Pre-sale questions about the Helix

[robneal81]

I was hoping people who owned the Helix could answer a few questions about it for me.  I'm sorry, there's a bunch...thanks in advance for your patience:

 

- Will I have any issues going direct into a venue's PA (assuming it's a decent PA of course), using the XLR-out of the Helix?

I currently use a Laney IRT studio amp with an XLR output for live gigs, so I understand the ups and downs of going direct...but most of the time my studio amp sounds exactly like when I used to travel with a Laney IRT half-stack!  As much as I love that studio amp, I was hoping for something more versatile...as long as it can still perform as well.

 

 

- Can I use the "EXT Amp" output to plug the Helix into a half stack and essentially treat the Helix like "just" an effects pedal?

Almost every practice studio we use has a terrible PA, so going direct isn't an option.  We often just end up using whatever house amps they have, which are usually terrible.  It would be much easier if we can use the Helix as an effects pedal and just set the half stack's to clean and let the pedal do all the work.  I guess the same with small venue's with bad PA's / house amps.

 

 

- Can I get a decent "metal" sound from it?

I like the sound of almost any good tube amp:  Marshall, Laney, etc.  Can this emulate that type of "modern metal" sound well?

 

 

- Does it have a noise gate pedal?

I looked at the owners manual and this wasn't clear.  I currently use an ISP Decimator II and it's amazing;  There's lots of stops in our songs and without this pedal I get feedback every time I stop playing.  Is there something like that built into the Helix, or will I have to keep my Decimator?

 

 

- Will it work with Pro Tools 12, recording in 24-bit, 96k?

I currently use a Focusrite Solo and a Focusrite 18i20, both of which work perfect for my guitar / vocal recording needs.  It would be awesome if this pedal could do that too, both for recording clean, recording with the sounds I program into the Helix and for re-amping.

 

 

- Can I use the mic input to record just vocals in Pro Tools?

I'll keep my 18i20 for when I need to record multiple tracks at the same time, but it would be cool if this could replace the solo.

 

 

- I'm not sure I understand the purpose of the mic input for live use.

Is this just for people playing acoustic gigs that want both their guitar and vocals coming through a PA?  Are there any advantages to using this is a hard rock / metal environment?

 

 

Basically, I want to replace my studio amp and pedal board with the Helix and possibly replace my Focusrite Solo for tracking guitars in ProTools.  I'd also like to find any creative ways to utilize the mic input.

 

[Digital_Igloo]

1) Will I have any issues going direct into a venue's PA (assuming it's a decent PA of course), using the XLR-out of the Helix?

2) Can I use the "EXT Amp" output to plug the Helix into a half stack and essentially treat the Helix like "just" an effects pedal?

3) Can I get a decent "metal" sound from it?

4) Does it have a noise gate pedal?

5) Will it work with Pro Tools 12, recording in 24-bit, 96k?

6) Can I use the mic input to record just vocals in Pro Tools?

7) I'm not sure I understand the purpose of the mic input for live use.

1) Nope; that's what the XLRs are designed for.

2) Not the EXT AMP, which is a footswitch remote for switching your amp's channels. In this case, you'd just use the 1/4" outputs.

3) I certainly do, but quality is always subjective.

4) There are two gate models that can be placed anywhere in the signal path, plus each input block gets its own gate as well.

5) It should. OS X El Capitan is a mess tho.'

6) Yes. It automatically appears by default, dry with no processing, as Input 8.

7) Acoustic guitar, wet-dry-wet with a mic'ed amp, vocals, or any other mic'ed instrument. Helix can process multiple signals at once.

[klangmaler]

There's a little restriction concerning the XLR's...

http://line6.com/support/topic/19022-xlr-noise/?do=findComment&comment=142456

[robneal81]

I really appreciate the response, I just ordered one to try; Luckily Music123 has a 45-day return period if something doesn't work  I use Windows 10, so El Capitan isn't an issue with Pro Tools.  It sounds like everything else might work okay though.

 

 

There's a little restriction concerning the XLR's...

http://line6.com/support/topic/19022-xlr-noise/?do=findComment&comment=142456

 

Thanks for the link!  I'll make sure to have phantom power off on anything I plug the Helix into.