Helix DSP- how much data is too much ?

[electricfactory]

I've read several times by members referring to HELIX DSP usage and 'saving room'. What HELIX anomalies are witnessed when running out of DSP ? Is there something the HELIX does, in the way that laptop operation slows down to a crawl ? Is it downloading 3rd party IR's that uses up DSP in the HELIX ?

 

[silverhead]

Helix greys out some options as the DSP limit is approached. For instance, you may find that you suddenly can't add a reverb to the chain.

 

Everything uses DSP as it is assigned to a preset's signal chain, bypassed or not, but only when it is assigned. All stored presets and IRs use system memory but not DSP. Helix manages its DSP dynamically and will never actually allow you to exceed the limit. It manages this by removing the options that you can assign as you approach the limit.

[electricfactory]

Helix greys out some options as the DSP limit is approached. For instance, you may find that you suddenly can't add a reverb to the chain.

 

Everything uses DSP as it is assigned to a preset's signal chain, bypassed or not, but only when it is assigned. All stored presets and IRs use system memory but not DSP. Helix manages its DSP dynamically and will never actually allow you to exceed the limit. It manages this by removing the options that you can assign as you approach the limit.

Ahh. So when one is 'saving DSP', how is one doing that exactly ? Avoid making or importing Patches w/ too many cabs/ effects etc ?

[klangmaler]

Hey, don't be afraid -

if you safe your tones and setlists periodically, what should go wrong?

Do you think Helix will explode or fly away or what??

And if you need space, simply swap some patches...

[electricfactory]

Hey, don't be afraid -

if you safe your tones and setlists periodically, what should go wrong?

Do you think Helix will explode or fly away or what??

And if you need space, simply swap some patches...

Yes. I'm afraid my Helix will explode.

[klangmaler]

Helix exploding phobia: Maybe a psychologist can help ;)

[silverhead]

There's nothing that can go wrong with using more or less DSP in any given preset. There's no degradation in performance as there is with a PC as it uses more and more memory or more and more CPU. Helix DSP management doesn't behave like that.  Everything continues to behave normally, at full speed, with no reduction in sound quality, until you discover that you just can't add another FX block to the signal chain. And even then there's nothing that goes wrong - you just can't add the block.

 

People who talk about 'saving' DSP do so mostly in a hypothetical sense, meaning if you can do something to 'save' some DSP (like controlling a preset's volume by assigning an amp's Volume parameter to a pedal, rather than using a VOl block) then you will theoretically be able to perhaps add one more FX block to the overall signal chain than you otherwise would. Not that you're likely to need that extra block........

 

And remember - DSP is only relevant on a per preset basis. It has nothing to do with how many presets or IRs are loaded into the Helix device. You can fill up all available preset and IR slots with as many DSP-heavy presets as you like. Each preset can make use of all available DSP that the device offers. There's no cumulative effect.

 

Realistically, if you're new to Helix chances are you won't find yourself running out of DSP anytime soon.

[klangmaler]

...and even if...

...tell you what:

It will not explode then :lol:

[electricfactory]

...and even if...

...tell you what:

It will not explode then :lol:

Sure, you say that now.. lol

[PeterHamm]

Simple.

Use mono FX whenever possible.

Learn to use both paths, 1 and 2.

Don't expect to be able to use 4 amps and loads of FX.

 

You should be fine.

[njglover]

Realistically, if you're new to Helix chances are you won't find yourself running out of DSP anytime soon.

 

Says you :p There are a lot of things I wanted to be able to do with my analog rig that I was never able to do (live) until I got the Helix. And then, to make them happen with minimal tap dancing on the Helix (because otherwise what's the point?), I ended up having to duplicate many blocks. One of my most DSP-intensive presets has probably two delays, two dual harmonizers, reverb, amp, IR, volume pedal... I think that's it? Had to use an A/B split to make it all work, ended up having to throw the IR and reverb on Path 2 to not run out of space. I love having so many options!

 

As a side note, I'm pretty sure that volume pedals use practically no DSP, not much benefit to controlling amp volume instead of using a volume pedal. EQ doesn't use much, either. It's mostly IRs, reverbs, delays, and pitch shifters you gotta watch out for. You know, the fun stuff :)

[silverhead]

.... Had to use an A/B split to make it all work, ended up having to throw the IR and reverb on Path 2 to not run out of space. ...

 

So what you're saying is that you can do everything you want, requiring you to use what you consider to be a DSP intensive preset, and you're using slightly more than half the available DSP (having to throw an IR and a reverb Path 2).

 

Like I said... probably not anytime soon. ;) :D