AD/DA convertion question

[ernsttore]

I would like to split the analog input/guitarsignal in the Helix and send it to another unit,

but does this signal goes thru the AD/DA converters when i place the sendblock first

in the chain, or is this digital convertion already taking place before all the blocks?

[datacommando]

I would like to split the analog input/guitarsignal in the Helix and send it to another unit,

but does this signal goes thru the AD/DA converters when i place the sendblock first

in the chain, or is this digital convertion already taking place before all the blocks?

 

Not sure, but my guess would be that the signal would enter the digital domain as soon as it enters the Helix processing path. Helix is just a huge specialised computer, so it's dealing with a bunch of ones and zeros.

[PeterHamm]

I'm sure if you're sending it by using one of the Send jacks, it is coming from one A/D and D/A conversion.

Can you hear the difference? Not very likely.

 

This is one of the very few features that is handy on the rack (although I never use it) as the Rack has a buffered guitar out which takes the guitar in and sends it right out wherever you need to go, and I'm reasonably sure that's before any A/D D/A stuff.

 

Still, I bet you can't hear the difference.

[ernsttore]

Many thanks for your response and i'll guess you are right, i might think it must have some kind

of switching relay in it for keeping the signal in the analog domain!

 

The only "difference" i try to avoid is the little delay from the converters creating the phasing effect

when running Helix and a another unit in parallel, same goes for the effectloop when run in parallel.

 

I'll guess i will have to run everything in series to avoid this or use the s/pdif connections

if i should have two digital units in parallel!

[silverhead]

I'm not sure but I expect the A/D conversion happens somewhere "inside" the Input block in the signal chain (unless you're using VDI in which case it happens inside the Variax). The Guitar In signal enters the Input block as an analog signal. I think the first thing that happens is that the Input-Z parameter is applied to the signal while still in analog form. Somewhere after that is is converted and exits the Input block as a digital signal. If you then place a Send block immediately after the Input block it will undergo a D/A conversion before hitting the Send analog output.

 

But as PeterHamm says it probably won't be noticeable.

[phil_m]

What is it you're wanting to do with the other side of the signal?

[ernsttore]

What is it you're wanting to do with the other side of the signal?

I was thinking to run that with my Kemper into my Alto's, and since

the Alto's have a second input i would like to run both in parallel without too much "side effects".

 

 

I know i could use a line selector pedal for splitting, but that would add one more pedal on the pedalboard and

an another switch to tap, not a big problem,but i was hoping for less tapdance and moonwalk!

 

Thanks!

[datacommando]

I was thinking to run that with my Kemper into my Alto's, and since

the Alto's have a second input i would like to run both in parallel without too much "side effects".

I know i could use a line selector pedal for splitting, but that would add one more pedal on the pedalboard and

an another switch to tap, not a big problem,but i was hoping for less tapdance and moonwalk!

Thanks!

Why bother having the guitar routed via Helix at all. Split the signal to the Kemper and Helix directly as two separate feeds. I don't understand what you want to achieve?

[zooey]

He probably didn't want to load the guitar with the impedence of both units, at least I wouldn't.

[datacommando]

He probably didn't want to load the guitar with the impedence of both units, at least I wouldn't.

Point taken, but rather than warming up the soldering iron, I was thinking more along the lines of using a dedicated splitter box like the Morley ABY unit. Fender also have a similar product. For the serious user how about the JD7 Radial Engineering box of tricks. I think this is what they are designed to do.

[Joepeggio]

Side note, if you are going to run Kemper to one input and Helix to the other input of the same speaker with the same source signal (one guitar) there will most likely be phase issues.

 

Due to different latency of between the units, depending on effects running etc....

[ernsttore]

Side note, if you are going to run Kemper to one input and Helix to the other input of the same speaker with the same source signal (one guitar) there will most likely be phase issues.

 

Due to different latency of between the units, depending on effects running etc....

You're absolutely right,never tought about that and i'll guess the loop in series is the

only way to go to avoid an eventual phasing effect!

 

I could of course use a pedal for splitting the signal and use them seperately

and not in parallel......, maybe i was wishing for too much??

Anyways, thanks all for your input!