SymphonicDischord

Fair enough, I have a Focusrite LS56 so I can save all my routing settings directly to the hardware and then essentially use it as a line mixer to my monitors without having to turn on my MacBook. With reamping the hardest part for me was getting the routing setup within the Saffire Mixcontrol software but once I got that figured out it was super easy and quick. The nice thing also was I could tweak the preset while the track was playing back and then once I found the sound I was after, restart and hit record.

For myself I just plug straight into my interface using the XLR outs from the Helix. All my recording gear is rack mounted so this way I don't have to constantly swap cables for my monitors from the interface to the Helix. Plus there have been lots of documented issues that some people have had with the Helix as an interface for Macs so I just figured I know this works and works well, why mess with a good thing. When it comes to reamping, I just route the signal from my DAW to one of my interfaces outputs and then feed it to one of my FX returns set to line level. The reason I say use the FX return is explained here: http://line6.com/support/topic/20130-reamping-with-helix/?fromsearch=1 I had posed this question before and this was the response DI chimed in with. So far it has worked quite well for me and I've had no issues with my setup. I don't think you need to bother with the word clock with this setup because ultimately everything is being routed between devices analog as opposed to digital but maybe someone more knowledgeable could chime in on that.

Spikey thanks for the indepth explanation, I guess you could kinda say it's like tube sniffing for IR aficionados then😉. I supposed I'll just take the advice of duncann and if I have the DSP available, I'll use the 2048 setting.

So I've been utilizing IRs with some of my presets, I've tried both the 1024 and 2048 versions but I really don't notice any discernible difference from a sound perspective. I'm hoping someone can explain what if any difference there is and if there is any benefit to using the more DSP intensive 2048 samples. Thanks in advance.

The Soldano 212 is pretty beefy. Definitely try the Friedman and Port City also.

Another 3 Sigma user here as well. I bought a handful of them and have really liked what I've heard. The simplicity of 10 per pack definitely makes it a lot easier to audition them and I found there was enough sound variation between each one that made it a lot easier to land on the tone your after. There was no real second guessing of "did this one really sound a little brighter than the last?" You can definitely hear the difference as you flip through them.

What's your signal path like? I've had great success setting up a path running my bass through the LA compressor and valve driver. From there I run it into a crossover split utilizing a dual amp path consisting of the Cali Bass and the Engl. I've found by doing this it's really helped to round out my bass tone and give it a lot more punch and clarity as opposed to just using a bass model by itself. From there it's into a few more effects and then a dual cabinet signal also. Granted, I've only tried this at home but it cuts through quite nicely in my recordings from the get go.

Roscoe, this is actually how I have my DT25 setup. I setup path 1 on my Helix as instrument input, whatever amp (full amp version also) and effects I want to use and then have my output set to digital for L6 link. With the DT edit program I've disabled all cab and mic sims so I then feed he cab out from my DT back into the XLR on the Helix. On path 2 of my preset I set my input to mic, setup a couple of can IRs (loving the combination of 3 Sigma audio and HX cabs) and then feed that back to my XLR output. I then have an Alto TS110A hooked up so can dial in my cabs more accurately. So far this setup has been working great for me, a solid signal to FOH and a great stage tone for me to play off of.

Yeah unfortunately it's not the easiest piece of software initially but once you get your head wrapped around it, you'll realize that it quite powerful for routing audio and creating custom mixes. I would suggest watching some YouTube tutorials, that really helped me understand how to set up the routing properly.

If I am following you correctly, essentially you wish to be able to adjust the Helix's monitoring level without affecting the input level of your DAW correct? If that is the case this can be handled with Scarlett MixControl software. With this software you can individually adjust the monitoring levels of your recording inputs as well as any DAW tracks without changing any levels within Pro Tools. Essentially it turns your Scarlett into a virtual mix console as well as all as your input/output device.

So that's what I keep hearing every time I plug into my Helix. Here I thought it was just residual hallucinogens from my youth.

Your a good man Peter Hamm! I just downloaded the Taylor and Fishman IRs last night to try out with my Godin and PRS (both Piezo equipped) and it looks like I'll be grabbing these when I get home tonight. Between all of this and the 3 Sigma IRs I just purchased, I can't wait to start seeing how my patches change and hopefully improve.

Thanks for the effects return tip DI. I am on a Mac, but I'm a little gunshy just setting it up as my audio interface with all the issues that seem to be arising over the OS and USB issues. Unfortunately time is of the essence for me, and right now I know my interface has no issues and I'm not quite ready to tackle the Helix in this regards.

Hey guys, I'm about to do some reamping with my Helix externally through my interface and I just want to clarify that my thought process is correct in setting this up properly. So I'm gonna route the track from my DAW to one of my interfaces outputs which I will then feed into the input of my Helix. Now if I'm not mistaken I should have the input set to line level not instrument, correct? Then I will send it out of the Helix via 1/4 or XLR (haven't decided yet) once again set to line level signal back into one of the inputs of my interface which of course will be recording to a new track in my DAW. Is there anything that I'm missing in this process or is my logic sound? Thanks in advance for the guidance.

For some reason it's not letting me attach anything, I'll have to take another crack at it when I get home tomorrow from my laptop as opposed to my phone. I haven't noticed any issues with it so far and I've been storing it that way for around 5 months now. It could be because I put my wah and expression pedal along the top of my board in the case that it gives it that extra lift and clearance needed to keep it off the joystick. I can try and have a look at it tomorrow and see if I can post some pictures for you guys.

Nope that's a no go on the picture.

I've got mine mounted to a Pedaltrain Pro with a handful of external pedals and my signal chain is as follows: Guitar -> Korg Pitchblack -> ISP Decimator -> Ibanez Wheeping Demon -> Helix Guitar input. FX Loop 3 containing TC Mini Spark FX Loop 4 containing BBE Sonic Stomp -> TC Ditto Looper I also have an external Mission L6 expression pedal. I have the entire board wired with 2 Lava Cables Tightrope kits. All this is either fed into a L6 DT25 (using L6 Link), H&K Tubemeister 36 (4CM) or an Alto TSA110 (XLRs). All this is mounted nicely to the board excluding the wah and expression pedal but when I pack it up into the Pedaltrain bag, they sit nicely above the Helix's mounting space.

Gotta agree with Robbie. My Helix/DT25 combination sounds amazing with just the topology setting or with the midi routing and to be honest the midi programming is pretty easy, the L6 midi guide for the DT series is extremely in depth and lays out all the programming options that you would need. Hell if you just look for a thread here about Helix/DT integration, there is a Dropbox link to a spread sheet where one of the users mapped out all the topology settings for from the HD series. As far as the "it's subjective" comment from L6, it really is. There are so many options for integrating the Helix into a live situation that there is no definitive answer. YOU just have to try them all for yourself and figure out what works for YOU. I don't mean for this to come across as sounding harsh or callous but ultimately it just sounds like you need to spend a little bit more time with the Helix and see what works best for you. It sounds like your looking for instant gratification and tonal nirvana which is unrealistic but I myself have found that the Helix did get me there quicker. Too each their own I guess.

I haven't spent anytime at all using LVM with my Helix. When I was researching the DT25 I came across this review here: http://blog.nomzit.com/2012/12/09/line-6-dt-25-disappointing/ Here is the quote specific to LVM: "If you just want to hear yourself play, the second problem can be addressed if you engage low-volume mode, which rescales the volume knob so that it’s a lot quieter at its loudest and digital modelling is used to simulate the valve effects. But if you’re going to digitally model the valve sections you might as well just use the HD-500." Now I'm not sure if that meant that the different class, topology, class A/B, pentode/triode were bypassed and relied on the HD for modeling the sound or if it means it was completely bypassing the tubes (not sure how that would be possible) but regardless I bought the DT25 for that "tube warmth" and so I came to the conclusion just to turn down the master volume. Maybe someone from L6 could clarify this for us?

I would say 4 cable method with the amp control would give you the most versatility out of the Helix and your Mark V. This way you can use your Helix or the Mark's preamps as well as place your various fx before or after the preamp, i.e. your drives before and delays after.

How do you find it in comparison to just running it into an FRFR?

Yep that sounds plausible and pretty oblivious if I would have thought about it for a moment. Thanks for the input silverhead.

How do you go about setting up the s/pdif to only carry the dry signal and not the full patch?

Thanks for posting this, it definitely shed some light on how to dial in those settings.

Hmm that's odd, I don't know what to tell you Colonel that was my first time posting an image to a forum and there were no restrictions placed on me, just a simple upload from the camera roll off my iPhone. Maybe someone else with more experience and knowledge can shed some light on the situation.