curailor0 Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hi, I was wondering if I could connect a mic into Helix LT's return input (via a XLR to 1/4 cable). I know the mic would be too quiet due to the line-level impedance of the return jack, is it possible to boost the signal enough via the Studio Tube Preamp (in the Helix, after the return) to an acceptable degree? Wanted to see if anybody knew if this would work before I go and buy a XLR to 1/4 cable. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfysh Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 This doesn't answer your question, but I'm running my vocals through path B on my HX using two methods. When we provide the PA, I use the channel insert on the PA and route it through the HX, using the Mic preamp on the mixer. When using a house PA, I use a separate Mic preamp (ART Tube Mic Preamp, which sounds great btw). Works great both ways! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josegermain Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Bumping this because i have the same doubt as OP. Any answers ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 I recently was using a mic with my Helix Rack, using the Mic input. I had inadvertently not increased the Mic Input Gain parameter in Helix. I expect that the input signal level was thus roughly equivalent to the input signal level the OP would see using simply the XLR to 1/4" adapter into the Helix LT's Return input. I found the raw input signal to be low so I tried to use the Studio Tube Preamp at the front of the signal chain in Helix to boost the signal. I found that I had to raise the Preamp's Gain parameter to such a high level that it introduced undesireable distortion into the vocal signal. After wondering how to fix this I finally remembered the Mic Input Gain parameter and increased that which allowed me to decrease the Preamp's Gain parameter. The result was a good strong input signal that was easily processed without the undesirable distortion. So for me the answer to the question is no - the Studio Tube Preamp cannot be used to adequately compensate for a low mic input signal. The external mic preamp suggested by tryst above would, I expect, play the same role as the Helix Mic Input Gain parameter and solve the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocles Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I have a Helix LT...delighted with it. Occasionally, I need to run an Acoustic guitar with Vocals...as there's no MIC Input on the LT, decided to try a MIC to LINE Adapter. I got this one - https://www.gear4music.com/…/Audix-T50K-Impedance-Matc…/ST8… It works great ! I can plug my Dynamic Mic in via the RETURN 1 Input on the LT, made a patch with Dualpaths for Mic on Return 1 and Guitar on Return 2. With the Studio Preamp and some Compressors, and a bit of Gain boosting, I get a great clean Mic signal. My Patch as above is available on Customtone (free) at - https://line6.com/customtone/tone/4433419/ 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zolko60 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 You can use "Impedance Matchers" which basically are reversed passive DI boxes (1:9 step up xformer, 20dB of gain), but Shure SM57 "amplified" this way comes after instrument level input and AD at about -30dBFS peaking while hammering its capsule, so 20dB of gain has to be done digital eg. by adding two 12dB gain blocks . Condenser mics would be fine, but require Phantom power, so in practice some mic pre is a better solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tahiche Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 On 6/6/2019 at 12:09 AM, silverhead said: I found the raw input signal to be low so I tried to use the Studio Tube Preamp at the front of the signal chain in Helix to boost the signal. I found that I had to raise the Preamp's Gain parameter to such a high level that it introduced undesireable distortion into the vocal signal. After wondering how to fix this I finally remembered the Mic Input Gain parameter and increased that which allowed me to decrease the Preamp's Gain parameter. @silverhead I´m struggling with some bad feedback in the mic path, as i explain here (https://line6.com/support/topic/47160-vocal-microphone-feedback/?do=findComment&comment=298545). It might be related to what you point out, that the studio pre is set too high to compensate for input gain. Coould you please tell me about your current settings?. Specifically global mic gain, studiopre gain and compression... Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnottis Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Rocles, I know it's a year later.... but I wanted to say thank you. I have a helix lt, picked up an alto 312 on sale at guitar center for $249 last week. I wanted to run vocals through it with acoustic guitar. Went and bought this adaptor at gc today. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Livewire/Essential-High-Impedance-Transformer-Adapter-1-4-TS-to-XLR-Female.gc Used your patch, mic on return 1, guitar on return 2... it works perfectly!! Thank you!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jceepe Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 On 6/6/2019 at 4:02 PM, Rocles said: I have a Helix LT...delighted with it. Occasionally, I need to run an Acoustic guitar with Vocals...as there's no MIC Input on the LT, decided to try a MIC to LINE Adapter. I got this one - https://www.gear4music.com/…/Audix-T50K-Impedance-Matc…/ST8… It works great ! I can plug my Dynamic Mic in via the RETURN 1 Input on the LT, made a patch with Dualpaths for Mic on Return 1 and Guitar on Return 2. With the Studio Preamp and some Compressors, and a bit of Gain boosting, I get a great clean Mic signal. My Patch as above is available on Customtone (free) at - https://line6.com/customtone/tone/4433419/ would try this one... hope we can get that kind of cables here in Manila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madkog Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 On 6/6/2019 at 6:02 PM, Rocles said: I have a Helix LT...delighted with it. Occasionally, I need to run an Acoustic guitar with Vocals...as there's no MIC Input on the LT, decided to try a MIC to LINE Adapter. I got this one - https://www.gear4music.com/…/Audix-T50K-Impedance-Matc…/ST8… It works great ! I can plug my Dynamic Mic in via the RETURN 1 Input on the LT, made a patch with Dualpaths for Mic on Return 1 and Guitar on Return 2. With the Studio Preamp and some Compressors, and a bit of Gain boosting, I get a great clean Mic signal. My Patch as above is available on Customtone (free) at - https://line6.com/customtone/tone/4433419/ Works perfectly. Thanks so much. I love the patch and the reverb and the setup is a breeze!!! I Used a HOSA MIT-435 (impedance transformer) and it was about $30 AUD with my Shure SM58. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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