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Helix with Amp Sim Software (Specifically SGear)


jdag
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Brand new Helix LT owner, and trying to get a feel for its capabilities, including routing. I have been using S-Gear via a Focusrite 2i2 into my MacBook for real-time playing. I do not record at all. So I would just open up SGear standalone and play, with output to either my headphones or THR10 (attached to 2i2 via the THR10 aux input).

Last week I bought a Helix LT (yes, I like toys!) and I was hoping to be able to use just the Helix as opposed to swapping cables when I want to use SGear.  SGear is so good that I would not want to abandon it.

I've not been able to get SGear standalone to work using the Helix as an interface. SGear standalone does not show as receiving the signal from the Helix.  I messed with all of the USB inputs/outputs trying different combinations.  I have been successful in using SGear as a plugin via Garageband using the Helix as the interface, using USB 3/4 as input, and 5/6 as output.

 

I created an "empty" patch that takes guitar in on path A and outputs it to USB 3/4, then path B takes input from USB 5/6 and outputs to multi.

 

Am I missing something? Or is it not possible to use SGear standalone in the way I used it in the past with the Focusrite 2i2?

Thanks in advance, John

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Works fine for me, but I'm using PC, not MAC. Shouldn't matter though. Make sure that the Sample Rate matches the Helix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by rd2rk
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No luck.  The sample rate is 48k in both Helix and SGear.  And as mentioned, I can get this working via plug in within Garageband.  Now I am just obsessed!  As you indicated, I am on a Mac, which I should have stated initially (other than just saying Garageband).

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And you're sure the Audio Routing in S-Gear is set up right? Proper channel (L/R) enabled in the UI? If so, then....

If you haven't already, join the Scuffham/S-Gear Forum and post your problem there. I'm sure you'll get a quick response, lots of MAC users there.

https://www.scuffhamamps.com/sign-in

It has to be a problem with the configuration in S-Gear as relates to your MAC, since it works fine on PC.

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4 hours ago, rd2rk said:

And you're sure the Audio Routing in S-Gear is set up right? Proper channel (L/R) enabled in the UI? If so, then....

If you haven't already, join the Scuffham/S-Gear Forum and post your problem there. I'm sure you'll get a quick response, lots of MAC users there.

https://www.scuffhamamps.com/sign-in

It has to be a problem with the configuration in S-Gear as relates to your MAC, since it works fine on PC.

 

I fixed the problem! And I have no idea why this was a problem in the 1st place! All along I checked the inputs, played around with all of the combinations between USB1 and USB8 for both in and out.

 

For the heck of it I thought I'd try changing over to 44100 on SGear, and then make the change on the Helix just to see if that solved it. BUT...here's the weird thing. When I clicked on the drop down in SGear, 48000 was the only option. But the second I released my mouse, I had sound! It is almost as if it was not "set", even though it was displaying on the screen and the 1 and only option.

 

To assure all was OK, I exited SGear and reopened the program. I rec'd a popup indicating my last interface was not selected, even though I had not made any changes between closing and reopening. So I went back to the SGear preferences and "selected" the Helix interface, again even though it was shown as selected already and was the only option anyhow. I then exited and reopened SGear, and no warning message.

 

So, it appears there was some sort of bug whereby the preference screen displayed the Helix/48000 settings, but they were not really "active". Maybe it is because I had previously had the Focusrite 2i2 setup, and somehow the preferences were not "sticking".

 

Anyhow, thank you for all of the help. While the input here did not directly solve the issue, it helped to be sure I was on the right track.

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Helix in front of S-Gear - interesting option. I’ve used S-Gear for a long time and still prefer it for recording over Helix Native. But for a live setup, I just use Helix, and have an Apogee GiO into Logic Pro X or MainStage with Helix Native (mostly the same patches) as my backup. I also do a bit of MIDI guitar with Helix and Logic too.

 

I do have a recording setup that uses Helix front of the amp effects into S-Gear, using the Apogee GiO as a MIDI foot controller, and an Arturia BeatStep for additional amp controls. That’s my home rehearsal and recording setup. 

 

There’s real magic in S-Gear and its delay, chorus and reverb effects. It really shows the potential of digital guitar amplifiers. Recent Helix amp models are approaching S-Gear in functionality, but there’s still a noticeable difference in the overall tone. Its nice to have both options.

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