultaneously with two being accessible at any one time. 

 

https://www.thegigrig.com/three2one

You could use one of the effects loops Returns, instead, if you have a spare.

I'm using all 4 of my returns. 

After a bit of research, this 321 device from thegigrig seems to be a viable option if I need access to the BassVI and the Jazz bass, overkill if I only need the Jazz Bass. It would also accommodate an extra guitar, so I could have 4 instruments connected simultaneously with two being accessible at any one time. 

https://www.thegigrig.com/three2one

I'm nailing down my live setup and have a passive Jazz Bass connected to the Aux Input of the Helix. It's working fine, but I'm guessing the impedance mismatch is giving me a low audio signal and probably killing the tone a bit. Due to how I'm using the rest of the Helix, I'm committed to making this Aux Input work. 

Can someone recommend an active DI that would help bring the Jazz Bass up to the right level. While the Jazz Bass is the priority, I also have a Bass VI that's SUPER quiet and it would be awesome if the same DI could bring that in line with the Aux Input.

I do something like this this on my regular Helix without issue. Very easy, just split the path before the cabsim block, then use either different outputs(XLR vs. 1/4) or the pan block to ensure that your signals are separated properly. 

Hello!

 

I'm interested in Helix LT and i was wondering if i can edit each of my presets to have

cab simulation on the left output (to connect straight to PA)

and on the right output without cab sims (for amp connection through fx-return)

 

Thanks in advance!

I've been trying to piece together a live rig around the Helix, two Eventide H9s, and Ableton Live. I started with an RME Fireface400 on the pedalboard which worked, but it's a bit overkill and I was hoping I could get away with just using the Helix as my interface. 

It's not perfect, but I've found a pretty good way to utilize the Helix's flexibility. 

Helix Physical Connections:

Inputs:

Guitar - Guitar
Mic - Vocal Mic

Aux - Bass(volume a bit low, probably want a DI of some sort to match impedance)

Return 1 - H9 #1

Return 2 - H9 #2

Return 3 - DSI Tempest Drum Machine/Synth

Return 4 - DSI Tempest Drum Machine/Synth

Outputs:

1/4 1 - Mini Z amp #1

1/4 2 - Mini Z amp #2

XLR 1 - Stereo Mix to PA  - L

XLR 2 - Stereo Mix to PA - R

Send 1 - H9 #1

Send 2 - H9 #2

Send 3 - Shure Wireless Headphone Mono Input

Send 4 - Ampeg Micro CL

---

Inputs:

Path 1A - USB 3/4(Guitar) -> [H9] -> [H9] -> V [Preamp]-> 1/4 outputs
Path 1B - USB 3/4(Guitar) - >                                [Amp] -> USB 1/2
Path 2A - USB 5/6 - > [send 3/4] -> [Return 3/4] -> USB 5/6
Path 2B - AUX(Bass) -> USB 3/4
---

This allows me to use the two H9s on the guitar and bass paths as I see fit. It also allows me to use a preamp with the MiniZ tube combo amps while simultaneously having an ampsim available for FOH and the stereomix in general. It's also convenient if I want to play without turning the amps on.

I use Live for looping instruments and this setup allows me to loop the guitar, bass, mic, and Tempest at my leisure. I can also route any of those instruments to the stereomix, either guitar amp, and the bass amp. On top of that, I have the click and a mono cuemix going out to the wireless headphones.

90% of the reason I got the Helix was for the scribble strips. I can name them what I want and let Live do cool stuff with the MIDI capability of the Helix. 
Anyway, I was just happy it had the flexibility to give me 4 simultaneous instruments, individual outputs to 3 amps, a headphone mix, and 2 H9s available to every instrument except for the mic. And it all fits on a pedalboard and connects to the computer with a single USB cable.

Gunmetal...can you elaborate on what you did to send the individual tracks to certain outputs and by pass the Helix processing?

 

I want to do the same thing: take the 8 outs from USB and send them to the 8 1/4" send/returns to go to FOH

I'm doing something similar and ended up using a separate interface, which totally sucks because now I have another single point of failure on my pedalboard and ground hum I have to sort out.

"I want to do the same thing: take the 8 outs from USB and send them to the 8 1/4" send/returns to go to FOH"

You can't. There aren't 8 1/4" send and returns. 

I'm trying to figure out this answer.

To those saying latency doesn't matter because there's direct monitoring... Some of us use the DAW's effects and loop tracks using the DAW. The only way that works is to monitor through the software. Works great with a real interface, and actually, worked fine for me too with the Helix.

I just wish I could route stuff in the DAW without using block paths in the Helix. It sucks losing a block path simply to get a click out to headphones. 

Couple (or more) of questions:

 

1. You have 2 sends going to an Eventide H9, but nothing coming back from the H9 to Helix?

2. 1/4" outs of helix are going to two different amps? Front of the amp, or loop?

3. What are you trying to do conceptually? (tracks and guitar from helix to FOH?) 

4. Are you trying to play tracks through Helix to FOH?

 

Basically all the routing you mention going to/from your DAW would just be done on Helix USB in/out 1-8. By what I can gather, you just need XLR outs to FOH, 1/4 outs to your amps, and send/returns for H9. You can play tracks from DAW through Helix on USB in 1/2, and route those to FOH. Wet/dry guitar tracks to DAW on USB 1/2, and 7/8 out of Helix. 

 

I may be missing your intent though. 

"1. You have 2 sends going to an Eventide H9, but nothing coming back from the H9 to Helix?"

I'm hoping to use two sends and two returns for the H9s. They would be in the middle of a Helix path, so shouldn't factor into either the DAW I/O assignments, or the inputs/outputs for the actual paths. 

"2. 1/4" outs of helix are going to two different amps? Front of the amp, or loop?"

Good question. Front of the amps. With the Helix, I can choose to play amp A, B, or both. It also allows me to record loops into the DAW and send them back out to amp A, B, or both. 

I had a pretty good system setup with my Fireface400, but I'm struggling to get it incorporated onto my floorboard, so now I'm hoping I can just skip it entirely. Earlier I thought I wanted it because it would be easy to setup multiple outputs so the FOH has more mixing capability, but now I'm willing to lose some flexibility for a simpler setup. 

 

Let me know if I can do the following:

 

Helix Physical Inputs:

 

1 - Guitar In - Guitar

2 - Mic In - Bass via Sansamp Bass DI

3 - Return 1 - H9 Core #1 output mono

4 - Return 2 - H9 Core #2 output mono

 

Helix Physical Outputs:

 

1 - XLR L - FOH L

2 - XLR R - FOH R

3 - Send 1 - H9 Core #1 input mono

4 - Send 2 - H9 Core #2 input mono

5 - Send 3 - Mono Cuemix #1

6 - Send 4 - Mono Cuemix #2

7 - 1/4 L - Tube amp 1

8 - 1/4 R - Tube amp 2

 

Helix Audio Interface Inputs:

 

1 - Wet Guitar(with H9 FX)

2 - Wet Mic/Bass(with H9 FX)

3 - 

4 - 

5 - 

6 - 

7 - Dry Guitar 

8 - Dry Mic/Bass

 

Helix Audio Interface Outputs:

 

1 - FOH L (backing tracks)

2 - FOH R (backing tracks)

3 - 

4 - 

5 - Mono Cuemix #1

6 - Mono Cuemix #2

7 - 1/4 L - Tube amp 1

8 - 1/4 R - Tube amp 2

 

---

 

I think my biggest issue here is I/O on the blocks. I'm afraid I need 6 inputs to the blocks and I only get 4?

 

 

Come to think of it, I can probably get away without using the Guitar or Bass in my Helix's input blocks since those come across audio interface inputs 7/8. I would need to add a stereo USB input block, but could probably only use one of the 4 paths for both guitar and bass. This means monitoring through my daw, but I do a bunch of live looping, so half my content comes from the DAW anyway.

I had a pretty good system setup with my Fireface400, but I'm struggling to get it incorporated onto my floorboard, so now I'm hoping I can just skip it entirely. Earlier I thought I wanted it because it would be easy to setup multiple outputs so the FOH has more mixing capability, but now I'm willing to lose some flexibility for a simpler setup. 

Let me know if I can do the following:

Helix Physical Inputs:

1 - Guitar In - Guitar

2 - Mic In - Bass via Sansamp Bass DI

3 - Return 1 - H9 Core #1 output mono

4 - Return 2 - H9 Core #2 output mono

Helix Physical Outputs:

1 - XLR L - FOH L

2 - XLR R - FOH R

3 - Send 1 - H9 Core #1 input mono

4 - Send 2 - H9 Core #2 input mono

8 - 1/4 R - Tube amp 2

Helix Audio Interface Inputs:

1 - Wet Guitar(with H9 FX)
2 - Wet Mic/Bass(with H9 FX)
3 - 

4 - 
5 - 
6 - 
7 - Dry Guitar 
8 - Dry Mic/Bass

Helix Audio Interface Outputs:
 

1 - FOH L (backing tracks)

2 - FOH R (backing tracks)

3 - 

4 - 

8 - 1/4 R - Tube amp 2

---

I think my biggest issue here is I/O on the blocks. I'm afraid I need 6 inputs to the blocks and I only get 4?

 

FWIW, please don't ever put a wireless receiver in any version of the Helix. I don't want to pay for it, a decent workaround exists, and the development opportunity cost all make it a bad idea from my viewpoint.

clock sync? Slave Fireface to Helix. Just a thought, i do not own a Fireface400.

Issue was fixed by replacing the RCAs I was using. Then I switched back to the original RCAs and everything was fine. I'm guessing I lost clock sync somehow and just the act of unplugging and replugging fixed it. 

The Fireface is bulletproof(seriously, RME's drivers are the best in the business), so I'm blaming the Helix for the time being. Hopefully it doesn't lose sync again.

I'm having a somewhat similar issue. Worked fine yesterday, now my Fireface400 isn't seeing the Helix at all. Puzzling. Fireface sending and receiving fine to other devices via SPDIF. I'm on 2.11. I'll update the OS, but I doubt it will help.

Hey all,

 

Loving the Helix - especially having moved from the M13. There's just one thing that I'm wondering how to work around.

 

I love to group up a few different effects close to each other. I play a bit of post-rock and typically have a few different delays and reverbs written into my board at a time. On the M13, I'd put all of my delays in one row and reverbs in another - so that when I selected a new reverb - the other would be switched off.

 

How can I create a similar situation on the Helix, so that when I choose another reverb or delay - it triggers the others (of the same type) to turn off. (I assume that I'd have to write in which footswitches it may target.) I'm currently doing quite the dance to switch on / off effects with the current setup. Thankfully the sound is so fantastic that no one has really noticed yet. ;)

 

All thoughts are appreciated !

You're describing snapshots. It's definitely worth learning. 

I see there's a lot of excitement about the Helix Native and I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't quite get why this is a huge enhancement. 

 

So, If I use my helix to play-out, and don't mind bringing it into the studio for recordings, then there is really not a huge advantage or game changer for me?

 

Reading other topics on the Native, I can see why certain users would be thrilled, no longer having to bring their Helix from the road to the studio.  And it looks like there will be more amps coming?  Hopefully those amps will be included in future updates for the Helix units themselves in addition to Native?

 

Last, I would appreciate if anyone could tell me if the following use would work out well and perhaps this would be a game changer for me! 

 

I would much rather put the guitar down, and adjust the helix settings, sitting down at a computer than playing and having to make changes to the unit or the computer editor while strapped to a guitar and playing. 

 

Could I record my guitar with zero effects and processing, and then feed that sound into the  Helix Native?  Then sitting comfortably at the computer for long periods of time, I could try many different amps and effects and really dive in to how the setting change the sound.  Or will the dynamics of playing in real-time not be identical to a pre-recorded input into Native from the same guitar?

Could I record my guitar with zero effects and processing, and then feed that sound into the  Helix Native?

Yes. I'm pretty excited about being able to mess with guitar processing while in bed on the laptop and then later use those same settings live. It also now allows me to share DAW projects with band members without requiring me to record the reamp output.

I'm communicating to both the Helix and the H9's through Ableton Live, so my setup likely won't help anyone else. I need this so I can playback the program changes with my backing tracks. Live triggers the Helix's preset. The Helix's preset then triggers the H9's presets.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond! Really! :)  A few more reads of what you guys said/having the Helix here to test everything should help. As long as I can save a Helix preset to automatically launch my saved H9 presets(FX loop) then im golden.

I've got the same setup. Helix + 2 H9's. It's a great combo. It's really cool how easy it is to play with different signal paths without mucking about with cables. 

One workaround that seems to help a bit in my experience, is to completely roll back the tone control on your guitar. This seems to keep the upper harmonics from interfering with the fundamental pitch.

Yep, and always tune with your neck pickup. The fundamental is stronger, and by rolling the tone off, you remove/reduce overtones so the tuner is analyzing a simple signal. Makes a huge difference.