WithALoudNoise Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Hey all, been struggling with getting a good acoustic sound out of the Helix without an acoustic preamp so going to try this...just wanted to check to make sure I wont have any issues with this setup: Taylor Acoustic -> Relay G70 -> Helix -> Helix Send 4 -> L.R. Baggs Para DI -> Helix Return 4 -> Bunch of Helix FX -> XLR Out Thanks for any input! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Is there any reason why you wouldn't put the acoustic amp/DI at the front of the chain? ... Guitar -> Relay G70 -> LR Baggs DI -> XLR out -> Helix Mic input -> ........ That setup would more realistically mimic the typical built-in acoustic guitar preamp to a DI box. It would also allow you to use Helix phantom power for the DI box, eliminating the risk of the 9v battery crapping out on you mid-gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Download one of the free acoustic IRs out there, or better yet, buy the 3 Sigma Audio ones... and sell your para DI.Then...Guitar -> Aux input -> IR (choose the one that sounds best to you) ->Tube Mic Pre -> Para EQ (Cut the low and mid frequencies that honk just a few dB) -> LA Studio Comp (default settings are fine) -> time and modulation (PLEASE go easy on these) FX. You will sound way better and have one less piece of gear on stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Free Acoustic IR are here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1XgNa5vH3j1ZkVoTFJLQ241WTg/view https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B5YMP7cdVF-LTWE5TkFrb0ZTUGc https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f2qdh9jtcl6s5cv/AACRlEt-UVeLAhuvV4YwMY7Wa?dl=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WithALoudNoise Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Thanks for the input. Tried the acoustic IRs, even bought the Sigma ones and they sound horrid. Reason I need to put the Para DI in the effects loop is so I don't need to rewire my board - the G70 is already going into the Helix. I want to be able to easily switch between electric and acoustic and have it all wired up. I will try the above suggestions, but I have little hope of getting any IR's to sound the way I'd like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Your suggested routing using the FX Loop should work fine. Just experiment with the loop level setting (Global Settings - Ins/Outs - page 2 Instrument vs. Line) to see what works best with your preamp/DI box. And always have a spare set of batteries. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzumwalt Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I found that adding just a very small amount of a natural reverb and a parametric EQ without any amp or IR works well for my purposes. My typical setup for this is Acoustic Guitar > Helix > Loop: Strymon Blue Sky (Reflections Patch) > Parametric EQ > [whatever effects you like] > out.. The Strymon has a cool "Reflections" mode that lets you model a small space, and setting it very short and low in the mix gives a little extra resonance. It should be noted that I use an acoustic with magnetic pickups, so I may just be compensating for an inherent reduced resonance in that type of acoustic pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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