kraftybob

Whether you're using your amp, or amp models, you do have to set levels across your patches. And it's best to do it at gig volume if at all possible. Once the levels are set I then use the main volume control as my master volume. You may have to tweak a little here and there depending on the room your in. I thought this would be a pain, but it wasn't a big deal and it's not any different than if you brought multiple amps to a gig - you'd have to level them as well. Speaking from experience, start with the clean amps first, then level the OD. Seems obvious but for some unknown, idiotic reason I started with the dirty amps, then soon realized some of the clean amps couldn't get loud enough to match. Just like the real world - shocker :) Finally, don't get hung up on all the science around which way to best level your volumes across patches. I used a sound meter on my phone (NIOSH SLM - it's good and it's free) just to get in the ballpark. But I did the real leveling just listening with my ears. Others swear by sound meters only, others ears only, etc. There are a ton of threads on this forum but frankly you could easily go down a rabbit hole with this topic.

Seeing you have the HX Effects that means for your "amp model" is your 5150 (pointing out the obvious :) - are you looking for additional amps as well, or just to simplify your setup (once your patches set)? Also, are you maxing out the 9 blocks/preset? I have the Helix LT and run 4CM into my Marshall DSL40C. I went in with the expectation of using my DSL for my amp and Helix for effects only, but then setting up a few patches with amp and cabs so I could use the Helix as a backup if my amp was under repair. That quickly changed after I started messing with the Helix. Some presets are what I expected, just my Marshall and the Helix for effects, however, I also now have a bunch of patches where I use a Helix preamp model and go direct to the effects loop return, so my DSL is just a tube power amp (all in 4CM). Going straight Helix, however, has been a bit of a learning curve for me - especially since I'm now getting into some recording (I'm barley scratching the surface). Thanks to the guys/gals on this board I've learned a lot! Amp in the room vs amp, FRFR speakers, need to get monitors for recording and mixing and not use home stereo speakers, using the Helix as your audio interface, etc. I really get into this stuff and love to learn and play with it - so I don't mind it. For others that are looking for more plug-and-play, going all Helix vs. amp may be a bit more than what they had in mind.

Gotcha. I think I may pick up a pair of studio headphones as I tend to do this more at night so at least I won't disrupt the family. Sometimes I think the volume is low enough, yet I'll still get that text (because they don't want to get out of bed lol) "can you turn it down?" I know I'll have to do some EQ'ing, but I'd like to start out like I see a lot of guys on YouTube in that they set up a brand new patch and from the start - without any tweaking - it sounds better than what I'm getting. Then adjust from there. I appreciate all the help guys - thank you!

It's funny that you posted this as last night I stayed up and was reading and watching YouTube about speakers (based on your first post) - home stereo vs powered monitors. And everyone said you should not use home speakers for this exact reason. I'm beginning to think this is the problem as I don't have studio monitors. I always thought getting monitors was for the more serious/advanced recording setups and that what limited recording I do would be fine without them. It seems like that's not the case. Do all you guys that do home recording have monitors?

I referenced it wrong when I said input - I meant preset. When I start a new project there are 4 or 5 options (I'm not in front of it now). I think there's a guitar, keyboard, mic/line, and a few others. I choose the mic/line preset/track as I don't record dry signals and don't need the amps or effects that load with the guitar. But I'll try that and make sure not to select any of these.

Actually I'm using the microphone/Line input. I have not tried the Guitar Input but will do that tonight. There's not a ton of detailed information out there about recording Helix to Garage Band, but from what I did see the mic/line track type was used.

I've never added any, and I'm starting with new projects each time so I'm assuming not. But I will confirm to at least rule it out. Thanks.

Thanks. I was beginning to figure that our with Reaper :) Unlike Garage band that let's you input with one device (Helix) and output with another (Mac Headphone out), it seems the Reaper goes in & out the same path (I'm guessing most DAW's are like this?). I can see the meters moving in Reaper but didn't see a way to direct the output through the Mac. A quick check online and it seems the output should come from the Helix. I don't have headphones with a 1/4" jack so I just ordered a 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter. But like you said I'm not seeing how that solves my problem because even if the Mac output was muffling the sound, when I record and export to an .mp3 I would expect that to sound better. I'll know more how this setup sounds this weekend when I get the converter. In the meantime I'm going to mess around with Reaper and record some tracks (even though I can't hear them), and then export to .mp3 and see how it sounds. I'm assuming I'll beable to do this? Thanks for all the responses so far. I'll update when I get some recordings from Reaper to see if they are better than Garage Band.

If there's a better way, I'm all ears. I'm new to recording and from what I've seen online it was "connect the USB to your Mac, open Garage Band and select Helix as the input." How do I use the Helix instead? Apologies if it's a basic question. I'm going to check the documentation as well to see what's in there. Thanks

@cruisinon2 For this test I just loaded the Brit 2204 Amp + Cab - nothing else, no tweaking, etc. I don’t have a separate DAW – Garageband is my DAW and I do monitor the sound from my stereo receiver while I’m playing. I disable feedback protection as it constantly kicks in and interrupts the audio, however, when I watch the monitor strength it barely gets above yellow and only on occasion. I don’t know why it would feedback as the input is the Helix and not a microphone. My setup is Helix --> USB Cable --> USB Input on Mac --> Garageband --> Headphone Out of Mac --> 1/8" Stereo to RCA cable --> Aux Input on Kenwood receiver --> Bose AM5 Speakers My receiver is not coloring the sound to that extent as all other music, videos, etc., sound great. Garageband I start a new project Select Empty Project Input Device = Helix Output Device = Built-in Output (e.g. headphone out) Track Type = Microphone or Line Input Nothing added from the sound library or and EQ, compression, etc @rd2rk - thanks for testing out the preset. As you said yours does sound better, cleaner. I have the Dragon II pickups in my PRS, however, they are not dark pickups. When I run the Brit 2204 preamp model and feed that to the effects return of my amp, it sounds like I would expect it to - similar to your recording. I've also tried recording my Gibson SG w/P90's, Ibanez RG470 and Fender Strat (HSS). While I know the neck pup on the Strat is darker than the bridge, it's way over the top just a crappy tone when recorded. It sounds like I have a fuzz pedal in front of it. I think the delay is just me letting the chords ring out - I have zero latency with my signal :)

Got my Helix LT a few months ago and when I first tried recording I had issues with live sound vs recorded. But that was my not understanding the differences between amp speakers and FRFR. I'm good with this now. However, I'm still having an issue with my tone in that it sounds muffled when I record. I started with a new preset and followed a guy on YouTube, step by step, in a very simple 2204 patch and his sounded clear and crisp and mine sounds muffled. When I play it through my amp it sounds great. There's definitely something going on with either the way I have this setup or with the Helix itself. Here's my signal chain for the 2204 preset: PRS Custom 22 10' Cable into Helix USB from Helix to Mac Preset is only the stock Brit 2204 amp + cab model Running Garage Band (I tested Audacity too and had the same muffled result) Helix Settings Input Pad: Off Outputs are set to Instrument Send/Returns set to Instrument Input Block: Multi Output Block: Multi Tomorrow I'm going to try recording to my laptop but I need to set it up first. I'm stumped because I see all these guys on YouTube making these awesome sounding presets and mine sounds like I have a blanket covering my speakers. I've had this long enough and heard enough other Helix's that I know this is not normal. Here's a brief recording and the preset... Thoughts?

Yep - Snow Leopard is not listed as a supported OS in the HX Edit download. Interesting that your Zoom still works though. You're in a spot that I will find myself in very soon - great that the Mac lasted so long, but nobody's developing anything for the OS now.

I have a Late 2009 iMac running OSX 10.12.6 (Sierra) and have no problems running HX Edit or connecting my Helix LT. Can you see the Helix in Garage Band or your sound settings (System Preferences/Sound/Input)?

Just more re-enforcement of what's already being said. You're not going to break anything by putting an amp model into an amp and if you like the way it sounds then that's all you need to worry about. I have the Helix LT and run in 4CM. Some patches I use my DSL and the Helix for effects only. Other patches I use preamp models in the Helix and the route the signal into the DSL effects return (bypassing the DSL preamp) so my amp is functioning solely as a power amp at that point. There's so much you can do with this you should at least try it out.

Congrats on the JVM! I've had no problems with changing the channel since I modified the cable, although I still don't understand why I had to do that. However, I'm debating on going to MIDI so I can change my Reverb as well as Channel. I have a VooDoo Lab Control Switcher that converts MIDI to a relay signal and used this successfully with my M13. But that means going from the one cable I have now, to a MIDI cable, the Control Switcher, power support and TRS cable. Plus the MIDI programming. Seems like a like of effort when I have reverb on the Helix. Maybe I'll save playing around with this for a rainy day :)

Very cool and thanks for sharing. Being relatively new to the Helix I still need to spend some time with that. But I can see myself getting into this in the future.

You mentioned about setting patches at home, and then they sound different at rehearsal. I would expect that going amp and 4CM would solve some of that, but you might still have effect levels to deal with. I have the Helix LT (for just over a month) and setting patch levels at performance volume is the one thing that I've heard from multiple people on here as well as a few YouTube videos. Others with more experience will have to chime in, but I'd hate to see you change your rig only to run into the same level issue.

Another option is to use the HX preamp models and effects and then run directly into the FX return of an amp. The amp then is simply the power amp and cab while the HX does the rest. This way you can still choose from all the amp models in the HX.

Here's a link from a video from Scott's Digital Guitar Playground on setting volume levels. In short, he uses the meter on the board to get the patches at a similar level, but uses his ears when setting the boost for solos (which he uses the expression pedal). He does not set a clean tone, but based on the fact that he said he uses his ears for the boost, I suspect that he would do the same for clean - use the meter to start and then his ears for the fine adjustment. He also states, as many have on this thread, that you should set your levels a gig volume. Oh, and his main volume knob is at about 2:00 https://youtu.be/crB1RL0DqCs

Thanks for posting this @phil_m Glad to see it's cumulative. Thanks Line 6 for the quick turn-around on the update!

Fair enough @phil_m and you’re right, customers do come up with the wildest scenarios. In a previous job I managed all Infrastructure for a Tax firm I worked at and this included conference room technology. We out-sourced that but I saw first hand the programming that went into these control systems. Not fun. The end result is the Helix is a phenomenal product and I am certainly glad to have such a tool. Cheers!

@HonestOpinion I think you and I have very similar careers :) You make a good point about checking a bug report to see if there’s any show-stoppers for you. I read early on about something with the wah pedal losing its settings or something like that. I’m going to check and see if that is the case and if so, if there’s a work-around. I purposely held off upgrading mine to see how things went overall. That, and I’ve been traveling like crazy so what little time I’ve had with my gear has been spent playing. I’ve heard lots of good things about 2.8 so I’m anxious to check them out for myself

I would agree. I think it's a great product and it has certainly changed my "I must play through a tube amp" mentality (I never thought I'd write those words).

I'm simply commenting on what others have said - which is that there could be more safeguards in the install. As I initially stated I have not installed 2.8 yet so I can't comment on personal experience. But here's the thing - these guys/girls are customers, and if that's the customer perception - right, wrong, or otherwise - then the company (Line 6 in the case) would be smart to at least monitor this feedback (and others) to see what's real and what's not. Companies improve products by listening to their customers - that's what helps drive their product roadmap - and if there's enough feedback about a complex install process then it would behoove them to try and improve/simplify it. That's all I'm saying. But it seems like you're getting defensive about the feedback provided in this thread, and I may be speaking out of turn here, but it seems like the significant majority of us like/love our Helix and only want the best experience whether that be updating the unit, using it, tones, etc., and I don't think that's a bad thing. If somebody did something wrong, skipped a step, etc., sure, point that out so they don't repeat, and I agree with you that they have no right to complain if it's user error. But the OP was simply commenting on his perception that the install was lengthly. In a perfect world we would all have a Test environment/Helix to load this on first and validate the install for our own device. But, assuming most of us don't have an extra Helix laying around it's crucial the updates are as simple and reliable as possible. As rd2rk said, not everybody is IT savvy and owning a device like this for them could preset real challenges. A friend that I play along with has no clue about any of this stuff. In his own words he says give me the the guitar cable and show me where to power the amp on. He's a great guitarist but ended up asking me to program his Vox Valvetronix for him - he just wants to play and not worry about the tech.