Helix as a "Mixer" ... would benefit from a new feature

[soundog]

I've only owned my Helix for a week, so bear with me if I'm missing something. My original intent was to use it for studio recording with my Variax Standard, and that's working out splendidly. I couldn't be happier.

I also play solo gigs, but use a large variety of instruments (eg., acoustic guitar, variax guitar (with Boomerang looper), sax, blues harp, percussion, etc. ..... all with effects for spice). I use a Behringer XR12 mixer because its versatile and has nice built-in DSP effects. And its MIDI controllable while I'm playing (yeah, I'm the roadie and sound guy, too).

After loving the vocal and guitar effects so much in the Helix, I decided to try setting up the Helix to possibly replace the XR mixer (with the Helix used more like a rack Helix, controlled entirely by MIDI faders, knobs, and a couple of small foot switches). I got pretty far, because I had enough inputs after including fx loop returns. But I quickly discovered that changing patches (to change instrument and vocal effects for different songs) would wipe out my current "mix balance". Thats because my setup included MIDI faders assigned to output block levels, and gain block levels (one for each instrument in the mix), and these would default to the settings saved in the patches, without using the current levels.

So, I've resorted to trying a setup with the Helix AND the XR mixer, which will certainly work. But I like to minimalize my equipment count and weight, and don't through multiple A/D and D/A conversions. I wish I could do it all with the Helix. It seems I could if the Helix had some sort of option to buffer and pass gain settings between patches, especially when using identical gain or output blocks between the patches. In essence, the settings would be shared (or global) between patches.

I could find no way to do this, but if it was achievable I think it would broaden the market. Yeah, I realize this usage does not fit the target audience, but huge secondary markets are a good thing!

Or .., if someone has ideas that would allow me to do what I want, I'm all ears.

[Digital_Igloo]

Interesting... We do have a template preset to use Helix as a mixer, with pre-fader sends, post-fader sends, and per-channel compression and EQ, but you're right—all blocks are currently per-preset.

 

08 TEMPLATES > 05B Stereo Mixer

[soundog]

Yes, I worked with that template but, of course, levels change if you change presets. The fix would be to either 1) fly different FX blocks in and out of the preset via some sort of "scenes" without changing the mix levels, or 2) be able to "pass" the current levels between the same blocks in different preset.

 

That would be a wonderful thing.

[ricksteruk]

Interesting!  

I am still considering buying a Helix to replace my GSP1101(used purely for FX) and Midi footboard, and the ability of using the XLR to process my vocals at the same time as the jack for my guitar is a very big plus point.

I'll be using my XR18 mixer for gigs and I'm intrigued to know how you find the Helix with your XR12.  In this setup I guess you would try to run all the vocal levels in the presets pretty much equally and then use the XR12 to make any level adjustments between guitar and voice.

 

The option to just use a Helix and no XR at all for tiny gigs would be awesome...

[soundog]

@ricksteruk - Here’s what I’m testing now for this weekend's gig:

 

I’m routing all of my instruments directly into the Helix, including guitar and vocals (the mic preamp on the Helix holds its own against those in the XR). I use constant input gain settings between all patches.

 

I’m using different presets on the Helix for different tunes as needed. The tones and effects on the Helix are vastly superior to those in the XR, and they are much easier to setup and customize.

 

For mixing, I am routing outputs from the Helix into the XR. There are plenty of outputs, especially when you use the Helix Sends wisely (there are 4, and you can use them independently from the Returns, with separate gain settings for each).

 

I have a MIDI controller setup to control the Helix FX parameters and levels (my MIDI Channel 2), and the XR channel faders on the XR (my MIDI Channel 1). Doing this maintains my mix even when I change the Helix patches.

 

This is working nicely so far. But, as mentioned, I would prefer doing everything on the Helix if it could retain relative mix levels when I change patches (to change FX). 

[Thurston9]

Have you revisited this, now that you can use snapshots?

[d0stenning]

Something like this  feature request SoundDog ? 

 

"Special-PERFORMANCE-MIX-mode-for-6-knobs-under-the-screen" 

 

http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Special-PERFORMANCE-MIX-mode-for-6-knobs-under-the-screen/826567-23508