rick_hollis Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Hi all, I am thinking of going the Helix route for my effects but wanted to know one thing before I spend the money on one - Is it possible to run it via 4 cable method and have an IR block only on the XLR outs feeding FOH while the 1/4" outputs feed my tube power amps and cabs onstage without cab simulation? Thank you, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 It's gonna be a nightmare to tweak those patches. You'll end up with two very diffrent tones...what you're hearing on stage and what's going out front are never gonna sound the same. Get one sounding good, the other one likely won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncann Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Yes. This could be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Yes, the setup is easy to do. As cruisinon2 says there will be tonal differences unless your IR block + FOH speaker exactly mimic your physical cab which is highly unlikely. I would focus on getting the FOH sound th best it can be for the audience and then EQ the signal for your amp/cab stage monitor. Presumably only you and the band will hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DustyF92 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 This is a method i have thought about doing too...the easiest way is if you have access to the PA you will be playing through (assuming you use the same one all the time). My problem is that I don't have that luxury, and while I have got some great 4CM tones and also some great tones to a (sort-of) FRFR speaker, I don't yet have the confidence in my tweaking to combine the two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommasoferrarese Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 You can mike your cab and place post cab Fx on a Helix path, and send that to FOH. That's what I use Helix' mic in for.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HonestOpinion Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 You can mike your cab and place post cab Fx on a Helix path, and send that to FOH. That's what I use Helix' mic in for.. Cool! I prefer no physical mic in my path to the PA but that is ingenious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 This is a method i have thought about doing too...the easiest way is if you have access to the PA you will be playing through (assuming you use the same one all the time). My problem is that I don't have that luxury, and while I have got some great 4CM tones and also some great tones to a (sort-of) FRFR speaker, I don't yet have the confidence in my tweaking to combine the two Could it be done? Sure, with enough time and sufficient knobulating... You could also run a marathon in ski boots and an old brass diving helmet, but why would you? It'll take 10 times longer, and you'll be crippled when you're through. It's hard enough to get theses things to sound good when you're only concerned about one amplification method, let alone two that are polar opposites, running simultaneously. It's a whole lot of wasted energy. If you really love a tube amp roaring away, great. Do that, and mic it like we've all (many of us anyway) been doing for years. Gigging is enough work without giving yourself extra obstacles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnonguitar Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Don't listen to these guys. It CAN be done and it is WORTH doing. I know a few guys who have went down a similar route for live use with really great results. Go for it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_hollis Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 Thanks guys. You're right jononguitar, it is worth doing. I used to use a Kemper like this and it sounded glorious onstage with a direct feed going to FOH without the fuss of mics. Only drawback was that the Kemper only had a mono monitor out and I like to run stereo. I'd like to be able to kick my 2 cabs around onstage to point them where I need to be heard without the hassle of mics. The only decision I have now is whether to buy the floor or rack version..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pb-272 Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Buy the rack - I had a Boss GT 100 and GR 55 which were both floor units. When I went Helix I went rack because I thought I'd build a much better relationship with a device that I could easily access. I don't have to bend over, sit down etc to tweak on the fly. It literally sits at waist level and begs to be tweaked! Out front all I have is a Helix control and Wah - uncluttered and creates quite a lot of curiosity! I have it in a rack in a bag on an amp stand.easy peasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_hollis Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 One other question if I may to Helix owners. Can I assign the volume knob on the front of the unit to only adjust the 1/4" outs and not the XLR? That way I could adjust the volume of my returns to my respective amps and not affect the signal going to FOH. Thank you Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HonestOpinion Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 One other question if I may to Helix owners. Can I assign the volume knob on the front of the unit to only adjust the 1/4" outs and not the XLR? That way I could adjust the volume of my returns to my respective amps and not affect the signal going to FOH. Thank you Rick Yes, use the 'Volume Knob Controls' parameter on the 3rd page of Ins/Outs in Global settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_hollis Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Well I think I'm sold then. Thank you. Will post a pic of my when completed :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnonguitar Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Thanks guys. You're right jononguitar, it is worth doing. I used to use a Kemper like this and it sounded glorious onstage with a direct feed going to FOH without the fuss of mics. Only drawback was that the Kemper only had a mono monitor out and I like to run stereo. I'd like to be able to kick my 2 cabs around onstage to point them where I need to be heard without the hassle of mics. The only decision I have now is whether to buy the floor or rack version..... There's a forum member who does this https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/28196167100_1fd3aa8ac5_k_d.jpg Has two Fryette Power Stations feeding two 1x12 Orange cabs on stage with the xlr's going front of house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_hollis Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Awesome! Thanks for the screenshot! I also have a Power Station to feed one of my Port City Cabs, the other is being powered by the Friedman Smallbox 50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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