HELIX - How do you output the audio for performance or recording?

[MarkJarvis]

HELIX - How do you input the audio for performance or recording? 

 

What I have observed is a big difference in the way Helix 'sounds' depending on how you input the audio.

 

I am using the XLR outputs and connecting to various pre-amps. I have a Focusrite Saphire, two channels of Liquid pre's and 8 channels of 

Prosonus Digimax. I decided just to see what the Helix sounded like through the Prosonus  (i usually use it for Keyboard channels).

I was reall taken back out how (in my opinion horrible) Helix sounded using the Prosonus, very harsh and 'fizzy' pre-amps are not clipping

and are set correctly. Then went back to the Focusrite and was like 'oh, thats better'.I have heard several discussions on here about Helix sounding bad or fizzy

or whatever so I ask..

 

HELIX - How do you output the audio for performance or recording?

 

Do you use a set of pre-amps, or go via SPDIF or some Audio Interface and what are your results ?

 

Have you noticed anything sounding better that the other?

 

 

Appreciate the responses

 

 

MJ

 

https://hearthis.at/joejeffries/supermassivemomentum-live-9-8-2017/

[mkornell]

Helix sends output via USB, too. Direct to whichever DAW you use. No need to add extra D/A/D conversions and coloration/distortion that a preamp or recording interface may add.

[Verne-Bunsen]

I use XLR out to an Atomic CLR cab for monitoring and USB direct to my Mac/Logic Pro for recording. Tones translate very faithfully between the two.

[jbuhajla]

Recording: I use Helix as the interface, USB 1-8 in/out to PC or Mac

Performance: XLR Mono out > Behringer S16 remote rack > Behringer X32 board. Behringer P16 mixers for in ear monitors. 

[PeterHamm]

For recording. USB into the computer works great and I no longer have any other interface, as Helix is all I need.

 

For live, I never ever ever use a digital connection. They're too fiddly. No way you can tell the difference in a live room environment.

 

In fact, I never use the XLR out to FoH. Because if the sound guy has to spend time listening to me belly-ache about how he has to worry about the impedance, level and phantom power issues that I have, he won't have time to make the band sound good.

So... I use the 1/4" out to a Whirlwind DI, to the house. There is never any issue with that, and it sounds just the same.

[MarkJarvis]

Thanks All for the responses.

 

For me I use the additional audio interfaces because I have several keyboards, drums, Vocal processor  and a PODHD500

and that is a lot of inputs/outputs plus Helix line 6 USB driver doesnt get the latency as low as I need it for playing online over the internet

(the saphire gets down to 2.96 ms Latency @ 32 buffer size)

 

That said, I am going to try the USB connect of Helix just to hear the difference in the recording application

[requietus666]

for practicing at home I use phones or jacks out to homemade frfr

at rehearsals and live - xlr out

 

for recording - spdif to saffire (yes, the same aforementioned latency thing)

[zivdud]

Recording: I run the right and left xlr's into my presonus studiolive 24 mixer.

Live: I run helix into a Firehawk 1500 and a DT50. Best of both worlds.

[Joepeggio]

Ive ran xlr to interface (NI Komplete Audio 6), s/pdif (Komplete), USB direct. Also 1/4 to mixer, xlr to mixer, all through the same studio monitors. It all sounds essentially the same.

 

Seems like a presonus issue to me.