Mac OSX Driver install - will it break other audio devices attached?

[gordwait]

Typically, one doesn't have to install a driver for Mac audio devices, so I'm a little suspicious..

This line is concerning:  

 

           IMPORTANT! Installing the Helix Mac Driver 1.0.5 precludes using Helix with the class-compliant OS X Core Audio driver.

 

I have a Tascam USB audio interface I use with Logic Pro X, which is using the OS X Core Audio driver.. Red Flag!!

 

If I install the new Mac driver for the Helix, and gain the benefits listed, will it potentially break any other USB audio devices running on my system?

 

It would be cool to just run the Tascam and the Helix at the same time, and record guitar direct to Logic via USB..

 

 

[datacommando]

4 hours ago, gordwait said:

Typically, one doesn't have to install a driver for Mac audio devices, so I'm a little suspicious..

This line is concerning:  

 

           IMPORTANT! Installing the Helix Mac Driver 1.0.5 precludes using Helix with the class-compliant OS X Core Audio driver.

 

I have a Tascam USB audio interface I use with Logic Pro X, which is using the OS X Core Audio driver.. Red Flag!!

 

If I install the new Mac driver for the Helix, and gain the benefits listed, will it potentially break any other USB audio devices running on my system?

 

It would be cool to just run the Tascam and the Helix at the same time, and record guitar direct to Logic via USB..

 

 

 

Hi gordwait,

 

I stopped using my trusty Focusrite Saffire audio interface a couple of years back when I got my Helix. It wasn’t needed anymore, as Helix can deliver 8 channels of USB audio directly into Logic, plus the Focusrite used FireWire which was no longer an option on the new iMacs. That gives you 3 stereo channels or 6 mono on channels 1 through 6. Channels 7 and 8 are dedicated for re-amping use, e.g. DI guitar on 7 and DI vocal on 8, or whatever.

 

I guess that would make the Tascam redundant. I really don’t understand why you would want to run the Tascam alongside the Helix? I can’t see any advantages there. I have everything on my iMac Retina5 running in and out of Logic and into a pair of 8” Tannoy Reveal monitors via the Helix - no issues here. It just works!

 

Oh, yeah it does MIDI also.

 

I guess you read read the stuff in the owner’s manual about Mac Core Audio - if not, find it here:

https://line6.com/data/6/0a06439c975d5787c3e351aa0/application/pdf/Helix 2.0 Owners Manual - Rev D - English .pdf

 

[gordwait]

I just got the Helix this month, not all the pennies have dropped in my brain on what I can get it to do ;)

I bought it mostly for live work so I can stop carrying around my 2x12 Mesa Boogie (great sound, damn heavy to lift!). 

 

The Tascam gives me up to 8 XLR in, for microphones etc, I'll continue to use it for analog in. 

It's more convenient in my little home studio for leaving microphones wired up permanently as I take the Helix off to band rehearsal and gigs.

 

When I connected the Helix today, Logic asked me if I want to use the Helix as an audio device, so one penny dropped - I've been recording the Helix by going analog XLR out of the Helix into the Tascam, then into Logic. I realized I can just go in via USB from the Helix right into Logic (aha!). 

 

I'll likely try this out with the new Line 6 driver - I suspect the Tascam will continue to use the Mac drivers and things will be awesome..  #fingerscrossed

 

Oh, and Line 6 released a new Line 6 Driver for the Mac, so the manual information is now obsolete..

 

[datacommando]

8 hours ago, gordwait said:

I just got the Helix this month, not all the pennies have dropped in my brain on what I can get it to do ;)

I bought it mostly for live work so I can stop carrying around my 2x12 Mesa Boogie (great sound, damn heavy to lift!). 

 

The Tascam gives me up to 8 XLR in, for microphones etc, I'll continue to use it for analog in. 

It's more convenient in my little home studio for leaving microphones wired up permanently as I take the Helix off to band rehearsal and gigs.

 

When I connected the Helix today, Logic asked me if I want to use the Helix as an audio device, so one penny dropped - I've been recording the Helix by going analog XLR out of the Helix into the Tascam, then into Logic. I realized I can just go in via USB from the Helix right into Logic (aha!). 

 

I'll likely try this out with the new Line 6 driver - I suspect the Tascam will continue to use the Mac drivers and things will be awesome..  #fingerscrossed

 

Oh, and Line 6 released a new Line 6 Driver for the Mac, so the manual information is now obsolete..

 

 

Hi again gordwait,

 

Yep, the Helix is certainly more transportable than you Boogie, but you will have less exercise!

 

Oops! Sorry I misunderstood about your Tascam unit - I thought it may have been one of those smaller US 2x2, or 4x4 boxes. I didn’t realise that you would have it constantly rigged with mics.

 

The good thing is that you have discovered that you can use your Helix to get your sound directly into Logic. That takes one step of analogue to digital conversion out of the process with zero latency, so that will be a benefit.

 

The other thing which threw me was the “new” driver, I was unaware of this because my stuff just works. Strangely enough, another user posted on here only yesterday that after installing the 2.70 update, he was experiencing distortion from audio out of his iMac a through the Helix. Anything straight in and out of the Helix was unaffected, so maybe the driver is an issue there. I will have to check that out.

 

Also, I did know the manual contains older information, but as noted above I was unaware of the driver thing! Oops, again. The thing is Line 6 will only revise the owner’s manual when there is a major upgrade to the firmware - expect the new one will be version 3.

 

Anyhow, have fun with the awesomeness that is Helix!