How I'm gain staging Helix with PA system. Sound right?

[FacemanJoe]

Hi all.

 

New user here and in need of some validation.

 

I've read various posts about how some of your are setting the volume on your Helix and I think I've got mine dialed in but would welcome any info to the contrary.

 

I found the following in my tests with my Helix into my Allen & Heath Wizard mixer:

 

- If I set the Helix volume knob beyond noon, I have to apply the pad to the mixer pre-amp to reduce the signal to a remotely useable level

 

- With volume set at noon, I can dial the mixer gain to the point where the signal floats between -3 and 0 on the gauge - in the "green" zone. Sound good with no distortion. A little lower in volume that I'd expect, but I will just have to adjust all other instruments around the Helix

 

- If I increase the Helix volume or the mixer gain to a point where the signal exceeds zero on the gauge (the yellow zone), I hear some light distortion

 

This tells me that I probably have this set up correctly and shouldn't overthink it. 

 

Any input appreciated.

Joe

[ur2funky]

How does your patch(es) volume level compare to a new, unused preset?

[radatats]

This tells me that I probably have this set up correctly and shouldn't overthink it.

 

you got it about right.  You don't want to overdrive the inputs anywhere.  If you want more volume, you will need bigger amps, speakers. 

[fukuri]

I don't let the volume knob do anything to the XLRs out and just trim the gain in the M20d mixer

I only use the volume knob for the backline

[njglover]

I don't let the volume knob do anything to the XLRs out and just trim the gain in the M20d mixer

I only use the volume knob for the backline

 

This. In the global settings you can set the volume knob to control all the outs or only one of them. Usually I'll set it to control only the 1/4" outs, which I will use for personal monitoring on stage while the XLRs are at a fixed mic level signal (also configurable, but mic level is probably better) for FOH. If I'm not running to FOH and just using my FRFR, I'd probably switch it so XLRs are controlled by the knob. And when I run bass, I usually set the knob to control only digital so that XLR and 1/4" are at fixed levels (XLR to FOH, 1/4" to my bass amp at instrument level).

[amsdenj]

I'd suggest a lot lower that -3 dB, more like -12 to -18 to give plenty of headroom. You can always turn up the PA master or fader.

 

The reason is you never want to clip the PA, especially if its a digital PA. And as you keep adding channels, you can quickly overdrive the master buss if all the inputs are too hot.

 

I try to make sure that if I turn the Helix volume all the way up, I'm still safe on the PA.

[PeterHamm]

I found that the simplest thing was just to dime the level and use a DI box. The difference in sound between a short guitar cable from the 1/4" output to a DI Box to an XLR cable... and using the XLR outputs... is nil as far as I can hear, and the whole thing behaves more predictably.

 

ymmv of course, but that's what I've found to work.

[FacemanJoe]

All good stuff. Thank you for the input. I'm going to try these various methods today and see what works best. I'll be sure to report back.

 

Joe