Best way to plug in Washburn Acoustic? USB 7 level too low?

[bc05]

Hi all

 

Working on getting the best sound for my Washburn Acoustic (NOT mic'd up) by plugging directly into Helix. 

 

There is a 1/4 inch output on the guitar AND an XLR

 

Which is the best approach do you think?

 

At the moment Im going in like a regular guitar and then blending the DI'd sound with some Taylor IR's I found on here in the Torpedo Wall Of Sound Plugin inside Cubase

 

Also - I find the level of the acoustic quite low on the dry USB 7 channel I record - is it best just to "Normalise" this up after it's recorded?

Or can I make the dry track hotter on the way in?

 

Many thanks!

[Joepeggio]

Seems to me you have the guitar correctly set up. Some folks use the AUX IN on the Helix.

 

As for USB 7 level, I believe the main intent for line 6 was reamping. You are getting the actual instrument level. ie, on my electric I get around - 18 to -20 db on the level. playing it back reamping gives the helix the original guitar level. if you want to use it in a mix, then you do need to boost the level to line.

[RRMark]

 

Also - I find the level of the acoustic quite low on the dry USB 7 channel I record - is it best just to "Normalise" this up after it's recorded?

Or can I make the dry track hotter on the way in?

 

Many thanks!

Recording level of -18dB is about right

http://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-how-much-headroom-should-i-leave-24-bit-recording

[ColonelForbin]

you could use the AUX in and assign it to USB8; compare that to USB7, see if it makes any difference in tone or recording level