Helix LT basic questions

[trock8501]

Hi Everyone

 

I received my Helix LT today from sweetwaer (not home yet ugh lol). I just had a few basic questions getting started on best use

 

I am a lone songwriter with an apollo MKii. I also have a Fender Bassbreaker 15 watt amp I love, use and mic. I use a mojave MA300 to do this, thru a NEVE unison plug on the apollo. mono in, very simple

 

I plan to use the Helix a few different ways and was hoping you could help me, or tell me if this seems doable.

 

1) In front of amp - my goal here is to not use the amp and cab sims but just the effects, mostly for leads or esoteric type sounds. I was going to run a mono TRS out to the amp in, and plug the guitar into the helix. I would use the amps natural gain and distortion which i love, or also clean etc. whatever works. Is it easy to turn off the amp and cabs? and also is there a setting i need to set the helix to for this setup? i saw a youtube video on setting it to "Instrument"? but wasnt sure why or where that was. thanks much for this one

 

2) With the Apollo its a stereo or mono input - there will be times I am sure I want to use a patch i create or that i love stock, to get the most of the effects should i run a stereo out from the helix into the 2 inputs? and do a stereo track in cubase? or since its a mono source just run the same setup as the amp but plug it into the L side mono pre of the helix? wasn't sure if i lose quality this way or not?

 

3) Last but not least - I play my own bass and normally run it into the Apollo, neve, then use cubase's VST amp plug. I was hoping to try out Helix direct with a bass setting going in. just curious how the bass models are in it? and which you might recommend for a kinda of acoustic based rock, ala goo goo dolls?

I think thats about it for me, I have watched a bunch of youtube video's and have to say I am very impressed with the Helix. I have had and come from a Kemper, and 2 Fractals, and have had other Line6 products before. But for what I do now, i love the real amp, mic setup and i didn't need the expensive other boxes anymore

 

looking forward to this evening!

 

thanks

 

[jbuhajla]

1. Do a search on 4 cable method. This is how you will want to connect to your amp. It allows you to use effects in front, the amps preamp section OR Helix preamps, and also effects before the power amp section. Yes, it is easy to turn on/off amp/cab models. Everything in Helix is very easy. 

 

2. The Helix is an interface, so you don't need to use the Apollo. It has 8 ins/outs through USB, and works fantastically. 

 

3. Bass amp models are top notch. Again, you can go bass to Helix, and skip the Apollo. 

[PeterHamm]

Also, skip The trs cable. All 1/4" connections on Helix are unbalanced.