mrmichaelgibson

Thanks for all the input and advice! This is now set up and working for me based off all of your help :)

Wow, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Just hooked it up and works perfectly. Makes it easier to control the volume from the desk too! Helix --> XLR L/R outs --> MOTU M2 --> studio monitors connected via 1/4 cables MOTU 2 --> usb connected to MacBook Pro My only remaining question - is it better to use the 1/4 outs from the Helix, or the XLR outs? I assume they would basically be the same?

Thanks for everything so far, all! I realize I do have a Motu M2 (https://motu.com/en-us/products/m-series/m2/) that I had forgotten about. However it's USB bus powered, so I am not sure it would work as a simple monitor.

Hi all! I am using some different apps and sounds via my MacBook and want to plug the audio into the Helix. I tried running a cable from my MacBook headphone out --> into the AUX IN port in the Helix, but that just routes it through the preset I am using. Is there a way to hook this up to basically use the Helix as the monitor (I have the Helix connected to studio monitors and it sounds perfect) so I can play music or anything on the Mac and have it play through the Helix? FYI - I already have the USB running to my PC, and I can play audio via that perfectly through the Helix, but was hoping to also be able to play via the MacBook audio out in a similar way without having to switch the USB cable back and forth. Thanks!

Great work on these! I really appreciate the time you've taken in creating and sharing these presets. Keep up the good work!

Yep, that's the one I used and it looks correct. If you see any issues with how I wired it for any reason, please let me know. Thanks!

Of course right after I post, I figure it out :) So to anyone else looking to do the same, it's well worth it. The key was the wiring was wrong. With an EMG H4 (or I would suppose any passive EMG), the wiring for the Shuriken is: Black and white - solder together and tape off (don't connect) Bare - tape off (don't connect) Red (hot wire) - solder to W10 Green - solder to W7 The key for me was figuring out the the red was the hot wire (used this diagram for the clue: https://www.emgpickups.com/pub/media/Mageants/h/z/hz_h3_h4_b245_0230-0221rf.pdf) It's sounding amazing. Much more alive and sounds pretty much like a standard active EMG 81 (which is what I was going for). So now this guitar really is the best of both worlds - the high output and powerful sound of the EMG and, well, all the rest of the guitars via the Variax system :) A little trouble to get right, but worth it. Hope this helps someone!

Hi all! I am replacing the stock pickup in my Variax Shuriken 250 and am having some issues. I have a brand new EMG H4 (passive pickup). I also have a connector that has the following: Red & White wires --> soldered together and covered with electrical tape Green & Bare wires --> soldered together and connected to W7 Black wire --> connected to W10 I did this based on the recommendation here in the forums... It seems to be wired correctly, but I get a VERY low sound out of it. When I switch on the Variax, the sound is full as expected. Switching back to the EMG, it gets a very faint sound (almost no output). I put this new pickup in another guitar to test and it sounds perfect. Can anyone assist in what I may be doing wrong? Thanks!

Related question - the whole reason I am not using the built-in looper is for presets like this one. Where would I put a looper block in this? A lot of my presets have one path out, but I have several like this that I'd like to put a looper block in...

I hadn't thought of that. I run the XLR cable because I assumed that would produce a better signal / sound. I will give that a try! So then I assume the chain for me would be: Line 6 Relay --> Helix Floor (1/4 jack) guitar --> 1/4 cable out --> Looper --> Alto TS212 ?

Thanks for the advice. I just ordered a male XLR --> male 1/4 cable and see how that works out. That would be great if it's that simple!

Hi all! I have seen several posts about using an external looper but I can't seem to make it work correctly. My path right now... Line 6 Relay --> Helix Floor (1/4 jack) guitar --> XLR out --> Alto TS212 Works great and sounds great. I am OK with the Helix onboard looper, but many of my presets don't have an extra slot so I can put the looper in, plus I'd rather not have to back and add loopers to all my presets. I have a Boss RC-1. Works fine if I put it in the chain right before the Helix, but then when playing back the sample it is subject to the snapshot I change to (e.g. I do a clean loop, then switch to a dirty channel and the loop gets distorted). So what I am looking for is a way to put the RC-1 at the end of the chain (or something similar) so the loop stays as the original sound, and not have to add an effects block to every preset. I can do it fine with just using 1/4 out, but I prefer to keep the XLR out if possible. Any advice for a simple way to do this? Thanks!

So the best and closest I can come - set the Reference to 435 and tune the high (1st) string to E, then tune other strings to that one. The E will be in tune, but the rest of strings don't handle the offset. I did that and it's now perfectly in tune to the records.

Yes, exactly. I checked by doing it by ear as well. I went down to Eb and it was too low. Started coming up in pitch and got it, so it's definitely Eb + 40 cents. Thanks all for your help!

Hi all! I am looking to nail the tuning that DImebag Darrell used in Pantera. From an article with his tech Grady: Sounds easy enough. Tune down to Eb, then up 40 cents. I am trying to figure out how exactly to do that with the tuner in Helix. I must be missing something, but I don't see a way in any of the tuners (Fine, Coarse, or Strobe) to hit exactly 40 cents above Eb. Any advice?