decreebass

This is an interesting idea. The only issue I see with it is that I want the un-shifted clank to be processed by the signal chain, not brought back in raw at the end. So ideally, the merge would be right after the pitch shifter (and possible EQ on path B) so that it could all be sent through the preamp as one signal.

Only if your amplified signal isn't loud enough to drown out the acoustic sound from the strings. So either play through speakers loudly or wear headphones and turn it up loud enough. Glad you got it sorted!

This is a big one, OP. A lot of people play at a quiet enough volume that when they use a pitch shifter, they can often still hear the strings acoustically and it gives the impression of a dual signal or problem with the effect. Unless you're playing with closed-back headphones and LOUD enough that it blocks out the sound of the strings acoustics, you'll hear both. That's why it doesn't really work to use a pitch shifter through monitors at low volume levels.

Show us (or tell us with as much detail as you can) your exact signal chain in the Helix. It sounds like your Simple Pitch is on a path that merges with an un-shifted path, because that's the only way 100% mix would get you anything other than a 100% shifted tone.

I think I get what you're saying. I'm not too worried about that, though, as it will be such a tiny fraction of the sound after it's been through an overdriven preamp and EQ and stuff. Again, I'm only concerned about preserving the immediate attack - routing that around the pitch shifter and everything below whatever Hz or initial attack (if I use the compressor method suggested above) will be routed through the pitch shifter. Anyway, looks like this is a pretty niche need and no one's actually tried it, so I guess I'll be the pioneer here and report back after I try a bunch of different things out :)

@PierM - Interesting idea. I think someone came up with something like this on the Fractal forum; or maybe it was a 100% wet delay mix spit path thing... Either way, I know it can't be too complicated of a setup because I only have like one spare block lol. I'll try your idea and mess around with some other ideas. I think I can throw a looper at the beginning so I can A/B the natural attack with the split come/freq tricks and see if I can't get it sounding pretty similar while pitch-shifting the note... PS: love the ZOIA!

I checked all the MIDI settings I could find and didn't see anything that would help. I think this setting is specific to Command Center and sending MIDI upon incoming (Rx) MIDI. That's not a bad idea, actually. I'm not too worried about the gap, as we rarely need to transition that fast. I don't know, though. I think it's probably fine just having the PC and CC for Snapshot in each song. It's a little tedious, but you only have to do it once, so it's not a huge deal... Thanks for the answer!

Is there a setting that will NOT ignore a redundant MIDI PC? That is, if I send PC#0 to go to Preset 1, I want that preset to reload if I send that same message again. As it currently sits, that preset will not reload. Usage example: In OnSong, I have a song that's a half-step down. I send a MIDI PC to go to Preset 1, then a CC to go to snapshot 2, which has the Simple Pitch on and shifted 1 semitone down. The next song is standard, so I send the MIDI PC to go to Preset 1 again and no CC to change snapshots, since the preset is saved to the standard tuning snapshot (1), but nothing happens, because it ignores the redundant PC. Any fix for this or will I just need to program the PC (preset) and CC (snapshot) into every song? With my Fractal gear I didn't have to worry about this, as it would reload the preset (or at least had the option) so I'm getting used to this new workflow, but checking here to see if the same option is possible.

Haha, yeah, I'm well aware - I think you misunderstood: I'm just seeing if anyone has a trick to preserve the natural pitch of the pick attack so THAT doesn't get pitch-shifted as well. Just trying to make the 5-string bass emulation on my 4-string bass sound a little more natural in the immediate pick attack and/or strings clacking on the frets while pitch shifting the majority of the bass tone. I realize that some of the bass note's frequencies will be included in the higher freqs passes around the pitch shifter, but that shouldn't be too big of a deal. Thanks!

Hi, all; just curious if anyone has a trick to emulate a 5-string bass AND keep the natural pick attack. I tried doing a freq split and sending the high freqs around the pitch shifter, but I'm not sure it worked. And I wasn't sure what frequency to split it at. EDIT: to clarify, I'm using a 4-string bass and wish to preserve the pick attack and/string-fret clacking without those high-pitched bits being dropped 5 semitones as well. I think I'm on the right track with the crossover split, just need a little bit more guidance/tips/EQ/settings help.

Ah! it's so frustrating. These threads always end before a solution is confirmed or discovered. I'm have\ing a similar problem and no amount of resetting or re-installing firmware helps. HAS ANYONE figured out a way to fix this? After the update, it restarts but stays frozen on the boot up screen...

So this has happened to me and the method listed above didn't help. I'm still stuck on the same load screen after the update. Ideas?

Ah- I thought @digital_igloo made it clear erlier in the thread that it's not being considered at this point... But maybe I missed something. that's great, then! Edit: ninja'd by Phil_m :) Oh well.

DEFINITELY need to make a standalone version; I don't wanna have to boot up Logic Pro and go through all the hassle to set up a track to record just to use this. Sometimes I just wanna jam out. Granted, I have Bias & Amplitube already - but I want Helix, too! Guys, this is a great idea and it's definitely a day-one buy (especially since I get it at the discounted rate as a Helix owner) - but it needs to have a standalone. It took Bias several months to make this happen, but I use it FAR more in standalone mode than I ever did as a plugin. hell, I just leave it on and open all the time. and plug in my guitar when I don't feel like waking the neighbors with my amp.

So let me get this straight. You're going: Guitar > Helix In > Helix loop send > HRD Input > HRD send > Helix loop return > HRD model in the Helix (switchable) > Helix output >HRD Power amp in And you're saying that you're basically trying to switch between them (which I'm sure you can turn one thing off and another on with one tap of the switch). So: which do you have very little volume? The Helix model or the HRD? As far as hum/noise goes, be sure you're plugged into the same power source. I think at this point it might just be use error and you'll figure it out and shake your head over how you could miss something so obvious lol but it sounds like to that there's something overlooked in your gain staging or how you have the various ins/outs assigned. I plan on doing this same exact setup with my Mark IV, so I have a vested interest in you figuring this out :)

Dumb question, but have you replaced the battery in your guitar yet? I had a similar problem with my JP13-7 into some other gear and it was wigging me out - but then I realized my battery was getting weak. Once I replaced it, the noise/distortion went away.

So let me get this straight - the amp still functions normally if there is a cable plugged into the amp return but no signal going through it? I guess I always though that if a cable were plugged in, then it would defeat the signal from the amp going into the power amp section... Maybe by plugging a cable into the amp's "send" jack, THAT cuts the signal to the power amp and routes it to the "send" - this makes sense and that's actually a brilliant way to do the 4CM. I get my Helix on Monday and can't wait to try this new way out. I'll try it on my Mark IV. I don't need the looper since I like my Trio+ and I don't plan on using many/any of the onboard amps. but we'll see. I think I'll use your method but then have a snapshot where I can internally re-route the amp input send signal to the Helix pre-amp, then use the delays and go into my amp's power amp in. This is a fascinating idea. Thanks, OP!

Hopefully quick question: I should be getting my helix on Monday. Is there an easy way to A/B a patch that has stuff in it to just the guitar going direct to the amp? What I'm trying to do is use my Mark IV and the Helix in a 4CM configuration - so the Helix will be mainly for effects. HOWEVER, I did notice the Helix has a Mark IV ch. 2 model! So I wanted to tweak the sound of the Helix to sound as close to my amp as possible which would require a lot of switching back and forth (or, in the old days, plugging and unplugging a bunch of cables). Essentially, what I think I'd be interested in doing is setting up a patch where one snapshot has the preamp model going and it goes direct to my amp's power amp input - THEN another snapshot bypasses the Helix altogether and true/buffered bypasses the guitar's signal directly to the front of my Mark IV (and then obviously routes the amp's preamp back to the Helix and right back out to the power amp section). In effect, with one tap I could change between the naked REAL Mark IV sound and the Helix's modeled naked Mark IV. Is this possible?

I use my 500 as my pedal board using the 4CM (4-cable method). It's awesome: basically, you plug your guitar into the Pod, use whatever stomp boxes you want in front of the amp, then create an "FX Loop" box, plug the Pod's FX Send into the front of your amp, plug your amp's FX Send into the Pod's FX Return, then plug your Pod's output into the amp's FX return. Works great with my Mesa Mark V; there is a noticeable amount of "tone suck" but it's not a deal-breaker. It's to be expected with any A/D/A conversion... I've got no idea about using the pod to change your amp's channels... it'd be nice the Mark V had that capability; then I'd have one of the foot switches change from my amp's OD channel to the clean channel and kick on a compressor and phaser (or something). That'd be great.

I had the same issue. Unfortunately, you can't make it louder than the original source, but you can at least make it as loud with the above instructions.