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Helix as Audio Interface


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Hi. Would be possible to use the Helix as an usb audio interfaced for recording in a computer several inputs? I assume that I will can record the guitar plug in the helix, but I think that I've read that the Helix can be used as a multiple input audio interfeace. How many inputs can record simultaneously? What kind of inputs (guitars, mics, line,...) ?

 

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will it have level adjust? will we be able to connect mics, guitar and line signals?

 

Well, there's one on-board mic preamp, so if you want more mics than that, you'll have to use outboard preamps. But, yes, you can connect line or instrument level devices to the other inputs. Level control really depends on how you're using it. The gain staging can be changed at all sorts of points in the internal signal paths, but if you're truly just using the Helix as an interface, you'd have to adjust the levels in your DAW or the audio control panel in the computer.

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Mind blowing to have 8x8 as a bonus feature! A question that somebody might have an answer to just by chance, how does it play in aggregate with another interface within Apple's system? To put it more clearly has anyone added it to another interface to create an aggregate device, for eg a Metric Halo 2882 for 16 ins? Theoretically it should work fine plug and play but there's always been issues from manufacturer to manufacturer.

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Dont mean to hijack this thread but it did bring a question to my mind.  While playing out as a small piece band, could I use the Helix as a mixer for all the inputs(Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Electric Drums)?

 

Yes, you actually do that. It might be kind of weird, but it is doable.

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Dont mean to hijack this thread but it did bring a question to my mind. While playing out as a small piece band, could I use the Helix as a mixer for all the inputs(Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Electric Drums)?

There's a template for that, complete with pre-fader sends, post-fader sends, and EXP1/2/3 as faders for the first three stereo channels.
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How would reamping a DI signal from the computer into a valve amp via the Helix work?

 

Just record a dry track in your DAW using USB In 7 and play it back through the Helix's 1/4" out into your amp. If you wanted to use the Helix's mic input to mic your amp, it would just be a matter of setting up a tone in a preset accordingly.

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This topic alone completely crushes all of the "Helix is too expensive" nonsense IMO.

I wouldn't say "alone"... Then I wouldn't say Helix is too expensive either. That will be easily more decidable after it launches.  However, the 8x8 ReAmp flexible monster that this interface is alone, just raises the value of the thing up tremendously for myself. It should for any studio musician that happens to play guitar.

 

That is, if it truly does compare with Axe Fx in the modelling quality aspect. (sound quality)  Doesn't have to beat it, just be comparable to it.  However, I do expect the sound quality to be perceptibly better than the Eleven Rack (which is quite good I might add), and damn sure better than any of the HD Pod stuff.  

 

If this happens, not only is The Helix not "too expensive."

It would be the killer deal many recording (and touring) guitarists have been waiting for. Without shelling out $2,500-$3,500 going with Kemper (plus separate interface), or the Axe Fx II xl (plus separate interface).  $1,500 all in one box, with such an intuitive UI, and the flexible routing that sure is attractive to me!

 

But I am waiting until late Winter, maybe Spring before I get one.

 

TL:DR I basically agree with ya. :)

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This is actually one of the very few things that makes me thing about buying helix.

I miss the reamping feature so much that I had with the X3.

It's a big one. Potential for so much fun real time manipulation of dry tracks. This has me more excited than the live possibilities. Just need to hear some clean amps and cabs

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Which begs the probably very silly question, it will be possible to tweak your fx till heart's content while reamping?

 

That's kind of one of the main points in re-amping, isn't it? But, yes, sure, you can apply whatever effects and amp model you want to the dry signal after it's recorded.

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That's kind of one of the main points in re-amping, isn't it? But, yes, sure, you can apply whatever effects and amp model you want to the dry signal after it's recorded.

Yes, yes it is. I was asking just in case there was a strange, but not unprecedented, limitation whereby you could only set the desired parameters and let it roll, not manipulate live. Of course, as I said, it was probably a silly question, but if you don't ask you don't get. I currently use a Radial EXTC, i'd love it if the Helix was as easy and fun to revamp with as that little box. Thanks for the reply.

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Ha! No, but keep an eye out for "Scare Campaign", very tasty take on the shift from traditional horror to torture porn and snuff and the role of social media in facilitating, among other things...MURDER!!

 

Which might constitute promo spam now that I think of it. They're independent...and I know at least one of them has a Variax.

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Yep, and because Helix responds to MIDI CC over USB, you can automate parameters from your DAW. B)

This is just even more reason I am excited about this thing...

My Eleven rack has trouble doing MIDI CC over USB.  Even gives me memory errors when trying to use it, and my midi keyboard at the same time. 

 

I do have a separate question though. Which would be more beneficial...

 

I want to be able to use my Eleven RAck with my Helix Rack. Would it be better to use AES/EBU Digital XLR link?, or the S/pdif connections?

Or would it even make a difference?

 

I was thinking I could use the AES/EBU link to have my 11r connected to it. That way in the future "if" I decide to get a Kemper Profiling amp as well, I could connect it to the Helix via the S/pdif connections.   

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  • 1 year later...

Just got my Helix and digging it so far. Anyone tell me how to adjust the Dry Signal level when recording both Helix wet signal and Dry thru USB7 input. Where is the level adjustment for that USB7? Thanks

Hi tboston777,

 

As usual "phil_m" is correct - what you have on USB 7 is instrument level signal.

 

Trim is only available on USB channels 1 & 2, but they are not used for re-amping purposes. I'm not entirely sure that I understand what you are wanting to achieve with the dry sound, but you could always normalise the signal when you print it to disk. Lots of other options for routing to different busses in your DAW with some sort of boost on there. I don't know why as the re-amping process will give you all the gain you require. Dry is dry, wet is well, considerably louder!

 

Edit: trim is only on the output from USB 1&2

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FWIW I use the "buffererd" dry guitar out of Helix to send to a sub bus on my mixer. This allows me to send this to things like a VoiceLive 3, a SY300, stomps etc etc. and then re route them back into a return on Helix.  Very powerful options with Helix!

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Hi Guys, thanks for the responses here.

 

I found that I can turn up the gain in the input channel and get some more from it.

The reason I am wanting to get more gain is to work with the dry signal and process internally in my DAW.  Sometimes using electric guitar, acoustic guitar, acoustic bowed guitar.  So looking for options.

Thanks!

Todd

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  • 1 year later...
On September 19, 2015 at 10:34 AM, Lachdanan0121 said:

This is just even more reason I am excited about this thing...

My Eleven rack has trouble doing MIDI CC over USB.  Even gives me memory errors when trying to use it, and my midi keyboard at the same time. 

 

I do have a separate question though. Which would be more beneficial...

 

I want to be able to use my Eleven RAck with my Helix Rack. Would it be better to use AES/EBU Digital XLR link?, or the S/pdif connections?

Or would it even make a difference?

 

I was thinking I could use the AES/EBU link to have my 11r connected to it. That way in the future "if" I decide to get a Kemper Profiling amp as well, I could connect it to the Helix via the S/pdif connections.   

Sorry to jump on your reply but I have an eleven rack, helix rack and helix native too, I wanted to use the true z input of the eleven rack w/o effects to feed the helix native through PreSonus 24.4.2 AI. Would it be any better than using the helix rack buffered pass thru to do the same?

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21 minutes ago, FukinA15 said:

Sorry to jump on your reply but I have an eleven rack, helix rack and helix native too, I wanted to use the true z input of the eleven rack w/o effects to feed the helix native through PreSonus 24.4.2 AI. Would it be any better than using the helix rack buffered pass thru to do the same?

 

Yes, the buffered bypass from the Rack would be your best best, because that gives you access to the Rack's variable input Z circuit, and it skips the A/D conversion.

 

You can also use the Rack's USB 7 output to get a dry track via USB.

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16 minutes ago, phil_m said:

 

Yes, the buffered bypass from the Rack would be your best best, because that gives you access to the Rack's variable input Z circuit, and it skips the A/D conversion.

 

You can also use the Rack's USB 7 output to get a dry track via USB.

Cool thanks, 

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36 minutes ago, RD1967 said:

If you're using the Helix as your audio interface would there be any reason you would need to purchase Helix Native?  This may be a nub question and I apologize if it is.

Of course. It is far more convenient for ReAmping than using the Hardware.

All of my guitar is using Native for the ReAmping, and using the Hardware as an accurate Wet monitor, while I record the Dry track.  With Native you can dial in (ReAmp) two rhythm guitars (L+R) independently, and simultaneously with the hardware processing your Lead guitar.  Can't do that with just the hardware. 

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