Helix 4cm with Mesa mark V

[KBsoloman]

Hi

 

Does anyone on here use the helix with a Mesa mark V in 4cm? Before i pull the trigger I would like to make sure it works better than my old g system did ,ie ground loop hum

 

Also how does the model pre amps sound through the Mesa power section? I like the idea of having a fender and Marshall amp on tap?

 

Thanks

[jsiegel2015]

No ground loop hum BUT I tried to add "Solo" and "Channel Switch" to two of my unused switches on the Helix and when you plug an amp jack that switches it's channel or solo function into the Helix's Amp Switch plug, you get a lot of noise and hum. Tried many, many things to eliminate and it seems to be a wicked ground loop or something. Only when you are on a dirty channel but if you're switching channels?! The overall sound of the Helix is better used like a pedal board when using it with a real amp. Adds some nice overdrive to the front end, the modulation works nice, pitch has kind of stalled but Line 6 has never had a great pitch shifter,if you needan Eventide you should probably buy one. The delay is nice, wahs are functional. Still no TALK BOX simulator. If you want solid state via a StageSource then the modeling is ok but still not great. Sounds like a "good" modeling amp. I'm disappointed with the L6 connection. Have a DT50, was planning on using the Helix in place of the HD500X but it's way too complicated to edit amp functions without an editor so I'm going to use the Helix with either 2 cables or 4 (undecided), thru either my Mark V combo or Rectoverb combo. Use the HD500X with the DT50 and when I want to look really really cool but not be able to walk for a couple days I will go with my Recto half stack,full blown pedal board and rack! Hurts just thinking about it.

[jaeger28]

Depending on how grounds are designed in an amp or any other equipment, ground loops can always occur. It's very simple, you just need a passive Line Isolation Box/transformer isolator, Lehle P-Split is a bit more than that (also a Y-Splitter) but has a very high quality transformer, or get Palmer PLI-01 for the cheaper. Many other similar products out there. None of these would degrade your sound quality, just connect one of these before the amp input and done, the ground loop is broken.

 

For example, I have a ground loop with my Ampete ONE, but not with my Randall RM100 and the Helix. With my old pedal board it is the other way round. The Line Isolator box will remove the issue in any case plus it comes in handy in many occasions, especially playing out live.

[TheDaveDaveDave]

Crikey.  I wanted to do an A/B test between Helix and my G before responding to this thread - but  I blew up something between the R1 preamp and the power amp on my Mark V - and smoke came out of it. I still have R2 and R3 but they're noiser than usual even with the 1CM - so I can't really do a proper test to verify.    

 

Recalling *last* week when I had a functional Mark V and Helix, I'd say the Helix is about the same noise level as my G-System did.  Of course, I wasn't plagued by all the problems that Laird and the crew over at the G-System board solved.  My G-gystem/nova drive rig had a normal, as-to-be expected level of hiss added that you'd never notice in a studio or live environment. When I did try isolation transformer (EBtech Hum Eliminator) it didn't have much of an impact unless I had a ground loop setup (i.e., USB connection).   

 

Real bummer is that on top of living without my favorite amp, my 20/20 power amp died, and my only other amp with an FX loop is a Maverick with a parallel loop. I guess I'm just gonna live with no 4CM until I get my gear fixed up.