Helix USB Port As Stereo I/O For iPad?

[Danny_Muse]

Hello Helixers,

 

Long time user, first time poster (well first time in a long time!)

 

Can the Helix USB port be used in the same fashion as the ¼" send / returns, so I can connect my iPad as an external effects processor to the Helix? Would I then be able to use the iPad the same as I might use any other external processor connected to the send / returns, or are there limitations / differences to using the USB port in this way?

 

My understanding is that if I use the ¼" send / returns to connect an external processor, it uses an effects block and that's fine, but is that the case with USB? Also, if I use USB to connect my iPad, will I be able to change the position of the iPad as an effects block, etc. just like I might if the iPad was connected to the ¼" send / returns via an audio interface to iPad?  I'd rather not mess around with an audio interface to connect my iPad to the ¼" send / returns, if I can use the USB port to accomplish the same goals, and I already have plenty of Apple adapters to allow the iPad to connect to USB.

 

I am obliged!

 

[cfhmonkey]

Not currently as far as I can tell. The only way to do this right now is to assign the iPad as the output of one line/chain and then as the input of another. A USB send/receive would be a great addition to a fantastic device, so I wouldn't have to tie up multiple chains to get the job done of using an iPad as an effects insert. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge Line 6.

 

JTV59 Variax, Helix, iPad...Fantastic gig rig!

[almostghosts]

So it’s 2 years later is this still not possible?

I’m thinking about buying a helix to use in this manner. I have a Stomp xl and you can’t use the usb as a block. I was hoping the full helix had more flexibility in that regard. 

[datacommando]

On 2/26/2023 at 7:17 AM, almostghosts said:

So it’s 2 years later is this still not possible?

I’m thinking about buying a helix to use in this manner. I have a Stomp xl and you can’t use the usb as a block. I was hoping the full helix had more flexibility in that regard. 

Hi,

 

It would be a big help if we knew what you are wanting to achieve, that you cannot do already? USB isn’t available as a block - it is built in to the final output as 8 channels of audio.

 

You can connect to an iPad, or iPhone via the USB out to an Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter. 
 

I have used this to method record into GarageBand on an iPad, although it appears to me that you want to do something entirely different from being able to record the fully processed stereo audio along with a dry mono DI for re-amping?

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

[PierM]

On 2/26/2023 at 8:17 AM, almostghosts said:

So it’s 2 years later is this still not possible?

I’m thinking about buying a helix to use in this manner. I have a Stomp xl and you can’t use the usb as a block. I was hoping the full helix had more flexibility in that regard. 

 

There is no such thing as USB Send/Return block and I believe for a good reason, since this would add an awful extra round trip of latency and a potential mess since there wouldn't be clock lock between internal sampling and external.

 

What you can do is to receive audio from USB (USB input block), or send audio to USB (USB output block).

 

Or, you can have USB passing through the Helix signal through USB 1/2.