MAN_from_IBM Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Is it possible now or in the near future if using more than one HELIX(Rack mount, LT, or HELIX) to network them together ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 It's an interesting idea. If only the Helices had digital inputs it could be done in combination with MIDI. Alas,they only have digital outputs. Yes they have an ethernet connector but is it reconfigurable, via software, to accept data from another Helix? Who knows? Hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aleclee Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 It's an interesting idea. If only the Helices had digital inputs it could be done in combination with MIDI. Alas,they only have digital outputs. Isn't the SPDIF connector capable of both input and output? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Isn't the SPDIF connector capable of both input and output? Not in my experience. It's one or the other. If you look at any device that can send or receive spdif signals, they will always have two connectors. Same goes for AES/EBU and TOSLINK (optical spdif). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aleclee Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 FWIW, owner's manual describes it as in/out. Never used it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 FWIW, owner's manual describes it as in/out. Never used it myself. The Helix manual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aleclee Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 The Helix manual? Yeah. Page 7. S/PDIF IN/OUT Digitally connect Helix to your studio equipment via S/PDIF (75-ohm RCA) cables. Page 21 also indicates it can be selected as an input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 My mistake. It DOES have 2 SPDIF connectors - an In and an Out. I guess I was thinking of the AES/EBU/L6 Link which is just an out. In which case, it might be possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 It's an interesting idea. If only the Helices had digital inputs it could be done in combination with MIDI. Alas,they only have digital outputs. Yes they have an ethernet connector but is it reconfigurable, via software, to accept data from another Helix? Who knows? Hmmm. I assume you're talking about the Variax connector, but I doubt that's wired the same as an ethernet connector. Especially given the fact that it's designed to provide power to a Variax guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I assume you're talking about the Variax connector, but I doubt that's wired the same as an ethernet connector. Especially given the fact that it's designed to provide power to a Variax guitar.Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 It would make more sense to add some NON-Helix devices in loops and expand functionality and tone that way. An AX8 with a Helix Rack connected to it, for instance... that would be scha-WEET! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 It would make more sense to add some NON-Helix devices in loops and expand functionality and tone that way. An AX8 with a Helix Rack connected to it, for instance... that would be scha-WEET! Well, speaking of that, I haven't explored it but I don't think you can use the SPDIF in/out as a Send/Return can you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Well, speaking of that, I haven't explored it but I don't think you can use the SPDIF in/out as a Send/Return can you? You could have your guitar go into path 1a, have path 1a go out SPDIF and then have 1B (or 2A or 2B, whatever) come in from SPDIF. So if you had some external processor that was worth plugging in that had SPDIF I/O you could eliminate the extra conversion. That said, you'll never hear the difference if you just use analog connections. Using SPDIF in a loop for a performance guitar processor isn't worth bothering with imho... And what processor has SPDIF I/O that you need to use that? Oh, yeah... Helix does. Honestly, if you need all the FX from two helices to make your tone, it's probably too too much anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 You could have your guitar go into path 1a, have path 1a go out SPDIF and then have 1B (or 2A or 2B, whatever) come in from SPDIF. So if you had some external processor that was worth plugging in that had SPDIF I/O you could eliminate the extra conversion. That said, you'll never hear the difference if you just use analog connections. Using SPDIF in a loop for a performance guitar processor isn't worth bothering with imho... And what processor has SPDIF I/O that you need to use that? Oh, yeah... Helix does. Honestly, if you need all the FX from two helices to make your tone, it's probably too too much anyway. Well, not that I'd ever take it out on a gig and I don't own one anymore but my Lexicon MPX-1 did too. I do miss its reverb sound and have not found anything that sounds as sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsdenj Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I still have a working Lexicon MPX-G2 hooked up to my old Showman amp in the garage. It still a pretty useful digital pedalboard. But the programming is pretty complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN_from_IBM Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 There is an RJ45 on on the rack mounted HELIX to connect the the control head. Is Ethernet running on this link ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN_from_IBM Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 The thought is if you are involved in a large venue and need more than 1 HELIX being able to create 1 logical / super HELIX has many advantages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 There is an RJ45 on on the rack mounted HELIX to connect the the control head. Is Ethernet running on this link ? no. It is merely being used as a remote control cable. There is no data moving over that link that has any meaning except to Rack and Control. The thought is if you are involved in a large venue and need more than 1 HELIX being able to create 1 logical / super HELIX has many advantages. As I've mentioned before (on this thread?) if you want to expand beyond the Helix sounds, consider a totally different product or products in the loops. If you need two Helices to make your sound, you might be using way too many blocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN_from_IBM Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicLaw Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Read a recent post by Digital Igloo (likely on TGP) that he runs two (2) Helix Rack units in an interesting configuration. I do not recollect him mentioning any sort of networking between the two, other than I seem to remember he does have them MIDI interconnected. DI (Eric) would be the one to contact to further explore Helix Networking capabilities. He's may be on his way back from Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAN_from_IBM Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thank you, I saw that too. I believe your right, there is not a network type of connection. Networking would provide for a hot back in the event of a failure of one. I spoke to someone who is in the business. Having a network connection would make life easier and prevent embarrassment when talent is performing. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Not in my experience. It's one or the other. If you look at any device that can send or receive spdif signals, they will always have two connectors. Same goes for AES/EBU and TOSLINK (optical spdif). I'm confused.... One connector is in, the other out on S/PDIF You only need the in jack for full stereo signal in (or the out for out). Or did you mean something else? Whether you can use them at the same time, I'm not sure. Be that as it may, how is it you want to "network" them? You could always take signal any of the sends or outs on one and put it in a return or an in on the other. Is that good enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hideout Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I'm confused.... One connector is in, the other out on S/PDIF You only need the in jack for full stereo signal in (or the out for out). Or did you mean something else? Whether you can use them at the same time, I'm not sure. Be that as it may, how is it you want to "network" them? You could always take signal any of the sends or outs on one and put it in a return or an in on the other. Is that good enough? The OP wanted to network them, not me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingsCool Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 The OP wanted to network them, not me. Yeah, my second question was supposed to be directed to the OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzumwalt Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 [...] As I've mentioned before (on this thread?) if you want to expand beyond the Helix sounds, consider a totally different product or products in the loops. If you need two Helices to make your sound, you might be using way too many blocks. The economist in me has to agree. The law of diminishing returns kicks in here. The benefit you get from your second Helix, is going to be a lot less than you got from your first Helix. I would expect that 95% of the time, Helix 2 would only be adding an extra chorus or delay to the mix. That's an expensive external delay pedal. And I assume, if you work for Line 6, you can get a couple of those things to take with you as long as you promise to impress audiences of potential customers. But that's not to denigrate the OP. It's still a really cool concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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