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EH B9 and Key9 hookup in Helix?


spikey
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Hey all,

 

just a quick question- how are you hooking up the Electro Harmonix B9 and Key9 pedals into Helix (or any pedals for that matter)? On the EH page it talks about not using "send" on these pedals, because it states "The unit will not perform well if placed in the effects loop of a guitar amp. " That send loop was exactly what I was going to do using Helix's FX send and return. Since I do not have Helix yet, is there a setting I can change on the send levels, to set it right for stomps such as these???

 

Thanks

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FX loop is fine - remember on the Helix you can place the loop where ever you want.  The EHX comment assumes a standard amp loop, which will be after all the preamping.  On Helix you can catch the raw guitar signal coming in.

 

Btw - I'd go "send/return" as opposed to "fx loop".  That way you can return the signal any where in the chain you want.  Before the amp, post amp/pre fx, or just before the out for a totally clean signal.  Your choice depending on how you want to mangle the sound....

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I run the B9

I have one footswitch that is assigned to switch it on

Switch all amp models off

Switch all cab models off

Switch the Leslie model on

And I have a momentary footswitch set up to act as the brake on the Leslie

All sounds great

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Question for you guys - I only just acquired my C9, seems like it'll add some neat things without resorting to all the 13 pin stuff I have.  BUT - it seems to have a fairly abrupt - "clicky" sort of attack, even on the flute patch.  Never heard/noticed this in the various demos I had checked out.  (And yes, with the keyclick control all the way down).  Do you guys experience this, is it normal for this thing??

 

Appreciate any insights....

 

Ric

My Key 9, C9 and Hog all work fine through the Helix send/returns.

 

 

I run the B9
I have one footswitch that is assigned to switch it on
Switch all amp models off
Switch all cab models off
Switch the Leslie model on
And I have a momentary footswitch set up to act as the brake on the Leslie
All sounds great

btw - this sounds like an awesome way to route it, way cool.....

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Spikey,

 

My HOG works fine with the Helix, and I'd guess that the pitch tracking algorithms are similar (if not identical) to those used in the 9 series. The key is sending a fairly clean signal to the unit, without chorus/phaser/reverb/etc - it gets pretty funky if you do that. I typically do a send to the HOG as the 1st or 2nd block (1st might be compression), and then return it somewhere later on in the chain where it makes most sense for the sound I want.

 

Haven't tried it after a ring mod - that might be interesting.

 

For external stompboxes, use "Instrument" level for send/returns. Basically, anything designed to have an instrument directly plugged in (like a stombox) is designed at instrument level.

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Question for you guys - I only just acquired my C9, seems like it'll add some neat things without resorting to all the 13 pin stuff I have.  BUT - it seems to have a fairly abrupt - "clicky" sort of attack, even on the flute patch.  Never heard/noticed this in the various demos I had checked out.  (And yes, with the keyclick control all the way down).  Do you guys experience this, is it normal for this thing??

 

Appreciate any insights....

 

Have you played it through a regular clean amp, rather that through the Helix loop?

 

I would not expect to hear any unwanted 'clickyness'.

 

Personally, I play a strat with single coils. I have also tried the C9 with humbuckers and also with compression in front.

No issues, it sounds great.

 

I have powered the C9 with both the EHX 200ma power supply and with my Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 (100ma). Again, all is fine.

 

I would experement with a few guitars, amp set-ups etc and see if you can eliminate the problem. Hope it works out.

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Have you played it through a regular clean amp, rather that through the Helix loop?

 

I would not expect to hear any unwanted 'clickyness'.

 

Personally, I play a strat with single coils. I have also tried the C9 with humbuckers and also with compression in front.

No issues, it sounds great.

 

I have powered the C9 with both the EHX 200ma power supply and with my Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 (100ma). Again, all is fine.

 

I would experement with a few guitars, amp set-ups etc and see if you can eliminate the problem. Hope it works out.

 

Hey, thanks for the response - I started off by running it straight into the console, just guitar>C9>board.  SIngle coils & humbuckers, same artifact.  Also ran it thru various amps - clean and dirty - with and without compression in front.

 

The nature of the beast would imply some sort of envelope follower in the front end of it, just seems like it's hitting pretty hard.  As I noted, even the Mello Flute has a fairly hard attack.  I'll keep dickin' with it - and I think I'll contact EHX and see what they say.   Even with the attack, I'd be tempted to keep it - but if you don't experience this then it may be worth a trade.

 

Thanks again!!!

 

Ric

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Spikey,

 

My HOG works fine with the Helix, and I'd guess that the pitch tracking algorithms are similar (if not identical) to those used in the 9 series. The key is sending a fairly clean signal to the unit, without chorus/phaser/reverb/etc - it gets pretty funky if you do that. I typically do a send to the HOG as the 1st or 2nd block (1st might be compression), and then return it somewhere later on in the chain where it makes most sense for the sound I want.

 

Haven't tried it after a ring mod - that might be interesting.

 

For external stompboxes, use "Instrument" level for send/returns. Basically, anything designed to have an instrument directly plugged in (like a stombox) is designed at instrument level.

Ok thanks!. When you say "return it where it makes most sense". does that mean say after the amp/cab and before the delay and reverb?

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Hey, thanks for the response - I started off by running it straight into the console, just guitar>C9>board.  SIngle coils & humbuckers, same artifact.  Also ran it thru various amps - clean and dirty - with and without compression in front.

 

The nature of the beast would imply some sort of envelope follower in the front end of it, just seems like it's hitting pretty hard.  As I noted, even the Mello Flute has a fairly hard attack.  I'll keep dickin' with it - and I think I'll contact EHX and see what they say.   Even with the attack, I'd be tempted to keep it - but if you don't experience this then it may be worth a trade.

 

Thanks again!!!

 

Ric

 

Ah, hope you get fixed up with a replacement, if needed. Good luck!

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Ok thanks!. When you say "return it where it makes most sense". does that mean say after the amp/cab and before the delay and reverb?

 

It entirely depends on the sound I want to create. You have complete flexibility in where you bring it back (of course!), no hard and fast rules. I usually like it running through at least some reverb, but that's just me.

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It entirely depends on the sound I want to create. You have complete flexibility in where you bring it back (of course!), no hard and fast rules. I usually like it running through at least some reverb, but that's just me.

Agreed- Very nice and flexible, something needed for a long time in guitar processors! THANKS for the info !

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