Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Hi I guess there has been a lot of conversation about Helix with headphones but here is another one. I bought wireless headphones Sennheiser RS 175 and they sound decent when playing but when I use Reaper and put start recording with track 1 on (backing track) y guitar volume drops really low trough headphones. Any idea about this? It is ok if I play backing track trough monitors and listen my guitar trough headphones but since they are closed headphones I cant hear backing track properly. Could it be that the wireless headphones cant handle backing track and guitar at the same time via Helix at the same time? Also I hear some volume lowering sometimes even if I play just guitar trough these headphones. They are pretty expensive headphones and I have s possibility to them to shop and get my money back. It cant be wireless battery problem since they are full.. Does anyone know wireless headphones that could handle Helix well and Helix with Reaper playbacking all the tracks and the guitar would sound normal? Anyone have had good luck with Helix and DAW trough headphones (and what headphones) all playing nicely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 It's really hard to determine exactly what you're saying from the description, but I'm assuming this has to do more with what source you're listening to when connected to Reaper. I've never worked with Reaper but most DAWs allow you to configure whether you want to listen to the original source before it goes into the DAW or the signal after it's been processed by the DAW. It sounds to me like this is where your problems lie. But it's hard to be sure since you're description isn't very clear about when this occurs, on recording or on playback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 It's really hard to determine exactly what you're saying from the description, but I'm assuming this has to do more with what source you're listening to when connected to Reaper. I've never worked with Reaper but most DAWs allow you to configure whether you want to listen to the original source before it goes into the DAW or the signal after it's been processed by the DAW. It sounds to me like this is where your problems lie. But it's hard to be sure since you're description isn't very clear about when this occurs, on recording or on playback. I try to make it more clear: 1. Playback with Reaper via monitors/stereo - OK 2. Playback with Reaper via headphones - OK 3. Recording with Reaper with Helix (monitors) and listening Reaper backing track/s via monitors/stereo - OK 4. Recording with Reaper with Helix (headphones) and listening Reaper backing track/s via monitors/stereo - OK but inconvenient choice (closed backed headphones) 5. Recording with Reaper with Helix (headphones) and listening Reaper backing track/s via headphones - NOT OK, it´s like the backing track eats the guitar volume, fullness and everything that makes Helix sound good. PC specs: ASUS H871 PLUS i5-4670K CPU 3.4 GHz RAM: 16GB Win 7 64 bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 What kind of wireless headphones (VHF/UHF/DIGITAL)? The Sennheiser website is suspiciously void of this information. Having used several "home theater" wireless headphones, they can only handle a certain input level before a built-in compressor/limiter kicks in and squashes all the audio to keep the transmitter from clipping. If you can, try lowering the volume going INTO the headphones and then using the volume on the headphones to turn things up/down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 What kind of wireless headphones (VHF/UHF/DIGITAL)? The Sennheiser website is suspiciously void of this information. Having used several "home theater" wireless headphones, they can only handle a certain input level before a built-in compressor/limiter kicks in and squashes all the audio to keep the transmitter from clipping. If you can, try lowering the volume going INTO the headphones and then using the volume on the headphones to turn things up/down. Ok, thanks for the tip. I was recording a song and everything was ok when I set backing track (tarck 1) volume lower. then suddenly voice became lower but maybe I can deal with this trough trial and error. I am not sure what are those VHF/UHF/DIGITAL? I have connected Helix to HP receiver via cable that came with it but a 1/4 adapter had to put end of it to fit helix headphone jack. Also an optical cable came with it. You can choose from receiver if you want to use optical cable or 1/8 jack cable but you cant use them both at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 VHF/UHF/DIGITAL are the transmission signal types from the transmitter to the headphones. VHF is noisiest, least reliable, UHF is slightly less noisy and more reliable, digital is the cleanest/quietest. Lots of the home theater sets use UHF, which is still subject to compression at the transmitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 5. Recording with Reaper with Helix (headphones) and listening Reaper backing track/s via headphones - NOT OK, it´s like the backing track eats the guitar volume, fullness and everything that makes Helix sound good. This is the situation that I was referring to earlier. I'm assuming you mean you're recording the guitar track while listening to the other tracks, correct? If that's true, what source are you monitoring on the guitar track in Reaper? Most DAWs offer the choice during recording of monitoring the recording track as it's processed by the DAW, or monitoring the raw source in the input that's being recorded. In all 4 other cases you're listening to your source guitar directly from the Helix. In the last case you're monitoring your guitar through Reaper. If you have your recording track set to monitor the recorded input you'd be hearing the playback levels of the backing track as processed by the DAW (post-fader level) but the input recording level (pre-fader level ) of the guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbbaker Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Not sure if this will help but . . . . I am assuming that you are using HELIX as your Reaper's digital input/output source. You are sending two different signals into REAPER. One is the playback signal from REAPER into your headphones and the other is your guitar input into REAPER and then back out to your headphones. You should not be using any latency compensation and the output from the REAPER Tracks will need to be balanced (in REAPER) to match the guitar signal going into and out from ) REAPER.. You need to turn "monitoring" off in Reaper as you are listening through HELIX (right?). It may be an issue with the headphones, It might help to know the "hardware" configuration you are using to get the input/outputs from REAPER. Is everything running on HELIX only or is there another USB interface sending the REAPER backing track into the HELIX? I'd suggest playing around with the "REAPER monitoring" settings and the Playback settings in REAPER. I think your headphone are fine since they work in all cases except when you go to record. Good Luck, Bo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 VHF/UHF/DIGITAL are the transmission signal types from the transmitter to the headphones. VHF is noisiest, least reliable, UHF is slightly less noisy and more reliable, digital is the cleanest/quietest. Lots of the home theater sets use UHF, which is still subject to compression at the transmitter. I dont know the transmission signal. I found this information: Signal-to-noise ratio Analog input: typ. 85 dBA at 1 Vrms Signal-to-noise ratio Digital input: > 90 dBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 This is the situation that I was referring to earlier. I'm assuming you mean you're recording the guitar track while listening to the other tracks, correct? If that's true, what source are you monitoring on the guitar track in Reaper? Most DAWs offer the choice during recording of monitoring the recording track as it's processed by the DAW, or monitoring the raw source in the input that's being recorded. In all 4 other cases you're listening to your source guitar directly from the Helix. In the last case you're monitoring your guitar through Reaper. If you have your recording track set to monitor the recorded input you'd be hearing the playback levels of the backing track as processed by the DAW (post-fader level) but the input recording level (pre-fader level ) of the guitar. Yes I am recording guitar while listening other tracks. I am new to DAW:s and I decided to try this Reaper. I have not changed anything. I just first record the backing track to track 1. Then I change the device to Helix and press the record button again and it plays the track 1 and records guitar to track 2. I dont know those post -fader and pre-fader stuff and I didnt find them when I checked reaper. I think I have to study these DAW things. I recorded whoel song and while recording the volume dropped suddenly from track 1 and also from my guitar (track 2). When I listened it it was ok, no volume drop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 Not sure if this will help but . . . . I am assuming that you are using HELIX as your Reaper's digital input/output source. You are sending two different signals into REAPER. One is the playback signal from REAPER into your headphones and the other is your guitar input into REAPER and then back out to your headphones. You should not be using any latency compensation and the output from the REAPER Tracks will need to be balanced (in REAPER) to match the guitar signal going into and out from ) REAPER.. You need to turn "monitoring" off in Reaper as you are listening through HELIX (right?). It may be an issue with the headphones, It might help to know the "hardware" configuration you are using to get the input/outputs from REAPER. Is everything running on HELIX only or is there another USB interface sending the REAPER backing track into the HELIX? I'd suggest playing around with the "REAPER monitoring" settings and the Playback settings in REAPER. I think your headphone are fine since they work in all cases except when you go to record. Good Luck, Bo When I record the backing track I cant use Helix then since it does not record its own playback I guess. So I record it Audio System set to DirectSound - Input device: Stereo Mix, Output decive: Spekers or Helix. Then I change Audio System to ASIO - Asio Driver: Helix There are so many options that I just get confused. I dont find those monitor settings but I guess it goes like you said:"You are sending two different signals into REAPER. One is the playback signal from REAPER into your headphones and the other is your guitar input into REAPER and then back out to your headphones".. or then signal goes from guitar first to to Helix and then to Reaper. I dont know. I am using only Helix, no other interface included. Thanks a lot for help. i try to figure out those monitoring settings and stuff when I have more time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 What are you recording the backing track from? If its an audio file (mp3/wav/FLAC) that is one your computer, you can just drag and drop it into Reaper on a new track. Make sure when you're recording with the Helix that your Input and Output are set to the Helix drivers. There's a little button on each track that looks like a little speaker, make sure that NOTHING is selected on that button for the track you are recording, otherwise you're doubling your guitar output by having it come directly from the Helix AND through Reaper, which you don't need to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 8, 2017 Author Share Posted April 8, 2017 What are you recording the backing track from? If its an audio file (mp3/wav/FLAC) that is one your computer, you can just drag and drop it into Reaper on a new track. Make sure when you're recording with the Helix that your Input and Output are set to the Helix drivers. There's a little button on each track that looks like a little speaker, make sure that NOTHING is selected on that button for the track you are recording, otherwise you're doubling your guitar output by having it come directly from the Helix AND through Reaper, which you don't need to do. I am recording backing track from youtube. I dont know what button you are talking about, I dont see any speaker looking button, does the button it say anything when you go over it? Anyway, when I add a new track I do nothing about it, just put the recording mode on to the track that I am recording. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 On 4/8/2017 at 5:35 PM, Soultrainer said: I am recording backing track from youtube. I dont know what button you are talking about, I dont see any speaker looking button, does the button it say anything when you go over it? Anyway, when I add a new track I do nothing about it, just put the recording mode on to the track that I am recording. "gunpointmetal" is correct! Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words - so, here ya go! A picture of some icon buttons that look like a speaker, and when you select/hover over them they show either, Record Monitoring: OFF, Record Monitoring: ON or Record Monitoring: AUTO. Also, what I don't understand is just why you are recording backing tracks directly from YouTube over the internet. Why not download the audio to your PC first? It does seem a very complicated way of working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbbaker Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 You're getting good advise from gunpointmetal and datacommando and he is spot on with the picture. It sounds like you are new to DAWs and REAPER (great choice by the way!). I'd suggest you watch several of the on line VIDEOS at this site http://www.reaper.fm/videos.php to get a great introduction on the way you can utilize REAPER. IN a nut shell: You record your own track of music on one track or drop a wave/mp3/mp4 file that is on your computer on to a REAPER track. That becomes your "Play Back Track". Once it is recorded or dropped onto the track, you can adjust the "OUTPUT SOUND" with the faders in REAPER. You feed the REAPER output into the HELIX USB Input - usually inputs 3/4. But the volume of track 3/4 is controlled by REAPER's faders - not HELIX. Once that is done you are ready to play along with the backing track by connecting your instrument into HELIX. If you just want to play along and not record what you are playing that is it. Adjust the Instrument's volume as you always have in HELIX. Balance the backing track to your instrument with the faders feeding the backing tracks into HELIX. If you want to record what you are playing so you have a "Song" with backing tracks and your instrument - well - best to watch some of the above video's which will get you going in no time. Good luck! Bo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soultrainer Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 "gunpointmetal" is correct! Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words - so, here ya go! A picture of some icon buttons that look like a speaker, and when you select/hover over them they show either, Record Monitoring: OFF, Record Monitoring: ON or Record Monitoring: AUTO. Also, what I don't understand is just why you are recording backing tracks directly from YouTube over the internet. Why not download the audio to your PC first? It does seem a very complicated way of working. Thanks for the tips everybody. I dont understand what is the difference between recording backing track from youtube or download it first to the PC and then send it to DAW? The quality is exact the same. I hear the backing track the same when I record it from youtube and its only more complicate to download it first and then send it to DAW. I start to check of to those videos when I have time. I already learnt how to use EQ in REAPER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 I start to check of to those videos when I have time. I already learnt how to use EQ in REAPER.Good to know you are going to study how to use Reaper and Helix together.If you bought a helicopter, I think you would take few lessons to learn how fly the thing first. Good luck with your learning how all this stuff works. It's an old idea, but read the manuals first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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