Helix LT, How To Use It Like Rack Gear For Us Old School Amp Head Lovers

[The-Big-Diezel]

I couldn't find a thread about this simple way to run the Helix, as if you were coming from using rack gear, wanted to plug directly into the head and use the heads FX loop out and return like you're used to. Here's how to save a ton of time if you're new (like me with less than 3 hours on it)...

 

Guitar > Amp Head Input > Amp Head FX Out (100% level)> Helix Return (100% level)> Helix Send > Amp Head Return = Was SUPER quiet the first time!!! LOL

 

Time to go into the Helix

Hit the patch you wanna tweak (I created user presets starting on the 3rd option down in the main editing window when you push in the Toggle on the right of the Helix)

Go into the edit window (where you see two lines across, can add effects etc and each end has a circle)

Change the 1st circle (guitar icon) to "FX Return" (you can change the input db level and noise gate if you want vs adding it in the effects line)

Toggle over to the last circle on the SAME LINE and change that to "Send Out"(you can also change this output level, I do a volume bump for the lead channel aside from the head channel being louder.

DONE!!!!

 

From here I'll look into the 4CM but since the Engl Invader II has a noise gate built in and doesn't need a tube screamer it's not a priority.

[codamedia]

With a setup that simple, is there any reason why you wouldn't have done this?

 

Guitar > Amp Head Input > Amp Head FX Out (100% level) > Helix INPUT > Helix OUT > Amp Head Return

 

That would have worked perfectly without adding any send/return blocks on the Helix. Both the INS/OUTS on the helix can be set to Instrument or Line if you needed to match the signal, and both also have volume controls so you can still "bump" the signal if you wanted/needed to.

[cruisinon2]

If you're happy with that setup, great... but as already noted, it's a whole lot of extra driving, just to arrive at the same place...

[The-Big-Diezel]

I'm using effects etc and also want to edit volume with the send out db level to drive the master knob on the head. 

 

But since I'm new, maybe using the return and sends isn't as necessary and the input and out can also do a volume tweak with blocks being used. Regardless, I didn't see anything on the forum to guide the basic user.