Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Jump to content

PC/PC+ & Helix: How to create an effects loop?


mblasick
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi all --- A friend demoed PC/PC+ for me, and I'm thinking of switching, but I have one question that I can't find answered anywhere. (I've spend many hours looking...really!) I've been using a Helix with the 4-cable method with my old amp to get an effects loop, but I can't find any documentation or even a brief mention on how to do this with a Powercab. I know that Powercab (or at least PC+) has numerous inputs, but do any of them allow the Helix to send the additional data for an effects loop? I'm a newb to digital, so please be gentle and state anything obvious. Thank you so much! ML

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks so much. ... Hmm... Is that the case only when the PC+ is FRFR (just a speaker), or also the case when the PC+ is set to model a speaker? (Is there any difference?) Sorry, I am so old school that I'm not sure that I'm asking the question correctly.

 

I prefer the speaker emulation (right word?) from the PC+ (feels more real...moving air...I want feedback), and wanted to skip the amp/speaker settings entirely on the Helix so that I can set the amp and forget it...and then just control all FX with the Helix.

 

Thinking further...IF I'm thinking this through correctly, and the PC+ is only the speaker, then the Helix MUST then, by default, be the amp (block), correct? So I could skip the speaker setting on the Helix entirely, but must then keep the amp block on the Helix, and as mentioned, put the delays and reverbs after the amp block.

 

And thinking further...Line6 *probably* uses the same algorithms for their speaker simulations in both the Helix and PC+, so why not do everything in the Helix? (And then the PC+ would be on FRFR, I believe...?) If that path is correct, then my next question is: does this feel/feedback like a real amp? I guess that I've got more testing to do. 

 

Am I close to understanding this signal chain?

 

It's beginning to sound simpler, but even the 'total novice' videos and literature take many things for granted, and are hard to follow at times.

 

Regards to all again, Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, mblasick said:

And thinking further...Line6 *probably* uses the same algorithms for their speaker simulations in both the Helix and PC+, so why not do everything in the Helix? (And then the PC+ would be on FRFR, I believe...?) If that path is correct, then my next question is: does this feel/feedback like a real amp? I guess that I've got more testing to do. 

 

No, you're misunderstanding how the speaker modeling on the Powercab works compared to the cab/mic modeling on the Helix. The speaker modeling on the Powercab is letting you change the way the speaker sounds in the physical cab of the Powercab. It's like having the ability to swap speakers. There is mic modeling applied if you use the PC+'s XLR out, but without that, there's no mic modeling. With the cab block in the Helix, it's modeling a specific mic in front of a specific speaker in a specific cab. So FRFR mode on the Powercab is amplifying the sound of a mic'ed cabinet. In that case, the sound is similar to what you'd hear coming from a PA speaker if you mic'ed an amp or plugged your Helix in direct.

 

The diagrams in the PC+ manual sum it up pretty well:

image.png.5adf002985e17379a0418d54a6c9a1d1.png

image.png.860ca2fb6a8a0854e4bb31e02e31dd49.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you so much, Phil. I'll read up on this. I bought my PC+ as a demo, and the only thing in the box besides the cover was the black 'quick start' guide that sits on top. I did download the manual, but since I didn't (don't...lol) fully understand it yet, I was searching for info on loops when they obviously weren't there. 

 

Thanks again to everyone. I've got some studying to do.

 

Regards, Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...