FX loop question: mono send, stereo return into stereo fx not behaving as expected

[tjbassoon]

Simple chain to test this out: Send 1 out. Return from a stereo effects unit with effects panned hard left and right to Return 1 and 2. 

 

Signal chain in the Helix is: Inpult (multi) > FX Loop 1/2 (stereo symbol) > Ping Pong Delay > Multi out (mono 1/4")

 

What I would expect is the hard panned left signal from the effects loop to be in the left delay of the ping pong, and the right only in the right. Maybe it's just that the ping pong delay doesn't operate that way, but I would expect it to. Anyway, it doesn't. Both of the left and right effects from the FX loop are sent to all the delay sounds. The fact that it doesn't sound this way indicates to me that we don't have discrete stereo paths in those effects at least from the FX loop.

 

In this instance I would want left and right channel separate delay sounds.

 

Thoughts? Does the output have to be stereo for the stereo effects to not be summed in and of themselves? Maybe the ping pong delay needs to be set up differently than default?

[pbatts]

I've not used this effect, but, you would need stereo out either from 1/4" L and R or XLR L and R.

[tjbassoon]

I've not used this effect, but, you would need stereo out either from 1/4" L and R or XLR L and R.

That doesn't actually address the question. I'm not looking specifically for stereo output effects, but for discrete routing within the unit on the returns.

 

edited post for further clarity.

[pbatts]

Ok, sorry, I guess I'm not understanding.

[phil_m]

Simple chain to test this out: Send 1 out. Return from a stereo effects unit with effects panned hard left and right to Return 1 and 2.

 

Signal chain in the Helix is: Inpult (multi) > FX Loop 1/2 (stereo symbol) > Ping Pong Delay > Multi out (mono 1/4")

 

What I would expect is the hard panned left signal from the effects loop to be in the left delay of the ping pong, and the right only in the right. Maybe it's just that the ping pong delay doesn't operate that way, but I would expect it to. Anyway, it doesn't. Both of the left and right effects from the FX loop are sent to all the delay sounds. The fact that it doesn't sound this way indicates to me that we don't have discrete stereo paths in those effects at least from the FX loop.

 

In this instance I would want left and right channel separate delay sounds.

 

Thoughts? Does the output have to be stereo for the stereo effects to not be summed in and of themselves? Maybe the ping pong delay needs to be set up differently than default?

The Ping Pong delay by design isn't a true stereo effect in the sense that it maintains stereo separation through the block. The signal is summed to mono and then the repeats bounce back and forth across the stereo field. It wouldn't really work as a true stereo effect. If you want a true stereo delay try the stereo version of the Dual Delay.

[tjbassoon]

The Ping Pong delay by design isn't a true stereo effect in the sense that it maintains stereo separation through the block. The signal is summed to mono and then the repeats bounce back and forth across the stereo field. It wouldn't really work as a true stereo effect. If you want a true stereo delay try the stereo version of the Dual Delay.

 

Ok, that explains what I'm hearing. It's good to know that the ping pong sums the signal first. That could make a difference for sure for people running stereo or w/d/w rigs. I just used the ping pong delay in my initial tests with this routing because I figured it'd be a good way to clearly hear both channels coming into the FX return.