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PierM

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Posts posted by PierM

  1. On 6/1/2023 at 12:56 PM, coachz said:

    Agreed.  I'm using native as my best setup atm.   I wanted to use helix because I assume the front end input is more optimized for guitar than my digimax.  Thanks

     

    Unfortunately that impedance circuit and the preamp on the Helix/HX does the miracle IME. I can really feel and hear the difference, especially in the dynamics available within the headroom offered by the hardware vs plugin. At input level parity, and same preset, the Helix hardware gives me the extra headroom I need, especially for the cleans that are more nervous with transients. That difference is also changing the way the amp block is reacting to the input driving its "tube" algorithm. Tried lot of audio interfaces, never managed to get the same result as with the Helix hardware. That's my experience with my tones and my guitars. So experience may vary. :) 

     

    Would be really awesome to see a RME with something similar. :) 

    • Upvote 1
  2. On 6/1/2023 at 12:17 PM, coachz said:

    What is your round trip latency using loopback test?  Since we are recording guitars 10% of our time, leaving the stomp xl on all the time makes less sense than using the existing PreSonus digimax FS interface and rme card.  I understand that others may be fine with this setup but I'm pretty sure my current latency will be lower.

     

    Helix windows drivers aren't really optimised for live VST/DAW, so the latency can be a problem for some people (like me).

     

    Since I moved to Mac Im no longer using L6 drivers, and only going with the Apple core audio and get a brilliant 3.6ms of RLT against almost 8ms with windows (and l6 drivers) at sampling/buffer parity. Also no more click and pops due random DPCs. 

     

    I believe you need to find your priorities and build your own setup based on that. Native is a great solution if you want Helix tones and keep using your preferred audio interface with better drivers for live VST, such those from RME. On the other hand, if for some reason you really can't do without the auto impedance circuit offered by the Helix/HX (which is the core difference with any other standard audio interface out there), and you also need low latency round trip, then I'd consider moving to Mac.

     

    Also moving to Mac means not worrying much about the never ending OS optimisation for DAW usage that you must do on a PC. On my MacBook pro, I just turn off the WiFi, and it's ready to go. No hassle. 

     

     

    • Upvote 2
  3. On 5/30/2023 at 6:29 PM, coachz said:

    That's really a bummer that Windows sucks so bad. After spending thousands on a new 7950X computer an rme audio card and digimax interfaces, going to a Mac is not an option. It's a shame that there's no easy way to reamp it in Windows and have it integrated into recording with other musicians without the terrible latency ASIO requires.  Well thanks for the reply anyways

     

    Read the silverhead answer. He gave you a solution. ;)

     

     

     

     

    • Upvote 2
  4. As I explained in other similar threads (unfortunately it's a common issue, especially for gigging musicians or heavy stompers), these units aren't using real footswitches, but actuators that are pushing against little tactile switches. These tactile switches (not only those in the helix) have a very common problem, which is called contact noise, or "switch bouncing". That noise does engage an high frequency series of false contacts while the circuit it's changing its status from open to closed, and viceversa. See the pic;

     

    jc_osc_1a.png


    As they wear out the problem becomes more and more evident, and the typical symptom is a random double action (contact friction on tap, and contact friction on release). This same problem is also the culprit for the classic tap/tempo glitch with the tempo jumping to maxed randomly. 

     

    I also believe they didn't changed the switches, but only cleaned out with a deox spray, which can reduce the noise for some time (because does improve the conductivity)...but soon or later it will come back again, as you are experiencing.

     

    Only way to solve for good is to change the tactile switches, swapping them from the PCB with new ones. I'd avoid using the same part, as they are garbage. There are better tactile switches on the market, but you need a pro to make the job properly. :)

     

    Then, since these parts aren't really touring grade, try to keep the unit clean as much as you can, avoid dusty places, avoid high humidity and high temps etc etc.. :) 

     

    PS: there are techniques to debounce the issue via hardware and even via software. I'd love to see L6 doing something about that.

  5. The PC112+ XLR, when used as FRFR (no cab simulation), will send a Direct unprocessed signal straight to FOH. Just be sure to set the correct signal level at the XLR out, Mic or Line, depending what's the mixer FOH is asking. If you are in stereo, with two PC112+ and using a L6 link daisy chain, remember you will still need two XLR cables to FOH, one for each PC (left and right).

     

    When the PC is being used as cab sim, the XLR Out will send an emulation of that same cab, but with a mic emulation. You can pick the mic model in the Preset setting (IIRC stock is an SM57).

    • Upvote 1
  6. On 5/30/2023 at 3:03 PM, armoredcore80 said:

    The fact is that id like to record my songs playing directly in my pc without mic or amp. But i also want a pedalboard to play in front of my amp in live.

    I'm sorry I wasn't clear. I'm afraid that if I use the stomp in my combo with effects alone (not using amp simulations) the sound will change dramatically... which it doesn't with hx effects. when i used the hd 500 pod, even if i didn't activate the amp simulations, the sound of my amp was different from when i played directly in the combo without going through the pedalboard. To evaluate this thing of sound I am referring to the sound of the guitar with no effect going into the amp.
    sorry for my poor command of the english language.
    thanks for all the replies.

     

    I honestly cant speak for the HD500, but I can assure you the Stomp wont do anything terrible to your signal. Doesnt do anything terrible to my real amps either. There'll be an ADA conversion, as happens with the HX FX. It will be fine. :)

     

    Just be sure to properly set the Stomp output to inst level if you'll be using it in front of the amp. (Global Settings)

    • Upvote 1
  7. The main difference between HX FX and Stomp is that Stomp has an auto impedance circuit at the input as any other HX/Helix modeler of the family. You can turn it off and set your wanted impedance to be loaded. Imho shouldn't be any different than HX FX as soon as you don't do modeling within the Stomp.

     

    Also depends how you use it, and how you route the signal to the Stomp. (front of amp? 4CM? FX loop? etc etc).

     

    No idea what you meant with "like the pod hd 500 I had some years ago" tho. :)

    • Upvote 2
  8. On 5/24/2023 at 9:23 PM, stratblue said:

    It is in the manual and claims to be able to do it but I've sent it clock endlessly and it never works reliably. I'm on 3.50. The only reliable way I've found is to set the tempo in globals and forget about midi sync. If you get it to track  different tempos as you switch projects, do let me know how you did it.

     

    Yep, that's valid for every single Helix or HX device. The clock used for the sync is terrible.

    • Upvote 1
  9. Helix can only handle "passive" MIDI actions (that wont require internal MIDI/WAV data storage), that are already available via commands.

     

    What you are asking would require lot of extra memory (both non-volatile and volatile) that unfortunately isnt there.

    • Upvote 1
  10. G10S is garbage. It's even worse then the smaller G10, as it uses a different system for the WiFi (even if using same freqs).

     

    I did a lot of tests, in exactly same environment with G10S, G10 and Boss W20L

     

    G10S drops out in Auto as well as in any other channel. Only way to make it working without drops is to use it in a desert.

    G10 much more stable (it does drop out but less often than G10S), even if you have no control on the channel. Seems to better tolerate a busy WiFi area.

    Boss WL-20L (grey one) it just works. Never had a drop out until now. Had the Boss WL-20 (the black one) with cable tone and returned as sounded awful for my ears, while the 20L (no cable tone) sounds spot on for my needs. They both works way better in a busy WiFi area than L6 relays.

     

    So these days my G10S is grabbing dust in a closet, and I only use either the Boss or the old G10 with a G10TII as the original one has been ruined by the firmware.

  11. Yes it's normal.

     

    The top LCD on the Helix Rack foot controller isnt the same type as the scribble strips that are high contrast backlit. You can easily notice in any angled picture of the Control.

     

     

    IMG-2010.jpg


    IMG-2011.jpg


    IMG-2012.jpg


     

    • Upvote 1
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