blackeyeliner

So something like Guitar -> Helix -> Loop 1 Send -> Amp -> Mic -> Microphone preamp (should be hardware preamp, not interface, otherwise latency) -> Loop 1 Return -> Time-based effects -> USB out for recording or analog outs to monitors? Sounds totally possible, but you will hear the amp every time you reamp.

You have two loops in HX Stomp right now. You need a TRS insert cable that would split stereo return in to two return, and you have two sends. I am using two separate loops for a very similar setup, and it works very well.

One other question though, just for the sake of it - are you trying to make Helix sound like it sounds through your power amp, or are you trying to make it sound from 1/4 output the same it sounds from USB?

I don't own a Helix, but I own an HX Stomp which should be the same thing as to what 1/4 outs, headphone outs and USB does. I did an A/B between 1/4 to Scarlett 6i6 and USB direct recording. There is literally near zero difference, apart from very faint coloration of the sound that Scarlett converters bring. It is nowhere near something that can be describes as horrible (I'd say it's unnoticeable). There is something wrong with your setup, it SHOULD be identical and it should not sound different. One thing that CAN be a problem (and I helped one guy on Reddit to troubleshoot something very similar) is when the interface is compressing, for example it's set to Instrument level and it expects low level signal, and compresses it when the signal is hot. Or interface sensivity is set to minimum, and then hot Helix signal goes in, or vice versa. However, this would sound fine with headphones in this case. Also I truly don't believe impedance problems can be an issue for Helix, this is a scary tale from old days when headphones amplification was a problem. It's not anymore, for years. But congratulations on your new Beyerdynamics though) The fact that various interfaces produce the same (bad) result, and you have the same problem with headphones, it's inside Helix, not outside. I would check everything, output levels, block gain staging, what you have on your output block settings (isn't it set to max?), global eq, how you set up your is "main L/R" set to Phones Monitor or Send, what is the setting for Volume Control - is it Phones or Main+HP and what is the volume knob set on Helix? I'd start with going through that first. Then see if something is off in these settings, then proceed further.

That would be the biggest problem with going direct into an iOS device - can't use anything other than the first input device it catches. Also this same device would be the output. Although with Helix Floor that has XLR mic input that should not be a problem - it is a mixer in itself. Also I just found out today that Helix (at least Stomp and I suspect others since it's obviously by design) does not output what it gets as a "backing track" from USB to its USB output, just the guitar. It does output everything to analog outs though. So if you are running backing track from iOS to Helix via USB, then play guitar and vocal mic on top of it, everything goes to analog outs, but only guitar and (I am not sure - I just have a Stomp) micrphone to iOS via USB for streaming.

I have the same problem on 2.92. Unit works after reboot, and sometimes freezes as well. Seems like this has not gone away.

Thank you for this - I missed it in my original assessment of potential issues. It is a problem, Helix itself adds several ms of delay, plug 2 ms per loop. At the same time, I'd like to still use loops because it gives me an ability to record DI signal (guitar to Helix, effects and amp in loop). That delay issue is probably the reason why I removed Digitech Trio+ from the board - it was introducing too much delay over everything else (my total delay went up to 12 ms and I definitely could notice at this point). So I think 4 loops would be a no-go. But anyway, I am very impressed by Stomp capabilities as a reamping device, apart from being a great modeler altogether. Thank you for the advice.

Yes, this is exactly what I'm debating over - having a Stomp on a pedalboard but adding a midi switcher (such as MS-3) to control all the loops I need, or doubling to a smaller pedalboard + Floor unit that will operate the loops. I like the idea of Floor better since it gives even more than just 4 loops over 2. The worry that I have is whether or not I understand everything correctly. I am using Stomp (and potentially Floor) as a switcher. But at the same time, Helix devices are digital and digitize all the loops when I use them, so would there be problems with dynamic range, compression, A/D and D/A conversion and such? Does it affect the tone in a negative way? From what I hear now with Stomp, it's pretty good - even better than it was without it actually, noise floor is lower due to isolation I presume (two devices I use on the pedalboard are tube driven - a Twin preamp and a Soldano-style overdrive).

Hey Helix friends. I've always been an analog guy playing strictly at home for my own pleasure (not an artist by any means), but really invested in how my guitar sounds. I got pretty good results using IRs, loadbox with an amp, preamp on board and pedals. I use switching loops to connect my amp via 4CM and it's perfect. Recently I've bought HX Stomp and initially I thought it was another digital modeler, but over time I realized it can do 2204 preamp so good that plugged into a Marshall DSL40 return it sounds indistinguishable. It also does Fender Twin preamplification so good that I am debating whether I need my tube preamp anymore. I would want to continue using a tube amp anyway since it gives that real feeling of playing a real amp though. That said, I arranged my board in a way that Stomp is the command center of it - I use two loops for "pre-amplifier" (pedals, bypassable preamp) and "post-amplifier" (power amp, stereo effects etc). That way I can use various presets to control which loop is in the chain and do a variety of tones - use a tube amp with a Helix modeled preamp, or use pedals with a Helix modeled amp and such. Sounds amazing. The question I am having is - is there something I need to know or don't understand when I am doing this? Is there a downside hidden to that method of pedalboard/rig organization? I am debating full-size Helix Floor purchase, because mainly it has features I'd love to use - digital out (although, direct Helix output to my Scarlett interface sounds so close to USB output of the Helix - Scarlett is good), connectivity options - Stomp has just two loops, where with Floor I'd be able to have four (pedalboard, preamp, poweramp, post-amp effects), expression pedal, more blocks, more processing, full routing, 12 switches.