Helix volume knob

[OrangeBlackstar]

Hello all, 

 

I’ve recently been learning more about gain staging and setting everything up correctly so that I won’t have clipping later down the road in my mixes. In regards to the helix, the patches I’m making right now are peaking at about -8.5db (I know, not the recommended -18.0), but this is without me paying attention to the volume knob on the unit. Is there an optimal spot to have this in for gain/avoiding clipping purposes? Currently it’s at like 12 and I haven’t thought about it until now. I use the helix as my interface so I’m recording directly out through the USB. Any and all input is appreciated my dudes. 

[DunedinDragon]

The Helix volume knob has nothing to do with the level of USB signal going into a DAW.  That's controlled by the global values of USB output.  The Helix volume knob becomes relevant when going live through the XLR and 1/4" outputs.  The most common way of ensuring you're not adding too much gain is to individually and listen to your patch while you enable and disable individual blocks in your preset to ensure they aren't adding too much gain to the base level(all blocks disabled) of the preset.

 

The optimal spot for the Helix volume knob is based on what volume is required for a given setup such as an FRFR speaker connected to the 1/4" outputs along with what level signal you're sending (Mic, Line or Instrument).  For example, I detach my XLR outputs from the Helix volume knob in global ins/outs which then sends a full strength signal through my XLR outputs (at Mic signal level) to the mixer, and I use my Helix volume knob to control the feed to my on stage Yamaha DXR12 speaker through the 1/4" outputs and I normally have my volume knob set at just above the 12 o'clock position.  The feed to the mixing board will be gain staged appropriately at the mixer and I control the level on stage based on the on stage blend of instruments and voices.