carlito17 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Sorry for the long intro. Questions are below. I just purchased a Helix. I have used the Axe FX in the past and chose to go back to amps because they just sound better to me (personal preference). I then used an FX 8 for a year or two and found it still was not everything I was looking for so I went back to a giant pedalboard with a Boss ES-8 switcher for changing pedals, midi and amp functions on my Bogner XTC (have to use the RJM Mini Amp Gizmo). The board is huge and it does sound great but I wanted something a little smaller in size that I could use live in 4CM and if I need to do a gig somewhere where the backline sucks I can have all of the same patches but with amp sims to run into a rented amp FX loop. I've attached a screenshot of one of my presets. I am running super serial. I have a Digitech Drop pedal in Loop 2 and I will be putting a Boss NS-2 in Loop 3. So Loop 4 will be open. The ultimate plan is to run my amp thru a Fryette Power Station and run it's line out into Path 2 with an OwnHammer Bogner 4x12 IR. Then out of the XLR to FOH. I can have my amp sound on stage at a reasonable volume (and I can crank the amp a bit more) and FOH will get a nice, clean, full sound and so will my in ears. Here are a handful of questions... In 4CM it has been mentioned to set the outputs to line level for the FX loop. How do you do that? I don't see and option for that as only one part of the amps loop is actually in the "FX loop" in 4CM. Currently my unit came as pictured below in Global Settings. I'm guessing 1/4" outputs should be set to Instrument, not Line? I set it to Instrument and you can crank the volume and it's seems like it's unity gain on my rig. Is there a way to get the preset to come up but not load until you select a Snapshot? Or is BANK mode currently the only way to really do that? Or I guess you could set up a setlist and Preset up thru it? Seeing what everyone else is doing. Why do some effects like the phaser and chorus load with a +1.0dB level? Is it to compensate for level loss in some of those effects? Is there a way to lock the volume knob? The volume knob seems very easy to bump. Just curious if anyone has come up with ideas. If I want to use Path 2A for an IR where would I connect the Line Out from the Power Station into the Helix? The Aux In, the Mic In, one of the open Loop Returns? The possibilities seem endless with this thing and I'm sure the learning curve will take me a bit. Look forward to diving into it more. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlito17 Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 I think I may have answered my own question about the levels but I'm throwing it out there to see if I am missing something. My Bogners loop suggests setting effects to +4dB. That would lead me to believe it is line level. So in the Helix, in 4CM, I would first need to change the FX Loop 1 to 2 blocks set to Send 1 and Return 2 (I'm guessing they'd sit next to each other in the chain). Then the Input (guitar) and Send 1 (front of amp) would be set to instrument level. Then 1/4" out (amp fx return) and Return 1 (amp fx send) would be set to line level. I lose 2 loops but the levels will be correct. Does that sound correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlito17 Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 Just throwing this up here in case my diving deep into this thing helps anyone else. There is always limited info on 4CM no matter what product I've owned. I now am running as follows... Guitar >> In Helix FX Send 1 >> front of the XTC XTC fx loop send >> Helix Return 2 Helix 1/4" out >> XTC fx loop return Helix 1/4" out and Return 2 set to line level Guitar In and Send 1 set to instrument level In Loop 4 I have a Digitech Drop Pedal that engages for a few songs. I have a Fryette Power Station on order. It's line out will come in to Return 3 which is set to line level and is the beginning of Path 2A. I have an OwnHammer Bogner IR at the end of Path 2A. Path A exits from XLR set to line level. It will feed ears and FOH. Here is a screenshot... You do lose a Loop this way but it does run much cleaner. I was hoping to add a gate in the extra loop I would've had because I could not get rid of all of the noise the way I was previously running it. After changing over to line level on the 1/4" out and Return 2 the internal gate works incredibly well so I won't need the loop after all. Now on to tweaking my presets. As soon as I get the Power Station I will post the final outcome and maybe some clips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbuhajla Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Sounds like you are working your way though it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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