S/PDIF global dry output? Power amp & cab-sim only?

[bwurster]

The title pretty much says it all.  Is there a way to set the S/PDIF digital output to always be the dry guitar tone?  I am coming from the Pod HD500X and loved using that option.  It seems like now I have to define the digital output per patch?

 

Also, I'd like to use a real amp's preamp but simulate the power amp and cabinet on the Helix.  Is that possible?  I've been exploring, but it doesn't seem so.

 

At this point, it doesn't seem like you can do either of these, but the unit is complex and is new to me.  I wasn't sure if I was just missing something.  Thanks!

[vmoncebaiz]

The title pretty much says it all.  Is there a way to set the S/PDIF digital output to always be the dry guitar tone?  I am coming from the Pod HD500X and loved using that option.  It seems like now I have to define the digital output per patch?

 

If you want the s/pdif to be the digital out, you'll have to set that for each preset.  If you record over USB using Helix as your interface, the DI from the guitar and mic inputs will default to USB 7/8

 

Also, I'd like to use a real amp's preamp but simulate the power amp and cabinet on the Helix.  Is that possible?  I've been exploring, but it doesn't seem so.

I don't think it is.  You'd have to use a load box for the amp, and then take the pre amp only from it's FX send.  But then, Helix doesn't offer power-amp-only models either.  You could try a load box from Two Notes Engenerring (expensive) or something like Mesa's Cab Clone (not expensive, but sounds better for live than for recording) and send that signal into Helix for use with EQs, cabs and IRs if you want to try those, and post FX.  

 

Sort of a similar situation: a friend of mine runs a live amp with a mic that he sends into Helix.  He wanted to use the cabinet models to color his physical cab sound and to be able to basically use his physical amp and run it direct to PA.  He had better sounds with using EQs (global and separate blocks) rather than using the Cab modeling.

[bwurster]

Thanks vmoncebaiz for the response, that's kind of what I thought was the case.  That's too bad, the global S/PDIF setting would be great.  Since I got the Helix I've been using it as my audio interface, but I find the re-amping kinda cumbersome.  Having to constantly switch the patch from USB1/2 for recording and USB3/4 for re-amp playback is tedious when trying to punch in small parts.  If there's a faster workflow I'd love to know about it.

 

I guess I'm going to try to just use a DI box and send one signal to my interface for recording dry and the other to the Helix (whose output is also going to another input on the audio interface) for the wet.  Then I can set the DAW to send out an audio interface output going back into the Helix Aux In.  I used to work similarly to this on the HD500X and I could monitor using the Pod while recording dry.  Whenever I played back that dry track it was routing back into the Pod and I could hear/record the wet track.  I hope that all made sense.  Again, if anyone has any other ideas on re-amping workflow I'd love to hear any tips.