dandaponde Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Hi, I don’t know if this is a dumb question but I have my Helix set to 1/4” out to my speakers and have USB set to computer. When I open my DAW and set to record, I was wondering if I can hault the straight signal to my speakers while I monitor through the DAW. There is two signals simultaneously coming through my speakers, direct and through the DAW. I hope this makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 You could turn the Helix channel monitor switch in your DAW OFF, or set it to AUTO (usually means monitor playback only). Or you could set the Big Knob to 1/4" and turn it down when recording. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaponde Posted November 13, 2018 Author Share Posted November 13, 2018 I know I could switch the channel monitor off in the daw. The problem is the opposite. I want sound only coming from the daw and not direct. If I use the big knob, it changes the level both from direct playback and the daw at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 11 minutes ago, dandaponde said: I know I could switch the channel monitor off in the daw. The problem is the opposite. I want sound only coming from the daw and not direct. If I use the big knob, it changes the level both from direct playback and the daw at the same time. Sorry, I misread. If you want to monitor the Helix while recording, then the Channel monitoring switch is your only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 You could use a separate interface to get what you want, but latency may become a problem depending on the unit, and your computer's horsepower. I run Helix into a Focusrite 2i4, which has a feature they call "direct monitoring", but it's actually a blend control of the direct line-in from Helix, and the playback from the DAW. You can use the blend control with the DAW's direct monitoring turned off, or set it to 100% playback, with the DAW's direct monitoring on... I've done it both ways and honestly, I can't tell the difference. The Focusrite stuff is pretty decent...I think they boast something like a 2-3 ms round trip latency. Whatever it is, it's minimal, and only becomes a problem if you try to blend the direct signal with the playback while the DAW's direct monitoring is turned on. That'll give you both signals and an annoying chorus-like effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Are you using some real-time FX in your DAW on top of an already effected signal from the Helix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 11 minutes ago, cruisinon2 said: You could use a separate interface to get what you want, but latency may become a problem depending on the unit, and your computer's horsepower. I run Helix into a Focusrite 2i4, which has a feature they call "direct monitoring", but it's actually a blend control of the direct line-in from Helix, and the playback from the DAW. You can use the blend control with the DAW's direct monitoring turned off, or set it to 100% playback, with the DAW's direct monitoring on... I've done it both ways and honestly, I can't tell the difference. The Focusrite stuff is pretty decent...I think they boast something like a 2-3 ms round trip latency. Whatever it is, it's minimal, and only becomes a problem if you try to blend the direct signal with the playback while the DAW's direct monitoring is turned on. That'll give you both signals and an annoying chorus-like effect. This is also how I do it, using a Focusrite 18i20. While the Helix works fine as an Audio Interface, you're limited by it's routing capabilities. It also has slightly higher latency than the Focusrite (2nd gen) and many other AI's. Unless you're using additional effects in your DAW, there really isn't any reason to monitor recording Helix through the DAW, you're just adding latency, which is why I suggested the Channel Monitoring switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 28 minutes ago, rd2rk said: This is also how I do it, using a Focusrite 18i20. While the Helix works fine as an Audio Interface, you're limited by it's routing capabilities. It also has slightly higher latency than the Focusrite (2nd gen) and many other AI's. Unless you're using additional effects in your DAW, there really isn't any reason to monitor recording Helix through the DAW, you're just adding latency, which is why I suggested the Channel Monitoring switch. Yup... that and I'm lazy...I want a master volume right in front of me at arm's length, not on the floor. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 23 minutes ago, cruisinon2 said: Yup... that and I'm lazy...I want a master volume right in front of me at arm's length, not on the floor. ;) And I use a nanoKontrol for the DAW UI, so I don't have to wrestle with the nasty mouse...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaponde Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 ok, so what you guys are saying is to not run the helix as a direct interface but instead go through my normal interface? is this the only solution? or can i switch the output to usb only and bypass the direct to studio monitors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 What I'M saying is that, if you MUST, for some reason, monitor the Helix signal through the DAW while recording (thus making the channel strip monitor button not a solution), then using an external sound card is your best option, UNLESS..... If you set your presets' outputs to USB 1/2, and in Globals, set "USB IN 1/2 Destination" to 1/4", does that work? Try it! Worst that could happen is a small thermonuclear explosion that destroys everything in a 5 mile radius..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 If you're not using any FX on the channel Helix is running into in your DAW there is no reason to monitor through the DAW (if you're using Helix as your interface). You guitar signal will come out of the Helix anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaponde Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 2 hours ago, gunpointmetal said: If you're not using any FX on the channel Helix is running into in your DAW there is no reason to monitor through the DAW (if you're using Helix as your interface). You guitar signal will come out of the Helix anyways. Ah I see what your’e saying. Because when I turn monitoring off, it is still recording the signal... my idiot brain never even thought of this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunpointmetal Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 12 minutes ago, dandaponde said: Ah I see what your’e saying. Because when I turn monitoring off, it is still recording the signal... my idiot brain never even thought of this. It's not an uncommon hiccup. Hopefully you have it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.