4CM Problems, RJM Mini Amp Gizmo & Boogie RKII

[Paulg2uk]

Hi guys,

 

I finally bought my Helix this week and have a few setup problems connecting via the 4CM. Here's how I'm connected.

 

Guitar in - Guitar,

FX Loop 1 Send Helix - Amp input

FX Loop 1 Return Helix - Amp FX Loop Send

1/4" L OUT - Amp FX Loop Return.

 

I have a wah, compressor, phaser, FX Loop 1 Block, Chorus, Octave, Delay, Reverb. The delay and reverb are both set in parallel. I've tried to add a vol block for an  external expression pedal at the end of the chain. The exp pedal seems to work when the controller is assigned but when it's set to toe up I still hear a little vol out of my amp. not sure if its a setting I haven't tried?

 

My second problem is when I'm on the clean channel of my Boogie, it's clean except when I dig in a little I get a slight bit of gain and break up. Could this be the compressor? I have set the guitar pad to off which makes a little difference but not enough. How do I set the helix volume knob to full? I'm not sure if that's unity gain or not?

 

And one other problem is I want to use my RJM mini amp gizmo to change channels via snapshots, my amp switches via the front panel on the mini amp gizmo but I can't get the helix to change the amp's channels when I stomp on a certain foot switch. I was under the impression I didn't need to mess with the command centre to do this as the gizmo is suppose to be able to handle the midi side of things. Does any one have any experience with this and the helix? I've used this with other multi ex's and they usually work no problem.

 

Thanks guys

 

Paul

 

[mfalkler]

I can take a stab here...

 

When you put the reverb and delay in parallel, are you merging the paths back together before the volume block is inserted?  If the volume block is before the merge, you'd still be getting the parallel portion of the signal regardless of where the pedal is.  If that part is set up ok, then this may just be your effects loop.  I've had amps in the past where the stuff in the effects loop can bleed through even when the loop is off.  I found a thread elsewhere about this phenomenon with mesa loops.  This may be what you're experiencing.

http://www.sevenstring.org/threads/mesa-boogie-roadster-fx-loop-bleed.249333/

 

I believe unity gain on the helix is to have the volume knob all the way up (not 100% on that, but I think it's right).  It could be the compressor causing you to hit the amp a little harder than you usually do, or there could be some kind of level mismatch somewhere else.  Are fx loop 1 and 1/4 out set to instrument level or line level? 

 

I'm not running an amp gizmo, but I am running a voodoo lab control switcher to change the channels on my amp and it's the same concept.  You will definitely need to use command center here.  Even though the amp gizmo is switching the channels, you need the helix to send midi commands so the amp gizmo knows what you want it to do. 

[Paulg2uk]

I can take a stab here...

 

When you put the reverb and delay in parallel, are you merging the paths back together before the volume block is inserted?  If the volume block is before the merge, you'd still be getting the parallel portion of the signal regardless of where the pedal is.  If that part is set up ok, then this may just be your effects loop.  I've had amps in the past where the stuff in the effects loop can bleed through even when the loop is off.  I found a thread elsewhere about this phenomenon with mesa loops.  This may be what you're experiencing.

http://www.sevenstring.org/threads/mesa-boogie-roadster-fx-loop-bleed.249333/

 

I believe unity gain on the helix is to have the volume knob all the way up (not 100% on that, but I think it's right).  It could be the compressor causing you to hit the amp a little harder than you usually do, or there could be some kind of level mismatch somewhere else.  Are fx loop 1 and 1/4 out set to instrument level or line level? 

 

I'm not running an amp gizmo, but I am running a voodoo lab control switcher to change the channels on my amp and it's the same concept.  You will definitely need to use command center here.  Even though the amp gizmo is switching the channels, you need the helix to send midi commands so the amp gizmo knows what you want it to do. 

 

 

Thanks for the reply, Ok so I turned up the master volume on the helix and backed down the compressor a little and that seems to have sorted the clean channel out. My 1/4" out is set to line and FX loop 1 is set to instrument. I'm guessing that's all correct?

 

You were right on the volume block issue I have put that back in serial and that has now sorted out there volume issue and my expression pedal now works. Ironically it's a Fractal Audio EV-1 and seems to work great. I will probably replace that at some point because I need my EV-1 for my other rig.

 

Ok well that just leaves the RJM then. I'm guessing I have the mini amp gizmo are up correctly. Midi in on the gizmo to midi out on the helix? Both are set to Midi channel 1. I think I've figured it out now so if I go to command centre I can enter the CC no's and the value's and that will determine how the amp gizmo switches? One thing I don't get is I thought the instant midi messages are supposed to reset themselves when choosing the desired snapshot? Mine doesn't seem to reset I can change one channel on the amp say on snapshot 2 but when I go back to snapshot 1 nothing happens. I'm doing something wrong I reckon.

 

Cheers

Paul

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[mfalkler]

Cool!  Your midi ins/outs sound right.  Are you saving your snapshots every time you make a change?  Like, set CC value on snapshot one - save - set cc value on snapshot 2 - save, and it's still not working? 

 

In my particular setup, I'm using midi program changes instead of CC messages.  It looks like the mini amp gizmo supports that and it may be a bit simpler.  Program 1 could be just the switch for channel 1, program 2 for channel 2, etc.  I know definitively that those work in snapshots.  The CCs probably do too, I just don't have familiarity with them.

[Paulg2uk]

Cool!  Your midi ins/outs sound right.  Are you saving your snapshots every time you make a change?  Like, set CC value on snapshot one - save - set cc value on snapshot 2 - save, and it's still not working? 

 

In my particular setup, I'm using midi program changes instead of CC messages.  It looks like the mini amp gizmo supports that and it may be a bit simpler.  Program 1 could be just the switch for channel 1, program 2 for channel 2, etc.  I know definitively that those work in snapshots.  The CCs probably do too, I just don't have familiarity with them.

 

 

I've just figured it out. I've done it like you with a program change. I just needed to save the button config's on the Mini amp gizmo first and then just set PC 0, 1, 2 etc for which snapshot I want. Seems to be working now thank god lol

 

Thanks again for you help. I was a little pissed off last night when I couldn't get it working now I'm a lot happier its working lol

 

 

Paul

[mfalkler]

Awesome. Happy to hear it.

 

I had a rather complicated 4 cable/midi setup back when I used a G system for my rig, so setting it up with the helix was a breeze. Getting my head around the midi at first though was a bit of a learning curve.

[Paulg2uk]

Awesome. Happy to hear it.

 

I had a rather complicated 4 cable/midi setup back when I used a G system for my rig, so setting it up with the helix was a breeze. Getting my head around the midi at first though was a bit of a learning curve.

 

 I had the G system as well for many years it was my main rig. Shame TC never updated it really it was pretty solid. Any good recommendations for a decent expression pedal? I've seen mission do one but I wondered what Line 6's EX1 is like?

 

Cheers

Paul

[mfalkler]

I used a Roland EV-5 and Yamaha FC 7 with the G system, but have been getting on just fine with the helix's built in pedal. Do you have the rack?

 

Both of those pedals served me ok, but I don't know that I'd recommend either. The sweep on the Roland was really narrow-worked well for wah but not really anything else. The Yamaha was nice and smooth, but kind of jumpy. I'd put it toe down and it would float between 95 and 100% instead of staying put.

[Paulg2uk]

I used a Roland EV-5 and Yamaha FC 7 with the G system, but have been getting on just fine with the helix's built in pedal. Do you have the rack?

 

Both of those pedals served me ok, but I don't know that I'd recommend either. The sweep on the Roland was really narrow-worked well for wah but not really anything else. The Yamaha was nice and smooth, but kind of jumpy. I'd put it toe down and it would float between 95 and 100% instead of staying put.

 

 

I have the Helix floor. I've been using my axe fx setup for a while now and really got fed up carting about that's why I decided to go with the helix as it's far easier to transport. The expression pedal on the Helix isn't bad really its got quite a nice sweep. I think I might try the Mission one and see I that's any good. I usually have a global vol and then a global wah. I all adds up though I've got a gig in a couple of weeks hopefully I can get something all squared away by then.