Preamp or amp

[Phil_GMC]

Hello folks,

 

I've only ever had real combos or amp heads with a cab. When would you use a pre-amp in Helix? I can see no power amps.

 

Thanks

[Joepeggio]

Many say use only the preamp when going into the power section (loop return) of a real amp/cab or combo.  But when I first started with Helix I found it best to use full amps and go into my tube amps.  Many times using full amps in Helix and going into the front of my Egnater on a very clean setting.  Gave me more control over tone and volume.

 

Currently i am straight to PA, no more "real" amps.. :)

[Phil_GMC]

Ahh thanks, I never thought of that. I'm only a home hobby guitarist so I guess, never gigging has left me without this kind of insight.

 

Cheers :)

[jbuhajla]

Ahh thanks, I never thought of that. I'm only a home hobby guitarist so I guess, never gigging has left me without this kind of insight.

 

Cheers :)

Yes, a lot of guys run their helix in the "4 cable method" to their real amps. So they can choose to run their real amp or to by pass the real amp and run a preamp model into the power amp section of their real amp through the real amps effects return. 

[Phil_GMC]

Thanks,

 

Someone told me you can plug helix straight into the return of the amp to bypass the amp's own preamp, is that correct?

 

Cheers

[EdwinV]

That is correct

[Phil_GMC]

Thanks. I'm easily confused with cable routing. I don't actually understand what the send is nor what the return is in real terms.

Cheers

[DunedinDragon]

Thanks. I'm easily confused with cable routing. I don't actually understand what the send is more what the return is in real terms.

 

Cheers

 

If that's the case I'd strongly urge you to consider an FRFR approach using a powered PA style speaker or studio monitors rather than integration with a guitar amp.  It's much simpler in that the speaker used has an integrated amp so you simply go from the 1/4 out or the XLR out direct into the speaker.  You can then use the Helix to construct a patch using a regular amp and cab and effects and not have to worry about using pre amps and running into returns and so forth.  MUCH more straightforward.

[Phil_GMC]

Thanks for that. 

I'm actually running into a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 and through nearfield monitors. I tened to record a lot of takes in practise sessions, it's amazing what you don't hear when playing.

Sometimes though, I want to go through my Peavey Valveking head and into my 1x12 with a Celestion Vintage 30 just for feel of it. I don't want to go into the front end and 4CM scrambles my head :) I thought that direct into the return from my Helix would be good. 

I would set up my ToneBone Twin City to route the left/mono out either to my Scarlett or the return on the amp. I don't understand it all but I do like to fiddle :)

[cruisinon2]

Thanks. I'm easily confused with cable routing. I don't actually understand what the send is nor what the return is in real terms.

 

Cheers

There's nothing mysterious about the terminology. A "send" routes the signal out of the device into something else, and the "return" routes it back in, that's all.

[Phil_GMC]

I think I confused myself a while back, I was hooking up a Peavey Bandit in the fx loop with a processor. I put the send from the fx to the return of the amp and the send of the amp to the return of the fx. It didn't work and ever since I've been confused :)

[MusicLaw]

Don't overlook that using the Helix's FX Loop Send or Return Jack require that there be a Send or Return Block or FX Loop Block placed in Helix's Signal Path! Otherwise, you won't hear anything routed through those jacks.

[Phil_GMC]

Confused.com :)

[NickBosworth]

I recommend you watch this video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvarQIPwchE Ritchie Castellano does an excellent job of showing how to use the f/X loop on the Helix with an amp