A little More Noob Help - Path Control

[Dibubba]

A Couple Questions, please!

 

On many YouTube videos, I see screenshots of the Helix where the first (top) signal path, instead of having an Output Arrow (a circle with a right-pointing arrow in it) points down, instead, and then the second path has a arrow at the left, arriving from the first path. See the last image on p21 of the manual.

 

I'm trying to do that, among other things, but in the Block menu there are no "split", "Forward-to", or "Merge" options. All the manual says is "split and merge blocks only appear when selected" - and if they don't already exist, the manual doesn't say where to get them from. Basically, I'm running out of DSP faaaar-too early.

 

Can anyone please describe the steps I'd need to take to:

 

1. Create the path seen in the last image on p21, where Path 1A feeds directly into Path 1B?

2. ....and then to Path 2A (so I can use the other processor, per the "tips to optimize DSP" on p22)?

3. If no split, forward, or merge blocks appear in the path, where does one get them?

 

I know these are kinda lame questions, but I've been poking at this thing (and the Editor) all day! :)

 

Thanks a million!

 

 

 

[MusicLaw]

@Dibbua, the current User Manual is Helix 2.0 User Manual Rev D. This is available as a PDF for download from the Line 6 site. The next Helix User Manual will be when firmware version 3.0 is released, months from now. If you have a Helix LT there's a manual for that which is also available as a PDF for download, but it will largely be the same as it is also based on version 2.x series firmware.

 

As for DSP power, bear in mind that the Helix units have two DSP chips. One is dedicated to Paths 1A and 1B. The other to Paths 2A and 2B.

 

To get Path 1B to appear on your Helix, use the Joystick to select any Block on Path 1A and then use the Action button and Joystick to drag the selected Block down. This creates Path 1B.

 

The Output Block (Circle at the end of the Signal Path) provides more options for routing as mentioned by @RRMark.

[Dibubba]

Right you are, guys, and thanks. 

 

I have been a victim of a couple of errors:

 

1. I believed the Marketing hyperbole re:"you'll be building patches in less than an hour" !  :)  Nope. I knew the device was a complex [and wonderful, by the way!] beast, but the ads and hype made it seem so easy...

 

2. I was an Idiot. Having believed the hype, I put the unit immediately into production. Serves me right - the rack and control are in the main studio, and I've been doing setup via the Editor App, 30 feet away in the control room. In retrospect, both the Helix and the Editor work fine - the issue was a PEBCAK error. ["Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair"]

 

Couldn't help it; I had a client who wanted a Helix to record through, so I was trying to keep the Customer satisfied. Safe to say, he wasn't, but after explaining the dynamics of this episode, he's cool... and thanks to you guys on this Forum, it'll all turn out well. I've re-booked him in October. 

 

I've yanked the unit from the studio, and it's now in my Man Cave, until such a time as I know it inside and out! After spending 20 hours or so just playing with configurations, I'm starting to get to grips with just how deep this thing goes. And I've invited the client over, so he can specify exactly what sounds he's after, and leave it to me to learn how to navigate the Helix to make it happen. A wonderful Learning Scenario.   :D

 

I've just got to learn not to be such an Overachiever!

 

Thanks for the support! :rolleyes:

[MusicLaw]

If you have not yet seen them, view Richie Castalleno's several YouTube videos using the Helix. He does a great job in each of the videos. You and your Client may find them quite informative.