how to connect the focusrite 2i4 sound card on the 6 helix ?

[benblind]

 

Hi

how to connect the focusrite 2i4 sound card on the pedalboard line 6 helix
to be able to register with the sound card ?

thx

[cruisinon2]

Not really sure what you mean by "registering with the sound card"... but if you want to use that interface with Helix, connect the L and R 1/4" outputs (or the XLR's, either should work) to the Focusrite, and then connect the interface to your computer via the USB connection. 

[benblind]

ok thx.

[ertromp]

On 6/24/2018 at 12:19 PM, cruisinon2 said:

Not really sure what you mean by "registering with the sound card"... but if you want to use that interface with Helix, connect the L and R 1/4" outputs (or the XLR's, either should work) to the Focusrite, and then connect the interface to your computer via the USB connection. 

 

Hi, I did that and there is no sound coming out.

1. My XLR setting in global settings is set at Line;
2. My Helix Volume is 100% turned right;
3. My amp volumes (in my patches) are at 10;
4. I connect my guitar to the Helix, XLR L/R from Helix to Focus rite 2i4 XLR L/R inputs;
5. Focusrite 2i4's both XLR inputs are set at instrument;
6. Balanced 1/4 outputs from Focusrite 2i4 to my XLR inputs of my studio monitors (studio monitors work just fine, focusrite works fine, Helix work fine)
7. My USB from my Helix is also connected in my mac

Nothing happens. No signal.

 

I'm looking everywhere. I was about to open a new thread about this, but I saw this one.

 

Any help would be highly appreciated.

 

[Klaim]

 

7 hours ago, ertromp said:

 

1. My XLR setting in global settings is set at Line;
   ...
2. Focusrite 2i4's both XLR inputs are set at instrument;

 

If the helix output is Line why do you make the audio interface receive Instrument level? It should be Line too.
(though I don't think that will solve your problem)

[DunedinDragon]

I suspect the problem here might be that the Mac is not expecting input from your Focusrite because it's not seeing it as an active input device but only as an active output device.  You'd need to use a DAW or some other utility for it to see it and use it as both.  I'm not a Mac guy, but I know that would be the issue on a PC.  On a PC you'd have to tell it you're expecting to use that device actively for recording or at least for active sound input. 

 

The real question is my mind is where and what are you using for speakers?  If they're connected to the Focusrite you should be able to disconnect the Focusrite from the computer and hear the Helix through the Focusrite with the speakers.

[ertromp]

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

However, I somehow managed to fix this. To be sincere, I'm not sure why it's working. 

What I did, is a just played with the direct monitor input vs playback knob, and it worked. I don't think that would be the game changer here.

 

Now I have another issue is that I want to record (vocals) with my condenser microphone from the the helix, through the scarlet 2i4 (so, my cable setup remains the same), to my DAW, but there is no signal coming out (don't see the green/orange/red colors blinking on the 2i4 when I make sound via the mic). What I did extra is basically, I turned on phantom power in global settings (phantom power on 2i4 is turned off, as I read that it would be bad to have 2 phantom powers turned on at the same time). However, still no sound, nada, zip... It's kinda of frustrating, as I have to unplug my inputs every time on the 2i4 to record vocals (or need to use helix as an interface, which is not what I want).

 

Any help on this would be highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Elton

[datacommando]

7 hours ago, ertromp said:

or need to use helix as an interface, which is not what I want

 

It may not be what you want, but the easiest and fastest way to solve this issue of vocals is to:-
 

• Connect your monitors to the 1/4 " jacks on the Helix (even better XLR)
• Connect Helix to Mac via USB
• Connect Condenser Mic to Helix and apply phantom Power
• Open Logic Pro X and select Helix your audio device for in and out
• Record vocal
• End of problem and you have 8 channels of digital audio available from the Helix

 

It's not complicated and it does precisely what you want to achieve.

What I can never understand is why people insist on taking a digital signal from the Helix, convert into audio then back to digital through another interface.

It's all unnecessary stages of AD/DA conversion..

 

[ertromp]

On 10/2/2020 at 1:19 PM, datacommando said:

 

It may not be what you want, but the easiest and fastest way to solve this issue of vocals is to:-
 

 

Hi there,

 

Yeah, I use the Helix now as my interface when recording guitars and vocals (USB). 

However, I still have the focusrite, because my studio monitors are hooked on that.

I didn't want to hook them to my Helix floor, because I have my powercab 212 plus hooked on to it already via an AES cable.

Although when I record, I don't use my amp all the time, as I'm living in a small apartment, which I share with my gf. Sometimes it can get annoying for her. 

Anyway, do you think it's a good idea to hook up my studio monitors also to the helix floor, while still having the powercab 212 plus hooked up via the AES cable?

 

Cheers,

Elton

[datacommando]

On 11/5/2022 at 3:54 PM, ertromp said:

Anyway, do you think it's a good idea to hook up my studio monitors also to the helix floor, while still having the powercab 212 plus hooked up via the AES cable?

 

Cheers,

Elton

 

Hi Elton,

 

It's a good idea to patch your monitors to your Helix when recording because that way you will have zero latency. Your processed guitar will be heard through your monitors while recording and via USB7 you can record the DI (dry) audio from your Helix. Having the DI track allows you to re-amp your guitar part through a different preset should you wish.

 

This should not interfere with your Powercab set up, as while you're recording I would guess it will be switched off. If not just change the settings in your Global Ins/Outs.

 

See page 68 of the Helix 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev F - English - for diagrams of setting up USB audio.

 

https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3f041b611d61cac763b/application/pdf/Helix 3.0 Owner's Manual - Rev F - English .pdf

 

Hope this helps/makes sense