Balancing volume between patches

[FacemanJoe]

Hi All,

 

I'm new to Helix and in the process of programming all of my tones. I've come up against an issue and can use some help.

 

The issue concerns volume disparity between certain patches. For example, I have a great JTM45 patch, which the master volume on the amp set to 10. It sound great, but I'm finding that my Fender Twin patch, even when set to 10 on the master volume, just can't compete in volume. 

 

Is there a way to compensate or do I just have to sacrifice a bit of tone with the JTM45 patch by dialing the master down a bit to level things out?

Also, I'm curious to know where you all are setting the volume know on the Helix unit.  I'm at noon right now.  

 

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie.

 

Joe

 

 

[phil_m]

There are a number of ways you can increase the volume of patches. You can add a gain block in the tone path, for one. That gives you up to 18dB of additional gain (I think it's 18, it might be 12, don't have the Helix in front of me). You can also increase the volume at the output block by turning up the level control.

 

The other thing to remember is that in the amp block itself, the channel volume is what you should be using as the volume control for the block. So with your JTM45 patch, you can lower the channel volume and still keep the master volume where you have it. The channel volume doesn't effect the modeled tone.

 

As far as where to put the master volume on the Helix, generally, the higher you have it, the higher the signal to noise ratio is. But you obviously don't want to have it so loud that you're clipping whatever you're plugged into.

[duncann]

The easiest way would probably be to adjust the level parameter of the output block. No need to sacrifice any tone. There's also a channel volume on each amp which is a tone neutral volume control. Most blocks also have level controls.

 

I have the volume knob maxed with the spdif output.

[FacemanJoe]

Outstanding! So grateful for the speedy and helpful replies. 

 

I was not aware that the channel volume did not impact the tone stack, so that is where I will start. I knew I had to be missing something.

 

I'm loving Helix. As a gigging guitarist, the tone and simplicity of setup create a very sweet gig rig. No more lugging cabs and amp heads and I'll really love getting consistent tone from gig to gig.

Thank all

 

Joe